Family Weekend - New Beauty Finds

My cousin from Canada is visiting for a few days since she's going back to China for Chinese New Year (Envy~). We went to Woodbury Commons on Sat., all 5 of us, mom, dad, me, Carol and Daisy. Of course, I went to CCO and was in there for god knows how long. I picked up a Prescriptive Finishing Brush, MAC 188 and MAC Lightful Protective Moisturizer Hydratant SPF 30/ PA++ . Then on Sunday, we went to SOHO and did some damage in Bloomingdale's beauty department, my little brown bag was filled with Kiel's Lip Gloss in Pink Rider, Doggy Conditioner for Daisy (lavenderrrr), and GA Designer Compact Foundation SPF22.

I'm very happy with my purchases this weekend, except for the brushes. The Prescriptive Finishing Brush is SOOOOOO SOFT!!!! But I wonder what the hack you can use it with? It's the size of a blush brush, but longer bristles. I thought I'd do some research once I get home, but found nothing on this brush! WTH? If anyone knows the purpose of this brush, pls leave a comment. As far as I know, Prescriptive doesn't have a "Finishing Powder".

Question for the MAC Addicts, #188? I have the #187, love it for beauty powder and highlighters, but.. what about 188? what do you use it with? Where on your face that you need to highlight with a 188 that you can't do with a 187? (I don't highlight my nose, btw).

But, aside from the awarkard brushes, I've come across some of my *hopefully* HG products. First off...

MAC Lightful Protective Moisturizer Hydratant SPF 30/ PA++

Price: $35

I've never heard of the Lightful Collection until I see this. I thought, eh, interesting. Since I'm on the hunt for a good sunscreen, I thought, I'll give a shot.

OH MY GOD! It's heaven sent! Most sun screens make me look like a grease ball, but this one just immediately sunk into my skin and I couldn't feel my finger slippling on my face.

It's said to be Asia-exclusive? To accommadate to the "white" skin that all Asian craves after? I don't know about you, but I sure as hell don't want to look any whiter. But I believe that's all a bunch of bull. No one can look "whiter" in my opinion. A better description is to have even skin tone and brightened face. Asian with yellow undertone tend to look sallow, which could due to sun damages or age, it's just some form of discoloration that Asians thinks makes them look tired and dirty.

I love this sunscreen because it has SPF 30 and PA++, it doesn't have that light diffusing purple or pinkish sheen (like those in the Strobe cream), and it really moisturizes my crazy ass winter dry combination but sometimes oily face. I was so happy with the result, that I immeidately went to put on my face makeup to see how it holds up in that department. A perfect 10, ladies! My foundation didn't slide off of my face by the end of the day (10pm) and it didn't oxidite (happens often to me). So yes lord, thanks for answer my prayer, I knew you always had my back homie~

GA Designer Compact Foundation SPF22 in 5.5

Price: $65

Yes, that's right. $65 for 15ml. That's GA for ya. But what can I say? When the MA put it on my face and my nose area, I had to seriously use a magnifying glass to find my pores! It's that good.

It goes on velvety soft, like mousse but a bit harder. Then it turns into soft powder. And all you can see if your flawless face that probably just cost $5 to mask.

It comes with a cute little half moon brush. I'm not one that likes the brushes that comes with anything, I just think it doesn't do the job and it's a waste of money. But girls, you've got to feel THIS brush. It's sooooo soft. My man really didn't go cheapo on this one. This is the real deal brush. I haven't had the chance to use it, because I don't want to ruin the pretty little glass jar it comes with. But I will let you know whenever I get the courage to break in. I don't say this too often, but YOU HAVE GOT TO TRY IT!

Last but not least...

Kiel's Lip Gloss in Pink Rider

Price: $13.50

Whoever doesn't have a Kiel's #1 lip balm should be shot. No but seriously, everyone who knows anything about good lip balm, it's got to be Kiel's. It's ultra creamy and moisturizing. It's like a N.A.P blankie for your lippie.

I wanted the Pink Rider ever since it came out. It's the perfect "my lips, but better" color. It's #2 from the right on this picture. I like pinkish mauve color, it makes my lips look... well... more alive. Frosty colors makes me look dead, and berry colors are just too POPPIN' for me (sorry lil' mama). I've been sticking by my Philosophy's Kiss Me in pink for as long as I could. But it starts to get really solid in the cold winter month. Some times I feel like I've put butter on my lips and then it got hard when I go outside. You know what I mean?

So all in all, I've made some great purchases this weekend. I just need to figure out how to use those damn brushes. By the way, I stopped by SPACE NK. Seriously, don't know what all the fuss is about. Maybe I'm not that "age" yet, but I personally can't find anything in there that suits my skin. It's for... "older" women I think. Everything's like $100 and over! But I did stumble upon the SPACE NK Powder Brush.

Space.NK
powder brush
an incredible blend of super fine goat and blue squirrel, this brush ensures perfect pick up of both loose and pressed face powder for a smooth and easy finish.

Price: $65

It was Chinchilla on my face! sssssoooooooo plush and soft. I've never felt a face brush like that! But then again, it's $65, it better be chinchilla.

Sigh.. This is got to wait... Maybe next month.

How about you my friend, any great finds?

GMAT Prep

Originally I signed up for Kaplan Classroom prep to prepare for my upcoming GMAT test. This is mainly due to the discount I get from my company, almost 40% off. These classes are not cheap, the original price is $1440, I only had to pay $880. So I took up on that offer and set to start the class on 1/26. Another great perk is that if for ANY REASON you are not satisfied with your score, you can retake the class again FOR FREE! So even if I was just lazy and didn't want to go to the exam, I could just go back to the class again and start studying again - given that you've finished all your homework and never missed a class.

As tempting as it sounds, Kaplan never seemed to impress me. I've taken it while I was a senior in College. During my last semester, I only had 2 classes and was mainly focused on my internship and job searching, so I thought why not get GMAT out of the way? Great thinking... but that was $1440 wasted. I went to the classes, and probably only did half of the homework and never went to take the exam at the end of the semester - I was shopping somewhere in Waikiki on the Hawaii Islands, lol.

So here I am again, gearing up for the challenge. I know for a fact that any failure of my attempt to beat the GMAT was due to my laziness. My brain wasn't thinking about all the solutions and explanations, I thought just by doing problem is gonna get me a 700. WRONG! So I've came up with a brand new study plan.

1) Do a full length practice exam EVERY WEEK for 10 weeks.
2) Cancel Kaplan and switch to Manhattan GMAT.
3) Focus on ONE AREA of the exam and practice that area only for a few days.
4) Blog as much as I can about my progress to keep myself motivated.
5) Participate in forums regarding MBA and GMAT to keep myself updated.

I'm going to an info session for GMAT Preview at Manhattan GMAT to see what the hype is alll about. Though I've already made up my mind about switching to Manhattan GMAT after reading their website. https://www.manhattangmat.com/

What's interesting is that they offere Virtual Classrooms, so you can participate in a classroom setting without physically being there. Also, their classroom sessions are $1440 (same as KAPLAN), but the Virtual one is only $990. Plus they ship you the Official Guide of GMAT, which is the only publication of real GMAT questions from GMAC, the writer of the GMAT exam. Virtual classes runs on weekdays from 8pm - 11pm, which is great, because then I have sufficient time to go home, eat, walk Daisy and then sit in my pjs to study for GMAT.

Interesting forum: beatthegmat.com

Registered for the NYC MBA Tour on Feb. 9th, 2008: thembatour.com it's free!

I love the internet! Free time at work = more time to prep for MBA.

INSEAD - where I want to be

http://worldmbawire.blogspot.com/
even just by reading the blog puts the fire back in me. my brain just had an hour bliss in my pre-graduation memories. a sweet smile on my face, as if I'm in love again...

http://www.insead.edu/home/

MBA

I just spent a whole day reading up on MBAs and GMATs. I found some really good blogs with perspective students talking about their experience getting into MBA programs. It's all dated back in 2005-2006ish, but it's helpful to see what they go through and prep myself for it.

But to be honest, I don't even know if I can face up the challenge. My Kaplan GMAT prep class is starting in 3 weeks and I haven't even started thinking about which school I want to apply to. My dad had a talk with me last night, he's never been to college, so he's a self-made man. But he's concerned with my career/future. He's very proud of me, since I'm the only daughter and made my folks proud by graduating college and have a "good" job in Manhattan. But he knows I'm not happy with my job, not that there is anything MAJORLY wrong with it (I've talked about this subject extensively before), it's just not my cup of tea.

So last night, he told me if I get into NYU Stern, he'd pay for all my tuition (100K) and my mortgage, since I won't have any major income if I go to school full time (I can take part-time, but it won't pay for nothing but my transportation and books). So I asked, why NYU Stern? He said, he knew I've always wanted to go there and it's in the heart of NYC, where all the actions are, plus he's very well-known (aka bragging right to friends). I understand all that and I don't disagree, but I am so scared to take on that challenge, because... I've been dinged by NYU twice before. I applied for undergrad when I was in HS, then again when I wanted to trasfer after my freshman year. Both time.. rejected...

My coworker mentioned to me that if I apply to the NYU part-time program (Langone), I can get reimbursed through my current company (I think y'all know where I work, but I don't want to mention it again for fear of writing about work and get fired). I'd love that idea, except what's the point of me working here full time while going to school, if the whole idea of going to school to get out of this position? Plus, her group is more relaxed with the whole expense thing, so she doesn't have to worry about getting push backs. AND she's working for 2 VP's who's NYU alumni. and me? No one on my side, at least I don't think so...

The thing is.. I am scared of applying because I don't want to get rejected again. And because I really don't think I have a good chance. GMAT, I be lucky if get over 650, NYU's average is 700. Essay, I was never a good writer, I'm sure y'all can testify this one. Recommandation letters, I don't know anyone in high ranks, and I don't think my manager/seniors are happy with me.

My coworker's suggesting I go on and be a chatter box like her, and told me all her success stories with finding jobs by talking to people. "it's who you know not what you know" type of deal. But really? Talk to these people? I've been here for half a year and I've made 1 friend. I still get by with that fake smile and pretencious small talks with people in my TEAM (9 of us). So you can see... I'm going no where with that NYU Stern MBA...

I know I am so much more, but I just can't get that motivation and confidence back. On my New Year's resolution, I said I'd go to a school for its program, for what I like, and not what anybody else thinks. But here it is again, with the stupid NYU, am I destined to be this way? To have this life-long struggle with going to NYU? Will I be happier if I went to NYU? Honestly speaking, I don't think I will be happier, but my parents will. I am almost scared of NYU, I heard of all those horror stories about how cut throat that place is... but I just want have a good experience, travel abroad to study and meet smart and cool people. Why does everything have to be so... NYU????

Must read for couples..

Difference Between Women And Men
1. NAMES If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they will call each other Laurie,Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara. If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.
2. EATING OUT When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in a $20, even though it's only for$32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the women get their bill, out come the pocket calculators. 3. MONEY A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn'tneed, but it's on sale.
4. BATHROOMS A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream,razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Marriott. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.
5. ARGUMENTS A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that... is the beginning of a new argument.
6. CATS Women love cats. Men say they love cats, but when women aren't looking, men kick cats.
7. FUTURE A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
8. SUCCESS A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
9. MARRIAGE A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and she does.
10. DRESSING UP A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
11. NATURAL Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.
12. OFFSPRING Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances,best friends, favorite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.
13. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

AND FINALLY.... A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, jack asses, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

Beauty Review - Chanel's Blue Satin

I missed out on the Black Satin tain when it first came out, so when I saw it on the shelf last spring in HK, I quickly picked up a bottle and soon realized that OPI's Galaxy is the same color. Oh wells, but I have to say that Chanel's nail polish have this incredible high high and glossiness, and the staying power is much better with just one coat of topcoat and not much touch up needed. This is especially important when choosing dark nail polishes. Knowing me, typing away at work and doing all the chores around the apt (not that much really), I need a touch up almost every night. So since then, I have been a Chanel's nail polish fan.

Thought I don't buy every color they have and waitted patiently for the next "Black Satin", Blue Satin disoppinted me greatly. I had it on over the weekend and on NYE. I don't blame Chanel for the quality of how the color came out, it's because I went to a nail salon in Boston that I have never been to before. I don't mess around with random nail salons. I have one that I go to in the mall around where I live and that's it. They know how to do my nails and how I like them shaped. But this placed F*ed it up big time, because it came out matted looking. Now, when you have blue polish on and it's not glossy, you know it's gonna look dirty and nasty in a matter of 2 days.

Pro: same great Chanel formula, a deep deep blue, if you glance at it, it looks like a inky black.

Con: not enough shimmer in it for me, i love how you can see all the blue shimmers under the sun, but it looks just a plain blackish blue under indirect light. doesn't excite me.

Anyways, I'd say you can skip on it if you have OPI's Russian Navy. But I'll keep my bottle for a second try at my nail salon, hopefully it'll turn out better. Othehwise, it'll end up on my swap list.

p.s. I'm wearing Chanel's Noir Ceramic. However, I am missing Lincoln Park after Midnight terribly...

p.p.s. I HATE BLOGSPOT! I'm going back to Xanga

2008

T'is the first post of 2008, I will do a little mixing of recaps of 2007 and a resolution for 2008. I will be 24 this year, which for me is such an important year. I feel like this is the year where I really need to know what I want to do with my life and finally stepping away from being a 20-something person (though I'm still 20-something, but it's closer to the scary 25!!)

2007 - Goals achieved
1) Got a better job with an internaitonal investment bank. Great career move on my part, not because I like my career, but because this company can get me further than my last.
2) Bought my dream condo and finally moved out. My condo's very close to NYC and right next to the Hudson River, also comes with a nice view of the city. Great neighborhood and love the river front walk way.
3) I got Daisy! She's such a good dog and I'm so happy I picked a happy and easy going puppy. Though she might not know this, but she means the world to me, and got me through some really rough times. I love her to death and can't imagine life without her.
4) I've learned so much about makeup through beauty blogs! I've always thought I'm the only crazy one who's obsessed with makeup, who knew?? there's a whole network for crazy people like us! I love you all and I'm so glad I met you!
5) My relationship with H grew stronger and he's so much closer to my family now. It is our 2nd year together, which is a critical year concerning that I've never gotten over a 2 year mark with any of my exes. But he's still here, stronger than ever. He is my rock and I can't live without him.

2008 - Resolution/Goals
1) Score over 600 on GMAT. I need to. I have to. I will do anything. I must!
2) Apply to MBA programs that truly interests me in what I want to do, and not is going to impress people. So what if no one has ever heard of Bentley College? I am a proud graduate and have never been happier with my degree. I'm glad I didn't listen to my mom about going to BU. Look at me now, I still made it to the investment bank in the middle of Manhattan.
3) Take better care of my condo and decorate it more. I am planning on having a cleaning session twice a month and buy more painting to hang on the walls. I need to get over the fact that there will be holes and scratches but nobody sees it but me.
4) Learn more on my job. This will be hard to do, because I don't like the nature of my job. There really isn't anything wrong with my job, it pays well, hours are good and it's a very respectful job (corporate world and all), but I just don't enjoy doing it. But I will learn more about it, because there is no harm in learning anything.
5) Take better care of my body. I'm not going to say I will be hitting the gym everyday, I know and everyone else knows that won't be happening, but I will definitely try to go 3 times a week and eat more healthier. That means cooking more and bringing lunch to work.
6) Read more books. I like reading, I just don't like reading in my house, cus the lighting is not good. Ok Ok, fine, no more excuses. I will read more.
7) USE UP MORE MAKEUP! I need to use up SOMETHING this year, I promise. Makeup is hard to use up, but skin care is easier. I need to stop buying makeup if they are just going to sit there. Seriously now, I spend $500 a month on makeup/skin care/body care, do you really think I need another bottle of primer? or another highlighter?
8) Take Daisy to the dog park. She's never been to one and I feel bad. maybe I should take her to another puppy class.
9) Spend more "couple" time with H. We barely go on dates now. I don't want to loose spark with him and I need to take more initaltive to go out with him.
10) Last but not least, to balance my mind and body, so that I can finally combat panic disorder completely. I haven't had a relapse for 4 months now. Even when I do get a little nervous, I was able to calm myself down quickly without taking any medication. I believe I can battle it with my mind only, but I promise if it gets worse, I will go to therapy and won't cancel the appointments anymore. I see all these "I will eat right and exercise" resolutions on everyone's list, while we want to take care of our body, I don't know why people don't think they should take care of their mental health as well. The earth will be a happier place with happier people, don't you think?

Ok. that's all the blabs I have for now. I'm heading back to NJ tomorrow with H. Sigh, back to the grind. Happy New Year!