Getting into Character

Let's open with the statement that I am not yet a proper actor. Not yet.

I've been told, however, that I can create very convincing characters.

IHeart Organizing: Reader Space: A Framed Magnetic Chalkboard Tutoria...

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I have asthma. This is significant because despite my asthma--which is already under control anyway--I have always been obsessed with chalk boards. I love the idea of having a chalk board in the kitchen and have been entertaining the idea of having one in our home office as well. But seeing this post from a reader of IHeart Organizing, I realise suddenly that I was thinking rather small.

I love the concept of using sheet metal as the chalk board surface! Originally I'd intended to use a thick piece of cork but was fretting over how cork boards eventually wear out but this one is just genius to me because sheet metal means I can use magnets. Yes, they also wear out over time, but it does save me from pricking my finger every now and then. ^^; I can be that clumsy, admittedly.

I've also toyed with the idea of white boards but somehow chalk boards just have a better graphic appeal. Plus, dustless chalks aren't the only option anymore; now we have liquid chalk which is also dustless and comes in a variety of colours that will definitely feed that colour-coding monster inside me.

So yes, note to self: get custom shelf built, and either stick a bit of sheet metal onto it, or make a magnetic chalk board as inspired by the above post.

Fun with Make-up #1

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

This is just a very simple look that I did prior to going out for the afternoon.

This look was brought to you using:

• Suesh Make-up Brushes
• Myra VitaGlow Tinted Moisturiser in Beige
• Lancome Eye Shadow in Montage
• M.A.C. Eye Shadow in Aquadisiac
• Nichido Powder Blush in Sunkissed
• The Face Shop Real Moisture Lipstick in PP403
• Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara in Black
• M.A.C. Studio Fix Powder + Foundation in NC42 (to clean up the bottom lash line)

Originally posted as Boudoir Angel on Tumblr, 16 June 2010

The Kit #1: My Favourite Basics

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

If I were to name a mere three make-up items I keep handy, it would be mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick. In that order.

Having gone to a private, all-girls' school, I grew up with a whole host of restrictions, not the least of which were restrictions on what I could and could not wear at school where most of my social activities were focused. At the time, I had to keep my selections to the barest minimum which consisted of lip balm, a lash curler and mascara. I knew more than most would have figured I knew however. I was an avid reader of seventeen which came from the US at the time since Summit Media had not yet brought the local version to the market yet. At least, not that I knew of.

These days, my bare minimum kit has gotten an upgrade:

• Pressed powder/foundation - of which I am completely in love with my M.A.C. Studio Fix though I may go a little darker next time or have NC42 and a darker shade on the side handy
• Blush - my Nichido Sunkissed gets the most use as it is the palest of my blushers
• Lipstick - which is currently the discontinued The Face Shop Real Moisture Lipstick in PP403
• Mascara - and I am in love with Max Factor's False Lash Effect, alternating it with Masterpiece Max

First to go, should I need to pare down, would usually be the blush. And since I"ve been using a good deal of my Myra VitaGlow since it's gotten cooler, I've discovered that applying it with a foundation brush gives me a more Photoshopped finish. It keeps my fingers clean too.

When it's really dry out I do always bring my M.A.C. Strobe Cream which does wonders when my skin gets parched. I know an increase in fluid intake will help too and I have but when my skin is parched, it's parched!

Inspired by a video on VideoJug, I have since managed to keep more than just those items in my very small make-up kit which also holds my lip balm, my lipstick, a stacking jar containing Maybelline's Dragonfly Red, Revlon's Wet Wet Red, and a random unknown lipstick, mascara, and another set of stacking jars containing 7 eye shadow powders. I also have my pocket lash curler, powder foundation, powder blush, and two eye shadow sticks.

My Suesh brushes remain in their original case and my VitaGlow and Strobe Cream are in a separate pocket in my bag.

I have learned in the past year that I don't need to put everything on to feel and look gorgeous, and it does make me wonder at the same time if, as some may assert, things you own, friends you keep, etc., can give others a sense of the kind of person you are.

I wonder what my kit says about me?


Originally posted as Boudoir Angel on Tumblr, 16 June 2010

Eat your veggies, among other things

First of all, I know, I know. There's loads still of photos I haven't uploaded or re-uploaded. The internet has not been a very good friend lately so I'm aiming for batch uploading on weekend late nights instead. It'll save me from nightly tears of frustration, I think.

Anyway.

Vegetables. I can't say I'm a huge fan of a lot of them, but I can't say that I dislike my vegetables either. I love vegetable salads, for one thing, and I enjoy a nice vegetarian meal every now and then. Since the beginning of Lent I seem to have unconsciously made a mental note to eat more vegetables. Not fast or give something up. Instead, I chose to eat more vegetables.

Chilling

On a happier note.

After running some errands, the husband and I stopped for a bit of R&R at Subway last Thursday afternoon.

This is significant because we haven't really sat down anywhere just to read in a very long time. But there we were that afternoon, eating our sandwiches, each of us with a book in hand, savoring a good book each (his was one of the books from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and mine was Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic), good food, and silence that we do not often get at home.

Bliss.

My Collection of Nichido Eye Liners

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

As of late I'd been looking for some cheap thrills just to give me a little pick-me-up during these difficult days. One of my favourite cheap thrills is a brand called Nichido and bits and pieces from its colour collections. At less than a hundred bucks a pop that's a very cheap thrill for something that makes me feel good if fleetingly.

I messed up the swatches on my hand a little bit but I'll post the names after the cut in their proper order.

Myra VitaGlow Tinted Mineral Moisturiser: The Week After

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

After a week of using the product, just a list of observations I've made on how my skin reacted to it.

Love it because

• it's a moisturiser so it doesn't dry out immediately upon contact with my skin giving me time to move the colour around and blend it in evenly and flawlessly.
• I've finally managed to get most of the product on my face rather than my fingers--it seems that the trick is to keep rubbing it into my skin until it dries to a powdery feel--and I discovered that if I apply a dab of alcogel to my hands, I can redistribute the traces of the product from my fingers to the rest of my hand, giving my hands a little bit of glow.
• even if the heat was at "OMG I'm melting!" degrees, it stayed on, keeping most of my face looking flawless.
• it made me feel fully made-up even if I'd only put on the tinted moisturiser, mascara and lip balm.

Annoyed with it because

• the summer heat wave has given me dry patches and the moisturiser isn't strong enough to soothe them.
• attempts to reapply the product just made the appearance of the dry patches worse since the tint and minerals settled into the dry bits of skin.
• my very slick lip balm tends to bleed and when it touches the edges of my lips where a bit of moisturiser is, the products mixed and made my face seem like it's really melting especially when, after eating, I dab my lips with tissue.

I haven't noticed any real changes or improvements yet but my cheeks did feel wonderfully smooth. Perhaps I'll do a comparison after I've finished off the entire tube.


Originally posted as Boudoir Angel on Tumblr, 19 May 2010

Side by Side Comparison: With and Without M.A.C. Strobe Cream

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

Just a little comparison, this time of the effect with the powder.

On the left is the pure Studio Fix Powder + Foundation, and on the right, the same product but with the Strobe Cream layered underneath.

Granted I took the first photo during the day and the flash kind of messed up the glow effect from the Strobe Cream the difference is still obvious.


Originally posted as Boudoir Angel on Tumblr, 14 May 2010

M.A.C. Strobe Cream PLUS Studio Fix Powder + Foundation

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

I said before that I wasn't too happy with how the Strobe Cream worked on my face because it made my already oily skin look greasier. However, I read a long since lost article that said underneath powder, Strobe Cream works wonders. So this is my second product trial.

Regaining Balance

Today we are back to the set up I originally envisioned for myself: one household helper and I splitting the majority of the chores with the rest of the family pitching in.

Except right now, this isn't quite the most ideal set up.

IHeart Organizing: How We Meal Plan For Our Clan

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This has been a bit of a thorn in the side for our family, what with everyone having very vast menu preferences, dietary limitations, and, of course, budgeting concerns.

This is a very nice starting point though. We've got the basics down rather similarly but I could still learn a thing or two from their system. The menu binder and clipboards are of particular interest to me and that menu board sure looks good--reusable too, compared to my (albeit on recycled) paper print outs.

Sometimes life just quiets down so much...

After Ireland things just suddenly feel so boring right now, haha.

Something that recent events here at home has brought to my attention is the fact that I seriously need to work on my personnel management skills. And perhaps, better screening for household personnel, especially since we put a major premium on trustworthiness in people who work for us.

Princess Fantasies

First let me make it clear that I've never wanted to become a princess, exactly. I only ever wanted their clothes and perhaps that handsome prince who always seems to be part of the package.

My princess (wardrobe) fantasies began very early in my life owing, perhaps, to the fact that most books I read were of princesses and fairy tale adventures. I can't say I fancied the idea of having to go through running through a dark forest to escape my wicked stepmother, or sleeping for a hundred years, but if you're not into the whole damsel in distress drama, I'm quite sure you would understand the separation between wanting the material bits (have I stressed the clothes enough times yet?) but not the work part (really now, running a kingdom?).

Myra VitaGlow Tinted Mineral Moisturizer

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

Watching the likes of Lauren Luke (panacea81 on YouTube and creator of the By Lauren Luke line) and Marlean (MakeUpGeekTV on YouTube) has taught me a great deal of ins and outs when it comes to make-up and one of the things that I've often heard them speak of is the make-up base.

I always thought that you start off with the foundation and then build up from there but apparently, times have changed since my Barbie doll helped me learn how to put on make-up. The make-up base helps even everything out prior to putting on any other product (whether worn as THE foundation or underneath it).

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day: Photo Dump

I've been very frustrated with my internet connection lately hence the failure to post my photos daily despite taking them daily. >.<

Since I post my daily photos in their original size, I've put them behind the cut. :D

IHeart Organizing: March Challenge: Project "Household Binder" {Link ...

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I have literally been spending hours on end going over Jen's blog.

I am learning so much from her and I've been (mentally) adjusting things according to my own family's needs and, of course, the environment in which I live.

Foot(wear) Fetish

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

I never really cared much for shoes until recently when I realised that there are so many shoes in my shoe closet that need replacing. Now, I'm obsessed. Well, not entirely, perhaps, but I have been going on this hunt for the perfect footwear, finding the most comfortable and flexible shoes I can manage to get.

M.A.C. Strobe Cream and Studio Fix Powder + Foundation

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

I mentioned before that I'd requested my aunt to purchase for me some M.A.C. products, among them, the Strobe Cream and, because I needed it for theatrical purposes, the Studio Fix Powder + Foundation.

I first learned to use compact powders from my grandmother who has always been...who always was very conscious of how she looked and presented herself to people. I was nine when I received my first powder compact but though I enjoyed using it--it made me feel like a proper little lady--I eventually stopped doing so as it was very tiresome for me.

Fast forward to the 2000s when work has forced to me consider foundation (powder or otherwise) a necessity.

IHeart Organizing: Conquer Clothing Clutter!

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Okay, I officially love Jen's blog. I see so many things that I can use for around the house and so many ideas that I can mix and match and adjust to suit my needs.

I'll be tackling my closet soon so her entries on it is quite the eye opener/inspiration for me. There is so much I'm learning from her, seriously. It makes me want to take pictures of the entire process and progress I'm making just so I can show it all off too! XD

L'Oreal Renewal Lash Serum, Week One

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

Introducing a new experimental product (and by that I mean something I may or may not keep using), L'Oreal's Renewal Lash Serum.

I am a huge fan of anything that will make my lashes look more dramatic, regardless of whether it will look natural or not, so when this product came out, I was very excited.

The claim:

L'Oreal Renewal Lash Serum is an intensive formula enriched with arginine (an amino acid) and centella (which is apparently an herb, therefore an herb extract) to help give lashes a boost of nourishment to reivie and renew them, as well as prevent excessive lash fall out.

My Suesh Brush Set

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

This is my Suesh 12-piece brush set!

The actual cost for this set is PhP2,200 but I got it on sale for PhP1,700. I've been using it for nearly a month now and it's so worth it!

For those like me who are first time users of professional quality brushes, care and maintenance is a must! The brush set comes with care instructions which is excellent as I wouldn't have known the first thing in brush maintenance.

Properly cared for, these ought to last me a good long time and since I'm a non-pro, having all these tools handy is definitely a huge help in cutting down my prep time.

Originally posted as Boudoir Angel on Tumblr, 4 May 2010

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day 10: The Best Part of My Weekend

My birthday was in April but I only really managed to celebrate it with some friends yesterday when we had our Dubliners reunion.

 This cake was ordered all the way back in March from The Bunny Baker, who managed to put together my vague vision of a pot of gold and lucky charms in a field of grass and flowers together into this gorgeous confection.

Optimistically, I chose a very Irish theme for the cake because at the time, we hadn't gotten our Irish visas yet and we were all praying so hard we'd be able to attend the wedding.

Well, ta-daaaaa!

Ireland 2012, Part 6: The Fil-Irish Wedding

I have so few photos to share for the wedding day mainly because I was actually participating and not just a guest, harhar. Also, there are usually fewer photos when my husband has the camera. He's really not that kind of artist.

I love you anyway, darling. :D

I don't know why but I get so much more emotional with other people's weddings. I didn't cry a single tear at mine, much to our photographer's dismay--and likely to our make-up artist's relief. (LOL!) But I cried at both of my best friends' weddings, especially at this one, the one that happened in Ireland, because if you track back on all the entries labelled Ireland 2012, you'll see the kind of stress that my best friend (and really, everyone else involved) went through.

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day 09: My View Today

First of all, you might be wondering what happened to my Day 08 photo. In a sentence: it got corrupted. >.< Something went wrong with my memory stick and it churned out an invalid photo although I was so sure I was able to take the shot.

*sigh*

Anyway, this is Day #9: My View Today.

Remember that empty desk from this entry? Not so empty today because I've been fixing more of the boxes of junk--mostly paper--that accumulated over the past year here in our home office. In fact, my mum, as I was writing this, popped in and upon looking around the office immediately went "Wow, you've cleared out a lot of stuff!"

Why yes, yes I did and I'm quite proud of the progress I'm making. :D

IHeart Organizing: 5 Time Management Tips for Busy Families

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Although my user name is "The Career Housewife" please do take note that I've only just gotten married and therefore I am quite new to all of this so far.

From Tony Burgess on Tumblr: Conflict Resolution From A Faith Perspective, For Everyone

Conflict Resolution From A Faith Perspective, For Everyone

It's interesting how I came across this just when I'm in most need of this kind of little rap on the head.

How I deal with confrontations is rather paradoxical. I'd very easily take up arms and storm the neighbour's house should they be causing too much noise at "Why the heck are you still making such a racket"-o'clock. I've been known to storm across the road to yell at production crews shooting TV shows or movies at a neighbour's house if their lights and/or undue noise (meaning voices or any other sound not belonging to actors saying lines or doing whatever they're required for a scene) disturbs my peace.

More personal matters are another thing entirely.

Great finds and red lipstick pride

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

Since a prior involvement with some self-proclaimed eco warriors, I have consciously attempted to take more seriously my prior efforts to abide by the example Captain Planet and his Planeteers tried to set.

This find was something I came across whilst browsing a mini branch of the ECHOstore with my mum. Both are from their Body Basics line and contain peppermint which, while I'm not fond of eating, I am definitely fond of sniffing.

On the left is the antibacterial spray (this one is the totable kind; they do have larger bottles of this) and on the right is the lip balm. I found both to be quite refreshing though the lip balm was a bit too soft and easily melts even in the slightest heat. Moisturises perfectly though and it was what I wore underneath my first trial run for my new M.A.C. lipstick.

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day 07: Drink

My nearly empty mug of iced coffee.

I don't always have a cup of coffee in the morning. But these mornings I've been taking it just to perk up. It usually lasts me the whole morning (meaning roughly 7:00am to 10:00am) and I find that making it an iced coffee lessens the stale taste as it warms to room temperature.

It's pathetic, I know, but that's me and coffee.

From Tony Burgess on Tumblr: The Nicene Creed, A Important Statement of Faith

The Nicene Creed, A Important Statement of Faith

I haven't said this prayer in a long time. I can, perhaps, attribute the fact to it being drummed into our little schoolgirl heads that it just lost all meaning.

I love our teachers in primary and secondary school but faith isn't about textbooks and classrooms, it's about testament.

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day 06: Hat

Okay, I may be called out on a technicality here as this is called a flat cap and not a flat hat, but it's the closest head gear to a hat that I...rather, my husband, has.

My husband agonized over buying this for the entire two weeks of our stay in Ireland. Finally, when they met again at the airport, he looked at me and went, "Can I buy it?"

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day 05: Sign

This is a very old sign that I bought back in 2000, I believe at Sea World in San Diego. It now serves as a very casual signifier of where our home office is.

For those who may be wondering, no, our office has nothing to do with polar bears crossing wherever. Online intimates (the people I often refer to as my Heart Siblings), however, know me as the Polar Bear, hence my original blogs bearing the name "BearPolarity"--what I thought to be a clever play on the word "bipolar" which may occasionally characterize my blog entries. (My husband has since been nicknamed by the same as the Sun Bear.)

Never too late

Of course maintenance is very important but life just doesn't always happen the way we want it to.

This past weekend has been dedicated to cleaning up our home office which, finally, looks a bit closer to a home office again.

The truth is while I can be quite obsessive about how my things are arranged, where everything is placed, and all of that, I was never a very tidy person.

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day: 02-04

I missed posting the past two days because my browser suddenly went crazy on me. But I've caught up and now, my June daily photos from Saturday up to today!

Okay, so maybe it's not literally empty but considering this is my office desk and it's this clear, I'd say this is quite Empty. I've just finished cleaning my computer, and my desk, reorganising my desk drawers, and generally getting everything back to where they ought to be. Which brings me to...

...what's still On My Plate. And in case you're thinking it, no, my desk isn't empty because I shoved everything on the couch. Those actually were on the couch to begin with, as much as I loathe to admit it. The only clear space on the couch is the half you can't see in the photo--the one occupied by my cat.

No, she is not part of what's still on my plate.

Speaking of  clean-ups though:

This is a paint brush. Full of cat hair. If you haven't guessed yet that I spent my entire weekend doing some belated spring cleaning, well, this is the ultimate proof of it. This cat hair used to be

• in between keys on my keyboard
• blocking the sensor on my optical mouse
• on top of my desk
• in the printer paper tray

And yes, that cat hair belongs to the same cat up in the second photo. My husband insists on not allowing pets in the office but I can't resist her mewing and pleading for us to let her in. She likes being with her mum and dad.

So that's my daily photo catch up post. With free story! Hahaha!

Cheers all, and here's to keeping up with the daily photos this month!

My first set of MAC Products

Note: This is an old entry reposted from my old blog called Boudoir Angel on Tumblr. I'm reposting all of these old entries because I plan to delete my old blog and consolidate everything to this one. Some posts may have its text updated and/or reformatted slightly according to the platform change.

My first set of M.A.C. make-up, a gift from an aunt who'd just come in to visit from the U.S.

I first fell in love with M.A.C. because of Lauren Luke's YouTube tutorials as panacea81. I later tried them at the store counter and thought they were fantastic. They're quite pricey, to be honest, but well worth it.

This is the bag the products came in. Imagine my mad giggling when this was handed to me. A little note to self that I made though was that it's better for me to make my M.A.C. purchases here since it's really just the same price unless you can buy it duty free.

Blog Maintenance #5: Blog Schedule

I can't believe I'm actually making one. Correction: that I've actually made one.

This is seriously one of those sure-fire signs that my psychological state isn't at its peak. Thankfully, I don't turn to food disorders. I just try to get things that are in disarray back into place.

Progress has been slow on that front but there is progress. It gets tiresome when you're trying to do your own thing and you have to mind the entire rest of the house. I so admire those mums (working or stay at home) who do it all by themselves. Seriously. I'm still learning how I can get a handle on all of this stuff.

Fat Mum Slim's June Photo A Day: 01 Morning

No glorious sunrise here. Instead I am posting what my real morning is: a messy office desk in the midst of a belated spring cleaning. This is actually far less clutter already and no, it's not because everything else is on the floor.