25-01-2014

Feeling extra loved this month, I received many birthday wishes and heartfelt gifts..

"Every gift from a friend is a wish for your happiness.."

Thank you, dear friends!

The lunar new year is also just around the corner *3 days to be exact!!!* and whilst it is customary to have a complete set of garments (inner, outer and shoes), I only have shoes and inner wear.

Traditionally people used to get new clothes for the first day of the lunar calender (some are more extreme and do the whole 15 days) because that was one of the rare times (if not the only time) that they would get new clothes.. but these days I am shopping whenever I feel like it, so much so, that it doesn't carry a significance for me anymore.

I am happy recycling whatever I have in my wardrobe rather than "force-buying" for the new year.

SHOES! I love ballet flats, even more so when they come with a comfortable heel. Got them in multiple colours from ZARA black & gold, and H&M nude.

Comfortable, and great for work or play. Will see how durable these are!

Little luxuries in life

Can't say no to a good candle from diptyque..

Baies is a firm favourite as is Feu de Bois which I have recently taken a liking to. At first whiff, I found it to be too strong but it grew on me and everytime I smell it now, I think of my Grandma's wooden home. Which is rather befitting as the name translated means Firewood.

There are a few more scents which I would like to get my hands on- Choisya, Mimosa and Violette all smell beautiful unlit.

Diptyque candles aren't exactly cheap but for me the sensory experience I get whenever I light one makes it worth every dollar.

Nails: CHANEL Orange Fizz #307 & Frenzy #559

Loving this combo!

Excuse the dry cuticles, I haven't been moisturizing my hands regularly.

This year Im hoping to paint my nails at least once every week or every fortnight.

Breaking it down..

My reason for getting this is simple- knowing and understanding in my heart is not enough.

I want to be constantly reminded that every thought I create, every word I speak should be out of love and kindness. What goes around, comes all the way back around.. and in this never-ending loop, you can only reap what you sow. Karma.

There are no coincidences in the world (to me), the fact that my sister and I both chose this tattoo separately without the other knowing further affirms that our thoughts are in sync and we chose the family we are in for the same reasons.

The tattoo parlour was a recommendation from a friend who has multiple beautiful pieces, and I was going to hold mine off until I saw my sister's end result but the artist got me at "..it'll only take 5 minutes". LET'S DO THIS! I am not one who does things on impulse, but she did a great job guiding my sister through the process and explaining alignments, sizes, and other details; the session felt so personal. So much so that I felt there was really no better time than now. Guess you don't get to choose when opportunity knocks on the door.

xoxoxx

Boysssss

New phone covers! I've been using the violet Lego case for a few months now and though I initially intended to remove the chains I ended up leaving them as is.

So convenient especially when I need to be running around doing things and not having to worry where my phone is or hold on to it. Just sling it on and most people dont even realize it's a phone case!

Saw these "Chanel boys" on sale and I had to grab a few. So cute and functional! While I love the actual bag design, I much prefer the classic 2.55s as they are a bit more casual and laid back (to me). Which is why these would probably be my only "Boy" purchases...

Great quality and really nice colours. The metal plate is sturdy as are the chains. They straps can actually be double looped (to shorten) or single extended to use it cross-body style. The red is my favourite out of the lot, but they only had it in the 4S left so my Mama will be using it. 

So many colors I can't decide which to use first!

Empties: December 2013!!

The final installation of 2013's Empties!

1. REN Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser 150ml
LOVE this and have repurchased. This is now my PM second cleanser after the cleansing oil.
2. & 3. Clarins Total Cleansing Oil 150ml & 10ml
This is my new favourite cleansing oil, and I have used quite a number of them (Shu Uemura, DHC, SK-II...). It is not meant to be used around the eye area and will most definitely sting if you get any residue in. I use a separate bi-phase eye makeup remover so it doesn't bother me, but if you like an all-in-one, you might want to skip this.
4. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser [Travel size]
5. Clarins Camomile Toning Lotion, 10ml
6. Clarins Multi-Active Day Moisturizer, 5ml
7. Clarins Multi-Active Night Moisturizer, 5ml
8. Clarins Lotus Face Oil, 2ml
9. Chanel Hydra Beauty Gel Creme, 50ml I quite like this product, if things don't work out with my other moisturizers, I might repurchase this.
10. Clarins HydraQuench Cream-Gel, 15ml My skin is suited for cream-gel textures; a full cream is too heavy, and oil-free/gel is too light.. this gel-cream hybrid which many brands now offer is perfect. Might be a bit early to say (still using one more trial size) but I think the Chanel works better on my skin.
11. Indeed Labs Hydraluron An excellent hydration boosting serum which doesn't clog my face and is great for layering products over as it absorbs so easily.

12. Clarins Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate, 200ml LOVE! My two favourite invigorating shower scents are this and the Aesop Geranium Leaf. Bliss!
13. Clarins TOnic Body Treatment Oil, 100ml I shunned body oils for the longest time as I felt that they were such a hassle to use, but now that I have consistently been using one, I have to admit I love them. This variant really tones my skin and firms it up. I use this before and after my shower and mainly on my legs.
14. di palomo White Grape Hand & Body Lotion
15. Liese Juicy Shower Hair Mist
16. Sexy Girl Fragrance Body Mist
17. Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Mask, 120ml

Not pictured:
18. Alpha-H Liquid Gold This must-have worked well for me but I will not be repurchasing until I get through and thoroughly review the Chanel Le Weekend which is a similar product.
19. Crabtree & Evelyn Citron and Cream Lip Butter 

*Phew* Pretty amazed that I made it through the whole year, I aim to be just as consistent in 2014!

Total 2013 Empties: 260!!!

Previous Empties:

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September (Part I, Part II)
October
November

Don't want to be without..

Staple items in my regime which I would not hestitate to recommend..

Old vs new packaging

Clarins Tonic Body Oil which I use in and after my shower as well as the Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate. I am obsessed with the scent, and have also gotten the body scrub and body balm from the same range. I always have a few different bath products open, but generally there will be a invigorating scent, and a more comforting, yummy (vanilla-ish) scent.

Other shower products currently in rotation: Clarins Tonic Body Polisher, Rodial Rehab Bathing Balm (a little goes a long way and the scent lasts and lasts!), Clarins Smoothing Body Scrub, Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate and Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Honey Bath.

In skincare news; Ren Clearcalm 3 Clarifying Clay Cleanser which I use nightly after my first cleanse (sukin remains as my morning cleanser), Clarins Total Cleansing Oil is just as good as the SK-II one which I really like but at half the price, Ren Clearcalm 3 Replenishing Gel Cream (repackaged and renamed) used a few times a week and Indeed Labs Hydraluron which I use every morning as my first serum. I am currently on my last bottle of the Hydraluron and might be replacing it with another product as the only location it is at (Muse by Watsons in Sunway Pyramid) is not really a place I drop by often.

A few more items which I will be repurchasing as well would be the Chanel La Nuit treatment and possibly the Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Body Wash (if only it wasn't so expensive!).

Experimenting less and mostly sticking to what works for my skin. My skincare mantra for the year would be: Say NO to jumping onto skincare bandwagons!