Blogmas 7, 2013 ❄ LOTD: theBalm Meet Matt(e) Nude

I guess I'm too little too late on this palette. I've purchased this a while ago, but I haven't had a chance to try them on till now. I've always wanted all-matte shadows palette, and let me just break it out to you, this is great! 

Blogmas 6, 2013 ❄ Chat Away: The Sound of Music Live, Naked 3

Greetings from under the blanket! 

Sorry for such a late post in the day. It was a moving day at the office for me - moving to a new cube that is. The weather here in San Jose is getting colder and colder. I'm bundling up with layers as I'm typing this. I have a new beauty-related post coming up tomorrow, promise.

 Let me just chat away for now. 

Who watched The Sound of Music last night? I'm a huge fan of the movie, so when I heard NBC is producing the broadway I was excited. I think Carrie Underwood did a pretty good job last night. One thing that I noticed was the lack of chemistry between the casts. It was a pity. The frumpy clothes also didn't do her any justice. The singing was outstanding, as always. I applaud her for doing the show live and having the courage to be compared with Julie Andrews by millions of people. Although, now that I mention it, I realized I didn't even think of the original movie a bit last night. I was just enjoying the musical as it is. Great job NBC. I read nasty reviews about the show. Let me just say, everyone's entitled to their opinions, and I think it was a great show. 

And do y'all know that Naked 3 palette is finally available at Sephora and Ulta? I did place my order last night as soon as I found out. I've been waiting for buy it for my mom, and I think I'm a bit sucked in to the hype thanks to Urban Decay. It seems like a smart move to make people want something that they can't have right away. I remember one day I got an email from the website letting me know that the palette is back on stock. At that time, I was still contemplating whether I should get the naked3 or 2. When I was done thinking, the palette was already sold out again! Jeez! 

I will do a blog post as soon as I receive it. But you can see the review from Tiffany from MakeupbyTiffanyD here. She also has swatches on her blog. 

I took my exam yesterday. I felt 50/50 about it, so we'll see. I feel like I'm never prepared to fail at something, so if I fail this one....argh, I don't even wanna think about that. 

Thank you every one for dropping by.

Happy Friday!

Blogmas 5, 2013 ❄ Luck

It's the day of my third exam. For those who don't know, I'm currently taking CPA - Certified Public Accountants - exams. There are four exams total, each covers different materials, Regulations, Business Environmental and concepts, Auditing and Attestation, and Financial Accounting Reporting. Sounds exciting, ei? Once I pass all four, I will need to take another ethics exam, but it's a take-home exam, which means that I do the exam at home in my own time. My friend told me it's still a challenging test regardless.

Anyway, I've studied for about one and a half month for this one, Auditing. I felt pretty good, but still I don't think I can ever feel ready for an exam. I just have to go do it and see it for myself. 

My friends who know I'm taking the test today said "Good luck" to me. Almost all of them say good luck. And every single time people say that to me, I always feel the need to correct them but I always manage to just smile and say thanks instead.

I remember a while back my best friend's response to me when I told him good luck for something. I don't remember his exact words, but he said something like this, "I don't need luck. I've got God by my side." I was like an aha moment for me. I said good luck all the time because it is a customary thing to do. It's like as if it has no important meaning, and it's just something people say. But really, when I think about it, there's no such thing as luck. 

You might not agree with me, it's okay. But I don't believe in luck. Sure, I can't explain all the things that happen in the world, but I do believe God has a purpose for everything and luck has nothing to do with it. If I pass my exams, it's not because of luck for sure. 

So instead of saying good luck, I say "All the best!" or "Good grace!"

Thanks for reading! 

Blogmas 4, 2013 ❄ What Christmas is All About

Last night, on History channel, a documentary about Christmas was on. I was studying and didn't pay attention until the narrator mentioned something about the tradition/culture of Christmas.

The show went on about how there had been two kinds of celebration in respect of Christmas - the religious one, and the not-so. People outside the church took the opportunity to celebrate by getting drunk and partying. It got me thinking. People around the world celebrate Christmas, but do they really know what Christmas is all about? 

Later on that night, The Voice was on. The Top 6 sang "O Holy Night". It was a very profound and somewhat majestic arrangement to me. It got my eyes screwed to the telly as I was listening to their beautiful singing. I believe most of you are familiar about the song. For me, it is a true song of Christmas telling what all the celebration is all about.

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!"

                                                                                               -O Holy Night

Christmas deserves a celebration, but it's not for the reason that I myself am guilty of doing.  Christmas is about the birth of the King of the world, the savior, Jesus Christ. The reason I'm sharing about this it not to kill the joy of Christmas spirit, rather to bring back the spirit in its true meaning. This is a beautiful time of the year, and it's all because Jesus was born. And for that I am forever grateful.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."

-Luke 2:11 (NIV)

On other note, today is my anniversary with my boyfriend. I am grateful to have him in my life and hope to spend more coming years together.

Blogmas 3, 2013 ❄ Saturday in the City and FOTD: Chanel Vitalumière Aqua & Lioele Pearl Base

Last Saturday, to "celebrate" the almost end of thanksgiving weekend, I went to Union Square, San Francisco. The place is such a trouristy stuff that it's always packed and overly crowded with shoppers. It's been while since I was there, so my boyfriend agreed to go promising not to be grumpy throughout the trip. lol

One of birthday presents I got was Chanel Vitalumière Aqua foundation. The price tag always hindered me from buying because I had enough foundation I could spare, but really good foundation is a form of investment, and brushes too because they base your makeup look pretty much. 

Blogmas 2, 2013 ❄ Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

dim light, incandescent light, radiant light

I've heard on and on raves about Hourglass ambient lighting powder, but really I don't need any other highlighter. Then holiday season comes, and the rest is history. When I saw this limited edition palette which is exclusive to Sephora, I caved. 

Blogmas 1, 2013 ❄ What's in my bag - Coach Legacy Mini Tanner Bag

It's the first blogmas in 2013. Yay! 

Coach Legacy Mini Tanner in deep port

Lately I have been really into the color deep red/oxblood/beet/dee port or whatever you may call it, but for me it's a deep red/burgundy color that is perfect for the season. From shoes, sweaters, and now bag. 

I wanted a crossbody bag for when I'm out and about. I'm a casual dresser from day to day, but I do pay more attention in accessories. I do a simple bag like this one can make an outfit. I love how the color goes perfectly for every outfit I wear, bur moreover I really like how lightweight and easy-to-style this bag is. I can dress it up or down, whichever I have my mood set on.