Random Files: April 2014 Favorites

1) Korean dramas via DramaFever

No surprise here. My Love from Another Star has propelled it all, which led to a fascination with Kim Soo-Hyun, which led to me seeking out his other shows, and then so on, so forth. I don't remember the last time I've watched so many shows, being more of a reader than anything else. But for now, Korean dramas are fueling me.

2) Forever 21 ring

A simple band with diamante details, it came as a set with 2 more elaborate rings. I wear it alone, and I think it gives the perfect touch of delicate femininity (hahah ... that sounds like a load of bullcrap, I know...but seriously, it really does!)

3) Etude House Sweet Recipe My Dear Jelly Lips Talk in Strawberry Syrup (JPK002)

As mentioned here, it has a lovely hydrating feel and the color gives a perfect "I just bit into a strawberry" look

4) Innisfree No-Sebum Mineral Powder

This really helps with giving the face a smooth and flawless finish, and helps keep the oils at bay. Using this along with Revlon's Colorstay foundation has given me the longest lasting matte finish I've experienced in a long time.

5)  Asian treats and pastries

I don't know if this is from watching all those Korean dramas, or me just missing home more, but I am definitely craving more Asian food these days. BBQ pork buns, red bean paste buns, etc, etc, etc. I've been making more visits to my local Asian grocery store in this past month that I have been in the previous 6 months!

Random Files: March 2014 Favorites

1) Sarabeth's Pineapple Mango Spreadable Fruit - Using this to make a vinaigrette-type dressing using MissGlamorazzi aka Ingrid's recipe has resulted in me actually CRAVING salads. And as you can see by the amount left in the jar, it was pretty much salads for lunch (and sometimes dinner) for almost the whole month of March (which is probably 10x the amount of salad I have ever eaten in my entire life prior to this discovery...healthy eater, I am not)

2) Trader Joe's milk chocolate bars - Speaking of unhealthy, I have also been having a serious craving for chocolate this past month. It is most likely due to all that salad-eating that is going on...my body can't take that much goodness. These bars are the perfect size as they are smaller than normal bars of chocolates, so  if  when I end up devouring the whole thing, I won't feel too guilty

3) bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Get Ready - This came in my March Ipsy bag, and I am IN love. First - it is a mini lipstick (who doesn't like miniature everything?!) and the color is an amazing wear-everyday color (which is an area that need some help since I prefer buying bold lip colors. That probably explains why I have 50 red lip products) and the formula of the product is intensely hydrating. I have other colors I want to try in my Sephora cart, all ready for their VIB spring sale event that is slotted to start this Thursday

4) Racinne Ultimate Youth Power Serum - I got a deluxe sample of this in one of my now-unsubscribed Blush.com Mystery box from last year. I am always leery of trying random products from unknown brands, so that's why this has been sitting untouched for months. But in conjunction with my resolution to take care of my skin (rather than spending the money on makeup to cover up), I realized that I should start using a serum. This serum is meant to help with aging (not something I gravitate towards, but should, now that I have reached my 30s) and oh my....My skin was smoother, makeup applies more evenly and the scent was amazing. I found that I subconsiously looked forward to the moment when I can use this product during my morning and evening skincare routine. I've since purchased the full size version during Dermstore.com's Friends & Family event a few weeks ago, along with the eye serum (which had rave reviews, since it was part of another beauty subscription's monthly box last year)

5) Embrace series by Jessica Shrivingon - I am an avid reader, and recently have been including Young Adult books into my stack to be checked out at my local library. These books have a fantasy twist to it - like Twilight is to vampires, this is to fallen/cast-off angels with a biblical theme. The heroine is quite annoying at times (not unlike Bella in the Twilight series!) but overall, I have really enjoyed them. I am currently on the third book, and I just saw that the fourth is to be released later this year.

6) Ovaltine - Given that I grew up in Malaysia, my preferred choice of chocolate powder mix is Milo. But I saw this in Target a few weeks ago, and decided to try it for ha-has. You can mix this directly into cold milk and voila -- chocolate milk! This is a malt mix, so it has added vitamins and minerals, and is now a firm favorite for both my daughter and I.

7) Amazon.com - Like I've mentioned here, Amazon is one of my favorite sites to scour for items I never knew I needed to have. My credit card statement from March is littered with charges from here because you know my life is not complete without a potato ricer, a case of Korean Ramen noodles and a 3D Victorian Doll House pop-up book, amongst other things. Yes, I have issues.

Random Files: February 2014 Favorites

1) Chanel Classic M/L Flap in navy - Absolutely head-over-heels in love. I've never felt so excited and giddy unboxing a bag before...not even my very first designer bag. This is truly my cream of the crop, most favorite bag that I own.

2) Clear Nourishing Shampoo and Deep Nourishing Treatment Mask - One hears it all the time: "Don't wash your hair every day". Well, I am one who has been doing that all my life. But I tried to follow what they say...and ended up with oily, limp hair. And worst of all, I got myself an itchy scalp along with bumps and scabs. Too graphic? Sorry. I guess my scalp started breaking out and these hair products have really helped soothe and put it back on the right track.

3) Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava Body Butter - This was part of my February Ipsy bag. It smells delicious. Actually, almost all of their body butter smells delicious. Definitely one of my favorite brands that Ipsy has introduced me to.

4) Rediscovering my old red lip favorites - Revlon Lip Butter in Cherry Tart and Covergirl Lip Perfection in Everlasting Immortal. Actually, my number one old-favorite is Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet. But it has mysteriously disappeared during one of the movements between the makeup drawer, bathroom, and my bag. Durn gremlins!

5) BBC Good Food - a great source of recipes that usually turn out successful. An important detail when we are talking about my sad attempts in the kitchen. Also, I dream of moving to England and marrying an English gentleman. So this is good practice to ensure that I can whip up toad-in-the-holes and steak and ale pies to feed said English gentleman. I dream...