Falsies

I have been wearing false lashes for about 5 years now.
I was cursed with the typical Asian 'non-existing' lashes and have decided that I am taking things into my own hands.
Few years ago, for about a year on a weekly base I had a friend apply each individual false lashes .
Soon, though, that got too expensive, not to mention a bit too tedious where I had to 'schedule' my lashes on a weekly base.
So I went back to applying it when I want it on my own.

Below are styles I feel are most natural, flattering to my eye shape, glam, but not too much, as in I don't look like I'm 'on in 5.'

Everyone asks 'how do you get it on, it's so hard' and the answer is -- there's no secret, practice practice, PRACTICE.

You need to see what style works for you, how it compliments your eyes, which eye is easier to apply and how long they should be, etc.
A good glue is a must, too.
I use DUO glue in the dark color, where it goes on gray and dries black.

On any given day I probably own no less then 40~50 pairs, because it has become my 'glam security' and I feel better with it on and never want to run out.
It's a Linus' blanket for me.

I purchase my Red Cherry Lashes through eBay and my Revlon lashes through madamemadeline.





Red Cherry False Eyelashes #503



Red Cherry #46



Red Cherry #99



Revlon Beyond Natural in 'Defining'

La La land...

View of downtown Los Angeles from Century City Intercontinental Hotel


I am visiting for one day.....and I couldn't have asked for a better weather!!




Pinkberry coconut flavored yogurt with LOADS of mango!



Talk to you when I get home....I will do a post on false lashes next!
Stay tuned!

Beauty go-to

Every girl has beauty items that are fail proof for her.
Here are some of the items that I can't do without if they suddenly become discontinued (knock on wood)....





CHI flat iron

Though a bit expensive, I refuse to use anything else.
My hair is thick and coarse and can be extremely frizzy after shampoo.
This iron is like magic, where I don't need to keep going over the same area five times in order for it to straighten it and also gives it a nice shine.





Moroccan Oil

I have been in search of a one step product that would protect my hair from the heat and also give it the shine I want after I use my flat iron without the greasy feeling.
This is it.




OPI Strawberry Margarita

Fruit punchy color looks so good on my nails during the warm months, and I found this color that is absolutely perfect.




Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Freakshow


I have dark brown eyes and purple makes my eye color pop.
I searched high and low for a perfect purple and this is the color that was EXACTLY what I have been looking for.



MAC brush #252



MAC brush #109



MAC brush #130

When it comes to actually applying the make up, the above three brushes are my staple.
I use the 252 brush to apply the shadow over my entire lid and the 109 for my foundation.

130 is to blend the foundation into the small areas on my face that a big powder brush can't get to, like the side of my nose.
This brush is also excellent for blending my bronzer and blush together so it looks like a natural flush, and not something I painted on.

Obviously I have more brushes but these three are my essentials.



Nars blush in Torrid

I know Nars is known for its blush 'Orgasm' but with my darker skin tone, the blush was a touch too light and wasn't showing up.
When I spoke to someone at Sephora, they suggested Torrid, and now I can actually see what I'm putting on my face!




Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss in Coconut Craze

I have many many MANY tubes of lip gloss but this is my favorite now.
It is a touch darker in the tube but it has a nice golden sheen that gives my lips a nude yet shimmery color, and it smells divine.



Wet'n Wild shadow in Fine Wink (image courtesy of makeupmasala)

Known as the dupe for the ever famous 'Kitten' by Stila, this under $3 cheaper cousin of the famous color is THE best shadow in my make up collection.
I use this for highlight, and as a base color. I can NOT do my make up with out this one!




Sephora Super Supreme Body Butter


The most moisturizing and the smell is just subtle enough that it doesn't overpower you.




Caudalie Cleansing Water

I am on my fourth bottle of this fabulous product.
I use it as a cleansing water to take make up off or as a toner, because it's just that gentle.




Make Up Forever HD Foundation in #128

I was never a fan of liquid foundation, until I found this.
It is an absolute perfection and the color blends into my skin as if it was custom made for me.


What are your beauty must haves, or the go-to items?

Lazy days...

Hotel room side table


Though many people adore my profession for all the travels and the interesting people I meet on the road, sometimes I actually enjoy lounging in my hotel room more than anything else.

Many hours of being on my feet and being in the presence of hundreds of people have definitely made me appreciate my alone time over the years.




Sudoku and coffee by the window

I am in the beautiful Northwest today (Portland, OR to be exact) and since the weather is a bit gloomy, I have decided to stay in, order room service and relax until I have to get ready for my red eye flight I am working late tonight.




Gloomy Portland

How do you unwind after a busy week?

Helping Hands

Donation box


On a weekly base I volunteer for PACT which is a no kill all volunteer non profit humane society organization for cats.

I have been volunteering with them for about three years and I enjoy every second of it.



The board at our site that shows the cats that are available to be adopted.




New owners for our cats send in current pictures of them settling into their new forever home!


We have annual events, such as Angels with Tails, which is organized by PAWS and is held on the posh Oak St.
Organizations that specializes in different types of animals (mostly dogs and cats) from all over the Chicagoland area sets up in the boutiques and department stores up and down the street so the locals can see the animals and get to know the groups that are featuring these homeless furry friends.







One of our cats, Isaac, getting in my way of cleaning...




Our maine coon, Fieval, relaxes in a scratching box during his time out of the cage...


I love my shopping and make up and high end fashion probably more than the next girl, but I can honestly say I enjoy being in my sweats cleaning out their cages or explaining to the couple looking to adopt one of our cats about our organization, maybe more than all of the above.


For more information on PACT Humane Society please visit our website:

www.pacthumanesociety.org

LOL

One of my very favorite thing to do when I have some time off is watching comedy.

I enjoy anything from sitcoms and movies to reading funny books but most of all stand up is my number one....yes I am a major comedy nerd.

My brother and I happen to share the same sense of humor and it helps when it comes to going to comedy clubs, since it's a place I am not comfortable going to by myself.





Zanies Chicago stage


We share info on new up and coming comedians and we have a few favorite performers we try to watch when they are in town.

This weekend Sebastian Maniscalco was in town.
His comedy is energetic and animated and was a much needed relief from an everyday life that could be a bit mundane.




A silly clown hangs outside of the comedy club.

L Furst

PIC from lfstores.com



Last time I was visiting my friend in L.A. I had a chance to walk around Westwood Village.

As I walked around near the campus of UCLA, a small blink-and-you-would-miss-it size boutique caught my eyes with a huge sale sign.





Inside, literally from floor to ceiling, I found some great pieces that you would love if you are not into those mass merchandised items and look for unique original style.

The store was probably no bigger than 12x12, though I spent about an hour scouring through the racks and shelves they had and walked out with soft modal asymmetrical knee length skirt, chocolate brown tiered linen skirt, purple leopard print scarf, and a multi colored plaid scarf.

The grand total cost for the four pieces? $60.
That is including the asymmetrical layered skirt by L Furst, mind you, that can be worn ALL year with tights, with boots, with 4 inch heels and ballet flats.

The LF skirt's original price? $102.
Talk about a killer deal!

Unfortunately the price was a result of a going out of business sale.

I couldn't be more sad to hear that I probably wouldn't be able to score a deal nearly great as this one I just did in the future, but lucky for me, there are several locations of the LF boutique stores in the L.A. area.

These are a few of my favorite things....

In the past few months, I have finally developed a routine for my skin care.

I see my facialist Liz once a month, and she has helped me by suggesting some of the following products.




I use Vaseline to take my eye make up off. I scoop up a small amount with my finger and rub it in. It takes off absolutely EVERYTHING!




Once the Vaseline is rubbed in I wipe everything off with baby wipes.



I use Purpose cleanser for my daily wash. Liz has recommended that I only wash my face once day, at night, and in the morning to simply rinse with warm water.





I use Trader Joe's Enrich facial lotion with spf15 as my day lotion.
It is a dupe of Olay Complete!




Dermadoctor Physical Chemistry --

This is an absolute DREAM. I use this three times a week or so and it has made such a difference on my skin. A bit expensive ($75) but worth it!




Ole Henrikson Nurture me (pic from Sephora.com)
This is my nighttime moisturizer, or when I use my scrub.

What are your favorite skin care products?

Forever21.com

During my much needed 'budget' phase about a year ago, I discovered Forever21.com through a blog I was reading.
She mentioned the name of the store so frequently I simply HAD to go and find out for myself what the hype is all about.

I entered the ginormous store that held rows and sections of clothes, just jammed from floor to ceiling, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the qualities of the items and most definitely the prices.

The clothes are definitely a hit or miss in the design and the quality department, but I have had more hits then misses from my own experiences.

I don't purchase any foot wears anymore as I have tried some and though cute and affordable, the quality just isn't there, or at least for me.


Below are some of my choices of the 'hits' I have found in the past month.








Flower slub tee, oversized and looks fab with skinny jeans and heels...




Lace top that can be dressed down with denim or up with a high waist pencil skirt....





Skinny jeans that are so soft and flexible not to mention the versatile grey color!





Multi strand chain necklaces is the easiest way to dress up a simple tee.




Nautical stripes are glammed up with the beading on the shoulders....


PIX courtesy of FOREVER21.com

What happens in Vegas.....

What other job lets you have the opportunity to travel on a moments notice and do it oh-so very cheap?

I am spending just one night in Vegas, meeting up with a friend who is flying in for a layover and has graciously offered to share the hotel room with me.

We will probably only have enough time to have a few drinks, eat some great food, and lounge by the pool during the day but in my book that's still called perfection!

Shopbop.com

There's absolutely nothing more frustrating then finding a perfect fit website for yourself -- when you really can't be spending a whole bunch of money on clothes.

Shopbop.com has been around long enough that I am a fan of many of their pieces but for some reason things that are available right now seems to hit the nail right on the head for me.

Below are some of my choices that I would love to have in my closet.....

Madewell Legging Pants

Alice + Olivia Skinny Cargo Pants

Jeffrey Campbell Ballet Flats

Gorjana Ashby Charm Bracelet

Nice to meet you....

My Juicy Couture laptop bag that was gifted.....I carry it everywhere!




"Crumbs" in Malibu, CA. I love sweets!

Hello, this is my first entry for my blog!

I have wanted to share some of my favorite things and activities on and off the airplane through a blog for a while and now I am getting around to finally doing it.

I will update as much as I can, and I hope you enjoy it!