Is this Love? =D

Things in the Making...

Not sure what this post is about....but if anything ever comes out of these - dynamic duo - I'll be sure to let you know.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Perfect Pairing

Yes, I found the perfect wedding band for me yesterday.  I never thought I would ever describe something as being perfect, but the process of finding this ring and the outcome was indeed absolutely perfect. 

Chris and I have actually been ring shopping for several months now.  Now as you know, I'm not a fussy girl.  I don't need big diamonds, princess jewels.....that's not my style.  As Chris likes to describe it, "We like understated elegance."

When Chris was shopping for the engagement ring, I specifically told him not to get me a diamond ring.  I don't like it, especially with the rock sticking out.  I think it looks more like a sharp dangerous object than anything else.  Plus, I'm a practical girl; I do dishes, I clean the house....there's no way I can wear a diamond and feel comfortable doing housework.  I know lots of other people do, but for me, I rather have something I don't need to worry about too much.

So when Chris proposed to me, he presented me with a very simple ring.  And I love it.  Just exactly how I like it.

With the wedding ring, Chris wanted me to at least have some small diamonds on the band...and I think it looks pretty too.  So we've settled on this one (above).  The story with this ring is that we actually saw something similar (though not as pretty) during Christmas when the store was running its Christmas sale.  We didn't get the ring at the time because I wasn't 100% sure on it.  So we waited. 

With the sales now over , Chris and I have been looking in a lot of places for something comparable.  We didn't find anything and we actually decided that if we couldn't find anything before the wedding in June, then that would have to be.  

Then, a miracle happened.  We stumbled into this store yesterday that we haven't heard of before and we picked out the perfect ring................and here's the best part.................with the perfect price.  It's actually even less expensive than the one we saw before. 

I loved it.  It was perfect.  It felt right.  The store was nice, the sales lady was nice.....it just felt right.  So we got it and I am very very happy about my ring.  I never thought I would ever find the perfect ring....you know, because I'm very picky and all...but I did. 

Chris was willing to pay anything for the ring....but with it being even less expensive than the previous one.......it was just perfect! =) =)

My 7 shoe essentials

These are my essentials in the shoe department:

1) sandals - metallic and strappy, for the summer

2) flats - black, for all year round

3) black pointed heels - classic, for work, going out, date nights

4) loafers - black or brown, for everyday casual outfits, i.e. weekends

5) high heel ankle booties - for work or going out in the winter

6) warm boots - for winter casual

7) runners - for exercising, running, and all the outdoor stuff

These are absolutely what I need to match with my wardrobe for ALL seasons.  It took me quite a few years to narrow down to these classic essentials.

So, what are your 7 essentials? Let me know =)

Eggplant of the day

I try my hand at saute eggplants for dinner tonight and it was alright, still need some improvement.

Just to let you know, this is going to be a series of trial and error and hopefully, with my stomach intact.

My goal is to be able to come up with a decent meal every night for a whole week.  7 days, 7 different meals, with soups and all.

As you know, take-out is currently my 3rd best friend, but this has got to change.  For health reasons. 

So here we go, to healthy it is! !! !!!

H&M and tons of people

My haul items:

H&M was super busy this weekend.  I absolutely chose the wrong time to go, but heck, the weather waits for no man.  It's boiling hot these days and my summer wardrobe desperately desperately needed an update.

How did I ever get so outdated??

It was the worst possible time to go and I was in no mood to go shopping.  But I had to get something.  Otherwise, I was stuck with 2 options: Go naked or boil/suffocate to death.

So, I managed to score myself a blue silky top (not really silk), 2 pairs of nice work-appropriate shorts, and a pair of surprisingly nice denim shorts.  I also managed to get a bracelet and several pairs of stud earrings.  Minor minor things....

Originally, I was looking for maxi skirts, not so boho chic, but appropriate for casual Fridays.  Non-existent.  I found some high-low ones at Zara....but they were mixed with the tie-dye trend.......not good for me. 

I just wanted some good basics.  Nice material, nice cut, plain enough that you could wear it with anything.  You know, just like that black tank top, that perfect grey tee, the nude sandals.  I want the basics....but I couldn't find them today.

Zara had some great pieces: some nice skinny jeans, some good flats, and a few great tops.  But I think they are way over priced.  I find that Zara is getting more and more $$$.  Not good.

Oh well, I will have to go again at a better time :)  What are your great finds recently?

Cute rings :)

I was browsing through the web last night in search of an affordable, yet unique, engagement / wedding ring (heheee) and I stumbled upon this website: http://www.chaoandeerojewel.com/

Here’s one of their collections “Signs”

All the pictures that you see here are directly from their website. So, go check them out ;)

 

Sorry if I have been living under a rock, but this is a new brand to me and I love their pieces.  Before getting into the details, let’s have a look at a few pieces that I think are so whimsical and will make great conversation pieces. 

The lowdown:

According to the website information, they are two designers from Finland.  They have many other collections, but “Signs” is my favourite – with the emoticon theme – so trendy ;) My favourite piece is the love sign, of course.

Now at this point, I want to make it clear that I am not in any way affiliated with them. I am not getting paid or receiving any special promo codes.  I simply found their website and, quite frankly, CHAO & EERO doesn’t even know that I exist.

I am tempted to order one of these.  Since the prices are not listed on the site, I have no idea whether these pieces are affordable or sky-rocketingly $$.  Their website says: "To order please see www.designshopoutlet.com, or “How to Order” album at our facebook for direct order from us.”

So, if you are interested......

How do you like them rings?  I think they are great going-out pieces.  So fun, no?

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Essence + something else

A little post on skincare...

The weather has been getting colder and drier here, so I thought I would give these 2 products a try.  Yes, while I was prepping for my course, I thought I would whip out my camera and do a blog post. 

I have a oily T-zone, but dry patches here and there.  Personally, I don't like anything too thick and greasy on my face.  I prefer something that's light and hydrating at the same time.  I have always trusted the Neutrogena brand, hence the Hydro Boost Essence.  Neutrogena also offers a thicker version - i.e. a lotion - but, I opted for the essence.

It's got a noticeable fragrant to it, which I can put up with since it is somewhat pleasant.  And if it does what it says it will do, I'm willing to put up with a little perfumery scent. 

My verdict is that it's been nice so far.  It's not oily and it doesn't make my skin oily as the day goes on.  If you are worried about the smell, it dissipates 30 secs after application (so, really no big deal there).  What I like most about this product is that it absorbs into the skin very quickly,  doesn't leave any sticky bits behind, and my skin feels nice and soft all day.  It also doesn't break me out.  Most Neutrogena products do not break me out anyway.  So I like this.

Not to mention, the packaging is quite sleek.  It's blue and test tube-like, so you feel like you are putting something ultra science-y and high-tech on your face.  Always a bonus.

The second item --- is the ever so luxurious Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair.  Marketing said that this product is the result of 30 years of R&D.  It's supposed to get down to your DNAs and correct the problems of aging....blah blah blah.

I got a sample of it with a magazine purchase.  I've been using it quite generously for about a week and it hasn't broken me out; it hasn't left me greasy; and it seems to be something positive to my face.

My face appears more radiant, glowy, less patchy (colour wise), and plum.

There's no pungent smell and it absorbs into the skin quite nicely, although I find it a bit sticky after initial application.  But once you wait for about 2 mins, that goes away.

Of course, this product is pricy and I don't think I'll ever purchase a full size bottle.  I'll consider this as a treat to myself.  If I ever feel like I need a special boost, I will just buy a sample size bottle - that is enough for me.

Overall, I'm happy what these 2 purchases this month.

Style

 Some people have this naturally and some people don't.

Chris has it - naturally.  I've went shopping with him before (ok, lots of times) and it's not that people with style can wear anything, it's that they know what looks good on them, what fits well, and what should avoid at all cost.

Other people, however, spends loads on brand names: LV, Burberry, Gucci, Guess, Armani...but it just doesn't look good when they wear it out all at once.  It's blinding.

I haven't got as much style as Chris, but you know, I'm alright.  Ok, I ask him for advice...LOL. You know, this is why this is not a fashion blog.....but I'm working in it!

I got a haircut today and finally, my hair is fixed.  No more flat hair.  The stylist did a good job at strategically cutting layers underneath my hair to create some lift around the crown.  Bless his soul. 

In the past year, I think I was just so overwhelmed with work and trying to get used to my new position that I lost my look.  Yes, I lost my look.  For the past few months, I noticed that I looked different, but I couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong with my look.  It took me a while to figure it out, but I think I've got it.

First, it was the haircut, but most importantly, it was my eyebrows.  I noticed that I was doing my eyebrows differently for the past year, which dramatically changed my look.  I'm happy to report that I have now fixed that situation and now, I look much like myself again.  Thank god!!!

These babies

 

Not the exact same ones, but similar enough.  Platform, high, spiky, and best of all, comfortable, walkable.  

I will wear these to make me feel tall and adequate. 

Project Pandora + Birthday

Project Pandora has been a success so far - all thanks to my birthday, graduation, parents visiting, x'mas, new year all lumped into one.

I didn't go crazy.  I got myself a gold spacer, my parents got me a dangling charm , and Chris got me the heart.  It's heavy enough for now.

My birthday..................omg.........it's been a long one. I'm exhausted. A lot of facebook messages, especially from friends who I haven't talked to for a long time.  Everyone seems to be doing well.  Most of the singles are now coupled.  Many of the coupled are now married.  And many of the married are now occupied (with kids) ;) So, all is well it seems.

I spent the actual day of my birthday in my office catching up on work.  I'm not complaining.  It's not very often that I get to work in my office uninterrupted.  So, it was a nice breather.

2 birthday cakes, numerous dinners, a lot of presents later, I am 29  =) It's not bad, not bad at all!

The New Pandora

So, I succumbed to retail therapy today...well, not really. I've paid my respect and appreciation to jewelry today -- this afternoon-- within 1/2 hour.

I got my own Pandora bracelet - 2 toned Silver and Gold ---- well, more silver than gold at the moment.

And I love it!  It's exactly what I wanted.  Personalized and classic.  No one has the same.  Not really mass produced.  Meaningful....and sparkly.  =)

I don't have that many charms on it right now: 2 clips, 1 spacer, 1 safely clasp and 1 charm.  I love the way it jingles on my wrist and I love the way it has both silver and gold.  Compare to the ones I saw in Shenzhen yesterday, omg, what a world of difference!

I am so happy I got this and I can't wait to get more charms.  Of course, I will only buy charms that are meaningful to me.  I don't think I'll buy it just for the sake of filling out the bracelet =)

Love love love!

Zooe

Mine! Mine!

hopefully......soon! =) 

  Zooe