Fall 2016 Favorites

AHHH. Happy New Year!! I know this post is way overdue. I had started this post right before Fall ended and am now posting it in 2017. I guess that is life! It moves quick!

I feel like every year zooms on by quicker and quicker. Like chillax time. Why you such in a rush?

I'm 30 now. Slow down. LOL.

Just as with every season, we fall in love with new things and old things. Sometimes, all things. LOL.

Here are what stole my heart this Fall:

TARTE: LIGHTS, CAMERA, LASHES

I had hauled this in a post in early October. I purchased it during Ulta's 21 Days of Beauty. It was originally $24 and sold as beauty steal at $10. GAH! I hate that I love it. Mascara should not be more than $10. Ugh. 

I really love how it makes my lashes look. I naturally have long,curled lashes (don't hate me). The mascara helps my lashes to fan out. Love it. 

TOO FACED: NATURAL EYES

I got this beauty as a birthday gift this past May. I didn't really use it until this Fall. I don't know why I waited so long. I love it! I love playing with eye shadow looks and using fun colors from time to time, but I do love a natural smokey eye. You can never go wrong with neutral colors. You can go natural or va va voom!

The packaging is pretty with a sturdy tin case. The only down fall is that the product itself is pretty heavy. Small, compact size for traveling but it definitely has some weight to it.

e.l.f. ANGLED BLUSH BRUSH

When I went to Las Vegas on Thankgiving, I realized I had left my makeup brushes at home. The first time I didn't make a packing list, I forgot something. That's why lists work! >_< I did not want to spend loads of money on brushes because I had perfectly find brushes at home. 

I went to the drugstore CVS to hunt for some cheapie finds. AND DANG! They were expensive. Why are they in the drugstore?! Brushes were $12-15/piece. I decided to bite the bullet and grabbed the essentials - foundation brush, powder brush, and blush/contour brush. Oy my wallet. 

I walked towards that cashier register and found e.l.f. Oh thank the Lord! We all know e.l.f. is affordable. I grabbed the essentials I needed from the studio line which was $5/piece. This angled blush brush was my favorite. It is the best for contouring. It's so much better than my expensive Sigma contouring brush. 

I will use this brush now for contouring. It really just adds that chiseled affect to my super found shapeless face. 

CHINA GLAZE EVER GLAZE ACTIVE TOP COAT

Holy freakin' cow! This is the best top coat I have ever experienced. This is something I would have never purchased if it was not for a sale. This retails for $10. Ugh excuse me? No.

Ulta had a sale on China Glaze for 2 for $12 and decided to give it a go.

I hope I don't jinx it by saying this, but that picture was taken on day 6 of having those nails. DAY 6. There is no chippiness anywhere!! The only downside is the very very strong chemical smell. Yeek. 

I am probably going to end up splurging on this top coat from now on. It is amazing. Amazing! Amazing!!!

FARMERS MARKET DELIGHTS

This a random favorite, but I just had to share! In Mar Vista Los Angeles, there is a farmers market every Sunday that a friend and I attend as often as we can. She lives a lucky two blocks from there. The market is very family friendly with fresh produce, baked goods, flowers and lots of great eats to choose from.

All summer, I've been eyeing this half load of roasted garlic bread and finally decided to pick it up. It's not the garlic bread that has been buttered up. The bread has garlic pieces baked into it. AH! DELICIOUS. If you know me and know how I cook, I LOVE LOVE LOVE me some garlic. Recipe asks for 2 cloves of garlic, I'll put 4 or 5. Yeah, that's how I do. No shame in my game ;)

After I purchased the bread I walked by this stand with samples of pesto on small pieces of bread. I tried several. HA. And I loved the pesto habanero. I do love my spicy. I knew right then and there that the spicy pesto would go so well with the garlic bread. AND LET ME TELL YOU. The taste was a match made in heaven <3 I also tried the pesto on pasta. Delicious too.

BATH AND BODY WORKS PUMPKIN SPICED CHEESECAKE CANDLE

Fall is not fall without pumpkin. This smells like sweet (but not overly) sweet deliciousness.


PURSE

This purse! I have no been in love with a purse for a really long time. I have purses and use them daily but I am not really in love with a purse. I buy cheapies because I get sick of them quickly and just kind of throw them around.

I was in search of a new weekend purse. Something small but yet big enough to hold my essentials - wallet, phone, hand sanitizer, lotion, mints, chapstick and lipstick. 

I found this bad boy which is simple yet edgy at the same time. It's black with gold studs lining the edges. It has a metal tassel that makes noise when I walk. I sometimes think someone is following me and realize it's just me. LOL. Sometimes it's annoying when I am in a rush. It's easily removable but I do love it.

The best thing about this purse is the price. $16.99 at Ross. Oh yeaaaaah...

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK

( credit : www.goodhousekeeping.com )

I am not a big TV watcher at all and I wasn't a Netflix watcher until I found out Fuller House was coming out on Netflix. I borrowed my brother's account just so I can watch it. LOL.

Then in early November, I got reallllly sick. I was sick for 2.5 weeks with a upper respiratory infection. The first week I was on and off work. The second week, I was bed-ridden. And in my sick days, I decided to watch shows that were popular.

I found myself watching Orange is the New Black and holy freakin' cow! ADDICTION.

I was trying to finish all four seasons by the time Fuller House 2 started on December 9. LOL. 

AND I DID IT!!!

At the expense of my sleep though. Whomp. My addiction and race against the clock had me sleeping at 2 in the morning. I would come to work dysfunctional and groggy. It was awful. Eventually I learned to better manage my Netflix time. LOL.



Well, those were my favorites of the fall 2016 season which came and gone.

Now that it is winter, I am already falling in love with new products. 

I hope you have a wonderful 2017 filled with love, hope, health and all kinds of wealth.

Blessings be with you.

Xoxox

Summer 2016 Favorites

Oh my word!! Fall is here ya'll!! I am sooo excited but also so sad to see summer go. Time goes by so fast, I want it to slow down and enjoy whatever is left of my youth. LOL.

Like in seasons past, new favorites are discovered and old favorites resurface. Not too many beauty items this time around probably because when it's summer and hella hot, I wear less and less makeup.

Here are the loves of my summer:

COVERGIRL LASHBLASH PLUMPIFY MASCARA

( credit : www.ulta.com )

I went to dinner with a friend of mine and loved her lashes. She always has great lashes but that dinner, they were more va va voom! She was using the CoverGirl LashBlast Plumpify mascara. I got myself one and loved it! It really accentuates and extends my really long lashes. I am not the best at applying mascara but something about the wand allowed me to easily fan out my lashes to give them shape comparable to falsies <3

SHEET MASK

Sheet masks have been my jam! One of my favorite Youtubers +AprilAthena7  / Youtube AprilAthena7 is the queen of sheet masks and she actually got me on the boat! During the summer, sheet masks have been the greatest thing! The coldness of the sheet mask on my face when it's 90 degrees out was the most settling and amazing feeling right before bed.

I am not sure if they actually do what they say they do. I just really love the sensation. I get my sheet masks at Daiso. They come 3 in a pack for $1.50. I also get masks at Ulta when they are on clearance.

ZUMBA!

( credit : www.clipartion.com )

I have probably mentioned this in a previous post, but I joined by local YMCA and have fallen in love with Zumba. I have had gym memberships in the past, but never really stuck because it got boring and repetitive. 

I wanted to get back into exercise when my primary care doctor told me that I should get active. I was in late my 20s at the time and she said exercise is good for heart health and overall health. I've always known that through the news, friends and family, etc, but when my doctor told me to my face, I took it seriously. 
I already have Lupus which is working against me. I need to work 10x harder to keep my health up. I joined the Y and found an exercise routine that has stolen my heart. I love music and I love dancing, put them together and it's a match made in exercise heaven.

NECKLACES

I was not much of a daily necklace wearer. I love necklaces, but I love statement necklaces that I wouldn't wear daily. 

A friend gave me this small, dainty heart pendant necklace for birthday and I have been hooked ever since on small simple necklaces.

( credit : www.target.com )

( credit : www.target.com )

( credit : www.target.com )

I have been eyeing these twoTarget necklaces ($19.99 each) for the longest time but I'm a cheapie (LOL) and couldn't fathom paying $20 for a cheapie necklace that would probably turn rusty over time. 
Then one day, I saw both of them on clearance for $9.98 and using my Target Cartwheel app, it was an additional 20% off making each about $16.
DEAL! LOL. I purchased both which totaled to less than one original piece :D

SNAPCHAT

I thought I would never give in but one of my best friends kept pushing it. Whenever we got together, she would tell me something new and I would say "What! You never told me!" and she would respond with, "Well if you had a Snapchat..." LOL. So I gave in and eventually learned to love playing with the filters. I must admit, I am not the most photogenic person, BUT Snapchat makes me look and feel pretty! LOL

Some of my favorite selfies:

(Waiting 10 minutes to remove my sheet mask)

ENGAGEMENT RING:

Words cannot even describe how over the moon I am! Self-explanatory :D

DOUBLE SHOT ESPRESSO OVER ICE (with milk + sugar)

I love coffee not so much for the caffeine but for the taste! My coworker and I love coffee and would together get our afternoon coffee. She has a long drive home after work and would always get the double shot espresso over ice with milk and syrup to keep her up. I tried it one time and became hooked! It's delicious! Tastes just like a latte for half the price. You can ask for the double shot in a grande/medium cup and put milk and a little bit of sugar (how I prefer it) and boom!! 

What were your Summer 2016 Favorites?? Are you ready and excited for Fall?

Fall is when the dark berry lipsticks start to come back and I anticipate I will be wearing those colors. A dark berry is my favorite color to wear and in my opinion looks best on me. 

Bring on the pumpkin everything! Fall, I am ready!!


Xoxoxo

Spring Favorites 2016

Hello all!

As everyone else says, where has Spring gone?!

With each year, time seems to be passing on faster and faster.

I just want to say, SLOW DOWN TIME. I WANT TO ENJOY LIFE.

TANGENT.

Anyways, LOL, here are my Spring favorites.

MAYBELLINE BETTER SKIN CONCEALER
I did a review on this concealer in early May. I liked it, but was not in love with it. I try not to  waste makeup so I used it anyway. Using it daily made me fall more in love with it each day.
I put concealer under my eyes, a peck on the redness around my nose and a dab or two on my forehead. I buff it in and have a light even finish with great coverage. It looks like my natural skin.

URBAN DECAY LINER

My everyday makeup is very simple especially to work. Adding the purple liner to my lower lash line adds a pop of color and happiness :)

As you can see, I've used it up! :) And it matches my nail polish. Win!

CLAIROL HAIR FOOD DRY SHAMPOO INFUSED WITH KIWI FRAGRANCE

I got this in a sample box. It is amazing!! Smells sooooo good. Goodbye Batiste, I have a new #1!

( credit : www.target.com )

NEXXUS COMB THRU TOUCHABLE HOLD FINISHING SPRAY
I learned about this product from MakeupByLeinaBaaaby. I go cray with hairspray because my hair can't hold a curl. The problem is that my hair gets all crunchy. This hairspray prevents that! I love it!

( credit : www.drugstore.com )

CHLOE BY CHLOE PERFUME
This has been my go to over my one and only Burberry Brit Sheer. I love my Burberry perfume but the scent disappears so quickly! I can smell Chloe for most of the day! If I'm paying lots of money for perfume, the scent better last.

JJ MARCS SMALL HEART PENDANT NECKLACE
I received this as a birthday gift. I love that it's dainty and simple. I've been looking for a necklace like this :) I've gotten compliments whenever I wear it

GOODY CLAW CLIPS
Ever since my hair fallout, I opt for using hair clips rather than hair ties. Hair ties pull out more hair. Any opportunity to preserve my hair (irony because I dye it! >_<) I will take it! I put 2 - 3 in my hair when I Zumba and my hair stays in place :)

RALPH LAUREN SANDALS
I used to hate shoes like this because of the "effort" to put on and take off these shoes. I'm Asian and am culturally accustomed to taking off my shoes when going into people's home. Though even if I don't go to others' homes, I want to be in and out of my house in a jiffy. I don't want to bend down to put my shoe on. #lazy. However, I love these! They're comfortable to walk in! And they don't make my already wide big feet look huge. Win! Of course, they have to have some heel to it. My aging feet don't like flat anymore.

NINE WEST WEDGES
These are just so comfortable! I've walked 1+ miles straight in these shoes and I was not close to dying :) They're not too high and they're not so low. They can be dressed up and dressed down. Love them!

TRADER JOE'S MILK CHOCOLATE SMASHING S'MORES
Holy cow!! If you have not tried this, you are not truly living. This is so delicious. I was telling my coworker about them the other day and she told me to put them in the microwave for 5ish seconds for an extra foodgasmic experience. AND HOLY COW! Go get it NOW!

( credit : www.popsugar.com )

MY BOYFRIEND AND THIS KITTY PICTURE
I have turned into quite the cat lady (though puppies still have my heart!) in the last 2 years. I came across this cute kitty online and had to share it with the world. How cute is this kitty?! And how cute is my boyfriend <3 

What are your Spring favorites?

Any Summer favorite prospects?

Xoxoxo

Spring 2015 Favorites and Oh Noes!

Spring came and went and now summer is here! One week into summer, I can't forget the goodies that have made spring beautiful and glamorous! 

FAVORITES <3

LIQUID LIPSTICKS
Liquid lipsticks have made their mark in the beauty world this spring and they continue their beauty domination. So it's no surprise that they have made their way to my favorites list. 

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, 13 Marvelous Mauve

stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, Patina 

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, 01 Always Red

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, 13 Marvelous Mauve

stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, Patina 

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, 01 Always Red

(I know Marvelous Mauve and Patina look soooo similar, but when you're a lippie hoarder/junkie, the slightest difference means two different colors! LOL)

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, 13 Marvelous Mauve

stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, Patina 

Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, 01 Always Red

Why they're favorite-worthy:

- Matte

- Easy to apply

- Long lasting

- Barely drying

-Touch-ups are easy, not cakey

- Opacity (one swipe is good, especially with stila Patina)

NuMe TAPERED WAND

NuMe Tapered Wand (far right)

(Photo from numeproducts.com)

Why it's favorite-worthy:

- The tapered wand gives dimension to the curl

- My curls actually last for more than an hour

- Gives me the curl I love for my medium length hair

- Heats up quickly

TARGET EARRINGS

Target Earrings (Trio)

I bought the trio mainly for the peal and gold studs, but have also been loving the simple pearl.

Why it's favorite-worthy:

- Gold and pearl/white have been my favorite color combo for jewelry

- Classic, simple and elegant

- Good size, not too big, not too small

- Glamorizes any outfit!

OH NOES! </3

BIG SEXY HAIR SPRAY & PLAY HARDER FIRM VOLUMINIZING HAIRSPRAY 

Why it's oh-no material:

- Makes my hair crispy and crunchy, even with just a light spritz

- Smells like alcohol

What were your spring faves and oh noes?


<3<3<3