But I want it! Paul & Joe CAT LIPSTICK in Clair De Lune

Get it here!

Have I mentioned that I have always loved cats? I find this soooo cute, and at the same time I think that it's too cute to use. Hm. Maybe with a lip brush?

Review: Lumene Vitamin C + Energy Cocktail - Serum

My review today is for a product that saved my skin last winter when we were using the heater. Even the humidifier alone couldn't save me...This product came in a much better size back then (the bottle was fatter) and it was discounted at around $12 so I bought it just to check it out. Turned out to be pure bliss on my skin.

It's a weird oil combination that requires some shaking before use. The top part is orange and the bottom part magenta pink, when mixed the solution turns orange (such critical information, eh?).  The price is around...$20-30 ish and it can be purchased at CVS. If you use it day and night it lasts about two months (one squirt at a time), but if your skin is not dry (mine gets dry) I recommend only using it at night in which case it lasts 3-4 months. My calculation is always a little skewed because yobo sometimes squirts a little too.

The basics:

+ nice scent
+ doesn't make you break out even though it's "oily"
+ moisturizes well
+ good packaging (one squirt is perfect for your whole face!)
+ has anti-aging effects (cloudberry and Vitamin C)
+ prevents dry, flaky skin (a problem I sometimes have)

- new packaging not as nice as old packaging
- price (it's pretty decent if you take advantage of their Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off deal)

Overall I think this product is awesome for the winter months if you live in a dry climate and tend to have dry skin. When I stopped using this in the daytime I noticed my foundation did not go on as smoothly (and I do use a primer but it's kind of dry since it has SPF)....So I do recommend this to anyone who has similar skin to mine!

But I want it! Spiked Mat!

My my how I've been gone.

But good news is that I have been working hard (~60 hours a week) and not shopping (too) much, which translates to not spending too much money, thus earning me more money :) This is all because I have been super sick and have watched many movies in the comfort of my own home (with layers of blankets), such as The Social Network, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Knight and Day, The Other Guys, Due Date, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and Black Swan. None of which had anything I could relate to my blog, though (such as dress style). I need to watch more movies about the past. I was thinking about watching The King's Speech soon, have you seen it?


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Anyhow, this is what I really really wanted for Christmas:

Spiked Mat and Bag (Organic) $29.99 at Amazon

I saw this last year in Finland and wanted it but didn't want to pay 80+ euros for it. Now the little Swedish stores in Beverly Hills still sell them for about $70, but on Amazon there are a lot of good deals on the product! I picked out this little Organic mat and I think it will be perfect for me!

For those of you who are not in on the craze, the directions state to sleep on the mat, but when I was in Finland I understood from the demonstrations that it has a very relaxing (acupressure) effect if you just lay on it for 10-20 min before going to bed (on the floor). The little spikes (plastic or rubber) hit your acupressure points and help you release any pent up stress and it's supposed to be good for your posture and improve blood pressure as well (what I need, I always have cold hands and feet). 

Please let me know if you've tried this! I plan on ordering this asap!

Review: Lumene Vitamin C+ Radiant Day Cream

As you may have noticed (and if you haven't, you will!) I have a special preference for Lumene products because it is a Finnish brand, which means I trust the brand (more) and everything smells refreshingly like Finland (and it's not just me! yobo says so too!).  If you have ever used The Body Shop's Vitamin E Moisture cream you will find that Lumene's Vitamin C cream is superior because it is not as greasy (when applying or after) but it has the same effects and can still protect you from the cold dry winter. I know, because back when I was in Finland the Vitamin E Moisture Cream was a recommended moisturizer/primer for winter months. Now I find that with the heater on California is not that far from Finland when it comes to lack of humidity so making winter arrangements is definitely necessary.

For the winter months I have been using these tiny little bottles of day cream that I found at CVS. The entire collection has been on some kind of BUY 1 GET 1 FREE sale so maybe by the time I go through all my reviews you'll be rushing over to buy some too!

This product is said to contain Arctic Cloudberry, and thereby has anti-aging effects. I don't know about cloudberries but I know what Vitamin C does and I think this cream is perfect in brightening one's complexion!

This is actually the third one I'm on...I used the first one months ago, then I bought two and just recently I got two more. What happened was that yobo tested it out one day and discovered he quite likes Vitamin C creams...so now we go through these like crazy....

The Summary:

+ nice refreshing scent
+ moisturizes well (dry skin/dry weather/both)
+ good price (~$4 for 15 ml before discount)
+ well sealed (you know no one stuck their finger in there at the store...hate that)
+ anti-aging effects
+ vitamin C brightens skin
+ vitamin C prevents aging
+ non greasy
+ perfect size for travel or keeping in your purse as back up

- can't find larger equivalent...there is something similar at CVS but it's not clear to me whether it is exactly the same or just...similar

I recommend!

But I want it! Kate Spade Ribbon Coin Purse in Red!

I'm debating over this purse...after you apply discount code NEWYEARS25 the price goes down to $39--which is a very reasonable price! Even for me!


What do you think? I prefer garnet red...I think the fuchsia will be hard to match...

The Year of Blog Resolutions

Wow. This is the first year I have had to think of separate resolutions (normally I just add to my laundry list from years ago). According to this LA Times article I will never accomplish my laundry list, but instead I should "prioritize" my resolutions so that they are more achievable. What a simple idea and yet so daunting to have to put into practice.

Let me just rewind a little and restart by saying h a p p y n e w y e a r ! I wish you all prosperity, good health, and the only love you'll ever need.

With this blog in mind, I hope to achieve the following:

• a new layout that may actually feature my picture?
• perhaps a new name or a new theory behind the name
• finish my wardrobe list + organize it
• rid of clothes I haven't worn for 1 year or more (for the record I already donated to our company's Christmas clothing drive, and I will donate 2 more bags of clothing...)
• purchase 5 pieces of clothing per season
• play around with 3-30 pieces one of these months....
• buy that DSLR camera I want :)
• eat healthier and be better at maintaining my weight

And just to be clear, my normal resolutions for this year are:

• simplify life
• be more compassionate
• earn more/save more money

 What are your new years' resolutions?