Gizmo & Yoshi

February 2023 Empties 月底空瓶

2023-03-03T09:31:00.005-06:00

Finished a couple sunscreens this past month. 以下是我2月清空的护肤品.

Innisfree Daily UV Defense Sunscreen - Love the creamy texture and would repurchase, but I do wish it had higher spf.

Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Sunscreen - Would never repurchase. because it leaves white cast and doesn't spread evenly.

January 2023 Empties 月底空瓶

2023-02-09T12:05:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the belated post! Life got busy :(

Below are my emptied skincare products from January 2023! 以下是我1月清空的护肤品！

OLEHENRIKSEN Invigorating Night Transformation Gel - Really helped to smooth out my skin bumps. I would repurchase!

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Cream - Thick, but moisturizing. Would recommend for cold and dry weather.

Vichy Capital Soleil Dry Touch Anti-Shine spf 50 - Thick and dries matte, so I didn't enjoy using it.

Kitao Matcha & Chia Essence Lotion - Absorbed easily into my skin and made my skin pump and bouncy. I would repurchase!

PrettySkin Vitamin C Ampoule - Fragrance free and soaked easily into skin in the mornings.

Missha Time Revolution Night Repair Probio Ampoule - I like that it had no scent and I could see results within 2 weeks. So if I find it on sale I would repurchase.

What I read in 2022

2023-01-08T08:51:00.001-06:00

A list of the books I completely finished in 2022 (我2022年读过的书):

Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism - Aja Barber
The Secular Creed - Rebecca McLaughlin
Silence - Shusaku Endo
Free Food for Millionaires - Min Jin Lee
A Child Called It - Dave Pelzer
The Lost Boy - Dave Pelzer
The Prodigal God - Timothy Keller
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo
Thou Shalt not be a Jerk - Eugene Cho

End of Year Empties 空瓶

2023-01-05T11:42:00.002-06:00

I can't believe 2022 is over! 以下是我年底清空的护肤品！ Below's what I finished using towards the end of this personally crazy year:

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C 24 Hour Moisturizer - Rose scent too strong, and broke me out, so I had to use the rest on my body. I do not recommend.

Dr Jart's Cicapair™ Tiger Grass Calming Gel Cream - I got to try this for free, because my sister handed it down to me when she moved to Tokyo. This face lotion is moisturizing and didn't feel sticky, so I do recommend and would use it again.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Surface Hydration - I didn't like the texture of this moisturizer, so I ended up using it as hand cream Lol

AmorePacific Vintage Single Extract Essence (Not pictured) - Great results, but expensive, so if I find it on sale again I would repurchase.

T hayer's Facial Toner Lavender - One of my fave toners. Would purchase again if on sale.

Innisfree Dewy Glow Jelly Cream - Smell nice, and absorbs quickly. This was a sample size, and I liked it enough so I purchased the regular size when it was on sale to use in 2024 haha

2022 Drama Recap

2023-01-02T09:59:00.003-06:00

See below for a list of the tv shows I watched and remembered from 2022 (aka the year Covid became endemic):

1. Silent Sea
2. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
3. Old Enough!
4. Singles Inferno (Season 1)
5. Because this is My First Life
6. All of Us are Dead
7. The World of the Married
8. Anatomy of a Scandal
9. Alchemy of Souls (Part 1)
10. Bridgerton (Season 2)
11. Kim’s Convenience (Season 5)
12. Light The Night (Parts 2 & 3)
13. Derry Girls (Season 3)
14. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life
15. The Empress
16. Royal Feast / 尚食
17. Love like the Galaxy / 星汉灿烂
18. Fighting Youth / 正青春
19. A Dream of Splendor / 梦华录
20. Mom, Don’t Do That! / 媽，別鬧了！
21. House of the Dragon (Season 1)
22. Rings of Power (Season 1)
23. Wednesday (Season 1)
24. Sh**ting Stars

Lanikai Beach (Hawaii 2022)

2022-10-14T19:39:00.000-05:00

I was able to visit my favorite beach in the world again!! Lanikai Beach in Kailua, Oahu is clean, and has the most gorgeous water, and fine white sand imo.

Lanikai during the day, above, and during sunset, below.

Koko Head Crater Hike (Hawaii 2022)

2022-10-11T09:56:00.003-05:00

Traveled to Hawaii this year with a large friend group to attend my roommate's wedding! I chose this hike because I wanted to conquer these stairs 👊

I'm grateful and happy I brought food and friends on this hike.

(going up!)

(close up on how they converted the old rails into stairs)

(almost to the top!)

(view from top - facing North)

(view from top - facing South)

(going back down!)

TIP: Start early in the morning if you want to avoid baking under the hot noon sun!

Grinter's Sunflower Farm

2022-10-09T21:29:00.002-05:00

Back in September, my friends and I were fortunate enough to visit Grinter's Sunflower Farm! Sunflowers aren't always in bloom, and once they do the petals can wilt within a couple weeks! Enjoy my pics if you never get a chance to see 🌻 in-person!

August Empties 空瓶

2022-08-31T09:57:00.002-05:00

Below are my emptied skincare products from August 2022! 以下是我8月清空的护肤品！

Sekkisei Emulsion 2.3 oz - lightweight moisturizer that's perfect for summer/humid weather, would repurchase if on-sale again.

Innisfree Jeju Pomegranate Revitalizing Serum - liked it, but wouldn't repurchase unless it was on sale again

Pro Strength Hydrabalance Brightening Moisture Infusion - unlikely to repurchase because I didn't love the texture and it pilled sometimes

Exuviance Bright Eyes Eye Cream - my dark circles didn't get lighter, so I wouldn't repurchase

Cocokind Oat to Milk Cleanser - fine as a second cleanser, but I didn't like the strong scent or texture so I wouldn't repurchase

May Empties 空瓶

2022-05-31T23:08:00.000-05:00

Below are my emptied skincare products from May 2022! 以下是我5月清空的护肤品！

Supergoop! Play Everyday Lotion Spf 50 - Applied easily. No white cast. I would repurchase.

Shiseido Revitalizing Treatment Softener - Effects difficult to see. And I didn't like the dispenser. Won't repurchase.

Exuviance Sheer Refining Fluid Spf 40 - Applied easily and was lightweight. Would only repurchase if on sale, because $50-62 is not budget friendly!

Cosme Nippon Sheet Mask - I wouldn't repurchase, even though the formula was hydrating, because the mask was too small for my face. For example, the eye holes of this mask touched the corners of my eyes!

Unlikable Cleansers

2022-05-24T19:36:00.000-05:00

Here's a list of facial cleansers I didn't like and wouldn't repurchase:

Lancome Creme Mousse Confort - stripped my skin, and my face didn't feel clean!

Shiseido Senka Perfect Whip - This is a very popular product, however, it's too much work for me. To get the best effect you have to foam it up with a net or sponge, and I just do not have the patience to make the foam. There are great cleansers out there that do just as good a job, albeit at a higher price point.

Cocokind Oil to Milk Cleanser - Overly strong floral scent. Also, it didn't feel like it removed my sunscreen, so it's better as a second cleanser.

*Not all images are my own

Cosme Nippon Sheet Mask Review (400th post!)

2022-05-07T12:09:00.006-05:00

Recently got the Japanese @cosme nippon root vegetables sheet mask (in carrot) to try for free from my sister!

This 10 pack comes in a resealable bag, so it's more eco-friendly, but possibly less hygienic than the usual 1 sheet-mask per pack...

You're only suppose to leave this sheet mask on for 5 minutes!! Any longer and you might feel get tingly skin.

This face mask delivers serum, but I still applied my night time serum and lotion afterwards since my room is dry.

I wouldn't repurchase, even though the formula was hydrating, because the mask was too small for my face. For example, the eye holes of this mask touched the corners of my eyes!

There's also no expiration date on the packaging, so I will try to use up this bag ASAP to avoid contaminants.

Shop here for free delivery

Shop here for a lower price

Mad por Madrid

2022-04-19T19:20:00.010-05:00

A quick 3 hr train ride from Barcelona is Madrid, the capital of España. We could only stay for dos dias, but they were filled with delicious food and an exciting flamenco demonstration!

[Had my 32nd birthday dinner in Plaza Mayor!]

(Museo del Prado)

(Royal Palace of Madrid)

(Almudena Cathedral)

(EatMyTrip Brunch & Cocktails)

(Taberna 4 Tapas)

The food in Madrid was muy delicioso!!

Overall, the rainy and windy weather in Spain gave me a cold, and Spain didn't wow me like France, so I don't know if I'd visit again... but maybe I'm too judgmental 😅

Barcelona es Gaudí

2022-04-14T13:25:00.002-05:00

After 5 days in Paris, we took a train south to Barcelona and reunited with a precious friend who flew up from Liberia!

It was my first time in Spain/España and I enjoyed the people, tapas, and sangria! However, I must confess that after 4 years of Spanish in high school, my speaking accent is horrible.

We visited most of Barcelona's major sites:

(Mercat dels Encants)

(Arc de Triomf)

(Palau Güell)

(Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria)

(La Rambla)

(Sagrada Familia)

(Casa Batlló)

(National Art Museum of Catalonia/Museu d’Art de Catalunya)

(Parc Güell)

Oops... I went to Europe again!

2022-04-10T22:19:00.005-05:00

So, I went to Europe again 😅 Because my sister found round trip tickets for $400 (a price I couldn't refuse)!!

I'm so grateful to go on another sister's trip overseas, and it was exciting to experience springtime in Paris, and see Spain for the first time!

We chose Paris to be our first stop, again. We are both boosted, so we entered France with ease.

This time around we visited:

(Père Lachaise Cemetery)

(Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile)

(Vendôme Column)

(Palais Garnier, also known as Opéra Garnier)

(Montmatre Sacré-Cœur basilica)

(Parc Monceau)

(Musée de l'Orangerie)

March Empties 空瓶

2022-04-01T15:24:00.003-05:00

Below are my emptied skincare products from March 2022! 以下是我3 月清空的护肤品！

The Ordinary's Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% (not pictured) - loved, so already repurchased

Kitao Matcha & Chia Facial Cream - loved, and repurchased already

Sundari Chamomile Eye Oil - gifted, and unlikely to repurchase, even though I liked it

Dr. Jart+ Peptidin Radiance Serum - wouldn't repurchase, because not efficacious

Korean Skincare Haul

2022-03-15T19:01:00.000-05:00

TJ Maxx and Marshalls are two American stores (BTW - they're owned by the same parent company: Marmaxx) that have lower priced seasonal inventory. Twice a year these two shops have yellow tag clearance sales for a couple weeks, where certain items are at its lowest price for the year!

When prices are at its lowest, that's when I start searching for skincare products that I can try/use for the next year! All the products shown below don't expire until 2023 or 2024!

However, this buying style doesn't work if you don't like using new skincare products, because their inventory is unpredictable.

This yellow-tag sale I hauled:

Mulberry Blemish Clearing Toner
Farmstay Collagen Water Full Moist Emulsion
AmorePacific Vintage Single Extract Essence (dupe for SK-II's Pitera essence)
Missha Time Revolution Artemisia Ampoule
Pretty Skin Vitamin C Ampoule

I'll post an update skincare routine if/when I unbox these!

My Roman Holiday

2022-03-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

I didn't see all the same sites as Audrey Hepburn, or fall in love with a Gregory Peck, but I did learn and witness history (President Biden and First Lady Biden visited the Pope and Vatican on our last day!!)

Highly recommend visiting:

The Vatican Museum - amazing artwork and architecture; we spent a whole day here and went through the museum twice!

Saint Peter's Basilica - free entry! View St Peter's last resting place, and Michelangelo's beautiful Pietà

Colosseum - entry is not free, and not easy to buy tickets day-of. Lots of people using casual racism to sell their guided tours 😒

Pantheon - free entry and last resting place of Raphael!

Trevi Fountain - it's illegal to sit on the fountain!

Jump below for other random Roman sites

Allegedly, this is where Julius Caesar was stabbed...

Beautiful Piazza Venezia

We tested negative for COVID19, then flew back to the USA safe & sound, thus ending our EURO 2021 trip!

Pisa, Pasta, & Paninis

2022-03-10T08:43:00.000-06:00

We spent 3/4 of a day on a mini-excursion to Pisa, Italia to visit the infamous Leaning Tower!

The buildings next to the Leaning Tower are gorgeous and the main city center is charming.

I was impressed by Pisa's beauty, and surprised by its affordability. The coffee, and pasta were delicious and cheap (much cheaper than Venice and Rome!)! We even stumbled upon a local farmers market with inexpensive wine, fresh apple juice, and honey!

Favour Firenze

2022-03-07T08:51:00.001-06:00

Firenze aka Florence is my favourite Italian city!

After touring Italia from North to South, Firenze became my most-liked Italian city due to its beauty, walkability, and good vibes.

Jump below for my fave Florencian statues!

Butts > chest

V-eh-nice

2022-03-05T10:23:00.002-06:00

Sadly the weather for our Venice day was gloomy and cloudy, so the photos aren't great and made for an average experience. Venice is a city made up ~117 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. We enjoyed walking through the city, but didn't enjoy the hawking and tourist prices.

FYI, it's illegal to feed the pigeons, and other wildlife on the island!! Because it makes them violent. True story: We witnessed a seagull snatch a sandwich out of a grown man's hand!! 😣

Milano, Italia

2022-03-03T09:20:00.000-06:00

Taking a train from Nice, we passed through Monaco, and then transferred at Ventimiglia to reach Italy's fashion capitol: Milan aka Milano.

We spent the day touring the Piazza del Duomo and saw the impressive Milan Cathedral, or Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Leonardo da Vinci statue

Starbucks Reserve Milano Roastery - Fun Fact: My sister and I have been to every single Starbucks Reserve in the USA 😇

Jump below for more photos of Milan

Sforza Castle (Italian: Castello Sforzesco)

Random buildings and brick church

February Empties 空瓶

2022-03-01T18:05:00.001-06:00

Here's what I emptied out in February:

Kiehl's Calendula Herbal Extract Toner - Gifted by my roommate who has sensitive skin and felt this toner was too stripping for her skin. Smells nice and worked fine.
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel - Handed down from my sister who has sensitive skin. Smells nice and worked fine.

Avene Eau Thermale - OG facial spray
Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist - I didn't like the spray nozzle, because it didn't mist out, but the formula was nice and hydrating.

Honestly, I would only think of repurchasing the Avene Thermal Spring Water spray 😅

Nice is nice

2022-02-28T18:01:00.000-06:00

Excuse the cliche title, but I couldn't resist because alliteration (duh) and it's true! This French Riviera city is a gem, and worth spending some time to discover.

This was my first time seeing the Mediterranean Sea!

Even in mid-October, the weather of Southern France was warm and sunny! There were even people swimming in the sea!

Nice is port city.

Nice is more laid-back than Paris, and their food was cheaper too!

Fall for France

2022-02-26T17:50:00.001-06:00

First stop during our October 2021 Europe trip was Paris. A beautiful city with delicious food and amazing architecture. Once you visit, you'll agree that the locals can be snobby 😆

We first visited Paris as a family the summer of 2007, because my dad got invited to attend the 10th European Nutrition Conference. To be able to return and experience autumn in Paris was a delight!

We stayed in an Airbnb south of the Seine near Notre Dame, and spent 3 days in Paris before taking a southbound train to Nice.

Every indoor site and restaurant we visited was checking vaccination cards, and face masks, so we felt safe and comfortable.

Jump below to see which Parisian sites we visited!

The Panthéon - a monument and final resting place for elites

Jardin de Luxembourg

Eiffel Tower (night view)

Marché Aux Puces de Clignancourt - large flea market

Musée d'Orsay - museum converted from an old railway station