Hwayoil Hangeul!

Okay, so it's Wednesday and I forgot on Tuesday to post the Hwayoil Hangeul word of the day, so I am going to do it today on Sooyoil (Wednesday). I learned this word from a kpop song of the same name. It's from the group f(x).

Hangul Tuesday!

Okay, the HOBO has been on hiatus, but I got an idea. I am learning Korean, so why not augment that learning, by putting up stuff to aid myself and others? So I will be doing "Hwayoil Hangul".

Hwayoil means Tuesday, and Hangul means Korean (characters). If anyone sees a mistake, or has any tips or suggestions it is all welcome. I am learning. I didn't just start but I am bulking up and more serious about it now.

In my picture "Hangul" is actually "Hangeul". They are interchangeable romanizations but the "eu" is the correct translation of the characters. It's coming, next Hwayoil!!

I have a workshop in Baltimore coming up...

Some original poetry from the HOBO

On Oct 21 I wrote these poems:


UNTITLED:
In the dark dwells
the husky musky smells
sprinkled with the glimmer
of the night sky
illuminating the shapes
as they writhe and sigh
moan and cry
in a bliss
be it real
or contrived they feel, so alive.

BY Lenore Johnson



UNTITLED:
Sent into a despair.
Can I stand what
I cannot declare?
Remove me
don't pursue me
Send me to a place
of neither hurt
nor care.
Here.
I just won't fair.

by Lenore Johnson


JOSEPH:
Those sad sullen eyes
grow wicked
when surprised
because they are
eerily compromised.
your long dark lashes
and deep dark skin
is there sincerity
in your smirk or grin?
What is going on within?
Is it selfishness
or sin
or perhaps
something more akin
to the turmoil
within?

by Lenore Johnson

Express Sidewalk Runway

Last Saturday Express held an event before it's runway show a 9pm. This event, Express Sidewalk Runway was trying to break the Guinness World Record for the longest runway show. Pulling people from the street in Times Square it allowed people to be a "Model for a Minute". They also advertised prior on blogs and in magazines to help accomplish this task. Seeing that the previous record was made last year in Paris and it was only a mere 521, surely an attempt held in New York City's Times Square would be able to defeat that number and it did by double. Each walker had to be no more than 30 seconds apart with no breaks, else the number would start over. It was to be fro around 9am to 6pm but ended up being around 10am to 2pm. What fun!

http://www.express.com/content.jsp?pageName=sidewalk

I will add photos later!

PLATINUM HOBO
Frivolity is Necessity!

New to US, Mexican based cosmetics: Angelissima

Last Saturday, at the 136th Preakness Angelissima Cosmeticos debuted in the US. It is from Mexico and is really big there and I heard in parts of South America. You won't find these products in stores they only will be sold by representatives in a similar fashion to Avon.They carry a wide range of products including makeup (I like the lip gloss in clear), nail polish, skin products, hair products,deodorant, supplements, etc. So keep your eye out for Angelissima, you heard it hear first from the Platinum Hobo!

www.angelissima.com.mx

Platinum Hobo- Frivolity is Necessity!

Nice nail tricks...

Okay so these photos aren't great but you get the idea. This houndstooth design called "Check it Out" is a Sally Hansen Salon Effects design they have lots of other designs like leopard print, flowers, plain colors and glitter among others. You peel of the polish like a sticker and adhere it to your nail, for me it lasted about a week before it chipped. I tried out using them on just my thumb nails and then I used the Revlon scented nail enamel in "Not So Blueberry" on the rest of my nails.The Revlon polish's scent last for about 4 days for me. It was fun to try and my boyfriend liked the way my hands smelled, it was cool for amusement. The shade is sort of shimmery. Why not try it out?

Thumbs up.

UPDATE: Use all of your SalonEffects polish once you open it because it loses its stickiness after a while and will not adhere afterward.

 Photos by Platinum Hobo:LJ

Frivolity is Necessity!

Viva the Bahamas!

Hello everyone. The Hobo has just returned from a wonderful vacation in the Bahamas with her beau. This will energize my travel writing again because New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas have gotten boring! We went to Grand Bahama island in the Bahamas and stayed at the Viva Wyndham Fortuna all inclusive resort. Now you know, though I am platinum, I'm still a hobo, so I got a great deal via Livingsocial.com . I packed four bikinis, two dresses, some shorts, tops, sunblock and toiletries donned some tight white stretch Guess hip huggers, a white tank and a turquoise boat neck sweater and headed to BWI. We flew into Ft Lauderdale and took the Discovery Sun cruise to Freeport, Grand Bahama. I had checked around online and saw mixed reviews on everything, so I will now give you my two cents.

The flight: BWI to FPO Airtran ( I booked via cheaptickets.com )

If you can get the exit row, do so or get business if you're super deluxe (with appropriate wardrobe). On the flight down I had regular coach and my back was killing me! I forgot the type of plane I was on. On the flight back we got the emergency exit row seats and it was somewhat better. Bring something to eat because there are only light snacks and beverages on their flights.

The cruise: Discovery Sun Port Everglade to Freeport ( www.discoverycruise.com )

We were at the port little before 6 am, this is suggested so you don't have to wait in crazy lines. Have your passport and tickets of course, then you will have to go through security and customs procedures. Right afterward get ready for your close up, because there is a photo op! Once you are done this process and you're on the ship, it is breakfast time. Beware once you leave the included buffet there is no re-entry. Then I suggest you head for the lounge chairs by the pool before they are all gone. We did not get a cabin, we just sat out and tanned our already chocolate bodies, watched the ocean and napped.This was a great way to transition into vacation mode; especially after having to wait in the airport for so long. This is an all inclusive trip with two movies playing, a little casino room, a game room/ arcade, a small 6 ft deep ( that resembles a kiddie) pool, etc. We just ate and sun bathed, while enjoying the endless free drinks. I had Sherry Temples, virgin pina coladas and strawberry daiquiris with/without alcohol.The pina coladas were a little sugary. Once you get to Freeport after five hours, there is customs to go through. There are taxis outside that go to different hotels. It was $16 for the both of us to Viva via a van, amongst other passengers going to both Flamingo and Viva. When we left our hotel we were there at like 230pm the boarding was not until 315pm I believe. If you come early there is less of the crazy lines. On the return we sat on the deck again until 530pm when we ate and watched a movie. The return trip is good for the inside stuff.It also rained.

Viva Wyndham Fortuna resort (I got my deal at livingsocial.com the deal is over but they have cool stuff.)

The staff there are awesome! Not the front desk people per se but the people that help create the atmosphere of the resort. They are very talented and fun. These are the people that teach the classes, sports and do the shows at 9 pm. Most are at least tri-lingual ( yes, I am going to make that a word.) This is an all inclusive resort with lessons and activities including archery, sailing, trapeze, tennis, poker, darts, kayaking, beach lounging,etc. My guy got certified in scuba diving (40 ft) for around $250. We stayed five days and had so much to do. Also the meals are all included, there is a nice buffet style cafeteria that does breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food and selection is pretty good, the juices can be kind of watered down and there also are two themed restaurants,a sort of outdoor pizzeria and a beach bar/fast food place. Make reservations for the Oriental and Italian restaurants when you get to the resort.  The pizzeria was insanely packed it was too much work to wait for food if you were really hungry. The beach bar had good chicken strips and fries. Their pina coladas were flavorless but the strawberry daiquiris were great! Overall it was lots of fun beautiful weather and lush vegetation decorating the grounds. I took these in the morning with no one really around.

We missed the crazy spring break crowds by coming late April. There was so much going and with my guy busy, I regret not going off of the resort, which is not typically my travel style. But it was during Easter so things probably were closed, they celebrated on Monday. This is place good for couples, families with kids and groups of friends.

Photos by Platinum Hobo: LJ

Frivolity is Necessity!

Cool stuff I spied...

A cool mug I saw a Urban Outfitters. Why was is $18 though?

Stalking the hot dog hat...

Why? No one else had anything like this going on so I assume that this is just his thing. He didn't appear to have uniform on...

Wonder Woman makeup at MAC!!!! The lipsticks and compacts are especially cute.

Awesome Rachel Roy shoe! Saw it at Macys!

Speaking of Macy's and Ebony Fashion Fair are celebrating black history month at the Philadelphia Center City location with a fashion display. It has designers like Pierre Cardin and Nina Ricci up near the shoes. Kind of small though...

The Hobo is starting a new segment called. The Hobo's behind you...

  First off everyone has their sloppy moments, sweats or in my case lounge pants, messy hair, whatever. You don't always have to match either. So this isn't catching that. This is when someone may be trying to look cool or do something extra and fails or if an outfit or piece is glorious and needs to be shared. Too many people are getting away with this crap!

Lately the Platinum Hobo has been taken with, upon seeing something great or horrible taking pictures with her new phone. She has noticed the amount of photos are growing and wants to share. Let's see what happens when, the Hobo's behind you...

Are these dreads not, wonderful!?!



World's worse mohawk: I have Mohawk blood, so I am even more insulted by seeing it. But he thinks he is cool.This picture does not fully show the horror.



Dream winter outfit. Chanel purse, an actually very fashionable, if not gorgeous full length fur and a wonderful hat! I want her outfit, tres chic!



Hey, girl on the right. Sorry but having a long weave with your shorter length hair sticking up all over the place even while traveling (She didn't start yet). Get's a NO from HOBO! It's called a hat or scarf or brush!



My other blog...

I make handbags, accessories and other random things because I am a Schizophrenic artist and I am all over the place. Check it out.  http://platinumhobo.blogspot.com/

Lace-Front Wigs- For Real Life or just for Movies?

Okay so people have been wearing hairpieces since someone could wrangle a horse and most likely before. Today they indeed still have a great popularity. Men and women of all races and background use them for their own purposes from time to time. There are those who are blatant with it using it th have wild colors and textures in fun, fantasy styles. And there are those who want to subtly enhance or embellish their own hair with the wigs and hairpieces.

So that brings me to the topic of lace front wigs. I watched quietly as the boom began. The wigs have been used by people in theater, tv and movies widely for years and years. But once word was put out that celebrities were wearing them, like Japanese girls (and me) on Hello Kitty, fashionistas attacked.

The benefit of the lace front is supposed to be that you can create a realistic hairline by aligning the "lace edged" hairline of the wig with where it would look good and you can trim the access and adhere that hairline to your skin. You can then cover the left over "lace" with makeup to blend more seamlessly. You also feel more secure, referring to the scare some people have about wigs going flying off.  And Voila, you don't have that crazy hairline people have, that insist on wearing wigs without bangs. You know, having the look of a weave "track" going across their forehead or the blunt beginning of the wig. When correctly worn it can look very realistic or just more believable,. That is unless your one of these people I am about to talk about....

A well matched and placed wig.

A pretty currly wig untrimmed.

 

The people that get these considerably more expensive wigs and do not correctly wear them looking shall I say, a fool. 

Ladies Don't Look LikeThis Samarai!

Some common mistakes:
They don't trim the lace correctly leaving all the mesh showing adhered to there face.

Weird straight hairlines.

The hairline is in some crazy place.

Overly shiny obviously fake hair (leave that for Barbie).And you don't have to have human hair to have something that looks believable.

And they have a wig with obviously mismatching scalps. (For example:If your a dark brown lovely don't have a blatantly white scalp it will be obvious on say, your center part.)

No go ladies, no go.

If the point is to create a more realistic look, why do people make these mistakes?  So the jury may still be out on lace front wigs in real life, the Platinum Hobo will be watching...

PLATINUM HOBO's Lip Product Review

I am a gloss junky but can appreciate a good moisturizing lipstick too once in awhile. I get to try or receive free makeup all the time. Here are some notable lipsticks and glosses.

Sephora- Super Shimmer lip gloss I like bronzed beauty.

L'Oreal Paris- Infallible Never Fail Lipcolor-It is like both a lipstick and gloss in one with gloss type application. The first step is the color which is basically super pigments it kind of feels dry so put step 2 on fast. Be very careful about how you apply the color too because they were not joking those pigments are not going anywhere! I have used it washed my face and it still remained; not completely but patchy. If you find a color you love this could be cool. Just be careful about it drying out your lips. It did this to me.



http://www.lorealparisusa.com/_us/_en/default.aspx#/?page=top%7Buserdata//d+d//%7Cdiagnostic%7Cmain:beautyfilter//category+F1_Cosmetics_Lips_LipColor;pageNum+4//%7Cmedia:_blank%7Cnav%7Coverlay:productdetail//objectid+Cos21a_24//%7D

Edited 16 Aug 2010 to say:
Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick is cool too. It is moisturizing, it dry out your lips at all. It has a creamy feel  when applied and lipstick lovers won't be put off by it. They colors are still bold enough.

The happenings...

I started this blog thinking of maybe doing it anonymous and talking of my travels. I think I will show myself.   :) I suck at posting regularly so now I will try to do so, at least semi-regularly and see what happens.

I have not been feeling well this fall/winter and am working with it. Took some time off.

But I worked the launch party for Urbandaddy.com in D.C. this past Friday. It was cool first literally then later as an experience. I did not have my contacts so I was working with blurred vision. Fun. This is the first time I was ever bodypainted. The plates were super heavy we just faked like it was cool. Muscle failure. What a model does!

Tyra's Black is Beautiful Show.

I was here the taping of the Tyra show's Black is Beautiful episode. Celebrating the success of Italian Vogue's Black Out Issue which made history. It is in it's fourth reprint. I can't find a copy but I hear you can get it on Ebay for $95. And when I talk about being a room full of black supermodels from different eras at once, man that is powerful! You go girls! I won't give away the episode but watch out for this Tyra show subject. Don't know when it airs yet.



The only pic I could get since I was working. Look at the entourage!
This link has a video of the outside action. http://www.omg.yahoo.com/videos/black-is-beautiful/4921

Hair types and texture

I forgot all about this until recently. I'd be online and see someone arbitrarily mention that there hair is "4b" or something. And I'd think to myself ,"What? 4b, is that weave, color, an apartment number or something??" So today after another letter number hair description mention I said, "Dammit, I'm looking it up!" 

Type 1: Straight hair

Type 2: Wavy hair

Type 3 "Combo" hair
With sub-groups A,B and C to depict range

Type 4 Kinky coily hair
With sub-groups A,B and C to depict range

This site explains it well:
http://www.curlyhairsalon.com/hairtypes.html

I remember looking at something about this on a hair salon's site in NY. To do this test you have to observe how your hair acts with no products after being washed and air drying. I remember that much. Now I can say the PLATINUM HOBO is either a 3C or 4A or somewhere in between.

Flying tips from the Platinum Hobo

HERE ARE SOME TRAVEL TIPS STRAIGHT FROM THE PLATINUM HOBO (AS OF DEC 09):
(this girl travels a lot.)

Tips for traveling abroad straight from the US gov:    http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

All liquids,creams,gel,etc.on your carryons have to be 3oz or less. Not including medicines and baby food/formula. Here's the link for BWI's travel tips so your not holding the line up and you can travel like the PLATINUM HOBO quick and chic. http://www.bwiairport.com/en/security/travel-tips

My personal tips:

1. Pack your carryon a duffle or rolling luggage and a tote bag and your all set for your excursions. You won't have to worry about paying to check your bag or waiting around at the luggage carousel. Nor will you have to worry about the baggage handlers scuffing your Louis Vuitton. Board early or you might have to gate check your bag if it's a full flight. Also another bag thing! What you buy in the airport may count as one of your carryons depending on how full the flight is or your gate agent will depends on if you'll be able to possibly get away with it.

2. Ladies if that time of the month hits you there may be free supplies onboard in your plane's bathroom. I know American Airlines had some. How convenient, especially from JFK to LAX!

3. With Airtran you can upgrade to business class starting at $49 depending on destination once your in the airport if business class is not full. Dress appropriately!

4. Know the rules of the airline your flying with I have seen people buy water or something in the airport and have to throw it out. Or throw out their drink and they could have kept them!

5.  Bring your own headset! Be mindful of the type of connection.How many times are you going to buy and collect these things? And you don't want to see the movie but not hear it, that's annoying. Or just fly business or first class.

6.  You may be able to go online inflight! There is a wireless internet service called Gogo that is on several airlines. http://www.gogoinflight.com/jahia/Jahia/site/gogo/root/participatingairlines Bring an extra battery or your charger and those headphones again! It works great and the price varies $5.95 to $12.95 for flights or you can buy passes.

7. Wear laceless shoes if possible! Flip flops, slides anything you can pop on and off when going through security.

Some the eateries this Hobo has visited and maybe you should check out

Mandarin Palace at 1835 Chestnut St Phila- I love this little restaurant. It's a great deal and nice cozy environment. The staff and owners are great and friendly. They have lunch specials from 11-4pm but if you don't catch it, it doesn't matter they have great prices. The restaurant features Chinese and South Pacific cuisine. You get endless hot tea, ice water, homemade crispy noodles with duck sauce and of course a fortune cookie free with your meal. They also have a good amount of vegetarian dishes. The service is good you won't be waiting too long.

Relish Burger Bistro at the Airport Sheraton Phila- If you are ever around it why not stop by. Though preferably not alone service was way slow when I went if it wasn't for the friendly waitresses and the fast that I had already drank my cranberry juice waiting I would have left. I waited about forty minutes for my burger and it was not packed at all. There were four other tables in usage. One of which already had their food! When I did get my burger I had to go and eventually just had to go to the Starbucks counter to pay my bill. But I tell you at least it was worth the wait. I ordered the B- tween which had a choice off bacon, egg, audouille sausage and soft shell crab. I had never had soft shell crab so I ordered my F\B- tween with the egg, bacon and soft shell crab option. I was in love it a delicious and I admit unique choice. Though my hamburger was slightly rare and I am really not that into hamburger it was delicious! (I thought this sandwich had no hamburger.) All for $7.00 with your choice of sauces and whole wheat or artisan bread I ordered wheat but got the artisan it took so long I didn't care and that is also probably why they forgot. The juices were $3 I chose cranberry and they also have various malts, tea and other drinks for different prices. My verdict good if your not alone and aren't in a rush. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/dining/index.html?propertyID=1047

Charlie Brown's Steakhouse Springfield, Pa- Don't let the name fool you they have other things, too. On my first visit (because I plan on more) to Charlie Brown's I ordered the Shrimp Fest special that is going on until Sept 1 2008. For $12.99 you get four types of shrimp with your choice of rice, mashed or baked potato and 2 types of salad or the unlimited salad bar. I picked a baked potato with sour cream and butter and of course the endless salad bar. The shrimp varieties you get are BBQ Shrimp (my favorite), Buttered shrimp, Coconut shrimp (I feel like Bubba) with a marmalade sauce and just plain ol' fried shrimp with cocktail sauce. It is so good, though I really didn't feel the need for the baked potato; it clashed with the shrimp to me. The salad bar looked promising, with a lot of things in it like roast beef, artichokes ,sweet pickles, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, couscous salad, a barley salad and such. The couscous salad ended up being to my mother tasting like it was spoiled the chef confirmed this was the correct flavor for that recipes so I'll just have to say we do not like it. Something tasted off though we don't believe it to be the lemon nor the mint in it. My barley salad was to me; maybe because I had some pickles first, tasteless, hard and undercooked. Also the fountain drinks are bottomless and includes sodas, lemonade and raspberry iced tea. I picked the lemonade it to me was perfect; cold, not too tart and not too sweet. Overall Charlie Brown's was good to me because the shrimp was stellar and I got their Handshake membership card which is free and you get coupons and free meals on your birthday among other things.
charliebrowns.com

Circ Marriott Center City Phila 13th St and Market St -In the newly renovated lobby of this hotel that is connected to the Philadelphia Convention Center is Circ you the main restaurant part with bar and the lounge area in the main lobby which also has a bar and fountain. With funky decorum and plenty of seating even when it's empty it has a lively ambiance. I find it to be a wonderful place to relax, have meetings with friends or for business and hangout if you’re headed out of town and have time to kill. They have great Mojitos and I love the hummus appetizer. For $5 you get their hummus made from scratch with garbanzo bean lumps here and their and subtle garlic flavor with split cherry tomatoes, celery and sea salted pita chips to dip in it, so good! Also there is Wi-Fi available but it's not free! They close at 1:30am on Sunday morning on Saturday night.

Sole Food at Loews Center City Phila 13th and Market St- Great salads, lots of flat screen TVs, a bar and sometimes they have live music. Also NBC's Ten Show is shot here. Wonderful bathrooms, free computers with internet for hotel guests and lemonade in lobby.

Center Grill- Union Station D.C.- When stuck waiting for Amtrak, having your lunch break, waiting to be picked up or just in the area I recommend this little bi level bistro right in Union Station. On my visit I had a light and breezy lunch of chilled Gazpacho topped with a cream and cucumber relish, yum! Along with it I nibbled my Chicken Satay, which was grilled chicken on wooden skewers with a relish of cucumber and red onion in the center of the plate and on the side a peanut sauce. This peanut sauce had a light peanut accent which wasn't bad I just expected more of that flavor (I have had Chicken Satay one other time than this.) But anyway it was delicious and to me well coordinated. For desert I had key lime pie, delicious (with no green food coloring to it) very flavorful with three dabs of whipped cream. To drink I just had a water with lemon. The service was good there is plenty of seating. Not bad for $17.15 and free Wi-Fi for its customers!

Maoz Phila (South St)- How ever you pronounce it, it's good. I always forget the correct way once I've been away for awhile. There are two in Phila at least that I know of, there is the one on South St and the other is on either Chestnut or Walnut around like 11 St or so. I know they are somewhere in NYC too. I think there potato wedges (basically fries) are great and you can put the cilantro sauce or one of other sauce on that too. I think their falafel is delicious and the staff at least on South is friendly. Though there is very limited seating like enough for six people or so at the max. The little salad bar has cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, sauces, pickles, etc. to decorate your pita or wax paper with. Great for Vegetarians!

Phila- Okay we have Rita's but surprisingly there is also the Phila Pretzel Factory for good water ice. It is like a thick slushie the Mango is my favorite and just as flavorful as a Rita’s. I haven't tried any other flavors since I'm a mango fanatic and it costs $2 for the Large $1.50 Medium, go for large.

Cuba Libre is my favorite restaurant in Phila. Inside the restaurant it looks like you’re outside in an old Havana courtyard. Even the bread and butter they give you are impressively tasty creamy mango butter with delicious warm freshly made bread. I am a fool for anything Mango. Very worth going to.

Philadelphia Aloft Hotel Launch Aug 8 08

Aloft Hotel I was at the launch party what great fun. Aloft is associated with W hotels, one by one they are launching new locations around the country in key locations. At the party around five hundred people were dancing and partying with lots of free shots (though I don't drink).Some of the food was a crowd favorite the mini burgers, sushi, cheeses, mixed fruit skewers and lots of other delicious little finger food and decadent desserts. I tell you the staff is so friendly and personable you will feel extra special. Around the hotel their was two pretty models sitting poolside in bikini and sarong with their own little mini bar and models working out in the little gym adjacent to the pool room on the first floor shirtless. Some of the big name attendees I noticed were of course the D.J. Jazzy Jeff, Mayor Nutter, Christopher from Project Runway, such fun. The hotel is quite unique for Philly's airport area. First you notice the outside reminiscent of a casino or Miami, neon lights with a giant metal sign reading the hotels name. The theme is sort of Hawaiian, Asian fusion. There are modern compact rooms whose biggest feature is the bed with window shades featuring one of the hotels striped motifs. In the main lobby is a cute little area to purchase juice, fruit, coffee, sandwiches, etc. and very reasonable prices that is full of neon colors. It is so bright and cheery it reminds me of something in Tokyo and the lux lounge area with eclectic pillows and colorful mix matched couches, with bouquets of exotic flower arrangements containing colorful flowers like birds of paradise and orchids strategically placed and one centered on top of glass on a pool table. The lower area of the lobby's lounge area has a bar and couches. And also is the entry way to the courtyard area with its outdoor glass encased fireplace, stools the dj booth and white tiled floor. This with the little palm plants swaying the breeze made everyone feel like they were far away from Philly. Also at the event after the speakers was the fashion show featuring clothes from some of Philly's hottest local boutiques Knit Wit, South Moon Under, Echo Chic and more! I modeled for Knit Wit. All of the clothes from the different stores were hot my favorite pieces were a gorgeous silver metallic cropped leather jacket, a satiny turquoise strapless jumper with parachute legs (the model pulled it off) and this feisty black and white number a Marc Jacobs couture bubble dress with pockets and unique straps that you could wear on or off the shoulder. Behind the runway stage setup was another outdoor lounge area with brown and green seating and matching little tables with it's own bar. It was definitely a night to remember complete with a red carpet. Once you went outside again you see the airport and think I was in Philly?