By now it has really hit us that the year is nearing an end and a brand new one is just around the corner. Let us look back the past twelve months and recall the highlights of 2014 --- the triumphs and accomplishments, people we may have lost and miss, friends and family we shared and rejoiced with in their successes. Among these we may find some hurts but guess what? It is done, gone and is in the past so recalling and dwelling on it will just keep the pain in your heart and what we all need is peace. Set it aside or better yet toss it out the door and remember how good it felt to be in peace and love for that person. Some of us may have lost connections with friends and family and it is such a gnawing, achy and unsettling feeling. Before 2014 is gone for good, why not reach out to these people again? It doesn't matter who is at fault, just make the move and if that person doesn't react the same then at least you did your part and was truly genuine about it. I've witnessed a lot and have been in all kinds of life's dramas and here's what I have to say no matter the situation...
GET OVER IT.
There will be no change if we do not make it happen, the other person will be doing the same but may not make a move. What are you waiting for? The right time? Wouldn't you want to feel light and free once you've let go of the burden of hurt and start to LOVE again?... Of course! No one said it would be easy, that things will be fine and dandy right away, it definitely takes time but someone's gotta do something about it first.
With love life can go on. Love is giving that part of yourself you know may hurt you but are willing to give it anyway (and aren't we guilty of this?). Love is working the process of forgiving someone who has wronged you. It is holding back on judgments or comments and trying to see things from the other person's point of view. It is talking face to face rather than leaving things to solve themselves by avoidance because love is being proactive. Love is not sacrificing what you have but sharing who and what you are.
"The measure of love is to love without measure"
Though December 25 may not be the actual birth of Christ still we celebrate the love of our creator and show the same to the people we care about, who we LOVE. Let's not wait for the last page in the story of our lives to know how and who we end up making peace with, but rather look to the very beginning and remind ourselves that love was meant for everyone - God loved the whole world, not a select few.
May the grace of God enlighten and guide us all to pursue love this holiday season and for the rest of our days!
December days are really flying by and it's already the end of the third week. In just a few days it's Christmas! Let us not forget the true meaning of the season and just as important, the "feels" that accompany our gift given tradition and festive celebration ...
When you Google the word "JOY" these are some of the many synonyms you will find. Out of all the definitions I've gone through I think I like dictionary.com's the most -
Joy - noun: asourceorcauseofkeenpleasureordelight;somethingorsomeonegreatlyvaluedorappreciated;theexpressionordisplayofgladfeeling;festivegaiety.
It is definitely a state of happiness --- birthdays, weddings, graduation, the birth of a child, passing the board exam, finding out you are cancer free, a baby's first step and first word, the feeling you get when passing the driving exam at DMV. These are life's milestones, events that cause delight, is something very much valued - pure joy. It is an indescribable feeling of happiness that cannot be put into words but leaves you smiling literally to the point laughter! It is truly that warm, fuzzy feeling inside that touches you and you just want to shout it out to the world. This, too, is the feeling of Christmas. Not when we receive but when we give. Just try to imagine the person receiving the gifts we give, their reaction, how they are feeling right then and there. These are the best moments you want to witness and appreciate because their feelings of joy in accepting your gift becomes yours in return. Joy is contagious, it is both cause and effect and is top three in the hierarchy of positive emotions. You know what follows after JOY? Gratitude and then Love. Now don't you want yourself some Joy right about now?
May your days be filled with JOY and more Joy this holiday season!
If there's one thing I've learned to work within myself (and still am) is how to create and achieve inner peace - to de-stress, slow down and unwind. Wouldn't this be a better world if everyone chose peace over war, hate & drama, guilt & selfishness, anger and pain...etc.? And just like love, PEACE is a choice.
"A mind quick to react in defense or with negativity is a mind unhappy and stressed." ~ @catmac_
Search Google Play Store
We are fortunate to live in an age where convenience is just at our fingertips. There are several apps out there that serve as tools to help ease stress and set a soothing ambiance.
For instance NATURE SOUNDS, mother earth has infused our surroundings with soothing sound waves, we just have to tune in! My personal preferences are the sounds of flowing or dripping water, ocean waves rushing to shore, rain ranging from light showers to torrential storms, chirping crickets at night, the ticking of a clock, sounds of a gong from a distance, spa music from a flute, piano, voilin and wind chimes. We underestimate how therapeutic nature is and we opt for the more louder, polluting sounds. Try these and really pay close attention to your breathing while easing into a calm place in your mind. Nothing else matters... just YOU.
Bath&Body Works Aroma Therapy Body Wash
Another thing that helps me set the mood for a mental detox are SCENTS. Aromatherapy and scented candles provide an immediate soothing effect and can be purchased anywhere. It is all about allotting time for yourself to create a safe haven or to be in a state of less or zero worries, let yourself go and not think about what bothers you even for a moment. It'll make a big difference. (Photo details: Eucalyptus Tea Stress Relief Aromatherapy body wash & foam bath; Eucalyptus Mint and Mahogany Teakwood scented candles; Citrus Bliss essential oil)
Bath&Body Works scented candles, doTERRA Essential Oils
Establishing inner peace is having ACCEPTANCE - know that you need to help yourself, that your weaknesses affect your life and your relationship with others. Realize that YOU can make and create a solution. Just like nature, stressors are all around us. No one promised our lives to be smooth sailing and stress free but we can definitely make the most of it! Find ways to create calmness in your mind even when our lives are so busy and hectic.
No one else will make this time for you and the better you are with others when you are in a state of peace and relaxation. When you have reached that point, close your eyes and say THANK YOU. Share this with someone you know who is burdened with stress too.
"Communication and sharing is just as powerful as the knowledge imparted." ~ @catmac_
Lastly, ain't nothing wrong with little IGNORANCE... what affects us most is what we bring attention to whether big or small. We've all heard of the saying "Ignorance is bliss" - it is so true :)
Before the year ends, let's truly pay attention to our inner self. Let go of turbulent feelings and share the peace we experience so that it is more powerful than any virus or contagious disease, that it takes over and becomes the most positive and liberating feeling you could give yourself and others!
~ Peace be with You ALL ~
P.S.
Be enlightened through literature, and if you don't have the time to read then LISTEN to inspirational books. I take advantage of my time during my commute to work to listen ---
Here are some of my current favorite books I recommend:
Now that most of the craziness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping has passed, the first week of December marks the time to reflect on the special individuals we are gifting (or about to) and sharing happiness with! Have a list of people and take a good look at their names and really feel the love for these individuals, how blessed we are to have them, how they impact and influenced us and most importantly how they never failed to be there for us. There are just some gifts that cannot express how we feel for these special people and when expenses are hitting the ceiling, I think one of the best ways to share good thoughts and cheer is putting them in words - blank holiday cards. It provides you space and the convenience to truly pour out your feelings for someone, how much you appreciate them and wishing them well this holiday season.
You can put it in poem form or write down a practical joke to put a smile on their face. Keeping it concise but sweet... and true to form --- it's the thought that counts. I like to accent cards like this with candy (candy cane or your choice of chocolate).
TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS YEAR ---
Why not reach out to those who make our lives livable? People you encounter daily or on a schedule who you've developed great relationships with that need some love for their countess hours of service like :
company janitor/custodian
postman
security guards/volunteers
your mechanic
your beauty specialists (manicurist, esthetician, hair dresser)
November is practically over and most of us have already gotten majority of our shopping done. Now a days it takes weeks or even months of planning ahead, taking note of who wants what, what gifts are appropriate for who and at what age, gifts based on need or necessity, buying items that friends and family are obsessed with like movies, games, beauty products, accessories...etc. Some people have gifts ready by October because you have within 90 days (for most stores) to return or exchange an item - remember to keep your receipt and always ask for a gift receipt as well.
For those last minute online shopper, here are some things to keep in mind:
ETA - when will the item arrive
Coupon Codes - there is always Groupon and Living Social but Instagram is also one of the best sources for various discount codes. If you follow certain companies or products then for sure they are posting all kinds of #blackfriday or #cybermonday discount codes.
Gerard Cosmetics, Jordana, Bare Minerals
ItsJudyTime Eye shadow palette 2 for $ 13.95
Bright festive color bags are great to use when you're short on time for wrapping.
Bare Minerals Lipspectacular 6pc set for $26.00 (values $50+)
There are still those last minute gifts out there that you can get at your local grocer or nearby mall (depending if you get there as soon as it opens). Sometimes it could be hard to think of something for a friend or family member, but you can never go wrong with tea paraphernalia and coffee mugs. Nearly everyone loves tea or coffee!! Here are some of my suggestions for those beverage lovers out there ---
Ladies let's be real, when it comes to products that work or are affordable... we're all ears! We want to know who's using what, where to buy them, how much and does it really work. I put together some stuff that I have used up and nearly finished the past few months, also wanted to share my two cents about these brands.
I've been using the Neutrogena brand makeup remover towelettes for a while before trying the Walmart equivalent - the Equate brand. Neutrogena makes it quick and easy to wipe off makeup with a few swipes and passes on the face even with stubborn eyeliner and mascara. The only downside is that there are only 25 counts per pack versus Equate which has 40 counts, not to mention the price difference where Equate costs less by a few dollars but contains nearly twice as much more product. However, while going through the Equate brand I found that the clothes weren't as moist in comparison to the Neutrogena ones. But I realized that as you get towards the end of the pack, the actual makeup remover liquid that soaks the towelettes is more apparent which makes cleansing way more efficient. So it's best to invert the Equate pack several times before using to ensure the entire contents have absorbed the liquid.
Pond's Cold Cream - gently massage over the face with your fingers and use a damp wash cloth (preferably warm to hot) to wipe of any residue that the towelettes may have left behind especially around the eye area. This is an awesome step to follow afterwards because you can be sure that you have truly gotten rid of nearly everything that would clog your pores.
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser - best used with a spin brush to exfoliate the face, leaves the skin fresh, smooth and is nondrying. This is a high end brand and can be purchased at Sephora, I got the travel size for $16 near the check out counter.
Lancome Bifacil liquid makeup remover - contains oil and liquid components that melts makeup easily with the use of a cotton pad. Can be purchased at department stores. Mine was included in a gift set with a $35 purchase at Macy's, I was able to sample this product and am quite satisfied.
WHERE to find: local drugstores and beauty supplies (CVS, Walgreens, Ulta Beauty... etc.), Target, Walmart and department stores (Sephora, Macy's and Nordstroms)
Christian Dior, Josie Maran, VO5, Neutrogena
The only lip product that I consider a treatment in this photo is the Christian Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing and Plumping lip balm. I personally don't think that this has plumped up my lips but that was not the reason why I purchased it in the first place. Upon hearing several raves about this on YouTube I went ahead and got this at Sephora because I wanted to see if it would smoothen out my lips - because HELLO dry and cracked lips are my problem. I was pleasantly surprised that it actually did very well locking moisture in and each time I use this I rarely experience peeling on my lips. This too, is a pricey brand (around $30) but is well worth the money especially because you will not go through this quickly. Once you put it on it helps retain your lips healthy, normal suppleness and condition that you will need not reapply constantly.
V05 Hot Oil Therapy and Neutrogena Triple Moisture - the 2 products I use for maintenance and hair care because I don't keep schedule on trimming my hair and because I blow dry my hair every other day I also want to bring back moisture and somehow help in preventing hair loss. I use the V05 Hot Oil all over my scalp and mainly the roots of my hair, and the Neutrogena moisture treatment is mainly for the ends of my hair to rebuild and protect it from heat damage.
Josie Maran Argan Oil - this to me is an "all around" product that you can use as a face and body moisturizer and a hair care treatment as well because it is light and is easily absorbed that it doesn't leave you with an oily film over the body or giving your hair a greasy looky. It provides just the right shine that looks absolutely healthy!
Where to find: Sephora, online, local drugstores and beauty supplies.
Ecopure Essential Kiwi Juice - I wish there were English translations on the back of this packaging, I sure am curious as to what other ingredients this product has... like if it is all natural or made of organic ingredients. Anyhow it was a rejuvenating mask to use, it is a cloth mask that is soaked in kiwi juice that you leave on you face for several minutes and when removed, just massage the left over liquid on you face till it is entirely absorbed. It is refreshing and best used during your night cleansing routine just before bedtime. Unfortunately this was given to me so I do not know where to purchase this :(
AMIRA, Ecopure, Michael Todd True Organics
Amira Clarifying Toner and Michael Todd True Organics Blue Green Algae antibacterial toner - these two toners I love because of their restorative and healing properties. The Amira toner contains witch hazel extract that is known for several healing benefits to the skin. And the MTTO toner is awesome for acne treatment, especially during that time of the month when suddenly a zit appears or seems to be forming. Both are gentle and nondrying.
Where to find: Seafood City and online. Michael Todd True Organics are quite generous with discount deals on Groupon and Living Social.
Bath and Body Works, Spring Valley, Boscia
Last but not the least... I purchased the Bath and Body Works Black Currant Vanilla body wash in Sensual that leaves you smelling and feeling extra "special" when you get out the shower. It is a treat for the senses and leaves you feeling silky smooth. Fish Oil gels have been a long time supplement I've used to help boost the health of my skin and hair. Boscia Greentea blotting sheets have been a life saver when it comes to eliminating and absorbing oil on my face throughout the day and helps prevent overuse of face powders. Blotting first before retouching can aid in avoiding clogged pores hence reduce blackheads and whiteheads. Lastly, the one product non beauty is the lens cleanser I've been using to clean the LCD of my phone. I never thought of using this until I read the label and saw it indicate that it is formulated for glass, which is what the NOTE 3 screen is made of.
Where to find: Mall, online, supermarket, Sephora and local optometry offices.
Taking a concealer brush I apply the lightest shade under my brows, drawing a line below the brow bone to shape out where I want the highlight to be and where not to exceed with the brow color later, from the thickest part of the brows all the way to the tail.
Next using an angled brow brush and medium brown eye shadow, I fill in the basic shape of my brows making sure the sparse areas are covered being careful not the over apply the powder at the thickest part of the brows. Do this using a light hand to maintain the most natural shade and shape. At this point I do not pull the shadow all the way towards the tail because I will be applying a different product in this area.
Next I use a brow pencil to build a little more shape - drawing light, upward feathery strokes to mimic the actual hairs.
And then I take a smaller brow brush ( preferably dual ended) and a dab of brow pomade to draw a fine, crisp line along the base of the brows, bottom arch, all the way to the tail and filling in this area for a sharp, deeper but natural gradient finish. Lightly brush through the brow hairs (using the spooly end of the brush) to soften the look. I have learned that warming up the pomade first on the back of my hand before using it helps soften it and makes it easier to work with. I apply product by gently pressing the sides of the brush onto the pomade. Defining the bottom of the brows gives them dimension and emphasizes a clean finish :)
Brush through the brows with tinted brow gel to seal the deal and lastly pat on some translucent powder where the concealer was first placed to mattify the overall look and you're done!
This weekend I devoted time to de-clutter my slightly spacious closet and boy oh, boy... believe me it was easier said than done and though this may look fairly simple and nothing fancy, I am just glad that this little space is tidier than when I started. This walk-in is probably around 8x8 feet and each side has built in hanger racks/shelving that was already installed from the get-go. I did not want any handyman skills involved such as tearing down stuff and remounting them. My goal was to remove the main bulky furniture and downgrade it but retain functionality. I took out the Ikea Kallax shelf that consumed so much room at the far end wall and replaced it with a smaller, slimmer one also from Ikea the Bitrade shelf in white (which I couldn't find online) that I purchased at Emeryville.
Gray storage boxes from Ikea, plastic drawer storage from The Container Store.
I wish I took a before photo but at the same time I'm glad I didn't because it just was not a pretty sight. The clutter I cleared were empty makeup packages and boxes that have accumulated the past year or so - apparently I like hoarding cardboard and I am so bad LOL; some of the other stuff are also what you see in the pictures like my vampire book collection - both Twilight memorabilia and paperback paranormal romance novels. As shown in the photo above I have my makeup collection here and for now this is temporary and subject to change.
these are ALL empty... so sad to see these go :(
Hello Bella! :)
One thing I took into consideration this time was to go with a white color shelving unit to match the wall so not to visually take away from an already tiny space. I find that bold solid color furniture seem to appear embossed from the background and can occupy way too much. The previous brown shelving unit was just such an "in your face" object that appeared closer to the center of the closet that when you go inside it feels as if it is drawing attention from the space - bulky, hulking and intimidating. A space should feel and be both personal and efficient where you need not stress over where to find things but know that all is properly stowed away in a system that best works for you yet reflects your sense of style or overall personality.
shelf top
view from the doorway, as you can see I have clothes hanging on the lefthand side
capture your feelings for the season through color
Warm. Rich. Festive.
~ the top 3 words that come to mind when I think of Fall/Autumn ~
Tis the season of layered clothing, boots and pumpkin spice lattes. What I'm most excited about are the shades that enhance beauty because let's face it, the change in seasons are all about Color - warm tones such as maroons and burgundies, rich reds and the vibrance of gold in jewelry or accent pieces. Pops of colors to add that extra oomph to our wardrobe #OOTD - for example arm candy such as wristlets and clutches. Invest in a festive piece that you can bring out yearly that has structure but is timeless. Something simple and stylish that could add class and functionality to an attire.
Photo details:
Nail polish:
Sally Hansen - Wine Stock, Bare Dare and Clear'd For Take Off (available at CVS, Walgreen, Target and Walmart)
When you're pressed for time and cannot prepare a decent meal for the day but you need something on the table rapido, bust out with them leftovers and don't feel bad about it! :)
It'll take some jazzin up with items you may already have at home in your refrigerator and pantry, a few minutes of your time and Voila! You've got a revamped dish that might just be 'Mom and Pop cafe' worthy!
Last night's leftover:
Pork Sisig
I placed a single serving amount of leftover Sisig on a plate with a scoop of rice garnished with a couple pinches of crispy fried garlic flakes, topped with one sunny side up egg and cracked black pepper. Prior to plating I reheated the Sisig stove top on a skillet to render the excess fat, discard this. I like to serve this with a side of chili garlic sauce dipping and a tall glass of ice cold water - Sisig is best when heat is mild to moderate spicy.
In most Filipino kitchens rarely would they run low on onions, garlic, tomatoes or ginger; toyo (soy sauce) and/or patis (fish sauce) - good God I think we have bags of these that would last us the whole month. Not to mention some sort of "sour soup" (Sinigang) base powder.
This morning I did an inventory check of the pantry and saw that I was
still good with the "usual suspects", the only thing I had to do was
find out from my tribe which kind of Sinigang they wanted - beef, pork or fish.
Since it's been a while this is what they requested...
The usual suspects:
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 cup sliced ginger
3 medium tomatoes, chopped into 8 piece wedges each
Tamarind soup base
patis
salt (if needed)
Accessories:
Tamarind leaves, 1 pack (1/2 lb.) 227 g
Okra, 12 pieces
Petchay, 1 bag - cleaned and trimmed of white stalk, green leafy part only
*optional: Banana pepper for spice
Summer sure has gone just as quickly as it came. The past couple months I've been trying out new products and played around with beauty buys I never have last year. And I was pleasantly surprise to actually enjoy highlighters this year! Though I have purchased maybe one a while back it just never made me want to keep using it.
Maybe I was applying it excessively... I dunno.
But this time around I've learn what shades work best for me and compliments my complexion :)
IG @catmac_
All of these products you probably have already heard of,
read about or even watched on beauty bloggers YouTube channels, but in
the photo here, these are the ones that I've found suit me well. I am
Asian with Light complexion and oily-combination skin. So taking into consideration my skin
quality was key to which product is best for me and the placement of
these highlighters - thank you YouTube makeup tutorials! Wanting to look beautiful doesn't rely on how much a woman puts on her face, it is simply bringing out or 'highlighting' your key features ♥♥♥
Sometimes you need a little pick-me-up with the help of makeup.
Brushes I've been using from Sigma and realTechniques:
Running out of party ideas on dessert presentation? Need something not too time consuming, cute, fresh and inexpensive? If you're hosting a beach or coastal theme party and need to give your dessert bar some love... here's how I put this little set up together ---
my own creation for my sister's bridal shower
What you'll need:
brown sugar (for sand), the amount depends on the quantity of cupcakes and platter size
cupcakes (homemade, catered or store bought) topped with Aqua colored icing or any color of your choice
seashell mold
white chocolate chips or candy melts
food coloring
small seashells for added decoration
shallow plastic party platter/tray
What to do:
Follow the instructions on how to make white chocolate candy or refer to other recipes online how to achieve this, just add in a swirl of food coloring before pouring into the mold and allowing to harden. Stick to the color of your motif. This is the only step that will need a little bit of time :)
In a party platter, pour the brown sugar in and spread thoroughly, pack down if you wish. This represents our sand element.*Note: add white sugar if desired to give a more lighter sandy look.
Arrange the mini cupcakes, white chocolate candy shells and real seashells on top of the brown sugar, avoid overcrowding. Set on serving table covered with linen or any material that presents a classic beachy feel.
Other tips:
You may also include a few starfishes, conk shells, tea light candles (consider battery operated ones if there are children around to avoid fire hazard) and such as added decor to your tablescape! A lantern can also give that authentic coastal touch to the overall presentation.
Hope ya'll are enjoying summer! I've been meaning to post product reviews on my blog especially when something works for you, if the product is great then talking about it and recommending it to others may be the best help you can offer someone with the same or similar situation you are in. My skincare routine has changed since the past year and have taken the natural or organic route in taking care of face. This whole summer this is how my complexion has been spending it's time...
http://www.michaeltoddtrueorganics.com/
I first got to sample one of their products - the Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub - thru one of my monthly Ipsy bag subscriptions last year. It has a spa-like scent, very pleasant and soothing. I especially love how it is not harsh at all on the face. I first started with the Discovery kit for Anti-Aging and just loved how it worked for me that I ended up sharing it with my teenage son who was going through the breakout phase since it helped clear my complexion. I felt he could benefit as well from this kit. I then purchased the Discovery Kit for Acne or Oily Skin, which suits me better because I do have oily skin. Through these Discovery Kits I've found a better way to cleanse, heal and prevent further damage to my skin as I age. I was hooked once I noticed my skin's improvement the very next day! I've never encountered a skincare product that yields results within days let alone hours. I typically have to use the item for at least 7-10 days to see it's effects or minimal results. This line made a TRUE big impression on me!
All the products in the photo above worked great for my skin type but I especially love the benefits of their Clear Bi Light! This technology is something I thought I could never afford but when my sister purchased her Bi Light through a special promo, I waited for it to come again and finally got mine! #happyshopper
The blue light helped eliminate germ causing acne or blemishes and the red light increased the healing process of my skin due to promoting circulation in the treated area. All the products worked well together and I highly recommend this system.
Love your skin, treat with a quality skincare line that uses organic ingredients and promotes it's benefits. No one wants to damage their skin by applying all kinds of chemicals on it, sure there are other companies out there that have the same claims on their products but are more costly. Michael Todd True Organics offers the benefits of natural components with the technology that makes sense and is within consumers reach.
If you are a working mom like me and are on a budget, I suggest you
sign up for Living Social and download the app. Michael Todd True
Organics has promos or sales from time to time but it helps to have that
extra discount #LetsBeReal
