January 30, 2012

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1. sammie spotting
2. eating Chester's hot fries with chopsticks, per usual
3. trying a new Philosophy scent...smells like a fresh flower shop
4. prairie cat look
5. 2 free polishes I picked - Pasha and Caitlin. Pasha is goooorgeoussss
6. mosaic bracelet: Forever 21
7. found this pet male peacock while touring a 9mil home
8. just exquisite
9. necklace: Forever 21
10. my favorite bag: YSL Roady...and wearing Pasha nail color
11. girl scouts stopped by :)
12. time for redecorating my room
13. closeup of beautiful Italian art
14. love these chess pieces
15. It's all about the details
16. my favorite house of the tour ($14mil)
17. hush puppies
18. good Cabernet IMO
19. a home's intense medieval theme

This past week was super busy but one of the highlights was touring our clients through the most luxurious neighborhood in Irvine. That's where it becomes less of a job and way more fun, as if we were walking through museums. On the serious though, having a pet peacock (especially 3) is baller swag status.

January 27, 2012

prairie cat




It was a hot 85˚ a couple days ago, marking the return of the SoCal sunshine we all know and love. Seeing the sun blazing through my window really put me in the mood to mix colors into my outfit. I got this Motel skirt on sale for £12 (approx $21)! Combine that and free US shipping - exactly why Motel is one of my top brands. I must have accordion pleats in my maxi skirts. I just adore the detail and the way the skirt flows and expands.  Also this old denim jacket I'm sporting is from high school. Thought this day would be the day to bring it back out into the sunshine. 

sunnies: shopthecaravan.com
denim jacket: Abercrombie & Fitch
yellow tank: Sway boutique, Berkeley
moss skirt: Motel (search 'shannon' in the search box and other colors will appear!)
bag: H&M
bracelet: Forever 21
sandals: Sway boutique, Berkeley


January 25, 2012

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Here's my favorite sweater again on top of my favorite mustard button up blouse. This was my CNY look so I had to incorporate a little gold and red to make the moms happy and give myself some good luck for this new year.  I opted for the small pop of red lips.  Instead of going all knit, I threw in some faux leather leggings to mix up the textures. These boots are my go-to for practically any outfit, casual or dressed. They used to be really black but I like the old, dusted vintage look it's been picking up. They've had a long run with me and they're still goin ♥

sunnies: shopthecaravan.com
black knit: H&M
burnt orange knit: Forever 21
mustard blouse: Forever 21
leather leggings: topshop.com
boots: Steve Madden
bag: Nordstrom

January 24, 2012

clarisonic mia review

So I've been meaning to rave about my new Clarisonic mia ever since I got it for Christmas. I know almost all of you know about the Clarisonic. I knew about it when it first came out, but the first one (the big one) was so expensive and I didn't know if it was just all hype. Like really, a brush for your face? I thought it was unnecessary. After a while I kinda forgot about it. Then my wonderful boo got it for me for Christmas because he knew I'm all about skincare and he was just as much surprised as I was that I didn't have this must-have item. Well I'm telling you now that I can't believe I've been missing out on this for the last few years! I'm almost kicking myself for not getting it sooner...yeah it's just a big electronic toothbrush for your face but it's a miracle for your skin. It feels like a a pampering massage. I use Philosophy Purity with it, which is highly recommended. I put a dime size amount on the brush and it lathers up a lot on my face, which I like.  After the first time using it, I could just tell my skin was glowing and felt a lot smoother. The best part was putting on my moisturizer. It soaked right in! It's a good thing because now I realize that before, my moisturizer was just sitting on my skin and it took about 5-7 minutes for it to sink in completely before I can really put on my makeup. Now it absorbs very quickly and I feel like it's working better in keeping me hydrated. Using the Clarisonic feels like it's rattling out the toxins and dirty stuff out of my skin. I use it every day and night and I can't imagine my skin without it. It can't go back!

January 23, 2012

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1. Happy chinese new year! xin nian kuai le! Red envelopes filled with real money at my mom's restaurant...happy customers.
2. shifu sammie
3. buying lanterns
4. rings, Forever 21 & Noir
5. growing collection of sunnies
6. Chinatown LA
7. apple tart & berries
8. light afternoon reading
9. lookbook preview
10. bags, Urban Outfitters...guess which one I took home ;)
11. pastel everything
12. lookbook preview
13. vogue sammie
14. rings, Forever 21 & Noir
15. passed out sammie
16. sunnies, The Caravan
17. fresh homemade platter
18. sandals, Enzo Angiolini
19. Stephan at Urban Outfitters
20. my new MAC 'So Chaud' lipstick (in love! will post a better picture of color later)
21. deep sammie

January 19, 2012

my skincare routine: jan 2012
































































For the last couple of months, I decided to slow down from using Avene and Glytone daily to two to three times a week. My skin had been behaving very well for the last two years, so I thought I would take care of it from a more sensitive skin approach. On my off days, I try to stick with basic, gentle stuff. I use Philosophy Purity cleanser with my awesome Clarisonic Mia (review later!).  After cleansing, I spray some Avene Thermal Spring Water because it restores the pH on my face and it's just a fun ritual. Then I rub a couple drops of pure vitamin E oil (I use Trader Joe's) all over and put a light moisturizer on top. Right now I'm using La Roche-Posay Toleriane cream. I found out it was a popular French line carried in those famously chic pharmacies in France (which I'm dying to visit one day) so I was thrilled to see this at CVS here. It's light, simple, and non-greasy, but quenching enough for my skin; I'm not looking to stray from this moisturizer any time soon. And the last, but most important step, is the sunscreen. Especially with continued use of glycolic acid and retinaldehyde, your skin is more sensitive to the sunlight so protect it! I currently use Avene Hydrance Optimale SPF 25 because, being the winter time, I needed something with more hydration. I use this in place of the La-Roche Posay cream during the day. In the summer, I tend to stick with a more mattifying sunscreen and one I really like is SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical SPF 50. It keeps off the oil slick while protecting your skin with a strong spf and zinc oxide component. Whenever I feel I need the extra step in caring for my skin, like before a special occasion, I use the brown sugar scrub. At night before getting into bed, I rub vaseline onto my eyelashes and eyebrows because I've read it actually helps with hair growth. I honestly have noticed a significant growth in my eyebrows and eyelashes since I've started...especially because I had a bald spot on my eyelid where I accidentally ripped some lashes out with a curler 8 years ago (yeah, ouch). Though it could also be due to the jojoba oil I use when taking off my eye makeup. I hope I'm just doubling the oomph!