A Bit of Shopping: Sephora (VIB sale edition)

     Last April 11 was the preview day for Sephora's VIB sale, so of course I went to check it out! Sephora rarely does any sales so I do get excited when they announce that they're having one, granted its usually either 15% or 20% which is not a lot. For the high end brands that they carry though (which never really goes on sale at the department store) I'm just glad to have a little help on the savings department, every dollar counts after all.

     I know that I've been posting shopping entries this week almost consecutively but to my defense, I don't normally shop like this. It's just that the sales have been going on at different stores and I'm preparing for my trip this summer, so I'm buying mostly backups of products I generally use on a daily basis. These products might be unavailable, difficult to find (especially my skin tone shade), or more expensive if I were to buy them where I'm going. So that's that. 

Thoughts of the day: Leaving

     In 41 days, I'm going to be leaving the US. For a year, I'm leaving the comforts of my home, my friends, my job, my car, and my sweet husband. The thought is scary, it's sad, it's disheartening really. I'm so used to so many things here and I feel like I've taken for granted some of those comforts and conveniences that I have or use in my daily life, granted it's not like I'm going in the wilderness and living with nothing. Of course not. It's just I'm leaving my home. The uncertainty of things and the length of time I'm gonna be spending away from my husband makes me feel sad. 

    I've already started packing, I'm sending my stuff first since it takes a months time before it arrives to it's destination. I'm trying not to pack everything in terms of my beauty and skincare essentials but my train case is full to the brim! As for my personal items, I'm also not trying to pack everything. I'm mostly packing heat and humidity friendly clothes, some shoes, sandals, and even a pair of rain boots since there's only two types of season there (summer and typhoon season!). Any other things I might need, I'll probably just buy there as I need it.

    Well I guess it shouldn't be too bad. Technology nowadays is so amazing! We have FaceTime, iChat, Skype, email, and texting. My dearest husband will come visit me in between the length of time I'm away. Most of all, I'm going to be busy. You see the reason for my long term trip is to fulfill my goal of going back and getting some more higher education. Yes, I'm going back to school. For so many reasons I'm choosing to go to school overseas and not here, it's just more convenient and financially easier for us. So at my age, I'm leaving and going back to being a student. Wish me luck!

Origins Modern Friction Nature's Gentle Dermabrasion

    I love, love, love this product! I've used several brands of facial scrub before, mostly drugstore brands like Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, and St. Ives for years. It was not till early this year that I got a travel sized version of Modern Friction that I honestly fell in love and finally bit the bullet, I bought the full size version. Before I begin to declare my love for this wonderful facial scrub, let's check out what Origins has to say about their product.

(Sephora; 4.2 oz for $38.50)

    "Sand-blasting skin with coarse, chemical crystals? How painfully passé. Here's age-smoothing exfoliation without irritation. Skin-refining Rice Starch, cushioned in cream, shows real affinity for rapidly removing sluggish cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and discolorations. Lemon Oil kick starts the process of illumination. Another age-sweeping action: skin-menacing molecules are mopped up. All while Aloe keeps skin calm and comfy. There's no ouch, extra steps or other complications. No redness or flaking follows. The before-and-afters are amazing. Signs of fine lines and size of pores appear to shrink in size. Skin looks perfectly polished, smooth and luminous. And the perk-me-up aromas of Bergamot and Peppermint help you look on the bright side.
Origins tested Modern Friction™ on a panel of 54 women. After just one try, of those who had undergone clinical micro-dermabrasion, 94% said they would now consider using Modern Friction™ instead."

Thoughts of the day: Car Troubles

     Today was a good day. I had fun with the kids at work, the actual work part wasn't as tedious as it can sometimes get... then I decided to get a bubble tea before I started my tutoring session with a student. 

     After buying my tea and I was happily drinking it as I got into my car, I put my car key in the ignition and nothing happened. Okay maybe something happened. My car made this weird noise every time I tried turning the engine on. All I could think of was "F*#%! What am I gonna do?!". I'm stuck and I didn't know a single thing about cars except how to drive it.

     So I called Triple A, I called the parent of the kid I was supposed to tutor to cancel and explain. "Crap, my schedule's all messed up now... and I have to pee." I thought to myself. Hahaha... The stupid bubble tea that I drank was taking it's toll  and I couldn't leave my car in case the Triple A guy came to jump start my engine. After an hour, he still wasn't there. Luckily a nice person parked beside me offered to watch out for the Triple A guy while I went to run and find a bathroom (thank god for starbucks!). Don't judge me, it's called desperation. 

     Lesson learned, I need to get to know my car more. When the Triple A guy finally came, it only took less than 10 minutes to make my car start again and I was a happy camper again (granted I was a little irked that he took forever!). I just wanna say, there are still kind souls out there willing to help you out in desperate times. Thank you kind sir, I hope you had a great day! 

    Hopefully my car will start tomorrow morning so I can go to work, else I'm screwed.

A Bit of Shopping: Ulta

     I went to Ulta on two separate occasions, the first was a week ago with a former student of mine to go makeup shopping since Ulta sent us a 20% off coupon for our entire purchase. I actually used mine to buy some skin serum for my mom to take with me when I go home this summer. She loves using the Olay Regenersist Micro-Sculpting Serum, please don't ask me if it works because I've never really tried it. All I know is that my mother does not look her age, she looks pretty younger than her actual age so it might be working for her. 

NOTW: Simple and Clean

     This week I just wanted a simple and clean look for my nails, nothing too distracting. One of my favorite nail polish color is Fast Track from China Glaze. It's a tan shade with tiny gold flecks, I think this color is just beautiful yet understated on its own. I know it's just a single color but boy did the gold glitters really sparkled when under the sun, it's just so beautiful I can't get enough of this color. The shade makes the skin on my hands seem brighter if that makes any sense. 

    I used Sally Hansen Salon Manicure base coat and topped it of with Seche Vite Fast Drying top coat to finish of the look of my nails.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15

I've always been intrigued by this lip treatment... reality is, it's a lip balm. An overpriced lip balm. Here's what the Fresh website has to say about their famous lip treatment...

     "A hydrating treatment that nourishes, protects, and plumps the lips.Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 blends reparative oils and waxes with real sugar, a natural humectant, for delectable and dependable moisture. Sweet and tart black currant oil, rich in plumping essential fatty acids, cushions the lips while antioxidant grapeseed polyphenols and vitamins A, C, and E provide protection from wrinkle-causing free radicals. It also provides essential, year-round protection from damaging UV rays."

Thoughts of the day: Humanity

     I came home from work this afternoon not knowing what was going on in Boston. While I was interacting with little kids and having fun, chaos, fear, and confusion was the feeling that people were experiencing in Boston. It's quite sad that the world has come to this. People hurting other people. For what? Is there really any valid reason to cause such deliberate hurt to a fellow human being?

     I'm not naive to think that bad things don't happen in the world... there are just some things or actions that I can't comprehend or maybe I refuse to. This is the time where I'm glad I'm surrounded by happy, smiling little faces. They remind me of the goodness and innocence left in what has become an inhumane world.

A Bit of Shopping: Nordstrom Rack

     A couple of weeks ago, my dearest husband needed to go to our tax person downtown... I thought it'd perfect since I've been wanting to check out the Nordstrom Rack there because I've been hearing that they've been stocking up on some Urban Decay stuff especially the Urban Decay All Nighter Spray (they have a new packaging so I guess they're just selling of the ones with the older packaging) that I love and use every time I put my makeup on. 

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

     I've read a lot about glycolic acids and I was both interested and scared to try it out... I mean the label has the word acid in it! So one fine day, I walked into Ulta and saw that Mario Badescu had their own version of it with the Glycolic Acid Toner. I said to myself, "Why not? I'm not using a toner anyways." and I'm glad I did! First lets check out what the Mario Badescu website has to say abot their product...

    (Ulta; 8 oz. for $18.00)

Thoughts of the day: Friends with kids

     Almost all this week we've been seeing friends... Friends with kids. It's wonderful to be able to catch up since for the most part, we haven't had a chance to see them often enough. It's nice to see the changes that's happened especially with the growth of their children, it's so fascinating what a few months or even a whole year can do. It's beautiful to see them be able to walk, talk, or in some cases, run around and chase you while riding a broom! Today, were seeing a couple who've my husband has been friends since high school, we're seeing the after a long time and I'm so excited to see their twins! A boy and a girl. 

     Times like this, it makes me wish that we have kids... It seems like having kids would just complete our lives. Yet there are somethings that we still need to figure out before we cross that really big bridge, till then we'll enjoy the company of our friends and their adorably cute and wonderful kids. So off we go to have some Korean barbecue and some chocolate chip cookie cupcake a la mode for dessert. :)

(Ice cream on top to follow later)

Tools of the Trade: Konjac Sponge

     Its my new favorite tool for cleansing my face! I loved it so much that right after the first use, I went back and bought 10 (I have a tendency to hoard... maybe carried away is more like it.) since its so cheap too! Here are a couple reasons why I love it so much:

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel

      I started using this cleanser around December last year... I'm honestly a bit conflicted about this product. Before I start typing my opinion, here's what the Mario Badescu website says about their Enzyme Cleansing Gel:

(ULTA; 16 oz. for $20)

      "This non-foaming, gel cleanser thoroughly removes the day’s make-up, dirt and oil without drying the skin. Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts are exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help prevent dulling build-up that can cause blackheads and pimples."

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Facial Wash

     I started using this product September of last year. I haven't looked back since then! 
First, according to the Origins website:

(Sephora; 5 fl.oz. for $20)

     "When it comes to faces with dry and oily places, it takes a clever cleanser to balance the two. This gentle, frothy face wash carefully does both jobs without canceling each other out. Broad Leaf Kelp Extract discourages excess oil production, while Wheat Protein balances and protects dry prone zones. And Tourmaline actually makes water wetter to more easily disperse dirt and sebum down the drain. There's also aromatic Bergamot, Spearmint and Lavender to add pleasure to the process. Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched."

Current Skin Care Routine: My Skin's Backstory

      I decided to make a series of posts regarding what i do and use for taking care of my skin, some will be reviews of the products that I currently use. I think since everybody's skin is different you have to take in consideration that what might work for me, might not for you. Nonetheless, I think it never hurt to share information that I've learned through this adventure of trying to get my skin (especially my face) to the best condition it can have. When I decided to change my skin regimen, there was limited reviews on the products I chose to use, I hope that somebody out there will find these series helpful. So let's begin...

A Bit of Shopping: Sephora

     I went to Sephora last Saturday to get a few things. Nothing special really, just needed to replenish basic skin care stuff that my husband and I used up. He has really oily, acne prone skin. I try to help him with his problematic skin by introducing him to different skin care brands and products that might work out for his skin type. One of the things he liked is the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel ($36 for 6.7 fl. oz.), I had half a bottle left (I've been using it previously, before I switched out to my Origins Skincare regimen) that I gave him to try. He finished it up and asked me to get him a new bottle, I purchased the jumbo size. It seemed like a better deal and at least he won't run out anytime soon.

Thoughts of the day: Nostalgia

     It's been raining on and off for a couple of days now... Aside from feeling cold, I feel very nostalgic when it rains. The rain evokes this sense of wanting to go back when I was young, when everything in life was simpler. 

     My husband and I were talking during one of these rainy days, I was telling him about my childhood and how whenever it rained it made me the happiest. Whenever the drops would start to fall... first, gently... It would build up the excitement and fascination inside me. As it starts to pour more stronger, that excitement would bubble over because it meant that I could finally ask my mom if I could go outside and play in the rain. 

     Yes, life was simple and uncomplicated then. Where the mere thought of being able to dance in the rain and splash around the puddles was enough to make me scream with glee... There are days when the rain can still evoke those feelings inside me. Nowadays for the most part, the rain just feels wet, cold, and dreary except for today where it makes me feel nostalgic.