Known as “the happiest place on Earth”, Disneyland is a highly sought out destination for many due to its incredible attractions. Offering tasty unique food and drink options, character meet ups, rides/coasters, shows, and more! Between all of that, high prices, long wait times, and the large crowds it can get a bit overwhelming at times. However, no need to fret I’ll be going over some of my favorite recommendations and tips that I’ve learned as someone who has a magic key (annual pass) and has been going frequently for a few years. So let’s dive in!
Tip: The best cold brew is served at the Dockingbay in Galaxy’s Edge
Fave Foods:
Disneyland
Jolly Holiday Cafe
Jolly Holiday has great dining options, they have sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. My go to is the beef birria grilled cheese sandwich. Very flavorful and a decent sized portion. They also offer seasonal options. Around the holidays they have a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce that’s definitely a must have.
Hungry Bear has a great menu selection offering barbecue, burgers, chicken tenders, and tons of delicious desserts. If you’re a barbecue fan you’ll definitely want to check it out! I love to try their seasonal funnel cakes so if you ever see one available make sure not to miss out on it!
The boardwalk dining for Lamplight Lounge is the perfect stop for shareable appetizers, and a delicious drinks. My all time favorite is the “Spotlight” barbacoa nachos. I personally am not a seafood fan but I’ve heard amazing reviews about the lobster nachos as well. Besides the amazing food and drinks it has a beautiful view as it sits on the pier by the ferris wheel. To get seated you just walk up and join their virtual walk up list. Definitely worth the visit!
Cocina Cucamonga is located in San Fransokyo Square, and serves Mexican cuisine. Most of their food is incredible, the only item I’m not a fan of is the street corn. My go to order is the quesabirria tacos. If I’m feeling extra hungry I’ll add on a side of cilantro lime rice, and of course wash it down with an horchata. Seriously too good to pass up on!
Most dining options allow for mobile ordering so check ahead to schedule orders for asap or a later time!
*Tip: Do NOT eat at Galactic Grill at Disneyland I’ve tried it a few times and every time has been disappointing. Save your money and go literally anywhere else!*
Best Drinks (alcohol)
Tip: You can mobile order your drink ahead of time just like food. Just be sure to have a valid ID, 2 drinks per 1 ID can be given!
Disneyland
Oga’s Cantina- must join waitlist before hand or make reservation, for those who are under 21 no problem there’s no age restriction to enter! Make Reservation
The Fuzzy Ton-Ton (my go to)
California Adventureland
The Brewery X Baja Blast (Made with alcohol)
Hollywood Lounge
Shmoozies
Award Weiners (get the Brewery X Baja Blast)
Lamplight Lounge (get the Dole whip shots)
Pym Testing Lab (get the R&D Martini)
The one on the left is Litmus Lemonade (contains alcohol) which tastes just like the Starbucks Strawberry Açaí Refresher, and the one on the right is the R&D Martini which tastes like an espresso martini (this one is my new favorite)
Navigating the Lightening Lane:
The Lightening Lane isn’t perfect and can be confusing so this is my advice on using it as someone who doesn’t like to wait!
Plan ahead which rides are a priority for you. If you’re park hopping the pass applies to both parks, and you are able to book slots every 2 hours.
Popular rides will run out of slots earlier in the day. I constantly see rides like Guardians of the Galaxy, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones only offering slots for 11pm by 3pm. So, for popular rides like those I’d advise you book them earlier in the day to ensure a slot.
There are two rides that are excluded from the pass and are available for separate purchasing. These rides are Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland, and Radiator Springs Racers at California Adventure. Each ride is available to buy a separate pass for $20 each.
-If you don’t feel like spending an extra $20 I’d advise using the single rider line for Radiator Springs Racers, since you can wait the entire time with your party and just ride separately.
Tip: Hit Radiator Springs in the night for the best views, the whole area gets lit up and is stunning
-Rise of the resistance doesn’t do single riders so your best alternative would be to either go right when the park opens or right before the ride closes. Do note though that this ride closes by 10pm even when the park closes at 12am.
As everyone knows rides do break down here and there and will close for maintenance, in the event that the ride you booked the pass for is not operating during your time slot you’ll be given a unique pass. A cast member will scan it and you’ll see a single use multi-use experience will pop up. You’ll be able to use this at any ride that accepts lightening lane. (Some people will use this as a hack if they know a ride will be down most likely all day in order to use the pass on a ride that doesn’t offer a slot for a long time)
You can only book each ride one time. Although you get new bookings every 2 hours, you cannot repeat a ride using lightening lane. So, if the wait time for a ride is relatively short I’d recommend waiting to use it until it gets busier.
Lastly, use the tip board where you schedule slots to keep up with wait times and in between slots fit in rides with shorter wait times to maximize your experience.
Ride Hacks
On Big Thunder Mountain try to maintain eye contact with the goat while going through the bend as it’s said to make it feel faster.
The Matterhorn ride has two tracks; the left side and right side. The left side is more aggressive, while the right is more gentle. So, if you like thrill take the left, and if you like a more mellow experience go right.
The Winnie the Pooh and Storybook ride offer a special experience to the first riders everyday. If you’re the first in line to either ride you get to sign a book. Personally, I’m not usually there that early, but for my morning people you may want to consider it as it’s a unique experience!
The Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure sometimes offers their own version of the single rider line and is referred to as a buddy pass. Buddy pass is applicable to parties of 2 and 1, and the entrance is through the exit. Just make sure to ask a cast member to see if they’re offering it that day.
Rope Drop Hacks
Most people who rope drop will go to the right side of the park first, so do the opposite and go left for less crowds at Disneyland
If you rope drop at California Adventure start at Pixar Pier, and knock out all of those rides
Thank you for reading, and I hope these help you with your next Disney day! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out 🙂
There is something special at Ventura College most may not know about. There is a learning opportunity for children between the ages of 2-5. The Orfalea Child development center is at the far west end of campus at Telegraph and West Campus Way. The emphasis of the center on STEM education has earned them the Golden Gear award in 2019.” The center is one of the top programs in the county”, states Deanna Hall a professor and co-chair of the center. She has been in education for 35 years. Students enrolled in the Early Education program earn their associate’s degrees while not only observing but actual hands-on experience working with the children at the center.
The classes are small with a 1 to 10 ratio and the classrooms for the children aged 3,4 and 5 will never go over 20. The 2-year-old class has one teacher for every 6 children. The advanced students will serve as teachers’ aide alongside permanent highly qualified teachers employed by Ventura College. The school’s outside learning lab has a garden where children can not only plant and grow their own vegetables but fulfill their desire to play at the mud table. The center has a “jungle” of trees that provide opportunities to look for lady bugs in the grass and be young explorers. The outdoor area also has a constructed river with rocks and logs to play on. The sensory adventure continues with what else but a pirate ship to play on.
The center has scholarships available for qualified students; more information can be found by visiting the center or emailing vcchilddev@vcccd.edu. The quality care is comparable to most child learning centers. The center is family focused as it encourages parents to participate in volunteering and hosts STEM Day events twice a year. The center has built the curriculum to ignite the children’s imagination and lay the foundation that will begin their educational journey. For more information on how you can take advantage of this program visit https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student-services/child-development-center
Film is, in my opinion, one of the most captivating forms of media that incorporates the best elements of artistic expression. Storytelling, music, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and more all come together to create a unique experience that resonates with people. Cinema stands out from other art forms by expressing vivid emotions in various ways, whether it is through intense dialogue or manipulating the way a frame is shot to invoke a certain feeling or effect. A movie may mean something different to each viewer, but there is always an effect left on them due to the medium’s profound and prolific nature.
In recent years, I believe that there has been a resurgence of interest regarding independent film studios, for example, A24 films, for distributing films that no major studio would approve of. Independent films are important to the film industry because they offer unique artistic expressions, diverse perspectives, and often challenge the status quo by pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. In this space, filmmakers are able to tell stories outside of the commercial pressures of mainstream media that prioritize profit and an all-star cast, seemingly, above all else. However, independent films remove themselves from these expectations and revel in creative freedom and innovation through bold themes, visual styles, controversial subjects, unconventional storytelling methods, experimental editing, and more. Without further ado, here are 4 independent films that I thoroughly enjoy and believe are worth watching if you are looking to expand your film taste or repertoire!
Girlfriends (1978)
Synopsis
Girlfriends was directed by Claudia Weill and released in 1978. It follows the story of a photographer, Susan, who is struggling within her career. When her roommate and best friend Anne abruptly decides to move out and get married, she feels hurt and must learn to live independently. Throughout the film, both Anne and Susan dream of success in their respective careers and search for their own sense of purpose or identity.
Review
I absolutely adored this film from start to finish and did not want it to end. The characters were authentic, as if I was watching real lives unfolding through platonic and romantic relationships. The plot centers around women’s friendships as well as navigating their independent lives once Anne moves out and gets married. Almost all of the characters are female, which I found refreshing and different from other older films I have seen in the past. Although, it is vital to note that romantic relationships are the background, not the focal point. In Girlfriends, Weill’s portrayal of female friendships is deep, intimate, and warm. The film was created during the women’s liberation movement which is evident in some of the content in the film. For instance, Susan struggles with getting magazine editors to even look at her portfolio despite selling them three photos and is often dismissed by galleries. The implication is that women may have not been taken seriously, which is evident in many aspects of work. Even in the film world, it can be hard for people to even name 10 notable female directors in comparison to men. Weill differs from other filmmakers due to her unique perspective about women and her naturalistic, observational style of filmmaking. The audience is left to observe Susan and Anne’s lives unfold innately. Weill has a background in creating documentaries and it shows in her gift of highlighting the subtleties of people. As a result, there is a direct emotional connection from the screen to the viewer. Through emphasizing real-life scenarios and conversation, characters truly feel authentic. The audience is able to understand a character’s inner thoughts through composition alone.
Themes & Takeaways
The key themes in Girlfriends are female friendships, navigating independence, and second-wave feminism within the 1970s. Girlfriends depicts an authentic portrayal of female friendship by highlighting the complexities of Susan and Anne’s relationship including envy, admiration, and how each other’s life decisions impact their bond. It offers a glimpse into the lives of two women navigating their respective careers and relationships during a period of significant social change. The viewer is able to reflect on the choices women make in their lives whether it be career aspirations, marriage, or, controversially, abortion. I believe this film is worth watching for the utter realism of its characters, its social commentary on gender roles, and a naturalistic cinematography style that creates an emotionally resonant and thought-provoking film.
2. Stranger than Paradise (1984)
Synopsis
Stranger Than Paradise was directed by Jim Jarmusch and released in 1984. The story consists of an idler New Yorker, Willie, and his befuddled sidekick, Eddie, who each get by on TV dinners and beer financed by betting on horse races or card-sharking. Once Willie gets an unwelcome visit from his Hungarian cousin, Eva, they decide to take a road trip searching for fortune and paradise in Florida as a means to alleviate their constant boredom.
Review
I thought this film was funny and I enjoyed the grainy black and white values present in the 35mm film. The humor in this film is deadpan and the characters feel incredibly natural. On the surface, this reads as a typical American road trip film, except it includes an immigrant’s experience. Stranger than Paradise demonstrates what it is like coming to a new place in a unique way that is central to the film’s themes. For a majority of the film, Willie, Eddie, and Eva search for ways to diminish their boredom. There is little to no plot in the film, as it relies on its quirky characters and dialogue to propel the narrative. The minimalist approach allows the viewer to focus on the sparse dialogue, creating a sense of intimacy between the characters. The audience can thoroughly engage with the characters’ mundane lives in an understated manner that feels realistic and unexpectedly captivating; their interactions between each other are the heart of the film. Apart from character interactions, I enjoyed the contrast between Willie and Eva in regards to their cultural identity. Willie seems to want nothing to do with his Hungarian heritage and slowly teaches Eva what it means to be American from his perspective: watching football, TV dinners, and gambling. Eva is put off by his lifestyle, but makes an attempt to assimilate into American culture through her love of blues music and working at a hot dog stand. The film begs the question, what does it mean to be American? Is Willie more American by dismantling himself from his own culture or is it Eva, who embraces her ethnicity in new landscapes while simultaneously attempting to embrace American culture? In the latter end of the film, Willie begins to have a change of heart in regards to his Hungarian heritage as Eva remains unimpressed by America. Overall, Stranger than Paradise is beautifully shot and has a comedic, rewatchable, and minimalistic charm.
Themes & Takeaways
A few key themes present in Stranger than Paradise are isolation, boredom, and the search for meaning amidst a mundane existence. It examines cultural differences between American and Hungarian lifestyles and contains commentary about the struggles of adaptation or assimilation into a different culture. The compositions of the scenes makes the viewer feel like they are in the room with them, equally as bored as the characters. It captures the reality of how most people’s lives are, filled with mundane tasks and little action despite craving more. Eva, Willie, and Eddie are in the pursuit of a perfect life, but the film communicates that even in idyllic environments or the allure of material items, disillusionment and boredom prevails. Their journey on the road suggests a longing for connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging. I believe that this film is worth watching for its cinematography, unique characters, deadpan humor, and its commentary on the American Dream and cultural identity.
3. Wanda (1970)
Synopsis
Wanda was directed by Barbara Loden and released in 1970. It follows the story of a directionless woman, Wanda, who wanders from jobs, bars, motels, and men. Wanda is an aging beauty who lacks a sense of identity and eventually meets a crude criminal, Norman, who takes her under his wing on a dangerous, vast road leading to nowhere.
Review
I found this film to be heartbreaking, gruesome, and a realistic portrayal of oppression towards women as well as the devastating realities of a poverty-stricken existence. Wanda was a gritty and bleak film that made me reflect and share my compassion for the flawed being. Throughout the film, we witness Wanda adrift and unable to find her rightful place in society. At the beginning of the film, she willfully gives up the custody to her children and consents to divorcing her husband all while being late to court; even showing up in hair rollers. Her constant disarray highlights the limited options and opportunities available to women in need in a working-class society. Disengaged and jaded, Wanda easily wanders to heavy drinking and sex to pass time. Sex is not glamorized, rather, it serves as a symbol in regards to Wanda’s lack of identity or purpose in life. Men often sense her vulnerability and take advantage of her through sex because women who feel lost in life are often subject to manipulation. Instead of focusing on her own wellbeing, she revels in the cheap gratification of pleasing men who do not respect her. In her own nativity, Wanda succumbs to Norman’s orders and endures his harassment due to her inability to go, or do, anything else. She is marginalized sexually and economically which further accentuates the limited options available to women in accordance to a patriarchal society. Furthermore, violence is used in the film to reinforce the power imbalance of men and women. From a technical standpoint, this film also had beautiful cinematography that took a cinema verite approach, which makes sense as the film was semi-autobiographical in reference to Loden’s tumultuous marriage with Elia Kazan.
Themes & Takeaways
A few themes explored in this film are female alienation, social class, and the struggles of a woman within a patriarchal society. The film highlights the limited opportunities and societal expectations placed upon women during the 1970s through Wanda’s detachment from her surroundings and her inability to articulate her own desires. Wanda modifies and rethinks the road film genre it belongs to by subverting expectations and perception of a film centered around the personal narrative of a woman. The protagonist of a film is often glamorous or seeking self-discovery. In Wanda, however, we see a woman struggling with a difficult reality. I believe that this film is worth watching for its unique character study, unconventional storytelling methods, cinema verite cinematography, and feminist themes that refuse to romanticize or sensationalize Wanda’s circumstances, which makes it a powerful watch.
4. Paris, Texas (1984)
Synopsis
Paris, Texaswas directed by Wim Wenders and released in 1984. It tells the story of a disheveled man, Travis, who wanders the desert and has been absent for 4 years before a call from a stranger summons his brother, Walt, to pick him up. Travis cannot recall who he is nor his life prior to drifting. His sudden presence unsettles Walt and his family, who have been raising his son, Hunter, who takes some time getting acquainted with his biological father. On a mission to confront his estranged wife, Travis must reconnect with society, his life, family, and most importantly himself.
Review
Despite not yet having experienced the nuances of family and marriage, this film left a lasting impression on me and fights for a spot among my favorites of all time. After I first watched this film, I thought about the characters and their fate periodically, as if they were truly real. In particular, the second half of the film absolutely broke me due to its ability to express complex emotions that I cannot begin to articulate. Unashamedly, I cried like a baby and it may just get you to shed a tear too. As Travis wanders through the desert, he searches for an escape from his problems. However, no matter where he goes, the one constant is himself. Internal conflicts reside inside of us, so there is no use in Travis constantly running from them. The film is slow, moody, and unravels itself brilliantly by placing the viewer in Travis’s shoes as a means to remember and face his past alongside him. It presents all the extremities of love, pain, and loss that stems from reunion with relentless candor. Throughout the film, due to Travis’s amnesia, there is a lot of mystery that unfolds organically, which I do not want to spoil. Although the storyline is relatively simplistic, the film remains fascinating due to the film’s momentum, emotional exploration within the context of love or family, and constant unknowns that are not revealed until the latter half of the film when Travis reunites with his wife Jane. We witness Travis trying to restore his relationship with his son and set out on a journey of retribution to rebuild the family he fractured. The desolate scenery and haunting slide guitar soundtrack by Ry Cooder aids in building a picture of the characters and their stories. For instance, the open road is traditionally seen as boundless freedom or promise of a new beginning, but as Travis travels the American west, the miles become an incessant confrontation of his past failures and isolation he has created for himself. Paris, Texas is a unique, character-driven film that illustrates the damaging effects of what passion can bring out in people and how that inherently affects loved ones. The viewer is able to witness the remorse and nostalgia felt by two people, Jane and Travis, who will always have a strong connection for a love lost but not forgotten.
Themes & Takeaways
Major themes in Paris, Texas include love, fatherhood, loss, redemption, and the search for identity in a vast, unforgiving world. Wim Wenders powerfully utilizes the visuals in this film to convey ideas about these themes. Notably, his use of the colors red, white, and blue throughout to illustrate ideologies such as the American Dream, which Travis helplessly loses grasp of once he abandons his family. However, the true highlight of the film is its climax in the third act, where Jane and Travis finally reconnect, so I encourage you to be patient and savor this film for all it has to offer. I believe this film is worth watching for its stunning cinematography, creative use of color as symbolism, naturalistic acting performances, and profound emotional depth that will stick with the viewer long after watching.
Although I was in the first few years of my adolescence when Indie Sleaze was on the rise, I can still remember some distinct sounds of the music from that era. My little iPod nano was my saving grace during the bus rides home from school, it carried a whole world of artists with whom I spent myself creating fantasies of me being cool, older, and reminiscent of the people I would find myself reposting on my Tumblr. These people and this world were drenched in smeared mascara eye makeup, glitter, American Apparel and parties.
The thing, however, that really tied these components of the era together was the music. There were so many versions and approaches to pop, punk and electronic music with artists like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Crystal Castles and Justice being among the many to mention. There was a dirtiness, messiness, and grittiness that captured this sound. It was an overall attitude. To be an influence or a titan in this scene was to not care but have party energy and at 13 years old these were the people who I wanted to hang out with.
I grew older. The era had passed, and many new trends came and went throughout the years. My Tumblr had long been retired, American Apparel had shut down its business, and music had gone through its many evolutions as it always does.
It wasn’t until these past 2 years that I began noticing some very familiar sounds emerging from music and in the normal fashion of trends, it started to rub off on pop culture through the outlets of fashion and makeup. It was crazy to think about how the early post pandemic world brought us trends such as the clean girl aesthetic and music reflecting that cleanliness in the world of overly produced almost too perfect pop hits. The shift started to happen and interestingly enough it was an indie sleaze icon who was helping to lead this and scuff up the pop music scene and make it sleazy again. Charli XCX.
I had listened to her music since I was 14 and was always a fan. She captured this sort of MySpace era of aesthetics, performed her music in small, grimy venues and raves, had the cool, effortlessly messy hair, and party girl energy. She was a party girl and I wanted to party with her, so did her small following at the time. With her new album last year entitled BRAT, the shift started to become more clear to me. She wasn’t the only artist that delivering the sleaziness. Artist such as The Dare, Coco and Clair Clair and Snow Strippers have brought forth a modern iteration of this sound that has shifted the pop culture landscape.
So, where is Indie sleaze now, and how does it show up today? It is evident in the music in we listen to today, but how else? Well we can see it in our fashion trends as well. Throughout the original timeline of the era. There were different approaches to what Indie Sleaze fashion was but there was one thing for sure that it had to have which is that effortlessness and grime. There is a DIY element where there is a a lot of intention but also careless.
It’s always fun when old trends reemerge and have a chance at a second life. Although it could be replicated through music and fashion, there will always be something fresh about it. It is a direct reflection on the current time we all live in. Trends mirror what is happening all around us. Indie Sleaze has come to party once more and for those of us like me who were too young to attend, the time is finally here.
I wanted to share a little playlist of songs I used to listen to during the first wave of Indie Sleaze along with some of the newer stuff that’s coming out right now!
In this article we will go over and highlight some natural skin care remedies done with plants and herbs. Some of the results from these plants and herbs can yield great results, adding moisture to the skin, helping fine lines and wrinkles, balancing out skin tone, and aiding with acne. Some of these plants and herbs have antibacterial properties that help repair skin that has been damaged by the sun and other external elements.
Calendula can be extracted into an oil that also contains anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Calendula can help clear up bruises, moreover it can help heal cuts, scars, and sores.
Turmeric is an incredible anti-inflammatory root. You can use tumeric to treat swore and swollen muscles, the root can aid in the healing properties with personal injuries.
When tumeric is eaten it will detoxify the blood system, which improves your overall health.
Nettles
Nettles can be useful useful for clearing up eczema and healing skin wounds. Another way to take nettles is to make a tea or tonic.
Comfrey’s active medicinal components can be found in the flowers and leaves. Comfrey is an anti-inflammatory. Comfrey is also a great moisturizer, and it can be used for burns, bruises, and eczema.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa has medicinal properties found in the leaves and seeds. It also contains carotene, which is high in vitamin A, this can help with hair and skin. Also, alfalfa contains amino acids and other trace minerals. These beneficial nutrients make alfalfa a great natural skin care remedy.
We’ve all had those bad hair days! When no product seems to work, and your hair has a mind of its own. Hair is often seen as a reflection of our identity and health, yet many people don’t truly understand what their hair needs to thrive. Effective hair care starts with knowing your hair type, scalp condition, and the ingredients that actually make a difference. But what if the secret to great hair isn’t in how much you use, but how well you understand your hair’s unique needs?
𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
Hair porosity refers to how quickly your hair will take in and retain moisture. It is predicated on the well-being of the outer sheath of your hair, which is the cuticle, which opens and shuts to take in or out water. There are three levels of hair porosity:
𝙇𝙤𝙬 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮
Cuticles are tightly closed.
Hair tends to resist moisture, making it harder for water or products to penetrate.
It may take a long time for hair to get wet and also to dry.
Signs: Product buildup, water beads on hair, hair feels dry but is hard to moisturize.
Tips: Use lightweight, water-based products. Apply heat (like warm water or a steamer) when deep conditioning to help open the cuticle.
𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙪𝙢 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮 = 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙧
Cuticles are slightly open, allowing moisture in and out with ease.
Hair is generally healthy, manageable, and holds styles well.
Signs: Accepts moisture easily, dries at a normal rate, doesn’t tangle too much.
Tips: Stick to a balanced routine-moisturize regularly, and avoid excessive heat or chemicals to maintain porosity.
𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙮
Cuticles are raised or damaged, often due to heat, color treatments, or genetics.
Hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast.
Signs: Frizz, tangling, dryness, and quick drying time.
Tips: Use heavier products like creams, oils, and protein treatments to seal in moisture and strengthen the hair. Avoid heat and harsh chemicals when possible.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 :
It’s a simple way to figure out how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture. Here’s the most common method:
Important tip: Make sure your hair is freshly washed before testing! Oils and products can mess with the result.
𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐬
Hair type refers to the natural shape or pattern of your hair strands, and it plays a big role in how your hair behaves, what products work best, and how to care for it. Hair types are usually categorized into four main groups (Type 1 to Type 4), with subcategories (A, B, C) to describe the texture more specifically.
Hair color analysis is the method of determining the colors and tones that most suit your natural coloring- such as your skin tone, eye color, and natural hair color. It assists individuals in selecting hair colors (and sometimes makeup or attire) that improve their overall appearance. This is sometimes associated with the idea of seasonal color analysis, which categorizes individuals as spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
Determine Your Skin Tone:
Cool undertones: Pink, red, or bluish hues. Veins may appear blue. Skin burns easily.
Warm undertones: Golden, peachy, or yellow hues. Veins may look green. Skin tans easily.
Neutral undertones: A mix of warm and cool.
2. Match Hair Color to Undertones:
Cool undertones: Look best with ashy blondes, cool browns, jet black, or cool reds like burgundy.
Warm undertones: Look good with golden blondes, honey browns, copper, and warm reds.
Neutral undertones: Can wear a wide range of colors, both warm and cool.
3. Consider Eye Color:
Cool-toned eyes: Icy blue, grey, deep brown.
Warm-toned eyes: Amber, hazel with gold or green, light brown.
4. Seasonal Analysis:
Spring: Light eyes, fair warm skin. Best with warm blondes, strawberry blondes, and light golden browns.
Summer: Cool undertones, soft features. Best with ash blondes, cool browns, and rose golds.
Autumn: Warm undertones, deep eye color. Best with rich auburn, copper, and chestnut browns.
Winter: Cool undertones, high contrast (pale skin/dark hair). Best with deep blacks, cool browns, and icy blondes.
Why is a Hair Color Analysis Important?
It prevents the use of colors that don’t go well with your skin tone (which would leave your complexion dull or pale) and instead enhances your own natural glow. It’s particularly helpful before significant color transitions or lightening/darkening (or vice versa).
Concerts are literally some of the best experiences you can have but sometimes, they’re not perfect. There’s a good side and a bad side to concert culture, and if you’re planning to go to your first show, you should probably know both.
The Good Stuff
First off, concerts are just a great experience, especially if you go with the right people. The second the lights go out and the artist steps on stage, it’s like the whole place explodes. You’re surrounded by people who love the same music you do, and even if some of the people around you cannot sing you still appreciate every minute of it. Everyone’s singing, dancing, screaming , it’s pure happiness.
Another awesome thing is the connection. Sometimes the artist will stop mid-show and just talk to the crowd, telling stories or saying how much they love their fans. It’s super personal and makes you feel like you’re seen, even if you’re in the nosebleeds with binoculars.
Plus, the memories you make at concerts are unmatched. Even if you lose your voice and your legs hurt the next day, you’ll always remember the night you screamed your heart out with a stadium full of people.
The Bad
Concerts can also be rough.First of all, the crowds. If you don’t like being squished between sweaty strangers, you might have a bad time. People will shove you, step on you, and some won’t even say sorry. Especially in general admission (aka standing areas),it’s like survival of the fittest in there, especially for me standing at 5”3, I see people shorter then me around and I wonder how they are feeling.
Also, getting tickets is a whole nightmare. You think you’re gonna be fine, but then Ticketmaster decides to put you at 30,000 in the queue . And IF you somehow manage to get a ticket, it costs so much money.
Finally, there’s always the risk of bad crowd behavior. Some people don’t know how to act, they push, they fight, they throw stuff on stage. It can turn what should be a fun night into a stressful one if people don’t respect each other.
Final Thoughts
Even with all the downsides, concerts are still SO worth it. Yeah, you might get shoved around and spend too much money, but the feeling of seeing your favorite artist live is just unbeatable. You’ll laugh, maybe cry, probably lose your voice, but most importantly, you’ll leave with memories you’ll never forget.
This past week I went to Fairfax and Melrose in LA just to visit a few stores that I enjoy going to when I’m out there. Melrose and Fairfax or streets in Los Angeles, that are known to have many fashion retailer stores on the streets whether its secondhand designer, buy, sell, trade stores, independent fashion companies, or just designer retailers. Wherever you go on Melrose and Fairfax you are bound to find something new and unique whether it’s a food place, record shop, or even a clothing store.
1. Brain Dead Studios
if you enjoy high-quality fabrics and unique designs, then you might want to go check out Brain Dead Studios. They are located on Fairfax and their shop is very unique. Not only is it a showroom for their product but it also has a theater in the building where they hold movie nights. You can visit their website to see what movies they are going to be showing how much tickets cost. With having the movie theater in the same building, they also own their own concession stand where customers can buy drinks, food, and Eivan shirts that are specifically designed for Brain Dead Studio’s movie theater. In addition to the movie theater, they also have their own café outside in the back of the building. Brain Dead Studios is a store that has more to offer than just clothes.
2. Heaven by Marc Jacobs
Heaven by Marc Jacobs is a very unique and store that I always enjoy visiting. They have such unique designs when it comes to their jewelry. Their clothes are very eye catching and their other accessories such as their bags are so pretty. I personally love going to this store not only for their products but also to see the other brands they carry. Instead of only selling their products they also sell different brand’s items as well. One of my favorite smaller brands that they carry is Gen 2. Gen 2 is ran by one of the employees who works at Heaven by Marc Jacobs. During my visit, I got to talk to Julia and Shannon, who are employees at the store. I asked them a few questions such as what made them want to work at Heaven. Julia replied, “ I had previous experience in high retail in the environment seemed pretty laid-back. I also really like the customers in the type of customers that come in. I like that the store attracts a more younger crowd.” Shannon said, “ I used to come to the store a lot when I first moved here and I wanted to work somewhere that was more fun and also somewhere I actually want to be at. I came in one day and asked if they were hiring. It was just the right place right time.” I also asked which item in the store is their personal favorite item. Julia responded, “ A few of my favorite items in the store right now is our D squared vintage hat and the Heaven camo dress. It’s funny because when I first started here, I wanted that camo dress so bad that after I started, I ended up getting that as my first purchase.” Shannon said, “ My favorite item in the store are the brown Margaret boots. I really like those boots because they kind of remind me more of a cowboy style. I wanted them so bad when I was living in Texas.” I enjoyed talking to the employees every time I come in because they’re so friendly and helpful when it comes to finding the right pieces to buy.
3. 2nd Street
2nd Street is a store that buys from people who come in and sell their clothes and either offers them a percentage back in trade or cash. 2nd Street specializes in streetwear, high end designer brands, and vintage. The store has an item for everybody, whether a person is looking for something cheap and up to trend or a little on the pricier side for higher name brand items. I enjoyed looking through their vintage section because they have a good variety of different T-shirts, hats, outerwear, and jeans for a decent price. I’ve seen their other sections such as their designated racks for their higher and items, like Balenciaga and they have a great variety that’s not priced too bad. You could find items from all over at 2nd Street. Pieces from the last two stores I talked about will sometimes pop up here. This is a great store to go to when you’re looking for something that you don’t know what that something is yet because you can get lost in the items this store has curated.
These are just three stores that I mentioned you can find on Melrose and Fairfax. There are so many other shops out there that I could talk about, but I really enjoy going to these three. I have picked up pieces from these stores that caught my eye and I’ve gone to events at these stores and enjoyed myself during that time.
If you would like to see my last experience, going to these stores feel free to click here to watch my review of these stores.
Ever since I began diving into the complex hobby of 3D-printing at the beginning of 2025, I had the idea of starting a small scale print farm as a side hustle. It seemed easy enough; I already had all I needed to start: a printer, filament, and access to the best marketing tool in history – social media. Despite apparent ease of entry, I was seemingly met with hurdles each step of the way, and although these issues are shared by just about everyone in the hobby space, I hope to share my own experiences dealing with them.
1. Setup
The first, and in my case, easiest, challenge that needed tackling is actually setting up the printer. The out-of-box experience can differ wildly depending on the brand, but one of the reasons I ended up buying the Elegoo Neptune 3 Plus was its ease of setup. The printer came almost complete when it arrived, with the base plate (housing its power supply, printing bed, and microcontroller) and gantry (the part responsible for vertical, or Z axis, movement with the hot-end attached) needing to be screwed together with braces attached to keep everything rigid. In all, assembly took about 30 minutes when following the included instruction booklet. Easy. The real challenge began once it was powered on for the first time: leveling. Almost all modern 3D printers have some system of auto-leveling baked in, where the hot-end, the bit that actually heats and extrudes the filament, moves up and down over a set number of points along the printing bed to measure something called the Z-offset. This offset tells the printer how much vertical movement to add or subtract from its determined path depending on where it is on the bed, and this is usually enough to ensure quality print layers. However, this can only compensate for so much, and to ensure it isn’t overcompensating, manual leveling of the bed must be done. This was the biggest challenge for me as a newbie to the hobby, as it required multiple cycles of heating and cooling the bed, all while adjusting the level with screws under the bed to ensure it was as level as possible. This step was easily the longest, taking several hours over a few days to ensure things were right before I could even do a test print, but once things looked good I was off to the races.
2. Slicers
Or at least I thought I was. The next hurdle I needed to pass was choosing a slicer to use. A slicer is a program for your computer that takes a 3D model and “slices” it into hundreds or thousands of layers and converts those to instructions for the printer to read. This is how the printer knows what paths to take, how much filament to extrude and at what temperature to make the model you want. Each slicer, no matter who it’s made by, works in the same way, but there are some that are better than others. The one that was recommended for my printer was programmed by Elegoo, called Cura Slicer, and was made to be as user friendly as possible, which sounded great for me. But, as I browsed through forums for my printer I kept coming across people saying the print quality with Cura isn’t as good as another called Orca. As I didn’t want to be wasting time and filament on prints I wouldn’t be happy with, I ended up going with Orca at first. But my word, is Orca a nightmare for beginners. From selecting which printer you have to the endless, meaningless adjustments you can make to the print, this program gave no information to help you if you didn’t already know what you were doing. It was so overwhelming and poorly designed that I ended up having to take its quality at other’s words, and scurried back to Cura where I at least was walked through its initial setup. The one thing I took away from that debacle was it’s okay to get your toes wet in the kiddie pool before taking a high-dive into the deep end. And when I did finally get a test print made, I was more than happy with its quality, and it showed my leveling gauntlet from earlier had paid off.
Prints for my businesses first customer, hanger clips for ceiling fan remotes, sliced on Cura
3. Mishaps and Maintenance
There’s no doubt that 3D printers are complicated machines. Their precision comes at the cost of tight tolerances and smooth turning motors to make each layer as even as possible, and constant check-ups are required to make sure you don’t end up with a smeared mess of plastic dangling off the nozzle. I learned that there were numerous steps to take before setting off on a print to make sure things went smoothly, from ensuring bolts that held that hot-end onto the gantry were tight to lubricating the stepper motors on the Z-axis to help keep layers consistent. The two biggest steps I failed to take at first, though, were making sure the nozzle was clear of clogs and keeping the PEI bed-sheet clean.
The hot-end nozzles are small, threaded brass with a 0.4 mm opening for the filament to flow out of, and one of the most common issues to have with them is a small metal flake left over from manufacturing coming lose and clogging the opening. When this happened to me, I only noticed when molten filament began flowing out of the cooling fan before solidifying, creating an enormous blob that clogged up the entire hot-end. Thankfully, a teardown and an hour of scraping bits away saved me from a costly replacement. The other issue that left me with ruined prints (on numerous occasions) was failing to clean the PEI bed-sheet clean. PEI, or polyetherimide, bed-sheets are useful 3D printer accessories as their texture is grippy when hot, and then smooth once they cool allowing for easy removal of a printed piece. However, they’re useful only as long as they’re maintained, as they’re really vulnerable to dust and fingerprints that compromise their adhesive qualities. I failed to properly clean mine with soapy warm water on several prints, resulting in the print breaking loose from the bed and smearing hot plastic all over, wasting meters of material. I thought I had learned my lesson the first time…
My Lessons Learned
If there is any single takeaway from all the issues I’ve had getting into 3D printing, it’s this: go slow. There isn’t any rush, as with any hobby, and there’s no expectation to get things perfect right away. I feel as though I was disillusioned by online guides and self-proclaimed gurus into thinking things would be smooth as butter once I got the printer up and running, and getting dragged through the mud of issues and setbacks only solidified what I ended up learning. 3D printing isn’t an easy hobby to jump into, and it takes patience and some technical know-how to navigate the deluge of information and come out sane. I do really hope that in time it becomes more simplified; closer to a true plug-and-play experience. There are some products out there that have been tailored to new hobbyists, such as the printers from Bambu Labs, but the cost of those is still a prohibitive barrier for some.
In closing, I hope my experiences can be taken not as a cautionary tale for those wanting to get into 3D printing, but as valuable information on what to expect that is seldom mentioned openly online. 3D printing is a wonderful, satisfying hobby for those inclined to tinker and create, and one that no-one will ever truly master. There will always be a new technique, new thing to print, new modification to mess with, and plenty of screwups to learn from. And that’s why I love it.
In today’s day and age, we as people are so accustomed to the food we eat being fast, industrialized, machine made and lacking any soul. Fast food chains litter towns and cities as the easy, on-the-go spot to grab a bite to eat. Dining culture in the United States made that shift in the 1960’s when places like McDonalds opened their doors and the world was first exposed to how cheap, quick and reliable food could be. It seems that since that time, real dining experiences and food culture have been lost to some extent and everyplace must feel as streamlined as possible. In this article, We will discuss some of the best dining experiences in Ventura County that bring food and experience to the forefront and offer guests with meals that’ll have them returning over and over.
The first restaurant on this list is Azafran. A family owned Spanish-Peruvian Fusion restaurant located in Camarillo’s old town. Azafran offers a cozy ambiance and stunning menu with dishes ranging from blackened octopus, prosciutto toast, Shrimp tacos, Peruvian ceviche, and French press coffee to go along with it all.
Photo Via Visit Camarillo
The spot offers a breakfast/brunch service as well as dinner with a small menu that is perfected by the chef. Even with the smaller sized menu, there are still options for everyone with dietary restrictions in mind.
Plenty of satisfying vegetarian options like Chaufa, a vegetable fried rice or the Pulpo, a confit potato dish with white bean puree and cherry tomatoes. Pictures of their dishes, although plated marvelously, still can’t express how flavorful, and delicious the dishes are. The cozy atmosphere mixed with the open kitchen design and almost home-interior like layout, Azafran truly makes you feel like you’re at home with some of the best food you could possibly imagine.
The next restaurant is Am Noodle, located off telephone road in Ventura. Thai restaurants are in no shortage in the area, but few offer the more traditional style of dishes as Am Noodle does.
What brought the restaurant to my attention initially was people raving about how a dish they grew up with was finally done right again, which soon after, prompted a visit with some friends. The place is small, only seating around 20 people, but the food and overall atmosphere makes up for it. Thai food is easily accommodated to almost anyone’s food needs whether that be vegetarian, vegan, or any allergies. I’ve tried many different Thai curries at various places but almost nothing compares to their Panang Curry. A thick, red curry with much more citrus and zest than it’s counterparts. Served steaming hot with a heart shaped mound of white rice on the side, every bite is as good as the last one and will keep you wanting more.
A place I find to have had a redemption from an earlier time, The Greek, located at the Ventura harbor had had its ups and downs but has seen itself still thriving to this day and remains a place that stands out in the city.
The Greek opened its doors in 1994, making it the oldest location on this list. In 2011 the restaurant was featured on Gordan Ramsey’s “Kitchen Nightmares” where he went around the country to various struggling restaurants and helped lift them out of the chaos. The Greek, which has been family run, was in turmoil and the food was poorly rated at the time, but since that time, the restaurant has been one of the few from the show to survive the test of time and flourish since then. When dining here you are greeted with the scenic view of the Ventura Harbor which radiates in the sun during the day time, and glows with the lights of boats and the harbor walkway at night. The restaurant features a large outdoor patio, perfectly suited for its environment as well as a cozy interior that shimmers with the blues and white that resemble the Greek flag. The food is some of the best Greek and Mediterranean cuisine in town and offers authentic flavors as well as globally known delights like Souvlaki and Moussaka. If you are looking for fresh caught seafood or great quality steak, The Greek is for you. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as supplying guests with a full bar, the restaurant also offers live music and dancing at nights, taking advantage of their location size and setting by the water. The Greek is one of those places you could take a date, or a group of your friends and enjoy a great meal, great atmosphere and a great view.
The last place, while not in Ventura County proper, but still within the boundaries of the “805” is The Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. Tucked away in a small cove a few miles from Santa Barbara’s State Street, the Boathouse is an upscale seafood spot that although bustling, is still loungy in nature.
This is the most expensive and upscale place on this list, and although it’s not a family owned restaurant like that others, it is still a place that serves tremendous food that is perfect for a special occasion type of meal. They boast a menu that ranges from eggs benedict for breakfast to a seared mahi mahi and lobster risotto for dinner as well as a raw bar that brings oysters, clams, mussels and anything else you could want. Similar to The Greek, the view and setting of this restaurant makes it stand out against other places. Tucked away in a quiet cove, the restaurant has a massive gallery window looking out towards the ocean. Upon my visit here, it was a clear evening with a bit of swell in the water which provided the view of a few surfers out in the water, with the backdrop of the setting sun. The view alone is enough to make you enjoy your experience, but the food will keep you wanting to come back every chance you get.
VC Social 