alicezhaox

[alicezhaox]

Who: Alice & open! (0/6)

When: Weekend of February 8, 2025

Where: Jade's Jewels

Alice decided that with the upcoming holiday, she could find something to update her wardrobe. She didn't have a big date coming up, but she did have important meetings in the next week or two. And she had to look professional--that didn't mean she couldn't look stylish. She picked up a pair of gemstone earrings studying them carefully. "What do you think of these?" she turned, asking the person nearby.

[alicezhaox]

“Besides trying not to bite them?” Alice joked. “I feel like I touch my nail too much to really embellish them. So I usually do French tips with a dash of glitter. I’ve seen some glitter too coats, so that’s always fun to try out!” She nodded. “Do you have any tips?” She grinned. She knew Elena was good at what she did when it came to makeup and getting glammed up, even for the every day. “We don’t usually see images of ice or snowflakes unless it’s something Christmas themed,”

"Do you have any fancy techniques when it comes to nails?" Lena asked, looking over at Alice, "like can you do gradients or little gems or anything? I try to learn new things whenever I can." Plus, although she didn't normally offer nails as part of her service when it came to doing make-up, she could admit that it was fun to try out styles on her friends when they wanted something, too. "That's true," she smiled, glancing over the paintings and imagining what other people might see when they looked at them, the way that they viewed the art she had worked so hard on. "I feel like now I'm going to spend the rest of the winter looking at actual ice and snowflakes to see what they look like, too."

[alicezhaox]

Alice clipped her still slightly-damp hair up in a pony tail to keep it out of her face. She waved towards Rafael as she spotted him and he made his way towards her. “You clean up well,” she grinned. “I think… I want to go with the cranberry-orange spritzer. It sounds like it would be good,” she said with a nod. “Although I also want to try everything. How about you? See anything that catches your eye?”

It didn't take Rafael too long at all to get changed -- it was a pretty good incentive, getting dressed and warmed up -- and then find himself up at the main building, making his way towards the bar when he spotted Alice, sliding onto the stool next to her. "What are you thinking, any special flavors that look like we need to try them? Mocktails that are supposed to give you good luck for the year ahead or something like that?"

[alicezhaox]

That's what they say! Different is good, it helps us learn and figure out new things. Sometimes you even surprise yourself! Yes, I think it is an acquired taste, but if you don't mind something a bit herb-y and floral, then I'd say try it out. Oh yes! It's a great gift. That's what I was told at least, growing up. Lavender and money plants. You'd find a lot of that at my family's house growing up. That always does happen. And then by luck, we'll lose power too.

Take the path less traveled, or whatever it is that they say, right? Sometimes it's nice to do something a little different, try something new. See what you can get into. Lavender cookies… that's a new one. I mean, I can absolutely see why people would be into it if they love lavender, though! I'll have to remember that, whenever you need a gift, the safest best is something lavender. More than likely… although normally they end up coming when we least expect them.

[alicezhaox]

Alice loved having friends over and putting dishes together to share. With Lunar New Year having just passed, she had a lot of ingredients to put to use. She grinned when Leyla tried out the meal she had prepared. It was a traditional meal for the season, sprinkled in with some of her own modern elements. "I will!" she said. "Do you want some more of the noodles?" she asked, picking up the plate to help herself as well.

Closed: @alicezhaox @ Alice's Home

Leyla took a bite of the dish Alice had prepared, her eyes widening at the explosion of flavors in her mouth. The rich spices and delicate balance of textures were unlike anything she had ever tasted, and she couldn't help but smile in amazement. "This is amazing," she said, leaning forward, "you're gonna have to share the recipe with me." The meal was everything she had hoped for, and then some.

[alicezhaox]

Oh yeah, it certainly does! Especially when it happens all the time? I'd feel worse if my friends end up feeling about it! I just like having fun with my friends, but not in lieu of them having fun either. Sometimes it's nice for everyone to just enjoy themselves and not have to worry about someone feeling left out. You're welcome! And thank you! I had so much fun, dancing, eating. The band was great! As were all the art pieces.

Eventually you just start feeling like you're taking advantage of them, right? You might not be doing it intentionally, but you still feel that way. And I don't care what someone says about being okay with it -- it must be disappointing to feel like you're always taking care of all of your drunk friends! Thank you! I had such a nice time, and getting to be all dressed and prettied up for a night was nice. You looked absolutely gorgeous, as usual! How did your night go?

[alicezhaox]

It happens so many times! I know sometimes it is much easier--and better to have face to face conversation. But when you're on a schedule full of deadlines, a summary would suffice. Absolutely! That's just the part when we have to prove them wrong. Well, I do my best on that part. Hopefully enough to influence more young minds!

Oh, we hate the meeting that should have been an email. Some people simply do not know how to communicate. We can't be limited by what random people tell us, especially when random people are the forces that would rather see us fail, right? And now you're a journalism badass, and an example for young people everywhere.

[alicezhaox]

Alice nodded again, taking a moment to listen a bit closer now. The band could get really creative and she appreciated their take on the song. She smiled a bit. “That doesn’t seem so bad, though,” she said. “Easy listening, right? Keeps it just in the background and less distracting in a way,” she nodded. “I haven’t! But I thought about it. Think we should?” She asked, nodding in the direction of the band.

Nathan gave a tiny frown, though letting out a small smile as well when he was told what she thought the song was. He was somewhat familiar with that particular song and tried to focus a little to see if he could recognize it now. "Oh, yeah. That it is," he said with a small chuckle. Like most of the other songs, he couldn't recognize it right away. "I just listen to instrumental music when I'm working. Jazz usually. My family hates it." He shook his head in amusement. "Have you tried requesting a song yet? I heard you could but I also heard someone did request something and got denied."

[alicezhaox]

Alice couldn't help but laugh a bit. It would be quite funny, if she would have to write an article about herself. Granted, it probably would actually work. She waved back then gathered her things and headed towards the changing tents, changed into something more comfy and warm, then trekked her way towards Mawk Tales. Once clad in her Merrock Times hoodie and a pair of yoga pants, she took a look at the menu.

"I'm sure that if anyone could write the article and do it justice, it would be you," he laughed, shaking his head. But there was some truth to it, she could find the humor in the situation, even if the 'situation' was her own pain from getting pummeled by the waves. But, crisis averted. They could get dried off, changed, and warm up inside. "Good plan," he smiled and nodded, picking up his towel and bag and giving her a wave as he ran up across the beach towards the changing tents.

[alicezhaox]

Which is never a bad thing! Consistency is a gift, but I always like to do at least one thing that's off book, too, you know? Yes! I love lavender, have it around the house when it's in season. It's supposed to be good for headaches as well. I've even tried cookies with lavender infused in there. Yes, candles, lotion, that kind of thing. I don't always have the lavender lotion but it's good to have in the springtime too. I'm thinking we'll see it coming soon!

Breaks you out of the norm and makes you do something different, shake up life a little bit. Never a bad thing when you can manage to make that happen. So you go all in for the lavender, then -- do you like it as a flower, too, like is it something you have in bouquets at home? Or maybe even candles or something? I know it's a really popular scent! I keep hoping for that one big snow storm this year, but there's still time.

[alicezhaox]

"Exactly!" Alice also loved doing her nails. Luckily, working as a journalist it had become part of her public 'look'. So it was fitting for her to always have a fresh manicure. "You're welcome!" Alice said with a nod. There were plenty of artistic people in town, and she loved seeing even the ones who would just do art as a hobby put their pieces out there. It was going to be fun to write about. "That's what makes it so fascinating, too. You don't think much about ice being a piece of art, but it really is!"

"Double the win," Lena loved painting her nails, spent a lot of time picking out colors and shapes and accents, but the moment that it got dirty or chipped or broken, that was devastating. It was why gardening in the springtime was such a hassle. She loved it, but her nails definitely did not. And getting the icing all over her fingernails wasn't going to be much fun, either. "Thanks!" she smiled, brightening a bit as she turned to look at her paintings again, glad that Alice had understood her vision and what she was trying to do. "Oh, absolutely. And so reflective, too. It's amazing how different it looks during the day versus at night, you know?"

[alicezhaox]

That's exactly how I feel! I always want to have fun, but I also don't want the same person to have to take on the role. Unless they really chose to on their own volition. Then, sure. But still, I want everyone I'm with to enjoy the evening, or party or whatever it is. We all deserve something nice! So there is that. You looked amazing, Livvy, accessories and all!

Also true! Because when you need a DD, you always have to worry that someone is going to feel left out or like they can't have as good of a time as everyone else, you know? And that's not a good feeling! Exactly, and that's our right -- we're allowed to treat ourselves when we've worked hard… or even when we haven't, and just want a treat. I am! I've got my dress ready, I'm just nit picking accessories to figure out what looks the best. How about you?

[alicezhaox]

We've got a busy flurry of things happening. I always something new to look through when I am working. Well, I am glad I kept pushing to keep the paper copies around. I feel there is some kind of authenticity to it. And to make sure that the paper is some kind of recycled material helps too. Good! I'm glad to hear it. We all need a break sometimes. Did you end up taking some art home? I bought a couple of pieces, now the hard part is to hang it up! I need to go back to the hardware store to buy supplies. You looked stunning, by the way!

Always good when the paper has busy days. I've always appreciated more physical copies of things than digital. I'll have to check it out if you have more articles coming out, congratulations. I can imagine having more and more is always an exciting, but tasking job. Not overworking myself, or well, I am but I'm good, I'm kind of engrained in the life. I'm hoping there'll be some of the artwork that catches my eye, my office could really use some sprucing up, far too plain. Hopefully it won't turn into a bidding war for anyone but I don't doubt local artists would be excited for that! Have you found your dress yet?

[alicezhaox]

Paperwork, meetings, emails, long calls that could have been emails... That's a day in the life. But yes, people should try new things no matter what! I'm a big advocate for trying new things, no matter what. There's really no rule to who can do what, or who can't do something. I think that's what makes life so interesting. I know that was one of the biggest challenges when I was first trying to be a journalist.

That's what they say, though all jobs have their boring stuff- the paperwork and the slow days and the people you really, really don't want to work with. I agree wholeheartedly. More than anything, I want people to be able to realize their full potential as humans- to find what they're meant to do without limitations of gender or ability or race or any other factor.

[alicezhaox]

Alice nodded along to the music, trying to listen closely to see if she could recognize the tune. Some of them were easier than others. And besides the buzz of the crowd, it was a little bit of a challenge. "What do you usually listen to when working?" she asked him with a grin. "I think... oh, I think I actually recognize this one? It sounds like Someone Like You. By Adele," she said, before trying to find the tune and humming along.

"They're quite good," Nathan answered, giving a small nod as he returned the smile. The band had been enjoyable tonight, though he couldn't say that he recognized all of the songs being played. And some of them, it took him almost to the end of the song to recognize because of the different arrangements. "I'd probably need something a little calmer if I want to listen to music while working. Can't say I recognize this song though."

[alicezhaox]

"There's so much to see. You could ask five different people to explain a piece of art, and their stories won't be exactly the same," Alice agreed. There was always something new to learn about a piece of art, and she loved to hear all the different perspectives. "I don't think there's a right or wrong answer," she said. "My art history teacher said that's why historians always argued about ancient art," she said with a grin. "But I think with the theme, it's a bit more simple, mm?"

Jasmine let out a short "hm," of acknowledgment, not having seen that herself. "That's the thing with art, isn't it? Everyone has their own interpretation of it. But there's also a symbiotic relationship between the artist's intent and a person's interpretation of it. Are your feelings less valid if you're given the facts from the incorrect perspective? More of a hypothetical question I suppose and maybe too big a question for a charity gala."

[alicezhaox]

"Me too, especially ones that save our manicures," she grinned. She handed Lena an extra napkin that she happened to have been holding, so both of them could get the extra crumbs off their fingers. Having literal sticky fingers during a formal event probably wasn't the best idea. She listened with a nod as Lena told the story behind her piece of art. Despite being in the same small town, everyone had a different perspective, a different story to tell. That was what she loved about the pieces that were up for display. "I love that," Alice grinned. "It's pretty fascinating isn't it? You don't really think that snow can actually be quite colorful. It's almost like a prism."

"I'm thankful for those moments of genius, then," they were going to make her life a lot easier, if it meant that she could enjoy sugary sweetness a little bit more with a lot less mess. Something that she'd never complain about. Turning back towards her painting, she let out a soft 'hmm' as Alice asked about the story behind it, realizing that she probably was not good at this part, not the way that artists would be, when they knew what they were feeling when they created pieces. "Honestly, I was watching it snow the one day and really loved the colors, and was really fascinated with how much the snow glittered, you know? So I wanted to paint what I thought a snowflake would look like up close with that same glitter and sparkle."