UCLA Homecoming 2016

Hello everyone,

I am not sure if I have mentioned this already, but October 1 was my last day at my second job. I worked every Saturday night in a hospital ER from 3:30pm - midnight. I did this every Saturday for one year with the exception of 3 Saturdays. 

In that year, I have missed so many events and opportunities for social events, birthdays, adventures and of course, relaxation.

After my last day, I felt like I emerged from social hibernation.

On October 22, I went to my alma mater's UCLA Homecoming game tailgate with friends. That day, UCLA played the Utah Utes. Unfortunately, we lost 52 to 45. But that's okay! I love love love my Bruins win or lose!

And you know what! I HAD THE BEST TIME! 

It felt so good to not have to worry about going to work.

Also, if anyone went to college where football was a big deal, you would understand the culture of tailgates, especially a homecoming game.

Kickoff was at 1pm. I was up at 4:20am to be able to leave my house at 5am to meet my friend by 6am to arrive at the Rosebowl Stadium by 7am. You think that's early? Well, there was a long looooong line ahead of us!

My friends and I had the best time sipping on mimosas, having burgers, and chips and cookies. This was definitely not a day to be watching what we eat!

I am so happy I work just one job now. I look forward to enjoying my life again.  I look forward to being less tired and making more memories outside work. 

I am still living on the adrenaline of that day that I wanted to share some pictures. And sorry they are awkwardly cropped. I wanted to respect my friends' choice to not be published online. 

Mimosas

I wish I took a picture of my eye makeup. Definitely had some blue liner in honor of my school colors.

  

Found some Filipino Bruins two tailgates away! 

Special thanks to my sorority sister Michelle for the invite! And for making sure I always had shade due to Lupus.

It was such a great day! Still living in the moment <3

Xoxoxox

Saying Goodbye 10 Years Later

I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I've had most of these makeup items for almost 10 years (MAC Wonder Woman for 4), a whole decade. I know, I know. That's like makeup hoarding up the wazoo and I'm finally saying goodbye. 

Part of holding on to them was because of the nostalgia. I bought the Clinique palette in college while a sophomore at UCLA. I remember exactly how it went down.

I went to the Clinique counter in the UCLA store. I was intimidated and did not want to admit I was new to makeup. I told the Clinique saleswoman that I left all my makeup on the train. I think she knew I was totally lying when she was asking me questions about what I had lost, what kind of foundation I used, if I was oily or dry, what shades I liked. Internally, I was like WHA? but what I blurted out was I can't remember. My mom bought them for me. I am sure she saw right through me.

I bought the Clinique palette and the Urban Decay eye shadow (far right, second from top). The rest my sister gave me. They were her old make up which probably means they're most likely at least a decade old. 

It was hard to let go of these treasures. They remind me of starting out in makeup. I probably didn't blend well and certainly had no idea what I was doing. 

I've learned so much about makeup in the last few years. And despite knowing I should have thrown these away, I just somehow convinced myself I would go back to them, although knowingly I knew I wouldn't because they were so old.

I've summoned the courage to say goodbye. After all, they're only taking up space for new goodies, right?


<3<3<3

Freedom Party: CSUN Edition

This past June, I sent in my final payment for my graduate school loan. I am officially DEBT FREE and it feels quite dandy. Since I love any excuse for a party, I decided to throw myself a party called "Freedom Party: CSUN Edition" as CSUN in the school I attended for my masters.

I just love parties. I love organizing and hosting! I definitely enjoy putting together party favors. They are probably the thing I look most forward to in hosting a party! My party isn't meant to show off by any means. It's more of a celebration of finishing off my loans and being released from the ball and chain of the Department of Education. It's about honoring my friends, family and colleagues who have cheered me on and supported me along the way. It's about celebrating with the people that are rooting for me. I would do the same for them in whatever their triumph would be. 

CSUN's colors are red, white and black. For me, it is a must to incorporate the school colors in the color scheme of my party. When I had my Freedom Party: UCLA Edition in February, my color scheme was blue and yellow. 

Here are just snapshots of some of the party favors:

It's a must for my guest to wear party hats! I attached red, white and black string to the tops

Chocolate covered strawberries drizzled with white chocolate: again, red, white and black

I braided red, white and black string

I used to braided string to attach a little thank you card to the little white and black polka dot bag I put the strawberry in

I was very pressed for time in organizing my favors due to my crazy work schedule. I even finished assembling my party favor bags right before my party so I was unable to take final pictures of the complete package. 

In red gift bags, I included silver tissue paper, a small black and white polka dot bag with a chocolate covered strawberry inside that was tied by the braided string and thank you card, a chocolate chip walnut cookie, and black mardi gras beads. Each bag had a white ribbon on the outside. 

I'm very excited for the next party to host :) I just need another excuse for a party :)

<3<3<3

UCLA Game Day Makeup

Good morning!

It's a chilly Sunday morning in Los Angeles. Summer has definitely left the building, but it is supposed to warm up just a bit this week. A mini heat wave with chilly mornings.

Last night, I went to the UCLA vs. CAL football game. UCLA won with 37 points to CAL's 10! OH YEAAAH. UCLA is now on a 5 - 0 streak. Bruins of my generation (I was class of 2008) know that this is a moment to be relished and celebrated!

(Yes, I have a Hello Kitty browser)

Now for the actual reason I wanted to write this post (see how easily I get sidetracked? Tsk tsk). I LOVE LOVE LOVE watching YouTube videos, specifically those makeup tutorials. Slowly, but surely, I'm getting better at creating a smokey eye and other makeup looks. 

I don't wear eye shadow on the daily, but I do love occasions to do so such as sporting events! It's an opportunity to be festive and use makeup to support my team! Because the UCLA colors are blue and gold, I wanted to incorporate blue shadow into my look. 

I YouTube'd "daytime blue eyeshadow" and came across Annie Jaffrey's video Blue Liner Babydoll Makeup Tutorial.  She is so beautiful and explains the steps so well! I decided to give it a try. Check her out. She is totally awesome! Her YouTube channel is AnnieJaffrey. 

I attempted the look with a slight modification. Since I am going to a football game, I did a less a dramatic wing. I wanted to look festive, but not too dolled up.  So thank you, Annie Jaffrey, for the inspiration!

This is what I came up with. The top picture is all Annie Jaffrey. I did a screen shot of her tutorial video from YouTube. The bottom three is my recreation. 

I don't want to toot my own horn, but I would say I did a pretty good job! Obviously not as amazing as Annie's, but it's not bad :D I'm getting better at this makeup thing.

Stay tuned for future recreations and just to see how my makeup skills are progressing :D

On a final note, GO BRUINS!

<3<3<3