These beautiful faces are my friends

I have beautiful friends who are beautiful from the inside and out. Inspiring friends who never ceases to amaze me with their energy, passion, kindness, and drive. We should always appreciate those we choose to become friends with. Whether its an old friend, a new friend, an acquaintance that profoundly affects you. 

This post is dedicated to my lovely and beautiful Woman friends around the world.  (Some of these pictures bring back some good memories)

Photo Credit: Bill H.

Coffee or Tea?

Fika time! Kanellbulle (Swedish cinnamon bun) with strong black coffee

Fresh Mint tea at cafe Dudok in Rotterdam

Which do you prefer: Coffee or Tea?

I choose both!

I have been a tea drinker since I was a young kid due to my Chinese heritage of going to Chinese restaurants and pairing the food with a dark blend of Chinese brewed tea. Usually its oolong tea. Its supposed to detoxify and help aid with oil and grease detoxification. I always pair Chinese food with  hot Chinese tea whether its Jasmine, Oolong, Chrysanthemum, Green tea, or White tea. It does seem like it helps with the grease. 

Lately, tea has been classified as a health drink loaded with antioxidants and anti-aging benefits.

Green Tea contains catechins which fight free radical damage. These means that if you've been out in the sun, you may be able to help reverse the effects of sun damage by drinking green tea. I would pair it with a high SPF, cool shades, and drinking green tea aprés sun. Green tea is loaded with antioxidants that is great for your skin and tons of health benefits too. I love a cold iced matcha on a hot summer day! I'm not really a fan of Starbucks but I do like this drink on a super hot day! 

Black Tea, Oolong Tea, White Tea are also high in antioxidants and provide a lot of health benefits that also translate to glowing skin! (Drink it all! :-) )

You can read more about Tea's benefits here

I am also an avid coffee drinker and started drinking coffee in my teens then stopped drinking it regularly for a number of years thinking it was bad for health then started drinking it regularly again a few years ago. The result: I lost weight really easily! (along with a slight lifestyle change and drinking more wine too ;-) )

Coffee has gotten a bad reputation but lately its being reversed by research done on coffee consumption. Researchers have found that coffee has lowered the risk for liver disease, liver cancer, heart disease, parkinson's disease, depression, type 2 diabetes, and contains loads of antioxidants to fight free radicals (Translation: premature aging!). Read more about the health benefits. 

Caffeine in skincare has been known to reduce the appearance of under-eye circles, cellulite, prevent inflammation. Read more about coffee's benefits. There are so many benefits to caffeine in consumption and in skincare so whether you're a coffee or tea drinker, incorporate it as part of your skincare routine as well as for overall health.

Trend alert: Acne Studios eyewear

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here. 

I am kind of obsessed with Acne Studios at the moment and their eyewear collection is just so retro cool that I want a pair. (but alas! it is a bit on the pricey side so we can all just dream and pin their lovely shades but maybe if they ever go on sale or a stroke of luck....) Look at all these fun shades! I'm usually with my sunglasses especially on a sunny day wherever I am in the world. Its sunny today in Brussels (a rare treat!) and I wish I had more time to bask in the vitamin D glory. 

Library - I want this pair!!!

Sigmund

Mask Junior

Spitfire

Mustang

Can't live without products right now?

I moved back to a dry climate with four seasons this year and my skin wrecked havoc by being sensitive and dry. These two products save my life.

1) Dr Hauschka Revitalizing mask 
After putting this mask on for 20 minutes, my skin doesn't feel so parched. This is also a perfect mask for rehydrating my skin after a long haul flight. Somehow this mask balances out my sensitive skin.
Dr Hauschka products are really simply packaged but the products are overall excellent from the ones I've tried over the years. I'm currently using a gel serum from Dr Hauschka and it delivers just enough hydration to prepare my skin for moisturiser and sunscreen.

2) Jurlique Skin Balancing Oil

This oil kept winter skin and wind-burn sensitivity at bay for me all winter! I never leave my room without putting this oil on after my moisturiser because it leaves the right amount of hydration and creates a protective barrier on my skin against the drying weather elements. I never thought to ever put oil on my face because for most of my life, my skin errs on the side of oily patches. I'm a big fan of this skin balancing oil by Jurlique because it also smells really good and keeps my skin hydrated and glowing all day.

One of the best things about both these brands is that its natural-derived and packed with lots of hydrating essential oils. My sensitive skin loves this as the weather conditions keep changing for me, I'm constantly slathering on hydrating skincare products on my face and body.

Travel finds: La Chinata

I was traveling this summer in Europe and stumbled upon a little store in Sevile that specialized in olive oil goods. This little store stocks everything related to olive oil products from chocolate to bath and beauty products. 

La Chinata

I have been using the purifying milk cleanser (€7.60) for a couple months now and my skin is soft. At first, I wasn't too crazy about this product because it feels like there is residue left on the skin. This cleanser is gentle on the skin and would be perfect for the dry winter months.

To combat the residue feeling, I use a calming cleansing water as a toner for extra cleansing yet won't strip my skin dry. 

My favorite product from La Chinata is the body lotion(€4.95)

The smell is light, the lotion is hydrating yet not sticky or too creamy. I can even use this lotion before going out in warm and humid Singapore. It melts into your skin. 

Every product in this line uses organic extra virgin olive oil and it is always nice to support a small business. Especially one that has affordable prices! 

All opinions regarding these products are my own personal opinions alone. The pictures are taken from the companies websites which are linked to this blog. No companies or product endorsements here. 

Scents that evoke memories

My very first foray into purchasing a perfume was when I was in 6th grade. I was obsessed with CK One and Gap Dream body spray. Scents evoke memories of a time and place. Even to this day, if I get a whiff of either of those two scents, I am transported to my 11 year old self. That loud, giggly, blushing, confidant, and silly 11 year old girl who would recite lines from monologues and plays.

Over the years, I've obviously changed and experimented with many different types of scents. High school was a heady mix of sweet fruity smells but most notably Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea and all the Bath and Body Works body sprays were a main fixture in my dance bag. College was definitely Dolce & Gabbana's Light Blue and Coco Chanel Mademoiselle. Very sweet scents in my opinion. Post-college life in New York was definitely Burberry Brit then later on Fresh Sake; Sugar Lychee, and Jo Malone's Jasmine White Tea. 

I am currently on rotation with Fresh Sake, Jo Malone's Jasmine White Tea, Jo Malone's Lime & Basil, and recently acquired Bvlgari Omnia Coral for the summer scent.

Fall in Central Park 2009

We associate different scents with different things and times in our lives. With that said here are some of my favorite scents:
Roasted chestnuts on a wet and rainy day.
The smell of my pet bunny Heppi's head.
Mint
Eucalyptus
Lavender
Earl Grey
Sephora smell
New shoes
A crisp fall morning dew
Sambal
Coconut flavored rice

Daytime pretty natural look

Eyes: Mac shroom, Laura Mercier chocolate

No mascara. Only curled with shu uemura's lash curler

Cheeks: NARS multiple in orgasm

Lips: Fresh sugar lip balm in honey