random rambles

things that are currently making me happy:
* juicy couture tracksuits and jewelry (I want a charm bracelet although I don't think I'll really wear it because I just want to buy all of their adorable charms!)
* F21
* shearling
* yoga
* pilates
* EGGS (I <3 them! my roommates think it's gross how many eggs I eat)

things that are currently making me UNhappy
* job searching
* my MAC All That Glitters e/s shattering on the plane ride
* raggedy cuticles
* weather that can't make up its mind (hurry up and become fall so I can wear all my cute new things!)

Online Shopping!

I've been shopping online in the past few weeks to take the edge of having to come back to school. Here's some pics of my recent online haul. :)

I got some NYX lipstuffs from cherryculture.com - from top to bottom, it's round lipgloss in Whipped, Mega Shine lipgloss in Smokey Look, Round lipgloss in Sorbet, and 2 l/l in Natural because they were BOGOF at $2!

I like the formula of the Mega Shine l/g better than the round l/g, but overall, I'm really happy with my purchase. The colors are so pretty and the products are all pretty pigmented. Sorbet is the PERFECT baby pink l/g - it's everything I wanted Underage to be, even though Underage is way too white on me. Whipped is a great nude l/g that kind of reminds me of MAC C-Thru, which I lent my friend one night we went out clubbing and never got back. :( My fav out of the products is Smokey Look l/g - it's a gorgeous natural warm l/g. Love love love it.

Next I took advantage of the 60% off boutique brand sale that they have going on at makeup.com. I got Too Faced diamond gloss in pink diamond and Vincent Longo diamond wet/dry eyeshadow in Dawn Flesh:
I LOVE these! the TF l/g is sooooo smooth and has the prettiest microshimmers that make my lips look fuller! It's brighter than what I wanted, so I'm contemplating getting some more colors. The VL e/s is kind of gritty and sucks when you use it dry, but it's gorgeously shimmery when you apply it wet. It really makes your lids sparkle like diamonds!

I also ordered this awesome Jami Rodriguez necklace off of Hautelook.com because it's originally around $100 and it was on sale for $45. I also had a $10 off coupon, so I got this necklace for only about $35!

MAC has been having a ton of free ship codes lately, so I also got the lipstick in Shy Girl, which I've been wanting for a while but which has been sold out for the longest time at my counters. I love this shade. It's a really pretty almost nudish corally peachy shade.
I can see this working really well with the NYX l/g I got.

And the last item I got is this awesome keyboard protector for my macbook pro! My boyfriend got this for me and I get a ton of compliments on it from my classmates. :) I type really fast so I get self-conscious about my loud typing in class sometimes, so this helps muffle the sounds.

And that's it for now! I also ordered a bunch of stuff at F21 because I needed some layering camis and socks. I can't wait to get that package on Monday!

HAIR

I have to start off by saying that I love long hair. I think it just embodies femininity and I just love the glamorous look it can give off. I also love big hair, especially with big luscious waves.

I am pretty lazy about my hair but have gotten a little bit better with it lately. I LOVE watching the youtube tutorials by the gorgeous Imogen as I find them super helpful, and she has this really pleasant voice that's nice to listen to as well.

I have long hair to the middle of my back. Most days, it's just wash and go. But when I feel like styling it, I like to play it up with lots of waves.

I am normally a salon brand snob when it comes to hair care products, but have recently started using drugstore products because I am now a poor student! Unfortunately, this has just reminded me why I am so picky with shampoo and conditioner - d/s brands do NOT work on my hair!

For some background info, I have long Asian hair, medium thickness, medium density, that tends to frizz. I find that I have to use at least twice the amount of product when I use drugstore products, and that I end up with a lot more frizzies. I'm currently using Pantene's s&c meant for long hair, and I am not a fan. The search continues!

I remember having good luck with the L'Oreal Nutri Gloss line (light pink) though, so I'm thinking of trying that out again. I normally have really good luck with Shiseido Tsubaki, Healthy Sexy Hair, and Biolage.

As far as styling products go, I mostly use the ones pictured above. I LOVE hot rollers and I have a Conair set that I use, along with some curling irons from Hot Tools.

The products pictured above are some of my mainstay products. I like to always have a spray mousse, like the one pictured above from Big Sexy Hair. I'm not too picky about which brand I get it from, as I've had good luck with this line, but also with Redken Guts and Tigi's Queen for a Day spray mousse (The TIGI one also smells like grape candy!). I like to use some of this product at the roots before blowdrying. It helps to hold my hair better when I backcomb afterwards.

Next in line is the Tigi superstar blowdry lotion. I honestly haven't seen that much of a change in my hair since using it, but a lot of bloggers say it makes their hair look thicker? So I'm still experimenting with this one. This also kind of smells like grape candy (yum!).

Next is Vavoom by Matrix forming gel. "Gel?" you ask? I know, right? It totally reminds me of those spiky haired boys from junior high, but this is one of the best products ever for holding a curl. My hair HATES to hold a curl. I like to emulsify this product in my palms, mix it with some shine serum, and apply it to ends before curling. It works great! it does make my hair a bit crunchy though.

Next up is Kenra's heat protecting spray. This works like the gel, but it's a spray formula. It helps my hair really hold styles but can make it kinda crunchy. Plus it's supposed to protect my hair from the heat, so I guess that's a good thing.

I then have one of my HGs- Paul Mitchell super skinny serum. This serum is awesome! It makes my hair look sleek and smooth and makes it dry at least 10 minutes faster than when I don't use it. It's pretty pricy though, and I go through it pretty fast, so I just bought a generic version at Sally's. I haven't used it yet, though, so I'll report back once I do.

The next two products are heat protectants (boring, but feel free to ask if you're curious).

The last product is Proclaim's hair oil. One of my favorite things to do for my hair (well, not favorite, bc it's pretty annoying, but favorite because it makes my hair look amazing) is douse my hair in oil, pop a shower cap on, and then sleep with it. The next morning, I wash it out, and ta-da! Gorgeous sleek shiny hair. This oil is ok but it has kind of a sickeningly sweet smell. I think I prefer jojoba oil but that can get kind of pricy. For the price, this is a decent product. I'm going to try regular olive oil in my hair next. :)

And now, here are just some random pics I felt like sharing:

Blast from the past:

Did you guys have an American Girl doll when you were growing up? I begged and pleaded for my parents to buy me this doll when I was in the 6th grade, and they finally gave in. She was my fav American Girl because she was the prettiest. (hehe, vanity at such a young age!) But I just found out that they got rid of her!!! How dare they. She had the best clothes!!!

And one last random pic. My bf's family, my bf, and I are all obsessed with the Showtime tv show "Dexter". So here's a gingerbread cookie my bf made for that show: Not bad huh? But I think he should still stick with his day job. ;)

Guilty Pleasures

So lately, I've been indulging myself a lot and began wondering about guilty pleasures. Everyone has them. For me, they include:

* watching HSN or QVC for over an hour while they sell cosmetics... my fav is Adrien Arpel. I always cringe as she slaps her 80s makeup on the poor models faces. WHY does she never put makeup on their nose??? For the love of god, COVER THEIR NOSE!

* plowing through a tub of ice cream or a chocolate bar (LOVE Godiva, Sees, and Cadbury) by myself

* reading cheesy chick lit (pretty much everything by Jane Green) or cheesy books in general (I'm reading Twilight right now)

* watching Saturday morning cartoons that I'm WAY too old for (what can I say? Ninja Turtles still rock. Although they no longer have that sweet van that shoots pizzas anymore.)

and sometimes they can be as simple as enjoying a really great cup of coffee or tea and indulging in a two hour long phone conversation with a friend, or just zoning out and forgetting about responsibilities for a while. Like they say, it's the little things in life that count.

What are some of your guilty pleasures?

Ten Products I'm Loving Right Now

Here are some products that I'm just loving and using everyday lately:

1. TF bronzer in Chocolate Soleil: my FAV. I don't really use bronzer to look more tan; I just use it for contouring. This product is perfect for that because it's matte and brown with no red tones. It's pretty dark but you can really sheer it out using a fluffy brush and a light application. Plus it smells like coco pebbles and tastes sweet if you get some in your mouth by accident! (makes me want to eat it hehehe). I'm a MAC C3 and it's absolutely perfect on me for contouring.

2. Ardell lashes in #101: I have Asian eyes, and I need a fuller lash to make my eyes look really defined; those spiky lashes don't really work on me. These lashes are perfect and really work for just about any occasion. I do like to wear some longer lashes for a night out, but this lash works for just about anything, so it's a great standby. It's quickly become my new fav.

3. MAC eyeshadow in Naked Lunch: this is PERFECT for everyday on my C3 skintone; it's a great MLidsBB. It is just slightly lighter than my skintone and has a great shimmer that brightens up my eye area.

4. DDF Glycolic 10% Toning Complex: I've been having a lot of problems lately with my skin; it's been breaking out in weird bumps and stuff. This product has really helped to clear up my problems; I've noticed that my skin has become a lot smoother and softer since I've begun using this (it's been about 3 weeks). It smells like crap and kind of tingles when I use this, but it's so worth it!

5. MAC l/l in Subculture: the perfect MLBB. It really helps make y lips look slightly fuller because it's light and lip-colored.

6. Coastal Scents Pink Semi Firm Pointed Crease Brush: this brush is amazing and only $3.95! It's very firm and has a fine point at the end. I can use the wider side of the brush for wider application of eyeshadow, and then I use the pointed side of the brush to line my lower lashline.

7. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk: This is my favorite pencil for lining my inner lower lashline for that bright-eyed effect. I know a lot of people don't like using a white eyeliner on the lower lashline but I love it because I think it really opens my eyes up. This creamy pencil lasts all day. It's also a good backup eyeshadow base - the white color really brings out all the colors of the eyeshadows I apply over it.

8. NARS blush in Deep Throat: this has been kind of languishing in my collection, but I began wearing it everyday lately. It's the perfect shimmery peach that brings out my cheekbones.

9. Scott Barnes eyeshadow in Lily: So sad that tbe Scott Barnes line is no longer around! This is the PERFECT highlight shade: it's a shimmery creamy off-white that doesn't look too obvious when you use it to highlight. If you can still get your hands on his line, he makes really amazing eyeshadows and blushes.

10. MAC eyeshadow in Mulch: I've been using this eyeshadow absolutely everyday. It's a shimmery bronze with slight red undertones that is great for contouring the eye area. You can use it lightly for a very natural contour, or darker for a smokier look.

20 Questions!

1. Things you cannot leave the house without: keys, cell phone, wallet

2. Favorite brand of makeup: MAC, NARS, Dior

3. Favorite clothing store: Abercrombie, F21, Club Monaco, Guess, J Crew

4. Favorite flower: Orchids, roses, lilies

5. Favorite perfume: changes all the time but currently chanel coco mlle

6. Heels or flats: Heels!

7. Do you make good grades: I find out in a week! squee!

8. Favorite colors: red and pink

9. Do you drink energy drinks: not really. Only when I'm having a vodka red bull.

10. Do you drink juice: rarely. I mainly drink only water and coffee.

11. Do you like swimming: I used to love it but it's been a while!

12. Do you eat fries with a fork? Wat? NO.

13. Favorite moisturizer: for face, right now I'm liking Korres sugar crystal cream and L'Oreal hydrafresh gel-creme. For body, I really like Jergens Skin Firming and TBS Vitamin E body butter.

14. Do you want to get married later on in life: Yes.

15. Do you get mad easily: Yes, but I'm working on controlling it!

16. Are you into ghost hunting: oh hell no. I can't even go to Knott's Scary Farm.

17. Any phobias: I'm scared of heights.

18. Do you bite your nails: Only when I'm super nervous or super bored.

19. Have you ever had a near death experience: I almost drowned when I was little, if that counts?

20. Do you drink coffee: too much of it, probably.

first blog award!

I got my first award today from the gorgeous Chloe! Now I have to say 7 facts about myself and then give the award to 7 other bloggers.

My 7 facts....

1. When I was little, I used to think that monsters would come out of the center of the earth when construction people drilled roads. I would get really worried if they drilled for too long.

2. I can't watch scary movies. They give me nightmares. I'm a big scaredy cat!

3. On a similar note, I get surprised really easily. It's really embarrassing because sometimes I get surprised by the dumbest things, like I'll be waiting for an elevator, and there will be a person inside that I didn't expect, and that will make me jump. *sigh* Lame.

4. I hate the taste of lamb. HATE IT.

5. I love pbj sandwiches. Like, I lived off of them for a month once. YUM.

6. I used to never cry watching movies and now I cry a lot! The first ten minutes of "Up" always get to me. *sniffle*

7. I have the worst immune system EVER. Airborne has been helping me a lot but if there's someone within 10 feet of me that's sick, chances are that I'll get sick too. Like, right now, I think I'm coming down with a cold because my brother's been sick. Boo.

And those are my 7 facts! Now I give the award to my favorite bloggers:

Imogen - imogenfoxylocks.blogspot.com

Desiree - luvgiambattista.blogspot.com

Crystal - makeupbycrystals.blogspot.com

ShopNChomp - shopnchomp.blogspot.com

Diane - orange2la.blogspot.com

Miss P - missp-princess-life.blogspot.com

Lina - www.thebeautylookbook.com