MOD Magazine July 2012

Grab a copy and read "To Cut or Not To Cut" :)

See: http://ninportfolio.blogspot.com/2012/07/yey-my-mod-article-for-july-2012-is-out.html

My Looklet addiction

Another favorite 'fashion' site of mine is LOOKLET.COM
You have the freedom to be your own fashion diva/stylist. Here are some of my looklet designs.

 

 

 

from my POLYVORE account

Some sets I've styled using polyvore :)

FOR MORE VISIT:

 http://ninjanine.polyvore.com/

STRIPES

Headed to the beach?

Office then Party wear.

Inspired by Little Mermaid

i ♥ PINK!

Earth tone colors . . .

Mickey mouse inspired

Modern take on Snow White's outfit

To Cut or Not To Cut

  Yey! My MOD article for July 2012 is out in their website, thou this is only one part of the article (part 2 is all about interviewing different professionals whose work involves the use of scissors - and can be only read in the magazine, so buy one :) 

*Also, Im very happy because this is the first time they used my own title . . . ♥

To Cut or Not To Cut

ASIDE FROM CUTTING paper, a pair of scissors is probably one of the most helpful cutting tools around. This handheld cutting tool with two blades is derived from the Latin word scissus meaning ‘having been cut.’

        The known use of a blade cutting tool was found in ancient Egyptian ruins dating around 1500 B.C. This type of scissor was used by barbers and cloth makers. Early scissors were made from one piece of metal unlike modern scissors which are made from two cross-blades which pivot around a fulcrum. Modern cross-bladed scissors were invented by Romans. It is in A.C.E. (After Common Era) 100 that such tool was invented in ancient Rome.

        Today, there are a variety of scissors for specific purposes.
        Here is a rundown of the types available:

AGRICULTURE
• Grass and hedge shears. Used for trimming grass and hedges
• Pruning shears (secateurs) and loppers. Used for cutting through branches of trees and shrubs
PRICE: P150 to P300
WHERE TO BUY: Hardware stores such as Handyman, True Value, and Ace

DOMESTIC USE
Used in food preparation like cutting of chicken or meat into smaller pieces. Sometimes, these scissors are used in place of a knife.
 • Kitchen shears. For cutting, trimming, snipping vegetables, ‘chopping’ dried fruits or herbs,  mincing, ‘slicing’ crusts
PRICE: P120 to P200
WHERE TO BUY: Gourdo’s, Alessi, Muji, Victorinox
 • Multipurpose scissors. Lighter duty scissors for cutting paper or other office activities
PRICE: Ranges from P30 to P90 depending on size and make
WHERE TO BUY: National Book Store, local markets, arts and crafts shops, department stores
 • Craft scissors. For artwork and detailing
PRICE: P60 to P150
WHERE TO BUY: National Book Store, Office Warehouse, arts and crafts stores

SEWING AND EMBROIDERY
Scissors for cutting fabrics:
• Fabric or textile shears. Long blades with uneven-sized handles and are used for cutting yards of fabric
• Pinking shears. Saw-toothed blades instead of straight which leave a zigzag pattern instead of a straight edge. They have a serrated cutting edge and are used for cutting cloth so that the fabric does not fray.
• Machine embroidery scissors. Used when working machine embroidery. They have a curved blade, which makes it easier to cut the thread close to the fabric surface while in a machine embroidery hoop.
PRICE: P130 to P220
WHERE TO BUY: Local markets, vaciador, and stores that provide tailoring needs

Scissors or Shears?
Scissors are generally multipurpose and have similar small ‘handles’ with sharp blades that are riveted together. Scissors come in various sizes, some with design enhancements for specific tasks, such as for cutting hair, embroidery threads, or crafts. One may use a pair of household scissors to cut parcel twine, paper, light card stock, or food  packages.
     Shears, on the other hand, have a noticeable design difference — one side (or both) has a larger handle
to accommodate a couple of fingers (thumb in the top and fingers in the bottom). The handles are often attached with an adjustable screw for precision cutting such as a dressmaker’s shears. 

Shear Thing
When buying a pair of shears, look for these features:

• Serrated and notched blade. Many shears have one blade that’s serrated, which helps when gripping slippery items. It’s handy for trimming fish and cutting out the back of a chicken. A notch near the fulcrum is useful for breaking through small bones.

• Break-apart blades. Many shears let one separate the blades at the fulcrum, which is incredibly useful for cleaning.

• Rounded handles. Too many shears have plastic handles with edges that aren’t rounded and they can be downright painful to use. Look for rounded edges.

• Snug handles. A smaller circular hole for the thumb is helpful when pressure is applied.

HAIR CARE
Scissors used for cutting hair:
• Thinning shears/Texturizing shears/ Chunking shears. Used to remove ‘bulk’ from the hair without altering the hairstyle. These scissors have ‘teeth’ as opposed to ‘blades’ and remove less hair with a single snip.
• Hair clippers. Used for cutting hair by hairdressers, barbers, and pet groomers
PRICE: P150 to P360
WHERE TO BUY: Solingen, Hortaleza, Quiapo, and Divisoria/Baclaran

FOR CUTTING NAILS
Scissors for trimming and cutting nails:
• Nail scissors
PRICE: P30 to P100
WHERE TO BUY: Local markets, tiangges, beauty section of department stores, Watsons, HBC, Solingen, Hortaleza,
and other beauty shops

MEDICAL
• Trauma shears or ‘tuff cuts.’ Robust scissors used in emergency medical response and rescue to cut clothing from injured people. They usually consist of a plastic handle with a metal blade, which is traditionally bent at about 150 degrees, giving them an unusual appearance as compared to normal scissors, and also a longer ‘lever arm.’
• Bandage scissors. Angled tip scissors, with a blunt tip on the bottom blade, which helps in cutting bandages
without gouging the skin
• Surgical scissors. They include bandage scissors, dissecting scissors, iris scissors, operating scissors, stitch scissors, tenotomy scissors, Metzenbaum scissors, and plastic surgery scissors. Surgical scissors are usually made of hard stainless steel for ongoing toughness.

METALWORK
• ‘Jaws of Life.’ Hydraulic rescue tools for cutting heavy sheet metal
• Tin snips. For cutting through sheet metal. The most popular type of snips, they are defined by their long handles and short blades. They usually have extra wide jaws and are made of drop forged carbon steel. Depending on the size of the blade, tin snips can cut between 23 and 16 gauge cold rolled low-carbon steel. There are two main types: straight-pattern and duckbill-pattern. Straight-pattern are best for straight cuts, but can handle gentle curves. Duckbill-pattern snips, also known as trojan-pattern snips, have blades that taper down from the pivot to the tip of the blades.
• Throatless shears. For cutting complex shapes in sheet metal

– Ma. Janine Bianca A. Romero

JUST CONCERN ABOUT – SHOE!(YOU)

* Last year, I was tasked to write 3 sample articles by some (fashion/health) magazines I've applied to. Here is one of those articles. I chose this topic since I'm more of a "flats" person. :)

 
 

“The Killer Heels vs. The Humble Flats”

            We all love pumps, stilettos – and the like. They just give an instant oomph and glam in any outfit we wear.

            Sometimes wearing these “killer heels” means attending proms, debuts and other parties that calls for a more formal outfit. These shoes are made for formal or special events. And yes some people can wear these even if they’re just going to the mall, grocery or just doing everyday ordinary errands. But the main issue of this article is not just to make you fashionable but also to care for your body.

            Indeed, it is true that your 5 inch Jimmy Choo Shoes make you look more fashionable, a lot sexier and they make you seem inches taller for they lengthen the legs. But wearing them could be doing a lot more damage than just bruising your toes and making your feet hurt.

            Yes, heels make you look extra good but it is only for the moment you’re wearing it. Have you ever thought of its long term effects – and mind you – I’m not just talking about inflamed nerves and ligaments, ingrown toenails or shortened Achilles tendons, I’m speaking about your – Posture.

            Being in these killer heels makes you throw your balance out the door because you lift your heels to unnatural heights and with this your body compensates by adjusting its back, hips and shoulders which in the long run may cause you leg pains, headaches and lower back pains.

            But don’t fret, there is no need for you to keep all your heels and start using flats for the rest of your life. You can still use them but it is best to wear them every other day or if there is no big need for it, just wear flats.

            According to an article entitled How to prevent high heel injuries on www.fitsugar.com, if you cannot avoid wearing heels, do your self a favor and try some of the stretching exercises for ankles and calves that they have discussed there. You may also want to check www.advancedfootcaremn.com, for more on foot care advices.

            Now after reading this and you still can’t give up your high heels, you may want to try there suggestions to give you and your feet more comfort:

* Wear soft insoles – to reduce the impact on your knees.

* Try wearing one with a thicker heel – it will help distribute weight (more) evenly.

* Buy shoe that fits you – and doesn’t make your foot slide forward for this causes more pressure on your toes.

IF YOU’VE GIVEN IN AND DECIDED TO GO FOR FLATS

            Comfort and Mobility are just some of the best things flat shoes can offer you. Besides making you a lot healthier in terms of making you avoid foot injuries they are also stylish and at times more affordable (but this depends on the brand of your shoes – just think more heels requires more materials to be used therefore making it more expensive than flats).

            You no longer need to think it over whether you’ll choose fashion or functionality for you can have it both with these shoes.

Here are some benefits of these flats:

1. Comfortable and Easy to walk in – You can do a lot of errands without having difficulty in walking while you are carrying a lot of stuffs.

2. It will take you anywhere – Flats are made to ‘go the distance’ meaning they are built for long walks around the city.

3. Safer and healthier – You don’t need to worry about leg pains, feet aching or worse – back pains.

4. Easy to wear and take off – If you are an on-the-go person, flats are your bestfriend because you can wear them easily not like heels that you need to sit down and individually attached the straps before you can go.

5. Can be for any event – Whether formal or non formal occasions, whether attending ‘sporty’ events flats can be your soul mate. They can fit any event just choose a design that will suit the place you are going to. (ex. Cheetah print flats for parties or plain blue flats for school events). Flats are very versatile. You don’t see girls in heels during school practices like rehearsing for plays, don’t you?

            Flats as well as heels comes in all sizes, styles and colors. So find one that suits your personality and mood and then, say hello to comfort. - Janine A. Romero 

 *unpublished and unedited

 *photos from Google.com