Throwing Make-Up Away *waah*

So I think this is something that most people don't do, but they're suppose to. After a certain amount of time, depending on the make-up, you're suppose to trash them after 6-12 months. Well, I have a really hard time doing that. It's near impossible to use up a whole thing of make-up in that time period. 

Sad to say, with cream shadows, you have to because they get hard and nasty. I opened my Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow today and my "Get Figgy" and " Skinny Jeans" were all dried up! I didn't even really get to use them that much. 

Am I the only one with attachment issues to my make-up?!?

You see how the bottom one is all shrunken around the sides? The top one is my newer one.

Chicken Adobo Recipe

I might not be Filipino, but I LOVE Filipino food. One of my all time favorite dishes to make is chicken adobo. It's delicious and easy to make! I find it difficult to find just the perfect amount of soy sauce/vinegar mix. I think my chicken adobo recipe is on point. One of the best I've ever had! :)

Chicken Adobo
1 lb      Chicken thigh/drumstick mix. (Which ever you prefer. This recipe had 6 thighs)
1/2       Yellow Onion Diced
2 tbsp   Minced garlic
3/4 cup Soy Sauce
1 cup    Vinegar
2 cup    Water
5           Bay leaves
1 tsp     Paprika
2 tbsp   Cornstarch
3 tbsp   Water
Salt & Pepper 
Olive Oil

• First, I add a little bit of olive oil to the bottom of the pot and saute the unions and garlic for a little bit. 
• Then I add the chicken and brown the skin. 
• Add the water, soy sauce and vinegar to the pot and stir to mix. Bring to a boil.
• Add bay leaves, paprika, salt & pepper(I use a metal tea defuser to hold the leaves so I don't have a hard time separating them later).
• Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, until the skin and chicken seems tender.
• In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water. Stir until completely dissolved.
• Add the cornstarch mixture to the pot and mix. Let it boil for an additional 5 minutes.

June's Glam Bag (Ipsy)

It has been a really long time since I've done a review on the Glam Bags. Actually, they're called IPSY bags now. I just wanted to start off by saying how glad I am that I did not cancel my subscription. At one point, I really felt like the products were not that exciting but ever since they've been changed to Ipsy, it has been really good! The products they are including, I feel are more usable and rewarding. I'm actually excited to use these products instead of putting them away in a drawer.

This month's theme is The Wild Side. Came with a leopard print bag which I am not a fan of, but I have to give them props for creating more creative bags.

Starlooks Lip Pencil in "Nude" -$12 original 

starlooks.com

I must say I was pretty excited to get a lip pencil in the bag only because I don't really have any. I know that when you wear lipstick, you really should to help it not run. I was somewhat disappointed that it's nude because I'm just not really into nude lips. I did still try it on and I have to give it a good rating still because it's creamy and easy to apply. Just wished that I got it in a different color! Plus, they gave this in what seems to me like a full size.

NYX Cosmetic Mosiac Powder Blush - $7
nyxcosmetics.com

Finally, more blush! I am really excited to get more blush. It's something that I never really use to get a variety of because I rather spend the money on lipstick :) But, I'm glad that they're giving it to us to try. I never really did quite understand how mosiac type blushes and bronzers work. That it picks up all the colors and swirls it when you apply? Nonetheless, I tried this one on this morning and I really like the color. It's a natural sunkissed type color. I'll have to see if it lasts me throughout the day.

J-Cas Sparkling Cream Palette in "SCP106" $4.49 original
jcatbeauty.com

I haven't tried this one yet, but I'm also really excited to. I'm digging the bright glitter look on the eyes. I've been using my ELF Liquid Liner in Copper over my usual eyeliner for a little bit of a sparkle. My only concern with cream liners is if it creases on my eyes. The last thing I want is big chunks of glitter creased together. Also, I'm worried it's not going to be easy to apply. I've had something like this before where it was more like a paste that was so chunky it's like applying glue to my eyes. I'll have to try this one out and review again later!

Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil - $18
chella.com

Okay, when I first got this I didn't know what to do with it. I applied it to the bottom of my lashline. Haha, I know right. I'm such a noob! So now that I read what you're suppose to do with it, it kind of makes more sense.

This fresh and pretty neutral pencil will brighten and visibly lift your eyes when lightly applied on the brow bone, dark circles, blemishes and redspots.

Directions: Draw a line under the brow bone with this creamy pencil and then pat gently into place using your 3rd (“ring”) finger.

Thank goodness for directions on websites right? I used it as a bottom liner to be honest, I thought it was like those eye widening liners they sell. Either way, it worked and its super creamy and blendable. I'll have to try it again as a highlighter.

J.Cas Eyelash & Eyelash Glue- $3.99
jcatbeauty.com

I didn't take a picture of this one. I totally forgot about it. I kind of stashed it away with all of my other fake lashes that I never wear. I really like fash lashes and the way it looks, but the reality of it is I never wear it. It's more of a rare ocassion thing, but it's just too time consuming to put on.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the bag. They are all things I feel like I could use. Plus, the are decent products! I do wish that I got the dry shampoo instead of the false lashes. I'm on the market for a good dry shampoo because I wash my hair every day and I know it's so bad. The ones I've tried so far just makes the texture of my hair super gritty.


Live l0ng and be beautiful!

I think it's our anniversary?

So as a woman, you would think that I remember anniversaries and all that important stuff right? WRONG. I have no idea what our anniversary is. We have a really weird relationship to begin with.

Today, however, marks 4 years to a very special day. It was so special that we decided to make it our anniversary date. I can't believe it's only been 4 years, but at the same time I CAN'T BELIEVE it's been 4 years!! Does that make sense? Before, to me, 4 years would seem like an extremely long relationship. Taking into consideration how far Brandon and I have come, it's hard to imagine all of this happened within 4 years!

Every relationship is a struggle, it's a struggle to find a mutual balance between two personalities and two different lives. Within trying to do that, we've managed to create two different life with two different personalities. (Bet you had to think about that one.)

When I had my wall up the highest, he tore it down with the least intentions. Maybe it was because I had my guard up that when I fell, I fell the hardest. He was a breath of fresh air to me. Someone, whom I fell in love with through conversations on the phone before we had actually met in person.

He is my heart, my baby daddy, my fiance, my biggest pest, my everyday annoyance, my polar bear, my big bone, my white ninja and most of all my companion. I complain about him more than I praise him. I love him more than I like him. But nonetheless, he is the one that I am willing to do all of that and more for!

Happy Made-Up Anniversary Babes!

Catching up!

There has been not a lot going on lately, but at the same time it feels like a lot has been done! So I'm going to touch on a couple subjects.

Chase had his FIRST talent show! It's not really a talent show, but more like the classes do a little performance. I was really anxious to see how he would respond being on stage in front of a group of people. He does get kind of shy around big groups or if he's not use to a situation. I was curious to see if he would cry, hide, participate or do nothing at all. In this case, he did nothing at all. At least he didn't cry and he stuck it out =) He has been growing up so quickly. He talks a lot and he just has the funniest personality. He's so goofy and just happy! He does have his crabby moments still but they don't happen as often. I find that when we're home just me and the kids that I don't have as big of a problem with him than when Brandon's home as well. He's really good at drawing for his age. He actually draws circles and faces with arms and legs. He loves to color and to build things. Since he's my first child, I wasn't sure if he was advanced or just the norm, but his teacher tells me that his drawing and coloring is really good. Most kids his age can't draw like him. He's also really coordinated. Little by little, I feel like he's just not really a little kid anymore. He's becoming a boy. I'm really fortunate that he's such a kind and loving soul. He just loves to take care of me and cuddle with me. He's all about mommy. I complain sometimes, because I do feel like it's irritating. Everything is mommy, even if daddy is home. I think when I'm tired or stressed out, it's hard for me to take a step back and realize that it's something I should cherish and not something I should be irritated with because when he gets older I'm sure he's not going to want me to build toys with him. He loves to just sit on the couch with me and grab our blankets. We just cuddle. It's really amazing what a cuddle bug he has become considering that we really did not let him sleep with us or held him very much. He has just developed this very loving personality. He always shares with me whatever he's eating. He's always looking out for me, the same way I look out for him!

This was one of the drawings he made when we were outside. He draws this on the back of every single piece of classwork he gets from school. I took a picture of this one because he drew something between the legs an said it was his pee pee. I thought it was pretty funny haha. Such a boy thing to do!

Trent, where do I begin. He has done SOOO much in the last two months. He crawls VERY well. He pretty much pulls himself up on anything he can get his hands on. It's funny we have this pretend bbq and grill and last night, he must've pulled himself up on the bbq grill and he stood there holding on playing with it. He's still quite the character but when he's happy, he's just so funny. He's very sensitive to noise still and he just LOOOOVES his brother. Chase can do no wrong in his eyes and everything Chase does is funny to Trent. If Chase cries, Trent cries. He has 4 teeth now. It seemed like he got them all at once. He's still not really into mushy foods and gags when he eats something too chunky. I really need to be a little bit better with introducing him to more grown up foods. He's another momma's boy but with him I don't mind. I don't want to play favorites, but I definitely don't mind babying Trent more because I know he's going to be the last one. It's bittersweet to see him grow up. 

Birthday Party!!! So I decided to get a head start on their party planning this year. I've been grouping ideas and thank goodness to Pinterest, I've been able to group all of my ideas into one place instead of saving a bunch of links! It's going to be a Superhero theme. At first I was just going to do batman, but I figured maybe a more general theme would be cool! I'm SUPER excited about this years party and I'm hoping we have a great turnout like we usually do. I don't want to plan a whole party and no one come! It's going to be at a park again..I wish we could do it indoors but it's just too expensive. I have so much planned and most of it is just craft stuff.

Fixing up the place! Okay, last blog was about how bad I wanted to fix up the place. Well it seems like everything is actually moving along! I picked out some paint colors which I'm kind of unsure about, but hopefully it all turns out good. We even moved the fireplace out from our bedroom into the living room and now even though it makes the place seem smaller, it makes it seem cozier. Like it really belongs there! I'm excited to get some candle holders and decorative vases to put on the fireplace. I'm hoping this summer, we'll really be able to fix up the place little by little. Yesterday, when I went to Home Depot, I didn't realize how much I would love the place! I looked at hardware for the cabinets. Saw my dream closet setup. I can't wait til we actually paint the damn place now!

 

Rekindle the light of fixing up our place..

So right now, I have sooo much work to do but I just can't get myself to do any of it. I think I have that afternoon coma, plus I'm on my second cup of coffee and I'm just exhausted. (Thanks to Trent screaming all night)

Yesterday, I was browsing the internet like I always do and I came across a home that is the identical layout of ours except it looks like a model home. It really ignited my interest in fixing up our place. It's an on again and off again idea that I've entertained but due to financial reasons and just lack of time we never get around to it. We've lived in our condo now for 3 years. We always talk about fixing it up even though it's not ours. Then it goes to this debate of, well we have no money to fix it up and secondly it's not ours. My thing is, I know it's not ours but as long as we stay here we should make it our home. It's not that I don't like our place, because I love it for now but one thing I wish we were able to do was make it newer. Do a couple updates, paint it, fix up some of the stuff..decorate. I like when you move into a new place and everything's fresh. Fresh paint, fresh carpet, clean..it feels like new. We never really got that. We just kinda moved in and settled in with whatever it is that we have. It's much harder to try and do all that when you're already moved in.

But seeing pictures of this place really gave me the mojo to fix it up. I mean, this place looks amazing and we could definitely make it look similar to that!

First off, this place had a patio cover. THAT WOULD BE AWESOME! Our place is always sunny. From sun up to sun down it's shining on some part of our place and it gets hot very quickly. I would love to be able to have a patio cover that provides some sort of shade, maybe hang some plants and some lights..

This place has brand new cabinets it seems and it really just makes the kitchen feel long and new! We have really nice granite at our place now, but our cabinets are in bad shape and it needs some new hardware and paint. These are such little things we could do that would make a huge difference! I also REALLY wanted to get a microwave for above our stove. That would be such a space saver. We use to have ours on the counter but it took up so much space. So now we have it on a kitchen cart but that takes up space in our dining area!

I love that this place has hardwood flooring..whether it's hardwood or laminate I love it. It really makes the place feel clean. Our carpet is in really bad shape no matter how we try to clean it. I keep telling Brandon we should just do laminate throughout the living room and hallways! The upside is that we actually use that extra space in the living room where they have their dining table as part of the living room. We put the kids toys there. Plus, we have a big bulky sectional. I like that their couch makes the place seem bigger, but our sectional is great for entertaining.

They have a fireplace in their place and we don't. We do however have one of those electric fireplaces in the bedroom and I told Brandon we should move it to the living room. Yes, it kind of takes up a lot of space but  I would put it right where their fireplace is. I think it would really make it homey!

Okay, here is one HUGE thing that I noticed in this place that I definitely want for ours. They have DOORS to hide the washer and dryer. I am so going to make Brandon put doors in. One, it'll shield some of the noise and two it really makes the house seem a lot neater!

They also have a hanging lamp in the kitchen and that's where we have our dining table. I think that would add a nice little flare to our dining space!

I like how they have cabinets instead on the left side of the counter. We have an empty space which is kind of nice, you can put a stool under and sit there to apply your make-up. But, we never do that and it would be nice because we already have limited cabinet space..or maybe we can have a double sink?? :) I also really like that they have sliding glass doors for the shower.

Now that I've seen how nice this place is, it revives my hope of making our place look brand new like that. I'm motivated to pick out some paint colors first. Brandon said after we paint the place we can put in doors for the washer and dryer section. Maybe we just have to actually go and start it, then it'll get the ball rolling!

Urban Decay Mini-Haul!

I've gotten these gems for a while now but I'm so busy I never get to blog about it! Eventually, it's been so long I'm over it but I ABSOLUTELY LOOOOOVE my new products so much I HAVE to rave about them!

First off, I usually never pay full price for my stuff unless it's been a part of my daily ritual. So for me to experiment on new stuff, I usually get them when they're on sale. Yes, I'm a mom on a budget

First off, I am not a person of change. I always stick with the same colors even when I try to venture. I totally took a risk this time and got colors that I would find intimidating. These blushes are my new addition. I've pretty much abandoned all of the other ones I have. I read such great reviews on these and now I know what they're talking about! They are extremely blendable and I think it leaves a very natural glow. It's so hard to explain but it's just like a blush of color. Quickie is defiitely my favorite. It's not as sheer as the other colors and it's my daily go-to. It does give you a little flushed look of after you've had a quickie ;) Bang is VERY bright red when you look at it, but when you put it on, it's more sheer and blends on easily. It really doesn't not leave a dramatic color like you would think. Greedy is sheer as well and it gives you more of a little tint. Overall, I am obsessed with these blushes and if I could I would get them all!

I saw this "De-slick in a Tube" was on sale and read really great reviews about it so I decided to try it. Lately, I feel SO GREASY by the end of the day. It's getting pretty bad. I think it's because I changed my moisturizer. The de-slick does work really well and kind of leaves a tacky type texture after put it on which causes it to see matte. But, I still find myself greasy at the end of the day just maybe not as much. They say you can wear it under your foundation or use it when you do get greasy over your foundation and it won't remove it. 

Next is another "De-Slick" product. It's a face mist that you use before and after your foundation. The thing is I don't wear foundation so I've been using it before my moisturizer and after my make-up is done as a setting mist. I don't really think it makes my face matte throughout the day. I honestly don't feel much of anything. I have to try it I guess maybe as a "later in the day" spray and see if it extracts the oil.

I got a free sample of their eyeshadow primer potion. It kind of reminds me of a face primer but for your lids. It gives you a silky feeling and it's quite nice. Less heavy and thick as the other primers which I think is key for asian eyes, especially since my eyelids tends to get oily.

 Lastly, I got the "Lip Junkie" in Runway. I've been into glosses again lately. I still hate myself after wearing it because it's so damn sticky! But, it's the only way I can get the perfect mixture of color and moisture. I do like the color a lot and I don't think it's anything special. I think almost all lipglosses are the same no matter what they say. I think I should've gone with a more daring color to feel more satisfaction but this was the only color on sale.

Here is a picture of me using the Runway gloss and the Quickie!

In this picture I'm wearing BANG! It's really hard to tell the difference to be honest. Unless you see it in person. but it does look a lot more beautiful in person.