Life Post: Cameras

It's been a while, once again.

The beginning of the new year is always a busy one (: Recovery from Christmas to New Year's, birthday, and then Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year).

Different than the solar new year, Chinese New Year for me is celebrated over several days. For my family, on the 28th before the first day of the new lunar year, we must have an epic house cleaning (年二十八, 洗邋遢), much like spring cleaning, and also like how many Japanese do major house cleaning for the new year as well. This year we were pretty late in cleaning, really felt like we wouldn't finish in time hahaha.

Anyway! Recently I got myself a DSLR -- though I'm still debating whether I want to keep it, I really do like it and hope to keep it, but I've never spent so much money all at once before. With my digital camera, it was very good but I always felt a bit limited; now with the Canon T2i that I got, I feel much more satisfied with taking pictures. I've only done a few tests, and am slowly learning all the functions.

My official first Manual Mode photo:

Warning: the image is really huge x_X sorry ):

I think it came out fairly okay, and.. yes we still have our Christmas Tree up (wtf???) I super super love the DSLR, my boyfriend mentioned to me that I should get a UV filter for the lens before shooting outside -- and I'm worried that I might change my mind and return the camera (am I a bad person for using the camera when I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it ?? I have 14 days to return :X though I'm about 95% sure it won't be going back to the store) 

The PDFs will load in your browser, not save to computer (at least for me it did)

While I was trying to figure out how to use my camera, I was searching for different guides -- and came across GoingManual.com. I definitely recommend it! The guide explains simply the relationship between Shutter-speed, Aperture, and ISO -- also does .. demo-type explanations .. er well I'm not good at explaining - BUT. if you're looking for a good guide to manual-mode I would definitely take a look here. Also, the tutorials are free, so no worries if you don't find it helpful hahaha (though I feel it's absolutely wonderful, I learned pretty quickly reading that)

I'm pretty broke now hahaha, but I'm still a bit iffy since getting a DSLR takes some investing (? investment ?? my english!! what is happening?!?!)

Wishlist if I keep the camera:

• UV filter
• Class 6+ SDHC card (my class 4 won't allow for any videos hahaha)
• 2nd lens* 
• Remote thing o.o!
• Tripod

*2nd lens explanation: 

I realize as a beginner to this, I should learn as much as I can about my camera and what aspects I feel are most important etc etc. BUT. The deal I got for this camera is pretty .. well here's the explanation:

• Staples.com has 15/20% off in store purchase (2 diff coupons)
• Staples Rewards: usually 10% cash back in Staples Rewards on purchases 
• Special: 25% cash back in Staples Rewards instead of 10% until January 25th
• Price matches to competitor pricing (Best Buy!!)

And so! My purchase went like this:

Canon T2i Kit = $699.99

Price Match to Best Buy = $604.99

20% off in store Purchase = $483.99 + tax = $526 out of pocket

after 25% back in Staples Rewards = $363 + tax, about $120 in Staples Rewards

And I figure I could buy a lens at Staples with the Rewards that should be posted in February. The only catch about this deal is that I have to spend the rewards at Staples and only get like 60 days to use it all or something ):  And also, Staples doesn't have a great selection, but I figured.. $363 +tax for a T2i Kit is pretty good, or 526 for kit and 2 lens wouldn't be too bad.

Originally, when I was searching for a new camera, I had been looking at Micro 4/3rds, which are... sort of the in-between of point-and-shoots and DSLR's.  They're much more compact than a DSLR, but are still pretty bulky due to the detachable & exchangeable lenses. My boyfriend mentioned to me though, that if I'm going to upgrade I might as well get a DSLR and that any DSLR would be a huge step up from my point and shoot. I totally agree with him, but despite getting the Canon T2i -- I still can't help but look back at the Olympus Pen I had been eyeing:

Though I will say I'm quite pleased with my DSLR, the price of the Olympus Pen isn't that much cheaper than what I got my DSLR for.  Maybe sometime in the future I'll get myself this camera if I still find myself wanting it hahaha.

Ok well, hopefully blog again soon..

Christmas Part 2 (?)

Hello again, I've updated the previous post (christmas, new years & birthday) with some pictures finally ^^;

While I was adding the pictures, I thought of other things I wanted to share, but instead of just adding to that post and making it super super long, I figured a new post would be easier for me ^^; So here goes..

Disneyland is at it's best during the holidays I believe, especially at night (: Even better if you can experience all the special holiday events

• It's a Small World -- Holiday
• Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle
• A Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Believe.. in Holiday Magic Fireworks Spectacular
• Haunted Mansion Holiday
• Fantasmic (no holiday version) on Tom Sawyer Island in Rivers of America

As mentioned before, Fantasmic was cancelled, as well as the fireworks part for Believe, but we did get to watch the Christmas Fantasy Parade! Of course, the sky was dark, and it was pretty difficult to take any good pictures (as my camera doesn't do very well in lowlight, unless your hands and the subject are SUPER SUPER SUPER extremely still for about 10 seconds) Also, I'm not the tallest girl out there, and there was a group of children in front of me and some adults that would stick their arms out randomly and get into my picture hahaha.

Cinderella and Prince Charming, was hard to capture the couples as they were continuously dancing, and rotating into the float, while the others danced around them (does that make any sense?)

The parade had many beautifully decorated floats (I couldn't get good shots of each one ><) with all the princesses and their princes, as well as characters from Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, Mickey Mouse & Friends (?? how do I call them? Goofy, Donald, etc?), as well as Holiday Characters like Snowmen/women, reindeer, Troop of Wooden Soldiers, etc and of course Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus

Pooh and Tigger were actually 'driving' the sleds they're sitting on! It was pretty cool, they'd do some criss-crossing and "race" and "crash" into each other, as well as stop and pose for pictures (: they didn't go too fast, so no worries! despite how slow the parade was, it was still hard to get decent pictures 

Everyone 'Awwed' when the snowman (woman? girl?) in pink made a super kawaii pose during their little dance. Also my mom's favorite of them all!

My "could have been a great picture" picture lol -- Snow White and her Prince

Ok so I was going to post more, but then I've gotten bored of the parade LOL -horrible-, the other pictures aren't that much better... the reindeer are kind of creepy looking, and the a blurry picture of Chip n Dale in their car, and Santa's back/shoulder - -; yeah so. It was really nice, and beautifully decorated, with wonderful music.

But all the people trying to "Get through to the other side" that were pushing and shoving and making us move for them was really irritating -- this was just before the parade began. We happened to be standing next to a churro-cart, and which was just a SMALL DISTANCE away from an opening in the roped-street (they were creating the path for the parade, and roped off the area for people to watch). I swear the opening was less than 1 city block away from where my mom, boyfriend, and I were standing -- yet they ALL insisted on pushing and shoving the people behind and around us to unhook the rope so they could walk into the cleared street.  A group of girls that had done this even said aloud after we let them through "Ohmygod why are they so angry for? xD..." Yet, I know I shouldn't say this, but the way she said that, makes me feel that 99% she would have been super pissed if she had 382409238408 people pushing her to get through when there's an opening a few paces away ~_~. Also what really irritated me was that, the group standing next to us, and a bit in front of us were mostly children.. SMALL children yet all these huge adults insisted on pushing through -- I'm sure many fingers were stepped on (the children were sitting on the ground waiting patiently). When we told these rude people we wouldn't move for them, they would say "but I have to get through" you don't HAVE to get through right here >_> BLAH. THAT OPENING WAS REALLY CLOSE, Y U NO LOOK A LITTLE BIT HARDER (rage sigh..)

Still blurry.. but it's the best we could get, if you don't look at the enlarged image, it's not too bad I think xD

But yeah ^^; The parade was nice... lolol OH and here is the castle that my boyfriend and I tried to take a picture of 2394823894739287 times since both of us don't seem to have steady hands hahaha

It's a Small World -- there's also a show thing that's projected onto the lighted area O: it's pretty cool, there's music that goes with it too! but it was too difficult to get a picture of it x_x, it would play every hour or so (maybe every 30 minutes?)

There were lots of themed wreaths in fantasyland, they looked much better IRL -- it was really hard to keep my hands steady >< sorry!

Finally, the last of the Disney pictures -- Sleeping Beauty Castle during the Believe.. in Holiday Magic show -- "snow" magically piling up on the roof of the castle, right before the magic snow started (: It's really a beautiful show .. I wish it wasn't so windy that day ): I'm sure the fireworks would have been awesome!

Disneyland was really wonderful, I hope I can go again next year!

For Christmas, my boyfriend got me:

my first ever Christmas Cake 「クリスマスケーキ」♥♥

Special Christmas version : Strawberry Shortcake (Japanese Style)

This cake was so pretty! I was super excited to eat it (: I really love this kind of strawberry shortcake, as it's not as sweet, though I love Asian pastry because they're much less sweet than non-Asian pastries. I didn't want to eat itt! It was too beautiful (But of course I did in the end xD..) 

It was absolutely delicious I hope I can learn to make it one day.

That's all for now (:

Christmas, New Year's & Birthday

It's been a while. Now with Pictures ♥

More presents were around the tree after I took this photo O;

So, Christmas passed recently, as usual we had a family gathering to open presents as well as a giant potluck. My darling nieces, well second cousins, were all there. I call them niece since it's easier to understand, and also as I'm Chinese my cousins are more.. like my siblings? (though I'm sure there will be disagreements, but this is how it is in my family, we even call each other basically brother/sister, and my nieces call me aunt -- cousin-aunt properly) I really love them so much, they make me really happy. I hope that one day I'll be able to have my own children or at least be able to care for some more often. We rarely get to see my nieces, as they live quite far, and so we usually only get to see them once a year.

I'm so happy they remember me, or at least the eldest does -- I like to think, although with conceit, that I'm her favorite relative. There's something magical about seeing her face light up when she sees me.

Though, I must say the happiest of my Christmas wasn't playing with my super cute nieces, but something that happened 2 days earlier.  My boyfriend, my mom, and I went to Disneyland together.

the giant christmas tree in front of Main Street, USA, Disneyland

It was super super windy, which also made it super cold, we had to get jackets at the store (even bad weather is good news for Disney huh? though just kidding) was quite expensive, but made the weather much more bearable. Specially for our trip to Disneyland, my mom let him stay overnight so he wouldn't have to drive so much (: I was super happy xD

We went on many of the rides too! My mom went with us as well, it was unexpected but quite fun, we went on Splash Mountain, regrettably the three of us were placed in the front half of the log in the log flume, my mom insisted on sitting in front knowing she'd get wet. We ended up staying in the bathroom for quite a while, as I hogged the Dyson hand blower to dry my mom's pants ahaha, luckily she wore leggings under her jeans so she didn't have to stay locked in a stall until I was done.  Though I understand why she wanted to be the one to get wet, I wish she would have let me sit first as my hair dries a lot faster than hers and I also didn't have it styled.

Horse trolley thingy, barely got the picture with my ninja hands fufufu... (wtf ok sorry i know it's a terrible picture but good enough!)

All in all it was quite fun, the park was decorated brilliantly, with lots of lights and ornaments everywhere.  Sadly the fireworks events for both the Believe and Fantasmic shows were cancelled as the winds were too strong at the altitude required for the fireworks.  They still played the music and lighting effects for Believe, but it really wasn't as magical as when the fireworks are included (a really pretty shooting star firework over Sleeping Beauty Castle like you see before a Disney movie).  There was also magical snow! Which.. wasn't quite snow, rather just soap foam blown from the rooftops. It was quite well done though, looking straight up into the dark sky I could watch small white bits floating downward. I really wondered to myself whether that was what snow looked like. My mom was really disappointed in not being able to see the fireworks, we felt really bad about that.

Thinking back I thought, maybe we shouldn't have gone on that day, but we had already cancelled the trip three times -- all for the weather too, once after the wind storm, and twice for the rain.

Ah! The windstorm, that was.. really crazy! That night that it occurred, I was up late and I could hear the wind whistling through the trees in my yard and the windows. I could also feel the wind enter the house through the air conditioning unit next to me. It was really strange I hadn't felt something like that before. The lights also flickered a bit, but only once or twice and for but a split second. And as I laid in bed, I remember thinking of this scene in Tonari no Totoro (My Neighbor Totoro)

well this and the bath scene

I really thought the roof might fly off if the wind blew any harder.  Many trees fell in our area, luckily none around my home, but a lot of the shingles came off from our roof, and we need to get our roof redone because of this. It was really scary going to school the next day, I had to take many detours since many of the streetlights weren't working, and thus many traffic accidents occurred. Along the way, there were streets, usually with four lanes in each direction, were narrowed into single lanes due to the trees and branches strewn everywhere.  Many buildings had dents on the edges of them left from trees that landed there from the 96mph winds. Then of course, as I got to school, there were security guards holding an 8.5"x11" sheet of paper with words printed in maybe size 20 font "School cancelled". Could they have printed it any smaller lmao, swear wasted a whole sheet of paper for with text no one can read. Also there was no notice on the school website.

But all is well, I hope that troublesome time has been overcome for everyone affected by the strange winds, and for those still recovering as we are, to hang in there!

This is last year's present that I gave to my boyfriend -- forgot to take a picture of this years ):

Back to what I was saying, Christmas was quite nice this year, I was very worried about what to get my boyfriend, as I stress out easily and worry too much. Since I was six, I've been very troubled when it comes to getting gifts. My best friend at the time told me sternly to get her a gift that's 'useful'. I was then extremely troubled by what she meant and couldn't figure out what would be best to give her for her birthday. Still I worry a lot, much more than anyone should. But luckily, he loved the present I got him, and I was so relieved.

For New Year's we were invited to my sister-in-law's family home for a New Year's Party.  They're Japanese, and also follow Japanese New Year traditions with the food that they make and eat during the holiday. It was really nice, although we're still quite awkward between our families, at least with her siblings I don't quite seem to exist.  But perhaps it's due to my being too timid to take initiative.. I was saved when my cousins arrived, they alleviated my nerves a bit, and I was very happy to see them again. I really do love my dear cousins.  They had been asking my eldest aunt about social etiquette earlier in the night, and later on my cousin had begun to choke on food accidentally. Mind you, she's been ill since before Christmas, maybe.. since Thanksgiving? And so I'm sure her throat wasn't exactly cooperating with her the whole time either, and so I saw her face turn deep red, almost purple as she coughed.  Her parents offered her but a sip of orange soda, and they told her to drink water but she didn't have any at all. My aunt even said to her "that's one thing you shouldn't do too with social etiquette, don't choke". When I heard that I felt extremely upset, I thought to myself, 'how could you say that to her when she's choking and turning purple, obviously she isn't feeling well and you're saying something to make her feel worse?'  I was so bothered by it. I spoke immediately telling my aunt not to tell her something like that, as .. it's not like my cousin can magically stop, and it's not like she did it on purpose either.  Choking, from my experience at least, the more you worry about choking the easier it gets, and even if you suppress it, it only gets worse.  Due to my stupidity and lack of proper judgement, I wasn't quick to get my cousin a bottle of water, it's regrettable that I hadn't jumped up to get it faster, though you could say it counts that at least I did get her water. I couldn't believe that no one got up or worried as much as they should have, and also that no one spoke up when my aunt said those things.  Her parents were right there as well. 

I still wonder though, was I wrong to have defended her? Did she not need it? Was I  rude to say something like that? I still feel I wasn't wrong, I would feel horrible if I was told that it's rude to choke on my food when I'm already choking and on top of that in someone else's home in someone else's party that I've never been to, and don't know.  But I worry that I'm forcing my own feelings onto people and into situations when it's unnecessary.

Today is my birthday. Last night we had cake, and my first official legal taste of alcohol (it tasted quite like the nyquil I took the night before.. hahaha) I'm still a child, as it tasted quite foul, but I will admit that the sniff  I took later on smelled quite sweet and nothing like grape/cherry medicine. 

I made plans with my boyfriend to go eat, and my mom is making my favorite mushroom dish. I can't wait to eat them.  I'm a bit frustrated though, as my boyfriend is frustrated about dinner as we were originally going to Benihana, and my mom was invited and she kept doing this yes/no switch, and then he was worried about the actual place, and asked if there was anywhere I'd like to go in my area instead but. I have a hard time deciding things and choosing places. I've always let other people choose, since usually there is someone that wants something more than I do? If that makes sense. I know it's not good to be like this, but I always do feel that ... for someone else, there is something far more important that they want, than what I want.

I hope that today will be good too.

Life Post

As for why I type out the Japanese equivalents --

• If you're anything like me, I like to do more thorough searches by using both the English and Japanese name (like if I'm searching for recipes)
• Sometimes the English equivalent isn't available (like on Restaurant Menus) and I've romanized it myself (hopefully correctly lol)
• I've taken language courses and want to keep practicing so I can at least read the text more quickly and recognize characters more

What have I been up to recently?
Well, I just finished my last exams for the semester -- Yay!! And I've been to Little Tokyo (J-Town) so much recently, well.. only like 3 times this month? but omg! the last time I went was in like 5th grade hahaha.

Wax display of some of the menu items at the entrance

Two of the times we ate at Hanaichimonme「花いちもんめ」in Little Tokyo Plaza, the ramen there is actually pretty good. 

Hanaichi Ramen 「花いちラーメン」

I forgot the name of this set xD but it includes Hanaichi Ramen and shumai.

Shiratama zenzai「白玉ぜんざい」

Dessert: Shiratama zenzai: Three very cute plain round mochi with red bean. (I forgot to take a picture before we started eating it hahahaha! ._. sorry) This is so good! It's not too sweet, just right ♥♥♥ This came with the Maiko Set I ordered (Hanaichi Ramen with 2 inari zushi and small shiratamazenzai).

In Little Tokyo Plaza (which used to be Yaohan Plaza) the original Yaohan market changed to a Mitsuwa, which changed to what's now "Woori Market"  ( 금주세일? Market) Which is mostly a Korean market. And outside to my surprise (though only on the 2nd and 3rd trip, 1st time this wasn't there) was an Oishii Japan 「おいしい日本」Stand selling takoyaki 「たこ焼き」, imagawayaki 「今川焼き」, taiyaki 「たい焼き」, and a few others. I really wanted some but couldn't find any room in my stomach after we ate ): and couldn't bring myself to buy some takoyaki before eating lunch hahaha.

Later on, in my most recent trips, we went to Marukai, and I got these 2 cups for 1$ each !! I absolutely adore them. There were others that were also a dollar each, but I felt these two were best ♥ Though I'm not sure whether the other Marukai stores carry these cups.

• Both cups have inner diameter of 3 inches or about 76mm. Outer diameter 3 ¼ inch or about 82mm
• Vertical height: 3 ½  inch or almost 90mm
• Handle / Ear : 1 ¼ inch width or about 32mm width
• Volume: a little more than 8oz or 240cc (240mL)
• Microwave & Dishwasher safe

The measurements seem quite small, but in real life I think it feels larger than that.  Most standard packets of hot chocolate around here call for 6oz of boiling water (so little D: !!).

Hm... what else? Oh! and the glittery pink with black polka dot mirror (not available at the Little Tokyo Marukai) I mentioned a bit in a previous post -- Pretty&Cute is selling some similar mirrors that fold and unfold the same way! with 6 different prints, and various sizes. The size of my mirror is about 7¼" x 5½" , the largest available being sold there is 8" x 6", and the next largest is smaller than the one I own. Nonetheless they're really cute! I'm tempted to buy the light pink one, even though I bought 2 mirrors recently (lol what is this? what do I need 2 mirrors for?) 

Ok I know I'm going to be too lazy to add more pictures than what I need to put in this post, so I'll stop for now xD.

♥ Ellie

Favorite Soup

So recently, my love for anything Japanese has increased, though don't get me wrong, I've always loved Japan since I was young. -- My mom having been cared for by a Japanese woman while she was young, and my dad's interest in Japanese botanical gardens, and his decision to learn the language (!). And also my sister-in-law having Japanese roots (have I said the word enough yet? xD) as well as my beloved boyfriend.

Anyway! One of my most favorite soups, is Japanese styled Corn Potage or Corn Soup（コーンポタジ or コーンスープ ）I'm not very good with cooking, and so I've been having powder-packet versions. Why am I sharing this? Well, I have a very limited knowledge of kanji (and hiragana HAHAHAHA -stuck with reading katakana-) and so I spent quite a while translating the instructions and wish to share the .. well the "jist" of it I suppose. I'm aware that I wont be 100% accurate (probably not even 50% but good enough!)

Okay, this is Hokkai Yamato's Sapporo Soup Factory Corn Soup (札幌スープファクトリーコーンスープ) There are different types of soups available from this brand, I also have a pumpkin soup that I have yet to try. And! My new favorite bowl (I love ♥♥♥ dishware LOL)

• Instructions: (1 serving)
• Empty contents of 1 packet into a coffee cup or mug cup.
• Add 150mL (2/3 cup) of boiling water, immediately stir for 15 seconds. (adjust amount of water to your preference)
• Please take caution as it will be hot (uh yeah boiling water.. right) and then some other stuff I coudln't figure out hahahaha.

So, pretty easy, just add water basically -- sorry I couldn't figure out the rest, this is what it says though if you're curious:

• 1袋の中身のをカップに入れます。
• 熱湯150mlを注ぎ、すぐに15秒ほどかきませてくださ。（熱湯を量はお好みにより調節してください。）
• お湯を注いでから約1分で出来上がりです。 （１５０mlのめやすはマグカップ約６分目、コーヒーカップ約８分目です。）

I know I know "wtf, she can type out all the kanji and hiragana/katakana but can't read/understand it?" Yep! That's exactly it hahaha, I learned how to find kanji quickly in a dictionary so I'm able to type it out, but even if I'm able to translate each word, I still struggle to comprehend completely as I'm not well versed in Japanese.

Example: 「すぐに15秒ほどかきませてくださ。」

• I stupidly read it as "immediately after 15 seconds, please stir" and was quite perplexed as to why I would have to wait before stirring despite the obvious particle explaining (lolol i'm stupid shuttup) so I asked my boyfriend, only for him to laugh and tell me it's "please stir for 15 seconds after (pouring the hot water)". Sigh.. lol (his kanji isn't that great either so yeah...)

OKok.. I know I've written too much about something that isn't related to the soup really LOl. I really liked it, though the soup was quite thin, and not thick like in the picture but the taste was quite good so that's totally fine with me ♥♥

I've found a few recipes for this, and hopefully I will be able to make it well enough soon so I can also share my experience and impress some family&friends ;)

♥♥ Ellie

More Shopping

Hey! So.... being the klutz I am, I lost my battery charger for my camera battery sigh sigh sigh hahaha, but alas! I've found it and so here are more.. recent purchases. During the month of December, my home seems to get a package every other day if not everyday hahaha (not just my purchases, but my family's as well). You know, the electronic signature thing that the postmen/women use? I don't know if it's just me, but my signature turns into something like ^^^^^^^  after signing ahaha

Okay! (long post ><) So, back in November Pretty&Cute had their black friday sale (25% off everything), and finally decided to take the plunge and purchase some false eyelashes and an eyelash adhesive.

Now, I've never worn false eyelashes, so I must admit I went a little overboard since I wasn't sure if I'd like them (the deal was too good D: !!). As I haven't tried all of them, and don't have much to compare to I will only say as much as I've observed (sorry ><) From Top left to right, then bottom left to right:

• Dear Laura PA: eye-01 "Soothing Beauty" 
• Black colored spine, criss-cross design, the band itself is shorter than the length of my eye (the length along the curve of my eyelid is about 15/16ths of an inch or just shy of 3cm) Seemed to blend well with my lashes.
• Lioele: Doe-Eyed (double) 03
• D-Up Eyelashes Fixer EX: 553 (black type)
• Very sticky, and very black. I had some trouble removing it though, from both my skin and the lash band -- It detached easily when I ran a q-tip, soaked in makeup remover, along the band on my eyelid, but I had trouble getting the glue residue off the band. Possibly just user error, as I'm not experienced with lashes haha. Though I have tried the ardell duo lash grip, and that peeled off easily for me in piece. 
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.1 Dolly Sweet
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.2 Sweet Girly
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.3 Natural Girly
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.4 Feminine Style

Ok so I've only made a few attempts, and have learned that I'm quite terrible at putting on false lashes hahaha.  

Another thing I noticed was that Dolly Wink 1 and 2 are longer width-wise compared to 3 and 4. I didn't purchase the lower lashes as my lower lashes, with just 1 coat of mascara, become as long and dark as my upper lashes and then I start to feel my face looks really weird ^^;

And so after messing around with the eyelashes, I noticed I was running really low on makeup remover. For a  while now I'd been looking at Mandom's Cleansing Express bottles over in Mitsuwa and Marukai and was really curious about it -- then lo and behold, XiaXue did an advertorial on the line (though under it's new name Bifesta) I purchased the Bright Up version, rather than the Sebum version despite my oily combination skin. I can't say whether I made the right choice xD, I figured my skin is going through some major changes atm (I've gone from being super super oily, to having patches of dry skin on my face, and developing eczema on my body ><) and also, my skin has always been a bit dull so.. yeah xD

This remover is water based (!!!) I really disliked the oily residue and sheen left behind with other makeup removers, especially since my eyelids tend to get oily on the fold of my double eyelid.  It seems to work just as well as my previous remover (the cheap blue colored kind where you shake it).

This remover is a pump bottle (much like lotion or hand soap bottles) that also has a plastic lock for the neck that's can be taken off before use and easily snaps back on to the neck once you're done. This lock is used for many japanese products, and I absolutely love it! I'm extremely clumsy so something I'll some how press the pump (wtf ? I know..) and will waste product without meaning to! What I like about this remover:

• Water based, feels like water -- not thick or filmy
• Pump bottle rather than pour (can press down slowly to regulate amount that comes out as well)
• Don't have to shake the bottle
• No smell (I'm a bit sensitive to scents, though most removers I've used don't smell like anything)

This remover may be a bit expensive though due to being imported -- If I recall correctly, I got it for about 11$ though I've seen it online for 15-17$.

The CS-Being facial cotton is quite soft, was $2.xx, 110 squares. It's quite soft, but I feel it could still be softer, they're quite fluffy and can be peeled in half (so it's like 2 sheets in 1?), the fibers run in 1 direction so if you pull against the grain, the square will stretch a bit, and if you pull along the grain it'll rip in half. Also the package is perforated lengthwise along the front, so you can open it that way (much like the plastic menstrual pad packages).

another view & ingredients: 1,2

Lioele Powdery Sun Chiffon (also purchased from Pretty&Cute)

• SPF 50
• Fluffy mousse texture, spreads easily
• Absolutely not oily, sticky, or greasy feeling; matte-like finish
• Can work as a primer (feels that way to me at least)
• Shiny mirror-like lid (minor distortion in reflection)
• Comes with inner-lid, and spatula (sadly spatula does not fit inside)
• Very soft slightly powdery, barely floral scent (I want to say it's similar to the smell of Sanrio stores lol)
• Lasts fairly long time (little goes a long way)

Ok, so I absolutely love this sunscreen, I didn't purchase two, the set on the left is actually the EMPTY jar that I finished. I've noticed that my skin, for some reason turns really dark o_o on its own throughout the day, It's really strange lol, but using this really helps my skin from changing color both from the sun and.. for reasons unknown (dirt & oil already taken into consideration, it happens after I shower too and stay in my clean bathroom o.o!).

The spatula (the straight one as shown) is really good and helps keep everything sanitary, but I really wish Lioele provided one that would fit between the 2 lids. The curved spatula shown in the picture is similar to the one you can find at Sephora, which fits perfectly! So yeah I really recommend this product! Super recommend it if I could! The scent is very faint, and can't be detected once applied. (oh, also on the container there should be a plastic seal around the sides that has a perforated section, so yeah!)

and so.. I'll end this one for now, it's so long D: I have troubles being concise sorry ><

♥ Ellie

Haul & Heart Spam

Been a while, sorry for removing posts but anyway -- What I've gotten recently:

From Mitsuwa: Panna AHA Morning Face Soap, Biore Marshmallow Whip foaming cleanser

• Both are foam cleansers with very dense foam (I also own a Shu Uemura foam cleanser which is less dense) I love the feel of foam cleansers haha, so I would say they are quite nice. Though for me, although I have oily combination skin, they do make my skin feel a bit taut after use, though there are many great reviews on the Biore one -- perhaps it's just me? I wouldn't say my skin feels super dry or anything, just a tad tight. ♥♥♥♥♥

From Target: Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm, Volume Express Mascara, and 2 Colossal (aka Magnum) mascara.

• The picture shows 5 balms, I actually got 6 and gave the purple one to my mom (grape flavored one). These lip balms are around $3-4 each, so they might be a bit expensive for some. I'm really stingy when it comes to lip products even though I shouldn't neglect my lips xD I got lucky and got all six for about 3$. They're very moisturizing and don't have the waxy feel to them, but I must mention they have the lip balm/ chapstick taste to them which I don't like. Other than that, they keep me from being chaptastic!♥♥♥♥♥

From Marukai: Sana Hadanomy Collagen Mist $6 (approx)

• The heart shaped bottle is so cute! I definitely couldn't resist getting this! (though I own the Limited Edition Summer Lemon Collagen Mist that has the same bottle but yellow colored) I've been using this mist to help moisturize my face as it absorbs quickly. Also my body is going through some change as my hair and skin type have both become much much less oily. ♥♥♥♥♥

From Sephora: Chloe by Chloe EDP Rollerball 25$

• I absolutely love this perfume, but it's so expensive! Also the cap on the one I received is a little wonky, so I might try to get it exchanged at Sephora as I'm afraid it might start to leak. I really can't describe the smell of this one, most reviews mention a very strong rose scent, but it isn't that way with my body chemistry there's a stronger fruity smell than floral. Well I'm sure that explained nothing hahaha, but I do love it! (and rose and other flowers usually just smell like grass to me xD..) ♥♥♥♥♥

Hello Kitty Key Covers: Hoodie (devil? and ?? swimming cap? hahahahah no idea but it's cute!)

• I also got these from Marukai to cover my car key -- The normal black plastic on my car key actually broke off and there's no loop on the metal, but luckily for me they fit in most key caps! They're super cute and you can take off the pink "hood" to reveal a normal hello kitty! I much prefer these over the other more "flat" key covers, they're made of silicon? perhaps, quite solid but still a bit soft, but definitely not like stress relief balls or anything. Lint sticks to them a bit as you can see in the image, but easily wiped off. Love them! ♥♥♥♥♥

From Marukai: SCawaii [エス カワイイ] November 2011 - W♥C Kumatan Tissue Pouch

• Pouch has zipper top to store small items, and a center slit on the side to dispense tissue from tissue packets (Puffs to-go tissue packs fit perfectly!) Kumatan design is super cute, I love this brand and was so happy to get it! The white in the image is tissue sticking out haha, of course it wont usually be sticking out like that.

From Sanseido: Non-no [ノンノ] January 2012 - Pink&White Polka Dot Pouch with Lip Balm

• The pink pouch is of a satiny material, and in my opinion, the PERFECT pink color. I really love more orangey pinks haha, the zip is not just across the top, but along both of the short sides so it opens wide. Inside there is a square pocket and 3 sectioned elastic parts to place items. The lip balm is by Mogitate Kajitsu [もぎたて果実] with noted collaboration with Shueisha: Non-no (the magazine and publisher) in Strawberry Macaron flavor [いちごマカロンの香り]

From Kinokuniya: Cutie [キューティ] November 2011 - Black&White Polka Dot Mirror with Pouch

• Better Image of mirror, it also comes with a cute pouch to carry it in, or use as a makeup bag separately but still match the cute mirror! Also this mirror is a collaboration with the brand Cecil McBee [セシルマクビー]. And just to mention this, on the white spots on the mirror there is pink script that reads C.M.

Japanese Magazines! Oh how I love them <3 I know I know, they're expensive and you can read scans online, but I find I actually read or at least study each page much more with a physical copy -- not sure why that is.  And of course another plus is getting a special item along with some issues xD.  ♥♥♥♥♥

From Marukai: 「ファブリックミラー  ドットピンク」 $16.50 (ouch but omg so cute)

• Translation: Fabric Mirror Dot Pink (dot pink is the design/style name) There were two other designs which I didn't really care for and didn't take a picture of (sorry) this opens the same way as the black&white Cutie magazine mirror. Isn't it so super sparkly? I love it a lot! ♥♥♥♥♥

Thanks all for now, ♥ Ellie