NAILS: China Glaze's Sugar Plums

I'm still mourning over the loss of my lappie (My lappie crashed and that means buh-bye to the Laneige post I have been working on since forever. *cries* The post was going to be up this weekend! *cries harder*) but makeup and nail polishes never fail to bring a smile to my face. No matter how feeble the smile is. BIG SIGH. But 'virtual depression (Heh heh.)' aside, here's how my nails are looking at the moment! :DDD



This is China Glaze's Sugar Plums. It's part of the Holiday 2010 collection and it has actually been awhile since I got it. But you know, how I'm always about red, red and more reds! I was going to dress my nails up in Revlon's Red when I spotted this in my red-dominated collection. Seeing that Halloween was just round the corner, I decided to 'go out of my comfort zone' and opted for Sugar Plums instead.

The thought process that goes through my head when I pick a nail polish. Aye, I'm a girl indeed.

And yes, this is STILL a red. Maroon.



Sugar Plums is a deep red, with pretty sparkles that gives the shade dimension. The sparkles make it a little metallic. I used 3 coats for the above because I like my polishes rich. Temptalia (Read her review here!) mentioned that it went on a little gritty. I didn't notice this but with Seche Vite's Dry Fast Top Coat, it's as smooth as a baby's bottom!

Alrighty. I'm off to hit the books (Now, where's my bat?!? Haha! Heh. I know it's bad but I still want to say it each time I say 'hit the books'. Heh!). Please pray hard that my blog folder in my lappie can be salvaged! I really just need that one folder. Just one! That's all I'm asking for! *goes back to mourning*

P.S.: I just realized that there's a water droplet on my thumb in the first photo! Haha! I had washed my hands before taking the photo! Haha. I'm so amused.

RAMBLINGS: Depression.

I never knew it was possible to get this depressed over something that didn't have to do with the L word (Aye, the only time I was legitimately depressed was when I fell out of 'love'. 5 years ago.).

My lappie crashed on me. And gawd knows how long I have been working on the Laneige post, drawing each and every product with the utmost care, including every little detail. Oh gawd. I really want to curl up and cry.

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I'm never going to be a happy child again.

Okay, that's an exaggeration, seeing that my emotions are on a constant roller coaster with random highs and lows. But gawd............................................................................................

*wails*

RAMBLINGS: A masquerade of sorts.

Tons of things have been happening lately that I'm finding it difficult to breathe. But as each item gets marked off my laundry list of ten million things, my lungs find a little more oxygen. But what I really want to do right this minute is to drown myself in movies. Lots and lots of them. Alone.
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The more I think about it, the more I am certain it's 'just friends'. I marvel at my inability to 'love' like I did when I was 17. I have always thought that one should fall passionately in love, with the key word being 'passionately'. But lately, I have been wondering that perhaps, as we mature, we can't fall 'passionately in love' because it doesn't exist at all. We just find someone whom we are comfortable with, there are no walls in-between and you think 'Hey. I think I can live the rest of my life with this person.'.

No. It should be 'I want.' and not 'I can.'. I guess I'm nowhere near that stage.

Haha. Perhaps I have watched way too many dramas that my definition of 'love' has been warped till it's no longer human. Haha. Aye, it's a possibility!

I just prefer being friends, really. But know that I'm grateful, thankful and feel really blessed.
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Emo-ness aside, HOLA!!! It's just one more month till the finals and then, TADAHHH! It's the hols! And this time round, I get to enjoy Christmas, from the build-up to the end. I feel like Christmas didn't happen last year because my examinations ended less than a week before Christmas. Sheesh. Christmas includes the build-up! It would be totally awesome if there were snow and fireplaces and hot cocoa with marshmallows but this is Singapore (Though, really. I think it's China.), so I will make do with my toffee nut and peppermint Starbucks drinks, ICED! Tee hee!!! I really can't wait!

I want to take little Nigel out. Show him that there's more to the world than silly games (I do NOT believe in games. You are locked up in that little virtual world and that's it. They are so incredibly stupid to me.). I think he will be bored stiff though. Haha.

And there are awesome friends to hang out with. I want to cook ONE meal, just ONE! And not burn the kitchen down. I still have my uncooked pasta and pasta sauce from the summer hols. I want to learn how to make tiramisu cakes, play with more makeup, learn more about the brands (Their histories, philosophies...), I want to visit the Supreme Court (I couldn't enter it the last time because I was in shorts.), I want to visit museums, I want to walk down Clark Quay in the late evening and feel the cold air and just think about nothing...

GAHHH! I'm drooling already! HOLIDAYS, come already!!!
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OH YES! Another thing. My fairy godmother must have flicked her wand because I did not fail the two midterms which I thought I did!!! *jumps up and down*

The lecturer marked real leniently for Stochastic Process and I do mean 'real leniently'. As for Linear Regression, beta was supposed to be negative! Though technically, it should be positive. I think the lecturer set the question wrongly.

It doesn't make sense at all but TEE HEE!!!

REVIEW: Amethystory

I have always been drawn to the mystical (Think: Birthstone, magic and fairies.), so when The Sample Store dropped by my mailbox with an invitation to review Ginvera's latest range, amethystory, it was incredibly difficult not to decline despite (And I know I have whined about this countless of times on my blogs. I'm sorry!) my insane school load.



amethystory begins with the February birthstone, Amethyst. It's a semi-precious gemstone which comes in an array of violet shades. The name came from the ancient Greek word, 'amethystos', which means 'not intoxicated'. This in 'reference to the belief that the stone protects its owner from negativity'. It is also 'believed to be a natural tranquillizer for dispelling intoxication, relieving stress, soothing irritation, balancing mood and inspiring the intellect'.

I was sent the

amethystory Mineral Aqua Gel, 150ml ($24.90)
amethystory Mineral Bubble Face Wash, 160ml ($14.90)
amethystory Mineral Aqua Whitening Enhancer, 150ml ($19.90)

for review. I have been using these 3 products for a week and a half now.



amethystory Mineral Aqua Gel is free from the evil clutches of colourings and fragrances and is a gentle formula blended with

Amethyst: Enhances skin rejuvenation to reveal smoother, supple and more radiant skin.
Hyaluronic Acid: Provides intense hydration and helps retain water in skin and supports the formation and maintenance of collagen production for supple skin.
Bio Energy Fluid: Provides plenty of mineral and trace mineral elements to nourish skin cells and rejuvenate and hydrate skin effectively and helps keep the oilies at bay.



This gel is to be massaged in a circular motion on dry skin for a minute. The white flakes you see above are the dead skin cells. It is then washed off with either water or cleanser.

I'm no stranger to such a product, having dabbled in similar ones by other brands. I find that the white flakes come out a lot faster and quicker than others, which makes me a little suspicious about them being dead skin cells. But the thing is, after usage, my skin feels incredibly soft. There is a slight initial waxy feel though, so I choose to wash if off with a cleanser.

The product's a lot cheaper than other similar products, and since I can't really vouch for the efficacy in removing dead skin by these products, I will definitely repurchase amethystory Mineral Aqua Gel based on the fact that it makes my skin feel the smoothest of all (Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who's the smoothest of them all?!? Haha!)!



I use the amethystory Mineral Bubble Face Wash to wash off the aforementioned white flakes. Bubbles reduce the abrasion caused by the rubbing of skins and this prevents premature wrinkles. Blended with Amethyst, Hyaluronic Acid and Bio Energy Fluid too, this cleanser removes dirt and oil from the pores and moisturizes your skin so that it's as soft as pureed clouds!

As claimed by amethystory, this does indeed leave the skin feeling soft and smooth and complements the gel perfectly. It doesn't leave my skin feeling too tight and too clean, two things which I'm very particular about cleansers. In case you're wondering if this can double up as a makeup remover, nuh uh. This can't. But you know how some makeup removers leave behind a thin layer... This does an awesome job in removing that and still leaves your skin feeling all comfy and nice. (:



amethystory Mineral Aqua Whitening Enhancer hydrates and lightens and it is the product which I'm most pleased with (I'm pleased with the other two, but this! I love!). It contains Amethyst, Hyaluronic Acid and

Tranexamic Acid: Fights dark spots and lightens complexion effectively to reveal a radiant glow and helps to even out complexion (Think: PIH!).

After cleansing, I pat this all over my face and gawd! It feels incredibly luxurious! It seeps into the skin real quick and my skin feels like it has received all the hydration it needs! The hydration that it provides isn't too much! There isn't any uncomfy layer left behind and my skin feels completely at ease. Also, it has a pleasant scent, which leaves me real chilled out (Totally awesome for bedtime!).

As for lightening, this enhancer has helped to lighten my PIH (No thanks to the recent midterms.). They are just faint marks now. :DDD I have taken to applying this on my neck as well, as we all know that the skin on the neck is the most neglected and also, the first to show signs of ageing.

Overall, I think amethystory is one of the more effective drugstore brands, especially for those plagued with dry spells. Do give the amethystory Mineral Aqua Gel a shot first, by redeeming samples of it here! (:

EVENT: Lancôme's Trésor Midnight Rose Blogger Event

Last Thursday, I was invited to Lancôme's Trésor Midnight Rose Blogger Event and even though I was swamped with work, I HAD to make time for it because I mean, hey! It's Lancôme! The name says it all! Heh.

Thanks Jeth for the invitation! You totally made my day! (:



Lancôme was founded in 1935 in France, the country of love, by Armand Petitjean. Petitjean's goal was to create a beauty brand that would deliver the much-coveted France elegance around the world. The name 'Lancôme' came from the ruins of the castle, Le Château de Lancosme, and the company's symbol of a single golden rose was inspired by the roses that the castle laid in.

To my surprise, Lancôme actually started out with fragrances; Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquete, Kypre and Tropiques! I have always thought it was makeup!

Anyway, let's go drown ourselves in the luxury of Trésor Midnight Rose, the latest scent to join the Trésor family! (:



'Charming. Mischevious. Desirable. A sexy-sweet blend of raspberry, rose, vanilla and sensual musk for mischevious femininity: Catch my heart if you can!'

Trésor Midnight Rose tells of a love story that's birthed from a chance encounter. It's about spontaneous love, happening at the stroke of twelve when magic is said to happen!







The very gorgeous and talented Emma Watson, touted as the icon of a generation, fronts the campaign for Trésor Midnight Rose. Though she's English, she was born in Paris and lived there until the age of 5. Intelligent, sophisticated and completely self-assured, Watson is born to be a Lancôme ambassadress!

The Trésor Midnight Rose story (Click here to watch it.) was filmed in natural settings (Termed as the French New Wave tones.) by Mario Testino. Watson reminded Testino of Jean Seberg, who acted in Jean-Luc Godard's 'Breathless'. I studied 'Breathless' two semesters ago for a film class so it was really interesting to read Trésor Midnight Rose's film journal, so I thought I mention a little about it. (:



Trésor Midnight Rose is bathed in a gorgeous gradation of powdery pink to deep purple. In France, just before midnight, the sky is said to be tinted by a magical violet hue. A satiny purple rose sits at the bottle's neck and can be removed to act as a scented ring. (:

Top Notes: Raspberry, Black currant bud absolute
Middle Notes: Rose absolute, Jasmine
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk

I have been wearing this scent for the past few days. Initially, I thought it was a little too strong for the day but gosh! I'm so utterly and completely in love with it that I am totally disregarding my 'rules' for wearing perfumes!

To me, Trésor Midnight Rose is sweet, flirty and feminine but at the same time, it isn't overpowering. I still think that it's a little too strong for the day (Trésor in Love will make a 'better' day choice.) but as gushed earlier, I'm way too infatuated to care about anything else! *starts throwing roses everywhere* Haha!



And just a little about the other Trésor fragrances...

The world Trésor began in 1990. It's a fragrance of treasured moments and eternal love, backed with femininity and intense emotions. The black ring around the neck of Trésor is a ring of love and commitment (Oh gosh! It's so friggin' romantic!!!). I think this scent suits mature ladies perfectly. It's a little on the heavy side for me.

Top Notes: Apricot Blossom, Rose
Heart Notes: Lilac, Iris, Peach
Base Notes: Amber, Sandalwood, Musk, Vanilla



Trésor in Love comes next and it sits in-between the aforementioned scents. It's all about sweetness, intensity and again, chance encounters (Oh gosh! When's my chance encounter?!? Heh!). This has a black rose sitting round the bottle's neck and is a scented ring as well. Trésor in Love is softer than Trésor and Trésor Midnight Rose and makes a perfect day scent (This is going on my Christmas wishlist!).

Top Notes: Nectarine accord, Pear, Bergamot
Heart Notes: Turkish Rose Essence, Jasmine
Base Notes: Cedar wood, Musk



This is how the scented ring looks like! Très élégant!



After drowning ourselves in the rich history of Lancôme's Trésor fragrances, we were treated to a scrumptious dinner at Group Therapy Coffee Café (49 Duxton Road, #02-01). The place isn't too far from Tanjong Pagar station and it's a cozy place for girlfriends to hang out!



Here's pretty Juliet, who was one of my dates for the night! The other date's Sam, but I haven't got a photo of her! (Sam, why didn't I snap a photo of you?!?)



And just a little heads up... Look at what Lancôme has in store for you for the launch of Trésor Midnight Rose this Friday! (Click on the poster!)

Trésor Midnight Rose comes in 50ml ($100) and 75ml ($130) bottles and will be available at all Lancôme beauty counters from November 1st onwards.

Thank you Lancôme, Jeth and Group Therapy for the wonderful Thursday night! Thousands of thank you's and hugs to my darling Juliet and Sam for the wonderful company! And of course, thank YOU for reading! (:

P.S.: Outfit for the day! A black lace dress from Sugarhill Boutique! (:

SPOTTED: Steam Cream's Joy of Giving Contest (Part 2)

Hey Muffins and TGIF!!! The past 2 weeks have been spent mugging for the midterms, which ended really badly. But oh wells. There'a a whole string of assignments and group projects to tackle now so got to look forward! I'm terribly sorry that I have been absent for so long. :\ Thanks so much for sticking around! (:



Steam Cream is currently holding a Joy of Giving Contest (Part 2)! All that you have to do is to purchase a tin of Steam Cream and mail them the original receipt and contest form to participate in the contest! Till November 28th, 3 tins of the Disney-themed Steam Cream will be given away every!

A grand draw will be held on December 2nd, where all the 9 different (And I have to add, gorgeous!!!) designs will be given away! And take note, these tins of Disney-themed Steam Cream aren't for sale! Eeps!!!

So head on over to Watsons, BHG, Nishino Pharmacy or Unity now!

For more details, check out their Facebook page here!
For a list of outlets that carry Steam Cream, click here!

RAMBLINGS: Higher Math is beyond me.

I'm waving the white flag where my stupid degree is concerned. Stochastic Processes, I do NOT get you. Linear Regression, you're just a bunch of meaningless symbols to me. Friends like to bring up my past laurels and go on and on about them. Well, hello there. I failed said modules.

I didn't even fail Linear Algebra. Gawd.
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Either my brain is regressing or Math hates me. But gawd. When you have answers like "Oh. It's based on intuition.", "Ummm... It's logic!" and "Aiyah! It's just like that." to your why's... I just want to throw myself out of the window.

What on earth is 'intuition'?!?

And the fact that my friends get the concepts so easily... Oh gawd. I AM regressing.
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But until I leave the darn school, I will not give up.

One more thing... It's amazing how cheating is perfectly acceptable in university. It's even more amazing that at such a grand old age, you guys are cheating. And it's most amazing that you guys are letting OTHERS know that you cheat.