This weekend in pictures~**

Hope everyone in the US enjoy the Turkey Feast this past Thursday. I feel like I can eat more turkey but most likely this is going to be it for this year. Ham will be on the menu on Christmas so I just have to wait for another 12 months!! My husband, our little girl and I went to my in-laws for the feast. It was a very small gathering this year as other family members were out of town for work and travel but all in all it was still a very good day. I made my famous Cranberry Bar from scratch and brought it over to add to the table. This bar has become my family favourite in the past few years now, I just love the tart and sweet combination of this dessert.

Making the filling

Finished Products

Black Friday shopping was not very exciting. I didn't have a desire to get up so early to shop. As much as I LOVE good deals, the idea of getting in line at 3AM does not sound appeaing to me. It doesn't matter how low the prices can be, I pass. My husband and I didn't get to the mall until about 11:30, it was a very late start and most items were long gone. My husband and I started Christmas shopping for a few family members, we were determined to get this done by mid December this year. I stopped by F21 and Charlotte Russe and snagged a few items. As a matter, I didn't see a lot of "good" deals at F21 at all. Everything was pretty much at the regular prices .

We have a small orange tree in the backyard. Last year those organes tasted like crap but they are much more flavorful this year. My little girl and I had fun picking some of our home grown organic oranges.

Sad but true, Thaksgiving is over and it is time to go back to work!! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed light traffic last week, it was like a dream. Tomorrow it will be a nightmare..again (sigh~)

Me..me..me~*

I had so much fun doing the seven confessions post, it even surprised me when I read them. I recently went back and read some of my early day posts when I first started, they were funny and interesting to me at the same time. Here are some more facts about me, please feel free to share yours :)

1. I am an introvert at times.

2. I failed in math most of the time in secondary school, "F" was to be expected every semester. I never saw grades "A" or "B" in math and science until in highschool and university.

3. I love learning new languages, my brain naturally picks up languages better than math and science. In addition to English and Thai (which is my native language), I used to study (both speaking and writing) - French, Italian, Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin) with native speakers. However, I can barely remember them since I haven't had any chance to practice since I moved here. Sad but true. My daughter is 22 months old and is tri-lingual. She understands English, Thai and Spanish very well. Her daycare speaks Spanish to kids and I start to pick some up too! What a plus! lol

4. I completed my Bachelor's degree in 3 1/2 years from International School

5. I am half Thai and half Chinese but most people often think I am either Japanese or Chinese in person. Even people back home thought I was a tourist when I visited or walked by tourist attractions, they were going to charge me a tourist rate!

6. I can't swim and am afraid of the sun but I LOVE beaches

7. I drive fast

8. I can be such a control freak and am stubborn! What a terrible combo!

9. I don't eat beef EVER

10. I take pictures for this blog by myself. I need a tripod ASAP as I was about to drop my new camera a couple of times!

11. The most weight I ever gained was 30 lbs when I was pregnant

12. I don't want more babies. I am do darn tired with just one lol

13. I work with engineers and IT professionals. My degree has nothing to do with what I am doing now.

14. I hate hospital but I used to work in the hospital setting.

15. I am not good at sports

16. My favourite music is Jazz. I used to listen to heavy music too.

17. I have two younger brothers. My younger bro studies in Sydney, Australia. The youngest brother works and lives with my parents in Bangkok.

18. I want to run my own business of some kind so that I have a flexibility to travel to see my parents more often when they get older.

19. I have been in the states for 6 years now but my homesick never goes away.

20. I was afraid of a long term commitment but I got married twice, with the same man :D We had two ceremonies both in Thailand and US. We have two anniversary dates, one in Feb and another one in April, but we end up forgetting both dates every year!!

21. Nelah is not my real name, neither my daughter's.

22. I was a hurricane evacuee TWICE!!

23. I got robbed once in my life (hopefully) and it happened in the first year I moved to the States!

Will you go "Au Naturale"?~**

How confident are we, as women, in our own skin? How comfortable are we to go all natural/show our appearance in public without any makeup (no eyebrow pencil, lip gloss whatsoever)? On the level of 1-10 with 1 represents the least, how would you rate your comfort level? Do you feel like the society we live in today has a certain level of expectation? Women have to have certain look or weight in order to be perceived as "attractive" and "beautiful"? Models on the cover of magazines always look "flawless" and "perfect" in every angle. Flaws are strange subjects in their world but flaws are part of reality. Perfectionism is unreal.

Face: MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC20 / MAC Mineral Powder in Light Medium

Eyes:

Afterglow Powder Eyeliner in Raven / Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara / Lancome Hypernose Mascara

Lips: Burt's Bees Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil

I am so looking forward to this week because I will only have to work 3 days (Yippieeee!!!!) Black Friday....Here I comeeeeeeee

Metro Style Fashion and 7 Confessions~*

Sice I am not a fashionista, I am not sure exactly what the style of this collection is called but I LOVE, LOVE and LOVE IT. From the black/grey combination and a bit of masculine feel, these clothes are super chic and full of sexiness. They are not something I wear or own but it woudl be fun to push my limit and explore something new and adventurous in the world of fashion. Some of them are a bit too fashionable for my work setting but I can use the idea to incorporate this style into my wardrobe and create something wearable and appropriate.

Most of you may have seen Japanese, French, Chinese magazine's scans before but have your seen Thai's? These fabulous fashion photos come from one of the Thai Magazine a few years back which I am still very fond of up to these days, modeled by a lovely Thai model/actress - Sririta. She is gorgeous, isn't she? She wore these clothes so well.

Images from Magazinedee

This is the face of the lovely Sririta. She is one of my most favourite models.

Image from themovielive

Thank you lovely Kileen at CuteAndLittleOne for tagging me to do the 7 confessions.

-I hate cooking and I have lacked inspiration and energy in the kitchen. My husband can't cook. If I could only rely on him, I would be eating pb&j or fast food everyday. Eating out on a daily basis is not realistic for our budget or health perspectives so I have no choice but to cook the same thing over and over

- I don't buy used items whether it's a vehicle or clothes. I don't use them if they are not new.
- I am a health nut and do not like overly salty food but I love cheesecake and Fettuchini Alfredo!
- My house is a mess.
-I used to watch some of the worst reality shows on TV like Housewives of New York & New Jersey and Keeping up with the Kadashians
- I am addicted to blogging
- I love rice and carb

So those are my confessions, I would like to tag these lovely bloggers :) Happy Friday everyone and don't forget to enter the Diro and Urban Decay Giveaway in a below post!

The Owl's Closet

Sophia

Really Petite

Mimi

Sydney at PetiteLittleGirl

Dior and Urban Decay Giveaway~**

Giveaway time, ladies! This month marks my sixth month of blogging. I had never imagined I would have so much fun when I first started. It has been an amazing experience as I get to meet some of the sweetest blogging buddies here. That's what makes blogging incredibly addictive and attractive.

I am throwing a small giveaway and putting together something that you may be able to use for the upcoming holiday parties or add them to your collection. Thank "YOU" for being here, listening and sharing :)

Giveaway items

Dior :
-Full size DiorShow Mascara in Black
-Mini Duo Express Instant Eye Makeup Remover
-Mini Crayon Eyeliner in Black

Urban Decay: 2 eye shadows in Narcotic (matte teal blue) and Toasted (muted copper shimmer)
(*purple and tan colors shown in the containers are not available)

And a few more surprised goodies ;)

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How to enter:

One person can have up to 5 points - each category in a seperate comment please. Open to both US and International bloggers

Mandatory: (+1 point) Be a "PUBLIC" follower via Google Friend Connect and leave me a comment that you want to enter the giveaway

Optional:

(+2 points) Blog about this giveaway on your blog by using above giveaway banner (and leave me a link so I can see that you blog about it)

(+2 ponts) Place below bannner in your sidebar until Dec 3, 2010 (and leave me a link so I can see that you place a banner in your sidebar)

<a href="http://www.52newdays.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx336/areesia/GiveawayBanner.jpg" alt="Let's be friends" width="170" height="220" /></a>

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This giveaway ends Dec 3, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random generator and announced by Dec 5, 2010.

Disclaimer: I purchased these products with my own money for this giveaway and do not affiliate with either Sephora, Dior or Urban Decay in anyway.

My growing list~**

I was drooling while browing a couple of websites the other day. That is the negative consequence of window shopping. Oh that bag, that blouse, that necklace..they come back to haunt over and over and over. If you do not have the strenght to resist the temptation, you can easily give in. I think I have been so good by saying "No" most of the time but trust me, there were times when I just wanted to forget my goal, go crazy and blow my saving.

It is especially hard when holidays are fast approaching. Temptations are EVERYWHERE, left, right, up and down. This is the time when retailers are doing whatever it takes to get clients to step in their stores. Everything looks so goooooood. Have you felt like you lose you mind and want to buy everything?

My company is hosting an Annual Holiday Party in the next four weeks but I haven't purchased the dress. This is the time when everybody dresses glamorously, I do not want to underdress if you know what I mean. I browsed BEBE website for some ideas and found several beautiful pieces for both work and party but many of them are not even in stock!!!

Images from Bebe.com

This blouse is soooooo romantic and feminine BUT not available in stock!! Grrrrr!!! You have to see it in purple - absolutely gorgeous.

Absolutely love this gray and black dress - the cut and style is gorgeous and classic. I definately want to go see this one in store. On the website, it said "black and white" available. Not sure if it was a mistake but I want this black and gray. It would be appropriate for work with a nice blazer and a pair of good looking boots or black pumps.

My wish-list that would probably be on the list forever and ever. I am too afraid to pull the trigger and hit "buy now" button in my head. At least I can dream, can't I? There is a thing about luxurious purchases VS my guilt.

While I thought owning some of these items would be considered a good investment/a rare treat for myself, I would feel bad if my money could be spent helping other people/animals in need. I speak from my own perspective. I do not mean to judge how other people spend their money in any way. Everytime I was thinking about buying these stuff, I can't help myself but think how many people or animals I can help if I choose to spend it in other way. My husband always says I can't save every single life in this world so there is no need to feel bad about the things I want. I still feel bad and especially seeing beggars or homeless people on the street, strayed animals or small disadvantaged children from low income families. And last but not least, I should have put that money towards my daugther's saving for her future or something. If you haven't had a child at this point, my recommendation would be "buy whatever you want". Once you have a child, you will find it hard to spend money on yourself after a while.

Image: Gucci

$995

Image:Dior

Price - unknown

Image: Chanel

Price - unknown