MAI PHILOSOPHY

This Summer Is Gonna Be Sexy

2010-04-26T21:36:00.015-07:00

hooray!

At last, Im free.

Today, after completing my last exam of the semester, my summer officially started.

How did I celebrate?

Indulging in excessive amounts of food and drink

@ my favourite Mexican restaurant, Little Mexico Cantina

soooo yum.

After this satisfying act of gluttony, I felt an enormous amount of guilt... (FAT)

Lately, while preparing for exams at school , I have eaten out everyday.

Additionally, I always have an unlimited supply of snacks by me as I study.

Now, with exams over and the summer heat fast approaching,

I can no longer conceal my blubber in over-sized sweaters and sweatpants.

Therefore, starting today, I am initiating...

OPERATION: (SUFSS)SHAPE UP FOR SEXY SUMMER.

SUFSS:

OBJECTIVE-

To tone my body (define muscles) and improve my health.

PLAN OF ACTION-

Exercise:

At least 1 hr/day, 5x/week (30min cardio, crunches, & light weights)

I plan to factor in some Bikram Yoga or Martial Arts.

Diet (first 2weeks):

NO:

Dairy, carbs high in sugars and starch, processed foods, soda, alchohol, eating after 8pm.

YES:

Complex carbs (whole grains), protein (lean meat and eggs), most vegetables, low sugar fruits , nuts and beans.

Goal for the summer: Get this bikini ... and the bod (minus the tits) to go along with it.

{source}

...

Here a few more sexy summer plans to accomplish:

First tattoo
New hair cut & colour
Bungee jump... aaaaah!
Soak up lotsa vitamin D... (ie. get my TAN on)
Escape to a sunny destination to proudly flaunt my successful SUFSS bod.
Blog more frequent :-)

Tell me,

What are your sexy summer plans?

Jess Mai

It's About Time

2010-04-21T22:00:00.010-07:00

that I...

own a timepiece

[& update my blog]

(since my last watch broke 2+ yrs ago...RIP)

For years...

I have survived in society, almost on time, without a watch on my wrist.

Who needs a watch?

I have always relied on my mobile, my laptop, public clocks, and strangers for the time.

Hopefully, Ill be more punctual with the help of my new purchase...

[hahaa what a joke!]

In any case, I still like it for looks :)

Here it be:

Gucci 1500 Stainless Steel

I adore that it is ultra slim & sleek.

I also love that it is a bangle bracelet, as oppose to the conventional link bracelet.

Very sophisticated, and perfect for work & play.

I still catch myself reaching for my mobile for the time.

I need to remember to look at my wrist.

It will take time :)

...

In other news,

I was very happy to receive concerned e-mails asking where/why I have vanished.

My 2yr relationship with the BF has recently ended.

It has been extremely difficult.

He was my best friend before and during our relationship.

At the moment, the hardest part is getting used to life without him...

(stop myself from calling or texting the dude)

Also, I'm trying to focus on completing my finals. (major emphasis on TRYING)

I will be back to regular blogging soon :)

Thankyou for your concern and support, Blog Buddies!

Here is what I have been doing lately...

EAT STUDY STUDY... EAT while STUDY

thats all.

I always gain lbs during finals...

Operation summer beach body after this week :(

Tell me,

Is it possible to stay friends with your ex?

Jess Mai.

Inked

2010-04-09T13:00:00.008-07:00

gasp.*

JK JK!!

Well... Not yet.

I'm still a tattoo virgin.

However, I've always had a thing for tattoos.

Lately, I have become obsessed,

& grew an urge to get inked right NEOW!

...

So, what is keeping me from inserting a needle into layers of my skin?

Think before you ink!

I want something I wont regret 30 years from now.

Before accepting the needle, I must ask myself...

Will I still want this on my body when my skin is all wrinkly?

Tattoos are for life, so if I get a tattoo, I must choose wisely.

The permanence of a tattoo scare the pants off of me!

Remember how indecisive I am?

However, the image I have chosen for my first tattoo is definitely something I will never regret .

As a result, any doubts are slowly diminishing.

I plan to let the idea float in my head for some time before making it permanent.

...

I'm gonna do more research and hopefully meet with a tattoo artist soon.

Once I have a sketch,

I'll blog it.

...

I leave you with one of my favourite inked men.

HUBBA-HUBBA!!!

{photo via google images}

Tell me,

Do you have/want any tattoos?

If so, do they have any meaning to you?

Jessica Mai.

Size Matters

2010-04-06T11:00:00.011-07:00

Scientists confirm: FULLER LIPS ATTRACT MORE MEN.

...

I desperately desire a big & sexy pout.

A sufferer of little lips...

I FAKE it.

Since I'm always on a mission to find plumping products for my deflated lips,

of course, I swiftly snatched the lip gloss that promises to transform me into a...

SEXY MOTHER PUCKER.

Product: Soap & Glory's Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss

Shade: Plum

Price: $9.99 CAD

Product Claims: Extreme formula lip plumping gloss, with scientifically-proven plumping microspheres that explode in volume up to 10x when they come in contact with water. (They’re like tiny, dehydrated little sponges that expand when you apply them onto your lips. We’ve also formulated Sexy Mother™ Pucker with a rare circulation enhancing ingredient that gives your lips a little ‘electric’ buzz, to move more blood around the area, creating the swelling effect mentioned above).

Jessica Mai's Results:

Initially, what drew me to the lip gloss, was the humorous name and the retro packaging. (I'm a sucker for pretty packaging)

The scent of the gloss is very similar to tootsie roll candy. (Soap & Glory claim they chose the chocolate taste because studies show that chocolate is often used by women as a substitute for, uh, sexy...")

The formula is very thick & sticky. As a result, it has incredible staying power. The glossy shine was still clinging to my lips 4+ hours after application.

I have become addicted to the tingly feeling. The numbing tingle lingers so you feel like the gloss is working. (No pain... Any gloss that stings and swells your lips shouldn't be healthy)

Now, don't expect Angelina Jolie lips from this gloss. However, it will enhance your lips and make them naturally fuller. Any lines on my dry lips were filled out. My lips look naturally plump.

On my lips, the gloss accentuates my natural lip colour. Plus a lot of shine!

The only CON: Extremely sticky... That is all.

Picture taken 1hr+ after application.

Sorry, my camera is caput, so I had to use Photobooth.

Hopefully, you can see the difference.

Before

After

Remember folks,

Size matters!

So transform yourself into a Sexy Mother Pucker NAOO :)

Jessica Mai

I'm Lost...

2010-03-30T00:24:00.038-07:00

Life is full of choices.

Unfortunately, I suck at making choices.

If you read my posts, you know that I am extremely indecisive.

This is because, I fear the consequences.

I believe..

good choices lead to good consequences and bad choices lead to bad consequences.

I am so bloody scared of making the wrong choice.

Lately, I have been struggling over a very important decision.

Deciding the plans for my future.

When it comes to planning my future, particularly deciding my career, a few factors run through my mind...

Family

Living in an Asian household, it is extremely important to be an honor to one's family.

I want to make my family proud.

Of course, like most [Asian] parents, my parents would love me to become a doctor or lawyer..

My parents struggled so much to give me these opportunities.

Though I know my parents will love & support me no matter what decision I make,

I feel that if I don't accomplish their wishes, I am letting them down.

Money

Isn't this the reason why most of us work?

Money is vital.

How else am I gonna support my materialistic needs? :D

Furthermore, I want to give back to my parents.

I know I can never fully repay the money & efforts my parent's have invested in me, but my biggest wish is to buy my parents their dream home & pay for my little brother's school tuition.

Also, I am extremely independent.

I want to make my own money and not need to depend on others.

[But, billionaire boyfriends are still gladly accepted]

Happiness

The majority of a working person's day is spent in the work space or thinking about work.

If I am not happy with my job, how can I be happy with my life?

I want to be interested in my work.

I want to wake up, and look forward to attending my job.

I want to live happy and excited.

Currently, I am attending University.

However, I have no clear direction of where I'm headed.

I feel like I'm wasting money and time.

The 3 factors keep clashing and conflicting in my head.

HELP!

Tell me,

When it comes to deciding your future,

what is most important to you?

Jessica Mai.

Oh Good Golly Gosh..

2010-03-28T00:03:00.026-07:00

Hi Dolls.

Hope all of you are doing well.

oh good golly gosh!!!!

I sure have been neglecting my blog lately.

I apologize.

My days and nights have been swamped with work and school.

Im pooped out!

& If you know anything about me, you would know how easily I get distracted,

and I procrastinate.

For this reason, I tried to steer far far far away from the blogosphere.

Anyhow, I finally afforded a day of freedom today.

And, of course, I rushed straight to the shops for countless hours of retail therapy.

After much browsing, I only brought home 1 little item.

However, although this item was little, it brought me jumbo amounts of joy.

OPI Mad As A Hatter Polish

Oh! It was love at first sight.

♥

I can literally stare at the polish bottle for hours. The polish is soo hypnotizing and glittery.

Personally, I find this polish too overwhelming on all ten of my tips.

Instead, I have been obsessed with painting my all my nails a solid colour

& glittering 1-2 nails with this polish.

like this...

These photos do not do justice at all!

The polish is a party of green, blue, red, purple and silver glitter.

So fun!

TIPS:

After 3 coats, I had no bald spots.

Since there is so much glitter, the polish clumps quite easy.

To avoid this, apply 1 coat, and let dry before applying the next.

Also, to prevent the polish from chipping, try to keep the application to 3 coats.

This is because, the thicker the coats, or the more you use, the more prone you are to chipping.

In conclusion, I LOVE this polish & I believe YOU will too.

Glitter polish is a MUST NEED in everyone's polish collection.

Aside from my pretty polish, my weekend was very uneventful.

Just work, work and more work... and [with finals soon] much more to come :(

Wish me luck.

Jessica Mai

Im Too Sexy In My...

2010-03-08T13:01:00.029-08:00

"Confidence is beauty."

I truly believe this.

I believe that the most attractive asset a person can possess is confidence.

When one is confident and secure that they are beautiful,

it shows,

and everyone around them agrees.

I once was a very insecure girl.

I felt inferior to everybody.

Always wondering what other people were thinking of me.

Today,

I realize that many of us don't see ourselves the way the rest of the world does.

I realize that I looked in the mirror and focused on my flaws, instead of my beauty.

I realize that worrying about what others thought of me stops me from being who I really am.

I realize that others are not important.

I realize that I should not change for anybody.

I realize that I should be confident in who I am because I am beautiful just the way I am.

I realize that confidence is beautiful, alluring and sexy.

With this said...

I ain't gonna lie.

I also realize that with a lil help from the following friends,

my confidence grows a lil stronger. haha :D

Tell me, what helps you feel confident & beautiful?

♥Jess Mai

Didja Know?

2010-03-07T17:31:00.013-08:00

Thank-you mucho mucho

to the lovely Logan (love her & her fun and informative blog)

for awarding me.

♥

The rules around this award are to list 7 random facts about me.

Here they be:

I have never eaten a McDonald's Big Mac... Not sure why.

I name all my favorite electronics.

For instance, my Mac Book is Sir Baby-Sparkles & my mobile is Pork Chops.

It's physically impossible for me to keep my room tidy. This is an illness that will never be cured.

I like to smile at people even if I don't know them.

They probably think I'm a creep.

Its alright.
.

My nose is very good at detecting smells.

I think my keen sense of smell makes up for my horrible vision & hearing skills.

I'm terrified of getting older & growing up. I just don't wanna!

I promise, I will probably be a little kid forever.

I tend to leave everything to the very last possible minute

& then panic about it.

Its not a good fact about me.

It's more a fault that I'm sure I will never get rid of.

I would now like to award

Have a great week bloggies!

♥Jessica Mai

I have PODS... (February Favourites)

2010-03-01T23:51:00.002-08:00

Today is the day...

Today is the end of February 2010 :(

My highlight of this month is the 2010 Winter Olympics,

held in my home and native land,

beautiful British Columbia.

CANADA

& now it is all donzo... wahhhh! :(

From the Olympics, Canadians not only gained 26 medals (14 GOLD..holla!!),

but we also gained excitement, pride & glory.

Like many other Vancouverites, I am now suffering from PODS:

Post Olympic Distress Syndrome.

Oh Canada, I am so proud & I lover you! :)

Moving Along...

Since it is the end of February, I will share my most favourites of February...

(WOW! Please excuse my PUFFY EYES. Zero sleep, Can you tell?)

♥

I received this gorgeous green {faux} snake skin wallet from the beautiful Alex.

Adore her & her cute and insightful blog and videos.. Thx Alex♥

♥ Hello!

I apologize for being blog absent.

I have been soaking up all the Olympics.

The past 2 weeks have been Canada day, everyday.

It will be strange returning to "normal" routine...

But, I will definitely have more time to blog & communicate with all my blog buddies :)

As you can tell, I had a fantastic February!

Tell me.

How was your February?

& What were some of your favourites in February?

What were your Favourite 2010 Winter Olympic moments?

Mine were:

Canada vs. USA gold medal hockey game (women & men)
Bilodeau winning Olympic gold (1st 2010 gold medal for Canada)
Kim Yu-Na on ice

-Jessica Mai

Match Your Inner Sparkle

2010-02-22T01:40:00.009-08:00

The iconic Marilyn Monroe couldn't be more correct when she sang,

"diamonds are a girl's best friend".

Now, we can't always afford diamonds,

but it doesn't mean we can't sparkle.

Cubic Zirconia, crystal or rhinestone can be a girl's

blinging buddy too.

I have always been attracted to shiny & sparkly things.

I remember one time, back in grade school, I placed myself in massive trouble for going Ga-Ga over glitter. My teacher had set a few bottles of glitter shakers on each of our tables for a craft project & instructed us not to touch them. Overwhelmed & excited by the sparkling bottles in front of me, I completely ignored the teacher, and immediately placed 2 bottles in each of my little hands. Using the glitter shakers as maracas, I pranced & danced around, sprinkling masses of glitter everywhere.

Needless to say, my teacher, my principal, and my parents, were not impressed.

♥

As I grew, so did my love for sparkly things.

I would like to introduce you to a few of my best {sparkly} friends...

I feel so naked without earrings.

For everyday, I would usually wear my small diamond studs. However, these large & dazzling crystal earrings always make me feel dressed up.

Also, girls, wearing sparkly earrings draws attention to our gorgeous faces.

Who needs Mr. Right's diamond ring?

Get yourself an imitation diamond cocktail ring.

You'll still have money leftover to wear your ring out to have a cocktail.

{while searching for the perfect man}

A statement neclace decked out in crystals is a perfect companion for a dress or gown.

However, they also get along great with casual looks too.

So, do not hesitate to throw it on with a plain white tee & jeans.

Hunt through your jewellery box for chains, bracelets, pearls etc. and wrap them all around your wrists.

They don't need to match.

I find the mixture & tangle makes it more

eye-catching & fun.

In other words, imperfection is perfection!

When it comes to costume jewellery, my belief is,

"the bigger, the better" or, "the blinger, the better".

In my opinion, these super bling-blings are a must in everyone's jewellery box.

-Jessica Mai

With Glowing Hearts {Van2010}

2010-02-16T23:13:00.038-08:00

TAKE A PICTURE, IT LASTS LONGER :)

Photos from the past few days...

Red long sleeve: Zara

Black CAN. hoodie: TNA

Black leggings: TNA

Black flat boots: BCBG

@ The Bay

♥

HAH sneeky paparrazi shot.

Nobody else noticed them.

5 sec. after I took this, they both stared me down...

was gonna take a pic of that, but BF pulled me away :/

Canada Vs. Norway... We won 8-0!!

Wahooo!

There was no seat inside, so we sat outside &

Brr! I had 4 layers on

It was also BF & I's 2 yr anni on Valentines day

♥ {Thx hunni}

XO,

♥ Jess Mai

Tag, I'm it!

2010-02-15T03:08:00.016-08:00

Happy Monday folks!

Yippee!

I'm super excited to be tagged by these ever so lovely & gorgeous bloggers:

Mai, Irene, MW

Thankyou so much girlies :)

The rules of this tag are...

"Post 10 things that make you happy, try to do at least one of them today, link back to the person who awarded you and pass along for up to ten people."

Here goes:

Taking long walks through my neighbourhood, on a sunny Vancouver day.
Running
Kindness
Playing with my baby bro-skees
Singing out LOUD
Eating {nuff said}
Reading a good book
Sleeping in
Traveling {learning new things & meeting new people}
Blogging

I would like to Tag

& each and every one of my lovely followers who would like to do this too!

XO,

Jess Mai

Orange You Obsessed ?

2010-02-09T14:25:00.056-08:00

Orange you happy?

...I sure am!

The last few days, I have been stressing and slaving over school and work, before my 2 week Olympic break

{wahoooooie!}

Since I felt like I was about to burst some brain, I figured it was healthy and necessary for me to step outside for some fresh air & perhaps purchase a

"pick-me-up".

As I perused the shops near my neighbourhood, I saw a nail polish that immediately caught my attention.

It was bright, it was loud & it was ORANGE!

A wacky colour, I know. But, it tugged at my curiosity.

I had to try the polish!

Just one stroke of orange, and I knew I needed it in my life.

OPI "Don't Be Koi With Me"

{Ha!, I ♥ the name}

Beautiful, Bright orange

No shimmer

Easy application

Non-streaking

Long lasting {hasn't chipped in 4 days}

I would describe the colour as a "koi fish-orange"

{hence, the name}

It certainly has a reddish tinge.

Ah, Yes! Thanks to one my my most favourite blogger friends, Tessa, I realized I was likely attracted to this colour because it bares a striking resemblance to my LOVE, Hermes. Oh, Hermes!

Although OPI polishes tend to be pricier than other brands, I do feel the quality is worth it.

The polish applies like a dream & leaves a streak-free finish.

I am horrible at painting my own nails.

{colour ends up all over my fingers}

But, using OPI polishes, my result looks purrty & semi-professional. :)

I did not use base or top coat, and the polish has lasted 4 days{& counting}.

The colour is so bright & wacky.

Makes me smile as I work & look down at my fingers.

MORE ORANGE?

Yes!

eep! These mini oranges are super mini!

TOO CUTE!

...om nom nom!

These orange "pick-me-ups" have been brightening my day.

So, my lovelies, what has been brightening your day?

XO,

Jessica Mai

Blame It On The BAG

2010-02-06T22:21:00.063-08:00

Neck & shoulder pain?

-Blame it on the bag.

Its my fault though :-(
I always pack for

"Just in case/What if..."

I get hungry
I Get caught in a natural disaster
I Get lost
I Get kidnapped
I Get bad breath
I Meet{stalk} a celebrity
I need to glue something??
I get caught in a sticky situation
I get caught in a smelly situation
I wanna show my unborn child
I wanna return/exchange
...

Trust me, the list goes on and on.

When I cleaned out my bag, this weekend, I got rid of so many

EXPIRED receipts, EXPIRED coupons, EXPIRED food, OLD movie tickets.

Now that I have purged my bag of all those unnecessary items,

I wanna share :)

What is found inside a bag says a lot about the owner.

Your bag is an extension of your personality.

I LOVE seeing what other people have hidden away in their bags.

Hope you do too!

Black leather Coach Sabrina w. gold metal

& electric purple innards...& Featuring Vancouverite Mukmuk

The essentials :

SIGG water bottle

KORRES jasmine body butter

MAC florabundance lipglass

NIVEA Hydro care lip balm

Purell hand sanitizer

Herbacin hand cream

Batman band-aids

BLACKBERRY bold ♥

Assorted munchies

EXCEL bubblemint gum

Keys w. Elmo

Leather Blue flower wallet& card holder {From forgotten boutique in Roma, Italy}

Peter Pauper agenda

Bic 4 coloured pen

&Canon camera which I used to take the pic

-That is all-

...for now.

Ill gather new junk, in no time..

So, What is hiding in your bag?

Do share!

xo,

Jess Mai

Little Things

2010-02-05T10:19:00.048-08:00

Living in a fast pace society, we often forget to slow down to treasure and enjoy what we have.

Its no secret that I LOOVE shoes, bags, makeup, clothes & so on...

I is {shamelessly} materialistic

But, often times, its the little things that bring me the MOST

excitement and happiness.

Little things like these:

♥ When my 5 yr old baby brother kisses me after I have read him his bedtime story, and whispers,

"Jessie, your my favour-wit fwend"= Jessie, you are my favourite friend

eek! {My cold, little, black heart melts}

♥ When I make eye contact with a stranger, and we exchange smiles.

Its amazing how good it feels to receive a sincere smile. It brightens up my day.

Smiles are much better than scowls, so wear one. :) :)

♥The comfort & warmth of my boyfriend's hugs. I could be in the worst of moods, crying floods of tears, but once I'm held tight in his arms, I feel safe, calm and comforted.

Life is too good, remember to cherish the little things. ♥

Have a great weekend!

Big X & O

PS:

Comment me what little things bring happiness & excitement to you?

♥Comments also make me excited & happy too!

-Jess Mai

Thanks: Most Loved Cosmetics

2010-02-04T15:52:00.045-08:00

I am a self-proclaimed night owl and a self-diagnosed insomniac.

For this reason, I am "faced" with the consequences!

[pun intended] HA!:)

Yes. My panda-eyed face bears the evidence of many sleepless nights reading blogs.

So, in order to appear alive & awake when I leave the house, I depend on a few cosmetic items to ensure that I look semi-

presentable.

"A little goes a long way"

My goal, when applying makeup, is to enhance my features, not to mask my face. For everyday, I like to keep my makeup light and natural.

Ta-Da! Here they be. The miracle workers that keep me looking alive

This is just a brief review on my most ♥ cosmetics:

1) I have been using Cetaphil moisturizer for years! Loved it 5 years ago, love it even more today. All I need is 1 pump of this light, non-greasy, and sun-safe(SPF15) moisturizer to hydrate my entire face. (I know moisturizer is skincare, but it was in my beauty bag so..)

2) I recently purchased the MAKE UP FOREVER primer, hence the small trial tube, and I'm happy so far. My skin is quite sensitive, & It hasn't broken me out. I apply a pea-size all over my face to smooth the skin surface and help my makeup last longer. The smell sorta bothers me, but it fades soon after application (I am extremely sensitive to smell, & dont like applying scented products on my face).

3) MAKE UP FOREVER HD foundation is the first liquid foundation I've used. Before this, I was always afraid that liquid foundation would make me look cake-faced. However, I'm loving MUFE HD foundation because it provides me with flawless coverage, while feeling light and looking natural. Just 1 pump of the foundation lets me skip concealer because it has perfectly concealed all my minor redness & imperfections. Also, since there is such a wide range of shades, I easily found the one that blends seamlessly into my skin. woo!

4) UH-MAZ-ING! Since I have combo-oily skin, the MAC MSF natural does a super job of keeping my face matte, with one light sweep, throughout the day.

5) MAC BLUSHBABY blusher is the perfect natural matte colour for my skintone. Although the colour appears to be muddy, dark and boring in the pan, do not be fooled. On the cheeks, it becomes a natural pink with a touch of mauve that gives my face the perfect rosy flush.

ONTO THE EYES

6) URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION alters your life! Well, it changed mine. Before using UDPP, I always thought my lids couldn't wear shadows, because the colour always creased & never lasted. Eye primer proved me wrong. Now, my lids love shadows, thanks to UDPP. Eye primer is the bond between your relationship with eyeshadows. ♥ LITERALLY!

7) MAC All That Glitters is a well-known & well-loved eyeshadow, for obvious reasons. It works on all skin tones perfectly. The [lovely, shimmery, peachy, gold-toned] shadow can be worn alone or paired up with other colours.

8) MAC BLACK TRACK FLUIDLINE eyeliner makes for a perfect cat-eye. It goes on extremely smooth and the colour is so dark & pigmented, it makes the eyes pop!

9) FAVOURITE MASCARA! & Score, Its from drugstore! COVER GIRL LASHBLAST separates and lengthens lashes (even my wee asian ones), at a great value, and the vibrant orange packaging is just a bonus.

Thanks to these guys, I can stay up & read Blogs as late as I wanna.

♥

-Jess Mai

(If you have any questions or want more info on any of the products,

comment me! This is just a brief review.)

Hello Yellow

2010-02-02T12:59:00.046-08:00

Hi Darlings!

I had a bit of time before I left for lunch today (Thanks to tardy BF), so I decided to take a few photos of my outfit.

I absolutely adore this bright scarf I found at Le Chateau. It adds colour and spirit to my neutral (black, grey, & white) outfits. It is such a gorgeous mustard yellow that is so unique and lively.

I'm trying to make more of an effort to purchase more colour for my closet.

I'm also loving winged eyeliner. I like to keep the shadow on my lids light, and let the eyeliner emphasize the eyes.

ZARA 3/4 length tunic(♥ the pearl button detail)

LE CHATEAU scarf(♥ the colour)

ZARA black leggings

LE CHATEAU black wedges(♥ the V-shaped rim)

♥ this Buddha pendant.

I got the carving on my last trip to Vietnam, & my Dad, a jeweler, placed it in a gold setting so I can wear it as a pendant.

& I leave you with this CHEEEEESY goodness! OM NOM NOM

My yummy penne with chicken lunch @ Old Spaghetti

I highly recommend this dish. It was delish!

(good thing I was wearing a flowy white tee to hide my food baby)

hehe.

Bye for now :)

-Jess Mai

Monthly Faves (Jan2010)

2010-01-31T11:29:00.048-08:00

Hello Monday, we meet again... >:(

Oh, but happy first day of February too!!

Since its the first day of a new month, I had this idea of sharing a few random things that brought me a bit of joy in January. In other words, throughout the past month of January, I was flaunting the following..

PASHMINA SCARVES not only kept me warm against the cold Vancouver winds, but they also added colour, texture, & glamour to my otherwise simple outfits.

Sorry black leather, I have dumped you for my

COGNAC LEATHER BOOTS.

Since my wardrobe is stocked full of black & grey coloured clothes, I relied on my cognac leather boots to provide colour contrast to my dark outfits, all month long.

They scream classy, cool, & casual.

As I have written before, my Asian hair rebels against every

volume-inducing hair product on the market.

Fortunately, I have found a way to fake it.

CURLS, CURLS, CURLS

The curls give the allusion of of pumped-up voluminous hair fast & without the use of many products.

(I use heat protectant & curling iron)

So Impractical, obnoxious, and ridiculous, yet they were my favourite of favourites. I usually like to wear gloves that have separate openings for my fingers & thumbs. However, though these SOCK MONKEY MITTENS restricted my fingers, I always had them on, and they were always keeping my fingers warm. How could anyone say no to two buttoned-eyed sock monkeys?

This February will be busy. Here are a few events I'm looking forward to in February:

Lunar New Year
2nd year anniversary with my BF ♥
Valentines Day
Olympics in Vancouver [ meh:/ ]

Wishing you a happy Monday, & a Fantastic February!

-Jess Mai

The Current Obsessions

2010-01-29T00:09:00.015-08:00

Oh TGIF (hip-hip, Hooray!)

I hope everyone has fun and exciting plans for the weekend.

As for me, I hope to take a few hours away from my work to reconnect with my social life and maybe revisit the gym. Aha!

Tonight, I plan to meet with the boyfriend for a yummy meal, followed by AVATAR. I swear, I'm the last person on earth who hasn't watched that movie. Hopefully, it will live up to the hype.

Since its the end of the week, I want to share what I have been obsessing over lately. Now, my obsessions tend to change constantly but...for Today:

JADEAfter I saw pictures of CHANEL models on the runway, rocking this gorgeous hue, I was in love.

Craving this shade of green on accessories, clothing or even nail polish. To me, the green colour of jade is so fresh, and it radiates a peaceful zen.

DARK CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS (dark, not milk)

Why? Simple.

I like almonds, I like dark chocolate, thus, I love dark chocolate covered almonds.

They make a great snack or treat.

If you munch in moderation, there are health benefits too.

Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and minerals, while almonds reduce cholesterol.

Good to eat, & good for you...in small amounts, of course.

ROYALTY

Move over Lindsay Lohan. Hello Charlotte Casiraghi!

A different group of elites have taken over my addiction to celeb gossip.

Royalty>Celebrity

Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco, has classic beauty and grace.

Not to mention, she has been named one of the world's best-dressed, by Vogue and Vanity Fair.

All that, and she has royal blood running through her veins.

A perfect modern princess.

VOLUMIZED HAIR

No thanks, to Snooki-Style bee hive.

Yes please, to the sex-kitten Brigitte Bardot tease that is unachievable on my flat and stubborn, Asian hair. Mousse, Hairspray, "volume injecting" shampoos & conditioners, you name it, I've tried it.

So, What have you been obsessing over lately?

Have a great weekend.

-Jess Mai

A Little Puff of Heaven

2010-01-27T17:18:00.048-08:00

Hello Lovelies!

I hope everyone is having a pleasant week, so far.

Unfortunately, I am drowning in work, work and more work.

As a result, for the past few days, I have been jailed in my room and chained to my blah and boring school textbooks (i wouldn't mind being chained to books of my choice) .

To make matters worse, I haven't been feeling well lately and I think its the FLU (Joy!) or just my body rebelling from the lack of sleep.

On a happier note, Mother Nature has been providing Vancouver with beautiful weather , as of late. Although my aching body has been slaving over papers and assignments, I am quite enjoying the natural light shining in from my window.

Sunny weather in January is a rare occurrence in Vancouver. For this reason, yesterday, I decided to unfasten my chains, leave my books behind, and walk outside to soak up some sun....mmm VITAMIN D!

Although the sun was shining bright, the air was still very chilly. I don't mind, because that means i get to LAYER, LAYER, LAYER!!

Sorry, the pictures aren't too clear. I underestimated the bright sun combined with the flash on my camera.

Mai Outfit:

Comfy, Sunny Vancouver, Casual

Tallulah Cream tank

AE striped sweater

Off The Wall grey leggings

Danier grey leather jacket

Le Chateau ballerina pink scarf & black wedges

After my week-long isolation from society, where is the first place i make a b-line to?

Obviously, BEARD PAPA!!!!!

"A LITTLE PUFF OF HEAVEN" should be their slogan.

mmmmmmmmmm!

You would think I would do something physically active,like bike or gym, after a week of sitting on my big behind...Pfft! Naw!

Gimme Gimme, Cream Puffs!..pls?

& Back to the books I go!

Enjoy the rest of your week :)

-Jess Mai

Hunting for Treasures

2010-01-19T22:33:00.037-08:00

One's trash is Jessica Mai's treasure!

It is no secret that I, Jessica Mai, am addicted to shopping.

No matter where I go, I always manage to find something that I can purchase. Whether it be in malls, boutiques, drugstores, convenient stores, gas stations... I have been blessed with the ability to turn any trip into a shopping trip(my boyfriend dislikes).

Usually, leaving a store, with a purchase in hand, delivers me a strange feeling of contentment. Now, If the purchased item was on SALE, this strange feeling is accompanied with excitement, more happiness, and pride. HAHA (As though I performed an award worthy accomplishment)

However, to me, the best shopping experience is, without a doubt, thrift-store shopping!!! Reason being...

Mai Philosophy:

High quality items, for low prices

Items are unique, one-of-a-kind / no longer sold in stores

Household items, clothes, jewellery, books, shoes etc.. are all in 1 store

I am giving back to the community (My local thrift stores donate a large portion of their profit to the hospital and youth help line)

I am reducing, reusing, & recycling

Thrift stores provide all of the above, and I am still SHOPPING!

This past weekend, I was suppose to clean my messy room. Instead, I added to the clutter, and did a little thrifting. :)

lovely strand of white pearls: $1

blue velvet GAP blazer: $5

faux croc leather and gold metal belt: $1

silk scarf: $1

<- MY FAVOURITE PURCHASE

I think it is a pastry or cookie display, however I am using it to keep my lip products and jewels.

$10

GRAND TOTAL OF $18 plus NO TAX! wahoooie!

happy hunting!

"And it's harder than you think to delay the sadness"

2010-01-19T13:58:00.030-08:00

The only good thing about waking up at 5AM to a blaring alarm,

bussing 1.25hrs in a stinky bus,

and listening to a MONOTONE professor drone on about whatever is...

is.

there was something...

Ah! Yes.

...

is seeing the gorgeous sunrise this morning.

That is all though. Nothing else.

----------------->

MAI OUTFIT

This is typically what I wear to school:

Just casual, comfy and "vanilla".

In other words, boring!

Ta-Da

Forever21 tank top, Zara sweater, Tallulah leggings, BCBG boots, Coach handbag

Oh, and my 4 school books. Do not let their thin and small appearance fool you. They cost me a fortune!!

I have spent $300 on school books, this week, and I have 2 more to purchase. Ay yai-yai!!

Since I didn't have enough $$ to buy my other 2 books, I decided to pick up a little something, I could afford, from my wishlist.

Mac Florabundance lipglass!
Mai thoughts:

-Very sticky when applied, but soon adheres to lips.
-Pleasant vanilla scent.
-From the tube, I would describe the colour as peachy, pale-pink.
-The colour, as described above, looks amazing in the tube. However, worn alone, on my pigmented lips, it looks pasty and too nude.. completely washing me out.
-I do believe it will pair well with lipstick (I'll experiment tmrw).

so far..

3/5

pucker up & MUAHH!

Empty Pockets

2010-01-18T17:30:00.007-08:00

new school semester = empty pockets

At the moment, I have 0 dallas to satisfy my shopping cravings.

Fank-yew school tuition and textbooks!!!!!

However, once I gain the funds, the following shall be mine.

BUA HA HA HAH aha.. hehe :)

Aritzia floral leggings
Hunter rubber boots
& MAC florabundance lipglass

That is all.... for now! >:)

You Gotta Start Somewhere

2010-01-11T12:33:00.003-08:00

Helloo? Anybody out there?

hmm..hmm..um...
How do i begin?

I have been sitting here, for the past 20 minutes. I have been typing, deleting, re-typing, and deleting, an introduction to my first blog post.

21 minutes later, and I have yet to come up with something I am satisfied with.

For this reason, I will just get right into it and simply list a few facts about little ol' me.

First off, Although I am a newbie at the act of blogging, the "blogging world" is far from foreign to me. For years, I have been following and reading blogs. Finally, in 2010, as a new year resolution and adventure, I have gathered the guts to start a blog of my own. :)

Ta-Da!

My name is Jessica Mai and I was Born and raised in Beautiful B.C.
Vietnamese Canadian (fluent in Viet)
(proud) Book worm !!!!
Fashion and Beauty addict.. its a sickness
I wish I was taller. I think some people dont take me seriously, due to my height.
I am shy when I meet new people, but once I know you, and we are friends, you are basically family.
Celebrity gossip is my guilty addiction.
I am extremely sensitive to smell and I cant stand strong fragrances or stink.
I hate fighting.
I Looove my mama's cooking. mmm
I can eat ALOT.
I am very indecisive because I am always afraid of making the wrong choice.
I am terrified of growing up.
I have never been to NYC, but I think I would love it.(Esp. if I lived Carrie Bradshaw's life)
I LOVE laughing. :D
I prefer yam fries over potato fries.
Travelling is my favourite.
I hate public transport. Unfortunately, I depend on it everyday. :'(
I procrastinate too much.
My vision sucks.
My dad is my hero.
I am very blessed because I have sooo many amazing people in my life..

So there you have it folks!

A sliver of me. You will soon learn more, as I pour my [cold,little, black] heart out, on this blog. This Blog is me. This is who i am. Here, I will express my emotions, thoughts, views, opinions, and truths about anything and everything thats on my mind.

:D stay tuned...