Happy February everyone! I hate to say it because everyone else probably has and I am repeating the chorus…but 2018 has going pretty quickly so far. Next thing you know, Cecilio and I will be celebrating our 9 years together on the 15th and our 1 year wedding anniversary next month!
Dose of Colors is one of those brands that have been on my radar since I entered the beauty world. I dug their “cool girl” vibe, and the fact that they were sold online only (before Ulta started selling their products) made me want them even more. All the beauty influencers raved about their liquid lipsticks.
Back when Cecilio and I were just dating or even just engaged, we ate out pretty often. We loved (and still do) going to different types of restaurants: counter order style, brunch, New American, Indian, Mediterranean, French, Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc. and we save fine dining restaurants for very, very special occasions. I guess you could call us foodies.
I’m a bit of a naturally pessimistic person, I hate to admit. However, I do know the importance of practicing gratitude everyday and constantly being mindful of my blessings, despite how life can knock you down multiple times. I want to develop a more joyful mindset in 2018 and beyond, and I definitely don’t want to give out negative energy when I am around others.
As much as I love wearing foundation, I don’t have the time in the morning to go through the skincare-prime-apply-set-bronze-highlight-set again process everyday. I tend to be an “all or nothing”-type of gal with my makeup too: I either go full-glam or you will see me with a bare face, my dark circles and Rudolph red nose. Recently, I’ve created a beauty routine that’s quick, no-fuss, but still makes me look presentable and not tired. And that routine includes the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream (because this name is too damn long, for blogging purposes I will just refer this as bareMinerals Tinted Gel Cream).
It’s the same old thing every year: one of my resolutions is to save money and track my budget. It hardly falls through though because I don’t necessarily have a specific plan on HOW I can save money, and being a beauty blogger…you end up buying the latest release just so that you can be one of the earliest bloggers to write about it and have good SEO for that post. Don’t lie, you know you do it too! Or you’re at Sephora planning to buy only 1 or 2 things, but you get enticed by the gorgeous packaging and the shiny swatches, you think,”what the heck, I’ll just get a few things to make this trip worth it.” Next thing you know, you’re handing over your card and see that $150 total on your receipt.
I have a love-hate relationship with liquid lipsticks as they tend to dry my lips out out, but there are certain brands worth suffering for. For me, Kat von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks are one of them.
Aside from Christmas and Cecilio’s birthday falling on winter, it is my least favorite holiday. I cannot stand cold weather whatsoever, I find it incredibly difficult to get out of bed and I am so thankful that Cecilio walks the dogs before I wake up (sometimes I do walk them if he gets up too late and doesn’t have time to walk them though). I then go through the painful process of finding something to wear, especially in layers (and especially wearing tights under pants, which squeezes the circulation out of my thighs). Getting out of my apartment doesn’t seem so bad, until I get in my car and touch the steering wheel. My Raynaud’s phenomenon start to kick in and my hands turn numb, even with gloves. Ouch. I also get sick more around January, and my joints get stiffer, especially during weather changes.
Throughout my years of blogging, I mention talking about my faith in God here and there, and how it’s helped me get me get through a lot of trials and joys in my life. I kinda mention it in my old blog when I dedicated a post of the 3 verses Cecilio and I chose for our readings from The Book of Common Prayer (which is commonly used in Episcopal and Anglican churches) for our wedding. Lately though, I’ve had an inkling to post about my faith as a Christian. You could say it’s Spirit-led for me to even write about this. Part of me wanting to write about this is because it’s a new year, and I want to be more in touch with my spiritual side by praying to God more again throughout the day (and not just if I am in dire need of something), reading the Bible and devotionals.
What better time to give your home a sense of hygge than winter? Though I despise winter weather, I love the little elements of comfort that go with the season: Christmas spirit, a hot drink, extra cuddles with Cecilio and lots and lots of lights and candles.