The Sweet Escape..

If I could escape and recreate a place that's my own world

And I could be your favorite girl forever, perfectly together 

Tell me boy now wouldn't that be sweet? ~Gwen Stefani. The Sweet Escape.

It's been pretty hectic, and I've been feeling uninspired lately.   There's a ton of work and a bazillion things I want to accomplish by summer's end.  Unfortunately worrying will not solve anything, patience is key for success. But why is it so hard to be patient and keep doing the things you're suppose to do??
Sometimes I just want to get away from the hustle & bustle of the city and  appreciate the simple things in life. 

Hiking is the best way to wander back into a place where serenity prevails.  A place where the air is different,  and the sound of streams and waterfalls will be the soundtrack for the day.  Being in this natural state of mind - the realization of the happenings in life is just going to pass by and become history.

scenic hike don't ya think?

Thanks to the past few months of rain; the waterfall is so gorgeous.  

a path & a stream. side by side. it's a dream

serenity clears my mind.

The stream is so clean that you can see the stones all the way at the bottom ^^

Peace x Love x Happiness

Styles for Short Hair

I finally went to the salon!! BUT it wasn't for me....my next hair appointment will be next wed so I'm excited about that for myself.  Anyhow, as I was waiting I came across some cute hairstyles for short hair from a Japanese hair magazine and I thought I'd share some with you guys =) Enjoy~

Anna Sui ~ S2011RTW

Don't you think Anna Sui's Spring 2011 Ready-to-Wear looks are super whimsically fabulous?
I am loving these tribal colors and playful patterns. . .  

 Source: Style.com

"Style Over Fashion" ~ Yull Shoes

I was inspired when I read a story about Sarah Watkinson and Yull Shoes.  

Started since March 2011 after a year-and-a-half of saving at the age of 21, Sarah managed to save up and launch her business of shoes.  She encourages the younger generation to do the same if they really want to make something work.  Sarah expresses that “it’s very easy to put things off and then before you know it you have children and a mortgage and you can’t do it. If you really want to do something then you should go for it.”
Pulling from classic shoe designs as inspiration, with Coco Chanel being Sarah's favourite designer.  She explains that the ethos of the brand is 'style over fashion.' Every Yull shoe is created with classic designs, and will last forever no matter what the fashion trends are at the time. Each shoe comes with a label with her inspiration and has a name, it is also branded with a union jack at the base of each shoe to show its Britishness.

Sarah's future endeavors include selling her own line of handbags and other accessories; and for Christmas this year she is launching a "Christmas Shoe" that is going to raise money for an English charity, shelter that helps the homeless.

I find these shoes to be very fashionable and very different.  It's something worth checking out.
Cheers to Yull Shoes!
You can check out Yull Shoes here.

PARK BOM - DON'T CRY

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

The weather has been fairly bipolar these days.  It's to a point where I can't keep up with the hot and coldness of the air.  It's especially hard when it's windy and cold, and you're starting to feel sick.  But, what better way to cheer up this crazy spring season than with hot chicken noodle soup! I forget where I got this recipe from but it's so simple, anyone can make it.  

Ingredients: Market Fresh Rotisserie Chicken (Half)
                      Egg Noodles
                      Diced Celery
                      Diced Carrots
                      Water (& Chicken Stock Optional)
                      Salt, Pepper, and Sesame Oil  for taste (or any seasoning you prefer)

Before you start debone half of the rotisserie chicken (make sure to leave some meat on the bone for more flavor) for the soup stock, and save the chicken meat for later.

To make the stock, add about 5 cups of water & chicken stock (depending how much soup you want to make) and wait for boil.  Then add the chicken bones of the rotisserie chicken into the boiling water, and let it simmer.

In the mean time, gently fry the prepared diced carrots on a pan for a few minutes and then add celery next.  Add some salt and stir fry for about 5-10 minutes or until aromatic and gently brown.  We just want to get rid of the "raw vegetable taste."

After frying the diced carrots and celery let it sit.  Remove all chicken bones out of the soup, and add the carrots and celery, and let simmer.

While the soup is simmering - In another boiling pot of water, add half a bag of egg noodles into boiling water and cook until noodles are semi-ready.  Drain noodles. 

After draining the noodles, add them into the chicken stock, and let it simmer with vegetable.  Now you can add your favorite seasoning, salt and pepper.  Let the noodles absorb some flavor of the soup.

After 5-10 minutes of simmering, add the chicken meat into soup and let it continue cooking.  Then add sesame oil for taste.  The longer the soup simmers, the more flavorful it becomes...and viola~

Chicken Noodle Soup

Cooking soup at home is much more nutritious, since you know what is in your food & everything is made with love and most importantly by yourself or your loved ones.  I hope you enjoy!

Tips: Tie up your hair before cooking

        Wash your hands before touching food

        Wash used dishes as you cook, so you don't have a ton of dishes to wash at the end

        You can use the rest of the chicken not used in the soup to make chicken sandwiches to pair 

        with  your chicken soup

Let's talk Eyes

Daily stress or lack of sleep will keep you away from looking your best.  It's a struggle to look refreshed with flawless skin daily, & it gets harder as we age.  That's why it's important to have a good regimen for pampering as well as protecting your skin.

Lately, I've been looking at different methods for brightening the dark circles under the eyes.   A lot of people talk about DIY methods for skin brightening and such.  Here are some that I found and would like to share with you guys. I wonder how well they work....

POTATOES contain a chemical called catecholase, a skin lightener.
Directions: Grate some potatoes and wrap in a cloth and place over eyes -OR- you can use some cotton balls and soak it into some potato juice and place it over to brighten the dark circles under your eyes.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against dark-circle inducing UV Rays.    
       Lemon is a natural lightener for the skin.  Directions: Blend equal parts of tomato and lemon juice and apply on to under eye area.  Be careful not to put it too close to eyes or it will burn

Spoon  - Directions: put two teaspoons in the fridge until they are chilled.  Then apply one on each eye for 10 minutes.  The cold spoons will help shrink dilated and discolored blood vessels.

I think at home remedies are great because they are natural & economical.  The old saying goes you are what you eat and is indeed a good mantra to go by.  Organic fruits and vegetables are good for you inside and out.  Can't really go wrong with nature's best. 

On a different note.  It doesn't hurt to try beauty products to see which outcome is the best.  OR a combination should be more beneficial?

Here's a  Mini Review for the Garnier Nutritioniste -Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller

This review is a continuation of my previous post about the Garnier Nutritioniste: Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller.  So I've been using the Garnier Nutritioniste: Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller for a little more than a week now. I can say it is working for me and I am confidently adding this to my daily regimen.  I like how there is a metal ball roll on for application.  It's like a mini massage for my eyes and the coldness of the ball really feels refreshing! After using this product for a week, I do feel that my eyes are less puffy and I notice I do apply less eye concealer.  I still have dark circles though.  Hopefully it will slowly diminish.
Sorry I have no before pictures or progressing pictures to show my results.  I didn't really think I'd do a progress check for this product.

BCBG - PETITE PLISSE WATCH

Was browsing around BCBG and I came across this unique bow watch.  It has a very feminine and sophisticated look to it.  Plus, I think it adds a flirty touch of fun to your outfit -  for a night out with your friends or significant other. I particularly like the grey one.  Who said watches can't have different textures?

Luca Luca Spring 2011

So spring is here, and it's finally time to get ready for some fresh new spring fashion.  Currently I'm loving Luca Luca's sophisticated Spring 2011 line.  I love how he mixes subtle colors with splashes of coral.  Isn't this lovely? 

Taken from: NY MAG

Win a $2.2 Million So Cal Dream Home!

I am sooo not joking!! You can actually win this house from a raffle.  Here's how:

SOCALRAFFLE.COM

Special Olympics Southern California's Dream Home Raffle

The raffle aims to raise funds for Special Olympics Southern California in its continuing effort to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society. In addition to supporting Special Olympics Southern California, the raffle will be giving away 350 prizes, of which the grand prize is a $2.2 million home or $1.5 million in cash.

Front View of the Dream House

Back View of the Dream House

Entry & Hall View of the Dream House

Living Room View of the Dream House

Master Bathroom View of the Dream House

OMGsh..this is such an insane raffle, with such a great cause.  This mansion is amazingly beautiful.
I just had to share this.

My Favorite Sex and the City Scene

Charlotte York's Second Wedding - Sex and The City



HAHAHA...SOO Funny! I always laugh every time when watching this scene; especially when Miranda is giving Charlotte a toast.

Review: e.l.f. studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick

The e.l.f. studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick. "Achieve color intensity for your eyes with a twist-up ease (no sharpening required) - Enhances the eyes with a soft shimmer color."

Directions: Glide on the soft gel Liner to create dramatic definition to the eyes.  Use the smooth glide Shadow stick for soft highlighting color on the eyes to complement the liner for a polished and finished look. (personally, I feel you can you this any way you like..you can go highlighting frenzy if you want  with this white eyeliner ^_^)

The Liner Side

The Shadow or "Glow" Side

My Impression: Another Happy Purchase! This is my first e.l.f. product, and I really wanted to try this because I was in the market for getting a new white eyeliner.  So I doubled scored when this liner came with a double end.
There were a few other colors for this product like purple, green, black, etc.  What I really like about this product is that there is no need for sharpening! I think it's so much more hygenic this way.  The color glides on smoothly and pigmentation is just enough for that pop of color for your eyes.
I really like the shadow side for the nasal corner of my eyes to give a hint of color, and the eyeliner side is great for lining the waterline.   Since this eyeliner is white, it's great for highlighting of course, but I am planning on collecting all the colors to create more effects..Yes, I like it that much. =)

Some pictures with the e.l.f. white liner!

Must focus on the eyes >_<

TOO CLOSE!!  (* O *)

What's for Dinner?

Sizzling Rib Eye Steak with Mushroom Sauce...