January 31, 2013



10 years ago, on a cold winter night, you took me on our very first date at the Canadian Museum of Civilization to see an IMAX show. We were and still are big geeks so that was only fitting. Before you, I had never been in love but you managed to change that.

3 years later, at the same spot, you asked me to marry you. It was another cold Canadian night, and snow storm outside. I said yes! We had just graduated and barely started our careers. We got married after 1.5 years of engagement. Our wedding day was perfect and our reunion has been so wonderful.

5 years after our wedding, we had our beautiful daughter Sofia. I feel like I love you even more since having her. I see so much of you in her, her patient ways, her attentive manners, her pensive frown even.

I have learned so much from you, main one being patient and loving my own flaws. Thank you for accepting me as I am, my anxiety and all, and helping me become a better person. You have been an amazing husband and the perfect father.

Happy 10th Anniversary!

January 30, 2012

I really was feeling blue when I did this look and took the pictures. Honestly I think I'd go crazy with sleep deprivation if it wasn't for exercising and playing with makeup.

On this particular day I got all dolled up for a quick trip to Lululemon to get a sports bra (what a wasted trip). And since I was all done up anyway I stopped by a cafe and had me a cup of hot chocolate sans baby. It actually felt quite good :)

Here's the blue look I did:



And here's what I used:



For face: Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation (Buff 4C) mixed with Nars Copacabana Illuminator as my foundation and used MAC Ladyblush creamblend blush on the apple of my cheeks. I finished with a dusting of Ben Nye Translucent Powder.

For eyes: Used UDPP as base and then applied a layer of MUFE #20 (blue) Aqua cream pot on the lid. I damped the brush with mixing medium and added Sugarpill Cosmetics Royal Sugar pigment all over the lid. Applied MAC Wedge e/s above crease and MAC Espresso e/s in the crease and on the lower lashline. Added MAC Blanc Type e/s as highlight and MAC Mutiny pigment (LE- pale aqua) as tearduct brightener. I lined my eyes with Lise Watier Noir e/l. I finished with two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous Dramatic Lashes mascara.

For lips: kept it soft and nude with a layer of YSL Rouge Volupte in Nude Beige (#1).

Have a happy hump day! 

January 28, 2013

Happy Monday guys! I'm sitting here on the couch with a big mug of coffee (another night of 3-4 hour sleep), watching a blanket of snow falling on our beautiful City of Ottawa and trying to focus enough to make this blog post.

I'm a big fan of cat eyeliner and often prefer softer shades to make this look more daytime appropriate. So I wanted to use a deep navy to line my eyes except my go to Bobbi Brown Cobalt Ink is drying up so I had to combine with a pencil liner. Does anyone know how to revive dried up gel liner? I paired the eyes with bright warm pink lips. Very spring in the dead of winter :D

Here's a pic:



And this is what I used:



For face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation (BR20) as my foundation and used MAC Ladyblush creamblend blush on the apple of my cheeks. I finished with a dusting of Ben Nye Translucent Powder.

For eyes: Used UDPP as base and then applied a layer of MUFE #5 (coral) Aqua cream pot on the lid. Applied MUFE #15 e/s above crease and MUFE #112 e/s in the crease. Added MAC Blanc Type e/s as highlight and MAC Creme de Miel e/s (LE- pale gold) as tearduct brightener. I lined my eyes with Lise Watier Marin e/l dipped in Bobbi Brown Cobalt ink gel liner. I finished with two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous Dramatic Lashes mascara.

For lips: applied MAC Impassioned l/s first and then MAC Marquise d' l/s (LE - shimmering light peach) lightly over it to tone down the brightness.


More Pics:

Have a happy Monday everyone!

January 23, 2013

Hi guys! I wanted to wear bold lips this morning for a visit to my mom but needed to stay away from my usual burgundy and deep reds. So I opted for a combo of dark browned and brick red using MAC Seeds of Desire Mattene (LE) and Red Pepper (Pro). I think they produce a sophisticated yet bold shade.

I didn't want to go natural on the eyes either so I did a shimmery taupe complete with cinnamon shade in the crease. Here's the look:



And here's what I used:



For face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation (BR20) as my foundation and MUFE Full Cover #6 to conceal, then set with Ben Nye powder. Used MAC Pink Cult (LE) blush on the apple of my cheeks.

For eyes: Used UDPP as base and then Maybelline Tough as Taupe as base for lids and lower lashline. Applied MAC Saffron eyeshadow (LE) above crease and then applied OCC Clove pigment all over lids and blended upward. Added Inglot AMC Shine #40 (Deep Brown) in the crease and outer v and MAC Blanc Type eyeshadow (not pictured) as highlight. I lined my eyes with Lancome Black Art Liner and tightlined using Lise Watier Black Smokey kohl. I finished with two coats of L'Oreal Voluminous Dramatic Lashes mascara.

For lips: applied MAC Seeds of Desire Mattene first and then MAC Red Pepper in the middle of upper and lower lips only.

What are some of your favourite bold lipsticks?

January 18, 2013

What's the one item of makeup you guys cannot be found without? Though I admit that since having a baby my beauty routine has become much lower maintenance, I still need me some mascara. Mascara is the first cosmetic product I ever purchased for myself and it's the one item I could not be without. This is why I find it funny that I've never talked about mascaras in this blog.

I have long lashes that are a medium brown shade. For that reason I buy mascara based on:

- Volumizing factor; I don't use a lash curler so I need a good volumizing mascara
- How dark of a black I can get; I like dramatic and smoldering lashes and also don't use fake lashes. I like me a super black mascara.
- I hate clump; Even a slight bit of it is mascara fail in my book
- Mascara is one area where I don't discriminate between high end and drugstore products; there are amazing gems in both ends of the spectrum.

Through my years of mascara wearing and lash batting, I have gone though hundreds of tubes and have found my all time faves. Here's what's in my current rotation:



Lancome Hypnose Drama - this is my all time fave mascara! I used the old Hypnose for years and then upgraded to the Drama version when it was released 5 years or so ago. Absolutely the best mascara for volumizing and thickening and my choice for evening lashes.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill - Love this one too! It's actually more thickening that Hypnose Drama but not as volumizing. Still worth the splurge and its super duper black!

L'Oreal Voluminous Dramatic False Lashes - this one actually compares to the GA Eyes to Kill at a fraction of the price. It's just not as long lasting but still an amazing product.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara -  hands down the best budget mascara in the market. Ask me coz I've tried plenty and always come back to this one. Le Big Show is my daily choice for mascara. It does a good job with volumizing, is very dark and does not clump.


Picture of me wearing Annabelle Le Big Show.

What are some of your favourite high end and/or drugstore mascaras?

January 16, 2013

Hi guys! I meant to do this tag, ummmm, 6 months ago and only now got to it:

We all have little "imperfections" or things that we don't like ourselves. Often times, we are the only ones who are really self-conscious about it, but those "imperfections" are what makes us unique.

There's this tag going around on Youtube, started by AndreasChoice. It's such a fun tag, and since I don't make Youtube videos, I thought it'd be interesting to bring it to blogger ^_^

Tag: List 3 imperfections that make you "you", and then list 3 things that you like about yourself.

3 Imperfections

January 14, 2012

Hi guys! I went to my local Pharmaplus to get a toothbrush and walked out with all of this, hehe:



I've been meaning to give some of these products a try for the longest time and finally took the plunge.

I've already tried and loved Maybelline Color Tattoos. They apply smoothly and are very pigmented. I also love the glass packaging that very much reminds me of MAC Paint Pots. I would say the quality is also on par with the more high end cream shadows like MUFE Aqua Cream Pot, Sheseido cream shadows and MAC Paint Pots.

I purchased Barely Branded (LE) and Painted Purple. I adore Barely Branded and it reminds me so much of my beloved MAC Stilife though less white and more gold. Painted Purple is a gorgeous shade too though a tad more patchy. Still amazing as a base for purple eyeshadow but I probably wouldn't wear it on its own.




I also grabbed a couple of L'Oreal Colour Infallible eyeshadows. I keep hearing that these compare too GA Eyes to Kill and thought I should see for myself. Initial verdict is that yes, they are as pigmented and apply as smoothly as their Armani counterpart and of course cost a fraction of the price. I will do a more detailed comparison once I use them more.

I purchased Permanent Kaki, a beautiful shimmering olive. Reminds me of a less golden version of MAC Golden Olive pigment. Also bought Purple Obsession and holly molly this one is beautiful! Amazing purple, blows MAC Violet pigment out of water.



Last but not least, finally bought a couple of Revlon Lip Butters to see what the fuss is all about. I gotta say I see why people love these so much. They offer a wash of colour and are fairly moisturizing. The darker shades last much longer too. My haul includes Gumdrop (sheer violet) and Lollipop (fuchsia):

Do your guys own any of these products? What other shades would you recommend to me?

January 10, 2012

Hi guys! I did this super bright fuchsia look this past week and I know it's totally off season. We're sitting at about -20Deg C here in Ottawa and I needed something bright to contrast all the white stuff sitting outside.

I mostly like to do shimmer on lid and matte in the crease. However, sometimes the opposite works best as it did with this look :)



And here's what I used:




For face: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation (BR20) as my foundation, set with Ben Nye powder. Used Nars Desire blush on the apple of my cheeks.

For eyes: Used UDPP as base and then MAC Fresco Rose Paint Pot as base for lids and lower lashline. Applied MUFE #15 eyeshadow above crease and then applied MAC Bright Fuchsia pigment (pro) all over lids and blended upward. Added MAC Fuchsia pigment in the crease and outer v and MAC Blanc Type eyeshadow (not pictured) as highlight. I lined my eyes with Lancome Black Art Liner and lower lashline with Chanel Cassis Liner. I finished with two coats of GA Eyes to Kill mascara.

For lips: applied a single coat of MAC Please Me lipstick.

January 8, 2012

Hi guys! I have another baby update for you. Once again time seems to be flying by quicker than I'd like it too. Some days I really want her to grow up so I can sleep other days I just want her to stay exactly this age and cuddle her forever :)



1. Baby stats: Sofia is 4 months and 2 weeks old. She weighs 16.5 lbs as of yesterday. She's still in the 75-90% percentile.



2. Eat: my munchkin is still fully breastfed. I pump once a day or so and hubby gives her a bottle at night. She's gaining weight great and I'm not in a hurry to start solids.



3. Health: Sofia caught another cold during the holidays but luckily got over faster this time. She's also teething badly but I can't see a tooth yet. Doesn't help when she won't let me look in there.



4. Sleep: aaaah man! Sleep is all over the place. For one we's still wearing the Woombie at night. Some nights she sleeps 8 hours or so before waking up and some nights she's up every 3 hours! Like there's no pattern whatsoever. Bed time is at 7 am and she's typically up for the day at 9 am. She can sel sooth fine and doesn't need a pacifier or rocking to sleep. Anyone got any sleep tips for us?



5. Milestones: 
- We now have her giggling all the time. Especially when I kiss her belly.
- We can now sit for a few seconds unassisted
- We now nap in the crib. Once in the morning and once in the afternoon. No need for pacifier or anything
- We are much more interactive with toys, love the Baby Einstein jumparoo!
- We are close to rolling from back to belly. We get to the side and then stop, hahaha! We have been rolling from belly to back since week 5.

6. How I'm doing: 
- Sleep is better despite Sofia's inconsistency. I take Melatonin and hubby helps out a lot.
- I'm back to regular workout. On top of my weekly bootcamp, I'm redoing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and do Step and Zumba classes at my gym.
- We are also much more social now. Sofia loves the mall, hanging out with mommy's friends and the gym :)

Hope you enjoyed this update...will do another one in a month

January 6, 2012

Hi guys! This is a simple look that's suitable for every occasion, from office in daytime to a night out. It's actually been my go-to for the last few weeks. Nowadays I only get to wear makeup a few times a week and this particular look always makes me feel put together and takes very little time to achieve.

On that note, I'me really loving these Maybelline Color Tattoo pots that I have especially Rich as Mahogany which is the perfect base for any bronze eye look. These pots perform as well as MAC paint pots for me and I will be accumulating more over time. What are some of your favourite shades of Color Tattoos?



Here's a picture of the products used. I will be excluding my everyday powder (Ben Nye translucent powder) and brow shades (Benefit Benetint in dark):



For face: Nars Sheer Glow foundation (Santa Fe) as my foundation, set with Ben Nye powder. Used Chanel Notorious powder to contour and MAC beauty powder blush in Eversun (LE).

For eyes: Used UDPP as base and then Maybelline Color Tattoo in Rich as Mahogany as base for lids and lower lashline. Applied MAC eyeshadow in Wodwinked in inner lid and Bronze in outer lid. Placed Nars Bali e/s in crease and defined the area above crease with Chanel Notorious powder. MAC All That Glitters eyeshadow was used as inner crease highlight and Blanc Type as browbone highlight. I lined my eyes with Lise Watier Smokey Kohl in Black liner and used NYX Black eyeshadow to blend the line. I finished with two coats of Annabelle Le Big Show mascara.

For lips: First applied a layer of MAC Lollipop Lovin lipstick (LE) and topped with a layer of MAC Live n Dye lipglass (LE).

Here are some more photos:





Eye closeup:





Hope you enjoyed this post :)

January 4, 2012

I saw a display of Nicole for OPI Modern Family collection at my local Shoppers and decided to grab a couple of shades. I must add that they were pretty much out of most shades and it's not like I "need" any more nail polishes. But the ones I did pick were too cute and hard to resist:





I bought Back in my Gloria Days and Haley Good Lookin'. The Gloria polish is a nice glowing purple with pink shimmer and the Haley shade is a densely packed warm pink glitter. There are also some larger glitter bits in there. You can use this as a top coat or do three coats with no base like I did here:





My experience with Nicole brand is very limited but these two had great formula. The polish flowed easily and applied evenly. I actually managed to keep the same mani for 3 full days which is rare for me :)

Have you purchased any of the Modern Family polishes? What are some of your fave Nicole shades?

Jan 1, 2013

Hi guys! Happy New Year to you all. This was a different year for me for sure. Last year NYE at exactly 8 pm we discovered I was pregnant. We proceeded to go to a NYE party anyway and I just told people I was sick and hence not drinking. This year though, my hubs and baby Sofia are actually sick. We ordered take out and were in bed by 9 pm lol!

How did you guys spend your NYE? I'm guessing yours was much more eventful than mine hahah!

This is a look I did a few days ago when we went to dinner with the family for my youngest sister's 22nd birthday. I did a soft purple look to go with the lavender Old Navy sweater I was wearing. I used a few of my favourite old MAC eyeshadows. Speaking of which, I need your feedback. Do you guys want to see product pictures of the looks I do here on the blog? Let me know so I can incorporate them in future posts.

Face
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua - BR20
Ben Nye powder
MAC Azalea Blossom b/o (LE - pink purple gradient)

Eyes
UDPP - base
UD Morphine Shadow Pencil - base for lid
MAC Illegal Cargo e/s (LE - grayed lavender) - lid
MAC Poison Plum e/s - crease
MAC Stars n Rockers e/s - above crease
MAC Solar White e/s (LE - golden vanilla)- highlight
MUFE liquid liner #15 (gunmetal) - to line
Annabelle Le Big Show mascara

Lips
Lancome Rouge in Love in Violette Coquette





I don't have pictures of my outfit besides what you see above (sweater by old navy, faux fur vest by BB Dakota). But I did take a picture of Sofia's outfit. Since this was on Boxing Day, she wore another holiday themed outfit :)



Hope you all start a great new year. Thank you all again for supporting my humble little blog for yet another year :)