31 Days of Fabulous December

That's it! I'm back! It's been so long and I admit I was battling with myself on how I wanted to handle this blogging business. I realize that I was approaching this whole thing wrong. I was constantly struggling with coming up with new ideas to blog about that I would end up just not doing it at all. The result.....long drawn out periods of nothing. So I've decided to approach this whole thing differently.

You know how people come up with New Year's resolutions? Well I've started a month early. What better time to re-boot my blog than Christmas time? This is the truly the best time of the year. Not only is it Christmas but it is also my birthday (December 23). The month is packed full of holiday parties and family gatherings, not to mention an excuse to go out and hit the malls and be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city. Gotta love the holiday chaos!

So here comes 31 days of Fabulous December. Tune in!

A Beautiful Spring Day for a Wedding

Wow it's been awhile since my last post I know, but here I am attempting to get back into the swing of things. Lots of new changes in my life, just started a  new day job, still working my part time job, and still at it for school. Yes I am a busy bee. On the flip side we received our wedding photos and I thought I would share our beautiful wedding with all you here on my blog.

We got married on May 19,2012

Vietnamese Au Yai for the Morning Tea Ceremony (my husband is half-Viet, half-Chinese

My hair was done by a friend who's a hair stylist and I did my own makeup

 

Our Wedding Party

Our bouquets also done by a friend that is a florist, our theme was white, purple and champagne

  

My shoes from Steve Madden

The Laotian Blessing Ceremony

Our Guestbook for signing, a collage of our engagement photos

 

The main centrepieces for each families' tables, both our families are huge!

Our wedding cake which my sis-in-law made

 

Our first dance, "A Thousand Years" By: Christina Perri

Photographer: Chou Xiong

Check out some of her amazing work on her blog: http://mon-petit-photography.blogspot.ca/

How to: Transform your T-Shirt

1) A basic cotton, henley tee will do. These are nice for the summer because they are simple and lightweight. I got this one from Aerie on sale for $12.

2) I always hated these little strings that came in my shirts. I guess they are there to make hanging shirts easier, but to me they were just unnecessary and I would usually just cut them out. UNTIL NOW!

3) Wrap the string around your sleeve until you only have a little bit of string left

4) Knot the end of the string. (I realized afterwards how much easier it was to tie a knot first and then wrap the string around. So feel free to switch step 4 and step 3)

5) Tuck the knotted end into a loop to secure.

6) Et Voila! Transformed tee for those extra hot days.

 Enjoy the rest of the summer everyone!

Bye Bye Hairiness, Hello Silk'n Sensepil

Silk'n Sensepil $500

I did it! I purchased a big one! The Silk'n Sensepil! Retailed for $500 I cut myself a sweet deal otherwise I would have never gotten the device:
Retail Price: $500 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
- Vendor Coupon = $100
- Shoppers Employee Discount 30% = $150
- Redeemed Optimum Points = $170
+ HST 13% (damn taxes) = $45.50
= $125.50

The Silk'n Sensepil is an at home laser hair removal system. It's been approved by the FDA, Health Canada and is dermatologist and basically every-girl-at-my-workplace recommended! I did a lot of research prior to purchasing this system as well as my knowledge from aesthetics school about laser hair removal. It's got all your basic contraindications regarding laser hair removal:

Actual Silk'n Sensepil Machine

- avoid usage on tanned skin (recommended 4 weeks after sun exposure and 2 weeks before)


- will not work on naturally dark skin (sorry my African American friends)

- keep away from eyes (sorry eyebrows)

- will not work on gray or blonde hairs, best suited for pale skin with dark hair

Silk'n Sensepil Light Cartridge

These are the same contraindications that any laser hair removal would give you, even at the salon or dermatologist's clinics. Also important to know this is not permanent hair removal it is hair reduction.

So since I just got it it will be awhile before I see any results. I did try it for the first time today on my underarms and at first I jumped when I did the first pulse because it feel an immediate warmth and slight sting. It doesn't hurt but it is definitely a surprising sensation for the first time.

I'll wait a few months to post an update on how the system is working for me. Wish me luck!

If you want more information on hair removal methods read this post I wrote last year as a refresher!

Hair be Gone it's Summer Time!

Makeup Haul Review #1

So these are just a few items I've picked up over the past month or so that I wanted to share with you guys. I picked these five because I really really love them and I find myself using on almost a daily basis.

1) Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer $22
I used to use the Urban Decay Primer Potion religiously for probably the past two years until one I found it just wasn't potent enough. Maybe I've grown immune to it now, I don't know. Damn my oily eyelids! So it was time to switch it up and I grabbed the Smashbox one and glad I did. It's so hard for me to find a good primer in any form so I was happy to see that this one worked so well. What I like most about this primer is that not only does it help your eyeshadow stay on longer and eliminates creasing, it also creates a neutral beige base so that your eyeshadows show up more vivid. I have read reviews that alot of people don't like the colour of the primer, so if you do have a darker skintone....then I probably would not recommend.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

2) Lancome Hypnose Mascara in Black $31 
 This was my first luxury brand mascara purchase. Verdict? It's alright. Nothing special considering the price, but I still use it every day so I can't say it's bad. It does the trick, makes your lashes look super long and fuller and doesn't clump. My quest for the perfect mascara shall continue.




3) Benefit Erase Paste in No. 2 Medium $30
The one I have in the picture is actually a smaller sample size that I got in the Finding Mr.Bright kit. The full size pot is about double the size. I really love this product. Not only does it cover my dark circles very well but it also brightens up the area. The concealer  has a pink base which is a must for covering dark circles. When I finish this mini sized one I'll definitely be picking up the full size one.

4) Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Ash/Medium Brown $29
So I totally bit the bullet when I purchased this brow duo. Seriously I just spent $29 on a brow powder? I seriously did go on a hunt for a good brow powder that matched perfectly and it's just impossible. So I decided to go to the brow expert, Anastasia and I picked this up. I'm so happy I did because I love this duo. I went with a lighter colour because I have pretty dark and full brows already I just wanted to fill in some sparse areas and define them a bit more, so this duo is perfect for me. I use the lighter shade (medium ash) to fill in spaces first, and then I go over with the darker shade (medium brown) to define my brows more. Definite purchase if you're also searching for a good brow powder.

5) MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack $18
I use liquid liner religiously. Always have, always will. But sometimes you just need a softer look, but you don't want to sacrifice the long wear and staying power of your lids. I heard so many great things about the MAC Fluidline, so I purchased it and I really like it! It stays on pretty well, no transfer of liner onto my lids. I must warn if you do open your eyes immediately after applying the gel then yes it will transfer, so let it dry a bit. It's really nice for everyday when you don't want to have such dramatic eye liner.

Hope you enjoyed this little review. There will definitely be more to come.