Wildfire

While everybody was doing their Cyber Monday shopping I got a nice shellac manicure. Tis the season to wear bright red on the nail bed! Ever since I discovered and fell in love with the shellac nail polish I've been getting them done at least once a month. You know the funny part? I've only stuck to the red shades. I guess I just like the way they look, all glossed up and fierce shiny. Today I decided to try the Wildfire red. Here you can see the many other color options to choose from. I have to say, the options have greatly increases since last year. I like the red shades because they just really stand out against my skin and compliment any type of rings I wear. It definitely makes the hand look prettier and get the girls wondering what kind of secret top coat you're using. Now that I've been getting these done I can spot a shellac manicure over an ordinary one any day.

Aussie Love

I've been using these two sprays almost everyday and loving them! I usually tend to avoid using my Aussie products on a daily basis because the coconut/pina colada smell really gets to me. Even though the last spray I got and their 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner  worked really well for me I just couldn't stand that tropical smell. It was just too much. (This may not bother most people, but I don't like pina coladas or anything coconuty smelling to begin with. Bleh.)

I saw that these two sprays were new to the line and decided to give them a try (after I did a quick sniff spray in the air to make sure they didn't use their "signature" smell.) Luckily, it was a new scent and actually quite pleasant.  Not only did they tone down the smell, but the products don't flake later throughout the day or leave my hair heavy and oily (like some other's I've tried.)

I use the Anti-Breakage Spray all over my hair right when I'm through washing it or when I'm in the process of styling it. It doesn't replace the use of mousse or hairspray, but makes your hair strands a little stronger and helps detangle knots. I have little baby hairs around my forehead as well so I make sure to get these before I put my hair in a tight bun or pony tail. The Heat Protecting spray works really good for days that I straighten or do loose spiral waves to my hair. It adds a really nice natural shine to it and holds the style pretty well. Some days when wearing my hair down I quickly spray the heat protectant as a coating before I step out of the house. Our sun rays here are super strong so I try to avoid any further heat damage to this already prone-to-dryness hair.

If you have a drugstore in your area that carries Aussie products I highly recommend trying these out and let me know what you think. And how do you like the signature Aussie scent? Do you find it overpowering like me or do you enjoy the fresh coconut smell throughout your hair?

Black Saturday

I avoided shopping on Black Friday because, well, it's always chaotic. Not that today was any better, but at least people weren't as crazy and wild. My first stop was Dillard's because my friend had mentioned they had handbags 50% off. My goal was to snatch up a nice MK bag, or maybe even a cute wallet. The outcome- all the good styles were of course long gone. Hmm, guess it wasn't meant to be. Steph scored and stocked up on Coach wristlets though to give out as Christmas gifts. Maybe I'll be one of the recipients. *grin*

Sephora didn't really have much going on, but I did fall prey for the Nars Orgasm nail polish. This color was just too pretty to pass up. Sometimes when I'm looking around in that store I get tempted to buy cosmetics that I don't even use or need! A girl's got to be  and firm shopping in there...ha! Just point A to B....nothing in between.

I got my Zelda game! I've been playing that thing none stop. After a while though I get a little nauseous from all that movement and different camera angles. Plus, in this game you need to do a lot of interaction by moving, slashing and jumping around. This will be my excuse to skip the gym on some days.

All that shopping worked up an appetite so we stopped by my favorite Korean restaurant. Their kimchi fried is the best I've had! I tried asking the server exactly how and what exact ingredients they use for the dish, but she was pretty vague and close lipped. Maybe I should have laid out her tip ahead of time... eh eh.

The afternoon ended with a nice Twilight marathon with the girls. I went to go see Breaking Dawn last weekend and so now my girlfriends and I are crazy over the saga all over again. Why must they torture us for another whole year until the next movie release?? Come on!

Oh! I finally found my nice coat for the winter. Luckily I saw the last one (in Forever 21) and it just so happened to be my size. Score! Don't you love that feeling of finding the last one of something and it just happens to be right for you? The worst is when you see it, want it, but then there's a hole or stain on it. Grudge.

I'll show pics of my jacket soon. I'm planning a trip to the Grand Canyon in the next couple weeks so that will be my excuse to whip it out, instead of just saving it for "that occasion" or "something special."

Always Thankful

This year has brought so many more opportunities and blessings for me. I'm always grateful and appreciative for the life I live and the people that surround me each and everyday. While it can seem like we don't have everything at times or things don't exactly go our way, we have to sometimes remind ourselves that there are the things that we can be thankful for and that there's always someone else out there isn't as fortunate.......

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin pie is a must for Thanksgiving in my house. Dinner just isn't complete without a slice of this for dessert.

Too good to use

Do you have a favorite shirt, pair of shoes, handbag, or something of that nature that's really nice so you try to use it sparingly?

I catch myself doing this quite often.

I realize saving that special item for that special occasion or moment turns out to be a waste of money and time.

I was reminded of this today when organizing my closet. I came across my Longchamp bag that my mom had given me this year for my birthday. I opened the box and it was still neatly wrapped in the tissue paper unused.

Why?

Why hadn't I used it yet?

I'll tell you- I don't want it to get dirty. I'm saving it for a nice matching outfit. Maybe the right month. The right season. The perfect occasion. I actually appreciate my belongings and try to make them last as long as possible......and so many other excuses I can think of.

What's the point of even having it if I don't use it, right? I guess I get somewhat of a satisfaction knowing that I have a nice brand new purse sitting in my closet waiting to be used. But it would be better if I actually used it and got to look at it everyday (being that I change out my purse like twice a year. ha.) I guess that's just part of being girl. We get things sometimes just because in hopes of one day using it......

I'll be using this bag starting tomorrow. :) Thank you , mom!

Holiday Window Shopping

I started my pre-holiday shopping. I spent most of the time eye balling stuff and making mental notes to myself. I found this safer than actually trying to attempt waiting in those long weekend lines. I totally forgot Vera Wang had her department store brand at Kohl's. I only realized that because I had one of those free $10 store credit they always send out in the mail and it gave me and excuse to check it out. Then afterwards I realized it, I don't like Kohl's......at all. Blah.

During the year I skip shopping at Bath and Body works. Their products and signature scents  pretty much stay the same so I know there's nothing new. Now there's an exception though- the holiday season. This is the only time of year I step foot in here to find all their new limited holiday products. My favorite are the foamy hand soap pumps. I couldn't resist the candy cranberry scent or the warm cookie. Starting to smell a lot like Christmas.

 Where do I start? Ahh, yes- "Dear Santa............."

Steve Madden is always a win in my eyes (and on my feet.)

 Mmmm. On a chilly night like this one, nothing hits the spot better than a big ol bowl of pho (and of course my boba drink on the side).

 Saw this in the parking lot. Too funny.  I also get a lot of compliments on my kitten heels. Does this shirt look a little familiar?

This isn't my typical average breakfast. The banana's mine while my coworker was so thoughtful and bought me a frappuccino with an orange on the side. Win! The pastries are from this local bakery I stop in from time to time do order their delicious sandwhiches.

 Who would have thought that Fry's grocery store made some really good sushi? They have actual Japanese sushi chefs right there making it fresh for you while boxing it up. Now that's what I call wonderfully fresh. There's nothing worse like buying pre-made sushi and all the rice is soggy and clumped up. Thanks, Steph, for the valuable info! 

It's nice seeing all the stores decorated in Christmas spirit. Living in Arizona it's easy to forget that we don't actually have a real winter season per say. There's hardly any snow where I live and the temperatures don't seem to drop and lower than 60 degrees . Yet, retail stores and business establishments still jazz up their stores/buildings to make it feel like a real holiday season. There's still the scarves that come out with the cute boots that are saved all year just to wear at this time.

The only thing that put a big frown on this face was hearing about how certain major corporate chains are pushing back Black Friday even earlier!! This is crazy, people. Thanksgiving day AND night needs to be spent with family and friends eating and enjoying each other's company. Not worrying about going to bed early that day to make your midnight shift for crazy folks that choose to get trampled go shopping instead of staying home and celebrating the really meaning behind this holiday- to appreciate and give thanks. Remember? Just how we learned in school, children. This sign really got me heated. I feel for whoever has to work Black Friday.  I really do. Till this day, I've never wasted my time on that made up shopping "holiday". It's just not fair and goes to show how even more greedy we're getting/becoming. Let's just be thankful for something, someone and for once, huh? 

My classic beauty products

Everyone has their go-to beauty products. While mine has changed many times throughout the years there are still these few that I have remained very loyal to.


I feel like with so many other newer and improved products out there it's hard to just choose one or to choice an absolute favorite. Now this how I know I could never theme my blog by  keeping it strictly makeup. Number 1.) If I like it I stick to it.  No need for anymore. While all my friends have like 5 different foundations, 4 different pressed powders, 20 makeup brushes, 10 different shades of lipstick, and all the color eyeshadows in the rainbow, here I am with just a makeup bag of things. Number 2.) I already spend too much money on clothes and food so there's barely any room for having excessive makeup. I just have my handful and rotate them.


These are my top 5 absolute favorite beauty products. I'm talking like if I was stranded on an island and could only bring these 5 , these are it. I have carried them with me in my makeup bag/purse for 7-8 years now (if not longer.) It's almost like I'm attached and can't let go. While I may have tried other things here and there I always come running back to these in the end.......... The way true love should be, right?


1. L'oreal Telescopic liquid eyeliner (I use the black and brown color both in the waterproof formula)


2. L'oreal Original Voluminous mascara


3. Lancome Juicy Tube lipgloss (in the Miracle or Spring Fling color)


4. Clinique Happy perfume


5. Clinique  Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel


*and here are some more that I still use and love-*


6. L'oreal Feria Multi-Shimmering hair dye


7. Maybelline Volume Express mascara


8. Gelous advanced nail gel


9. Dove Damage Therapy flexible hold hairspray


10. Dove Volume and Lift Volumizing Mousse

Do you have something that you've been using for years now as well?  What are your absolute must-have beauty products?

Neutral colors

*Whoa, I didn't realize I was due for an eyebrow waxing until I saw this pic* Ha. Sorry!

I don't wear much eyeshadow like I used to. Now it just seems like I'm content with some eyeliner and a little bit of mascara. Less makeup applied equals more time to sleep in before getting ready for work.

I did, however, want a neutral color palette just to have handy. Something that would be suitable for just about any occasion (and especially for work) was what I was looking for. So I came across this Loreal Neutral eyeshadow at the drugstore. With a good primer these colors lasted me all day. The only thing I didn't like about it was that the colors weren't as rich and deep as expected. The darkest brown (#4) had to be layered about 3 times in order for it to finally show. Other than that, it's worth the $7-$8. It's definitely the "neutral" colors I was looking for and I'm glad it blends in well with my skin tone.

Juicer

I *think* I found my cure for my dreadful/throw me over the river/no kids for me convincing period cramps. If you don't know how bad I have it read it here. I mentioned a while ago how I started juicing. This idea was inspired by the movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead  in which I discovered on netflix. Not only was I not as actively fit like I thought I was, but vegetables weren't really in my everyday diet. I thought about it for a second. What was I eating then?? Oh, that's right. Rice, rice, kimchi....spam *cringe* more rice, seaweed, and oh, yeah, spaghetti. Sounds pretty, well, bad. I haven't had spinach, kale, or anything green (besides seaweed) in forever!

It was time. I had to make a change and so I did. Now, let me tell you. I absolutely hate salad! I just don't find it flavorful, filling or satisfying. You would think a girl wanting to eat healthier would become a salad's best friend, but oh no, not me.

Instead my answer was to juice my vegetables. Not only did I find this easier, but it was tastier and better for me to get all my recommended servings throughout the day.

I started off with some recipes provided by the movie's site, but then ventured off onto my own. While Anthony uses spinach and kale, I stick to a green apple and 5 carrots (with a twist of lime.) This cup full helps with my in between hunger pangs and actually tastes really good too.

Now back to the original subject. It's been 4-5 months now since I started juicing. Along with that I've been actively going to the gym. I realized the last 3 months my period cramps have been bearable if not barely there. I've been actually able to function without having to practice my famous fetus position. Oh, and I sort of cheat by taking my new favorite drug- Pamprin Max Relieve. (I take 2 pills at a time...) But I only have to use those once a day for one day out of the 4 that used to cause me grief.

Have you or anyone you know tried juicing? Did you/they like it and stuck to it?

In search of a nice coat

source

So far, no luck in finding a cute warm coat for winter in stores. Now I'm left with surfing online. The only thing I hate about that is that there's no way to know how the material will feel, fit, or look on your body. You just have to take that chance and hope it's just as good looking as the models make it.

Pocket Bunny

This cute little facial spray I had bought in Korea was carried with me everywhere I went during the summer.  I don't use this as much now that the weather is cooler though. Nights where I don't get my 8-9 hours of beauty sleep I quickly spray this on before stepping into work to give off a more rejuvenated and  put together appearance. Sometimes when I apply too much face powder I use this as well to tone down the matte look. Works like a charm in making my face have a more natural dewy and glowing look.

Yongmeori Shore (Dragon's Head)