365 Day Photo Challenge

This 2012 I decided to challenge myself and post a picture every single day for one year. So since 2012 is a leap year, so I'm going to post a total of 366 photos.

The picture can be anything you want. A food you first tried, place you've been to, people you've met, anything that tickles your fancy. This way, you'll be able to enhance your photography skills (even if you're not a pro, you'll start experimenting with angles, lighting, etc.) This will also serve as a way to remember a year.

If you plan on trying this, click HERE for more details.

Reading that article is what finally convinced me to do this challenge. Anyway, I started last January 1, 2012 and I'm now in the middle of my third week.

I post my photos everyday on facebook and my Tumblr. I'll probably post here on a weekly basis.

Here are the pictures I've posted from January 1- 18:

DAY 1: I spent the new year's eve in my room having a severe asthma attack. This was a view from my window and actually the only firework display I've ever seen that night. I had to stand up on my bed, put on a mask and open the window to get a clearer shot.

DAY 2: Still on bed rest, having my nth cup of caffeine-free tea  

DAY 3: As usual, thanks to my asthma, I spent the whole day in my room. I've been thinking on what shall I post as my day 3 picture, and alas! I've got none! Nothing with that much sense though :)

So here it is, the highlight of my boring day... having a TV series marathon on a rainy Tuesday afternoon. I watched about 9 episodes in one seating... reason for this splitting headache I have right now.

Can you guess what I've been watching?

Day 4:

Carb overload!

I finally got to get out of my room! Went to Robinsons Otis for my NBI Clearance. Took us less than an hour to get my clearance. Then off to Greenhills for dinner.

 

Day 5

Anne and the City

Day 6

"You've Got Mail"

Finally got my package today! looooove!

Day 7

I was so upset today because our router is acting up and I can't stand it when things go wrong with our connection. Some people do various things to cheer them up. Others eat chocolate, some do retail therapy... but I.... I swatch my palettes ;)

Day 8

Got a tattoo today 

LOL

Day 9

Today, i lost a loved one... my router. Thank you for everything that you have done for me. You will be missed my friend

Day 10

Chick flick night with my sister + midnight snacking on sandwich and chips. Sodium overload! Tomorrow we bloat

oh btw, I finally had my dead router replaced by a new one. Wifi, just so you know...i missed you so much

Day 11

Just had a crazy zumba workout sesh with the crazy seezter. WE.DIED.

Day 12

Went to the mall to pick up some stuff and took Iggy with us. 

Today's realization:
1. Hardwares are lame
2. Traffic cones are fun!

Day 13:

There's a saying that "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend..." Well I guess, Pearls are second runner up

Day 14:

While out to have dinner with the family, I saw this woman right outside my side of the window. She's already there when we came and she's still there even after we're through eating. 

She tried calling him several times... 
shifted her weight left and right countless times... 
Got her blood sucked off by mosquitos who knows how many times...

I was like "She so got stood up... " 


But after waiting for over 2 hours, her date finally came. The guy didn't even walk up to get her. He just sat at his motorcycle, 15 feet away and screamed her name, and asked her to hop in. Then off they went.

What a d-bag...

and I'm such an usisera

Day 15:

This day is brought to you by: Sylvanas

"When the sugar rush makes up for the lack of sleep."

Day 16:

"Before and After"

Yes, I love Yakult that much!

Day 17:

Green Tea Frappe made by moi enjoyed on a very hot and humid afternoon

My little sister was like.."Ate this is so much better than Starbucks' green tea frappe!"

Me: Like a boss! ;)

Day 18:

We were driving through the Commonwealth area and I spotted these kids playing on some sort of dump site. Wearing dirty and tattered clothes, they were laughing and playing with old plastic bags, turned into kites. It's amazing to witness their simple joy inspite of the overwhelming poverty. We could learn a lot from them...

It's really fun and exciting as the same time! Why don't you give it a try?

Green Tea Frappe

This is a yummy and not too heavy cold drink for you blended tea lovers

Ingredients:

2 cups crushed ice

3 fl. oz Vanilla Syrup (or to taste)

4 fl. oz Milk (or depends on your preferred consistency)

1/4 tsp Green Tea Powder ( I used Frostline Matcha Green Tea Powder)

Procedure:

Put everything in a blender and blend for a minute or until you reach your desired consistency. 

Top with your favorite whipped cream and drizzle with your favorite sauce. (I used Caramel)

You can also top your whipped cream with a pinch of the green tea powder.

Easy peasy! :) Enjoy!

Review: Smashbox Photo Op Mega Palette

Where to buy: QVC.com
Price: $93.48

My mom found this palette on QVC and I'm so glad that she bought two of this limited edition product. One for me and one for my sissy!

Anyway, the palette contains:

• 56 0.44 oz Photo Op Eyeshadows (yes every single color that Smashbox makes)
• Four 0.032-oz Brow Tech Powders
• 0.024-oz Brow Tech Wax
• Eight 0.031-oz cream eyeliners
• Two 0.298-oz blushes
• Three 0.132-oz Soft Lights
• Four 0.024-oz lip glosses

I must say that it's a pretty good deal because the individual shadows are worth $9.33 and the cream liners sells for $22 each. Crazy right?!

with flash

without flash. see how pigmented those two are!

The shades are gorge! I love all of them! The colors are all wearable, even the super dark and pearly ones. Some shades are highly pigmented although there are some that's just barely there. The eye shadows would look extra gorgeous when worn over a primer or mixing medium.They are also blendable and doesn't feel heavy at all.

The brow tech powder w/ wax and cream eyeliners are great too, as well as the blush and soft lights.

cream liners

cream liners

blush

soft light and lip gloss

I also love that they included a booklet where you can follow the step by step instructions to achieve the different looks.

There are 8 different looks to choose from and of course, you can experiment with your own.

All in all, this is one awesome kit and I highly recommend it.

Prep those Pouters!

Isn't it annoying when you're feeling all cute and pretty and then you go check yourself in the mirror and see this awful sight of your lipstick bleeding and caking, your lips all chapped and cracked?

Here's how to avoid that mess.

1. Apply an ample amount of petroleum jelly on your make-up free lips.

2. Using a soft bristled toothbrush, gently scrub your lips for about two or three minutes. The petroleum jelly will loosen any dead skin cells on your lips and the scrubbing will of course remove them. Wipe it off when you are finished.

or

You can also exfoliate your lips after you've been in the shower as the dead skin cells will have sufficiently loosened up then. Gently scrub with a clean and damp washcloth and apply petroleum jelly or any lipbalm to re-moisturize.



Prior to make-up application, apply any lip balm and let it seep into the lips. By the time that you are through with the rest of your make-up, your lips will now be ready to take on some color.


TIPS:


1. Avoid licking your lips. If you constantly lick your lips, you are depleting it's natural moisture.

2. Use lipbalms that are rich in shea or jojoba oils instead of bees wax. Oils are easier to penetrate the skin to moisturize from within

3. Look for non-drying lip products. Ingredients such as menthol, camphor and salicylic acid in lip balms can be drying.

4. Using a clear lipbalm, extend your application to the outer edges of your lips. This creates an invisible shield, preventing your lipstick from going anywhere.

Latest MAC Haul: 4 Lipsticks and a Duo

I'm so crazy over my latest make-up haul. I super love them! My style is either bold eyes+nude lips or plain eyes+bold lips. So this haul is perfect for that quick make-up look. Ok, so here's what I got:

MAC Colourizations: Double Feature 5 Eye Shadow Duo 
(Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics, $25.00 for 0.10 oz.)

The pale-pinkish peach shade has a frost finish which is great for highlighting. The other shade is a red-toned brown with greenish teal duochrome , also with frost finish. I love how it's pigmented and yet it's very smooth when applied.

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipstick
(Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics $14.50 for 0.10 oz.)

Viva Glam Gaga 2 is a pale beige-nude with an amplified finish. The amplified finish gives more color pigmentation,  a creamy consistency and a semi-matte look. I would suggest that you prep your lips prior to using this product to avoid a dry and chapped lips later on.

MAC Myth Lipstick
(Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics $14.00 for 0.10 oz.)

Myth is somehow similar to the Viva Glam Gaga 2 on color. It's a pale, flesh-toned, slightly peach nude with a Satin finish. MAC's Satin finish, for those who are unfamiliar, has a creamy, opaque look. It's has a subtle sheen and shimmer. Myth gives an incredibly full coverage color and semi-matte look. No need for lip liner!

MAC Snob Lipstick
(Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics $14.00 for 0.10 oz.)

Snob may look a bit darker or the tube, but actually it's a pale-pastel, blue-based pink that looks super gorgeous. l've always loved strawberry milk lips, and Snob which has a Satin finish provides a great base. Full color coverage, highly pigmented and good staying power. Top this with clear gloss and you'll have that subtle bee-stung, candy lip look.

MAC Girl About Town Lipstick

(Where to buy: MAC Cosmetics $14.00 for 0.10 oz.)

Now this one here is my ultra-favorite in the group. Girl About Town is a vibrant shade of bright fuchsia pink. The amplified finish gives a creamy, opaque shade. Highly pigmented, great coverage and I swear, the staying power is awesome! I usually retouch my lipstick every 2 hours or so, but this one stayed for over 6 hours! Yes, without retouch! Mind you, i had huge cup of frozen yogurt, had a full course dinner and desert and still, it's still there on my lips! Love, love love it!


I usually wear blue-based red, matte lips when I'm in a hurry and doesn't have time to do an elaborated look. Girl About Town would make a great substitute for that bit of a toned down and yet gorgeous look.


Check out my swatch.

MAC Girl About Town, Myth, Viva Glam Gaga & Snob Swatch