MAIL: Etude House's February Pink Box

Mid-February, I received Etude House's February Pink Box! In line with Etude House's goal of turning us all into princesses through fairy tales, the 2nd theme for the year is Sweet Recipe. This collection is based on one of Grimms' Fairy Tales, Hansel and Gretel (Did anyone catch 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters'?!? I thought it was a pretty fine movie! A predictable story line but it kept me on the edge the whole time!).

And since we have our favourite brother-sister duo on the pedestal, you can expect makeup and accessories packaged as candies and desserts in more colours than the rainbow offers! Fel was really excited about this collection when the promotional posters were first posted on Etude House's Facebook page (Click here!), texted me and got me all excited too! Etude House really beats every other brand hands down when it comes to packaging!

Here are the items in my Pink Box. (: Was incredibly thrilled to find the 4 little Sweet Recipe Ice Cream Nails in my box, with little 'toppings' in them! I'm practically drowning in cuteness! I also received the Sweet Recipe Baby Choux Base SPF25, PA++ in #02 Berry Choux. This moist and fluffy makeup base and primer gives you flawless, baby-like skin by retaining the moisture in your skin. It contains a silky control powder that helps control sebum so you look perfect for a longer time!

The Sweet Recipe Dear My Jelly Lips-talk in JPK002 was another item in my box. This lipstick is gonna glam up your lips and make them as yummy-looking as the the candies in Candy Crush Saga (I have been stuck at Level 65 for a week. HELP!)! They will be moist, soft and bouncy, with a sweet cherry scent! There was also a box of Sweet Recipe Sliced Cake Puffs to help with my makeup application!

And now, onto my little, yummy 'ice-creams'!

#1 Mint Choco Chip is a a pretty pastel blue-green shade with octagonal and squarish glitters in shades of dusky pink, deep purple, rusty brown and lime green. The coats are pretty watery and the above took 3 to be completely opaque.

#2 Lemon Sherbet is a rather bright yellow with octagonal, squarish and circular glitters in shades of silver, green and orange-red, interspersed with strips of silver and gold. When I saw this, I thought of lemongrass immediately! Haha. Doesn't it remind you of the plant?!? The coats are also watery and required 3 layers to achieve the above.

#3 Apricot Candy is a sheer beige with circular glitters in various shades. As seen above, it is pretty translucent, giving your nails a light but healthy wash of colour. I really love this one too! :D

And finally, #4 Strawberry Stars Candy! This one is a cool pink with octagonal, squarish and STAR glitters in teal, purple and pink. I thought it was really awesome to have star glitters in it! I mean, hearts have been done way too many times already. I say, throw in the stars, Christmas trees and whatever interesting shapes glitters can take! :DDD The above required 3 coats too.

The Sweet Recipe Ice Cream Nails make perfect, muted pastel Spring colours! The formula, as aforementioned, is watery but I actually find them easier to work with where the glitters are concerned. Multiple layers won't 'pull' the earlier layers, if you get what I mean.

Ending off the entry with the first CF movie of the Sweet Recipe Collection! f(x)'s Sulli (She reminds me of Amanda Seyfried!) and and Krystal are the new spokesmodels for Etude House and they are at SHINee's confectionery bakery, vying for just one vacancy to be a baker.

Etude House's CF movies are always so adorable and very creative! :D Can't wait for the other collections to roll out! Till then, do check out Etude House's Facebook page here for the latest updates. (:

EVENT: Beauty Asia 2013

Yesterday, I got the opportunity to attend Beauty Asia 2013 at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Level 1, Halls B and C). Big thanks to Camy dear and Tan Long for the invite! :DDD

Beauty Asia is the region's most established trade show for the beauty, spa and health industry. Back for its 17th appearance, the show will be held from February 25th to 27th. It's kinda like International Make-Up Artist Trade Show (IMATS), except that Beauty Asia caters more to spas and salons. It is organized by Lines Exhibition, who is also responsible for the very successful PC shows.

Hakuhodo Company Ltd (Booth No. N1110)
I took part in the media tour and the first booth that we went to was, of course, *drum rolls please* Hakuhodo, king of all brushes. The hair on these handcrafted brushes go through a rigorous selection process, with craftsmen MANUALLY combing through the hair to eliminate any strand of imperfection (Missing hair tips, split hair, kinked, crooked and wavy hair strands...).

Since these brushes are birthed only from the hands and not from machines, they are extremely soft and completely superior. The hair is derived from animals such as white goats, weasels, squirrels and water badgers.

A little bird told someone in the local beauty community that Hakuhodo was going to grace this year's show and pretty soon, the whole community knew about it and was anticipating it terribly! I'm not that into luxury brushes but I most certainly was curious about them. But alas, these brushes weren't on sale!!! ): The company was actually looking for a distributor at the show. What a big waste! I mean, if those brushes were on sale... Hoo boy! I can totally foresee many impulse buys. Me, included! Just because, you know, they are premium and well, there! Haha. But at least, many of us got a feel of the brushes and can make more-informed purchases online!

Together Skincare Pte Ltd (Booth No. D1143)
We made a stop at Together Skincare to check out the Korean brand, Shizens. Juliet (Psst! Juliet has officially shifted to her own domain! Click here to check it out!) tried the Lip Painter, which is a dual function lip treatment. It smooths, firms and lightens your lips and turn them into a rosebud shade!

To use the Lip Painter, first apply the white end of it to your lips. Wipe it off after a few seconds to reveal lips that are smoother and pinker. Then, apply the gloss on the other end of the Lip Painter to glam up your look! (:

Quantum Life Technologies Pte Ltd (Booth No. G1142)
One booth that caught my eye was the Sunlighten one! The slim brown box is actually a sauna room that you can install at home!!! You can adjust the settings so that it helps you lose weight (A 30-minute session can help burn between 200 and 600 calories! Hello, Jessica Alba!), rejuvenate your skin, relieve body aches etc. And there's a little DVD player installed inside so you don't get bored (If I have this, I'll place it right in the middle of my living room, right in front of the telly.).

This sauna room utilizes infrared technology so you perspire from within. According to the lady, you will be perspiring from every inch of your body, even your toes! It comes in 5 sizes and all you need is a 3-pin plug (It uses as much energy as your hair dryer!)! How tempting is this!!! This will be the first thing I purchase when M and I get married and have our own home. Sweaty dates (Whatever, okay. I'm gonna burn calories just by sitting. And sweating. SCORE!) whilst watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S! Mmhmm... Can't wait! Haha.

Niks Professional Pte Ltd (Booth No. D1140)
This booth was showcasing Niks Cover Cream. The cream is a premier paramedical camouflage cream that conceals tattoos and skin flaws like scars, discolourations and rosacea. Formulated in Singapore and made in U.S. and Europe, the cream comes in 18 skin shades and can be used after IPL, laser and microdermabrasion on all skin types.

For me, I'm a little concerned about the 'breathing' of our skin when the cream is applied because it seems rather heavy-duty. I think this would be good for covering up tattoos when working but for skin conditions, I would steer clear...

The other booths I visited were chock-full of nail polishes and tools! There were so many nail art on display and it was really fun and interesting looking at all the intricate designs! Love, love the Audrey Hepburn one! :DDD

Orly, Zoya, China Glaze, O.P.I. and Deborah Lippman were all at the show as well!!! And guess what?!? I bought none! Not a single bottle! I don't know if I should be immensely proud of myself or like regretting my guts out! I mean, seriously! Am I Charlene?!? Geez! Zoya for $7, Deborah Lippman for $18!!! Hellooo!!!

Last but not least, this is the Lolita Group (Booth No. F1143), where I spent more than 2 hours there (One for me and the other, for Ru. Was waiting for her!).

The Lolita Group was founded by Jocelyn Lim and it specializes in eyelash extensions, using specifically Novalash. Eyelash extensions are meticulously attached to each strand of our natural eyelash and not on our eyelids. This prevents damage to the roots of our natural eyelashes so we won't suffer from premature eyelash loss.

Step 1: Cleansing of eye makeup, mascara and false eyelashes especially.
Step 2: Applying eye masks and under-eye stickers to separate your upper lashes from the bottom ones and your skin.
Step 3: Attaching the eyelash extensions on!
Step 4: Drying the glue with a handheld fan for 5 minutes (At the salon, a different fan is used and all it takes is just 2 minutes!). There is the spraying of water in-between as it helps the glue adhere to your natural lashes better.

Therapist Pinky did my eyelash extensions and she was so skillful! There was no pain and no crazy tugging. I barely felt a thing, was incredibly comfortable (Though I woke up to ladies peering at my face in supremely close proximity! I think this was how Snow White felt when the Prince kissed her and she woke up from her deep slumber. Where's M!!!) and one hour went by very quickly. The glue didn't emit strong fumes; I just got a sniff of it every now and then and it wasn't unpleasant and didn't smell strongly of chemicals. I asked Pinky for slightly longer extensions at the end so I have the shadow effect under my eyes like Marilyn Monroe. Heh.

I'm really loving my extensions and they look incredibly natural. Whilst waiting for Ru to get hers done, several ladies (And a gentleman!) popped by the booth and I became the 'model'. Heh. (Thanks, Ru, for the photos!)

Anyway, here are some of the questions I was asked at the show and on Twitter and Instagram! (The above is a shot of Ru's eye.)

Are your eyelash extensions painful?
No, they aren't. They didn't hurt during or after application. Even now, they don't hurt at all. However, I do think that the therapist plays a very important role during application. Pinky is Lolita's top therapist so you may want to look for her. She started doing eyelash extensions 2 years back. (:

Are the eyelash extensions going to affect my natural lashes?
Jocelyn explained that the Novalash system involves the attachment of the eyelash extensions to your natural eyelashes, about 1mm away from the roots. This way, your roots aren't touched (And so, won't be damaged!) so your natural lashes won't be affected. And typically, 1-3 eyelashes are supposed to drop from each eye everyday.

Can my eyelash extensions touch water?
Yes, they can! Unlike other eyelash extensions, Novalash 'loves' water! After the eyelash extensions are attached, a burst of water is actually sprayed (In-between drying!) on the lashes to help the glue adhere better! I shower with ease!!!

Can I wear makeup with these eyelash extensions on?
Yes, you can! Just make sure that your makeup removers don't contain glycol! Alternatively, you can purchase cleanLASH by NOVALASH, 3-in-1 conditioner, makeup remover, cleanser. This comes in 60 circular pads, soaked in pomegranate seed extracts. I bought a tub of this at the show for $29. I find them a little oily so I do wash my eye area with my cleanser after that (Make sure this doesn't contain glycol too!!! I didn't check mine until this morning. ):)

What are the eyelash extensions made of? Are there different lengths and degrees of curl?
The eyelash extensions are synthetic. 3 lengths were available; 8mm, 12mm and 14mm. The therapist will actually use different lengths for you in order to mimic natural eyelashes. And yes, there are different degrees of curl.

Are there coloured eyelash extensions?
Yes. (: There are brown, purple (Used for subtle highlighting!) and even green ones! Chinese ladies usually go for black, unless they have dyed their hair. Caucasians go for brown.

How long will the eyelash extensions last?
About 3-4 weeks!

What happens when I want to remove my eyelash extensions?
You can either make an appointment with Lolita to get them removed or just wait for them to drop naturally!

How much do the eyelash extensions cost?
At the show, each set costs $89. At the salon, different therapists charge differently. For Pinky, it's $169. Touch-ups are at $129.

Can I learn how to do eyelash extensions?
Yes, you can! Jocelyn does the training personally. Her trained therapists will be there to help out as well. Unfortunately, I haven't got the exact price of the 2-day class (At the show, it's $1400+?). You will need to pass oral, theory and practical tests before you are certified. If you fail, Jocelyn will teach you till you pass. (:

Any other things that I need to take note?
Don't indulge in any steaming activities for two days after getting your lashes done. This will weaken the glue. Also, avoid glycol at all costs! Do check your makeup removers AND cleansers! I was so preoccupied with my lashes and using a new makeup remover that I forgot about my cleanser. ): 4 strands have dropped off already. ): ): ): Thankfully, I don't see any gaps though but ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! ): ): ):

If you have any more questions, do drop me an email or a tweet and I'll get back to you ASAP! :D

And here's my little haul for the day! Got YiTong Eyelashes from Stella Eyelashes for $11.90. Raymond, who was tending the booth, told me he designed some of the lashes himself and he was the one who came up with double-layered lashes! The lash bone is a tad stiffer than the Taiwan ones I have but the lashes are really pretty! For me, I prefer neat lashes so I bought H13. I really want to go down to get more lashes but M's like NO! 'Cause I did buy many boxes in Taiwan... :\ Very, very tempted but I do have eyelash extensions on now so...

Got 2 Konjac Sponges for $10 as well. The Taiwanese guy threw in two little packets of papaya facial wash for me (These were going at $25 for a packet of 6!). I am currently using a black Konjac Sponge and it's a pretty good physical exfoliator. The Taiwanese guy mentioned that the various colours actually don't differ much. If clay or charcoal is added, then the texture is rougher because well, things have been added to it!

Dear Camy was there at Beauty Direct Pte Ltd (Booth No. J1150) and gave me my very first Star Lash! Thank you, dear! Star Lash will be coming up with many more designs this year (OMG! There were this supremely gorgeous purple pair!!! I so want it!). At her booth, there were also the O'Nine Pure Gel nail polishes, which are organic and gel-based! They are supposed to be a lot gentler than normal gel nail polishes. (:

And then, there's the cleanLASH by NOVALASH, 3-in-1 conditioner, makeup remover, cleanser, which I mentioned earlier. :D

And phew, we have come to the end of my little beauty adventure! Getting my eyelash extensions was probably the most exciting thing I have done since U.S.S. Haha. Quite frankly, I have always been afraid of eyelash extensions because goodness! They are so close to the eyes! And I have heard of people getting their eyes glued shut and painful glues and crazy stuff like that. But my experience at Lolita with Pinky was really good! And I like Novalash's 'philosophy'. So yay! Thanks again, Camy and Tan Long for the invitation! :DDD I had a fab time!

FOOD: Yayoiken

A few weeks' back, I met up with my JC buddy, Henry, for dinner. I have been wanting to check out the food places at Bugis+ so after combing a couple of blogs, we decided on Yayoiken. We reached around 7pm and the place was packed, though we were the first in queue. Waited probably for 15 minutes before we were shown a table. (:

I ordered the Oyako Don + On Udon ($12.90). I didn't quite fancy the Oyako Don. The egg was a tad too dry and way too little for the big bowl of rice. For me, a great Oyako Don is one whose egg is piping hot and a little runny and it covers the entire surface of the rice bowl. This way, you can mix it up a little and you get rice dotted with bits of egg. Kinda like fried rice, except that it's a million times yummier because the egg is hot and runny. And the only place that my tongue has tasted such greatness is at one of the airport's staff canteen. Like 5 years back. ):

The Udon was a lot better, though it was just like normal. The noodles were bouncy enough and the soup wasn't too salty. (:

Henry and I also shared a plate of fried squids. It was decent but certainly not something that I would be like "YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS!!!" and proceed to force-feed you.

For me, Yayoiken is like a slightly more expensive fast food place for Japanese cuisine. The service was great (Polite and fast!) but the food was just alright. Also, the menu wasn't interesting so I doubt I will revisit this place. :\ Nevertheless, this place seems to be loved for its affordability (For decent Japanese food.). Perhaps, I'm just way too picky...

YAYOIKEN (Bugis+ Outlet)
201 Victoria Street
#01-08 Bugis+
Tel.: +65 6636 5448
URL: http://www.yayoiken.sg/

REVIEW: Enavose's Cellogist Neck Lift Cream

Enavose is a premium Swiss beauty brand that arrived on our shores in 2011. It prides itself on being natural and eco-friendly and providing skincare that uses only high-performing actives. It contains no parabens, no SLES (Sodium lauryl ether sulfate.), no mineral oils and no allergenic fragrances. I have done a couple of reviews for Enavose in the past year and you can click here to read them. (:

Dorothy from Enavose sent me the above parcel back in January. Thanks Dorothy! :D It was such a lovely press kit (Complete with fresh orchids!) and I spent quite a while trying to capture it on the camera. I hope I did some justice to it!

The latest addition to the Enavose family is the Cellogist Neck Lift Cream. This cream is based on the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of Telomeres. It tones, firms and tightens the V-zone, which stretches from your chin line to your cleavage. It is also drenched in Enavose's Swiss Glacial Water, providing hydration and protection and improving the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Encased in a jar that has an airless mechanism built in, the cream is kept at its optimum freshness; the cream does not come into contact with air or bacteria, so hygiene is well taken care of (No dipping of fingers!).

The jar comes with a cover in the opening. All you need to do is to take it out. (: Don't unscrew the cap!

Each pump releases a single dosage that is enough for one application. The jar has been designed as such in order to reduce wastage!

I have been using the the cream every night before bed for about a week and a half now. As mentioned by Enavose, just one pump is sufficient for my entire neck. The cream comes out white and opaque and has a pleasant floral scent to it (Think: Fresh flowers!). The scent does stay for a while but for those who have sensitive noses, good news! It's pretty light and well, the cream is on your neck so you can't really smell it. (:

The cream doesn't feel the least bit greasy and sinks into the skin quickly and easily. Throughout the period of testing, I didn't encounter any irritations. I haven't got many problems with my neck area (yet) but I do feel that my skin there is noticeably firmer. Applying this cream now will certainly serve me well in the future! :D

We all know that our neck is the first area that aging rears its ugly head so it's important to take care of our skin there. Previously, I applied whatever face cream I had on my neck but these creams weren't designed with our necks in mind. So thank you, Enavose, for coming up with the Cellogist Neck Lift Cream! :D I have been enjoying my jar a whole lot!

The Cellogist Neck Lift Cream retails at $99.50 and can be found at the following places:

Concept Store: Suntec City Mall, Tower 3, #02-079/081
Beauty Counter: Tangs, VivoCity Beauty Hall
Online: www.enavose.com (Free shipping for us! :D)

It comes with a rather hefty price tag but at the moment, the cream is going at $69. (: And with every purchase of the cream, you get 20% off the regular-priced items from the Cellogist range. This promotion ends on February 28th, 2013. (:

Thanks again, Dorothy, for the lovely parcel! And thank YOU for reading! :D For more updates on Enavose, do like their Facebook page here. (: Happy Tuesday, ladies!

REVIEW: Bio-Essence's Bio Spring Water

Back in January, Elfaine sent me a few bottles of Bio-Essence's Bio Spring Water (Only 1 is for me! Read on! :D). Thank you, Elfaine! (: I have seen this on the shelves in Watsons and anything that has spring water intrigues me because said water is supposed to have magical powers. Haha. Anyway, let's take a closer look at the Bio Spring Water! (:

The above container contains the coolest spring water that calms and soothes skin. It uses the unique Bio-technology to combine Spring Water and Bio-Energy Fluid to create the Bio Spring Water. This water contains trace minerals that will stimulate blood and oxygen circulation, speeding up our skin's healing process.

The Bio Spring Water provides 20 benefits:

For face
1. Relieves tiredness.
2. Reduces dark circles.
3. Controls oil.
4. Whitens and brightens skin.
5. Refines pores.
6. Calms pimples.
7. Lifts skin.
8. Reduces eye bags.
9. Relieves sensitive skin.
10. Sets make-up.
11. Soothes skin after treatments.
12. Moisturizes and nourishes skin.
13. Firms skin.
14. Refreshes skin after exercise.
15. Soothes and calms damaged skin.
16. Refreshes skin.

For hair
17. Relieves dryness and split ends.
18. Moisturizes hair.

For babies
19. Ideal skincare for babies.
20. Soothes diaper rashes.

The Bio Spring Water is kept in a slim 100ml bottle. It slips into most bags easily, making it very handy to bring around. The mist it dispenses at half-an-arm's length away is fine and won't mess up your makeup.

I have been using my bottle for about a month now. I like to take it to the gym with me because it serves as a fab perk-me-up after an exhausting workout. On nights when my skin is feeling especially lackluster, I soak up a facial mask sheet with it and just let the mask sit on my face for 10 minutes. (: I have yet to notice refined pores, the lifting of my skin and reduced eye bags and dark circles but these take time. Anyway, any burst of water provides a great refreshment for tired skin. (:

As aforementioned, Elfaine sent me bottles of the Bio Spring Water and 3 are actually meant for my readers! :DDD All you need to do is to email me at lovecharlenejudith@hotmail.com with your name by February 22nd, 5pm. I'll be contacting you via email if you win. All the best!

ATM: Foundation Routine

Since last December, I have stuck to the same foundation routine, hardly switching to other brands in-between. And it didn't occur to me that I have been so loyal until I hit pan. And this hitting-pan business, if you can bring yourself to believe it, is the first time in 3+ years that it happened! I finish skincare products but never, ever makeup. So yay! As a beauty blogger, I'm incredibly pleased with myself. :D

Anyway, the above two make up my foundation routine and I don't see myself straying from them until I have finished every last drop and every last bit of powder (Even Laura Mercier can't tempt me, no!). This routine doesn't give me a perfectly flawless complexion (The only one that did involves a discontinued Rimmel Londom foundation. ):) but I believe it gives me the healthiest, ingredients-wise. I have mentioned them before but have yet to do proper reviews... So here you go! :D

Of the 3 popular French brands that are available in Singapore, I think La Roche Posay works best for me. And that is why I got the UVIDEA XL Melt-In BB Cream SPF50 PA+++ in 02. Made in France, this B.B. cream comes in a 30ml slim tube and once opened, it lasts for 12 months. It prevents hyperpigmentation and aging induced by UV rays and is free from fragrances and parabens.

The B.B. cream comes out as a true beige and doesn't oxidise on me. It is lightweight, goes on semi-dewy and sits comfortably on my skin for a good 5 hours. It actually feels more like a tinted moisturizer than a B.B.cream. Coverage is on the light side, so when blasted zits occur, I will reach out for my Eucerin's DermoPURIFYER Cover Stick. Without finishing powders, I oil up pretty quickly but I tackle this by dabbing away with a piece of tissue paper.

This used to be my everyday foundation but ever since I found VMV Hypoallergenics' Illuminants Brilliant Finish (SPF) 25 Powder Foundation, this has been relegated to 'optional'. I only apply this beneath VMV Hypoallergenics' Illuminants Brilliant Finish (SPF) 25 Powder Foundation when I want a very flawless canvas for a face.

LOOK!!! I HIT PAN! * hyperventilates* This unnecessary excitment is a confirmation that I'm a true beauty junkie. Heh.

Anyway, the 12g VMV Hypoallergenics' Illuminants Brilliant Finish (SPF) 25 Powder Foundation is a 'brightening, protective powder-foundation for all skin types'. It provides a physical barrier of protection against skin-darkening light with its high SPF 25. At the same time, it covers up imperfections, goes on smooth and light and is pore-friendly. It can be applied dry for a silky-sheer powder finish or wet for a rich, creamy texture with a full coverage. It is non-comedogenic and free from fragrances, parabens and preservatives.

VMV Hypoallergenics' Illuminants Brilliant Finish (SPF) 25 Powder Foundation comes in just 6 shades. I usually go for pink-based foundations but because Light Truffle was too dark for me, I bought yellow-based Macadamia instead. The shade fits me better than I though it would. Unlike other yellow-based foundations, it doesn't make me look sick. The powder goes on smoothly and gives me a naturally flawless complexion. Coverage is on the light to medium side, when it is used dry. It hides redness perfectly, though I do need my Eucerin's DermoPURIFYER Cover Stick for zits.

Powder foundations usually draw tons of attention to the little bumps on my face but this surprisingly doesn't! Not that they don't peek through. They still do (And always will. ): ), but they aren't the centre of attention. And even though it does emphasize dry areas a little, it helps treat them. They won't go away completely but at the end of the day, I notice that they are less flaky. (: Also, I like that I don't oil up as quickly, the foundation doesn't cake and it comes with SPF so I don't need to pack layers onto my skin.

Here's how the duo looks like on me. (:

Face// La Roche Posay's UVIDEA XL Melt-In BB Cream SPF50 PA+++ in 02 and VMV Hypoallergenics' Illuminants Brilliant Finish (SPF) 25 Powder Foundation in Macadamia
Eyes// Maybelline New York's Eyestudio Hypersharp Liner
Cheeks// Korres's Zea Mays Powder Blush in #18 Peach
Lips// Fresh's Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Rosé

I hope this has been helpful. Do leave a comment or drop me an email if you have any queries. Thanks for reading! :D

TRAVEL: Taiwan Day 2

Our second day was marked by a semi-torrential downpour and cold winds and thus, ended prematurely. We only left the hotel at 4pm because we were exhausted by the excitement from the previous day... Nahhh. We were just two overgrown lazy bums. Haha. And because we were so lazy and it was already so late, we decided to make our way to Taipei 101. This would have been a 'good' idea to spend a very short day... Only that it started raining and then, pouring.

Yay! Couple-shoes shot! Haha. Mine are from Rubi and they are insanely comfortable (No blisters!). M's pair is from Zara (I chose them!). (:

One thing that sent me into a kid-like frenzy was Taiwan's traffic junction. One could actually cross diagonally! I don't know about you but I had never seen such a thing (Yes, the mountain tortoise that I am.) and crossing it was like being on a dangerous expedition, with crazy volumes of vehicles on all 4 sides of you!

Tadahhh! Welcome to Taipei 101!

And look!!! There were bags for short and long umbrellas! How thoughtful! (:

This gigantic shoe's design is similar to what Salvatore Ferragamo designed for Judy Garland in 1938!

Here's M pretending to be Muscle Man in Jasons Market Place! Haha. We spent quite a bit of time here because yours truly love walking through the aisles of grocery places. Even though I can't cook.

Right after we were done pretending to be chock-full of muscles, we met a nice lady who kept feeding us this delicious soup/ tea. Haha. I think we spent about half an hour with her, just chatting and drinking lots of soup. Haha. And yes, we did purchase from her. :D

The mid-levels of Taipei 101!

My outfit of the day! :D Love the argyle sweater!

(You have no idea how many times M took my outfit shot! Haha. But he's really good at it now. :D)

This level is right below the Taipei 101 Observatory and all the luxury brands are here.

Chubby cheeks! When I put on weight, it shows on my cheeks and tummy. Never the areas which actually need fats. Oh, gloom!

Failed I'm-in-love-*twirls around* shot!

Anyway, we didn't manage to go to the Taipei 101 Observatory because visibility was so really poor. It was a waste but we weren't too upset about it. M has been up the tower before and as for me... Seeing a country from up high isn't exactly a must for me. Aye, it's beautiful and all but like... I can't eat it or use it or like do anything with it. And it's difficult to take photos because of the reflection from the glass. The only time I enjoyed going up some tall tower was in Macau, where we could actually walk out and round the circumference of the tower. I was scared to death but it was so exciting! :DDD So yep, bottom line: I'm not exactly a scenery kind of person. Which is a little sad, I think. :\

And we were back to the basement for some food! :DDD The food court was incredibly pretty and clean!

Parked ourselves at Hot Pot by Red Bean Dining.

The food was just alright. I love the thinly-sliced pork pieces but other than that, it was too expensive for such a small hot pot. Then again, we were in a tourist area.

Agnès B. Café was next!

Le lapin!

It was a cozy little cafe, that's great for tired souls who just want to sit and talk. It was pretty empty when we were there; only 3 tables were occupied.

Photos of the merchandise, just because I didn't want to spend my money on them. Haha. Aye, a cup IS just a cup. The rabbits were really cute but a tad too expensive for me to spend on something that's just going to sit and collect dust. And I'm really not into soft toys. I have tried hugging them to sleep but they always end up at my feet or on the floor, face down.

My future husband. :D

My future husband, a weird smile and our 2 cakes. :D

We both thought the cakes were just alright... They were decent and normal and could be purchased elsewhere for a much cheaper price. But yay, we have been to Agnès B. Café! Checked!

Couple-drinks shot! Yay! Haha.

And last but not least, my favourite photo of us. (:

We headed back to the hotel and stayed in for the rest of the night because everywhere was wet and the skies were still crying. An uneventful day but nonetheless, a happy one. :D (Every day was happy, actually. You know how there are stories where holidays break couples? I was a teeny weeny afraid of that but other than 2 teeny weeny disagreements that were dispelled within half an hour, we were alright. In fact, I think the holiday cemented our relationship. :DDD)