August favorites + Skin Care edition

I can't believe it is going to be September soon! It feels like if June was just here! Feeling little down because here in Seattle it's already weeks of rain and sky full of clouds  August was mainly focused on skin care for me. I actually skipped makeup because I'm not dealing with any active acne and even though I have dark spots here and there from past acne, I'm happy with it 

Banana Bread

Something that I've been loving lately is Homemade Banana Bread  I've never been the baking type, I'm really bad at making cakes from scratch! Give me ready to mix and I'm good to go  But I just love and enjoy the feeling of eating something that has some work put into it (especially when it is something sweet to eat). I've to give the credit to my mom for telling me about this amazing recipe! It is surprisingly the easiest recipe I've ever followed. 

There are million of banana bread recipes but I feel confident about this one coming out good no matter what   If I can do it, I think anyone can! 

Trish McEvoy Brush Review

Did I need such expensive brush? No! But do I adore them, absolutely   I think it was a year ago when I really started looking into the world of makeup! I remember going into Nordstorm and just asking for the best blush brush they had! (I think I had just gotten my paycheck haha) The lady just took me to Trish Mcevoy counter and basically told me that they are makeup artists favorite!

Summer T.V

Today I thought I would share four of my staple/favorite/summermust tv shows! I actually never watched american shows, mainly because I couldn't keep up with them. But after finally giving in to the world of Netflix, I found some amazing shows that I fell in love with. (it may have contributed to my binge watching habits)

Marc Jacobs Plush Eye Shadow shade 102

When it comes to getting ready everyday, I don't really go for eyeshadows. They always seem like a hassle for everyday (mainly I'm too lazy to do anything   ) I mean to think which shadow goes where is way too much 

Hello Ah-mazing Birchbox July 2014

There are so many monthly sampling boxes now, but I will always stick with Birchbox. First of all it is the least expensive one, I can't believe there are 30$ ones. Second, Birchbox samples higher end brands which is a plus because then I can sample the products before I spend crazy amount of money 

Summer Face Trio

It is middle of the summer and I'm just waiting for my photography class to be over. It is an intense philosophical photography class which I enjoy but to be able to sit in the class for 5 hours whole day is little too much  I will share some of the photographs soon 

Nail It

I think nails take most of the stress when it is summer! We all go minimal on the makeup but rock out

 through our nails I thought I would share my small routine that keeps my nails/hands from looking 

dull! I don't really get manicures because they feel like a hassle and I ruin my fingers even before I reach home

Feel Your Face Pulsate

At the time of my high school graduation (few years ago) my face suddenly cleared up after all the years of dealing with acne in high school, even the scars from acne faded very fast. I wasn't using anything special to treat them! I would like think that it was all the excitement of getting done with high school  I was really happy thinking my acne has graduated too but who knew it was waiting for me as soon I stepped in college 

LIMITED EDITION TARTE` LIGHTS, CAMERA, SPLASHES

If I had to choose one thing before I step out of the door, it has be to my mascara! Who am I kidding, it would be my concealer and then mascara. I was looking for a new one after my DiorShow Mascara dried on me. I decided to go with the recent bloggers and youtubers favorite,  Tarte Lights Camera Splashes 4-in-1 Waterproof  Mascara Pheww thats a long name. I chose waterproof because I have the most oiliest eyelids (I had to google the spelling of oiliest haha), and by the end of the day the mascara transfers on my top and bottom lids which is not a pretty look. On top of that, summer is here and it makes it much worse. 

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

The best part of whole day is taking makeup off (I think for me), and doing it quickly. I think everybody can relate to this when I say some nights I just hate that I had mascara on because taking a waterproof mascara is not an easy task. If i'm tired then its raccoon eyes in the morning with some zits. 

 Coming to the most amazing cleansing oil, I love this one by Josie Maran! The best part is that I don't have to use anything else for removing makeup. I mainly use it for eye makeup because it breaks down the eye makeup without irritating the eye or leaving makeup behind.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

The rainy Seattle has been quite surprising for the past few weeks. The rain still visits us over the weekend but the weekdays have been quite sunny, and the sun feels as if it is piercing through my skin. I could literally feel my face burning when I drive to school. 

Sand Tropez

Essie's Sand Tropez is  perfect nude for everyday nails, it is very opaque and two coats are more than enough. Some nudes can make hands look dark but this shade is perfect for all skin colors. I always use OPI base and quick top coat to prevent them from peeling early:) (click on the title for the link)

School & Lip Balms

I'm halfway through the spring quarter at my university and like always it has come to the point where I'm stressing over anything and everything. Weekends are pointless for college students (may be just for me), they just go by doing homework and prepping for the coming week. Even when there is no work, I stress over by thinking that eventually there will be. Bleh. 

Besides school, I thought I would share some of my most loved lip balms. I always invest in good lip balms because since I've started using lip balms, I've always had very dry lips. I've tried chap sticks, vaseline and nivea lip balms but they have irritated my lips and made they more dry. 

1. Christian Dior, Crème de Rose` thick-light pink colored balm that comes in the most beautiful packaging. The balm smells like fresh rose petals (not those artificial rose scents) and after just one apply, the lips look healthy. Also, it has SPF 10. $27 

2. Marc Jacobs, Lip Lock Moisture Balm` clear-moisturizing lip balm with mint flavor for everyday. The main reason for this purchase was the high SPF 18. It isn't very thick but still gives enough moisture for the lips and the mint infusion gives a refreshing feel on the lips. $24

3. Bite, Agave Lip Mask` the most amazing overnight lip balm, thick-clear vaseline consistency and has light floral scent. After just one apply, the lips look so healthy (like I've been drinking glasses of water). Since, it is very thick and has no SPF, the mask is perfect for night (also, it has 99% natural ingredients). $26

4. Befine, Lip Serum` it is one of the most natural lip serum/balm I've used. It has chamomile and beets as the ingredients. It is has no fragrance or parabens. The serum is clear and moisturizing, it can be used day or night. All befine products are based on vegetarian proteins. $25

5. Christian Dior, Lip Glow` as the name suggests, it is a "color reviver balm". The balm itself has a light pink color and packaging is just what you would expect, beautiful. It works as a lipstick but by changing it to the users lip color. It revives and moisturizes the lips original color without looking like a lipstick. Also, the balm has floral scent and SPF 10. $32

6. Korres, Lip Butter (Mango)` this lip butter works just like the Dior lip glow but smells likes mangoes and looks orange in the pod. Before getting the mango shade I was a little afraid that it would be too pigmented. But after giving it a try, the color actually comes off as light orange-pink shade on the lips and it moisturizes the lips just like the other favorite balms. It has no SPF but it gives beautiful sheen to the lips and has no harsh chemicals. $12

                    Glo·ri·a                                                 

SeaHawks Paradə, Səattle 12th Man

The celebration of winning the Superbowl and being part of that winning atmosphere was something indescribable. Me and my friend followed the whole parade just to keep up with the amazing Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman. The whole crowd was insane, when we left at 8:00 am to reach there on time the buses were so crowded that stops after stops were filled with people just waiting to get on. As we were smiling the whole route that we got good seats in the bus, we didn't realize that we were going to get stuck in traffic until the parade started. But after long 3 hours of people screaming, banging the bus windows and some crying, we were finally released right where the parade was passing by. 

Spring fashion

Even though spring has officially begun, some places like mine are still looking ahead weeks of rain and cold weather. Besides that I think this spring is good time to spend hours online looking at jewelry because of new incoming trends. I've been eyeing these pieces for quite some time. 

(All the links are in the end)

                                                                Urban Outfitters    H&M    Forever 21   Free People  

love

I love taking pictures but as I'm getting close to my final year of uni, my free time mostly is swayed by either sleeping, studying or catching up on my favorite television shows. All the pictures I take or took were when I visited somewhere in break, but now I feel I don't have to constrict myself by just uploading photographs. I can write and share whatever I want.

love-  I'll be sharing everything I love.

Glo·ri·a

Picture I took from my iPhone while driving

Photo a Day # 32 (green house collection)

Graptopetalum Paraguayense, otherwise known as "Mother of Pearl"

Photo a Day # 31 (green house collection)

Beautiful pitcher plant called Nepenthes bongos

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Photo a Day # 30 (green house collection)

Rebutia Pulvinosa

Photo a Day # 29 (Green House Collection)

Echeveria agavoides