New Handmade Bling~*

Accessories make an outfit is a true statement. Whether a tiny piece or a statement piece, they all make a difference. Some of you may see a brief appearance of this duo in Tutu Vintage Dress. This necklace and bracelet set is my latest homemade collection to my Design {by} Nelah Etsy Shop, they are a combination silver/pink-ish chunky chain and faux pearl beads with gold accents. I am hoping to add them to my Etsy shop in December.

In case you do not know, my jewelry is made to fit which means I customize the lenght of necklaces and bracelets. I personally have small wrists (5 1/2 to be exact) so you can imagine my frustration with standard sized bracelets on the market. Now I make my own, problem solved! Each design also comes in very limited amounts (mostly 1-2 pieces). By the way, handbag is not for sale :D From the first pic it may look like I was showcasing a handbag but I though my outfit and jewelry match the Chanel theme so I threw it in a picture. Hey, feel free to give me a quote because this Metallic Lambskin Chanel Mini was discontinued earlier this year and its color was seasonal. If I were to sell this baby, I wanted to make a big fat money out of it!! That's how greedy I am..haha.

Wrapping in Luxury~*

Here is my second take on this bold and vibrant Hermes scarf after the first one I did ages ago {here} - take lll will follow in the next post . A final result turns out quite preppy and playful with the burst of bright colors and a mix of different textures from faux leather, lace, cotton fabric to silk.

For this particular look, my main inspiration came straight from Hermes - the king of (super, top of the line) fine leather and craftmanship. Thus I decided to mix leather with leather (skirt, belt and boots - even though mine are faux leather but they work). Earlier this season before I jumped on this pair of black boots at Kohl's, I was literally drooling over a pair of Hermes boots. If only I had a money tree, I would not mind shelling out $2,000++ on a pair of fine leather boots from there. Since I didn't have such tree, so between $2,000++ and $50 something. Which one won? You bet - a pair of boots from Kohl's was such a steal!! I still wonder though if H boots are comfortable, I would be too afraid to give it a try because I may not want to take them off!!!






White cardigan: Charlotte Russe (old)Scarf: Hermes Carre 90 Grand Manege in Fushia/Salmon (bought earlier this year)Belt & Faux leather skirt: Forever 21Boots: Craft & Barrow Boots from Kohl's

Red Lipped Rocker Chic~*

You know I have been obsessed with red for quite sometimes now but one trend that I am sort of hesitant is a red lips trend. Most days, you will spot me with pale lips with only vaseline coated on top and that is it. However this weekend I felt sassy and thought red lipstick would compliment this outfit. Without further ado, I whipped out a Revlon lipstick which I bought ages ago but never used and glided it on. The result, love it!









Be prepared for more bold and fun colored outfits to come this week. Can you handle it??

My Memories & Giveaway Time!!

Documenting and keeping precious moments mean so much to many of us because we can't freeze those moments in time. Photography has become a huge part of what I do since the birth of my child and this blog. By adding special effects, wording or even interactive materials video and music make photography even more fun! Digital scrapbooking is simply awesome and addictive. I have to admit, I was not into scrapbooking at all before I had a child. Now I find it to be such an entertaining hobby, you add photos here and decorate it the way your heart desires, be creative with it and get lost in time.



Recently I had been contacted by My Memories if I would be interested in testing out their "My Memories Suite" which is a digital scrapbooking software and rated #1 by Amazon and Top Ten Reviews (I can't guarantee on this statement because I haven't used that many softwares to be able to compare). So far, I am impressed and have had so much fun with it. Below are some of my masterpieces which I created from blank page (first three) and last one I used a designer template but tweaked colors/photos/wordings and elements.


{I found my feet!!}
{My other babies}


Pros:
+Reasonable price point ($39.97). Anything under $50 for a software is good for me
+Fast download - you buy and download instantly (see PC/system requirements). No need to wait for shipment to arrive
+Easy to follow instructions you can even do this without reading instructions because its control panel is easy to navigate - no brainer
+You can create many different effects (sepia, black/white/red/blur/sharpen, crop photos, edit fonts and more) without any use or knowledge of Photoshop. A technically challenged person can definitely figure out how to use this software and have a blast with it.
+Scrapbooking kits are available online for purchase in case you are looking for something very specific and cute. Options are endless, you can easily get carried away and spend hours and hours doing this (can this be a con??)+There are so many ways to share your work of art with just a click of button.

{Above is a screenshot of control panel}

Cons:
-With over 1,500 papers, over 1,000 page elements, and over 30 album templates: even though the software comes with the above and provide you with the necessities to get you up and running, I just wish page elements came with more cuter designs (okay I can be cheap just like that and want all I can get for every penny spent..lol).

-I wish the software could auto save every now and then in case my computer goes wacky. I am not the kind of person who saves my work as I go which is not a good thing.

***********************************************************************

Now the most anticipating and exciting part of the post - GIVEAWAY!! My Memories is generously offering My Memories Suite3 to one lucky reader. This giveaway is open internationally to everyone out there and ends on 12/9/2011. A winner will be randomly selected and a code to download this software will be emailed to the winner. {In case you do not win, you may use this code STMMMS2407 to get $10 discount towards a software, plus $10 coupon to purchase extra digital scrapbooking kits.}

Disclaimer: This software was provided by My Memories for review purpose (one for me to review and another one for my reader for personal use). My opinions are of my own and I reserve the rights to express both pros and cons of the product. I earn a certain percentage when someone uses a discount code above to purcahse My Memories Suite software.

Tutu Vintage Dress~*

Tutu Vintage dress from an Etsy seller is here!!! Actually it arrived just in time for me to wear it on the Turkey day. I am simply stuffed with so much heavenly delicious food and there are still plenty of leftover to savour in the next few days. Back to the dress, I did a quick review here for you (just scroll down to the bottom) in case you have been eyeing it since my previous post {here}from this seller .









Design: 5 out of 5, one word "gorgeous". In real life it is a pretty dress with a mix of vintage look, dreamy feel and is loaded with girly girl factors
Quality and materials: 3 of out 5. I really wish a fabric was not this sheer and thin. Even though the dress is fully lined, the fabric that is used underneath is super thin. There is no way I can wear this without adding a tank top and a pair of black tights underneath. I would say its quality is in line with Forever21. For $39 and the fact that labor and materials in Thailand are much cheaper, I hope for a better quality as far as choice of fabric.
Fitting: 5 out of 5, it advertises as "free size" but will fit "XS/S". It fits decently and waist can be adjusted. Neckline and armholes are not too wide/low.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this shop owner in anyway. The dress was purchased with 100% of my own money.

Love: Past, Present & Future

This is a final part of first love gone wrong. After months into that break-up, he still came back to haunt me while I was trying to move on and letting go of the pains. I couldn't even explain why I still had a small hope that we could get back together. The day I saw his email in my mailbox, my heart skipped a beat. Darn it, all he did was sending an updates about his girlfriend's pregnancy.

Give me a break. I ain't your best friend...I ain't an angel...I was not going to forgive...I was not going to forget. What you did to me was not something I could ever forgive. There was no need for me to listen to those craps. All I knew was that it was time for me to move on for a better life, and matured from this puppy crappy love. Surprisingly, I realized it was not a real love since we were too young, I almost made the biggrst mistake by marrying someone I didn't truly love. It was all about physical attraction and good looking that led me to think I loved him enough to marry him. The biggest part that helped me go through that time was my parents and my BFF. I soon realized no one would be there for you but your family and a true friend who endured listening to your same old shits over and over.


I am not a Christian (I am a Buddhist by birth and by soul) but this beautiful quote struck me just every time and it couldn’t be any more true.



“When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better”


{Source}

….Something better…..Oh....MUCH better



After three on and off miserable years, another man came along. This time around I could not feel any more confident despite the fact that we lived on different continents. Once again, it was a long distance relationship….very long…much longer than Thailand and Korea in distance. This time around, it was real and mature (at least he was as far as age wise). I was 22 and he was 28 when we first met.

After two years of enduring a long distance relationship, some financial damages from several plane tickets plus some outstanding balance in his American Express credit card, I met the man who later became my one and only husband.



….Nine years and counting since that day we met…



….Two weddings with the same man (thank god!! One in Thailand and one in the US)....



….Two wedding anniversaries per year that we NEVER remember…NEVER celebrate….



….Hardships we went through together….


.....All the craps I put him through.....


.....All the craps he puts me through.....



….Seeing each other’s true colors…...



….Many heated discussions and some stupid arguments….



….Being on the edge in our marriage….


….Two hairy cats….


….One little girl we love dearly….


….Here we are today…


{Do you know that a bear and a chicken can make one adorable kitten????}

This must be one of the most personal stories I have ever shared to the world. At the end I hope my message gets crossed that there is "a better day" for everyone. It is just the matter of time. Some people may take a longer and more painful path than another to find what they are looking for.

There is someone out there for everyone. It may take months, years or even a lifetime to find him/her. They may not meant to be with you for life but only a short period of time together may be worthwhile. There are different kinds of love. Father’s love, mother’s love, pet’s love. Any kind of love is precious.

First Love Gone Wrong...very wrong~*

Do you remember your first love? Was it a good one that you want to remember for the rest of your life or a bad one that you can't seem to get rid of even though you hit a delete button over and over again? Life is so full of surprises whether a good one or a bad one but I do believe each and every event in our lives happen for a reason whether we like it or not.


{source}

I didn’t experience a puppy love until 19 years old because I spent most part of my life in girl only school (yay..yay). My first relationship was a long distance one with my boyfriend living in Korea at the time (but we did meet and spend time together in real life). Let me tell you, the story is worse or as worse as most Korean drama series you have ever seen because it ended up on a very bad term. Both of us were so head over heel towards each other to the point that he even proposed to me in an elevator!! I was once again 19 years and he was 18 years old, I was in my 2nd year in university.

Long distance relationship was not easy, let alone for the fact that we were still too young and not up to the challenge. You bet. We broke up (darn it - he took a ring back!, I could have sold and made money out of it to compensate my emotional damage).



What..what? Do you want to her a reason for this break-up? Okay..okay nosy people..don’t get too excited now. We broke up in a chat program, extremely technical.


{Source}

Reason number one: he met another woman who was 5 years older than him. Reason number two: he wanted to marry her and….


Reason number three: this one almost made me throw up in blood – she was pregnant with his baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hell yessssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


My world turned upside down, went round and round, bounced to the left and the right. I closed a chat window and I looked like I had just lost my soul – I looked totally blank. You bet, from there the hell broke through. I spent nearly every night crying my eyes out, cursing him and that woman (even thought it was probably not her fault because she may not even know). I even wanted something to go wrong with her pregnancy. It was the very first time in life that I experienced a betrayal and a sudden loss of love. It was purely miserable for a very long period of time but luckily I was able to pull through and graduated with 3.00+ GPA within 3 ½ years. My heart was still broken in tiny pieces and completely lost trust in every man. Completely overrated!!



I later became to realize that we broke up for a reason. Someone up above saw that there was someone else out there for me. Someone who was really meant to be my true love.


{Part two is coming up, hopefully tomorrow}

Recipe for Skin~*

Somehow, my skin manages to break out more during wintertime which is not a good time given that weather is extra dry. There is one holygrail recipe which I can always rely on to help calm my skin (and my nerve/stress/anxiety) and it seems to work just about everytime.




After all these thirty two years on this planet earth experimenting with all kind of facial masks and such, what a surprise to find these amazing gems in my home...in my kitchen. Talking about "natural", nothing can get more natural then these trio.


Plain Yogurt



You do not necessarily have to choose greek yogurt. Any "plain" yogurt (non fat/low fat) would work but I happen to like the greek counterpart because of its extra thick consistency (equals less mess as far as dripping all over the place). I personally eat this brand so I just scoop a few tablespoon full and use it on my face as well. Why not? I love that feeling of applying cool yogurt on my skin, it feels so good especially during summer. Thjese are some benefits of yogurt for your skin: Reduce bacteria, moisturize skin and sooth sunburn.

Precautions (from ehow.com)

Some people experience a slight tingling with the application of yogurt to the skin. If, however, you feel burning, stinging or pain of any kind, immediately wash off the yogurt. You may be sensitive to the active cultures or lactic acid present in the natural product.Remember, if you have dairy or alpha and beta hydroxy-acid allergies, you should not use yogurt for skin care. ****************************

Olive Oil



Call me an Olive Oil Freak, if I could bath in it I probably would! I use olive oil a lot on a daily basis. I use olive oil to remove my makeup (not eye makeup though) and substitute it with butter (you will be surprised how much clean/fresh flavor it addes to your food). Extra virgin olive oil is the preferred grade for moisturizing the skin, has been known for generations not only for its healing qualities but also as a natural, deep penetration moisturizer, regenerating skin cells and softening the tissue. Surprisingly, it doesn't clog my pores (not sure about yours). *****************************

Honey



No wonder why Winnie the Pooh loves honey. It is yummy for tummy and skin. Honey is a great natural moisturizer for dry and parched skin. It is able to attract and retain moisture, and rebuild the moisture level in the skin without making it oily. Honey provides a calming effect without irritating the skin, and helps replenish necessary skin moisture, especially during the winter months. (read more from www.benefits-of-honey.com) ************************

My recipe:

2 tbs Plain Yogurt + 1 tsp Olive Oil + 1 tsp Honey

Mix well, apply to your face and leave it on for 30 minutes. Use soft washcloth and lukewarm water to gently remove this yogurt mask, rinse your face with more warm water and finish with cold water.

Side notes: natural ingredents may sound like they may not irritate your skin but some do. Experiment and find what works best for your skin.

Soaking up the sun~*

Mr. Sun, give me plenty of sunshine. One thing I love about living where I am is for the fact that there is almost always plenty of sunshine in the winter. Can't imagine living in a place where it is rainy, wet and cold everyday, that gotta be depressing.

Last weekend, our family of three went to a park in Downtown. We rode a train, watched birds and ducks and chased some chubby squirrels around the park. Quite funny to say, a park was not my kind of place to go before I has a child. I found myself at the mall or places alike 99.99%. Having a child makes (or forces) you to go and discover places you once didn't even know its existence and make you do things you never thought ypu would do. Hello, welcome to the world of parenthood (whether you like it or not).

On another note, please excuse my lack of comment on your blog and a daily post. I am simply lazy, yours truly. Gotta blame a lazy bug!!!!








Next week, I will be sharing (or embarrassing) myself with a corny story of my first love "GONE WRONG" which is as worse or more than soap opera you have seen. Stay tuned you "nosy" people and stalkers, you all are nosy alright. Everytime I post something like this, my pageview stat goes skyrocketed. That simply proves how nosy and curious you girls and guys really are.

My secrets are out!!

It has been awhile since I did a random facts post, ahem..do I still have any secrets to spill? I do..I do!!



1) I am a petite. Standing at almost..yes almost 5'2" and weighting in at 97 lbs.


2) Oh my god, I hate talking about my age but heck 30 is fabulousssss! I am 32. Hell...yes!!! How OLD did you think I really was!?!?!



3) My dream car is a Mercedes S class in black, that is why it still is a dream...duh!


4) I don't like olives in my pizza, don't you dare putting any in mine!!


5) I gave birth naturally, no pain medication or whatsoever. Not that I was brave, but my daughter wanted to come out FAST (you can read this post in my very old entries).


6) One of my favorite reads is www.frugaldad.com even though I am so far away from having a frugal lifestyle


7) I often go to bed around mindnight and act like a zombie during the day
8) I may look so sweet and freindly but I can be such a demanding bitch
9) I seldomly drink soda beverages
10) My favorite nut is walnut

Feminine, but Edgy~*

{Blouse and Skirt: Forever21 l Boots: Steve Madden - Candence in Cognac color}

Have you ever thought about paring lace with leather? You may remember this Chanel-esque lace top which I bought from Forever21 a few months ago and I styled it two different ways with skirts. The moment I saw it, I knew a leather skirt would bring this faminine and ladylike piece to a new level. It is like luxury meets casualty and edgy, very playful and fun. I am in love with this combination of textures.