EcoSphere

Take a look at this.

"The EcoSphere is the result of technology developed by scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NASA was researching self-contained communities for space explorers to live in during long-term space flights. Out of this research came the EcoSphere - an ecosystem of animal and plant life in perfect balance."


Pretty much, it's an entire, albeit very small, ecosystem in a glass ball. Each EcoSphere contains microscopic organisms, bacteria, shrimp, algae, etc. inside filtered seawater. It's also self-sustainable, so there's no need to feed or clean. Just...observe.


How delightful! This is more than an office desk decoration, it's an entire world. They're start at about $79 and go up to $489.


http://eco-sphere.com/index.html 

Do these pants make my butt look obvious?

Lululemon Athletica is pure evil.

While browsing the shops at Ala Moana mall during my trip to Honolulu, I happened across a lululemon store, and curiously peeked inside. Since I've signed up for a pilates class next quarter, I thought it would be wise to invest in a good pair of yoga pants.

I paid $49.98 for my pilates class.

Lululemon yoga pants are $98.00.

I don't understand.

So instead, I marched straight into Gilly Hicks and bought some nice, good quality pants that I found in the clearance section...for $13.90.

Take that, capitalism.

However, what confuses me the most is the cult that has now developed behind the whole concept of yoga. I mean, I have nothing against those who practice it, but seriously? Why do people feel the need to wear their silly little yoga pants everywhere they go? Is it just pure laziness, or a desperate cry of, "ooh, look at me, America! Look, I'm healthy! I do yoga! See these pants? It means I'm a yogi! That's a person who does yoga, if you didn't know. That also means I'm in shape! Watch me in my overpriced lululemon pants while I snack on a Kashi Go-Lean bar and sip my thermos full of green tea! All organic, too!"

I hate America sometimes.



Not gonna lie though, I'm really excited for my superhot pilates abs. God knows my midsection needs some definition. 


Also, I have nothing against Kashi bars and green tea. I find them to be very delicious and healthy treats.

required reading

nice book for the beach :)

black sesame ice cream

Yes, it looks like a lump of coal, but my god this stuff is delicious.

And as of now, it has been my latest craving.

Sweet yet nutty, the perfect ice cream combination. The most satisfying treat for a warm day. I first tried it during a trip to Hong Kong a couple years ago, and ever since then I've loved it.

I've also had it in froyo and bubble tea form, they're all amazing. As a kid, I practically grew up on black sesame soup, which, I know, looks disgusting, but it's actually quite nice. It's also relatively healthier considering other desserts that are out there. God, I could totally go for some of this stuff right now.

But where on earth can I go about obtaining this delicious frozen treat? Perhaps a trip to Uwajimaya will be needed in the near future...

Monserat de Lucca Antler necklace, $68

Charming.

Available here and here.
View more of their jewelry.

required reading

lock heart, Paris, France

I thought this was an adorable idea.

Usually I'm a bitter, cynical bitch on Valentine's day who hates everything cutesy and yuppie, but I couldn't help but let out an audible "awww" when I first read about this.

Location: Pont des Arts, near the Louvre, where a very peculiar yet lovely tradition occurs. Lovers take a lock and attach it on a fence, sealing their love. They then throw the key into the nearby river as a symbol that their love will never be undone. Simple, yet cute.

Unfortunately however, these locks are often taken down after they're put up (something about them being an eyesore?), which I found quite oxymoronic. Isn't Paris supposed to be the city of love?