Birthday ♥ + Awesome giveaway!

Another year passes, another reason to look/feel/act younger than I actually am...

I hate having to feel this way as a woman...instead of the distinguished, mature, desirable aging of a man, time is every woman's mortal enemy...

In reality, I'm not too bummed out by turning 27. ;) Thanks for all the words of encouragement from you lovely ladies! ♥ I know age is just a number...it's just that sometimes I feel a lot younger than I actually am... I might have once thought that I would be married with kids at 28 but sometimes, life doesn't go exactly as planned - the unpredictability is what makes things so beautiful though. You never know what's around the corner!

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Just thought I'd share a few photos from my b-day weekend with you :)

EOTD





Used Maybelline Eyestudio Color Plush silk eyeshadow Quad in Taupe Temptress (new favorite quad! Review soon)

FOTD



Foooooood of the day!!!

Yummy fatty tuna & surf clam at my favorite sushi joint!

*Spoilage*













New Kicks.
Time to get my butt in shape!!! (literally)



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Hello to all my lovely new readers! ♥ You all make me feel spoiled! :D And I know I have been bad about getting back in comments and in general, but I really love reading your comments and suggestions. I will be responding to some requests in my inbox so look out for new posts soon!

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Finally, I just found out about Bang Bang She Shoots via Serena! Nic Nic is a lovely blogger that lives in Tokyo and has started up an internet business to give us ladies access to Japanese Cosmetics!!! It's called A Pop of Kawaii ~ Check it out!!!


She is having a giveaway...with SIX winners! Ends June 6th!

Review: Coastal Scents 88 Palette & Glam Sparkle and Pop!

Happy Sunday Beauties!
Thought I would share my LOTD from last week plus my thoughts on the Coastal Scents 88 makeup Palette!

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Coastal Scents 88 Makeup Color Palette

Purchased from Amazon.com for around $19 USD



As you can see, there are a million (well 88 haha) different colors to choose from! Note that this palette comes in 2 different 'styles' - the normal makeup palette (which I purchased - has mixture of matte & shimmers) and the "ultra shimmer" palette (all shimmery colors). For those who want less crazy colors and more neutrals, there is the "warm palette" and the new "metal mania" palette.

** "Regular" Makeup Color Palette **



**Ultra Shimmer **


**Warm/Neutral **


** Metal Mania **
Images from Amazon.com

The palette came packaged nicely in bubble wrap and I did not have any problems with breakage. However, the cheap shadow applicator slot was a broken so the applicator kept falling off. Not really a problem since I don't use them anyway! The palette itself is thin and lightweight - careful with the latch since I hear it can break easily!

The size of each shadow is pretty small - smaller than a dime! Chances are the variety of colors will be so vast that you are too busy experimenting to run out. I already have a few favorites, but for the most part, I just kind of swatch whatever catches my fancy :)



Color payoff is variable. Some of the shadows are highly pigmented and apply with ease. Others look promising but are actually disappointing. There was no crazy odor and for the most part, the texture was pleasant and blended well.

I attempted to do a rainbow type gradient on my arm. I used MAC's paint in "Untitled" as a base and then swatched some of the colors using my ELF brushes.



I know this palette has been hyped for ages - I think it's a good deal for the price. Quality wise, the shadows have great staying powder and there are quite a few colors that impressed! However, if you're not into experimentation, I would go for the warm/neutral type palette. This one is fun, but I don't find myself reaching for it very often. It's just a bit bulky and I know I won't be traveling with it!

Overall

Pros:

♥ Affordable (sells for ~$19 on Amazon.com)
♥ TONS of color choices & finishes
♥ Some colors are heavily pigmented and pretty!
♥ Smooth texture, glides on easily (with primer)
♥

Cons:

♥ Packaging is bulky & cheap
♥ Pans are relatively small
♥ Requires a shadow primer
♥ Not travel-friendly
♥ Some colors are a bit 'chalky' and crumble easily

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (3/5)

This palette is not a "must-have" in my book, but something that every adventurous girl might want to have around just in case! Lots of possibilities for 'fun' looks but I think I will never really use about 30-40% of the colors just because they are too crazy bright! >_< ***


LOTD using Coastal Scents palette

*Tools*



Swatches of Colors used - pretty neutrals in shimmery sea-shell colors



Final look:



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My Glam Sparkle & Pop order came in the mail a little while ago - and I am SUPER pleased! A huge thanks to JULIE for the gorgeous hand crafted jewelry and sweet little extras!

I was so excited about this necklace, titled "Key to My Heart"




Each necklace is packaged so lovingly in a little organza pouch - so cute!



What a surprise! Little note & a beautiful NYX lip gloss!!!



I love the snowflake necklace - I might end up wearing it year round LOL! The AB quality of the swarovski crystals is so amazing - you can see how amazing it looks in different lighting!






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♥for Natalka, Aubrey, Bayrta, Renay, Pixyela, Miih, Sara, TzeYien, Angela, Dementia, & Beauty and the beast, Momo, Lavender, 409, Vanessa & Carmen!

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Already have so much to do this week! :) Correspondence (Sorry to all the lovely ladies for my laziness, I will be getting back this week!), more post lovin' to catch up on, crafting, and of course, work!!!

Please take care & have a great week!!!

Photoshoot + love!

Hi beauties! Just thought I would share some pics from a previous photoshoot with Christine Chang aka CC of Christine Chang Photography!

I absolutely LOVE her work - she does lots and lots of weddings & events and shot everything from rich kiddies b-day parties to Nick Lachey's Halloween party this past year! (Lucky girl! Always rubbing shoulders with the stars hehe) She also shot my sister's wedding in Boston last June ~ the pictures turned out so beautifully that I asked if she would partake in a mini-session with me during my trip out to LA this past October. Lucky for me, she obliged. :)




I had never done a photoshoot before and had absolutely no idea what to expect. CC told me to pick a few outfits out and we both decided what would work best the day of the actual shoot.

At first it felt kind of awkward...actually really awkward. I am definitely not a natural, so it took some time to 'warm up'



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After awhile it got much easier. I also found that props helped a lot because it got my mind off of the task at hand. Not only props, but familiar props - such as my computer, Diary, and most of all, my beloved stuffed Eeyore. I felt most comfortable with these things and I think it shows in the pictures! ♥







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My favorite set was the "princess" set - of course haha. I like the bright pops of color and overall girly-ness...no surprise there. :D The banner for my blog came from this set!









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It was interesting to move from the cozy indoors to the vast outdoors - it made me a bit anxious to start shooting outside in plain view of complete strangers, but CC kept cracking me up the whole time which made things much MUCH easier...





The whole process took about 3 hours including outfit/makeup changes and getting set up. However, it felt like it was over much quicker!



CC is truly an amazing, friendly and super talented person - although I was totally and shy, she helped me ease up and relax which made the overall experience enjoyable and FUN!

I think every girl should have the opportunity to star in her very own photoshoot. I'm quite familiar with taking pictures of myself for reviews and am pretty picky when it comes to selecting ones for viewing. From that perspective, it was difficult to relinquish control of the camera's eye and trust that the photographer wouldn't enhance my flaws, capture my double chin, or present me as unattractive in any way!

After the proofs came out, I'll admit I wasn't 100% happy with what seemed like a ton of the pictures - however, like any pics, there are going to be duds! The great thing about the photoshoot was that there were some pics that I absolutely LOVED - which is a very rare thing. :D

So yes, if you know a friend with a great camera (it seems like a lot of lovely ladies on blogger own pretty sweet cameras!) or any digital camera for that matter - go out, enjoy the nice weather, and have an inspired Spring photoshoot! :D It'll be fun to showcase your current sense of style in clothing/hair/makeup and explore your own city as you scour for good locations. Who knows, you might end up with a pretty new profile pic for blogger/fb/ms etc. and some great memories! ♥

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Since I have been busy with dealing with the mess in my room that is this (Spring cleaning mega closet wipeout extravaganza!), I haven't been able to dig out some of my products for reviews!!! :(

However, this Thursday, look forward to my first review in awhile :D I think I will have extracted the necessary objects by that point!

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A MILLION HUGS TO SOPHIA for the sweetest and most random surprise ever!!! I haven't devoured the kit kats yet since I am waiting to share with boyfriend & sisters, but SOON.





I loved the note so much too on the hilarious engrishy stationary!



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Muchos Besos to Penelope, icitea, Vernz, Me, Mimi, Makeup&more, Christina, Tann, xiong-c, Iyah, Andrea, Ria, Samy, Daya, fionaa, kshuttle, Kat, dovile, mitchteryosa, sugar princess, i luv contests and more, mommy rubz, Zoe, joanne, Me7a, Beka, and Jo Tee!!! Spoiled yet again. *^_^*

Almost the weekend = Excited!!!!!!!

♥ Irene

Girl's Trip in Colorado & Blog Awards!

**Pic heavy post!**

Back from my Girl's Trip in Denver & Breckenridge, CO - It was a much needed vacation & an awesome way to reconnect with friends I hadn't seen in awhile. :)

You don't need a great camera to capture the views in Colorado - Mother nature does all the work for you!

I have decided that there are a few elements that are essential to any girl's trip:

*~Adventure~*

*~Laughter~*

*~Food~*

*~Goofy moments~*

*~Bonding time~*

*~Going out on the town~*






*~Pampering~*









*~The element of Surprise~*

The week literally flew by - my body is adjusting again to the drastic change in altitude (they don't call Denver the "mile high city" for nothing!) I so don't want to go back to work on Monday. :(


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Thank you so much to AlyssaMae, Mr.Pineappleman, & Serena for these lovely awards! ♥

I would like to tag every single one of my readers :D

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I'm going to get to work on some reviews for the upcoming week. :) Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!

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A warm hello to beauties Ashley, Victoria, *A*, Nos, Angelique Q, Madiha, Sara, Esmereldaa, Boutzie', misSL33zZy, LadyMishel, ysababy323, xiluvyoux, and joany

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♥ Irene