Nikon Coolpix P510, new love.

The "everything like a DSLR--but NOT-- camera". 

I took my new camera to the park the other day to spent some quality time together. I've been searching for a compact camera with comparable performance to a DSLR. I've been spoiled with the quality of pictures of the Nikon D40 and just couldn't be satisfied with regular point and shoots anymore. With my Panasonic Lumix DMZ-DR1 being crippled, I began searching for its replacement.  It took a lot of time of researching between some mirror-less options such as the Nikon J1, V1 and Sony-NEX5N, 7 but... I ended up totally falling head over heels for this "compact digital camera". It is nothing but compact, especially the Zoom! I think this is the best digital camera out there of its class (very advanced point and shoot). 

Here are some specs from Nikon's website

Effective pixels	16.1 million
Image sensor	1/2.3-in. type CMOS; total pixels: approx. 16.79 million
Lens	42x zoom NIKKOR; 4.3-180 mm (35mm [135] format angle of view: 24-1000 mm); f/3-5.9; Digital zoom: up to 2x (35mm [135] format angle of view: Approx. 2000 mm)
Focus range (from lens)	50 cm (1 ft 8 in.) to infinity (∞); Macro close-up mode: 1 cm (0.4 in.) to infinity (∞)
Monitor	7.5 cm(3-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide viewing angle, vari-angle TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating
Storage media	Internal memory (approx. 90 MB), SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards*1
Image size (pixels)	16M [4608 x 3456], 8M [3264 x 2448], 4M [2272 x 1704], 2M [1600 x 1200], VGA [640 x 480], 16:9 12M [4608 x 2592], 16:9 2M [1920 x 1080], 3:2 [4608 x 3072], 1:1 [3456 x 3456]
Vibration Reduction (VR)	Lens shift
ISO sensitivity	ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Hi1 (equivalent to 6400), Auto (auto gain ISO 100-1600), Fixed range auto (ISO 100-400, 100-800), Hi2 (equivalent to 12800) (High ISO monochrome in Special effects mode)
Interface	Hi-Speed USB
Power sources	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5 (supplied), Charging AC Adapter EH-69P (supplied), AC Adapter EH-62A (optional), Battery Charger MH-61(optional)
Battery life*2	Approx. 240 shots with EN-EL5 battery
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 119.8 x 82.9 x 102.2 mm (4.8 x 3.3 x 4.1 in.) excluding projections*3
Weight	Approx. 555 g (1 lb 3.6 oz) with battery and SD memory card*3
Supplied accessories*4	Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL5, Charging AC Adapter EH-69P, USB Cable UC-E6, Audio Video Cable EG-CP16, Camera Strap AN-CP21, Lens Cap LC-CP24, ViewNX 2 Installer CD
Optional accessories	Battery Charger MH-61, AC Adapter EH-62A, Hand Strap AH-CP1

My favorite things about this camera so far are...

1. depth of field, similar to DSLR

2. zoom

3. quality of pictures (super clear!)

4. functions (editing of pictures in the camera, think instagram before steroids)

5. 1080P HD recording

6. Panorama function

7. THE FEEL (the touch and handling of this baby is top notch and therapeutic.... extremely comfortable and easy on the hands)

I will be testing out this camera some more over memorial day weekend but here are some sample pictures. Note: these pictures have NOT been edited in any way or form. 100% original from the camera.

*this pix taken at 42X zoom*

If you are considering purchasing a new camera of really great quality but not yet ready for DSLR or Mirror-less, then I highly recommend the Nikon P510. I'll be showing more sample pictures and videos using this Camera upcoming posts. 

♥Mishi♥

Homemade Pork & Spinach Potstickers

The History of Pot-Stickers or Pan-fried dumplings are lost in history but I have heard that Pot Stickers came about when a chef in China's Imperial Court accidentally burnt a batch of dumplings after leaving it on the stove for too long. The accidentally burnt dumplings were only burnt on the bottom and not the top and therefore they were served bottom up to show their golden color.  My pot-stickers are no accident but they are super delicious and easy to make! 

 INGREDIENTS 

Pork

Spinach

Dumpling Skin (dough)

Garlic

Ginger

*Finely chop all ingredients and place together in a bowl for mixing*

MARINATE

Flour

Egg

Salt 

Pepper

Sesame Oil

*mix well...really well!*

Dumpling Origami

1. Place mixed fillings in the center

2. swipe water along the edges of the dumpling skin

3.pinch in center

4. fold top skin to create crease (personal preference)-Be Creative!

5. Make sure the skin is tightly sealed to prevent water from entering

Pan-Frying

1. heat pan with oil about 1/3 inch of oil

2. place dumplings in the pan

3. add hot water that covers about 3/4 height of the dumpling (do not cover the entire dumpling)

4. cover the pan and cook dumplings with medium fire for about 10min.

5. cook with top off with medium-high fire for 3-5min to create crispy golden-brown skin.

By the way... can you spot which dumplings were wrapped by me and which are wrapped by Mr. Raw? *hint, he wanted his to look SIMPLE & ELEGANT. LOL

Remember to serve them golden side up with soy-sauce dip!

I like to mix my soy-sauce dip with a bit of red vinegar and hoisin sauce.

ENJOY!

Do you have a homemade recipe for Pot-Stickers? Let me know!

♥Mishi♥

Simply Beautiful, KIDE MSCHIC

MY NEW LOVE...HOLY GRAIL WORTHY...and COMPLETELY OBSESSED!

KIDE is a line from MSCHIC, a Finnish makeup brand that has developed and designed the world's first true eco-luxury cosmetics brand. *just look at the packaging* KIDE's ingredients are composed of the purest minerals with diamonds (yes, real diamonds). The packaging is designed by a world-renowned Finnish designer for nature and the quality of wood. Each product has a Net Weight of 10g. The three products that I bought were a mineral foundation, blush, and highlighter.

KIDE MSCHIC

KIDE KU: Mineral foundation (light) The coverage is medium, extremely light on the face, calms skin with green and white tea while nourishing it at the same time (SPF10 equivalent). The Real Diamonds in this foundation is said to protect from premature aging and also anti-aging illuminating effect. This product is perfect, I don't think I have ever had any mineral foundation that is comparable to this. 

(Prior to applying the mineral foundation, I have prepped my skin with lotion, primer, and a bit of concealer for those panda eyes of mine-- I did not use any other liquid foundation or BB cream)

KIDE VI: Mineral Blush (Kissed) The marble colors gives a very translucent and dimensional color to the cheeks. This is oil free, perfect for me, and I am seeing that it helps to keep me shinny or oil free for longer than regular blushes. The blush has great staying power and lasting 10 hour of first application. The color on my skin (yellow undertone) is a bit darker compared to what I imaged. It is actually a genius mixture of beige, pink shades, and coral.

(blush applied just on the cheeks with one application, the pigmentation is great!)

KIDE Y: Mineral Highlighter (Gold) This highlighter is the SH*T. I have never used a highlighter with this much dazzle. It gives your face a really beautiful glow and does not make you look glazed. This helps create the 3D look, especially important of asian "flat" faces. 

(highlighter is applied to nose bridge, middle forehead, middle of cheeks under eyes-- beautiful glow)

The entire line of KIDE makeup also extends to:

KIDE KA: Mineral Bronzer

KIDE KO: Mineral Powder

KIDE NE: Mineral Corrector Powder

KIDE SI: Light Compact Mineral Powder

KIDE YSI: Light Reflecting Mineral Powder

(Before & After)

Amazing Right?!

♥Mishi♥