Happy Lunar New Year

I hope those who celebrated the Lunar New Year had a great time.  The Lunar New Year is typically celebrated for 15 days, some celebrate for 7 days.  My family celebrated the eve of Lunar New Year and 3 consecutive days after that.  Definitely lots of food and lots of family time. 

I really wanted to wear red this year.  New year, new clothes.  I went shopping hoping to find something nice that I could wear to the family celebrations.  It was a tough mission.  My sister and I agree that we just couldn't find anything.  This seasons Spring collection seems to be a lot of floral-inspire, pinks and a very bright color palette.

Empty handed and disappointed as I was, I went through my closet to look for the one cream-ivory dress that I had purchased last summer but never wore.  I absolutely hate buying clothes and not wear it.  I've donated so many brand new clothes that I can not even begins to tell you how ridiculous it was.  Why did I do that??  I'm so glad that I got pass that, and only purchase pieces that I know I will wear at least 5 times.  Rule of thumb when it comes to buying pieces: only buy it if you know you're going to wear it at least 5 times. 

Anyway, in this case, I was so glad I had a new dress to wear because as they say 'out with the old and in with the new'.  Wear new clothes to welcome the new year. 

Fergalicious: Black pumps: $29.99

 

Lara's Closet: Dress $49.95

Make-up, I went with light and fresh because when I think of Chinese New Year, I think pink and white peach blossoms.  Which was precisely what my grandparents and my auntie had decorated in the family living area for the family celebration.

Face:
Makeup Forever HD foundation
Laura Mercier mineral finish powder
Nars Laguna bronzer
Avon Classic Aura True color blush

Eyes:
Eye shadow primer
Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow
Mac Satin Taupe eyeshadow
Elf black cream eyeliner
Maybelline falsies mascara
Anastasia Brunette brow powder duo

Lip:
Avon Rose lip stain marker

Photo to the right is taken with camera flash.  I love how this foundation really stands up to flash photography, bright or harsh lighting.  Creating a much soft-focused effect.  Luminous, but not overly-shiny.




Wishing everyone a healthy and prosperous year of the Dragon!

Monday morning day dreams

After the weekend has gone, Mondays always seems less dreary to me than it does to many of my friends.  They despise Mondays.  But I, on the other hand, find Monday quite refreshing because I've had all weekend to just do unplanned things.

 Ever have those day dream mornings when you wake up and all you really want is to be somewhere else?  A place you've experienced before or just plain dream how you wish you can spend your day?  

I want to wake up every morning to fresh air, with my shutters open while the cool breeze softly flutters my semi sheer cream color curtains.  I get up to brew a cup of lemon tea and wander to my kitchen balcony to water my pots of amaryllis, tulips, lavender and hydrangeas.  Grabbing my over-the-shoulder bag and my bicycle, heading straight to the cobble stone streets where there are just as many floral shops as there are bakeries.  With a bouquet of peonies and fresh baked bread in my bicycle basket, I head down to my local book shop to pick up a new read.  Finding myself basking in the suns warmth with a book in my hand until I finally realize the time.

Wishing you a pleasant Monday morning!  So what are you day dreaming about?

Stop and smell the roses

Lately I feel like I'm letting my life pass by me.  Feeling like I'm sleepwalking through life, and not really experiencing life.  Finding myself rushing and wanting to finish the day, week or year... only to start over again.  It makes no sense really.  I don't know what I'm waiting for or what I'm looking for.  Somebody once said that life is best enjoyed everyday, and to not just wait for a special moment to celebrate it.

Needless to say, I am the 'stop and smell the roses' kind of girl.  But lately, I wish I was living life in the fast lane.  Be in the mist of all the busyness in life, be more risk-inclined, and embrace mistakes and disappointments.

Are you more of the 'life in fast lane' or 'stop and smell the roses' kind of person?  However you choose to live, just make sure you live with no regrets.

Avon Lip Stain Marker

Avon lip stain marker color: Rose

My absolute favorite lip product of the moment is the Avon lip stain marker.  I have been wanting to try lip stains for so long because they seem to have the pigmentation of a lipstick without the shiny-sticky gloss.  Lip stains are less dramatic and tend to look more natural, than lipstick or lipgloss.

Reasons for loving the Avon lip stains: precise, easy application, dries immediately, smudge-proof (kiss-proof), lightweight, and it last for hours.

The only problem, which I also assume goes the same for all lip stain, is that it can be drying.  But have no fear, all you need is a little bit of lip balm.  The product suggest to apply balm over the stain, but I prefer balm first, then the stain, simply because I always apply lip balm before anything else.

I'm loving the fresh face look that this lip stain gives off.

 Natural light (left), with flash (right)

Have you tried lip stains?  What is your favorite?

Favorite 'feel good' moments

We're in the middle of winter and I'm already itching for Spring time to grace me with it's breezy, sunny days.  I miss it so much, but thank goodness for So Cal weather, Autumn and Winter never really seems to stay for long.

I was having one of those feel good days where you wake up in the morning and the first thought in your mind is "today is going to be a good day".  I guess my little sister was feeling it too, she texted me early morning if I wanted to have brunch with her, it was just too nice of a day to stay in.

After brunch, my boyfriend suggested we head out to the west side to cruise along the ocean.  We loaded our bikes onto the butt of the car and off we went.

My sister couldn't remember that last time she had been on a bicycle, so she was thrilled and feeling a little nostalgic.  Needless to say, we sputter a few giggles at her first few seconds back on a bicycle.  Once you learned how to ride a bike, you can never truly forget how to ride do you?    

We spent the rest of the afternoon riding along the beach, going as far as the road allowed.  We all seemed to have lost track of time that evening.  The weather was just perfect and before we knew it, we've gone 10 miles along the coast and only realized that the evening has arrived when the sun was nearly touching the horizon of the never ending shiny water.  The sunsets here in Southern California are spectacular.  Despite the hustle and bustle of the city life that surrounds this area, it can be so quiet and peaceful.  I love it when the tides washes up the shore and erases all evidence of other people, makes it feel like you're the only person there.  It's amazing how the sight, sound and smell of ocean can just erase the unpleasant sense of loss.

Ending a perfectly good day with good ol' ice cream sandwich at our favorite ice cream shop.  Oh, the simple things in life =)

What is your favorite 'feel good' moment?   

ELF Cream Eyeliner

New favorite beauty product of the moment?  ELF cream eyeliner!

 This stuff is amazing for the price.  At $3.00 a pop, I have to say it is beyond goodness.  I've never used eyeliner that comes in a pot before because I have always thought products in pots tend to dry out faster and you'll have to toss the product out before you'll ever get the chance to make a dent in the product.  But at $3.00, I couldn't resist and needed black eyeliner that was going to stay put without smudging.

 I've tried tons and tons of eyeliners from pencils, liquid liners, creams, gels to shadow liners... from low-end to high-end brands and everything in between, with lots of hits and misses. 

Let's get down to it!  Elf's cream eyeliner is super creamy, has great pigmentation, glides on super smooth, and sets very nicely within a minute (gives me just enough time to fix any mistakes with a q-tip before staying put).  I like that I can create super thin lines or extremely bold thick lines with ease.  With a good primer, this one last me all day without the smudge. 

I've gone hiking a few times this past week in the sunny southern Cali weather with this liner and it hasn't failed me yet.  My eyelids tend to get slightly oily on warm days, and it was able to hold on without smudging.  I've been using it everyday for 3 weeks now and the product is still as creamy as the first day.  I'm not sure how long the product is going to last before it starts it dry out in the pot, but until then... it's totally worth trying out.  Oh, and it comes with a decent mini slant-eyeliner brush.    

As for my favorite eyeliner of all times, it's a toss up between Stila's shadow liner, Elf's cream liner and Mark's 'get in line' liquid liner.

What is your favorite eyeliner?  Do tell!

High School Sweethearts???

A little over a week ago, my boyfriend and I shared our 11th year anniversary together.  A college friend of mine congratulated us and asked, "HS sweethearts?"  I had no idea... yes?... no?... I think so?  I was a sophomore and he a junior (oh, the simple days sigh* lol), however, we went to different high schools, and attend different colleges for our studies.  Now both as college graduates, I never thought of the idea as the two of us being high school sweethearts.  I have always thought that "high school sweethearts" meant a couple who has been together through all 4 years of high school.  Then somehow I came to believe that high school sweethearts were couples who simply dated during high school.  Somebody once told me it was the first person you fell in love with during high school.

And so it seems... I have no definite idea as to how High School Sweetheart come to be.  How do you define High School Sweethearts?  Do tell!

I leave with you... a delightful crafty note...

2012 New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!  Honestly, 2011 went by in a blink of an eye.  And it's already January 6th??  I've never been one for making New Year Resolutions only because I've never really thought to.  This year is different, I'm older, hopefully wiser, more willing to try, and definitely in need of realistic goals that I know I can do.  My New Year's Resolution for 2012:

1. Send more cards and thank you notes.
2. Eat healthy and exercise more
3. More time with my sisters
4. More time reading
5. Cross a few more things off my bucket list
6. More time to my paintings
7. Don't let other people's bad decision make me feel sad
8. More biking and hiking
9. Be more decisive
10. Make my own clothes

2011 was a crazy ROLLER COASTER ride.  With all the goods, the bads, and the the uglies... I must say 2011 was a real eye-opener.  What could have been, should have been, and have been are out the window.

Now that 2011 is behind us all, my Best of 2011's are:

1. 1st annual Summer Camping with my family and close loves
2. Fishing
3. Rekindling relationships
4. Being able to say "No" without feeling guilty
5. Talking to my old Best Friend again
6. My AVON business
7. My little Etsy shop
8. Tahoe trip
9. My sister's surprise Birthday party
10. Christmas Eve with family 

Last but not least, my luv of 11 years

What are your Best of 2011's??  Do tell!