Made Cake Pops -> Got Tired -> Made Cake

Hello,

So a few months ago, my friends and I (including Ginger) gathered and made cake pops for the first time! I know the cake pop craze has been around for a while, but it's never too late to try something new. I just remember thinking that cake pops were over priced, but now I see why. Making cake pops takes SO MUCH MORE effort than expected. Sure, they look all nice and pretty at the end, but people eat it in one bite, and just like that, all your hard work and sweaty efforts are gone. -_-;;

They look so nice and pretty~ But man they are supa sweet.. even for me, and I have a severe sweet tooth. 

Step 1: Bake a cake. We used a pre-made cake mix, cause from scratch is too much effort.. we lazy haha

Step 2: Crumble the cooled cake, add some frosting, and shape into 1-inch balls. (Good thing our perverted friend wasn't here to see this.)

Step 3: Melt some cookie melts, or chocolate. We had some problems with this step, because the cookie melts aren't exactly thin when melted, so we added oil (we didn't have shortening) but it was still hard to smoothly dip the cake into the melted chocolate.

Step 4: Dip the sticks into the melted chocolate, then stick them into the chocolate cake balls. Wait until it cools and binds to the cake balls. Then, dip the cake pops into melted chocolate, sprinkle some sprinkles, and allow them to cool completely. Yayy done! Now that only took like 4 hours.. ><

With the leftover cake mix, we baked a cake! and used funfetti rainbow sprinkle frosting. It looked soo pretty, and the colors of the sprinkles made the cake look like it was from a cartoon or something. Ahh cake from the heavens!! 

I was really curious about why cake pops were so popular, but since I now have a taste of what they're like, I think I won't be making any more cake pops for the rest of my life. I'm more interested in pastries and fancy-schmancy desserts these days.. but I always like me some good ol' fashioned chocolate cake. :D It was really fun making the cake pops, but I guess I'm just too lazy.

'Til next time!

Holiday Mani with OPI Mariah Carey 2013 Holiday Collection

Hello hello!

Happy Merry Christmas!! Yayy we still have 10-ish minutes of Christmas left here.. :P

I hope you guys had an amazing holiday season so far. Today, I woke up pretty late, opened presents with the family, and then went out to eat Chinese food for dinner. The restaurant was packed! Sort of surprising but not at the same time.. 

Anyways, here's a simple mani using polishes from the OPI Mariah Carey 2013 Holiday Collection! This collection has been out for a while, but some stores may still have some of the polishes left. The red is All I Want for Christmas (is OPI) and the glitter is My Favorite Ornament. 

I used one coat, but I could have gone with two for the glitter.

I love the colors.. ^_^ Puts me in a holiday mood.

If I used two coats instead of one for the glitter, you probably wouldn't see the visible nail line as much..

L-R: All I Want for Christmas (is OPI), My Favorite Ornament

All I Want for Christmas (is OPI): I love this color! It's the perfect, classic red creme with a great formula. It might be a little thin for some, but for me, it went on smoothly and evenly. It makes your fingers look very elegant. :D

My Favorite Ornament: This is a very pretty champagne glitter; perfect for the holidays. The formula was even and applied with no problems.

Anyways, ahh 2013 is already almost over! Christmas was great this year, and I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas as well. I actually spent most of the day writing college essays, but it's ok! It's almost over! :D I love winter break.. but my favorite season would have to be fall. The sky is just so darn pretty during fall. I literally sometimes just stare at the sky for a few minutes.. ><

Happy Holidays! and 'til next time!

Baking cookies ^^

Hello~

2 more days guys! :D I don't know why I'm getting so excited haha. During the fall, I remember thinking that it would be forever until Christmas, but in reality Christmas is coming too soon! I'm not yet fully in the holiday spirit! T_T 

Baking with friends is always fun, but I feel like baking alone becomes sort of like a therapeutic session where you think deeply and ponder life while mixing cookie batter. lol waht

So good.. Warm cookies fresh out of the oven. :D

I always get tempted to eat the cookie dough, but then I keep myself from doing so just in case of food poisoning.. I heard it gets reallyy bad ><

My diet plan is actually wheat free, but I looooove bread. Like sweet breads, sour dough, even whole wheat. Bread is so good.. T_T

I slacked off on my diet for the past couple of days, but I think it was good for the soul. Now I feel fired up to do better for the next couple of days and live off of yummy broccoli and chicken breast! :D I'm gonna try to finish my college apps tomorrow and on Christmas, because as the January 1st deadline approaches, Common App doesn't work very well with everybody trying to submit their applications last minute. 

'Til next time!

Hollister Shirt Haul!

Hello hello~

Today I have a hollister shirt haul! A few weeks ago, there was a nice sale on the hollister website, so I bought some basic shirts, as my shirts are getting old and raggedy. I still wear shirts from 4-5 years ago, cause they are that comfy. T_T

5 things~ All on clearance, with free shipping! :D

Just your basic blue shirt. I dislike the whole low cut v-neck trend. It's too low for me! >_<

A heather grey 3/4th sleeve shirt. I didn't know it had a pocket. A sparkly pocket for that matter.. o_o

Another basic v-neck, this time in grey. It's soooo comfy, and long enough to cover my butt. Again, I don't really like the low cut design, but oh well..

Oooh a nice sleeveless shirt! I've always wanted one of these. I can pair it with a skirt and a cardigan or something. I try guys, I try. 

A navy blouse-shirt top. It's super soft and not too heavy, so I can layer it. :D

Man, the unnecessary pocket bothers me. Oh well. I'll still wear it. :P I guess I can put stuff in it cause jean pockets for girls are tooo tiny!

Anyways, thanks for reading! I get so excited when I buy clothes, because I don't really buy clothes that often. I can't wait to wear all of these sooner or later! It motivates me to lose weight, because I can fit into the clothes right now but it looks kind of tight.

Lately, I've been thinking about this blog more than I should. I wanna change the layout, get a better camera so my pictures will have better quality, and participate in the blogging community more to get known. I mean, my camera right now works fine. It's a Canon Powershot Digital Elph 10 MP. I got it around 5 years ago for $129ish, but now the Canon Powershot 16 MP is only like $77! Man, technology has improved so much in the past couple of years. I'll think about it. I'll get a part time job, and save up money! :D

'Til next time!

Syrup Nails / 100th Post!

Hello!

Woohoo it's our 100th post! And it's already almost been a year since this blog was started.. Time goes by just like that. Anyways today I have some syrup nails! So pretty~ 

For syrup nails, you use a jelly polish that is very sheer and create a gradient effect by painting 3/4 of the nail, then 1/2 of the nail, then 1/4 of the nail, etc. Then you paint over the whole nail with a very sheer white to give it a milky effect and smooth out the layers. It's very simple and easy, and looks very nice. :D

Look what a difference some glitter makes! 

The redder polish is Modi Juicy Nails Cherry Glasse, and the pink shade is Pudding Pink. I used China Glaze Fairy Dust for the glitter!

So squishy looking haha..

L-R: Modi Juicy Nails Cherry Glasse, Pudding Pink, Revlon Colorstay Calla Lily, China Glaze Fairy Dust

I'm using a different topcoat lately, and it shrinks the edges like crazy. Not to mention my nails chip in a day now. T_T

Fairy dust is so pretty... I love holographic glitter...

Anyways, this has to be one of my favorite nail art techniques! It's so girly and cute.. lol perfect to cancel out my goofy derps and inelegant habits haha..

But man! I can't believe it's already been a year since this blog was started! I'm considering changing up the layout a bit.. Idk I might do it sometime this break. Last two finals tomorrow! I've been procrastinating ever since I came home.. Time to study after I take a shower. T_T I don't want to study, but I can't risk failing my finals. Stress is affecting my skin so much. Wish me luck!

'Til next time!

Finals weeeeek / Diet Update

Hello~

It's finals weeeeeeeek and I have 4 more left to go. My hardest ones are on Friday. T-T I don't even wanna study any more..

I went to Korean BBQ a few months ago.. Yumm I wanna go back so bad... o_o FOOOOOD

Hehe my sock tan.. The sock tan that never ever goes away. T^T Usually it's a straight line, but this year I got the weird curve tan from my sneakers.. Not awkward at all.. It happens every summer..

Diet update
I've actually been doing well on my diet! I decided to stay safe and do a wheat-free/low carb diet. Ahh but I love bread and sugar... At least I can have all the meat and veggies I want! I've been eating salads all week, but the past two days I ate yogurt and peanut butter (not together) and it was so goood but not good at all for my diet. I guess my diet is more of a healthier eating habit than an actual diet. Normally, when I come home from school, I'd eat cereal, snacks, cookies, chips, chocolate, ice cream, dinner, etc. Yep, not very healthy.. I'll keep eating healthy for this week and next week and see how it goes! If everything goes as planned, I should be at least down to 55 kg at the end of this week, and hopefully 53 kg by the end of next week! I'm not sure if I'll be able to last though..
Another story: Last summer (as in 2012) I underwent this oriental medicine detox where I drank this herbal drink for a week without eating anything else. Afterwards, I felt super healthy and energized, and ate healthy too. I was 52 kg, and I felt great and did not overeat. Then school started, and I ate a lot due to stress, and ballooned up to 56 kg.. T_T Then I lost some and stayed around 55 kg, but like I said in my previous weight post, I ballooned up to 57-58 kg this school year. It's school I tell you! stresssss...
All I remember is feeling great at 52 kg, and that's part of what drives me to be healthy again.
(Please keep in mind that I am shorter than average, so even a 1 kg difference makes a difference for me. In middle school, my goal was to get taller. I gave up on that, so now I can shrink my x-axis instead of elongating my y-axis.)

Time to go study now. Senioritis is getting worse and worse... -_-

'Til next time!

NOTD: Black and Glitter French Tips

Hello..

Wohoho today has been an especially mentally exhausting day. Even now I feel pooped. T-T

Anyways, here's a quick NOTD from some time ago. From far away, these black/glitter french tips look really elegant and pretty. :D

I free handed the black tips with Essie Licorice, then created the glitter border with China Glaze Glistening Snow. 

Some cleaner edges. No really, from far away your nails look a lot nicer. I added a little star stud to make things a bit more interesting. I really want gemstones now haha. :P

L-R: China Glaze Glistening Snow, Essie Licorice

I wish I took more pictures, but I forgot.. T-T Anyways, man all this stress and worrying is getting to me. My math grade went down a lot after the past test. T_T Now I can't get it up, no matter what. Oh well.. It's ok. Life happens. C'est la vie. (so cliché!) haha.. I can't think!

Time to start studying! Can't wait till Christmas! :D 

'Til next time!

Winter Beauty Haul

Hello~

Yayy here's a collective haul of what I bought this winter. (so far..) 

I'm happy with all my purchases. Some of these were items that I had wanted for a long time, and I'm glad I waited until there were coupons! 

I got some nail polish, lip glosses, and false eyelashes.

L-R: OPI My Favorite Ornament, All I want for Christmas (is OPI), DS Lapis, Essie Sparkle on Top

These are the polishes I bought for myself. Ahh there's all so pretty. T_T DS Lapis was on my wishlist for a while, and I bought it using the $5 off coupon at Ulta. Yay!

L-R: OPI Dining Al Frisco, You're such a Budapest, Maybelline Color Show Clearly Spotted

These I got for my friend's birthday. She just got into nail polish, and only has a couple of colors, so I bought these for her. It was really hard choosing colors, because she's sort of tomboy, so pinks were out. I hope she likes these. She better, since I bought them for her. haha jkk :D

Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip balm: Nudetrients, Cantaloupe Cream, Blooming Balm

Yayy such pretty colors! I heard these give a sheer wash of color, so nothing too noticeable. I can combine these with my lip stains. :D

You know, something that bothers me is that when I go to drugstores to buy lip butters or lip glosses, most of them have been used. I'm like, great. I always have to check whether a lip gloss has been used, because who wants a used lip butter or lip gloss with a sticky cap and a piece of hair in the bottle? Not me. o_o I was going to buy some maybelline lipstick, but then I opened the cap, (why no seal?! D:) and there was half the lip stick mashed into the cap, with a piece of hair on the remaining stub. yuck.. 

I wish products had dependable safety seals. end rant.

Ardell Color Impact lashes in 110 Blue

Yes I finally found a pair of much more natural looking lashes! I can use these for dances and stuff. :D And they were on clearance. :D Wahh after I lose weight, it would be so fun to wear my color lenses, these falsies, and some ulzzang makeup. I love transforming. haha..

Tomorrow is the day! The day that my early decision college results come out! and maybe the day that All-state audition results come out! Sigh. Even if I don't make either of them, which would be sad, I can't give up. I gotta work hard, and write a bajillion more college essays, and practice flute a lot more. Haha trying to cheer myself up. You know, it hurts a lot more if you think you made something, but then you don't. That's why I try to tell myself that I didn't make it, so when I don't actually make it, it doesn't hurt as much. :P

I have a pounding headache right now, which is unusual cause I'm not the one to have headaches, but blogging relieves stress. I like blogging.. :D 

OH by the way, today we had a flute choir concert, and the piece that I had first part and was right next to the audience, I messed up the intro! Like I went twice as fast playing 16th instead of 8th notes, while the rest of the players were holding a whole note! It was my time to shine, and I terribly messed up. I turned bright red, and my fellow part members stared at me while playing the 8th notes and I realized I screwed up. Haha.. fun fun.. I'll never get first part again haha. :'D

'Til next time!

butter London Yummy Mummy Swatch and Review

Hello everyone!

Ahh 10 days till Christmas! Can't wait..! Whenever I hear holiday music, I feel all happy and it feels like Christmas is very soon. 

Here's a quick NOTD from a few weeks ago. butter London Yummy Mummy is a shimmery nude beige that looks very nice on some skin tones. On my skin tone it was just alright; nothing too flattering. I really like the color though, and the formula was excellent as well. I mean, it's butter London. :P

I used two coats. (sorry for the awkward pose derp) Accent nail is Essie Licorice. I tried hehe..

The shimmer is very fine, but noticeable. You can also see some visible nail lines, so if you want to avoid those, a third coat would do the trick.

Such a pretty color.. ^_^

Application was smooth: no streaks and such, and with 2 coats, the color was fairly opaque. The formula was sort of thin, so a third coat would ensure full opacity. 

The color is so pretty and elegant. :D A nice fall color in my opinion. Hehe I always like painting my nails mannequin nail colors, because if I make a few blips here and there, it's not as noticeable because the color sort of blends in with the color of your skin and nail bed. 

Ahh I had my last All-State audition today. I think it went ok, but you never know.. ._. And my early decision college results come out soon as well.. ahhh I hope I make both of them! But even if I don't make any of them, I can't lose hope. but that would be so sad.. D: I'll try to stay strong.. >_<

'Til next time!

Aritaum Mugwort Facial Mask / Pack Review

Hello~

Wahh I just peeled off the sheet mask and my skin feels so nice..! ^.^ So hydrated and soft..

I don't use sheet masks often, (this was the first one I used in years!) but I love them. They make your skin soft and brighter overall, while keeping in moisturized. Sheet masks also have a relaxing effect.. maybe it's just me. :P

Aritaum Mugwort Fresh Essence Mask is a "mugwort mask that helps improve skin's health," which is very general. I thought "improves skin...how..?" but I guess they mean in general it makes the skin healthier.. o_o I haven't actually heard of Aritaum before.. but the lady at the Asian beauty section recommended this one for my acne-prone skin.

Aritaum mugwort Fresh Essence Mask

Directions and ingredients and stuff.... 

It fits my face fairly well..and I have a big face. good enough. :P

Haha it's a ghost! If it looks scary by itself, think about how scary it looks on a person's face.. ehehe..

I put it on after washing my face, and kept the sheet mask on for about 30 minutes. I know the directions say 10-20 minutes, but I kept it on longer cause I wanted my skin to absorb all the essence. Once I peel the mask off I massage it into my neck as well, and then let it air dry before I go to sleep. I skip moisturizer when I use masks like these. 

Overall, this mugwort sheet mask is a refreshing and relaxing mask. The scent isn't too strong, but smells nice. There's a lot of essence in the pack, so the mask is very hydrating. I think if you use sheet masks every so often, your skin might improve in general, like brightening, reducing redness and fine lines, etc. Idk.. Sheet masks just feel nice on my face. Someone told me you shouldn't use more than one every week or so.. I guess the only down part about some sheet masks are the prices and the time it takes for skin to show improvement. I'm gonna go to watch more 2NE1 TV...err I mean go to sleep. c:

'Til next time!

P.S. HAH I was reading past posts and ended up reading my resolutions for 2013.. hehe.. some of them sort of came true... T_T ahh well the irony of New Years Resolutions..

Clinique Moisture Surge Review

Hello~

I bought Clinique Moisture Surge a few weeks ago, because I used up all of my original moisture surge. Especially with my combination skin, a water based moisturizer is a must. Oily face = pimple face for me..

I bought the 2.5 oz container this time, because it's a better deal than the smaller size. It's still pretty expensive.. T-T

There's no pump; just a container where you have to dig your fingers into the pot.

As you can see, it's kinda like a pink gel formula. It's not a creamy, lotion-ish moisturizer. It's a water-based hydrating moisturizer that works well for my acne-prone skin.

The right is my previous bottle that I ran out of. I used it twice a day, but I still managed to use the product for a whole year until it ran out! 

Clinique Moisture Surge gets absorbed by my face quite quickly, and hydrates my skin without making it oily. It makes your skin look so soft~ ^_^ I use a tiny dollop, about the size of a dime, all over my face. My skin is very acne-prone, so a gel formula is good for my skin. Of course, everybody is different. 

Overall, I would recommend this product for someone who is looking for a lightweight, water-based gel moisturizer. This doesn't clog my pores, and keeps my face hydrated without having it break out like crazy.

'Til next time!

Spontaneous Ulta Haul

Hello again!

I can't believe that it's December already.. time just flew by (I still think it's October....) 

I was at ulta a few weeks back, when I found these:  

On the left is OPI Alcatraz...Rocks (a liquid sand polish from their San Francisco Collection) . On the right, is a polish that I have been searching for since it first came out, and it is China Glaze It's a Trap-eze!. It is amazing and packed full of glitter.. words don't do it justice (NOTD coming up, where you all will be able to see what it actually looks like). 

I went into ulta just to look around. I wasn't planning on buying anything.. which is why this haul is short. 

I'm still having trouble with lighting, which is why it's somewhat yellow cast (sorry!). 

Have a great weekend!