Hello, friends. I haven’t been around the blog in a few days, sorry! I’ve been busy, sick and, honestly, spending too much time zoning out on YouTube. But I’m checking in today with a few things I’ve been loving online lately. Hope you’re having a great weekend!

• I am completely in awe of this body art (like that crazy one above!) by Cecilia Parades.
• Strangely mesmerized by these old photos of “The Scotlands”, Wolverhampton
• Love Ever After might just be the sweetest thing. Ever. (via Naomi)
• A cathedral of light. Literally.
• This made me laugh SO freaking hard: How Twitter Would Have Changed 90s Television
• The list of Top 10 Suicidal Writers is tragic but fascinating.
• I was absolutely enthralled by this article on the life of a 22-year-old escort.
• 25 Clever Ideas to Make Life Easier.
• Who wants to let me do their hair and makeup, and have a little pin up photo shoot?!
• Two Wars, Seen Many Ways is an incredible collection of conflict photos.
• I’m kind of obsessed with photos of abandoned things and places, and these are especially stunning.
• I’m about to get my super food smoothie on!

I have extraordinarily problematic skin, and I’ve tried just about everything under the sun to keep it clean and healthy — with very mixed results. But for the past six weeks or so, I’ve been using a new routine that has been working for me.

I have chronic redness (in my weakest, Hypochondriac-like moments, I think I have undiagnosed Rosacea) and hyper-sensitive skin (that’s most of my body, not just my face, btw). And I’m considered to have combination skin, which means I get oily in my t-zone area but also suffer from dry patches. Are you with me here? Yeah, so it’s been a struggle trying to figure out what works with my skin. But here’s what I’m working with now:

Clarisonic Mia ($129.00) // This little tool is probably the greatest investment I’ve ever made for my skin. With it, I only spend one minute to remove everything from the surface, and deep clean the skin. My skin is softer and smoother than ever, and while I do still develop oil throughout the day, the dryness has significantly improved. (Note: Most Mia’s are at $119.00 but the pattern designs, like mine in Jaguar, are $10 more).

First Aid Beauty Cleanser ($18.00) // This smooth, creamy cleanser is formulated to calm redness and irritation and for sensitive skin (no Parabens, harsh chemicals or colorants). On its own, I think this cleanser would be a little too gentle for my liking (I prefer a microbead-type scrub, if I can handle it), but it’s the perfect compliment to my Clarisonic.

First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum ($34.00) // Has this product completely cured my redness like I had hoped/prayed it would? Well, no, but it helps. It cools and calms my skin while helping to combat redness (short-term, so far I haven’t noticed much long-term improvement). Because it is a serum, it leaves an almost greasy finish (which I don’t like), but if you let it sit for a few minutes (or 5-10), it completely sinks into the skin.

First Aid Beauty Daily Face Cream ($18.00) // Having a lot of the same properties as the cleanser, this lightweight moisturizer hydrates and calms the skin. I’m honestly amazed at how good my skin feels, while also feeling like there isn’t anything on it. My only wish is that this product had SPF protection, then it would really be my favorite all-around moisturizer.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads ($28.00) // I originally thought I’d be using this every morning (since I prefer to be as quick and hassle-free as possible while getting ready), but I’ve taken to using my Clarisonic twice a day as often as I can. So these pads have become my go-to cleanse if I’m really pressed for time in the morning, or if I’m stopping at home between appointments. I like that they don’t sting (like many other face pads), and that they have both textured and un-textured sides to lightly exfoliate and leave a smooth, clean finish.

Origins VitaZing ($35.00) // Most tinted moisturizers, I’d consider lightweight foundations with moisturizing properties. But I’d describe VitaZing as a true moisturizer with a tint. It starts out white, and adjusts to match your complexion. I’m not sure how it would work on darker skin tones, but it works for me just fine. I don’t wear this everyday, especially if I’m just going to work or will be indoors, but any time I have lots of driving or running around to do (and not things that I need to me done up for), I’ll put on a thin layer for light coverage and SPF 15.

Warning: May contain spoilers.

Gina Carano is a straight bad ass. She’s a professional fighter (Muy Thai and Mixed Martial Arts) and was Crush on American Gladiators. To top it off, she’s gorgeous. I’d been wondering what she’d been up to since she last fought in 2009 — turns out, she was becoming a movie star.

Haywire (Which I saw on opening night, sorry so late!), follows Carano as an ex-marine-turned-priavte-mercenary who is hired by the government to extract a hostage. She’s double-crossed by her boss (also her ex) and his colleagues and then things go, well, haywire.

The story plays out by jumping between present time and flashbacks, all with some visually stunning cinematography. It’s long, and not as action-packed as I thought it would be — But when it’s on, it’s ON! And with her martial arts background, I’m not at all surprised that Carano’s ass-kicking was some of the best I’ve ever seen on screen.

• Best Gina Carano hair & makeup // The cornrows & camouflage paint!
• Best Gina Carano outfit // The party in Dublin; She looked incredible.
• Most surprising moments // The deer.
• Useless edit // Altering (possibly even replacing, and I could believe those reports) Gina Carano’s voice. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with her natural voice, so I don’t know why they did it. I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it, it was so distracting!
• Most badass fight scene // I tried not to, but I have to score it a tie between the opening fight scene (Carano vs. Channing Tatum) and Mallory vs. Paul.
• Best actor // Not Carano, though I’ve seen much worse. Stacking the cast with such accomplished actors as costars helped the film, but overwhelmed Carano.

Good morning! Did you watch the big game? I didn’t pay too much attention to it, other than Madonna’s halftime show — which I thought was pretty damn good! Here’s what I was up to instead.

Last Week’s Highlights

• Played the usual Mixplate Monday.
• Finally got to try bikram yoga. It was tough as shit, but a great workout!
• Went to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and shared some photos.
• Had a crazy work week // Fights at the mall, office tuna, saran-wrapped cars, and lunch at EAT.
• Dinner and movies (which was actually supposed to be a live podcast) with my blog twin, Jen.
• Announced my February Fitness Challenge.

Weekend Happenings

• Thanked some good people.
• Walked around the Mililani Walmart. I think it’s the first time I’ve been to that one!
• Went to a little UFC 143 party, and brought Sugois garlic chicken with me :)
• Caught up on a few TV shows, including: Alcaraz, House, Mob Wives and Spartacus.

On the Agenda

• Another round of bikram yoga.
• Hopefully going to boxing class :)
• Finally finishing the book I’ve been carrying around and sporadically reading for months!

As of Today

• Still working on the half-gallon of organic milk I bought last weekend (Tip: Organic milk lasts forever).
• Eating Super Bowl leftovers (which for me and my diet means a salad with baked salmon).
• Waiting to watch Smash; I’ve been seeing the commercial for months, and it finally starts tonight!

Three hours, two helpful friends, one helpful stranger, two parents, $500 and four tires later — And I’ve finally found myself at home, in bed, and grateful.

Today could have easily been a really shitty day. It certainly had its share of moments. But, more than anything, it helped me realize (yet again) that my life runneth over with some really, truly good people.

The company I work for is going through some major changes, people-wise. We let someone go in December, two people are leaving us this month, and one is scaling back her schedule to work on her own business. It’s been stressful bracing for all the change and I can’t see what’s coming when I look to the future, but having all that hanging over my head for the last month or so was a constant reminder that I really love the crazy kids I work with. Like so many jobs, I guess, we’ve formed this dysfunctional little tribe. We bust our asses, we laugh, we talk shit, we do work, and we eat (Especially the last one; We tend to be really, really good at that). I’ve grown to love these people as friends (or homies, as Junior likes to call it), not just coworkers, and I’m lucky to have them.

Especially today, when we were walking to our cars at the end of the day and noticed that my micro machine (that’s my car) had a flat. And to make it extra fun, I was parked on a hill. But we decided to go for the tire-change anyway. We took turns cranking the jack (thanks, girls) and were about to slide the spare on where we had taken the flat off, when the car rolled and the jack fell out from under it. Our saving grace was that we had the brains to put a brick behind my back tires — so we avoid a major disaster — and at that point I was resigned to calling a tow truck.

But the good people were still coming. A neighbor came over with a car kit on wheels and completely saved my ass. Not only did he jack my car and put it on stands, but helped us put on the spare and even put air in my tires, while barely letting us help. And when I tried to give him a bottle of wine, he declined. (But I did that Uncle right when I came back with a case of Heineken. Gotta love local people and their green bottles).

I gave my dad the all clear so that he could call off the tow truck he had waiting. A few minutes later my mom showed up to follow me (to make sure I made it, and to cover my ass since I was driving extra slow on the spare) to the nearest Sears to help me get some new tires and wait with me until my car was ready to drive home. I have two caring parents who have given me everything, and are always there when I need them. I just fricken love them.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m hormonal due to the time of the month, but I got home and cried a few tears after the day I had. Not sad ones, but overwhelmingly grateful ones. I don’t know if I should call myself fortunate or blessed, but I am most definitely thankful for these good people ♥

So I’ve decided kick my own ass with a little challenge this month. The February Fitness Challenge is to work out everyday for the month of February. (The fact that it is the shortest month of the year was not lost on me).

It’s my birthday month (the big quarter-century), so I’m feeling extra motived to do something positive for myself. Plus I’m gearing up for the Great Aloha Run (and by “run” I mean “jog”, and by “jog” I most likely mean walk, haha!), so hopefully this helps me survive the 8.15 miles coming up on President’s Day.

And in my New Year’s haste, I also made a few purchases for this new year that I need to make better use of — including some fitness equipment for working out at home and a Jillian Michaels club membership.

I’ve also had a goal of trying more classes or types of workouts, that I haven’t lived up to (though I did give bikram yoga a try yesterday, more on that soon!). There are yoga and boxing classes at the Y that I’ve been meaning to get to, but have either been too lazy or too chicken to go alone, lol!

So there it is: The February Fitness Challenge. I’m planning on posting my daily updates on Twitter, and will do a couple of updates on the blog as well. Wish me luck!

Last weekend I hit up the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet with my mom and brother. We walked around for a couple of hours, and bought lots of food! Where else can you find banana bread, dried ahi, poke with ‘opihi, Maui onion shrimp chips, and li hing mui fruits in one place? We even got a few fun dog toys for H&H, and I grabbed a couple of bars of handmade soap! Take a look at the soaps and more, through my lens.

• Delicious-looking and super colorful fresh fruit; We got the mangoes and pineapples with li hing mui!
• Flower hair clips hanging from a tent.
• Hand-carved kava bowl.
• Makakii in every color.
• Barack Obama dashboard doll; I think it was a bobblehead. PS: Does the President surf?!
• The Filthy Farm Girl poses with her handmade soaps. I bought a couple and can’t wait to try them!
• Vintage typewriter. Glad my mom was there to talk me out of buying it because, honestly, I wouldn’t ever do anything with it.

I have to say, I’m kind of nervous about the week ahead. Things are a-changing around the office, and I have a million things on my need to do list (and a million more on my want to do list). I guess I’d better get out the door and get started. But first, here’s another edition of Mixplate Monday!

Last Week’s Highlights

• Played the usual Mixplate Monday.
• Had a few bombs dropped at work. Looks like some of my coworkers won’t be my coworkers anymore :(
• Took some photographs at Joziah’s birthday party.
• Had a complete and utter disaster with my diet, lol! I even ate red meat — and completely regretted it soon thereafter (worst tummy ache ever).
• Reviewed Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
• Signed up for the Great Aloha Run. Wish me luck!
• Chose Vows x Kimbra as my album of the week.
• Spartacus is back!
• Shared some links to love.

Weekend Happenings

• Made my picks for the big UFC on FOX (No. 2: Evans vs. Davis) card.
• Watched said fights with Matt, over a late lunch/early dinner type situation at Big City Diner.
• Saw Man on a Ledge, and really liked it!
• Shared some video clips I’ve been loving lately.
• Target and Wendy’s with my mom. Bought some pretty healthy groceries only to follow it up with fast food. Get it together, Tiera. Thank goodness it’s Monday and I can start fresh, haha!

On the Agenda

• Finally trying that bikram yoga class that Khrystyne & I never got to.
• Eating healthy. I’ve got a stock pile of fish and veggies to last me the week.
• UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit. #wardiaz

As of Today

• Trying a new oatmeal for breakfast.
• Finding a salad for lunch. Healthy eating starts again today.
• Cooking some salmon and veggies for dinner, and bringing the leftovers to work tomorrow.
• PS: Did you notice that these are all food-related? Can you tell that I’m hungry? Haha!

Tori Kelly (one of my YouTube favorites) does Frank Ocean’s “Thinking About You”.

I’ve confessed my love for Pentatonix before, but it’s only because they’re so amazing — as proved in their newest video, an a capella cover of “Moves Like Jagger”.

And here’s Pentatonix again, this time taking over a public bathroom with Todrick Hall (the guy that wrote his own song for his “American Idol” audition a few years ago, and did the Beyonce flash mob in Target). PS: Gold pants all day.

I don’t know if this guy is actually the world’s fastest nunchucker, but he’s a badass nonetheless. (Ignore the weird yelping).

I am SO obsessed with Ingrid Michaelson’s cover of “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye & Kimbra

Even if you aren’t familiar with KenFlo, this video is still pretty hilarious.

Two janitors live out their MMA dreams.

If you do not laugh at this, we cannot be friends.

Good morning, fight fans! I am PUMPED (in an Arnold Schwarzenegger voice) for today’s free (on FOX) UFC card! I was excited all week, especially for anything Chael Sonnen-related (Have I mentioned that Chael DM’d me once?! Well, allegedly, as he has so far denied actually owning the Twitter account in his name.) — And I got even more amped after last night’s episode of Primetime (even if it was for next weekend’s UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit). Anyhow, enough rambling… I’m off to watch the fights with my friend Matt, so on to my predictions!

Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis

Can Rashad Evans beat Phil Davis? Absolutely. He’s got more MMA experience and better striking. But as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones keeps telling us, he doesn’t have a chin. And even though he’s got a strong wrestling background, Phil Davis’ wrestling credentials are better. Plus Mr. Wonderful has the size and reach advantage — which means Rashad is gonna have to get close enough to Davis to tag him, and doing so would give Davis the opening to put Rashad on his back.
My Pick: Davis with the upset.
PS: I also just straight up don’t like Rashad all that much — unless he’s doing an impersonation of his mom or Mike Tyson, haha.

Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping

I feel like I’ve said this a lot lately, but I’m more excited for the co-main event than I am for the big show. Of course I wish this fight was announced earlier (rather than a last-minute reshuffle after Chael Sonnen’s original opponent, Mark Munoz, was forced out of the bout with inury), if only so the shit-talking between two of the best shit-talkers around could reach nuclear proportions. But for as much game as Michael Bisping can spit, he’s not gonna be able to back it up in the Octagon. Chael will take Bisping to the ground and dominate him — and follow it up with the fight we’ve all been waiting for, the Anderson Silva rematch. (And if the champ couldn’t knock Chael out, Bisping certainly won’t).
My Pick: Sonnen by decision (though a submission or TKO via ground and pound would be fantastic).

Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

Not at all to discredit Chris Weidman, who is a rising star in the UFC and has a lot of potential to take the middleweight division by storm, but my money’s on Demian Maia. He has the advantage of experience, and Weidman’s already in the hole by taking this fight on less than two weeks notice against a much higher-caliber opponent than he’s faced yet in his undefeated run. Despite being a legit wrestler, I suspect Weidman’s gonna try to keep the fight standing — he has the striking edge and he’s going to want to avoid Maia’s brilliant BJJ. But Maia has the takedown skills to take this fight to the ground anyway.
My Pick: Maia by submission.

Prelims

Nick Lentz def. Evan Dunham
John-Olav Einemo def. Mike Russow
George Roop def. Cub Swanson
Charles Olivera def. Eric Wisely
Michael Johnson def. Shane Roller
Lavar Johnson def. Joey Beltran
Chris Camozzi def. Dustin Jacoby