pancakeREVIEW: HANA Titanium 1.5" Flat Iron

A few weeks ago, Brian at Misikko generously offered to send me a HANA Titanium 1.5" Flat Iron to review. The timing was pretty perfect, as I was already searching for a new one to replace my previous hair straightener of four years. When I received my package in the mail, I was floored at how beautifully presented it was! A box filled with not just my new flat iron, but also some cute salon products. I tried it out for two+ weeks and below are a few of my findings! Keep in mind, I kept everything else exactly the same (hair products, routine, styling), so that I could give you all a through review :)

• The first thing that stood out about my new HANA flat iron was that it had Ceramic and Tourmaline mirrored plates. Not only are mirrored plates pretty genius, but they also happen to be gentler on color treated hair and they provide an effortless shine. Since highlighting my hair, I've been very conscious of how I can do less damage.  I have been straightening my hair more often than not these days, so I was happy to find that my new flat iron would be a lot more forgiving. Even better, mirrored plates are easy to clean before and after each use, and believe me, if you want your flat iron to last long, you have to clean and protect the plates. My previous flat iron was definitely an amazing one, but one downside to it was that the coated ceramic plates were significantly harder to clean. 

• The HANA Titanium flat iron has heat settings from 140 to 450 degrees! My naturally curly locks are insanely thick and swirly, haha, so being able to choose how hot I want my plates to be is a big plus. I have to heat my plates to 340 degrees (hot, I know) when I'm first straightening my hair, but I value that I can switch down to a lower degree when I'm doing touch ups or my dreaded bangs.

• Among some of the goodies I received in my package was a Silicon Heat Proof Mat. This might not sound all that cool, but really it is. Setting down an oven-hot flat iron on some surfaces can really do some damage. Having a heat mat is such an easy fix, especially when you're like me and want to straighten your hair anywhere but the bathroom. It's the little things, I tell you...

• I timed how long it took to straighten my hair each time, and in all honestly, it still took me about the same amount of time (an hour) to straighten my hair. I will say, though, the plates heat up fast and if you're hair isn't as thick as mine, you will be able to straighten your hair in no time at all. 

 

• Some other things to note: The HANA Titanium 1.5" Flat Iron has curved plates, which allows for straightening, curling, and flipping. It also has a two year warranty, so you know you're in good hands. Furthermore, the HANA flat iron has been featured in both Marie Claire and Redbook, so that's telling you it's something to rave about. 

Overall, I'm very happy with my new flat iron and if you are in the market for a new one too, I definitely suggest scooting over to Hana Salon's site. Flat irons can be expensive, but I really think that it's important to look at it as an investment. You want the best for your hair, and like anything else, when you invest in a great product, you'll get great results. Big thanks to Brian at Misikko for allowing me to try out the HANA flat iron. I love mine, and if you decide to get one, I'm sure you'll love yours too. As always, feel free to comment below with any questions and I'll definitely try to answer them all! If any of you are interested in a hair-how-to post, let me know, and I will create one for you! 




Disclosure: Please note that although I received the HANA Titanium 1.5" Flat Iron for free, all the thoughts expressed above are my own honest opinions. 

Wisdom Wednesday

"Love the ones you can. Touch the ones you can reach. Let the others go." -- Real Live Preacher 

 "Boogie Lights" Look book, Planet Blue, February 2012

As you know, one thing I love to do is save up the quotes I come across, so that I may share them with you in a future post. When I read this one, I couldn't help but think how simple and beautiful the words were. In life, we come across multitudes of people. Some, we meet for a brief moment, while others stay with us for a lifetime, whether in our memories, in our hearts, or by our sides. One thing that I still struggle with is how to let go of the people who have hurt or disappointed me. I dwell on situations and wonder how things could have gone differently. And, when I do this, I always remember another quote by Oprah, which states, "Forgiveness is letting go of the hope that the past can be changed." After remembering this, I snap back to reality and move on. Then, one day, I came across today's quote, and it cemented everything that I've always known.

 It's so easy for us to think about all the people who have hurt us and wonder their reasoning, or even think about what we could have done to change things. One thing that we should remember, however, is the past is the past, and we can't change it. The only thing we can do, is let go and move forward. And, when we move forward, we are to take the lessons we have learned from our past to try and touch others with our presence. We learn from the ways others have hurt us, so that we know how others shouldn't be treated. Sadly, not everyone is going to treat you well, but so many more will. So, give the love you can to the ones who want it, because they're the ones who deserve it the most. Touch the ones you can with your kindness, because they're the ones who need it the most. Let go of the people, situations, and negativity that weigh you down, because that's the only way you'll grow.  

And that's my wisdom for this Wednesday. As always, feel free to share your wisdom with me down below. Happy Wednesday, everyone. 

Levi’s Curve ID x Chandamheer Stacker

This series is brought to you by Levi’s® Curve ID. Find your custom fit at Levi’s® stores or Levi.com

Jeans and I have always had quite the relationship, and I say "relationship" because that's exactly how it's felt. For most of my adult life, I remember having a strong aversion to trying on jeans in stores because nothing ever fit me the way I needed them to. When I talked to friends about my problems with trying to find jeans, they just couldn’t understand how I could have so many issues. Well, here’s the deal: Proportionally speaking, I have a smaller waist, but bigger hips and thighs, and a fair amount of junk in the trunk. (In high school, my mom used to call me J.Lo booty. And yes, I do wish I were joking.) I found myself constantly looking for a belt or pulling up my pants every chance I got. This was frustrating, to say the least, and my solution was to not wear jeans because I just didn’t feel comfortable enough. So, denim and I took a break and I pretty much only wore skirts and dresses. When I had the opportunity to try the Levi’s® Curve ID jeans, I have to admit, I was very skeptical that any pair of jeans could fit me in all the right places. Alas, one night, I sat down and took the online quiz. After finding out my curve, I went to the store, tried on my jeans and couldn't believe my eyes. Did my butt really just fit into those jeans? Wait a minute... my waist fit too? Finally, a pair made just for me.

pancakePROFILES: 10 Questions For.. ME! (Because You Asked)

So, a little while back it occurred to me that I've never really done a proper Q&A post. I've received many emails over the last few weeks, and because I was already planning on doing a FAQ post, I thought that this would be a great way to address everyone's burning questions more efficiently. So, here is the post I promised you all :) Hope you enjoy getting to know me a little better.




1. So what's with the blog name? How did pancakeSTACKER come about? 

When I first started thinking about blog names, I originally thought that I would just use my first name and leave it at that. Then flashbacks of grades K-12, as well as all four years of college, and just life in general, came flying at me. Shonda? Shawnda? Chandameer? Chandamaheer? Yeah, all of those are wrong. I realized no one would be able to find my blog if I named it that, and people would wonder what a "Chandamheer" was. Still, I wanted to make it something personal that would tie in a bit of me with a bit of my passions. Then I realized that an infinite amount of things go with Stacker, which happens to be my last name. (You'd be surprised how many people don't realize Stacker is my last name.) Legos, pickles, blocks...all these things can be stacked. But what is the best stack of all? Pancakes, hands down. So that's when my blog came about. Pancakes tie in my love of food and Stacker ties in the personal style.

2. We know you like to eat, so how do you stay in shape? What do you do?

First of all, while I am extremely, extremely flattered that you consider me "in shape," I must admit that I am FAR from it. At best, I am just.. a shape. For as far as I can remember, I have always liked to eat. In high school, my friends and I organized a pizza eating contest and I took home the title for the girls. Since I was young, I was always pretty active. Don't be fooled, however, I am ridiculously uncoordinated when it comes to any sport. BUT, I must mention I am a Grade-A dancer and will beat you in a dance off...maybe. In college, it was the same thing. I ate a lot and people wondered what unnatural force took over my body as I scarfed everything down. Truth is, a lot of it has to do with my genes (thanks mom and dad!!), but at the same time, I really value my health and do try to eat relatively healthy when I can. So when I do work out, I really enjoy Zumba and Yoga. Yoga keeps me sane and helps push my body and Zumba is just fun!



3. What is your favorite food? Least favorite?

Oh, you know this is a tough one. I love, love everythinggggg...except for mushrooms and octopus because both really freak me out. I grew up eating a lot of seafood and so almost anything you'll find in the sea is a winner in my book. More specifically, I think I could eat sushi or Japanese food every single day for the rest of my life and not ever get tired of it. I used to have a huge sweet tooth, and while I still do, I'm much more into savory flavors these days. Indian food is also delicious and I'm not afraid of spice! I pretty much like to eat it all. Oh, but wait, my least favorite food, and I know I'm going to get a lot of hate mail for this one, is pasta. I just don't really like it, but I will still have it every now and then.

4. I'm so curious, what is your ethnicity? 

I get this one a lot too. People always ask me, "Where are you from," to which I reply, "America." Then they ask, "But what are you," to which I like to answer, "A human being, what are you?" I just always think it's funny, I'm not sure why. Anyways, I am proud to say that I am a halfie, more specifically, I'm half Black and half Filipino. This is my papa bear and this is my mama bear. I have to say, it's a pretty awesome mix and I love every single bit of my culture.



5.  So, what is it that you do? 

I used to work in fashion sales for a long, long time and then last year I took a new position on the advertising side of a print media publication here in San Francisco. It didn't quite work out, however, and I found myself really uninspired and quite unhappy. I moved on and I currently work for a PR firm in the city where I do Digital Media for clients -- which basically means I do social media all day long! I write editorial content for a variety of clients clients (consumer, tech, beauty, etc.), analyze engagement, and act as a social media resource for our firm. I also offer freelance work in this area, so if you are looking for someone to create content or manage your social media platforms, I'm you're girl.

6. And what else do you like to do aside from blogging? 

I'm actually really nerdy. I studied English World Literature and Spanish in college and enjoy analyzing text far more than one should. I love to read, but more than that, I love to write analytical essays. Weird, I know. Aside from the stuff you already know about me, I'm pretty much your normal gal. I love to hang out with my friends and just laugh. Laughing is my favorite. And, because it's my favorite, I love watching hilarious comedies (Bridesmaids - just about died, Friends - I own all 10 seasons, Modern Family - riot, Bad Girls Club - guilty, guilty pleasure, but so hilarious).



7. Where are your favorite places to shop, eat, explore in the city? 

I do a lot of my shopping at the usual mall spots, but San Francisco has an amazing selection of vintage clothing all over the place. For vintage, I like to dig through the racks at Held Over or Wasteland in the Haight, but really there are a ton of great stores there that I suggest poking into. For food, my favorite brunch spot is Red Door Cafe because it is amazing. But, I love tacos and Mamacita in the Marina has some amazing shrimp tacos that should not be missed. I am still trying to find a sushi place worth frequenting, but for my LA readers, my favorite spots include Monsoon (amazing happy hour) and Roll House for melt in your mouth fusion rolls. I generally like to explore all neighborhoods around town, but a good place to start is Hayes Valley. Colorful, diverse, great shopping, delicious food - it's a great neighborhood to explore on a sunny day.

8. What kind of camera do you use for photos you take? 

I use a Canon EOS Rebel DSLR. It's a great camera and a wonderful starter for anyone who wants to make the leap from a point and shoot to a dslr. Alternatively, I've also had a few their Powershot point and shoot cameras in the past and definitely recommend them if you want a great camera but are on a budget. Lately, I've been using my iPhone 4S to take a lot of photos when I don't feel like carrying around my big dslr. It takes amazing photos as well and I'm pretty addicted to all the photo editing apps!



9. What is your favorite part about blogging?

Aside from being able to share my passions with everyone, one of the most rewarding parts of blogging is the ability to connect with blogger buddies. I cannot even tell you how many amazing friendships I have made through blogging. It's wonderful getting emails or comments or tweets, you name it, from people who just want to say hi or from people who love reading your blog. It's a good feeling. I read every single comment and while I admit it sometimes takes me a long time time to respond, I'm thankful for all the support. Having a community of people who share the same interests is awesome.

10. What advice do you have for someone who wants to start their own blog? 


DO IT. Really, if you want to blog, you just have to go for it. Be genuine about it. Don't set out to blog because you want to be famous, either. Blog because you love it. People can tell when you put TLC into your blog. Provide good content and clear pictures. We're all visual people and when you have a good layout, clean content, and clear pictures, people will want to keep coming back. Also, don't be afraid to say hello and get out there. Go to events, introduce yourself, and just enjoy. While blogging has definitely turned into a business for some, it's important to remember that it's fun too. Try not to take it all too seriously. Oh, and most importantly, have goals and dream big. If I listened to everyone who thought that blogging was silly, pancakeSTACKER would have never made it past the pan ;)

Jacket: Urban Outfitters; Jeans: Free People: Necklace & Crossbody: H&M; Button Up (c/o), Bracelets, Ring, and Flats: Forever 21; Photos by: Tim Wong

Okay. Now you officially know more about me than you ever really wanted to know. To be fair, though, you did kind of ask... I tease. Anyways, all questions about how I do my hair, favorite beauty products, and how I do my makeup/what I use on my face, will all be addressed in future posts! So those are some things to look out for! If there are more burning questions you have for me, please feel free to comment below or email me. I'll do my best to get back to you all! 

Wisdom Wednesday

"I expect to pass this way but once; any good therefore that I can do or any kindness I can show to any creature, let me do it now." -- Etienne de Grellet

Selena Gomez by Steven Gomillion and Dennis Leupold for Elle Mexico, August 2011

I'm no saint; I'll admit that now, but if there's one thing I know, it's that people will always remember the way you make them feel. I have my faults and I definitely have been one to spit some fire in my day, but for some time now, I've worked hard at thinking before speaking. And this I have learned, if not from my own past actions, then certainly from the actions of others. I am still surprised that people can be so cruel to one another, and sometimes I just don't understand. Maybe it's because I have made a conscious effort to rid my life of toxicity, but am I really that naive in wishing that all people  practice a bit more compassion? I still hope the answer to that is no. Time and time again, one of the most important life lessons I have ever learned has proven to be that we must treat each other with kindness. Words hurt, and when we sharpen them like darts and aim for the heart, the victim rarely forgets that feeling. We're all the same in that we know how it feels to hurt. So why do we try to make others hurt too? While it's easy to say sorry after the fact, it's not so easy to rewind and try to take back words once they've already been said. Life is hard as is. One thing that I believe shouldn't be so hard is treating others with the same kindness we hope to have in our lives. After all, you catch more flies with honey, than you do with vinegar. So, as my father often reminds me, let's take time to be sweet to one another.