When Life Gives You Lemons

I've never considered myself to be sheltered or naive about life. I'm a realist. Down to earth, blunt, honest, I see things the way that they are, and I'll give you a god damn reality check when you need one. That's me, charming I know. Then 2013 came along and I feel like someone took my life and just flipped it. Turned it upside down and shook it, letting everything that's been stable, happy, and drama free in the past 6 - 8.5 years, to fall away. I really can't help but be a little emotional and not my mean old self lately.

So far 2013 will be coined the year of break ups for me. My boyfriend dumped me, and recently my work place dumped me. 8 months ago I thought I had the next 5 years of my life planned out and now I'm single and out of a job. I don't really know what to say but that things happen, and I know a lot of other people have been through worst. I'm trying my best to think things through logically, and I try my best to keep a positive outlook. My problems are small potatoes compared to other things happening in the world today.

One thing that I've realized, going through this whole process, is that there's a lot of people in my life that really care and love me. A lot more than I thought. You kind of expect a level of support from family and friends but receiving emails, texts, and phone calls from coworkers, and other acquaintances was really a shock for me. It made me feel sad because I realize how much I took for granted my every day interactions with people. Sometime in my life I developed this habit of limiting my socializing because I didn't want to bother people, and I didn't want to waste their time. Aside from work related things, I never really felt like what I had to say about the day, the weather, my life, was really important to anyone. I didn't realize that my limited interactions with people would leave any kind of impression on them... Or secretly I hoped it didn't. I didn't want to burden people with my problems, so I hardly ever shared details about my life regardless if it was happy or sad. However, I realize now that no matter how much you try not to make an impact on other people, ultimately you do. I wish I shared more of what was happening in my life than I did homemade cookies and cupcakes.

What's more interesting is that sometimes you meet people in life that make a huge impact on yourself. I didn't realize it then how much certain people made me smile and brightened up my day. How they made a very hard time in my life a little easier. Sometimes life just brings the right people into your life when you need them most. I am very grateful and very happy.

To my family, friends, blogger friends, (ex)coworkers, and acquaintances,
Thank you for your support and your kind words. I am doing fine and I know that everything is going to work out for me, not because 'things happen for a reason', but because I choose to live a successful, passionate, and happy life.

When life gives you lemons
Don't forget to thank those
Who bring the sugar to sweeten your lemonade.

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Review - Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara

Overall - 3/5
I like the wand and formula of this mascara. Good daily mascara.
Josie Maran GOGO Instant ‘Natural’ Volume Argan Mascara claims to be a volume-boosting mascara that naturally plumps and curls for maximum lash drama (from Sephora website). This mascara was formulated with no parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, or dyes. The finish of this mascara is really black with kind of a gloss or sheen.


My experience with this mascara is that it dries quickly and holds a curl well. My lashes look great with 1 – 2 coats and I think that Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara is great for day to day. I love their big patented triple v wand, I find I can apply the mascara easily and very quickly, and I haven’t experienced any clumping at all with this mascara. I also didn’t have any issues with smudging or flaking. My only issue with the Josie Maran GOGO Instant ‘Natural’ Volume Argan Mascara is that it isn’t water proof. It claims to be ‘water resistant’ but once it gets wet it’s smeary and flakey all over the place. Out of the Lash Stash 2010 box, this is one of my top picks from the collection. Also, since I usually rotate between 2 or 3 mascaras at a time, I can’t comment on whether the Argan oil has improved the condition of my lashes.


I don’t normally list ingredients but since Josie Maran GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara is marketed as a ‘natural’ mascara, I figure it would be interesting to show the ingredients. In my honest opinion there will never be an all-natural mascara that will deliver the effects that we want in a good mascara. With that said I think it’s great that companies are experimenting with their formulas and introducing mascaras that help to nourish and condition our lashes.

Quantitative Ingredients: Water, Styrene/acrylates Copolymer. Organic Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Dilinoleic Acid/propanediol Copolymer, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearic Acid, Oleic Acid, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Ci 77499, Tromethamine, Black 2, Kaolin, Pvp, Mica, Organic Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Organic Beeswax, Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, C18-36 Acid Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis, Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Laureth-4, Panthenol, Simethicone, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol.

All in all I really enjoyed the GOGO Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara.

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Travels - Discovering Toronto (Queen St. Riverside and Lesliville)

Since January I’ve been desperately trying to plan and execute a weekend getaway for myself. I’ve been under the weather for months, and a recent break up, after dating my high school sweetheart for over 8 years, has left me down and quite honestly bored. I wanted to travel to find new thrills and inspirations, but bad timing this January and February made traveling, even if just for a weekend, impossible. Then I remembered my last anniversary, my ex and I couldn’t afford to take a lot of time off work, so we both took one day, booked a hotel downtown, and just spent the day wandering Queen St. West together. I had an amazing time people watching and looking at all the different buildings and shops. Got me a box of macaroons from Nedage and even tried some ‘exotic’ meats at a french restaurant for dinner that evening.

The city of Toronto is made up of so many different neighborhoods, each with different festivities, history, culture, food, and people. I often take this great city for granted and forget there’s so much to do and explore here.

A few weeks ago I decided to check out Queen St. East - Riverside and Leslieville for baked goods. My adventure begins at River and Queen St., and ends at Bobbette and Belle for macaroons, near Queen and Jones. I went to middle school in this neighborhood but haven’t frequented the area much since. Lately there's been a lot of bakeries, cafes, and brunch spots popping up so I was excited to see how this neighborhood's changed from all of these new additions.


The truss bridge over the Don Valley River. At the top of the bridge facing west it says, "This river I step in is not the river I stand in."


Truss bridge over the Don Valley River again. This time facing east. The 501 street cars run along Queen st.

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Happy Lunar New Year! - 2013 Year of the Snake

Happy Lunar New Years! I love celebrating this holiday with family and friends.



New Year’s food preparation started about a week ago at my aunt’s house. Every year my aunt would wrap zongzi, and make niangao for all of us. This year my mom decided to tag along and learn how to wrap zongzi too. When I learned how to wrap them a few years ago, it took me so long to get the hang of it. My mom learned pretty quickly though. My mom is the one with the spunky hair.






Look at all the zongzi boiling away. My aunt also made kau yoke, and boiled some fresh peanuts for us to snack on.

Fast forward a week and we had Lunar New Year’s eve dinner at my house! Mom made 8 dishes this year. Food was delicious and spending time with family is awesome as usual. (Since eve fell on a Saturday this year we decided to just have one big family dinner, instead of having one family dinner on Saturday, and bigger one on the second day of the year with our extended family.)



For everyone celebrating Lunar New Year I wish you good luck and good fortune, happiness and health. Now watch this little video!

Happy Lunar New Years Everyone!

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Review and Swatch - Beautymaker Love Pu Pu Cheek Blush

Overall rating - 3/5
Super cute packaging and beautifully soft and blendable. Not a must have but definitely an adorable addition to any makeup collection.
I've been mentioning this item quite a bit lately so I figure it's about time to give it a review. I purchased Beautymaker's Love Pu Pu Cheek blush a while ago in one of my massive SASA.com hauls (here). I first saw it on someone's blog, can't recall where, but the packaging was so adorable that once I saw it I knew I had to have it!


The blush is encased in an adorable white tin container with a cute bow printed on the lid. You can easily mistaken this for an Hello Kitty or Sanrio product but it's not! The Love Pu Pu Cheek blush even comes with a little facial puff that fits in the container. I haven't tried using the puff to apply the blush because I don't want to ruin it or get it dirty so I just use a regular blush brush for application.


The shade I got looks like it was meant to be a peachy orange. Half of the blush is a frost highlight and the other half is a peachy matte. When swirled together the frost really dominates the pretty peach color. The color payoff is quite subtle but can be built up. The formula is very soft and blendable which is nice.


I do get a nice natural glow when I use this blush but I wish there was more of the peachy matte color compared to the frosty shade. Perhaps a 65% peach and 35% frost combo instead of the even split. It's just a bit too frosty and can make me look weird if I don't blend enough of the matte peach color in. Here is another swatch.


So this was definitely a splurge and impulse purchase for me but despite being a little underwhelmed, I don't regret it at all. I think the Beautymaker Love Pu Pu Blush is a great little addition to any makeup collection and would definitely recommend it to people looking for a cute makeup gift. It is small so it's not much bang for your buck though.


I'm still searching for an orange or coral blush. Any recommendations?

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Eyelash Canada Eyelash Extensions Review

*Sponsored post

Earlier this month I got eyelash extensions done at Eyelash Canada with Yvette Spencer. It was my first time getting eyelash extensions so I mentally prepared myself as much as I could before my appointment. Yvette was extremely helpful and thorough about the process and explained to me exactly what she was going to do after each and every step.

The basic idea of eyelash extensions is that for every natural eyelash you have, a tiny hair/lash is glued on top of it essentially extending the length of your natural eyelash. The hairs used will have a natural curve to them and it doesn't matter if your lashes are pin straight, like mine are, the end result will be curled lashes. The curve can be described as a 'J' or 'C' curve but the result really depends on your natural lashes and what extensions your esthetician uses.

For my lashes Yvette showed me three different lengths of lashes she was going to use, and briefed me on the glue, surgical tape, and other tools involved. I definitely felt a lot more comfortable after being informed so much on the process and seeing their emphasis on hygiene and safety.

After my eye area was cleaned, surgical tape was used to tape my lower lashes down and tape was also used to lift my upper lashes so that the eyelash extensions could be glued on. At first the glue didn't bother me at all but once the whole eye was done and the tape removed, I did feel some discomfort and my eye began to water. This happened with both eyes.



Here I have one eye completed.

Here both eyes are completed.
It took a total of 2 hours to complete my extensions. Yvette said that on average, she typically applies anywhere from 40 - 90 lashes to each eye. That’s one extension to every natural lash. In the end for my lashes, she said she applied anywhere between 80 - 90 lashes on each eye. That's a lot of lashes!

Eyelash Canada has two locations in the city of Toronto. I haven’t been to Eyelash Canada downtown, but the one at Orfus Rd. was minimalistic in terms of décor and ambiance. Aside from eyelash extension services, Eyelash Canada also offers hair extensions, permanent makeup, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, wax hair removal, and eyelash extensions training and certification. For more information regarding prices or services check out Eyelash Canada’s official website www.eyelashcanada.com

The one thing I would stress to anyone interested in getting eyelash extensions, is to do your homework and go to a reputable establishment. Don’t be afraid to ask how tools are cleaned and exactly what you can expect to happen during the process. There are risks you do need to consider, so do as much research as you can before deciding. Overall I can't say enough about my experience with Eyelash Canada and Yvette Spencer. I love my eyelash extensions and I’ve received a lot of compliments since getting them.

*This is a sponsored post. Product(s) and or service(s) mentioned in this post were provided by Eyelash Canada for review. All opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by Eyelash Canada. Please see www.blushmepretty.com’s full disclosure policy here.

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Review - L’Oreal True Match Foundation New Formula*

Overall - 3/5
Looks great on but because of the high silicone content, I will probably not repurchase.

Decided to try out L'Oreal True Match Foundation when I found it on sale at Shoppers Drug Mart. The price for this varies drastically from drug store to drug store here in Canada, so I would definitely wait for a sale or shop around for the best deal.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation comes in a glass vial with a tiny twist off cap. It would have been really nice if this came with a pump because the opening is quite big and it's hard to control how much product you pour or tap out. I also feel like I'm cross contaminating the product every time I use it because I try to tap out just enough product on the back of my hand. There's fine gold luster in this foundation but it isn't noticeable once applied.


This foundation spreads and blends like a dream but it feels silicone heavy. The coverage is medium to full and quite build-able and doesn't look as cakey compared to other build-able foundations. The other nice thing about this foundation is that it minimizes the look of pores and fine lines, and continues to look nice through out the day. I did notice a few times when I wore it for over 7 hours, my foundation would look like it slipped. I don't know how else to explain it. It just looks like my foundation shifted south bringing any blush, bronzer, and highlight along it. Yes it is as gross as it sounds.

Unfortunately the shade that I purchased is a tad too dark for me and I've been back and forth on whether or not to purchase a lighter color. I really do enjoy this foundation, but I really hate the feeling of silicone base products. I'm still thinking about the lighter shade, but I will probably not repurchase.

Have you tried L'Oreal True Match Foundation? Link me your reviews! What are your thoughts on super smooth silicone in cosmetic products?

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I'm a Sucker for Packaging!

I am a huge sucker for packaging. There are so many instances when I see something adorable and I just have to get it. Thank goodness brands like Jill Stuart have such a hefty price tag to get in Canada, if not I would have a huge collection of this brand just for their beautiful packaging. Here are two items I purchased purely based on packaging alone.









Tokidoki Prisma Gloss in Arlecchino, and Beauty Maker Love Pu Pu Cheek blush.

Funny enough I took these pictures months ago with the intention of sharing it with you guys and at that point I've barely touched these items. Fast forward to now and ... I've barely touched these items.

The gloss is nothing special except for the brush. It's like a tiny silicon paddle. I like it because it's easy to clean and sanitize. Tokidoki makeup is now discontinued but can still be found online here and there.

The Beauty Maker Love Pu Pu Cheek blush is so adorable! I don't remember which blog I saw it on first but let me tell you, as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it! It even comes with a little puff!

What are some items you purchased purely based on packaging? Did the items deliver or disappoint?

On a side note, I always purchase Asian candies with cute packaging too! Most of the time I get suckered because the candy tastes like crap.

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Tag: Holly Jolly Holiday

Another Christmas tag! This time I was tagged by Christine from http://www.starryeyedbeauty.com/


Toronto Christmas Market 2010 (image source)
1. Do you start your Christmas shopping on Black Friday or wait until the last minute?
I always have the intention to start shopping early but I always end up picking up gifts last minute. I'm just not that good at buying presents for other people.

2. If you could be in any Christmas movie what would it be?
I'm not sure. I haven't really seen that many christmas films. Aside from the Santa Claus and Home Alone films I don't really remember any of the others that well.

3. Which do you like better: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
I like Christmas Eve better. That's usually when family gets together to celebrate. We eat, sing, drink, and exchange presents. It's the best feeling and words can't describe how much I look forward to the holidays with my family. It's not like we don't get together often either, there's a big family thing at least once a month if not twice! Christmas day is usually quiet with nothing to do at home.

4. When does your family put up your Christmas tree and who decorates it?
Before the squirrels ransacked our little Christmas tree (see my All I Want for Christmas tag here), my mom would put up the tree at the beginning of Dec. We would all decorate it but my mom would finesse and make it just right. I just bought a new Christmas tree for my own place and put it up on Dec 10. I decorated it myself and the boyfriend helped a little bit. I want a bigger tree!

5. White lights or colored lights?
White and yellow/gold lights only. I also prefer the tiny old school glass bulbs, over the new bright LED bulbs that are the size of my finger.

6. Are you guilty of peeking at your presents or do you like the surprise?
When I was young, so guilty of peeking, but now that I'm older I let people surprise me even though I'm not a fan of surprises.

7. Would you rather live in a gingerbread house or in Santa's Workshop?
Santa's workshop! Living in Canada that poor gingerbread house is gonna turn to mush come end of December when we start to get snow.

8. Tell us your Christmas Eve traditions!
Just get together with family and family friends, eat, sing, drink, and exchange gifts.

9. If you could be under the mistletoe with anyone who would it be?
Anyone?! Honestly, my boyfriend. Almost nine years and I'm going through the gushy teehee phase again. Lol.

10. What tops your tree?
A stained glass gold star thing. 12.99 + tax at Walmart. Haha.


11. Can you name the 12 days of Christmas?
I can't name one! Something in a pear tree?

12. Have you ever gone Christmas caroling?
Never, but at work next Friday coworkers will get together for some holiday celebrations and to sing Christmas carols in the boardroom. Totally looking forward to it!

13. Do you countdown to Christmas? If so, how many days are left?
I don't count down to Christmas. I don't count down to any day... One year I forgot my birthday. Lol.

14. What are some foods and treats you can count on having every holiday season?
Omg chocolates, candies, and holiday cookies. Caramels, toffees, fudge... Yum. I also love seasonal hot beverages like peppermint mochas and coffees. Warm spice cakes like gingerbread or bread puddings. No fruit cake please.

15. How has Christmas kept its magic for you as you've grown older?
It's less about the gifts but more about the time I get to spend with friends and family. I also love the twinkling lights, and the festive atmosphere. I know a lot of people are stressed out during the holidays but I find that people I know are pretty cheery and happy. I'm like a sponge when it comes to emotions, so being with happy, smiley, and cheerful people makes me happy and cheerful too.

I tag...
Wanischa
Sandy
Shamila
Elle
Elisa


If you've done this tag please leave a link to it below or feel free to do this tag in the comments section. I look forward to reading all of your responses!

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Received Prize Package from Mishi A La Mode's Giveaway!

A big shout out to Mishi from http://www.mishialamode.com/ for hosting this giveaway! This is the first time I've won a raffle or draw so I was pretty thrilled. I actually received this package a few months ago so shame on me for not sharing this with you guys sooner.





She sent me a selection of sheet masks (love these for the winter), 2 bow shaped Velcro hair holders, a La Pensee Blush, a Combos mineral lipstick in 05, an Anna Sui inspired compact mirror, a Noir Blanc Eyeshadow in S103, and a Lipice lip balm in apple.

I am obsessed with Asian cosmetics and skincare so I am happy to have won this giveaway and received so many things to try!

Please check out Mishi's amazing blog for her beauty looks, reviews, travels, and eats.

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