TGR Tutorial: Ombre Nail Polish

At the start of the season we’ve seen a variety of hot nail art trends whose inspir-evolution saw its beginnings over 7,000 years ago (see full history of nail art here - wow that’s ancient!). When I was writing about this summer’s trends here and here a while back, I came across the most notable nail trends. These include Patterned, Bejeweled, Neons, Ombre, and Two-Tone. I was never too adventurous with my nailpaint. I believe the only time I used two colors at a time was when I alternately applied black and red on my nails in high school.

Now however, I’m slowly falling in love with different shades both bold and nude, and I wanted to try something that veered away from my usual boring flat paint. Because I didn’t have any neons and because I would love contrasting colors for a Two-Tone which I don’t have right now, I opted for a simple Ombre in pastel pink.

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Here’s how you can do your own at home. Applicable to any hue, I believe!

WHAT YOU NEED:

WHAT TO DO:

Step 1: Apply your darker hue across the bottom of your nail. I did it to less than a third of the whole nail.

Step 2: Overlap the darker hue with the lighter hue a little, and apply upwards to cover the rest of your nail.

Step 3: Immediately coat your nail with the colorless polish from Step 2’s starting point.

Step 4: Wait 20 seconds for the polish to dry a little, then apply the colorless polish to 100% of your nail. Repeat until finished.

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It’s a little bit tricky at first. To get the gradient effect you’re happy with, you need to control the amount of paint on your brush. Remember to keep a portion of your darker hue untouched by the lighter hue, and don’t wait too long to do Step 2.

I hope the instructions are easy enough. :) I had fun with it even though the results are a bit cray, but hey, it’s my first time! You can practice doing your Ombre nails until you perfect it. Tweet us photos or post ‘em on our wall so we know how it went!

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Love, your artventurous friend,

Kit of The Girls’ Room

Girl Going Solo: Moving Out

It’s a brand new start for many of us this coming June. Some will start the new school year at the university of their choice, while others will be entering the yuppie society. And the privileged (or forced) few will be moving out of their comfortable homes into unexplored dormitories, apartments or condominiums.

Wherever you’re moving into, it’s just the same - you’ll be in a new place! 

So with so many changes already (and more to come), how do you move without breaking a sweat?

Moving out involves many things (REALLY). I am also at this stage of moving out and there’s so much to do! But no need to fret! I asked a couple of friends who went through the same process, and here’s what they told me.

From Dianne A., recently moved out of her college apartment

(photo found at Organized Ali)

“Ask for carton boxes from grocery stores. They usually give them for free. You’ll be needing LOTS of boxes to store your things. [Sort out your boxes] like one box for school/office supplies, shoes, etc.” Don’t forget to label those boxes as well!

“Bring a couple of extensions chords. You’ll be needing them!”

From Patricia K., an Executive Assistant living in a New York apartment

(photo found at Quick Blog Tips)

“Pack ahead of time so you don’t procrastinate. Otherwise, you will end up bringing stuff you don’t really need. If your family can spare you some furniture, you might save money that way too.”

“This is one website I love to visit: www.apartmenttherapy.com
They have a lot of ideas for small spaces.”

Having a checklist would make the transition even smoother! Here’s a list of all the essentials into moving from Squawkfox! This list is for first apartment movers but some can be applicable to dormers too! 

Seventeen Magazine gives you a slideshow of things specifically for dorm life! 

From Kim B., a college student living in her own apartment

(photo from Organize.com)

“For your shoes, buy clear shoeboxes that are stackable so you can easily identify which shoe is inside, and it’s less spacious than buying a shoe cabinet.”

“If your bathroom isn’t as spacious, I suggest buying a nice (and sturdy) shower rack for your toiletries so you minimize clutter on the sink, on the toilet, etc. :)”

“As much as possible, don’t bring in the decorative items yet! :P See first how everything fits in the space before you bring/purchase anything decorative. :) You can find lots of decorative furniture/fixtures naman, para dual purpose na.”

From Anya O., recent college grad who lived with roommates

(photo from Happily Ever After in Seattle)

“The #1 must-have: permanent marker! :) label your stuff as much as possible (even your food, if you’re that strict) so your roomies won’t confuse them with their stuff.”

“It’s better to move in with a couple of your closest friends so you can all split the bills and rent.”

“Have those stackable plastic boxes where you can store your stuff and double as a side table/shelf/home decor :) make the most out of the space without compromising style and functionality.”

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If you’re planning to buy items for your new home, here are some stores you can check out! 

Save:

SM Department Store, SM Appliances, Wilcon Home Depot, Ortigas Home Depot, Saizen, Japan Home Center

Splurge:

Dimensione, Make Room, Muji, Heima, Howards Storage World, Color & Life, Quirks Novelties & Curiosities

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If you have tips, please feel free to tweet us! @TGROnlinePH

Happy moving!

Love,

Aki of The Girls’ Room

presidents:

Have you followed Recovery? If you like Filipino Literature and Design, this project’s for you!

Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and help us spread the word!

We also welcome contributors! Please send an email to hello@recovery.ph.

We’re one to appreciate Filipino Literature. Help spread the word about Carina and Cat’s literature/design Recovery project. Contributors are welcome.

(via robcham)

TGR Tips: Surviving Your First Day

I won’t even go into detail about how much we want summer to go on a little longer. But June is already grabbing us by the arm (or if you’re from DLSU and DLSU-CSB, it’s already dragging you in with your first days over), and there’s no stopping it. Nevertheless, the beginning of class doesn’t mean the end of that summer good vibes. Here’s how to bury that 1-2 punch in school’s cold facade.

1. Adjust your sleep schedule.

(photo from Chuck Oreta - Meow Meow Inc.)

During the summer it is great to be able to sleep until noon and stay up until after midnight but when school starts, adjusting to an early wake up time can be harsh. It takes about three weeks for your body to adjust to a new sleep schedule. If you don’t want waking up on the first day of school to be a nightmare, start waking up 15-20 minutes earlier each day three weeks before school starts until you reach your school wake up time.

2. Do Homework as Early as Possible.

(photo from Chuck Oreta - Meow Meow Inc.)

Don’t leave homework for the last minute! Instead of watching the same episode of Project Runway for the third time in a row, start cracking the books! If you have summer reading assignments, finish your books and reports. Even if it seems too early, you will be ready for whatever comes along. Being unprepared is the worst, and you will be thanking yourself when you get that extra half hour to sleep in the morning when school finally sets in! Your teachers will be proud, and you will be on top of your game.

3. Labeling. From school books to calculators and pencil cases, labeling is key to organization. Tag your most important stuff (uniform/clothes, book bag, lunch bag, etc.) with your name, address and number and smaller items with your name. Although it sounds very elementary school, seeing some random kid using your favorite pen can be slightly awkward!

4. Positive Attitude.

(photo from Chuck Oreta - Meow Meow Inc.)

Don’t glum your days on end, reminiscing your summer love that should’ve lasted or your beach-ready bod you loved tanning. A positive attitude is always important to enjoy the moment, whichever that may be (and even in this learning luau). Go gora on all school activities and events, and participate with whatever you can help with. Join a new org or a sport, or just try something new this year. Make this year your year to shine and show ‘em what you got. Diss that insecurity, and believe in your talents. You can only know if you’re cut out for something if you try.

5. Wear what makes Y-O-U feel good.

(Tin Iglesias of Fashion Ate the World wearing a knit Mango top and fringe bag)

Pick out your clothes at night for the next day so you can get in a few more minutes of sleep in the morning. Don’t try on eight different outfits deciding what to wear. Everyone has their own style and no matter what outfit you chose there will be someone who just doesn’t get your style. Just do you.

A fashionable tip for the Fall/Winter season: military jackets, sweaters, knits and textures!

(created in polyvore.com)

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Love,

Kit of The Girls’ Room

stachemagazineonline:

POPFEST: DOPE MANILA & DR. MARTENS COLLABORATION

 Where Mei Bastes goes, the scene will follow. After a brief respite from the wildly celebrated gig series Meiday! Meiday!, it’s only right for the queen to return, this time looking to expand her reign. Enter DOPE MNL, a potent production with a keen ear cocked to all genres of local independent music. Having produced three gigs in the first month of its birth, DOPE MNL is seeking to expand its repertoire with the help of like-minded benefactors, reviving Meiday’s legacy of keeping the local music scene fierce and free.

In collaboration with Dr Martens Philippines, young firebrand production DOPE MNL is about to re-ignite the music scene with POPFEST: a music festival patterned after NYC Popfest but with Manila’s madness, featuring the best and brightest of local talent. In the spirit of Meiday! Meiday!’s advocacy of keeping independent music financed for the bands, free for the crowd, and ferocious all around, POPFEST will be free-admission, kicking off at 4pm in the open air of Fort Strip Plaza.

POPFEST features:

• Nyko Maca and Gafeiria
• Pedicab
• Ang Bandang Shirley
• Ciudad
• Sell Our Door
• Bee Eyes
• The Wilderness
• The Strangeness
• Twin Lobster
• The Discoball

plus DJ sets by FLUXXE’s Kiko Escora and Gian Romano

Special Blog Giveaway!

We got our hands on juicy gift certificates from the following:

CBTL, The Spa, Beauty Bar, Skin, Jellybean, Fish and Co., Barre, Carbtrim, Enderun, Browhaus, Clarity, John Robert Powers, Ace Waterspa, Yves Rocher, Heima, Hyphys, SM Department Store, RedBox, Charles and Keith, Krazy Garlik, Flipsters, Pure Beauty, Eastwood Mall, Promod, Strip, Athena, Fly Shades, FitFlop, Etude House, Get Laud, Shuji Kida Hair Salon, Peacocks, Bizu Cakes, Parfois, All Flipflops, Etam, Pet Central and Venice Piazza

And we’re giving ALL of those to just ONE WINNER. Lucky!

How to Enter:

1. You must be following our Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter accounts.

2. Reblog this post and comment below so we know you’re entering.

3. Tweet us the title of your favorite article and tell us why you love it, and hashtag #TGRgiveaways

(e.g. “@TGROnlinePH I absolutely love “Goodbye Blackheads!” because I learned that beauty is not all about the heavy price tag and I can do things on my own! #TGRgiveaways”)

Show off your wit! The most creative answer will win ALL the GCs above.

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It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3 — literally. :)

You’ve got two full weeks to enter. Remember to do ALL THREE steps to qualify for the giveaway.

Email us at thegirlsroomonline@gmail.com for any questions and comments. :)

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PROMO PERIOD: May 23 to June 6, 2012 at 12mn. Enter to win, now! Open to residents of the Philippines only.

Love,

The Girls of The Girls’ Room

Who’s Ready for A Giveaway?

We’re thrilled to hold our 2nd blog giveaway! There’s so much in store for the winner! Nevermind one or even ten prizes, we’ve got TONS, and I mean A BAG FULL OF THEM. 

Announcement of the giveaway at 5:00PM TODAY. Watch out for it!