Au Revoir 2010~*

Up. Down. All around.
Been all over the place (Physically, Mentally, Emotionally).
It's been a fun, happy, sad, frustrating, scary, educational, exciting, blissful and blessed year.
Thanks for the memories 2010 (and all the people, places I've  encountered throughout the year)~*

Wishing everyone a wonderfully blessed, blissful, and bangin 2011!

Cheers to Health, Wealth, and Happiness!

“Another fresh new year is here . . .

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!”

-William Arthur Ward

*~ Have a Beautiful New Year ~*

The Power of Prayer

"Prayers go up, and Blessings come down"

-Yiddish Proverb

This has been a pretty crazy year  (when in my world is it not, right?).
Another rollercoaster of a year filled with ups and downs~
However, this year was a lot more bearable during the down times.
I believe this is because of the power of prayer.

Over the past few years, my spiritual life has grown in many different ways, but this was the first year where I felt I truly lived differently.... and could actually see the outcomes.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream

Earlier this year, I discovered an amazing product at the L.A. Makeup Show.
I didn't really use the product until recently~ I'm officially in Makeup Love.
Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams have recently became a new favorite and have been added to my must have list.

Love Nest- Josie Maran's Argan Oil Favorites

Yay~ The Holidays are here!
There's Good (Holiday Lights, Holiday Cheer), there's Bad (Long lines, Traffic), and there's UGLY (There are some mean Grinches out there in the world!).

One of my favorite parts of the Holiday Season is..........the SHOPPING!    =D
More specifically, I love the gift sets that come out during the Holiday~ They're usually a really good products,  don't come out the rest of the year, and you'll usually get the most bang for your buck.
For one of my Secret Santa/White Elephant gift exchanges this year, I bought the Josie Maran Love Nest.
(I  maaaay have also bought one for myself, too.....)

Love Nest Josie's Argan Favorites

Tarte Friends and Family 40% Off until 12/13/10

You know I love me a good deal!

Stock up on those Makeup Palettes and Cheek Stains!

Happy Shopping!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Tiger Balm~ It's Grrrrrrreat!

I remember when I was younger, I would walk into various Asian friends houses and always see a small hexagon shaped jar with a tiger on it.
Curiously, I would open it up, and then quickly close it after taking a whiff of the strong, pungent camphor/menthol smell.
It wouldn't be til years later that I discovered how awesome this smelly little product was.

I bought a jar of Tiger Balm at the Dollar Store out of curiousity a few years ago.
I was first able to test it out when I was renovating my house, moving in with my cousin, and moving into a new apartment~ all within a few months. 
It was one of the most stressful times of my life ... both mentally AND physically.

After carrying TONS (and I mean TONS) of clothes, boxes, and all my other little chachkas (NO ONE is allowed to use the word C*** or S***.... except for me) back and forth, back and forth, my muscles were killing me.
Tiger Balm.... I would not have survived without you.

Thanksgiving 2010~*

"Gratitude is the best attitude"

"For flowers that bloom about our feet; For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;

For song of bird, and hum of bee; For all things fair we hear or see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee!"

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanksgiving is here. 

I try not to be thankful just one day a year, but everyday.

Here's my 2010 list of gratitude.

Shoo Flu, Don't Bother Me: Fighting Off A Cold

The cold weather is here on the East Coast and it seems that everyone is sick or fighting off a cold.

I've also been fighting a cold, but luckily, I've been putting up a good fight and have yet to be sick.

I used to be sick CONSTANTLY when I was a teacher: I never seemed to get the "teacher immunity" even though I was a germ-o-phobe who constantly washed my hands and taught for 4-5 years.

In the 3 years since I haven't been a Pre-School teacher, I rarely get sick (Maybe 1-3 times a year).

Here are my tips and tricks to prevent and fight a cold:

Dirty Girls~ Keep It Clean: Cleaning Your Makeup Brushes

Recently, I've been seeing the tools that people use to apply their makeup.

It's not a pleasant experience....
I've seen sponges that have been used for far too long (and look like there are things growing out of it) and brushes that have never been washed (and have almost a hard texture because there's so much product and oil caked on). 

It scares me...

Ladies, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take care of your tools!
I always emphasize that you should invest in good makeup brushes and tools. It really does make a difference in your makeup application.
Even if you don't want to invest in brushes, AT LEAST take care of the ones you use.

Well. Africa. Fundraiser. 11/17/10 @ Galway Hooker

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little"

-Edmund Burke

I was fortunate enough to go to Kenya in 2009 and 2010.
My life has been changed from the experience.
Of course not everyone can go to Africa, but everyone can make a difference.

Here is a video of some our experiences.

I.C.E. (iRene, Crystal, Esther) is throwing a benefit to raise money and awareness to help build a well for the orphans at By Grace Orphange in Kenya.  

•For those of you that are my friends, you better have a good excuse not to be there!
•For my subscribers living in the tri-state area that have yet to meet me, come on out! (I'm always curious as to who my readers are).
•For someone who's thought about trying to help others and make a difference, here's an opportunity.
•For someone who just wants to get drunk fast and cheap, there's no better place!


Come on out to get some good, cheap, drinks, meet some great people, win some prizes, and help save the world one contribution (and perhaps a t-shirt) at a time!

Barielle- Nail Thickener and Nail Rebuilder

I used to be a chronic nail biter growing up.
It used to drive my mother crazy, but it was a habit that I couldn't seem to break.
I've always been a bit of a Nervous Nelly and biting all my fingernails off seemed to calm me down for a few minutes and was strangely soothing...

I tried those nail treatments that make your nails taste bad, but it never tasted bad enough for me to stop.

I WAS able to overcome my nail biting habit in high school.
I had an older friend who had bitten her nails for soooo long that her skin started to grow over her nail (So that basically her nail bed was half the size of a normal person's).
That scared the bejeezus out of me~ Enough for me to stop biting my nails!

Happy Halloween '10

I love dressing up, so of course Halloween is a fun night for me.
This year, I wasn't really feeling up to doing anything so I didn't plan on going out.
But a few days before Halloween weekend, I thought about it and really wanted to see other people in costume.
I don't like buying costumes so I thought about what I could easily come up with from home.

I had a robe, a fan, and flip flops.
Here is my costume for Halloween 2010.

It was freezing cold walking around in a dress and robe, but it was fun seeing all the crazy costumes.

Favorites costumes this year:
A couple dressed up as corpses in body bags
A guy who had a children's toy block around his waist---> Cock Block

Hope u all had a safe and fun Halloween!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

Karma Organic Nail Polish Remover Review and Giveaway

As I've been looking for more natural beauty products to use, I am happy to have discovered an awesome new product to add to my beauty arsenal.
One item that I always hated using was nail polish remover:  The smell and the chemicals just seem so strong and toxic that it can't be good for you.

A few weeks ago, I discovered Karma Organic Organic Nail Polish Remover.
This organic nail polish remover has been featured in Allure, Health, O, Body and Soul, Shape, Family Circle, and Women's Health magazines.

Loreal Elnett Satin Hairspray

I've heard about Loreal Elnett's Satin Hairspray for years, but I'd never used it til a few days ago.

I was lucky to get my first can of the hairspray from Loreal's Hairstylist Johnny Lavoy.  He's awesome.

The Elnett Satin Hairspray is a standard among hairstylists.

It's been around for over 50 years, and it's a cult classic.

Elnett Satin is the legendary hairspray of choice for red carpet events and cover photo shoots. It's micro-diffuser spray offers a clean, soft shiny finish. So fine, it disappears at the stroke of a brush. So strong it's hold lasts all day.

Say Whaaat?!? Lessons in Listening

"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, 

but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant"

-Robert McCloskey

I'm more of a talker than a listener.
After many years of my mother's nagging me ("Practice Piano! Do your homework!  Get off the phone!"),  and teachers talking about things I was not interested in, I became an expert at learning how to tune things out.
However, I do think that I've become a pretty good listener when it comes to listening to what other people have to say~ (I may not be able to keep my own secrets but I'm very good at keeping others!)

It's never good to talk to someone that isn't actually listening to what you're saying or is only interested in telling you their opinions.
If you're not a good listener, here are some tips from Michael P. Nichols, a professor of Psychology at the College of William and Mary and author of the The Lost Art of Listening.

The Power of Pilates

Last summer, I lived in bikinis.
This summer, I've been hiding under the largest shirts and jackets I can find.
After months of struggling with what to wear to hide my muffin top (and not the typical mini muffin... I'm talking the ginormous "Otis Spunkenmeyer" muffin tops!),
I was on a mission to get in shape.

Plaztik Mag Issue #18 Pics

Here are some pics from the photo shoot with Plaztik Mag

Loves It.

 

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*



Plaztik Mag Issue #18: Room 125

I was able to do a photo shoot with Plaztik Mag, an online magazine that's fresh, funky, and fun.

I love the way the video came out ~ so check it out and see for yourself!

Click HERE to see hair and makeup by moi~*

Plaztik Mag Video Issue #18: ROOM 125

Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps

I love multi-use products: The more use I can get out of one thing, the more I like it. 
The bigger the bang for the buck~ The better!

One amazing product that has so many different uses is Dr. Bronner's 18-in-1 Pure-Castille Soap.

Unlike any you’ve ever used. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed.

Eat Your Way To Healthier Hair

(This is from an article in Metro New York)

Healthy Hair SOS

Forget the miracle shampoos that claim to fix any problems you have with your hair- a better diet is the cheapest and most efficient way to tame your tresses

The quality of the hair on your head depends on the circulation to hair roots and the amount of nutrients present in your body to feed your hair.  Nutritionist Michelle Kingston tells us the top five hair problems- and how to treat them.

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

Love is like a puzzle. 

When you're in love, all the pieces fit

But when your heart gets broken, it takes a while to get everything back together

I've been through my share of break-ups, rejection, and "getting over it".
It doesn't seem to get any easier no matter how much "experience" I gain.
A broken heart (whether it be a small tiny rip or a full-on gut-wrenching "My life is over" feeling) SUCKS.

Here are my attempts to heal a broken heart.

Subscribe for a Bribe! 1 year Anniversary Gift =D

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that

 the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them"

-John F. Kennedy

So it's been almost a year since I've started blogging!
How the time has flown... how much has happened... how much life I've lived in only a year amazes me.
I never expected to find so much pleasure in blogging~ 
I love sharing tips, beauty products, things I love and find beautiful, and especially sharing my experiences with you.

Nina Garcia: The Style Strategy and The One Hundred

I love fashion:  It's a quick and easy way to express your creativity, your mood, your style, and personality.
How you look should not be the most important part of who you are, but it does make a difference and you should make some effort.

Your appearance can affect how you behave, how you are perceived by others, and even how you feel about yourself.

When I wear clothes that don't fit me well/ aren't very flattering, I can feel a little insecure and end up constantly thinking about my clothes.
When I dress up/wear clothes that are flattering, I feel prettier, more confident, and the day seems more special. 

I also tend to get a lot more compliments~ which is always nice   =D

Bio-Oil

When I was in Kenya this summer, my skin was a disaster.
It was so irritated and dry that even wiping my face with a baby wipe was painful.

I didn't bring many products with me, but luckily, I brought my bottle of Bio-Oil.

What's Cookin: The Epicurean Cutting Board

Lately, I've been cooking a lot more.

I usually don't cook too often because I find that it actually costs more and takes more time than it does to just eat out or order in.
( I end up spending sooo much money on groceries that I throw away. It also takes me foreeeeeever to peel garlic~ and I use LOTS of garlic.  Any tips for peeling garlic quickly without leaving my fingers all stinky?)

One product that makes my cooking experiences pleasureable is the Epicurean Cutting Board.
It looks almost like ceramic, but is made from an environment-friendly wood fiber.

In My Makeup Bag

I'm always curious to see what products people use: I love seeing what my friends and makeup mentors use in their makeup bags and kits.
So in case you were interested in seeing what goodies I carry around with me, I am about to unveil my own bag of tricks   ;)

Currently, I'm using a silver Bobbi Brown makeup bag that was a gift with purchase.
I usually use my makeup bags for months- a year until it starts falling apart.
Sometimes I change the products, but I usually carry around these items (or ones that are similar in quality/convenience)

Here are the products that I feel are worthy of carrying around with me wherever I go (at least for now):

Spray Away: My Favorite Face Mists

Summer is hot hot hot.

One item that I always use year round (but is especially good for warm weather) is a face mist.

* Spray before putting on moisture to add a little more hydration
* Mist throughout the day for a quick and refreshing pick-me-up
* Use when you're skin is feeling a little dry and you don't want to put on a moisturizer
* Works on all skin types: Dry for an instant refresher, Oily for moisture without the heaviness of a lotion
* Great for travel~ especially on planes or places where the air is very dry

The Body Shop Friends and Family Event: 20% Off Sale

Friends and Family are pretty great.
So are Friends and Family Sales.

On Thursday 8/26/10 to Sunday 8/29/10, you can save 20% off all Regular and Sale Items from The Body Shop using the online coupon code: FF10
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more.

I love the Body Butters (Especially Coconut) and their Home Fragrance Oils.
The Body Butter Trio is a great deal. I have the Nutty Summer Smoothers.

Happy Shopping!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

My Life as a 27 Year Old

"Welcome to Old.  Get Comfortable"

-My Older Cousin

"The obstacles you face may be huge but you have what it takes to overcome every last one of them.  Never doubt that you were born to be special. Never doubt that you will succeed. 

 See whatever fate sends your way as a gift to be used"

-Virgo Horoscope

How are the years zooming by soooo quickly?!?

Today I am 28 (and only 2 years away from my scary age).

Birthday's have always been a mixed feeling day for me~ I tend to love them or hate them.

Whatever feeling I'm having (this year is pretty good), it's always a day for me to think back on my life and see where I am now.

Here are some of the experiences I've had and the lessons I've learned (hopefully) during my 27th year on earth.

What Your Lipstick Says About You

I love taking "personality tests". 
A fun one is the Lipstick Personality Test.

I don't even really wear lipstick, but I'm a perfectionist and I like keeping my lipstick the way it comes (aka the "Slant").  I don't think that I fit completely into the personality type (especially the abiding by the rules part!), but I guess I can see the other aspects being true...
I think I'm more of a "Sharp-Angled Tip" or "Concave" " girl ... but who knows~
 
Either way, it's a fun little test. Read on to find out what your lipstick can say about you!
 

Beauty and the Beach

"Ah, Summer, What power you have to make us suffer and like it"

-Russel Baker

Summer has flown by and it seems that Fall is right behind.
This summer, I haven't been able to swim or go to the beach.... until now~
I'm at the Hamptons and it is absolutely fabulous.

Have you been to the beach this summer?  If you haven't, I highly suggest you go asap.
The sand between your toes, the sun on your skin, the ocean breeze, the waves... it's oh so wonderful!

Here are my recommendations of things to bring to the beach.

Love the Brush from Brushlove

I was given the opportunity to try out some brushes from Brushlab at http://brushlove.com/

I received a Finishing Brush and Blow Drying Brush.

Pronto Ionic Nylon Bristle Hair Brush 33451  

This is a great brush for everyday.  It detangles, smoothes, and gives a light massage to the scalp.

It's a pretty large brush head, so you can run it through all your hair in a few swipes.

It feels really good and gives a nice little scalp massage (which makes me feel like my hair will grow faster~)

Static resistant hair brush creates negatives ions for smoother, healthier hair.
 Retail Price: $9.98

Tarte Cosmetics Friends and Family 40% Off Sale

Yay!  If you love Tarte as much as I do, or have been meaning to try it out~  Now is the Time to Shop!

You have 1 week from 8/2/10 til 8/9/10.  Use code FFAUG at checkout.

 Happy Shopping!

*~ Have a Beautiful Day! ~*

When Life Hands You Lemons... Rub It On Your Face~*

So I've been on a "Natural Beauty" kick lately.
I'm trying to steer away from putting weird products/chemicals that I can't even pronounce all over my face and body.
That means I've been experimenting with random things in the kitchen to see what works and what doesn't.

My latest trick that I was testing out at home, but was put to the test in Africa is an easy, cheap, and natural way of getting fabulous skin.

 LEMONS.

Korean Beacon

So I realize I've been pretty bad with updating my blog    =T
Sorry 'bout that....
I am currently in Kenya for 2 weeks, but I promise to try to write more once I get back!

As for now, I'm going to put up some links to my writing I've done for Korean Beacon for those that haven't read it.
Enjoy!