Kim Kardashian-esque look - light edition

Happy September everybody! The last month or so has been a whirlwind of uncertainty, job changes, and LIFE getting in the way of everything...

Despite all the turmoil, it really does feel like God has been watching over me - I feel so blessed & very lucky. It feels like another chapter is opening in my life and I am just brimming with anxiety and excitement!

I am glad to be back - so much to catch up on! I missed the blogging community, but I can't reiterate how difficult it is to jump back into things after a period of (my self-inflicted) blog famine.

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After a good week or so of junk television, I have concluded that Kim Kardashian (and by extension, her full-blooded sisters & Mother) wears too much makeup. She looks fabulous - a sex Bob-bomb! but she also looks equally, if not more, gorgeous without.

I decided to do a "lite" version of her look...smoky & smoldering purples, charcoals and pinks with a light lip and false lashes.

I used my favorite NYX Caribbean Collection palette in "I dream of Barbados" - these colors are smooth and pigmented with some gentle non-overpowering shimmer. Also, be pretty with a clean conscience as all NYX products do not test on animals! :)

One of the keys to Kim's look is a strong, sculpted brow. One of my favorite brow pencils is N.Y.C. - the kind you can pick up at just about any drugstore for ~99 cents. They come in tons of shades - I chose a 922A, "Dark Brown"

After the eye makeup, I dusted bronzer on my temples and underneath the cheekbones. (Fresh, here comes the sun palette) A pop of pinky gold blush on the apples of the cheeks and a sweep of highlighter (Tokidoki in Kabuki) later...

Finished with NYX black label lipstick in "Nude". (LOVE these lippies by the way, will have to review soon)

Tip: Don't forget comically large sunglasses & body-hugging ensemble!

Hope everyone had a lovely labor-day weekend! See you soon ~ promise ;)

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**Side note - I swear the wind/rain combo outside is going to bust the windows out my house right now. O_O

Quick update

Hi girls,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm still around! Internet connection issues at home have kept me from posting and viewing your lovely blogs - it is so intimidating sometimes to jump back in but I am making a leap very very soon! Sorry for the lack of bloglove! I am working 12 days in a row (currently on day 5) but I will be trying my best to blog a few reviews and get caught up.

And since I hate posting without a picture, here is one of my soon-to-be next reviews! (non-sponsored - just an anniversary gift from my man! LOL - most girls get flowers and jewerly, but I told him I wanted pink brushes this year!)

See you lovelies soon!

Thankful I'm alive...

Scariest moment ever yesterday. Like I had mentioned before, there was some freak snow in Texas yesterday (it's all gone today) - I had to go to work in the morning. It started off fine...I was trying to be careful and most of the major roads were clear.

I approached a bridge, hit an icy patch, and started swerving out of control...I flew over the curb (between two telephone poles), careened down a small embankment, and managed to lodge myself amidst a few trees. Of course my mind is going a bazillionmilesanhour...everything happened in slow motion.

The WHOLE time this was happening, all I could think about was "please don't let this damage my car too badly" - weird and a little sad. :( The right side of my car was all torn up from the branches, but no broken glass...there was not internal car damage (the engine still runs) but I'll be figuring out what to do in the next few days as far as totaling it and getting a new car or trying to salvage it.

The crazy thing is I walked away from everything WITHOUT A SCRATCH. I was really down about the whole thing, thinking about how unlucky I was...until I realized how the simple fact that I was ALIVE and untouched was worth so much in and of itself. I am so thankful that God had his protective hand over me throughout the whole accident and for surrounding me with loved ones so quickly. Life is so precious and we all are so fragile in the whole scheme of things. I promised myself not to take this fact for granted...as Suze Orman always says "People first, then money, then things!"

Life teaches you so many things. Sometimes the lessons are harder than others...this time, luckily only in the form of squeezing my budget. If anything, I feel like I'll be more careful with my $$$ from here on out...emergency funds are so important!!!

Man, I have so much respect for all of you out there who have to deal with the snow everyday for MONTHS.

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Even though I had an incredibly bad day, it did cheer me up to see this sweet award from Yumi



♥ THANK YOU!!! ♥

I in turn will tag:

Sophia
Shop n Chomp
Glitteryeyesxx
Khristine
Sam
Suegarcoated
Anita
Liana
Stephanie
Yumi
Serena
Michelle
Nikki
Susie
Kimberdoll

♥

Finally, thank you for the love new readers veriweto and Mademoiselle !!!

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Please take care of yourselves today and DRIVE SAFELY


♥ Irene

Angelina Jolie inspired LOTD and Peking Duck

Yesterday was a day of makeup experimentation. I always wear the same makeup to work so since this was my day off, I thought I would have a little fun for once!

*Inspiration*

Image from www.weblo.com/property/city/Industry/68847/

So I don't think in the faintest that I look anything like Angelina Jolie, but I DO love her sexy cat eye, contoured & defined cheekbones, and of course, full, luscious lips! Also, I think she has one of the biggest hearts in Hollywood for those in need. Her philanthropic outreach is really impressive!

Cat eye = Shameless Shana from TheBalm on lids, Revlon colorstay eyeliner, NYC Eyebrow pencil. I really need to start blending my falsies with mascara...Darkness Kma6s (falsies) and my brows need a trim :P I should've used extra accents at the edges for a more 'flared' look. I probably will next try!



Contoured cheekbones with MAC Harmony



The color came out a bit whacky and I couldn't adjust it quite right... :( So excuse the crab-leg colored glow



More natural lighting...still rocking the Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Sugar Plum Ice.



Okay done with camewhoring. :)

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Today was actually kind of a big day too - my boyfriend was meeting with my parents again for the first time in over 6 months. The two of us have been through enormous challenges over the past year. My parents have had a hard time accepting the fact that Darren and I are seriously together - it is mainly a mixture of race and family socioeconomic background differences. For the longest time, I was torn between feelings of guilt, obligation, and of course, love.

After today, I literally breathed a HUGE sigh of relief - I am really proud that my parents have decided to come around on him. I know parents want the very best for their children - as children age, they begin to realize what they want doesn't always coincide with their parents' ideal future, thus the situation I found myself in with Darren. When I fell in love, I guess I wasn't really thinking of the things most parents would think of...perhaps it was selfish of me not to consider their wishes. I'm just happy that my parents are finally seeing him for who he is - a smart, hard-working, all around good guy that sincerely cares for me! (I really do feel like a princess sometimes...) ♥

To celebrate, we feasted like Kings! Peking duck + spring onions & plum sauce

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Not pictured: Sea bass & King Oyster mushrooms, Sizzling beef and onions, Duck bone soup, Salted garlic chicken

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The restaurant (Joy Luck BBQ) was located in a little mall with an Asian grocery store & gift shop. Seriously Hello Kitty Cutesy heaven!!! I also found THE CUTEST Totoro stuffed animal here:

Front! Wide eyed & curious


Back! Sleepy time!


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LOVE for new loves Cocoabee & Harlem

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3 more days until the weekend!!!

Tea cups & girl time

I had the pleasure of joining my manager for dinner at her house today. She lives in a cute & compact yet open and lush house nestled in the suburbs. We enjoyed some delicious pan-fried, flaky white halibut with plump scallops and shrimp. The seafood was lightly seasoned and browned on both sides with olive oil and french butter.

I love the fancy china and the big white modern dishes!

I forgot to mention the crazy looking broccolinis! Such long stems!



It's always very eye-opening to spend some time with somebody who has worked in the field for over 20+ years...that's almost as long as I have been alive...crazy! Their perspective is unique and intriguing. Pharmacy is changing so very rapidly...what was once a very in-demand field is now becoming super saturated. Gone are sign-on bonuses and having the luxury to even decide your location of choice! I definitely am thankful I am where I am now...

After a indulgent night of seafood, Vietnamese Kareoke, purse ogling, artichoke hummus, Chopin's Nocturne in E flat major, and green tea laced with rock candy, I returned home, happy, content, and inspired. :)

~ ♥ ~