Japan 2014: Day 2- Nara Deer Park, Todaiji Temple & Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto

Continuing with Day 2 of the Japan 2014 posts, if you haven't read, here's part 1:

Day 1: Osaka, Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Universal Studios, Shinsaibashi & Osaka Takoyaki Museum

Woke up bright and early for breakfast buffet at Hotel Keihan Universal Tower. It was a good spread, I had tamago (egg) whenever I spotted the dish at breakfast. It's quite funny how fried food in Japan isn't oily or greasy. So yums! Also we noticed every Japanese couple with a kid would be feeding the child natto (fermented soybeans) which is very nutritious at breakfast.

After that, we travelled East towards Nara to visit the Nara Deer Park and Todaiji Temple. The deer were really cute and tame, there were even a few curious ones who kept sniffing our bags for food. We decided against buying crackers (sold at the park) as we saw a few people getting ambushed whilst trying to feed them.

Japan 2014: Day 1- Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, Shinsaibashi...

Japan was everything that I imagined it to be, and even more! 2014 marked my first trip to the country and I will most definitely be back to explore again.

We visited in late January and it was still quite cold, I enjoyed every bit of the holiday- amazing food, scenery, beautiful architecture, and the hospitality, not to mention Japan is the land of all things cute and pretty. We went with a tour group so everything was arranged and planned, all we had to do was just show up. There were so many pictures taken with my iPhone 5 and Canon Powershot S95, I'll let them do most of the talking..

Day 1: Osaka- Kansai International Airport, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, Shinsaibashi & Osaka Takoyaki Museum

Outside Osaka Castle

Main tower of Osaka Castle, now a museum

Empties: November & December 2014

My first post in 2015 and also my final post on "Empties"! Wrapping up the remaining items finished in November and December last year. My regime is pretty much solid at the moment, with very few new additions. 

I'm still a beauty addict at heart, but these days I don't get as excited with new launches. After trying so many brands, I've found that I prefer Korean, French and Australian skincare. I always thought Japanese skincare would suit my skintype and climate best but I was wrong, I still very much love their cosmetics though!

This Empties exercise actually made me learn and acknowledge what works and what doesn't (for me) and also if I have been consistent with using the things I buy instead of just stockpiling. I am happy to report that my skin hasn't looked this good in many years, which I feel is partly due to noting down what I've been using each month and sticking to what works. Contemplating putting up my skin at its worst (acne, uneven skin tone and bumps, redness) and how it currently is. My skin has cleared up so much without the help of facials nor any pills.. but I'll save that for another post.

So, here we go, the last Empties installation:

Products which I will/have already repurchased:
1. sukin Facial Foaming Cleanser
2. Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate
3. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Shower Gel- Would have to wait till I visit Melbourne again
4. Clarins Gentle Refiner- The scent brings back many memories, I've used this on/off since I was a teen
5. Clarins Total Cleansing Oil
6. Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Wrap- This is so so good for alleviating water retention in the face!
7. Clarins Defining Eye Lift
8. Nivea Delicious Drop Peach & Vanilla Lip Balm- Got this last year during my visit to Japan, it was cold and this prevented my lips from chapping. The scent is delicious too! Did not give me a scratchy throat/little itchy bumps on the top of my lips either. Would repurchase when I revisit.

Full/travel sizes: 14

Samples: 1

Total January - December: 139

xxx

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year 2015!!