Discovered Inspirations: Happiness Is A Way Of Life

Happy 1st day of August!

August. That means one more month of Winter. I'm not really at my best during cold season. July is always my waterloo as I feel it is the coldest month. I usually go hibernating in July. Well it may not be obvious, I somehow semi-hibernated last month. 

Semi-hibernation meant I still go to work, do what I need to do at work and then go home. Our weekends were spent at home because other than having a weekend project with the Husband, I don't really want to go out. Going out with loved ones were limited, only when needed. At home, I've eased up on de-cluttering tasks and even took a break from working out. My free time was spent napping and doing nothing. I've got days when I'm just functioning for the sake of functioning.

I welcome these moments when the season dictates the mood for your body. The good thing with Winter is that it's the season where it encourages us to sleep some more, snuggle some more, be close to our loved ones more. It's like a signal to slow down a bit. So I take heed and give in to what Winter brings. 

But now, August is here. While it is the last month of Winter, my body seems to come alive a little bit more as it anticipates the coming of Spring. 

And to start the month, I share with you a very nice quote on Happiness and 15 Things Happy People Don't Do (article from the Elite Daily), because I'm feeling happier that August is here! 

(image source)

15 Things Happy People Don't Do 

(from the Elite Daily)

1. Gossip

The only people who gossip are people whose personal lives are not fulfilling enough. If you are happy and content with your life, why do you even care what is going on in someone else’s? There is no reason to engage in this petty behavior — all it does is make you look pathetic and jealous.

2. Concern Themselves With Other People’s Problems

People who are unable to mind their own business are most likely internally miserable. They seek to find faults within others just to make themselves feel better. They tend to lead boring lives and have no excitement in their own, so they act in this manner to create something out of nothing. They seek to fill the gap in their lives by discussing the lives of others and judging them harshly, so that they can feel better about their own miserable existences.

3. Think Negatively

There are the miserable people, who are always complaining about anything and everything, while on the other side, we have the optimistic people who always look at the glass as half full and are constantly looking for more out of life. Thinking positively will directly affect your happiness since you are focusing on the good as opposed to the bad.

4. Act Jealous

There is no reason for a happy person to act jealous towards others. They recognize the good fortune they possess and relish in it. They do not compare themselves to others since they are more than likely content with themselves. Instead of acting jealous towards others, they take pleasure in their success and celebrate their accomplishments with them.

5. Seek Validation From Others

Happy people do not look to others to confirm their self-worth. They recognize their value on their own and don’t live up to anyone’s expectations. They do things for themselves that they believe will advance them in life. By not concerning themselves with the opinions of others, they can focus on personal growth.

6. Seek Revenge

There is no reason to actively seek revenge against another person. Leave that up to karma and just continue living your life accordingly. Instead of focusing on revenge, happy people try to make peace with the issue. The only way to stop revenge is to give up and to accept it. Replace the evil feelings with opposite thinking. This is the only way; rise above it and let it be.

7. Hold Onto Resentment

By holding onto resentment, all you are doing is continuing and intensifying your own sadness. Learn to let things go, especially those which are unchangeable and that are in the past. This feeling will eat at you from the inside and cause stress. There is a unique sense of freedom once you let your anger go.

8. Argue For The Sake Of Being Right

It’d be easy to voice my thoughts rationally, but quite as easy to do it condescendingly as well. Many people will have a belief and will hold onto it even when contrary facts are presented to them. If it is a topic that you know they won’t listen to with open ears, don’t open your mouth just so you can appear wiser in the eyes of those around you. You’re only boosting your ego. Do not force your opinions on others or think you know best, as everyone is coming from somewhere. State your point calmly and listen to others. At the very least, you can always agree to disagree.

9. Have Expectations

One of the biggest challenges we face in life is learning to accept people for who they truly are. Once you realize that your expectations cannot change people, the better off you will be. The problem will arise when the expectations do not materialize. Unrealistic expectations will, can, and most often do lead to disappointment. Do not expect things out of situations; just go into them with an open mind. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself without the pressure of living up to preconceived notions.

10. Avoid Personal Problems

When a problem arises, it is the unhappy people who tend to ignore it. This is an awful way to handle situations as the longer you let a problem linger, the greater it will become. You need to tackle issues head on and as soon as possible in hopes of rectifying the circumstances. The stress and anxiety of ignoring such things can and will make you miserable and consumed with worry.

11. Look For Happiness Externally

Your happiness is contingent upon your outlook and not the actual situation. You have the power to view things in certain ways, so it is crucial to try and remain positive. Look within yourself to create your own happiness. Do not look at others to fulfill you, you are more than capable on your own. No relationship or material possession can bring you true happiness until you are happy on your own, first and foremost. This is a fatal error far too many people make in their lives.

12. Over Think Things

Over thinking is what creates problems from nothing and is probably the leading cause for arguments between two people. Many people falsely believe that by over thinking certain things, they can garner a better result. There are actually little to no benefits to overanalyzing any given situation. All this will do is cause a person stress and anxiety. The more time a person analyzes a decision, the more time this person makes themselves susceptible to negative thinking. Rational decisions can become clouded when a person lingers on them for too long. The motivation and drive behind the initial idea can and will start to obscure.

13. Live In The Past

The past is the past for a reason — it has already happened. There is no reason to linger there since it cannot be changed. Happy people tend to make peace with their past and focus on the future. They actively seek out different opportunities in order to make the most out of their lives.

14. Follow The Crowd

Confidence is a crucial aspect of any happy person, just like this is a critical characteristic for a leader. Happy people tend to be secure in their values and beliefs and, as a result, have a propensity to be leaders as opposed to followers.

15. Take Things Personally

When you hear a comment that you think is directed at you, take a moment and think. Do not over analyze the situation at hand, just let the other person speak freely. Listen completely to what this person is saying – selective hearing is the cause of these misinterpretations. People tend to get caught up in petty drama, which typically occurs when one person takes something the wrong way. When it comes down to it, you’re in control of how you interpret things. Think of how much more you could achieve with a new perspective, one seen only through your eyes.

The Dry Skin Brushing Experience

One of the healthy habits I discovered this year was dry brushing of the skin. A beauty blog has led me to information about it and while I was open to trying it out, it took me some time to finally buy my first dry brush and making it a habit. 

What is Dry Brushing? It is a way of exfoliating the skin by using just a brush. No water needed. It aids in the detoxification of the body's lymphatic system.

I purchased a dry brush when I was in Manila last April. I found a reasonably-priced dry brush at Watsons (not more than P500.00) and it was only here in Sydney that I started using it. 

Did I like using it? Yes. My skin immediately adjusted to the bristles of the brush. It was neither hard nor soft, it just had enough roughness to exfoliate the skin. 

Effects on My Skin and Body. After a few days of dry brushing, I noticed my stretchmarks have disappeared and my cellulites have reduced. I noticed too that even if it's Winter now, I don't suffer from too much dryness of skin. 

When and How Often Do I Dry Brush? I dry brush before I take a shower and I try to do it everyday. Although on some days I can't because I woke up late and rushing in the morning to go to work BUT I try to do it as regularly as possible.

Let me share with you a few things I learned about dry brushing:

Benefits of Dry Brushing

• Removes dead layers of skin and other outer impurities.
• Stimulates and increases blood circulation.
• Helps release fatty deposits under your skin’s surface.
• Assists the eliminative capacity of your body’s organs.
• Rejuvenates your cells.
• Strengthens your immune system.
• Increases muscle tone.
• Improves skin texture.
• Helps prevent premature ageing.

How To Dry Brush: 
(source)

1. Begin with your feet and brush vigorously in circular motions.
2. Continue brushing up your legs.
3. Proceed to your hands and arms.
4. Brush your entire back and abdomen area, shoulders and neck.
5. Use circular counter-clockwise strokes on the abdomen.
6. Use light pressure on the breasts and any other sensitive areas.
7. Brush upwards on the back and down from the neck. Better yet, have a friend, spouse or family member brush your back.

A short video I found which shows the proper way of dry skin brushing:

(source)

Some Tips:

• You will need a brush with soft natural bristles for dry brushing. Do not use synthetic bristles. Buy one that has a longer handle so it'll be easier to reach your back and sides.
• Make sure that the dry brushing is done softly in the initial stages so that soreness is avoided. 
• Application of a little more pressure can be done as your skin gets used to dry brushing.
• Your skin and brush should be dry. Shower after skin brushing to remove exfoliated skin.
• Do not do any dry brushing over cuts, wounds or rashes.
• Begin by brushing the outermost parts of your body (hands and feet) towards the center of your body.
• Pass the brush once over your body, except the face.
• The brush strokes should move towards your heart. This improvement in blood circulation is why so many people feel extremely refreshed after an energetic session of dry brushing.
• It is only when you are dry brushing your stomach that you are going to apply clockwise brushing movements.
• Slight flushing of the skin is normal, due to increased circulation. The skin should not be red or irritated, if it is you're using too much pressure.
• The entire process should only take one to two minutes.
• Clean the brush meticulously after every brushing session.
• If your skin is extremely dry, rub some oil into it after you have brushed it and showered. 

Have you tried dry skin brushing? If so, what effects did you experience after dry brushing your skin?

Uniqlo's HEATTECH Shirts

After travelling to Asia in a span of two years, most of my winter clothing these days seem to come from three brands: Uniqlo, Muji and H&M.  In 2011, I did massive shopping at H&M and Muji but this year, Uniqlo was where I found a lot of clothing pieces I liked as they have good quality material at reasonable prices. I'm especially thankful to discover their HEATTECH clothing which generates heat and provides insulation too. Their HEATTECH range includes shirts, leggings, socks, cardigans, beannies and scarves.

I chose the long sleeve shirts for my first HEATTECH purchases. These are base layer shirts perfect for layering during cold season. The clothing material is soft, comforting and fits nicely on the body. 

I used them when we travelled in Seoul where we experienced 4-11 degree Celsius temperatures. Where I would normally have four layers of clothing, I survived the cold with just three layers and even had to ditch the scarf at times.

The next time I come across Uniqlo's HEATTECH range, I will try their other pieces such as the cardigans and scarves.

By the way, Uniqlo will soon open their first branch in Australia by end of this year. I'm happy that we will finally have one here down under, however, it will be in Melbourne which is a state away from where I am (and no we're not flying to Melbourne just so we can shop for Uniqlo stuff). But we'll never know, right? We might have one here in Sydney too in the future.

Discovered Inspirations: 10 Ways To Be Happy

A few tips to make our life happier. Thank God it's Thursday!

Image Source

Click SayingImages.com for inspiring quotes.

The Chilled & No-Cook Oatmeal

I've always cooked my oatmeal. I'm used to heating it up on the stove and I have to say that doing so sometimes discourages me from having oatmeal even though I like having it for breakfast (We don't own a microwave at home so that premise is moot).

Thank goodness the universe heard me and one day, I read a tweet from one of my tweethearts Bettina (@blissfulcow) wherein she shared that it's possible to eat chilled oatmeal. Hooray! Problem solved! 

So here's what I do in creating chilled and no-cook oatmeal in jars:

You need:

2 cups of Oatmeal

180 grams Natural Yogurt

2 cups of Milk

3 tbsp Honey

Fruits (or nuts) to mix in with your oatmeal (to make it a healthier dish)

- this yields 4 jars.

I always opt for the Natural Yogurt as it's less sour. Alternatives to Honey: Maple Syrup, Sugar, Nutella, Peanut Butter. 

Mix the oatmeal, yogurt, honey and milk in a bowl.

Then place the mixture inside jars or plastic containers. Throw in your fruits on top and seal the jar/container. You can also add nuts if you like.

Put the jars inside the fridge and chill them for at least 30 minutes. That's enough time to soften the oatmeal.

Freeze and Eat
I make a big batch, enough to fill at least four jars, during weekends and store them inside the freezer. I usually bring a jar to work and eat it for breakfast or morning tea. I finish all four jars in the course of the workweek. 

I've read that frozen oatmeal can stay good until about a month. The longest time I've stored oatmeal inside the freezer was two weeks.

The Flexibility of Oatmeal
There are so many things you can add into your oatmeal other than fruits and nuts. You can also make substitutions for the milk (almond milk, soy milk etc) and flavour of your yogurt. You can also omit the yogurt from the recipe if you don't like yogurt. You can add different toppings, syrups and seeds (i.e. chia seeds).

Why I Love It
It keeps me full for longer. It's low in calories but high in fiber, removes bad cholesterol, contains antioxidants and enhances the immune system. It's easy to make and and it tastes good! 

Our Simple De-Cluttering System

I have written a year or two ago that I aim for simplicity. Since then I filter what comes in and out of our lives and at the same I have become more vigilant in de-cluttering not just material things but habits that never do us good.

The road to simplicity is a journey. It is a process, a paradigm shift, a lifestyle choice. One of the ways to live simply is to get rid of clutter. At home, we try to find systems on how to not accumulate things we don't need which later on becomes clutter.

Our simple system includes:

1.) Mini de-cluttering sessions every weekend. This involves getting rid of things on the interim like newspapers, food inside the fridge, mails, bills, etc. I set aside about one to two hours for this on a Sunday afternoon.

2.) Major de-cluttering sessions every quarter. This involves going inside closets, organising clothes, shoes; getting rid of things we don't need; revisiting book shelves, etc. This usually eats up a whole weekend for the Husband and I. 

3.) Taking note of expiry dates of toiletries, cosmetics and food. We put labels on things that have expiry dates and arrange them on the shelf were we can see them all the time. We follow the FIFO principle (first in, first out).

4.) We avoid collecting items. We do keep some things we like but we make sure not to overdo it. Space inside the home becomes a concern whenever I think of collecting stuff so we keep things to a minimum and manageable number. We're a bit lenient though when it comes to books because the Husband and I love to read and books are important to us (We have resorted to e-books to keep from buying too many books). 

I'm sharing our simple system to you because two weekends ago, the Husband and I had a super major de-cluttering session. It was doubly-major because other than a quarterly de-clutter session, we also had in mind that we are travelling soon and we had to make space for some things we might buy during travel.

So I started with toiletries and cosmetics on Saturday. This was a pretty easy task as I only have few cosmetics now. 

The following day, we spent 8 hours sorting out clothes into three categories: (1) for charity (2) to be "vacuumed" up and (3) to be brought out for the Autumn and Winter season. This was a big task as we had to let go of about 25 kilos of clothes. We had to vacuum up a few clothes we didn't want to part with such as shirts that have cool graphics in it. I plan to someday make an artwork or quilt out of them. 

On Monday (I took a day-off to finish everything), I took the task of de-cluttering our pantry. This took me about 2 hours.

It was an exhausting weekend but the Husband and I were proud of ourselves to be able to let of some things most dear to us. There will always be a sentimental part of us when we let go of clothes and shoes because they remind us of happy memories but we get courage from the fact that we want a clutter-free home.

The thing with de-cluttering is it's not enough that you organise your things, it's also a matter of cleaning the space and putting systems in place so that you have a home where you can easily find things. That is also one of my premise on living simply, that is having a system that is friendly and doesn't make your life complicated.

De-cluttering is an art of letting go and living simply.

Fooditude: Doing Food Photography in Restaurants

The issue of taking food photographs while dining inside a food establishment is not new to me. I’ve read an article about it in 2010 concerning some restaurant owners disliking the growing population of foodies who take photos in their restaurant. It’s 2013 now and another article has come up about some restaurants banning food photography (read article here).

I had a good exchange of ideas with tweetmates this morning when I asked "When taking food photographs in restaurants, do you ask staff/owner if you can take photos of their food and establishments?". My answer is at the end of this entry. In the meantime, here are a few thoughts I tweeted which I'd also like to share here:

On restaurants prohibiting food photography:
A food establishment has the right to prohibit taking photos and we cannot argue with them because it is their way of service. However, it is very important that guests know this information before they dine at the restaurant. A sign on their door, informing guests via phone when they make reservations and a note on their website would be good ways to let people know that taking photographs are now allowed. It's important that guests are well-informed as it is their choice whether to eat at the restaurant or not.

I understand why a few restaurants have taken to their hands the prohibition of food photography. Some guests tend to overdo it and forget that the reason why they are at the restaurant is to eat and not fuss about photos and their gadgets. Restaurant owners are also concerned for other guests who deserve some quiet while enjoying food. 

As a consumer:
Food establishments have to understand that nowadays part of the food experience is to immortalize what guests eat in their restaurant.  

While it is our right as consumers to take photos of what we ordered, we need to be ethical and discreet about it.

I don’t mind dining at a restaurant that prohibits taking food photographs. While I love taking photographs of what I eat, it's something that I do even before I had a blog, I value my love for good food more than the photographs I could take. Sure, photos are good reminders but experiencing something special is so much better.

I’ve been crafting this article for at least a year but never get to finish it. But with the article that came out yesterday, I’ve pushed myself to finish this once and for all. I’m sharing a few tips on how the Husband and I discreetly take photos whenever we’re dining at a restaurant:

We take photos as quick as we can. Just a minute will do, no more than that. It’s a fortunate circumstance that the Husband and I are skilled in photography. It’s very convenient to have him around as he helps me take shots. Sometimes I am only capable of taking a shot at a certain angle due to where I’m seated. In just a few seconds, we are able to produce photographs of a dish taken at different angles with different perspectives. Other than angles, it pays to have a quick mind when it comes to shooting food. The minute you see your dish, you must quickly know how you want to photograph it and what you want to show in your photograph. You know why else you need to be quick? Because you don’t want your food to be cold when it’s supposed to be warm; you don’t want the ice cream on your Belgian waffle melting when you eat it.

We don’t take photos in the middle of eating our meal. When our order arrives, we give ourselves a moment to take a shot and then we keep our phones and cameras out of sight.

We choose the best seat where natural light (or at least good lighting) is available. We prefer tables near the window if possible. If we’re not given a seat we don’t prefer, we politely ask to be moved. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The point is, it doesn’t hurt to politely ask. 

We avoid using flash because we care about other guests inside the restaurant who deserves to eat in peace. Also, using flash photography makes food look bad anyway. It’s very rare that we use flash and it occurs only when we’re desperate, if we know that we are allowed to do so and we have a friendly relationship with the staff/owner.

Even if we are allowed to take photos of our food, we do it as discreetly as possible. We're try to be as quiet and non-intrusive. It helps that we have a micro-four thirds camera (Lumix GF1) which we use most of the time instead of a DSLR which is conspicuous.

When dining with family or friends and they allow me to take a photograph of their food, I take a shot at their food first before mine. Sometimes I just take a "group photo" of all the food in our table to save time.

We ask the restaurant owner/staff if we are allowed to take photos. This is a case-to-case basis as some establishments have that casual vibe where you can easily take out your camera and shoot away. However, in a restaurant that has an ambiance of exclusivity and privacy, we are careful not to offend so we ask.


So there. A few thoughts and a few tips that may be helpful to you. 

Care to share any thoughts on foodies that photograph in restaurants or restaurant owners that ban food photography? Any tips you'd like to share?

Beauty Stash: Moisturising's My Skin Care Advocacy

If there is one thing that I'd be an advocate of when it comes to skin care, it would be on the importance of moisturising.

There's always a story behind everyone's advocacy and here's mine:

I grew up in a tropical country and have always had oily skin. When I was in my early 20's I thought that I won't ever need to use moisturisers on my face. I only wear sunblock when I go to the beach. I put lotion on days when I feel like it. I gave more importance to cleansing and keeping oil controlled and pimples at bay. 

I moved here when I turned 28 and I had to change my skincare routine as my skin is  exposed to four seasons in a year. On the first year I experienced winter, I saw a skincare specialist because my skin was so dry. I learned a lot of things from the skincare specialist I met: 
(1) That even if I had oily skin, moisturising and using sunblock is as important as cleansing.
(2) People with oily skin can find suitable moisturisers (i.e. water-based moisturisers).
(3) You can use oil to moisturise and it won't clog your pores and add oiliness to your skin. 
(4) Different seasons calls for different moisturisers. I was advised to have a richer moisturiser during cold season and a lighter one during warm season.
(5) The earlier you start putting moisturisers, the better. 
(6) Drink lots of water. 

The sun is harsh these days that it leads to premature wrinkles and sunspots and worse, skin cancer, hence, I have realised the importance of wearing sunblock too.

I've seen men and women who look too wrinkly and "sun-spotty" for their age who love the outdoors and bask in the glory of the sun without wearing moisturisers with sunblock. It's not about vanity really but more about taking care of the only skin we have. It is inevitable for all of us to have wrinkles and sunspots--all of us will have them as we grow older.  However, seeing people who take care of their skin well, a part of how they take care of their well-being, is always admirable.

Since I've met a skincare specialist, I've given more attention to keeping my skin hydrated. Below are a few items I trust which works well for me:

Petroleum Jelly. I use this for moisturising the lips at nightime. I also use this to moisturise the hands and feet during winter time (after putting on hands and feet, wear gloves and socks overnight).

Carmex Lip Balm. They're the best thing that ever happened to my lips! I hoard them when they go on sale. I love that they have a variant that has SPF.

Tip when moisturising lips at night: Moisturise the edge of your lips as this will help prevent pre-wrinkles.

Daytime Moisturising with Sunblock:

BB Cream. This serves as a foundation, moisturiser and sunblock. I use them when I go out. If you want to know about BB Creams, please read my article here. I'm currently using Skinfood's Good Afternoon Peach Green Tea and once I'm finished with this tube, I'll be using Missha's M Signature Real Complete BB Cream.

Sunscreen Lotion. I use this during the day to protect the other parts of my body, particularly the arms and legs. I look for a sunscreen that moisturises, doesn't feel sticky and cause blemishes. 

Night Time Moisturising:

Sorbolene Cream. Other than moisturising with oil after bath, this works in keeping my skin hydrated during cold season.

J&J Bedtime Lotion. I prefer this during warm season as it's light and mild. Smells great too.

Paw Paw Balm. After putting lotion on my hands, I follow it up with a little Paw Paw Balm to soothe it some more. I take particular care of my hands as it's the most used part of my body (cooking, washing dishes etc).

Eye Moisturiser. Since it's summer time now, I use Garnier's Eye Roll On as it's lighter but during winter, I prefer using Clinique's All About Eyes.

Rosehip Oil. I used this to moisturise my face. Three drops of this and it goes a long way. If you want to know more about my Top 5 favourite oils, please click here.

As we grow older, our skin loses the ability to retain water as it once did so a little help from moisturisers and sunblocks will be beneficial to us. And please, always drink lots of water as it hydrates from the inside and has other health benefits too.

Happy Friday!

Aussie Boxing Day Sales

Boxing Day (26th December) is the favourite day of shoppers in Australia where all retail shops offer great sales to buyers. The sales range from 20%-70% off on all or selected items. The Husband and I look forward to Boxing Day because we really wait out for the prices to go down before we buy anything. When shopping in Australia, the tip is not to buy full price--just wait for the item to go on sale because it will.  

Every year, the Husband and I make a list of things we need, both personal and for the home. From Boxing Day onwards, we have a look at the shops for the prices. If we get good deals, we buy them.

It is always better to have a list. During sales, it's tempting to buy one thing after another because it's on sale. Having a list serves as a guide and reminder that we only buy the things we need. In case we find some thing on sale which was not on the list, we think about it first before buying.

This recent Boxing Day sales our goal was to find a new suitcase for me (my old one is slowly dying with every travel), a set of Corelle plates, Nespresso coffee pod dispenser, work clothes for the Husband, gift wrappers for the next Christmas season and cosmetics for me. 

Since the biggest item on our list was the the suitcase, we went to the Travel Section of Myer first thing in the morning. Before Christmas, we already looked at options and prices so we knew what we were looking for when we got there. I chose a red Antler 72cm suitcase, on sale at 40% off, which cut me back $111.00 (big discount!).

We got what we needed and more! The Nespresso coffee pods dispenser and Corelle dining set at 20% off; Christmas gift wrappers at 50% off.   Maxwell Williams Flower Power Collection, set of 4 mugs, at 50% off (will give to my Parents).

Boxing Day sales extend til the first few weeks of January. We don't buy everything in one go. During one of our lunch dates with friends last week, we had a chance to check out Westfield Parramatta. That's where the Husband found a few shirts at 40%-50% discount.

As for me, I was able to buy a few cosmetics and nail polishes. I usually buy my supply of beauty products at the end of the year and use them for the next 6-12 months (depending on expiry). I do this because it's easier for me to track their validity. Plus, I don't want to bother myself buying them from time to time. The only exception would be when we travel because I shop for cosmetics when overseas. 

I got Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara for $10 and Sally Hansen nail polishes, 3 pieces all for only $10 (A Sally Hansen nail polish cost about $7 each).

We were at Strathfield last weekend and we found a store that has Missha products on sale. I had no plans of buying BB Cream at this time but it was such a great deal. Also, I've one BB Cream tube that's nearly empty so I took this chance to buy a new tube. It was also an opportunity to try a different Missha BB Cream. 

I visited kikki.K, a stationery and gift shop. Their products has this sweet and dainty designs that women love. I found a book called "Happy" which compiles inspiring quotes and beautiful artworks on happiness. They were on sale at 30% off. The minute I saw them, I instantly thought of my dear friends in Manila so I got them a copy each and bought one for myself too.

Boxing day sales shopping, sorted! The Husband and I are very happy with our discounted purchases. 

Style Musings: My Winter Essentials

It's the last day of Winter and there's a sigh of relief at the thought that it is ending. While this year is probably one of the perfect Winters I've had in Sydney, just a few days that we had rain and lots of sunshiny days, my "tropical body" is nothing short of excited to welcome the warm season ahead.

As my way of saying goodbye to Winter, I've prepared a list of items that helped me get thru each and every cold day. For those in Australia, these might give you an idea on what to look out for in winter sales (currently on-going!) and for countries about to experience cold weather, this list might give you an idea on winter essentials to buy.

Puff Jacket. I've got trench coats for different levels of winter coldness but there comes a point when I would only wear my puff jackets because they're the only ones who can keep me warm during negative degree temperatures. The one I'm wearing below gives me maximum warmth as this jacket's insulation is made of furry material ("Carpeted itong jacket na ito!" is what I always tell the Husband). Although puff jackets make me feel like I'm a walking marshmallow and make me look shapeless, I don't care. Once it's hugging my body, I'm able to face any coldness the winter brings. My tip in finding a puff jacket: try it on and see how the insulation feels on your body and how thick the insulation is ( "is it keeping your body warm enough?").

Scarves. Like the puff jacket, I have different kinds of scarves to cater to different levels of coldness. Scarves are your neck and chest's bestfriend as it adds warm and protection to your body.  The knitted scarf is the one that ultimately keeps me warm on very cold days.

Knitted Beannies. On very cold and windy days, wearing a beannie is a must. It keeps your head covered and hair in placed. 

Knitted Gloves. All the gloves I wear during winter are knitted as I love the cozy feel of them. 

These two pairs below is gadget-friendly.  The brown pair has the finger part cut up but if you're not using your hands for tapping gadgets, you can wear the top part to cover your fingers. 

This fuchsia pair has grey tips on the thumb, pointing and middle fingers so when you wear this pair, your fingers are able to tap gadgets. You can wear this pair of glove without taking it off in order to tap your phone or tablet. Very clever!

Knee-high socks and toe socks. Although I wear tights on some days, I have a lot of days when I only need to wear socks as my legs doesn't feel cold much compared to my upper body. However, these knee-high socks are helpful when I'm wearing high boots.  The toe socks on the other hand are helpful when I'm at home as it keeps my toes warm during bedtime.

Winter Boots for the Home. I found this cute winter boots at Target on sale and got it so I can use it at home.

Laced-up Boots in Canvas. Another great find for me as it was on sale. I use this when I'm tired of wearing heavy leather boots. They keep the feet warm and so comfortable. Since it's canvas, this can be worn during Spring and Autumn. 

Tomorrow Spring will officially start but it will still be a fair bit cold on the first two-three weeks. I'm no plans of putting these pieces that kept me warm this season as yet but the thought of wearing lighter clothes excites me.

Hope Winter was kind to you this year!

Beauty Stash: Murad

I mostly write about home, food and travel but this year, I've made two regular features on the blog, Beauty Stash and Style Musings, because like most women I'm also fascinated with beauty and style, and both topics are essential in living a charmed life. In Beauty Stash, I share finds and tips on grooming and staying beautiful.  Style Musings was formerly known as Fashion Fridays but it has evolved into sharing my thoughts on style and design. I hope you will enjoy these two features as much as I enjoy writing about them.

I have mentioned in a previous entry that it was only when I moved to Sydney that I followed a skin care regimen. While I did start putting skin care products when I was a teenager, it's when I was 28 y/o that I stopped jumping from one product to another. It was all thanks to Murad. 

Growing up, I've battled with acne for most of my teenage years. It comes and goes. I even had a theory before that I seem to get an attack of acne every four years.  When I turned 25, the breakouts lessened but I was aware that I need to find products that will suit my skin needs, especially that I'm not getting any younger. So when I moved here, I seek professional help, had a few session of facials and went home with Murad products to maintain the health of my skin.

I exclusively used Murad (as in no other skin care product touched my skin) for three years. Their products are a bit expensive but I soldiered on because I wanted my skin to get better. It was all worth it as my skin did improve. I still have acne scars but  at least my skin texture has improved, it is less sensitive and it's not as oily as it used to be. 

Murad Products I've Used:

Refreshing Cleanser.  A gentle but thorough cleanser. It's perfect for my sensitive skin. I feel like I'm washing my face with milk. It also keeps the skin hydrated.

Skin Perfecting Lotion. One of the best moisturisers I've used so far. It's very light but my skin stays hydrated during the day. Perfect for daytime use and when indoors.

Perfecting Day Cream with SPF30. Similar to what I felt with the Skin Perfecting Lotion but only this has SPF. Moisturiser and sunblock in 1. After learning that it's a must to put on sunblock ALWAYS, I switched to this.

Perfecting Night Cream. Moisturiser for night time. 

Energizing Pomegranate Moisturizer SPF 15. One of the moisturisers from Murad that I used just because I got tired of the Skin Perfecting Lotion. Great for daytime as this has SPF15. I love wearing this during summer as it has cooling effects on the skin.  This is also best for combination skin as it keeps the Tzone and dry zone areas of your face balanced.

Essential C-Cleanser. The last cleanser I used from Murad. This didn't sit well with me as I noticed it gave me a pimple of two after I use it. Although it felt light and mild, I don't know why it didn't work well with my skin.

If you noticed from the products mentioned, when I acquired my Murad skin regimen, I basically did two steps: cleanse and moisturise. While it is common that toning is part of skin care, I was told by professionals that it is not necessary. And it worked for me. I'm grateful that their advice saved me time and money.

I have stopped using Murad for sometime now. While I can afford their products and a few drops is all it takes to get you skin cleaned and moisturised (a tube it last loooong time), I find it a bit expensive. Murad has given me better skin and now I'm able to use other products without being prone to pimples.

Based from my experience, I'd highly recommend Murad for those who have sensitive and problematic skin. Ask a professional about Murad before making the switch.

What I Do with Expired Coffee Beans

Here's what I do when our coffee beans expire.

I grab a handful and I use them as fillers in tealight holders.

They add texture and colour to our home's interior decors.

It exudes an earthy feel to the ambience of our home.

And they look lovely.

What do you do with expired coffee beans?

How I Store Loose Leaf Teas

I have once shared that I have a bamboo tea organizer for our tea bags at home.  However, the Husband and I also like drinking loose leaf teas.  Some loose leaf teas are packaged in plastic and must be stored in an air-tight container to maintain its freshness.


Here's how I store our loose leaf teas:


I buy a couple of 600ml containers.



I cut out the packaging.  Then place the name of the tea on the surface of the container and stick it with clear tape.  I also include the expiry date of the tea.




I transfer the loose leaf tea unto to the container and seal it properly.  These containers are kept inside our pantry.



Other options for storing loose leaf teas: spice jars or spice bottles.  


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Harry Potter: The Exhibition

Since November 2011, the Harry Potter Exhibition housed at the Powerhouse Museum has given Sydney the excitement and wonder of seeing hundreds of iconic props and costumes that appeared the Harry Potter film series.  It is a treat for movie enthusiasts to see each character’s wands and outfits worn in the movie, the flying car, the Horcruxes, the Twizard Cup, pieces from the Wizard’s Chess, the Invisibility Cloak and the full version of Buckbeak.  You can also experience playing a miniature Quidditch, lifting the screaming Mandrakes and sitting on Hagrid’s massive chair inside his hut.   

Being fans of the movie franchise, the Husband and I can’t let the exhibition pass without seeing it.  We waited for a long time for the exhibition to arrive in Sydney and finally we saw it last month.  

I felt nostalgic as we were about to enter the exhibition that I can’t help but say, “Imagine, we grew up with these films.”  It was a bit similar to that feeling of nostalgia when we saw the last Harry Potter film, however, this time I had feelings of thrill as well because the exhibition really made us feel like we were part of the movies’ journey throughout the years.  The experience made us love the Harry Potter films even more as each item helped us remember the most memorable scenes from the franchise. 

Just a few tips for you:

• Buy tickets online and avoid the queue and disappointments on when tickets are sold out for the day.   
• Arrive at the museum at least 15 minutes prior to the time printed on your ticket. Late arrivals will be guaranteed prompt admission and will have to wait until the next session.
• A few things not allowed inside the exhibition: food, drinks, taking photographs and videos and touching the artefacts.
• Once you’re inside the exhibition, you can spend as much time as you want.  So just relax and take time looking thru each artefact.  Enjoy!
• Want to bring home some Harry Potter souvenirs?  The museum’s shop has several Harry Potter merchandise to choose from.  You can pay by cash or credit (with a surcharge of 2.5%).

One of the things we bought and enjoyed from the exhibition were these HP Chocolate Frogs.  Other than the chocolate being yummy, we enjoyed getting souvenir cards enclosed with it.  

You won't know what card you've got unless you opened the pack.  Grateful we got the Potter Family and Albus Dumbledore cards.

 

If you are a Harry Potter fan, I recommend that you experience the magic of Harry Potter one last time.  The exhibition will be shown at the Powerhouse Museum (500 Harris Street Ultimo, Sydney) until 9 April 2012, tickets available at ticketek.com.au