Darphynia's Diary

Pro Travel. Image courtesy of zuca.com One of the best purchases I have ever made was my ZUCA ($295.00).  I've had mine for almost 10 years, and it looks nearly brand-new.  So far, it has been with me on every trip, from the States to Japan, and everywhere in between.  Since I only travel with carry-ons, this is the perfect travel companion.  All of my clothes fit (I use SpaceBags to save space) as does my toiletry bag, shoes, and anything else I need.  The fragile items go in my backpack. Pro Travel w/ Inserts. Image courtesy of zuca.com Image courtesy of zuca.com  ZUCA is super lightweight due to the aluminum-alloy frame, and no matter what the terrain, it is easy to pull.  The only downside is that it does not have 360-degree wheels...but it couldn't.  If it did, there would be no way to sit on it!  I love the fact that I can use it as a seat anywhere.  No chair?  No problem!  It will suppo...

Image courtesy of pinterest Okay, I know the term "hapa" was not originally meant to be a positive term, but it honestly doesn't bother me.  I never thought that growing up as half Japanese and half White would be a plus until I was older.  Growing up I was surrounded by kids who were "whole".  They were White, Black, Hispanic, you name it, but very rarely did I encounter anyone who was mixed.  As a child, I remember being asked, "What are you?" and being told, "You're weird."  That had a profound affect on how I identified, and did a number on my self-esteem.  I was never a "whole" anything, and I so desperately wanted to be like everyone else.  My bestest-best friend is also mixed, but she moved away when we were still in grade school.  It also didn't help that my White side was far less accepting of my being mixed than my Japanese side (I've always felt more connected to them)...not all of my White relatives, b...

Image courtesy of PBS.org I am so sad to see reports (this one is from PBS ) that Downton Abbey 's last season may very well be its 6th.  I don't think that Julian Fellowes, nor anyone else, thought it would become such a successful and influential series.  Downton Abbey has become a global phenomenon.  While I can see the series go on indefinitely (and who wouldn't want to see how the family changes up into the 21st century?) I can understand why it may take its final bow.  It can be good to "quit while you're ahead".  Rarely does a show make you feel a part of it.  I don't know how to explain it, but when I watch it, I feel like I am emotionally invested even though it is television program.  Maybe it's the writing or casting, I'm not sure; it just has this air about it.  Downton Abbey has shown all of the changes in fashion, language, dance, gender roles, hierarchy, and the change in how households were run.  Even though it ...

Some things should be kept private, but this is an exception.  Until recently, there wasn't much talk on what we experience during periods.  "Aunt Flo(w)", "rag", "The Red Tide", call it what you will...nobody likes periods.  Okay, maybe they are, in general, a relief to get at times, but overall, they suck.  I, personally, experience low back pain and a sore chest.  There are times when my back hurts so much that even laying down is uncomfortable.  My chest swells and is so sore that it hurts to just take a shower or wear a bra (so glad they have padded sports bras now!).  I will never forget an experience I had one night at Disneyland.  My "twister" and I were walking towards the Jungle Cruise.  It was quite crowded, and this guy next to me was talking to his girlfriend.  He said something to her and stretched out his arm, whacking my right in the chest.  I grabbed my chest and thought I was going to pass out...He looked over...

Image courtesy of beautylish.com & Billy B Beauty So, I wrote about the Billy B makeup brushes when I first purchased them years ago (I want to say it's been about 10, or near it).  Now that is has been awhile, I thought I would update you on whether or not they are still kickin'.  Billy Brasfield (Billy B) is an amazing makeup artist who made a name for himself, and has worked on a plethora of celebrities throughout his career.  He has also been an inspiration to countless aspiring MUAs, and I love his work.   Anyway, he had (literally) just come out with these amazing makeup brushes, and those who attended the seminar were the first to be able to purchase them.  From what I remember, they sold out.  Anyway, I have used them on photo shoots and sets, and they have not fallen apart yet.  Each brush is very well made, lightweight, and the short handle makes them very travel-friendly.  The retractable lip brush has a wonderful enclosure,...