I am finally back from my unannounced hiatus! I was just started getting used to blogging regularly and lost track as finals and end of the semester projects/papers came rolling in. But those are officially done with!
So glad...my head felt like it was going to explode from all the info I had to remember :X Who else feels the same way during their tests? >___< All-nighters definitely do not help with stress. I can't wait to crawl into bed and get a good rest before trying to plan what to do with myself over my first long summer break.
Before I adjust to regular posts again, here are some photos of what happened in between studying and school work the last month or so. If you have Instagram feel free to follow me at lavlilacs. Otherwise, I'll try to share what goes on here for those without smartphones :]
Been making a lot of pasta for lunch on weekends at home. Doesn't taste bad (but then again it is just jar sauce hehe). My biggest cooking accomplishment so far was boiling a very nice egg, which was harder the first time around than I originally anticipated/expected :X
First & Second attempts ever trying to make pancakes.
Very yummy! Both from scratch. I love how I can control the sweetness. I actually used honey and it wasn't overly sweet at all. However, my mom thinks I should just use box-mixes because I cause less of a mess xD
Nothing beats chicken soup and watermelons :D
Went out with the besties a month ago to eat around St.Marks. This particular restaurant was okay. They had an interesting green tea noodle option but did not have available when we went. 2 of 3 at the table ordered the "Spicy Ramen" and I was thinking more Ramen House style. But these tasted/looked and probably was just Shin Ramyun...The Nutella toast, on the other hand, tasted good. Not something I'd get often, but just felt like trying it.
OPI Lucerne-Tainly Look Marvelous & OPI Rumples Wiggin with Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure on ring finger
Outing with mom during Spring Break
Mom, brother, and I decided to go to an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant for lunch. If I had any idea how bad it would turn out...I'd never have suggested it in the first place. I've been to this restaurant a few times before with the besties. Their food service tasted much better than that day I went with the family. But that wasn't the bad part; when someone who is inexperienced suggests the experienced to do something...stand your ground! We ended up choosing way too much for us to handle =.= Pictured was already round 2 or 3 of food...Just thinking about it makes me queazy hah But for the price, I'd still go back (only a handle full of times per year though)...I'll endure the average service.
Sitting in traffic with a full stomach has its pros and cons!
Spent a day with mom at Ikea furniture browsing. That place is huge! Never go without leaving at least an hour or two to walk the entire showroom.
The first outfit I'm sharing with everyone. Probably only one...ever? It's hard to see but I was wearing booties. Boy, do heels hurt! If I'd known we were going to Ikea, I would have worn my chucks.
Right is the lovely view from probably the few/only window in the Ikea showroom. Isn't it pretty? :D
My own purple & white fake flowers arrangement! Pretty and good for allergy sufferers like me xD
Maybe it's because I only wear converses and sometimes flats, but I love to try on shoes! :D Sadly I didn't end up buying either of them but they sure look nice...
Auntie went masks shopping a couple of weeks ago and came back fully stocked for months! I've never used My Scheming Faces Masks before. Although I usually can't tell the different effects the masks have on my face anyway, I still love how relaxing it feels to have one on my face.
More recently
Watched...The Avengers. I'm not into Superheroes. But since the only chance I get to go to the theaters is to accompany my brother, I decided to go. There were many good reviews about it and I found it very enjoyable. I especially loved all the sarcasm! I'm not sure how or if there will be an Avengers 2 but I hope it'll be as good as this one.
Received...My phone case! I ordered this off eBay when I got my phone last month and it arrived last week. Fail postal service much? Nonetheless, I love it! It covers the back and front. Although...I snapped the case on to try it on and cannot figure out how to take it off without potentially breaking off the little extensions/clips that hold the two pieces together...Maybe I'll try again when I've used this case for a longer time. Must see how well the image lasts because I have a hunch it'll wear off after time :|
Don't worry! I will make it my mission this summer to update more often and hopefully some new/interesting things (if it happens in my boring life xD).
Product Description & Ingredients:
Places to Purchase:
Sasa< Try your local Asian beauty store!
What you'll see after opening the box
Packaging:
Glass jar with a plastic lid. I love glass jars because it gives the packaging some weight. I won't feel like I'll knock it over very easily. However, the lid is such a disappointment. It feels so cheap and flimsy...Besides that, I'm usually not too bothered by jarred products but this one is a little different. You can see that the jar actual tapers from small at the bottom to bigger at the top and then even smaller where the opening is. It was very difficult to get the product out from under that crevice!
Directions:
✻ (From packaging) Cleanse face and used toner, apply cream to the forehead, chin, cheek, and neck area, then spread out evenly and gently massage until thoroughly absorbed. Recommended use in mornings and evenings.
✻ (What I did) Take some product onto my fingers, rub my fingers together slightly, smooth the product onto my face, and then pat it into my skin.
I tried their method and I prefer my method. I'm not too sure how to massage my face and I don't want to just massage randomly and possibly cause wrinkling.
Positives:
✻ Affordable, but can be pricey depending on the seller. Sasa's price is relatively low.
✻ Moisturizes well, but sometimes wasn't enough against my flaky skin.
✻ Did not break me out
✻ Isn't oily. I felt it was actually very light for a cream product.
✻ Has hyaluronic acid
Negatives:
✻ Difficult to get a hold of. Must buy online for the low price.
✻ Packaging is a big turn off.
✻ Other than moisturizing, I didn't really see the other claims happen on my skin
✻ Has parabens
✻ Has fragrance
Repuchase?
Probably not. It was okay while it lasted but nothing wowed me...
Recommend?
Hard to say...Maybe if you need to add something for free-ship on Sasa? As a moisturizer, I think there are better alternatives out there.
Rating:
3.5
Disclaimer: These are just the results I had while using the product. Remember, everyone else's skin is different!! What may have worked for me, may not work for you & what may not have worked for me, may work for you. Try the product at your own risk! I bought this product with my own money and am in no way connected to the companies mentioned. This is my honest opinion!
Description/Claims (taken from the packaging):
Provides your skin with an immediate surge of active moisture to soothe dryness without a greasy feel. Leaves skin softer, smoother, and more supple. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
I'm not sure how well their line-soothing and wrinkle-repairing properties are because I do not have these skin conditions yet. But as for softer, smoother and more supple skin...I think it did that well for me.
Places to Purchase:
In the US, any drugstore will probably have this.
I'm not sure about other countries though. Sorry! :| If anyone sees this post here and I'll add it to the list!
I've also seen these in two different sizes, the one I bought and used is the smaller of the two. There is also a cream version that is in a jar rather than the tube.
Packaging:
It is a squeeze bottle. After you open the cap, there is a hole where the product can come out which makes it very easy to control how much product you want to use. However, I find that it is difficult to get every last drop. As I got to the last bits of the product, I had to keep the bottle upside down so I wouldn't have to stand and shake the bottle like a crazy person so the product would come out... Although for the price, I guess I can't complain too much?
Ingredients:
Directions:
✻ (From packaging) Smooth onto your face and neck every day to help restore softer, smoother skin. Avoid contact with the eye.
✻ (What I did) I put a generous amount on my hands, rub my hands together slightly, lightly "smooth" the product onto my face, and then pat the product into my skin.
I like doing it this way because I found that when I directly rubbed the product onto my face it would leave patches/lines (like pictured below). The product is pretty thick so it takes a while to fully rub the product in. Sometimes I do not notice the patches until after I wear my glasses because it doesn't feel patchy at all, so it's a hassle to have to take my glasses off to make sure all the product is applied well.
Positives:
✻ Very affordable
✻ Easy to get
✻ Very moisturizing and made my skin feel pretty smooth
✻ Didn't break me out
✻ No parabens ... for those who are conscious of that ingredient
Negatives:
✻ Has fragrance. It's a very...powdery scent? I can't place my finger on what exactly it is but there is a scent to it. However, I got used to it after a while and it didn't bother me as much afterward.
✻ Has mineral oil & petrolatum & silicones ... could be potentially pore-clogging even though they say it won't.
✻ Has color ... if anyone is sensitive to that.
Repurchase?
Yes! Despite the bad ingredients, this moisturizer really did help my skin during the winter time. Also, I bought this because Lil Lady's Life recommended it to me after I mentioned how the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo was giving me terrible dry patches when I initially used it. This worked wonders to help the patches subside. Remember a few posts ago I mentioned how my skin felt very soft and I didn't know if it was my moisturizer, Genie in a Bottle serum, or Josie Maran sunscreen? After this item was finished and I only had the latter 2 products left in my regime...I knew the answer. It was the Olay Beauty Fluid. I hate it when something works so well but could potentially be bad for my skin. But if it comes to it and my skin needs it, I will get it! However, before my skin gets to that state I will be diligently looking for a better alternative :] This will be my backup/last resort...emergency moisturizer!
Recommend?
Depends. If your skin isn't too bothered my mineral oil/petrolatum/silicones/fragrances/color and is in need of something pretty moisturizing, give it a try!! But if your skin is rather sensitive...I'd stay away just to be safe.
Rating:
4.5
Disclaimer: These are just the results I had while using the product. Remember, everyone else's skin is different!! What may have worked for me, may not work for you. Try with your own risk! But since most drugstores (at least in the US) have a good return policy if this doesn't work well for you. I bought this product with my own money and am in no way connected to the company. This is my honest opinion!
