Archive for 2012

NOTD: Ciate + Holiday accent!!

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Today was day 5 of my nail polish advent calendar, and I got a nice purple color called cabaret! This was my first time using Ciate nail polish. The application was great considering it was a mini brush. I did however had to apply three coats before it became opaque. It does dry really fast too, which is nice, because I really can't sit still.



I used the nail polish I got from my November Glossybox, all is glam, all is bright, for the accent. I'm not sure it's the best pairing, but oh well, I will change it up soon. I didn't have time to put on a top coat and clean up as I am still in the middle of drying as I type. This is what happens when you don't have much time in a day. :(

What do you think of the colors??

November Glossybox!

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My November Glossybox has finally arrived! I love the fact that it is now December, don't you? anyways, this is my first box. I don't really like it so much, and you'll see why in a minute. For those of you that don't know, Glossybox is a beauty subscription box that is $21/month and sends you 5~7 deluxe size samples. To be honest, I really got this subscription for the box. 


When you first open it up, you get this really nicely wrapped, Christmas themed wrapping paper. 


Once you've untied the red ribbon, the contents inside are revealed!


The first think that I pulled out was a Maybelline MNY My Gloss. This color is in a light pink shade. It supposedly retails for 7.49 and is a full size product at 9 ml, which I still think is kinda small. I don't usually use glosses, but it looks light enough that I'll be able to use it without worry. 


The next product I pulled out was a Vitabath Fresh Citrus Twist moisturizing bath and shower gel. Its suppose to be Paraben and Sulfate Free. Sadly, even after receiving a BSc, I still don't know what that means. However, this came in the supposed full size and would cost $15 - $18. I'm not sure that I would spend so much on such a thing. We'll see after I use it. 


Next was my favorite from the box. Nail Polish!! :D this is Nicole by O.P.I. and is part of the Kardashian Kolor line. It is shimmery, which is a first for me, so I'll have to see what it looks like on the finger. It's estimated retail value is 10.99, which seems about right. The bottle sort of leaked though and some got into the box which was unfortunate, however it was very minimal. However it still means something went wrong with this box. 


Next in the box was a bottle of Curel, Hand and Cuticle Therapy. I really need this. Especially when my nails have been painted so much lately and it is getting colder outdoors as well. It will especially come in handy when I'm at my Bright Night job. This only retails for 3.99 which is weird considering how big a bottle it is. 



I was really disappointed with this. While almost everyone else got the Nexxus Shampoo and Conditioner, I got this. Clear, Scalp and Hair Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner. a new brand no one has really heard of and smaller samples in comparison. Not impressed. 



Last but not least was this blush. It was custom mad for glossy box and is called Glossy Rosewood. While it IS nice, I don't know if it is worth  $16.73. at least I know I wouldn't pay for that. 


 So that was my box. Please let me know what you thought of it. Should I keep going with Glossy Box? or unsubscribe?

My Ciate Advent Calendar Arrived.... Finally

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So after looking forward to my firsts mini mani month, which for those that don't know is a nail polish advent calendar set from ciate, and being let down that I wouldn't get it before the start of the month, I finally have it.
I am going to be good and open it up one at a time. With the exception of today because I just got it and missed the first two days.


I am sick today so I won't be able to show you guys what they look like on my nails but I will definitely get around to doing a different NOTD for each of the 24 days :)


Day 1. When I opened the door, it read, Fly a Kite. The nail polish is called cupcake queen and is a glittery pink color. I didn't like the mediocre quality of the bow tie. I felt it should be glued properly above their logo.


Day 2. The door says that there are over 37,000 nail art tutorials on youtube. Inside was a burgandy looking nail polish called dangerous affair. The only problem I have with this one is the bow came undone. I have to try and put it back together. I'm also not sure I like.this color very much.. we will see.


Today's day three. When you open up the door there is a little 'BOO' We scared you.. which I didn't find very amusing, I would have thought they'd put more fun little facts or something. Now this is what the bowtie SHOULD look like. If the rest of them are like this, then great :) Anyways, today is a nice white nail polish with purple shimmer inside. It's called halo. It doesn't show in the photo the purple shimmering. Perhaps once I put it on the nail.


So far the colors are great, and I've had a quick test on a nail and found it dries relatively fast which is great. I will show you soon.
For now, that's all.

Revlon Selects

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Yesterday, when i checked my email, I saw that I recieved an email from Revlon Select saying I was chosen to participate in their program. I am so excited for this. Just in time for the holidays too.

What this is, is a program to try some of their new line of products and review it, giving our honest opinions. They encourage to blog about it and share. A great marketing gimmick. Get the customers to share their own experiences of the product first hand. This is the second time Ive been chosen to do something like this and I am really excited. Especially when there are nail products involve. The first time I was selected for Elle's review panel getting a bunch of full size mascaras, facial creams, and body washes, but their brands were concealed, and i had to judge which gave the better results without brand biases. That was a great panel because I got tons of awesome brands to try and even now havent finished using. While I havent used much of Revlons products, this definitely is a good place to start. I will be posting pictures once the package comes in.

Thats all for now.

Write soon.

Movie Review: Life of Pi

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The other day I watched Life of Pi. It was an interesting movie that had a lot of funny moments and cute moments, but it touched home on a lot of points too.

But first, a shout out because the movie was filmed offshore of Taiwan, where I was born.

Warning. If you have not watched and would not like the movie spoiled please stop here.


The movie is revolved around Pi Patel, he is visited by a writer that is in search of the perfect story to write. Pi shares with him a story that he claimed would make him believe in God. Young Pi was happy with his life in India. He didn't believe in one God but in multiple Gods. Vishnu, Christ, and Allah. He felt each religion had truth to them. One day, his father decided that business was not great and wanted to move to Canada and sell their zoo animals abroad. His father took reference of Columbus on his journey to Canada, but Pi remarked that Columbia's original intent was to find India. On the freight ship, that was taking the family to Canada, one night, a storm hit that sank the ship. Pi was the sole human survivor along with a orangutan, a hyena, an injured zebra and a tiger. The hyena first kills the zebra and the orangutans out of hunger before being killed itself by the tiger. Together with the tiger, Pi remains shipwrecked on the pacific. They slowly learn to co-exist, helping each other survive.


They eventually come ashore on the coast of Mexico. However, as the tiger enters the jungle, it chose not to look back, as if the time spent together meant nothing to him. When asked by investigators what had happened. The story he told was unbelievable. At this point he offered them another story of four people surviving the shipwreck. The greedy cook, the injured sailor, the mother and himself. He told of how the cook killed the sailor and then the mother before he had to kill the cook because the cook had gone too far. Back to present where he asked the writer which story he believed, the writer chose to believe the first story claiming it was far more interesting.

As he finished off his story he left the writer, and myself in all honesty, an important lesson, which was that it is important to conclude things properly. Only then can you let go. Otherwise you are left with words you should have said but never said and your heart is heavy with remorse. This applies to so many things in my life. I keep wanting to hang on, which gets me emotional entangled. Even now, I can think of several instances where this is the case. Now there's nothing but to deal with the regrets and the what ifs.

What I liked the most and will keep in mind is when they were talking about religion. This hits home quite more than I think.

Pi Patel: religion is a house with many rooms.
Writer: but with no room for doubt?
Pi: Oh yes, a room on every floor.

It reminds me of the life I've had and how much I've believed but doubted too. It's natural for humans to doubt because we have sinned. That is why Adam and Eve sinned in the first place. Anyways, I felt the movie was a really touching movie to watch. Richard Parker was an adorable tiger and the graphics in the film was amazing. They made the ocean a very beautiful place. It's definitely a movie worth watching.

That's it for now. Until next time.

PS. Pictures in this post is not my own.

Taiwan Haul

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My mom finally returned from her trip to Taiwan. Her flight landed around 2 pm, but I had work till 5 pm, and had made plans to watch "Life of Pi" with my friends at 7, so I didn't get to see her until 10. She came home baring gifts. I could hardly contain myself. although she wasn't able to bring me my pudding, she did get me a TON of stuff. Let's get started.


One thing that I really needed that I didn't have was a pair of black closed toe heels. I looked in my closet recently and realized all my heels were open toed, which isn't ideal for work. So she went ahead and got me a pair. I was hesitant when she said she bought me a pair, because while I LOVE shoes, I'm not 100% thrilled with my mom's taste and I can get picky with shoes. The shoes are from "aso" in Taiwan. They are made of real leather and are VERY comfortable to wear. I was quite pleased.

Next was the two boxed of Black Pearl Face Mask by My Beauty Diary. It is one of the most popular brands in Asia and I haven't tried this particular combination yet, although I heard a bunch of great things about it. I am set for another year!

Ok, so the cell phone case was what got to me. I'm not a fan of yellow, and this was no exception. However it looks better than what I currently have on my phone so I can't really complain. I honestly thought that the salesperson said whatever needed to be said to get rid of it, and my mom was gullible enough to believe it. No offense. :P


My friend had recently taught me how to apply false lashes, and this is my very first batch of false eyelashes to practice on. These aren't the crazy type as I want it to look natural. But maybe in the future, once I get the hang of it. 

                                   

Now I don't know about other girls out there, but something I can never live without are my heat packs. I absolutely positively hate the cold. With a passion. I honestly don't know how I survived the winter back in Waterloo. The Ones on the right are reusable, which is very eco-friendly, while the pack on the left is for one time use. I think these are great especially when I'm out and about in the cold, which will be for the entire month of December. More on that in another post :)


This is all that's left of the beauty stuff from asia. I needed a new pair of tweezers as my current one was getting a tad bit dull, and the lali is eye lash glue. My mom didn't know that I had some myself already from Sephora, but she said they were free!! So I can't complain. 

I really didn't get a chance to take individual pictures of all the clothing (There's quite a few), as it is getting late and I have work in the morning. I will post them sometime in the near future. They are quite cute and different from Western Fashion. 


a bouquet for Mommy that daddy bought <3 How sweet. I guess its his way of showing how much he has really missed her and needed her. Since I know it hasn't been the easiest month for us all. I'm even more appreciated of all they do for the family.

My sadness has been confirmed today. My mom told me to try one of the new pieces on and when she saw me wear it commented that I gained weight. Time to start hitting the gym!!!

Welcome To My Blog :)

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This will be the start to my blog. I want to be able to look back years from now, and relate to some of the experiences I have now, but most of all, I want to try something new. This entire year, I have been trying something different, and this is no exception. I have ups and I have downs, which I'm sure everyone has every now and then. I love my life, but sometimes i get shot down by the smallest things. I will share my joys, but from time to time I will also share my sorrow. Everyone is welcome to join me on my journey. 

Below was taken from my about page~~ This blog is still a work in progress so please bare with me. 

This blog is written and edited by me. While I may not be the best writer out there, all that I write down are from my heart. What I write can be about a whole range of things, as I am passionate about many things. Here, you'll find my journey to becoming a better person, and getting to know more about myself. I will also share with you my hobbies, dreams and adventures. 


I'm a noobie photographer. While I'm a really big fan of photography and taking pictures, I don't have the artistic eye that captures that Out-Of-The-Park picture. But that does not stop me from doing so. I am currently over half through my 365 day picture challenge and I will continue to share every step with you. I will post my own pictures every so often, or if I see something inspiring I will share it with you. 

I grew up in a middle class family. My dad's a pastor, and my mom stays at home to care for my brothers and I. Since moving to Canada from Taiwan, we have lived off of my dad's income. Living the way we have has taught me to be a lot savvier when it comes to spending. I will share my saving tip from time to time to help others save. 

As I mentioned, My dad is a pastor and I grew up in the church. Having grown up in the church my whole life, I grew apart from it, sad to say. I want to rekindle the faith that has gotten me to where I am today and let everyone see what an amazing God I believe in. 

I have a recent grown passion for everything nails. I never was into makeup and beauty at a young age because growing up with two brothers made me a tomboy. I was very much into sports. Spending my university years living with other girls has opened my eyes to the world of make up and more so nails!!! There would be nights where we'd do our nails till 2 am in the morning. No Joke. Now, I'm back to living with my family. However my collection of nail polishes is starting to grow :) Besides sharing my NOTDs, I will also be sharing my monthly beauty subscriptions too. 


Friend Spotlight. I think its important to recognize people that are making a difference and doing something to help the community. I want to start a spotlight and share with you the amazing people that I know in my life. 


am also going to dedicate a section to food that I've tasted and is delicious. I think food that is divine should be shared. So be prepared to see some yummy food. 


I know I've rambled on long enough. Besides these main focuses. You'll be able to see lots of posts about random things here and there. So, subscribe and stay tuned. :)