[THANK YOU] & favorite lipsticks

Thank you to those who followed my 30 Day Challenge.

A couple of the things I wrote very deeply emotional, raw... personal. *shrugs* I was being myself.

I highly encourage you to do it too. It helped me get to know myself better.

The biggest relationship we will ever have throughout our entire lifetime is not with a significant other. I believe we struggle for self-improvement every single day of our lives. It is a never ending journey...but the destination is worth the squeeze, ya dig? We discover/learn things about ourselves whether it be minuscule or huge on the daily! Sometimes, there are parts of our own selves we forget, and perhaps would like to rekindle with. Am I making any sense? Whatever, I just wanted to thank all of you who read each post of my 30 Day Challenge. You've gotten to know me a bit better, so it's your turn to take the challenge. Let me inside of your life too.

Tagged by Sophia!

My favorite lipsticks of all time.. Hrm. Okay maybe not all time, but at the moment. =P

Okay before I get down and dirty to the nitty gritty...
Here is where I keep all of my lip products.. It's probably really the most unorganized photo of makeup storage out there but whatever, it works for me.
I have a Caboodles thing that sits on top of my bookshelf with Big Bob (my Betta fish) , perfumes, lotions, makeup removers... and other random beauty products. (Hey Serena! See that unopened Mac lipstick on the bottom center? That's your Jazzed!!!!)
Don't ask why that section of the wall isn't painted.. I'm ghetto, okay? No i'm just kidding (sort of). I used to have a HUUUUGE L shaped corner desk in my room. When I moved out, I left the desk behind. My family decided to repaint my room, but they didn't bother to move the desk. I've moved back home and tore that desk down. Now there's a corner of my room that isn't painted HAHAHAHA!!! I don't care, i'm moving again (eventually) anyway.. SO here goes.
 

L: lipglossies R: lipsticks

other shelves are for random things like liners (eyeliners I don't use often or lipliners)

Chanel Aqualumiere #32 Antigua (has spf15!)

gorgeous color w/ a shimmer. got it as a birthday present from my friend Ej ♥ along with other Chanel goodies (like my black Chanel nail varnish!). I like to apply lightly.

Laura Mercier Baby Lips (sheer) gifted to me by Sarah at the Pow Wow dinner 

THANK YOU!! I love this one

Mac Way To Love (lustre) - this color is DISCONTINUED.

I had always wanted this color but never found it anywhere.

My woman Angelique surprised me with it because she always finds the best things at CCO. How come the CCO's in Northern California never had diddly squat!? Anyway, I love this color to death. One of the prettiest pinks I have ever come across.

Mac Vegas Volt (amplified)

This for me is my ultimate party color. Like the name, I rocked this baby in Vegas. A fierce orange coral color.. so sexy with thick winged cat eyes.. It's a little brighter in person but my lighting is all wonky, sorry! The fog makes natural light fleeting in San Francisco. I'd imagine this would be super hot on someone with green eyes too. Anyway, I love this color as well even though it's not suitable for everyday wear. Sometimes I tone it down a bit by adding a bit of Mac Florabundance lipglass over. It mutes a little of the orange.
Vegas Volt w/ Florabundance over it (below)

Mac Viva Glam I (matte)

My go to red color. A deep burgundy red. It's the red I wear when I go out for a night to make the town bleed for me. It's also the lipstick I am wearing in my profile picture. This does dry my lips out really bad and cause them to feather so I have to exfoliate them at the end of the night (or morning..heeheee).

.swatched. .natural light.

L to R: Chanel Antigua, Laura Mercier Baby Lips, Mac Way To Love, Mac Vegas Volt, Mac Viva Glam I

So bloggies, what are YOUR favorite lipsticks? Let me know!!! Write a post and link me to it so I can see!!!

ciao mi bellas

xoxo

Day 30 I'M DONE!

Last day of the 30 Day Challenge, woohoo!!
It feels like it has been a long journey for me. I have a few things I wanted to post about but didn't want to interrupt the challenge. Kind of OCD of me huh?

Anyway, it's Saturday night and i'm staying in (what else is new?) rotting my brain in front of the tv watching House. I was being naughty eating ice cream straight out of the box.

Know what else? I ate it all and I used a Tokidoki Yogurtland spoon. I got in LA back in January. Mr. Susyness and I were having a last night dinner together before he had to head off to China for work. It was my last night in Los Angeles as well.

wheeee cutest spoon ever!!!

I like just regular yogurt with fruity pebbles.

This is me in all my makeup free, glass on bumming around on the couch glory watching House while trying to type up this blog entry

Anyway...It's the end of the 30 Day Challenge. I guess I have to list 20 goals I want to accomplish. Here we go:

1. lose 5 pounds (yup, still on the list)
2. make new friends in other countries (this will definitely happen in October-November!)
3. find a job in southern california
4. move to socal!!! uh hello, I belong there?
5. spend more time with my brothers
6. learn more about wine
7. learn more about other cultures and religions.. A friend of mine in the UK is blackberry messaging me teaching me a little about Ramadan. So interesting!!
8. cook more - I haven't done much cooking this year and I miss it.
9. travel to another country.. I will be doing so October - November but that's something I want to do in 2011. I'm hoping Japan.. But maybe Costa Rica?

dam... I don't have 11 others. That's sad. 

Day 29: What I've Learned This Month

Day 29: What I've Learned This Month

Well, seeing as how today is only the 3rd of September.. I wouldn't have accumulated much knowledge for this month eh? Let's just summarize what i've learned in August.
I thought I had a good idea on what love and friendships are supposed to be. I've come a really long way since last year.. or even this year!
A couple of days ago, I tweeted this: I continue to be amazed by those around me who keep redefining my idea of love & friendships. Don't ever stop
It's true.

This past month (as well as the other months in this year) have taught me to open up a little bit more. We have all been burned in the past in one way or another; whether it be by a significant other/loved one/friend/best friend and it all hurts. Each incident has marked us in a way, but I have taken from these and done something with it. This past month I have been talking more to other females, getting to know them better and slowly opening myself up. There cannot be progress if you first don't open any doors - right?
I've tried to be as real and honest as I can be (via internet anwyays, it's hard to believe things you read online) during this 30 Day Challenge. In it, i've opened myself up to a vast audience spanned all across the globe. I know there are people reading this in other countries (although you trollers don't bother ever leave me a comment, boo!) and although I may never meet some of you - THANK YOU.  Sometimes, it is a bit comforting to talk to nobody in particular. When I write on this blog, i'm not necessary looking for an answer or advice.. I'm writing...just because. I just want someone to listen, but it has enabled me to be more open.. to like people first before judging, to compromise, to be able to reflect on my past more clearly and rather than be ashamed - to own up to my mistakes and learn from them.
I've been shown and learned that yes, there are still people out in the world I can trust. Yes, there are such things as good girlfriends. Yes, love is many many things I cannot describe.
I keep taking these things and continuing the journey of self-improvement....

cheers

to life, love, and laughter

xoxo

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.
Day 02- A picture of something you cannot live without.
Day 03- A habit that you wish you didn’t have.
Day 04- List 15 songs that represent your life’s soundtrack.
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 06- A hobby you have.
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why.
Day 09- Something/someone you’re proud of.
Day 10- A story about a past relationship.
Day 11- A picture of something you dislike.
Day 12- A picture of your room & don’t cheat by cleaning it. Share a secret.
Day 13- Write a letter telling someone something you could never tell them.
Day 14- A picture of something you ate and 10 confessions.
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle & share the first 10 songs that play.
Day 16- Something you could live without.
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why.
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have.
Day 19- Nicknames you have & how or why you have them.
Day 20- If you had 3 wishes, what would they be.
Day 21- Share a picture from your day.
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else.
Day 23- What is something you crave.
Day 24- Share a story about your past that you are ashamed of.
Day 25- What I would find in your bag.
Day 26- Places you want to visit before you die.
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned.
Day 30- A picture of you today & 20 goals you want to accomplish

dayeeeem son! Days 23-28

I've been hella superduperfragilisticexpialidocious (remember that?) m.i.a. status from this blog and 30 day challenge. If anybody cares, i'm sorry. Hrm, it seems that's all I ever do on this thang - apologize.
Well, for the few of you out there who are still reading - HI! I'm back! And ready to be done with this challenge soon enough.
I went off to Los Angeles last weekend and had a freaking BUH-LAST (as usual).

Christina, Giang, me, Angelique, Tiffany

THANK YOU LADIES FOR COMING ALL THE WAY OUT FOR ME

I felt so fecking special, oh very special that my beautiful blogger babes came to see moi!

♥

 @ Avalon for the 28th of August (Leif's un-birthday because he didn't want to acknowledge it was his birthday. he just wanted it to be Saturday the 28th hence I said HAPPY 28TH OF AUGUST) for their 6 year anniversary party w/ Felix Da Housecat

that is how we do, all legs and cups with our pinkies up!

happy 28th of August bro.

Day 23: Something I Crave
I always crave sunshine. It's so rare in San Francisco. (I've become really redundant huh? Whining about no sun and apologizing.. hrm) I want to just be laying on the beach (on a sunny day) , wearing my favorite pair of jeans (with the holes in the knees) with my ipod blaring some 311. When I was in college, I had a hard time getting my ass to class. I went to a community college that was right next to a beach that had good weather most of the time. If I wasn't in class, I was at the beach..doing what? Listening to 311. The best chillaxing beach song ever is Amber by 311. Take a listen on YouTube if you don't believe.If I can't be at the beach, at least let me be poolside..pleaseeeeeee

Day 24: Share A Story From Your Past That You're Ashamed Of
Dam. Which story to choose.. I have so many! Well.. I'm running out of blogging time at work but.. I logged into my xanga the other day and i'm quite ashamed of how angry I was all the dam time. I needed to caaaaaalm the feck down, take down a few notches. Glad i've done so.

Day 25: What You Would Find In My Bag:

The purse i'm carrying today is a cream soft leather hobo from Top Shop that I picked up in New York. I really need to buy some leather cleaner for it, it's filthy. I was running in the rain at SFO one night to try to get on my flight to LAX on time. The dye from my jeans stained that purse :[

ipod touch

cell phone (blackberry baby) - obviously it wasn't pictured because I used it to take the photo!

Marc Jacobs wallet

Betseyville by Betsey Johnson makeup bag (which has TONS of things in it)

keys

pay stub

Day 26: Place I Want To Visit Before I Die
To be honest, i'd like to see the entire world. I know that won't happen. I don't have the funds like Paris Hilton and there are just so many countries and only one of me!
Here is my list:
Japan
South Korea
South Africa
Greece
Spain (more specifically, Ibiza.. I might be going to Barcelona in November though)
Italy
Australia
Thailand

Day 27: Why Am I Doing This 30 Day Challenge?
At the beginning of this year, my partner in crime Melissa and I were talking about blogging.

We both have always wanted to start one but never did. We vowed we'd each make up a blog and stick to it. Guess what? We both slacked on it (she more so than me!) I thought that doing this 30 day challenge would enable me to blog more (which it has) and help me open up to others so that they can know me a bit better. I also hoped that others would follow suit so that I could learn more about them as well.

THEN

labor day weekend of 2009

my  buddy Jeff from New Jersey was in town 

he snapped this shot of me taking a shot of food at our buddy Diona's birthday party

always grubbing and all about the peace sign

hrm, which reminds me. i haven't eaten crawfish in over a year! *sad*

the little cynic in me.

NOW

longer hair , plain face.

 a night out on the town

How have I changed since then..Well besides the obvious physical differences (longer hair, less makeup).. I believe I am far more patient than I was last year. Either I have learned patience or have just desensitized myself to bullshit. I think it's a little mix of the two. I forgot WHERE I came across this quote, but it has stuck with me. I found it somewhere in 2005 while browsing blogs. It has been something that I go re-read every single year on my birthday. Today, I go back to that quote because of this 30 day challenge.

"You know, looking back on the last couple of years, and where I stand now emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, I've grown so much. When I say "change" it doesn't mean I'm a different person, but that I've matured - turned into someone more beautiful than who I used to be in the past. If age makes one more beautiful, then I'm not afraid of growing older. If pain gives one more insight, then I'm afraid not to take it. Life brings more uncertainties, momentary joys and pains. Isn't that what's beautiful - to experience everything? It certainly is a blessing. Sometimes, I forget that. I will be sure to remember that this time as I make this new journey."

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.
Day 02- A picture of something you cannot live without.
Day 03- A habit that you wish you didn’t have.
Day 04- List 15 songs that represent your life’s soundtrack.
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to.
Day 06- A hobby you have.
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why.
Day 09- Something/someone you’re proud of.
Day 10- A story about a past relationship.
Day 11- A picture of something you dislike.
Day 12- A picture of your room & don’t cheat by cleaning it. Share a secret.
Day 13- Write a letter telling someone something you could never tell them.
Day 14- A picture of something you ate and 10 confessions.
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle & share the first 10 songs that play.
Day 16- Something you could live without.
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why.
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have.
Day 19- Nicknames you have & how or why you have them.
Day 20- If you had 3 wishes, what would they be.
Day 21- Share a picture from your day.
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else.
Day 23- What is something you crave.
Day 24- Share a story about your past that you are ashamed of.
Day 25- What I would find in your bag.
Day 26- Places you want to visit before you die.
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned.
Day 30- A picture of you today & 20 goals you want to accomplish