Wednesday, February 13, 2013

visual packing list: to china, february 2013! episode 2

China trip packing... FINAL DIRECTORS' CUT! We're going to be experiencing all kinds of weather, as well as lots of hiking, so here's hoping I'm cute n' alive by the end. I've just packed both of our clothes and ginseng and books and toiletries and electronics and my cosmetics and fake moustaches, fishnet body stockings, kitchen sink various other things and we have room to spare, which is a good sign. United's international flight weight limit is 23kg, and we're under that too.
 Hnnn...
There's enough varied legwear to keep me thoroughly entertained in mixing and matching, at least...(*`д´)
Is it too much?
Is it not enough??! Only time will tell!  
All I know is, I'm excited for our adventure, and tonight we're going to go to Philly and EAT SOME PRE-FLIGHT BURGERS!!
 

Here's the breakdown --

SWEATERS (1)






TOPS (5)
     








BOTTOMS (4)






    ONEPIECE (3)







      INNER (25, including undergarments)








        
      ACCESSORIES (2 items)




        PAJAMAS (1 set)


        SHOES (1 pair)


        BATHING SUIT (1)



        & I'm out of here like Vladimir! See you on March 8th 

        Friday, February 8, 2013

        rosy's garden haul! alpacas galore♥





        Eeeep. China trip in T-minus 5 days  now! Between work and getting sick though, I haven't had much time to work on the packing part. Come on body, don't fail me now---! ANTIBODIES! TO BATTLE!
        (pant pant)

        I did get my parcel of ultimate cuteness from Rosy's Garden, as mentioned in my last post, though, so I'm feeling cheered up at least
        Rosy's is based in Hong Kong, and has both an eBay shop (100% positive feedback/950 transactions) and a StoreEnvy shop, which sell Arpakasso/アルパカッソ merchandise such as plush toys, keychains, cases, and other goods, and some Swimmer alpaca-themed goods mixed in!

         My Haul:

        Alpaca march cosmetics case! It's 23 cm or 9.5 in wide. The shape is a bit tapered, as you can see, so it might not be ideal for longer items, though anything up to the width of a normal sized ballpoint pen would fit just fine? There is a secret flap pocket on the inside for tiny things, like coins or small makeup brushes.
        Its size is suitable for the bulk of my basic cosmetics, plus a few extras, even!

        Design detail. CUTIES!! The style of the print makes the exterior of the case look like matte fabric, but the outside is reinforced with a smooth, water resistant (?) layer. The zipper pulls look like pearls!

        I think I have it filled to capacity already~

        Sweet alpaca twins draw string bag! I'm using it to store skin care items, currently.
         It's 18 cm by 16 cm,  or 7 in by 6.5 in.

        The items were mailed via Hong Kong Post, and though faster options are available, combined shipping was only about $5. The shop owner notified me immediately with a tracking number when the package was shipped, and even included a note about possible delays due to the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. It left HK January 22nd and ended up on my doorstep February 4th, which fell well within the estimated delivery range of 7 to 20 business days.

        She also included some super cute free gifts -- two plastic retro deer pattern shopping bags, and a double-ended Swimmer marker! YAY!


        Unfortunately, in my excitement, I jammed the yellow marker tip flat by mistake and broke it... nooooo!!!!! I drew the rabbit first, smooshed the marker like an idiot, and then wrote the message on the bottom (see how it's thicker?!) It still writes and draws OK, but it's not fine-tipped anymore because I am a dummy. Sob!

        I would most definitely buy from Rosy's Garden again! The shop is worth a look if you're wanting tiny alpaca friends in your life.

        Sunday, February 3, 2013

        ViVi Diamond Club makeup haul -- Shiseido MAJOLICA MAJORCA, my beauty diary, osmei

        Oh snap! Makeup stock replenishment II! I just received my package from eBay store ViVi Diamond Club, three items plus a free gift! This was my first time buying from them and I was not disappointed in the least.




        ViVi Diamond Club stocks a variety of reasonably priced Japanese and Taiwanese cosmetic items, including brands like Dolly Wink by KOJI, Shiseido and its sub-brands, i.e. MAJOLICA MAJORCA & Ma Cherie.

        The shop also offers "super fast" U.S. shipping, and they ain't kidding. Despite being based on the opposite coast, my items arrived only two days after placing my order, for $6 in combined shipping fees. In my experience, packages from the west coast, even if I use an expedited shipping method, often take at least 4 business days to arrive at my door, so that exceeded the heck out of my already low expectations. Super wow!!!!!! I will definitely be purchasing from them again.



        My Haul:
        • Shiseido MAJOLICA MAJORCA Jeweling Eyes #77
        • Shiseido MAJOLICA MAJORCA Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara (black)
        • 我的美麗日記 / My Beauty Diary collagen firming masks (10 pcs)
        • Osmei Pearl + HA eye mask free gift!


         MAJOLICA MAJORCA Jeweling Eyes
        I must admit, I am a sucker for the cute packaging on MM products. I'm probably a bit older than their target market demographic, but I find the whole fairytale, cutie pie witch, circus magic gimmick really fun. I have been a fan of Japanese anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica (for both its cute and twisted sensibilities) for a few years, and the brand name definitely is evocative of that for me, and the palette reminds me of the protagonists' 'theme colours.'

        In person, these jeweling eyes colours are SO POPPIN'! The saturation is quite good, not too dusty, like some of the other metallic shadows I've been using as of late, and they don't emphasize my unfortunate eye-wrinkles too much. It's like they're infused with tiny diamonds or something. The only thing I hate would be the liliputian Barbie-sized brush, which is too tiny and awkward to do anything with. I'll definitely be swapping it out, so no issues there.


        The packaging suggests (1) gold for the inner corner and brow bone highlight, (2) pink for the lid, (3) red for the outer corner and (4) brown for outlining. It's not so good for those natural looks, but it definitely gives you a fairy-esque effect. I wore this out today, and despite worries that it was too bold or I hadn't blended properly, I received some nice compliments on my eye make... thanks, MM


         Shiseido MAJOLICA MAJORCA Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara
        The packaging on this is just so lovely. Unfortunately, I realized too late that I got too excited and added the length-targeting mascara to my cart, when what I really need most is a volumizer. Sigh. It's still very nice, but doesn't deliver the dramatic a lash effect that I'd like.

         It does have a very special, fine brush applicator, the likes of which I haven't seen before. It's supposed to help fill in the gaps between your base lashes like a liner would, and that's neat! I have only tried this on my top lashes, but I think I'll give it a shot on my bottoms next to give my Clinique bottom-lash a rest.


         
        我的美麗日記 / My Beauty Diary collagen firming masks (10 pcs)
        Unfortunately, I can't comment on these yet, but I will be able to soon! Since I'll be in Beijing very soon, I need to pamper my skin, lest it fall prey to the awful levels of pollution that are choking the city. These are individually packaged firming masks to be used 2~3 times a week -- probably less for me, since I only have ten -- post cleansing, and should be left on for 20 minutes at least before removing. Then you massage any remaining traces of the serum in to insure absorption, but no washing after that. I hope these'll be kind to my skin!

        Osmei Pearl + HA eye mask
        ":Like an energy drink for your eyes!" The package claims. This was a free gift with my order. Yay! Free stuff! I'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so no comment from me other than I have tried these before and doubt the efficacy of most products on my evil dark circles... :P I'll be happy to give it another shot. Maybe results are only with continued use? We'll see!

        Despite my sleepy face, I'm one happy pajama rabbit post mod haircut! It might be difficult to tell from the photo, but I really put on my face armor today. I'm wearing:
        • Clinique BB creme, shade 01 Fair
        • Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Bisque
        • Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser dark circles treatment concealer, Fair 10
        • Benefit Benetint in Rose (lips & cheeks)
        • Benefit Lemon-Aid eye primer
        • CoverGirl Smoothers pressed powder in 705 Translucent Fair
        • MAJOLICA MAJORCA Jeweling Eyes #77
        • MAJOLICA MAJORCA Lash Expander Frame Plus Mascara in black
        • Clinique bottom lash mascara in black
        • Koji Dolly Wink by Tsubasa Masuwaka liquid eyeliner in deep black
        • Revlon Colorstay roll-on Eyeliner in black
        • Sephora Fresh Sugar Lip Duo, lip treatment and color
        • Maybelline New York 85Q Luminous Lights, brown (for brows)
        You know, I never think of this is a lot -- conversely, I feel it's not enough -- but when I actually list it out, ummm... am I some kind of pathological makeup addict?! News at 10. The better I get at applying makeup, the more I use, and the less people can tell, unless I'm wearing a signature, particularly eye-catching eyeshadow, or liner, or something. It's such an odd dynamic.

         I forgot to mention too, that I'm waiting for some cute alpaca-themed SWIMMER makeup storage cases from HK-based seller Rosy (she has an online shop that specializes in alpaca and Arkapasso items @ Rosy's Garden!)
        It is peak holiday season in China now, though, so a delay is to be expected. I hope they come before I have to leave for China, though... the irony. I need something to put all this stuff in!! lol