life, lately #4

Succulents actually need to be watered frequently. Not super frequently, but they still need to be watered. It's true that they can survive without adequate amounts of water, but it doesn't mean that they should. Just like humans. And unfortunately mine has slightly shriveled leaves because I guess I didn't take the dry air from the heating into account. So I have to take back what I said when I first got it!



When Vanessa mentioned that she didn't finish a single book in 2014, I'm like, well shit, I didn't even pick up a single book in 2014. In my previous relationship my ex (angrily) voiced that fictional books were dumb because it wasn't even real, so therefore it was a waste of time. And being the pushover I was, I listened to him. I've said it once and I'll say it again: Never let someone change something you like to do. Unless you honestly agree that it's for the better. I guess it carried over even after we broke up, but now I'm making an effort to start reading again.

Currently I'm rereading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, because Harry Potter is my favorite series and I haven't read any of the books in a long time. I'm starting off with Chamber of Secrets because I don't have the first book, and I don't think I have the sixth one either. It's a sad way to start off a series ;-; I don't think I'll buy the first book, because James has a copy and I'll ask if I can borrow it from him when he returns back to Canada. I like to read for about an hour before I go to sleep. It's a good way to end the day.



I'm really happy with where my blog is at the moment. I may not have the thousands of followers we all wish we had, but I'm really satisfied with my content. I think the most important thing is that I can genuinely say I enjoy all the aspects of blogging, from taking and editing pictures to writing posts to commenting and replying to comments. It was an on and off thing at first, but I think anyone who blogs - or anyone who has a hobby, really - feels like that from time to time. Sorry for the blurred out text though, those are upcoming blog posts that I am keeping a secret ;)

Classes started on the 28th, which was when my MetroCard conveniently expired. Who starts classes in the middle of the week anyway?? I have a bunch of electives and one art class because all the other art classes were full or the times were inconvenient for me. And the art class is at 8:00 on a Saturday morning, which is just dandy.

beautylish haul | charlotte tilbury, sugarpill, & inglot

I placed an order on Beautylish for the first time not too long ago. It was mostly for a makeup bag and eyeshadow, but since they have an ongoing promotion for $10 off $50+ for the first order I decided to get a few more things. From the gift-like packaging to the personally handwritten note, I felt like it was so lovingly packed! Definite A+ for the customer service.

I hope you're not too let down when you find that instead of buying Charlotte Tilbury makeup, I got her makeup bag instead. I can't justify spending that much on makeup, especially since I have so much already - but maybe I'll treat myself one day when I give away/swap/sell the makeup I don't use anymore/often. I'll save the details for an upcoming what's in my makeup bag post, I feel that I have a pretty makeup bag to show off now :)

I was planning on getting some of Urban Decay's 24/7 liquid liners because they're on sale for only $10 each, but when I came across Duraline I was like f*ck that, *saves money* (sorry UD). It's a mixing medium, so you can use it to transform powder eyeshadows into liquid liner. It's pretty cool, since that means I don't have to spend a fortune on colored eyeliners that I know I won't use too often.

The eyeshadow I had my eyes on was Mochi from Sugarpill - normally I wouldn't go for colors like this, but I have MAJOR inspiration right now and have something fun up my sleeve coming to you soon! The Inglot shadow I got only because I needed the little bit extra for the discount, haha. It's #121 from their Freedom System Rainbow eyeshadow range, and I figured I'd get this particular one because I don't have anything like it yet.

LOOK AT THAT SUGARPILL PACKAGING. It's so colorful and fun, and love that they captured that side of makeup versus the modern and sleek designs we usually see. I can't wait to play around with it!

review | lush northern lights bath bomb

Lush Northern Lights bath bomb - purchased at Lush

It was intact when I got it, but it somehow broke in between me saran-wrapping my bath bombs after I took pictures for my haul post and right before I used it... boo! Sorry it's taken me so long to have this up - I absolutely hate being disturbed when I take baths so I only do it when nobody is home, haha. Northern lights isn't available anymore since it was only around for the holidays, but let's hope it'll come back next year.

Sadly I've come to realize that unless I have a decent photography light setup in my bathroom, the lighting is always going to be crappy because there's a wall between the tub and the window. So whenever I move out, I'll have to keep good, natural bathroom lighting in mind.

Like Sparkler, it didn't deliver in terms of moisture - but now that I think about it, I don't think most bath bombs were made for hydrating the skin unless it says in the product description, like Avobath or Butterball? Still, the mini-show in my bathtub was incredible and so was the scent - I'd say it was floral but sexy at the same time. If it came in a perfume, I'd wear it.

The final result: deep purple waters, with floating stars! For anyone that knows me, this is straight up my alley. I believe the website said they were confetti stars, but it's not papery and even though they reminded me of sprinkles you'd find on desserts, they didn't dissolve unless I squished them. I'd repurchase this without a doubt, though next time I'll probably try it with a bath melt.

sakura nendoroid

Ok, so this is a post that probably nobody will care about (and is long overdue) but it's ok cause I don't care (I do care). My Sakura nendoroid came in the mail sometime while I was in California! I took pictures right away when she arrived, and I'd like to think these pictures aren't as nice as my more recent ones because I got better at photography/editing... but that can be debatable.

first sephora haul of the year extras: point perks + freebies

Most Sephora orders probably wouldn't be complete without their point perks and occasional gift with purchases. I feel like I mostly justified my recent haul because of these, hahaha. I'm trying out typing paragraphs as well. I like to list things out because I feel like it's more clear, but at the same time I feel like it makes me write more unnecessary things...

First up, the perfumes! I usually never buy perfumes because I have so many from Sephora's samples and point perks, haha. I got D&G Dolce solely for the packaging - how pretty is that! It smells quite lovely as well. There's something unexplainable about this fragrance that I really like, it's floral but not too floral. I won't finish this bottle because it's purely for show, but the bigger version might come home with me one day. I also got Fresh Life because my sister had a deluxe sample as well, and I liked the scent. It's clean, fresh, and citrusy without being powdery. I'll keep it in my bag to use, but I won't be purchasing the full size. From what I've experienced Fresh fragrances don't last very long, probably 3 or 4 hours at most.

I absolutely haaate washing my hair in the winter because it's so cold, and recently I've been blow drying my hair instead of my preferred air drying. My sister has the Bumble and Bumble Straight Blow Dry and I liked it a lot so I wanted to try a different product from the brand, and Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry was up as one of Sephora's 100-point perks. I've only tried it once and I don't like it as much as the one my sister has, so I won't be purchasing the full size. Clinique's Take The Day Off makeup remover, however, I do like! It's oil-based so it does a great job at removing makeup, and it leaves only a little bit of oily residue.

And lastly, the Pantone journal that everything is standing on was the most exciting for me. It was a one-day offer that Sephora tweeted. I love getting new notebooks, especially cute ones. I couldn't find the exact same one online, but there is a brighter version available (also the same alternate one that I have, haha) on Amazon.