Rinny's Beauty Diary

Update: Will Be Back Soon!

2012-09-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

I'm still alive! Sorry I just disappeared these past few weeks. My bf and I have been doing nothing but packing and moving so I haven't been able to get online to blog. I am glad to say that we've finally managed to move everything in yesterday. I'm sore and bruised all over, but I'm loving our new apartment and all the space we have now. I'm super excited about shopping for new furniture and decorating too :D

We haven't even unpacked yet though, and my internet doesn't get set up until this weekend, so I won't be able to resume blogging for the next week or so until I can get everything organized. I promise I will try my best to return ASAP! I'll talk to you guys soon! :)

Bauble Bar Haul

2012-08-12T10:46:00.000-04:00

Sorry I've been MIA recently. I recently took on a new part time job for the evenings and weekends, so I haven't had any time to myself lately. Working practically every day of the week really sucks, but this job couldn't have come at a better time, because I'm preparing to move into a new apartment in a few weeks and I also need to start saving for a car (I passed my road test earlier this month!).

With the extra income, I've also been able to indulge myself with some much needed retail therapy. This was my first time shopping at Bauble Bar, but I've become a fan and definitely intend on picking up more of their pieces in the future.

Review: Bauble Bar

Bauble Bar has a large jewelry selection and frequently features new collections and collaborations with designers. Shipping and returns are always free on every order! Shipping time was very quick and all of my purchases arrived in individual black velvet pouches.

Although their jewelry is a lot more than what I'm used to paying for costume jewelry, I'm very happy with the quality of all the pieces I ordered. The quality of the metals is much better compared to some of the items I've bought from places like F21.

What I love most though is their reward program. You earn 1 point for every $1 you spend, and every 10 points is redeemable for $1 in store credit. New members also get $10 towards their first purchase when you sign up for an account.

Bauble Bar sometimes has free gift promos but they aren't clearly advertised anywhere. I've seen a few already, and each time, the promo code was only advertised on the actual product page itself. So I highly recommend clicking through most of the inventory to see if you get lucky and find a free item code.

They also have a "Buried Bauble" event every Friday. A clue is provided and all you have to do is go to the product's page and you can purchase it at a discounted price of just $10.

Click here to sign up via my referral link (I would really appreciate it!)

Bauble Bar Haul

Lemon Triad Necklace - $28

This looked more lemon-yellow on the website, but in person the color is actually a neon yellow. I like the triangular shaped gems because this necklace looks a bit like the Pyramid Station necklace from House of Harlow.

Chunky Chain Strand Necklace - $32

Just a simple, chunky chain strand necklace. This is actually a bit more lightweight in feel than it looks. I feel like this could have been priced a bit lower though, since it's rather simple in design.

Rose Bramble Chain Necklace - $26

This necklace is one of my favorites because I love how the colors look together. A fine gold chain is weaved through a chunkier rose gold chain.

Roseland Disco Wrap Bracelet - $28

This bracelet is perfect for petite wrists! The bracelet is adjustable in size and at the narrowest, only measures 2" in diameter. I love the pave and rose gold beads, and I always receive a ton of compliments when I wear this out.

Bubble Strand Necklace in Green - $36

This isn't something I would normally pick myself, but it was a free gift with purchase at the time of my order. I love the bow tie and I think it makes a good statement piece to dress up a plain t-shirt. The only downside is that all of the beads make this quite heavy around the neck.

Have you shopped at Bauble Bar? What are some of your favorite pieces?

New members receive $10 towards their first purchase! Click to sign up (referral link).

Review: Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk - BE101 & OR204

2012-08-01T23:42:00.000-04:00

I feel like it's been forever since I've written a beauty review! A lot of you had requested that I review and swatch the Etude lipsticks I hauled from CosmeticLove, as well as the Skinfood salmon eye products (coming up soon), so here you go! Hope you guys enjoy :)

ETUDE HOUSE: Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk Lipsticks

The Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk collection of lipsticks from Etude House comes in 24 different shades and retails for approximately $12-15 dollars online. The lipsticks are featured and promoted in Etude's "Kiss Note" CF web drama featuring 2NE1's Sandara Park and the boys of SHINee.

Consistent with Etude's cutesy product design, these lipsticks are nothing short of adorable! The pretty pink tubes are adorned with a bow and definitely stand out amongst my other lipsticks. The actual lipstick itself is also stamped with Etude's logo on the side.

It was tempting to add all of the colors to my cart, but I eventually managed to narrow down my choices to just two: BE101 and OR204.

Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips: OR204 & BE101

Swatches of BE101 & OR204 (natural light)

Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk in BE101

Pink brown-toned nude, semi-matte finish

Lip swatch of BE101 - flash on

Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk in OR204

Pink toned coral, semi-matte finish

Lip swatch of OR204 - flash on

PROS:

Very pigmented
Wide variety of colors
Super cute packaging and design
Fruity scent

CONS:

Drying on the lips
Tends to settle in fine lines
Wear time - average, about 3-4 hours

My Rating: 3/5 stars - I love the super girly design of the lipsticks, the excellent pigmentation, and how both colors look on me, but quality wise, I think they are pretty comparable to some drugstore brands, such as Revlon. The semi-matte finish of these also doesn't help in providing any moisture and the color tends to settle in the fine lines of my lips.

Have you tried any of the Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk lipsticks?

2nd Anniversary Giveaway Winner!

2012-07-26T20:13:00.000-04:00

Once again, thank you everyone for entering my most recent giveaway! I received many more entries than I originally expected, so it took me awhile to sort through them. To all of my long time readers, thank you for your continued support! And to my new readers, it's nice to meet all of you and I hope to chat with you guys on my blog in the future ^_^

The winner was randomly chosen by Rafflecopter. Congratulations to......

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats Sarah! I've sent you an email - just reply back with your info and I'll get your prize out to you ASAP! (In the event that Sarah doesn't reply back within 72 hours of my email, another winner will be randomly drawn.)

Thanks again everyone for entering and better luck next time!

OOTD: Date Night

2012-07-22T15:42:00.000-04:00

When you've been in a relationship for so many years, I find that sometimes people forget to set aside time to do things together as a couple. I've been with my bf for 8 years now and although we live together and see each other everyday, we still try to put together date nights once in awhile.

Yesterday we went to the see the new Batman movie, which I thought was really good, but kinda long at almost 3 hours. Afterwards we went to the mall to shop for my dress for his sister's wedding this week (no luck finding one unfortunately), then had a bite to eat at Boston Market (love their creamed spinach!). So yeah, it was a pretty good day!

I also trimmed my hair on Friday so it's a bit shorter. You guys probably didn't even notice though haha. I am in desperate need of a new hairstyle >.<

I asked the bf to take a picture of my Ann Taylor pumps and he takes a picture of my legs instead lol =.=

I've wanted the House of Harlow Leather Station necklace for awhile, but am generally reluctant to pay so much for accessories. I found this inspired piece on Ebay for only $10. The smaller triangles flip upside down sometimes, but for the price difference, I can't complain much.

Express Foiled Cross-Over Pleat Shell Top (size XS): shop

Express Cuffed Shorts (old, size 00): shop similar

House of Harlow Leather Station Inspired Necklace (Ebay): shop, the real deal
H&M Hammered Gold Bangle Set

Lulu Satchel (now a camera bag): tutorial

Ann Taylor Perfect Patent Pumps: shop

What do you like to do on your date nights out?

Side-note: My deepest condolences to those families who have lost loved ones at the midnight screening of Batman in Aurora, CO. Sometimes you really have to wonder why people do the crazy things they do...

August Blog Advertising Opportunities

2012-07-20T01:11:00.001-04:00

Are you a small company or blogger looking to promote your webpage? Rinny's Beauty Diary is now offering low cost advertising opportunities for the month of August - perfect for up and coming businesses or blogs wishing to increase site traffic!

What you'll benefit from (stats as of July 2012):

Google Friend Connect: 1200+ followers
Twitter: 600+ followers
Bloglovin: 400+ followers

Blog:
800-900 average pageviews/day
8200+ unique visitors/month
Google Page Rank: 2

Worldwide Audience:
Primarily USA, Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, and Australia

Reader Demographic:
Female, 18-30 years old

I am currently offering 3 different types of advertisement on my website. All are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to those sites that are beauty or fashion related.

Sidebar Large Ad

Ad Size: 250x250 px

Spots Available: 1

Price: ~~$35~~ Now $30/month

Position: top of right-hand sidebar
Month-long giveaway option

Sidebar Medium Ad

Ad Size: 200x200 px

Spots Available: up to 6

Price: ~~$20~~ Now $15/month

Position: right-hand sidebar, below large ad - ads rotated weekly
Week-long giveaway option

Blog Button Swap

Blog button exchange/swap; great for upcoming bloggers. To be eligible, you must have 200 or more followers, post at least once a week, and provide me with a small blog button (to be fair to others, a square shaped one is best).

Ad Size: small blog button

Spots Available: up to 8

Price: FREE!

Position: "Links" section in left-hand sidebar - rotated weekly

Please send me the following information and email me if you are interested in any of these advertising options! Payment is accepted through Paypal. Discounted pricing is available if you wish to advertise for 3+ months. Please contact for details.

Type of Ad

Website/Company Name

Website URL

Duration of ad (discounts available for longer time period)

Giveaway option (yes/no)

Cosmetic-Love Haul

2012-07-15T18:44:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone! I just want to apologize in advance if I'm not as active for the next month or so. A lot of things are happening in my personal life, so I am feeling a bit preoccupied at the moment. At the top of my list right now: moving - my lease ends in August so I need to find an apartment and pack everything up - and buying a car - my road test is Wednesday, so if I pass I'll need to start looking *sigh*

Anyway, this is a really backdated haul - actually a lot of my next few haul posts will also be like 2-3 months old. This was my first time ordering from Cosmetic-Love. Shipping time was very fast and I liked that they offer free shipping on all orders and had a lot of Etude products to choose from. They also provided me with a bunch of free samples and even included some promotional Kiss Note items with my Etude purchase.

Here is what I got:

Skinfood Salmon Brightening Eye Serum

Skinfood Salmon Concealer

2x Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-talk Lipsticks

Etude House Shini Star Clear Pact

I love the adorable packaging of the Etude House items! It's also cool that they included a promo poster and notebook from the Kiss Note CF web drama featuring Sandara Park and the boys from SHINee ^__^

This isn't a sponsored post, since I purchased the items myself, but I just wanted to say that the site is trustworthy and I am very satisfied with shipping time, pricing, and the service I received. In particular, I really like Cosmetic Love because they carry a wide range of Etude products, which I generally don't see much of on Sasa's site.

P.S. Thank you everyone for joining my recent giveaway! I received an overwhelming number of entries, so it will take me some time to sort through them. I will try to announce the winner soon though! Also, I recently made a Facebook page for my blog, so check it out here!

Week of 7/2/2012 Recap

2012-07-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry I kinda just disappeared this last week. What with everything going on at work, my birthday, and the July 4th holiday, I decided to use the free time to take a mini break from blogging. For those of you who are curious, here are some highlights from this past week:

I turned 24 last Monday! My coworkers surprised me with a cake at work, my manager (nicest guy I've ever met) gifted me $100, and I celebrated with the bf at Applebees for dinner. Nothing special, really :)
Our office gave out Employee Recognition Awards last Friday and my manager nominated me for an award due to my "outstanding customer service and willingness to go above and beyond my assigned duties." I've never really received recognition for anything I've done before...so I was extremely touched that management noticed my efforts at work. The award was a $100 Visa gift card (I seem to be very blessed this week haha) ^_^
Went to the movies with the bf and saw Ted (hilarious and so cute) and The Amazing Spiderman (good but I liked the first Spiderman movie with Tobey Maguire more)

Went out to Chinatown with the bf and had dim sum with 2 of my aunts at the Red Egg restaurant on Centre St. Everything was so yummy I forgot to take pictures lol. We also browsed the shops at Elizabeth Center, but didn't end up buying anything.

Red Egg Restaurant - 202 Centre St, New York, NY (Photo Credit)

Some random pics from our trip out to Chinatown:

There's this one store in Elizabeth Center that sells the cutest miniature food pieces and restaurant place settings :D

What have you guys been up to this past week? :)

OOTD: Mint and Coral

2012-07-01T22:41:00.001-04:00

Mint green and coral are two of my favorite colors this season. They look great by themselves, but even better when paired together. This casual summer outfit is comfortable, bright, and perfect for the hot weather we've been experiencing lately on the East coast.

To offset the mint and coral, I paired the bright shorts with a white tie neck blouse from LOFT and kept my shoes and handbag neutral.

These photos were taken at the library where I work part time. I've always loved libraries, because aside from being a total bookworm, I also find the smell of musky old books to be oddly relaxing. Weird, I know.

Ann Taylor LOFT Tie Neck Blouse (XSP): similar

American Eagle Twill Cuffed Shorts in Coral (size 0): similar

Thrifted Brown Belt

Levity Santorini Flats in Nude: shop

ASOS River Island Glam Satchel: similar

Ann Taylor LOFT Green Stone Bracelet: similar

What is your favorite color(s) this season?

There's still plenty of time to enter my giveaway! Check it out here if you haven't already :)

Review: Koji Dolly Wink Liquid Liner

2012-06-29T12:00:00.000-04:00

Koji's Dolly Wink liner is easily one of the most blogged about liquid liners in the blogosphere. It also happens to be gyaru model Tsubasa Masuwaka's favorite eyeliner (it even says so right on the back of the packaging). I've read countless reviews, the liner receiving glowing recommendations each and every time. But does it really live up to all of the hype?

Review: Koji Dolly Wink Liquid Liner

The Dolly Wink liquid liner retails for an average of $11-$15 online. I believe it is only available in one color - Deep Black. The liner dispenses through a felt tip, which is capable of drawing both a fine and thick line.

The liquid flows easily from the felt tip applicator and dries very quickly. The color is also very pigmented and a deep black color, which I love. On me, this liner lasts all day but can be easily removed by lightly rubbing with soap and water.

PROS:

Cute packaging
Pigmented, deep black color
Fine felt tip allows you to draw very thin lines
Long lasting wear
Quick drying

CONS:

Not waterproof
A bit pricey
Only available in 1 color (?)

My Rating: 5/5 - I definitely think this liner lives up to all the hype! I love the fine felt tip which allows you to draw precise lines, the deep black color, and the long lasting wear. The cute packaging is also a nice bonus :)

Are you a fan of the Dolly Wink liner too?

Guest Post: What to Do With 800 Million Spare Hours

2012-06-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

If waiting for home deliveries becomes a thing of the past, what will you do with all those hours in your pocket?

Isme.com's Collect+ Service

We’ve all done it – sat in all day waiting for a delivery that never actually arrives. In fact, research suggests that each year in the UK we collectively spend more than 800 million hours waiting for delivery and repair men.

For some people, the frustration isn’t worth it. For many, time is so precious that they’d rather pay someone else to wait at home for them. Paid for ‘wait at home’ services are popping up across the UK.

We don’t all have the ready cash for that solution, so it’s a relief that some online retailers have finally recognized the problem. Some now promise to deliver within an hour’s window. Others offer collection services – such as Isme.com’s Collect Plus – that allow online shoppers to collect purchases from a local pick up point when it suits them (often a store with extended opening hours).

Now we’re no longer captive in our own homes, what will we do with our hours of freedom? To get you started, here are our top three ideas for killing an idle hour:

1. Go off-line: how about an excursion in the real world online shoppers? Leave the laptop behind, even if it’s just for some window-shopping. Wander down the high street or explore a department store. If you see something you like, write down the details and look it up online where you might find a better price.

Love Label Floral Shirt Dress

2. Do the local long-haul: there’s almost nothing to beat the feeling of freedom from responsibility you get when you clear security and prepare to board a plane. That’s because you know there’s nothing you can worry or fuss about for a short while. Try to capture that supremely relaxing feeling by giving yourself time off from everyday life to get lost in a magazine, movie or book.

3. Make a play date: grab your best mate and go and do something silly for no reason. Why not fly a kite, go for a drive without a map, take a kayaking lesson or get dressed up for a picnic for two? If you get a laugh out of it, you’ll know it’s been an hour well spent.

South Petite Strappy Drawcord Tunic Dress

UK readers, have you tried a shopping collection service before? I hope these services become popular in the US - it would be so convenient!

This sponsored guest post is brought to you by Isme.com, a UK-based shopping website that offers Collect+, a collection service that allows you to pick up all of your purchases at one of over 4500 stores. Their online catalog features clothing, health & beauty, home and garden products, and much more.

Collective DSW Shoe Haul

2012-06-24T13:35:00.001-04:00

Ok it's official, I'm really bad with deadlines. So much for having this post up on Friday like I originally planned. Between work and my personal life, blogging during the weekdays is kinda tough, so from now on I'm going to aim for a fashion post every Sunday instead.

No outfit today, but I wanted to post about all the shoes I got from DSW pre-shopping ban. These weren't all purchased at once, but over a 2 month period. Whenever the season changes, I tend to go a bit crazy and stock up on seasonal pieces.

MIX NO 6 OCTAVIA WEDGE PUMP IN CORAL CANVAS

Shop Here

I kinda expected the color of these to lean more on the pink side, but this coral runs more red. The color is still really pretty though, and warms up my skintone. The canvas material is a bit stiff, so back-of-the-heel inserts are a must.

STEVE MADDEN TRIVOL SANDALS IN COGNAC

I love these because it's not too often you find flat gladiator style sandals with a closed toe. I don't like showing my toes because they're kinda long, so thong and open toed sandals are a no-no for me. These are very comfortable but the sole is a bit thin. Hopefully these will last me the rest of the summer.

Unfortunately these aren't in stock anymore on DSW, but click here for a similar style from Urban Outfitters.

MADDEN GIRL TWISTA FLAT IN RED/NUDE PATENT

Shop Here

I love these! Cap toe shoes seem to be pretty popular this year. These flats do run quite wide though. I recommend buying 1/2 size down.

STEVE MADDEN WADE WEDGE SANDAL IN TAUPE

Shop Here

I love that the taupe goes with everything. These are quite comfortable due to the wedge heel and the ankle straps are nice and snug on me (which is rare).

ROXY SKIPPER BOAT SHOE IN OLIVE

Shop Here

I'm not a sneakers type of girl - the only time I'll wear them is when I'm playing tennis. But I wanted a comfortable pair of casual shoes that I could walk all day in, so I went with these cute canvas boat shoes instead.

MADDEN GIRL ELIVIA PRINT WEDGE SANDAL IN BEIGE FLORAL

Image c/o DSW (link)

Forgot to take a photo of this pair, sorry! Haven't worn these out yet, but just from trying them on they do run quite wide. I recommend sizing down 1/2 size. I had 3 reward certificates from DSW, so I pretty much got this pair for free!

Do you buy a lot of shoes when the seasons change too?

P.S. Check out my current giveaway if you haven't already! Prizes include Asian and western branded beauty products as well as some surprise goodies :)

Tutorial: DIY No Sew DSLR Camera Bag Insert

2012-06-21T00:50:00.001-04:00

Ever since I bought my Canon T3i, I have been looking for a camera bag that would allow me to both protect it and look stylish while doing so. Unfortunately, most of the DSLR camera bags out there were really ugly or really expensive.

So instead, I decided to create a camera bag insert - it's basically a padded insert that you can remove and place into any handbag. Not only does it cushion and protect my camera, but I can interchange it amongst my larger handbags so I can coordinate the bag with whatever I'm wearing. Not only does it look cute, but it's extremely practical as well!

I don't own (or know how to use) a sewing machine, and sewing by hand would take too long so I just hot glue gunned everything together. So here is an easy DIY camera bag insert you can make yourself at home.

Sorry I wasn't able to take any pictures of the actual process; I actually didn't originally intend to post a tutorial since there are already a bunch of similar tutorials floating around online.

EASY DIY NO SEW DSLR CAMERA BAG INSERT

SUPPLIES NEEDED

1 yard of cloth

Foam padding (I recycled mine from old packing material)

Velcro strips

Hot glue gun

Large handbag

Scissors

Ruler/Straightedge

Pencil/marker

(Optional)

Foam poster board- if you want the bottom of your insert to be more sturdy/rigid

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep:

Measure the length and width of the inside of the bag.
For the base: cut out 2 pieces of cloth with the dimensions of the base of the bag plus an extra inch around all edges.
For the sides: cut out 2 pieces of cloth for each side plus an extra inch around all edges.
For the dividers: cut out 2 pieces of cloth measuring the width of the base plus an additional 2 inches at both ends so you can attach the velcro later. Cut out 2 pieces of cloth measuring half the length of the base plus an additional 2 inches at both ends so you can attach the velcro later.

It might be easier to understand if you just look at my diagram...

Assembly:

Arrange pairs of cloth pieces so that tops of pattern are facing each other. Basically you want to create a "pocket/pillow" which you will later flip inside out so the seams are hidden.
For the sides and base: glue 3 sides of the cloth pieces together. Once dry, flip inside out and stuff foam square into it. Seal open end with glue. Do this for all of 4 sides and the base of the insert. (If you want the base to be more sturdy, stuff a piece of foam poster board in it as support.)
Glue together the base and 4 sides.
For the dividers: glue together the top and bottom edges, leaving the ends open. Flip inside out and stuff with foam piece. Seal ends with glue and attach "furry" side of velcro strip to excess material.
Glue "spiky" side of velcro to insides of bag insert where you want the dividers to be. Insert and attach dividers to velcro.
Place your completed insert into your handbag, fill with your gear, and you're ready to go!

It doesn't look anywhere near perfect, but I'm really proud of this camera bag insert. I used to carry my T3i by the camera strap on my shoulder or wrap it in a scarf in my bag, which would leave it vulnerable to damage. Now I no longer need to worry about getting a scratch or dent on my camera.

The two dividers leaves plenty of space for extra lenses and camera accessories. I can also throw in my keys and a small wallet so I don't have to carry a separate purse.

And here is the camera insert inside a LuLu satchel I bought from Hautelook for less than $30.

TOTAL COST (approximate): $15 (supplies) + $30 (bag) = $45

Hot glue probably isn't the most durable method of attachment, but considering how cheap and easy this was to make, I don't even mind. I've taken the insert in and out of my bag a few times already and it's still holding up perfectly fine. Those of you with a sewing machine or more time may wish to sew the cloth pieces together instead so the insert is more durable.

I'm really happy with how the camera insert turned out and I can rest easy knowing that my camera is protected in my bag when I'm out and about. Now I can always tote around my camera in style :)

How do you store your camera when you're out?

Diary Entry 6/17/12: Find a Hobby

2012-06-17T13:41:00.002-04:00

Before my imposed shopping ban, window-shopping online almost became a hobby for me. When I was at work or home and had nothing else to do, I'd just open up Firefox and browse my favorite stores to kill some time. Sometimes I'd just browse for a few minutes...sometimes I'd spend an hour or more comparison shopping (Asian people are some of the most frugal people you will ever meet lol) and mulling over a purchase if I found something I really liked.

Often I didn't even shop with the intent of finding something specific in the first place, but I almost always managed to find at least one thing (most of the time, a few things) that caught my eye and I "just HAD to have."

Now that I'm not allowed to shop, I've suddenly found myself with a lot of spare time on my hands. I've tried to fill the void in my life by finding hobbies and activities (aside from blogging) to keep me busy, which really helps to get my mind off of all the great discounts and sales that keep bombarding my email's Inbox. Arghhhhhhh why must these retailers tempt me?!?!? T_T

So, lesson for today: if you often find yourself shopping online in your spare time, it means you aren't keeping yourself busy enough. Go and find yourself a new hobby, stat.

Days on Shopping Ban: 20

Previous Record: 40

Here's what I've been up to lately. Who knows, maybe one of these will interest you as well :)

PHOTOGRAPHY

I'm no professional and know absolutely nothing about it, but I might as well get more use out of my T3i. Lately I've been toting it around everywhere with me so I could take random shots.

Korean Fried Chicken - the best type of fried chicken ever!

Chicken Yaki Udon Noodles

Asians have the weirdest snack foods....

.....now these are more to my liking :)

I finally got a new lens too! Super happy with this one - it's the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens. It's a great value buy for new photographers at only a little more than $100 on Amazon, and it gives a great bokeh effect. Only downside is the plastic build, but for so cheap, I can't really complain.

This was taken while we were going down the highway at almost 65mph - looks like we're not even moving at all!

I'm particularly proud of this shot - bokeh makes everything look better haha

READING

Whenever I go to dollar stores, I always check out their selection of books. A few hours of entertainment for just $1? Yes, please.

MINECRAFT FOR XBOX 360

I hate my bf for getting me hooked onto this game. It's an open-ended RPG/sandbox game. Simplest way I could describe it is it's kinda like LEGOS - but for adults. Currently we're working on building a medieval village together with some of his friends :)

ASIAN DRAMAS

I just finished watching Heartstrings not too long ago - definitely check it out if you haven't yet! I love the soundtrack and Jung Yong Hwa is so cute! I really missed seeing him in dramas ever since I saw him in You're Beautiful.

Next on my to-see list: (formerly) SS501's Park Jung Min's Taiwanese debut in Fondant Garden! <33333

How do you keep your shopping habit in check?

P.S. I know I said before that I would try to post a fashion related post every Friday, but it's been raining on/off this entire week so I don't have any pictures to show :( Hopefully I'll have something for next Friday!

And don't forget to check out my giveaway if you haven't already! Open internationally :)

CLOSED: Belated 2 Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway

2012-06-13T21:45:00.001-04:00

7/15/2012: Thank you everyone for joining the giveaway! The giveaway is now closed and a winner will be randomly chosen, announced on my blog, and contacted once I have verified all entries.

Sorry I haven't been as active lately! I know I'm totally falling behind on replying back to comments and visiting your blogs. My bf recently got me playing Minecraft with him on the Xbox 360 so I've been getting a bit hooked onto the game >.<

Anyways, as promised, I wanted to hold a small giveaway to celebrate my blog's 2 year anniversary (which was actually back in May). Sorry it's not much, but I'll make up for it when I hold the next giveaway...which will probably be in the very near future since I'll probably be hitting 1000+ followers really soon!

I still can't believe this blog has made it this far - I really didn't intend for this to become anything more than a small hobby when I first started writing it. Thank you so much everyone for your support and friendship these past 2 years! <3

Keep reading to see how you can enter!

Giveaway Prizes

Isqueen Miracle Lifting Night Waterpack

Mini Skin79 Oriental Gold BB Cream

E.L.F Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Perfect Pink, Strawberry, & Cherry Tart

Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Crystal Cut Coral

Milani Eye Tech Liquid Eye Liner in Black

Dariya Hair Magic Sheets

My Beauty Diary Face Masks in Mixed Berries, Natto, & Red Wine
....Plus some surprise gifts (not decided yet)

I'm also going to throw in a couple of other things not included on this list as a surprise :)

Giveaway Rules

This giveaway will be open internationally.
Entries will be accepted until 12:01AM EST on July 14th, 2012.
Blogs/Twitter accounts created solely for giveaway purposes are not eligible to enter and will be disqualified.
You must be able to provide me a valid mailing address if you are chosen as the winner.
Winner will be randomly chosen and will have 72 hours to reply to my email before another winner is selected.

How to Enter

Very simple, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Mandatory Entry:

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Work Wear Series: Orange Pleated Skirt

2012-06-09T10:57:00.000-04:00

This orange pleated skirt I bought from Yesstyle awhile back is one of my favorite skirts. The color is suitable for both the fall and spring season...plus the warmer color tone makes my ghost white legs a little less blindingly bright.

I really dislike wearing shorts and skirts in the summer sometimes. I'm so envious of all the other girls around me with perfectly tanned legs. I don't even want golden brown skin, just a bit of color! :( But whenever I sit out in the sun for hours, my skin just burns and turns red.

Aside from getting a spray tan or using instant tanners, I think I'm pretty much doomed to have pale white legs for the rest of my life. I mean, just look at my arms! They've had constant sun exposure for the past 23 years and they're still whiter than most of my white friends lol

When I was younger my mom used to tell me to stay out of the sun because, "Only farmers who work out in the rice paddies have tans."

I might stick out like a sore thumb here in the States amongst my tanned peers, but if we were in Asia I'd be considered to be higher on the social hierarchy...so ha, I guess having pale legs isn't so bad after all :)

H&M White Chiffon Button Down Shirt (US size 2): shop similar

Yesstyle Orange Pleated Skirt (free size): shop similar, shop similar

Thrifted Brown Belt

Lulu Orange Mini Chain Bag: shop similar

Ann Taylor 'Whip Snake Print' Perfect Pumps in Bronze: shop here

H&M Gold Bangles

Juicy Couture 'Sweet Pea' Sunglasses: shop similar

Pale legs: perfectly acceptable or an eyesore in the summer?

Review: O'slee Rosehip Peeling Gel

2012-06-05T23:57:00.000-04:00

Peeling gels are a relatively new concept for me. In the past, I've used physical exfoliators like the St. Ives apricot scrub, but the granules always felt too harsh against my skin. I've also used chemical exfoliators like Juice Beauty's Green Apple Peel (still need to review) but the burning sensation on my face is always a bit unpleasant and sometimes even a bit painful (initially).

Review: O'Slee Rosehip Peeling Gel

Product Info

Peeling gels seem to be more popular in Asian countries, as I've seen numerous reviews on the ever popular CURE Aqua gel on many blogs. CURE's gel is pretty pricey since it is usually only sold in the large 250mL bottle for about $38 online. So when I came across the O'slee Rosehip Peeling Gel on Sasa's website for $8.60 for 60mL, I jumped at the chance to try it.

Comparing the two, the O'slee gel is $0.143/mL compared to $0.152/mL for the CURE Aqua gel. Yes, it's only a penny cheaper, but if it's your first time using a peeling gel, I don't really recommend buying a huge bottle in case you end up not liking it.

How It Works

For those who are new to peeling gels, the gel removes all the dead skin and dirt when it is rubbed into your skin, forming eraser-like shavings. I only have to rub the gel into my skin for about 5-10 seconds before it starts to visibly work.

I know that this product definitely does what it claims because I've tried rubbing the gel on areas where I've already exfoliated and no "eraser shavings" form, no matter how long I keep rubbing the area. After exfoliating, just rinse off with warm water and your skin is left feeling as smoother as a baby's behind :)

PROS:

Effective but gentle on skin
Skin is left feeling super smooth
Only need a small amount for each use

CONS:

Hard to find if you're not in Asia

My Rating: 5/5 - I love it! Now that I've tried a peeling gel, I'd like to invest in getting a full sized bottle of the CURE gel.

Have you tried a peeling gel? What is your preferred method of exfoliation?

OOTD: Pink Blazer & PacSun Bullhead Black Jeans

2012-06-03T14:31:00.000-04:00

I love blazers and I pretty much wear them all year round, even if it is nearly 90 degree weather out, just like it was this day. I look cool and collected in these photos, but really, I was sweating like crazy and couldn't wait to take it off after my bf was done taking the pictures.

Although not practical for all day wear in the summer, a blazer is still a good item to have because it can be worn in the evenings when it gets chilly, inside air conditioned spaces, or in my case, just for show when you're taking outfit photos :)

Btw, these white jeans are the Bullhead Black jean leggings from Pacsun that I posted about before. I would just like to say that I freaking love these jeans - they fit me like a glove and they were only about $20 each because I got them on sale. Plus the inseam is only 29" so I don't have to cuff, fold, or hem them! Besides the white, I also got them in a dark indigo rinse and in red. If you are petite and/or have thin legs, definitely check them out.

Just remember to size up generously! I am a 00/size 24 in the GAP jean leggings and I had to purchase the Bullhead Black ones in a size 3.

Yesstyle Cocostar Blazer in Pink (free size): similar here and here

Mint green lace tank (old)

Bullhead Black White Denim Leggings (size 3): shop

Target Mossimo Versie Patent Pumps in Natural Patent: shop

Lulu Quilted Mini Bag in Orange: similar

Ann Taylor LOFT Green Stone Stretch Bracelet: similar

H&M Bangles (part of set): similar

Is there anything you like to wear all year round, no matter the weather outside?

P.S. I'm very inconsistent with my outfit posts, but I'd like to start posting more of them regularly. I know I won't be able to keep up with a daily outfit post, so I was thinking about posting an outfit/fashion-related post once per week...maybe like a Fashion Friday sort of thing, except it won't be named that because I don't want people to think I'm copying off a certain Youtuber. But it'll definitely be on Fridays. Let me know what you guys think! :)

Belated Sephora Haul & Blog Button Swap for June

2012-05-27T16:29:00.001-04:00

I apologize that this is a super late haul post. Sephora had a 15% off sale...almost 2 months ago, I think.....but I never got around to posting about it. I took advantage of the sale and indulged myself with a bunch of Hello Kitty products and 2 Dior Addict lipsticks. I'm pretty frugal when it comes to lipsticks, so I would have never gotten them if they were full price.

Hello Kitty Brush Set (Mon Amour version is on sale now for $25)

Hello Kitty Parisienne Palette (on sale now for $17)

Hello Kitty Shimmering Powder and Eyeshadow Palette (on sale now for $20)

Hello Kitty Handheld Mirror ($36)


Hello Kitty Oil Blotting Sheets ($5) Dior Addict Lipsticks ($30 each) Sephora Fragrance Atomizer (on sale for $3)

You guys remember the shopping ban my boyfriend imposed on me? I totally just had a relapse yesterday and placed an order on MyPetiteFour for a cute dress and a Ravijour set (complete impulse buy). But I managed to go for 40 days without buying anything, so that's not too bad...right? I'm so mad at myself right now, but I'm taking baby steps. I'm going to aim for 2 months now...

Days on Shopping Ban: 1

Blog Advertising Opportunity for June

On another note, would anyone be interested in doing a blog button swap? Cecilia from Dearest Lou contacted me about doing a button swap for the month of June, and I'd like to start doing it on my own blog as well. Basically I'll link your blog button on my sidebar for the month of June, and you link mine on your blog.

The blog can be about anything - beauty, fashion, photography, whatever. All I ask is that your blog meets the following requirements:

Have 200 or more subscribers.
Post at least once a week.
Provide me with a small blog button measuring at least 100x100 pixels. To keep it fair for others, please avoid sending me a button that is very tall in height. A square one is ideal.

I'd like to display 5-6 buttons, so if anyone is interested, please send me an email!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! To my US readers, happy Memorial Day weekend!

Petite Friendly Bras: Ravijour Lingerie at MyPetiteFour

2012-05-22T00:11:00.000-04:00

Today is a bit of a special day because exactly 2 years ago, I first started this blog. I think I've come a long way since, and I'm particularly proud of myself for the improvement in photo quality and content, especially in recent months. I still have a long way to go, but I'm slowly learning and improving day-by-day. I really have to thank all of you for the support and encouragement though. Your views and comments are what motivates me to keep blogging and challenging myself! As a thank you, I'll be hosting a small giveaway, so keep an eye open for an announcement soon!

Ravijour - Japanese Lingerie

On another note, I've mentioned MyPetiteFour, an online Japanese fashion boutique, a few times before on my blog. Zoe, the owner, asked if I could share with you guys the new lingerie collection from Japanese brand, Ravijour, that they have available. I am not receiving any compensation for this post, but I wanted to share it because I thought it might be of interest to petite ladies out there.

Note: this post contains pictures of lingerie being modeled, so this post is a bit NSFW. Just thought I'd warn you guys in case your boss happens to walk right up behind you :)

It's no secret that Asian lingerie brands typically run smaller in size than Western brands, since Asian women generally have smaller chests when compared to non-Asians. This is perfect for petites, because for those of you who find bras at stores like Victoria's Secret to run too large, Ravijour's line of lingerie may be just right for you. Ravijour has been touted as the Asian equivalent of Victoria's Secret, and the brand is often mentioned in popular Japanese magazines.

Here are some of my favorite picks from the current collection available on MyPetiteFour:

Sugar Collar Bra Panty Set $49.99

Ribbon Lace Bra Panty Set $52.99

Glamour Frill Bra Panty Set $55.99

What I like most about the collection is that all of the designs are so cute and girly, with details like lace, ruffles, and floral prints. Plus everything is sold in a set, so you get the matching panty too. They also have a number of differently designed bras to suit different purposes and achieve different levels of push up (a must for us petite gals).

Due to the sizing differences, here is a guide that demonstrates how to convert your US bra size to a Japanese bra size (click to enlarge).

Check out the entire collection and shop Ravijour at MyPetiteFour. And don't forget, shipping is always free on every order of $75 or more (international included)!

Diary Entry 5/19/12 - Cut Off

2012-05-19T10:17:00.000-04:00

I thought it would be interesting to start a new series of diary posts on my blog that just reflect on current events and random things in my life. Some of you had suggested before that I post more about my personal life, so here you go! It doesn't get any more personal than a diary entry :)

Those of you who follow my Twitter may have seen one of my recent tweets about my bf taking away all of my credit cards. Yes, you heard right - apparently my shopping habits are so out of control that he deemed it necessary to physically cut me off AND hide all my cards. I totally sounded like a druggie right there, didn't I? That's how you know when you have a problem lol.

But you know what? I am actually thankful to him for doing what he did. Just to clarify, I don't spend exorbitantly to the point where I can't pay for necessities like rent and food (how else would I store all my purchases and have energy to shop? lol I kid) but I do have a tendency to make impulsive purchases...a lot. And after awhile, a few dollars here and there do add up.

It's been a little more than a month now since he's taken my cards away. I had to fork over EVERYTHING to him - even my debit cards. I'm only allowed to carry $20 cash on me (for emergencies) and he even told me not to cheat and shop with Paypal online (darn it, I was really hoping he wouldn't think of that one!).

I've tried to place myself on shopping bans in the past, but I always failed after a few days lol. I think this time I am actually going to succeed...I mean I don't have much of a choice. How am I supposed to shop with just $20 on me?! :(

So lesson for today - ladies if you can't control yourselves, give all your cards to someone for safekeeping, or even better, cut them up.

Days on shopping ban: 33

And to make up for the wordiness of this post, here are some random pics :)

My favorite stuffed animal - he's super soft and fluffy ^-^

Korean bulgogi (marinated rib eye beef)

Chicken and veggie pasta

My Nintendo DS - you can purchase custom vinyl skins for it online

Yes, I'm a bit of a video game nerd. Wondering what I've been playing lately....?

Pokemon Heart Gold - Togepei is my favorite lol ^^

Is anyone else here a shopaholic and/or lack impulsive shopping control? Share your experiences!

Review & Swatches: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters (Pic Heavy)

2012-05-16T22:33:00.001-04:00

I know I'm jumping on the bandwagon super late with this post, as there are already a gazillion reviews out there about the much hyped Revlon lip butters. But better late than never, right? :)

I'm normally not the type of person to purchase so many of the same product, but I honestly couldn't decide on just 1 or 2 colors, so I picked up a total of 6 instead ^-^ Aside from my infatuation with NYX lipsticks and glosses, this is the only other time I've purchased so many colors in one shot!

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Product Info

Revlon describes the lip butters as a "Buttery balm with beautiful shiny color to give you baby soft, healthy glowing lips." They retail for $7.49 but can be usually found on sale for BOGO 50% off. Each lip butter contains .09 oz of product and is currently available in 20 different shades.

Shop Revlon lip butters at Ulta

(currently buy 2, get 1 free as of 5/16/2012)

The plastic cap on these makes it feel a bit cheap, but they look very sleek in design. I also appreciate that the top of the cap is clear, matches the color of the lip butter, and is labeled on the bottom so you can easily identify each color.

Color & Wear

When I think of a lip butter, I generally assume pigmentation to be pretty sheer. So I was very surprised to see how pigmented these are compared to my Korres lip butters. Some colors are more sheer than others, but most of the ones I purchased have very good color payoff.

From left to right:

015 Tutti Frutti: tangerine orange
025 Peach Parfait: sheer peach with shimmer
035 Candy Apple: bright red
045 Cotton Candy: pale pink
080 Strawberry Shortcake: bubblegum pink
090 Sweet Tart: Barbie pink

The lip butters are pretty moisturizing, so those who always experience dry lips from the use of lipstick will love these! Unfortunately, wear time isn't so good - you may find yourself reapplying every 2-3 hours.

Swatches

Here are the swatches of the colors I purchased. Photo was taken in front of a window, no flash.These were only 2 swipes each, so the colors are pretty light on my arm. You can build up the color with more layers though.

Revlon Lip Butter Swatches (on arm): Tutti Frutti, Peach Parfait, Candy Apple, Cotton Candy, Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Tart

I hate doing lip swatches, but I figured it would probably be helpful if I included them...so here are some very unflattering photos of my lips. My lips were starting to get a bit dry since I was applying and wiping off each color consecutively, so please excuse the fact that they look a bit...meh...towards the end.

Again, these were applied with just 1 or 2 coats each on my lips, so the colors look a bit light on me. You can apply more coats for a more opaque color.

PROS:

Good color payoff considering it's not a lipstick
Moisturizing
Affordable, especially when on sale
Large color selection

CONS:

Wear isn't very long-lasting

My Rating: 4/5 stars - subtracting a point because you need to reapply every 2-3 hours.

Overall, if you're looking to add color to your lips but lipsticks tend to make them dry and chapped, you'll love these! I have a feeling once you try one you'll become hooked and want to collect all of the colors - I know I do :)

Revlon Lip Butters: Tutti Frutti, Peach Parfait, Candy Apple, Cotton Candy, Strawberry Shortcake, Sweet Tart

Have you tried the Revlon lip butters? Love them, hate them, share below!

P.S. Do you guys like the new photos? It's amazing what something as simple as a white poster board can do :P

Guest Post: 10 Things You Need in Your Handbag

2012-05-14T19:47:00.001-04:00

Hi guys! Today's guest post is being brought to you by House of Fraser and its affiliates. I'll be back later this week with my Revlon lip butter haul and review post :)

10 Things You Need in Your Handbag

This summer provides us with lots of fantastic bags. There’s the practical tote bag, the cross body bag, evening clutch bags and the frame bags from House of Fraser etc. If your bag is super small, you should be able to fit all the following items in it - which from time to time can be an essential beauty saviour:

Make-up: It is always a good thing to have make-up in your bag, especially in those unexpected events which you have not planned. You want to look your best, any time of the day, and a fresh layer of make-up will make you look both fantastic and beautiful. You will also feel better about yourself if you know you look good. Your make-up bag is just that fundamental thing you need on a spontaneous night out with friends or colleagues.
Hairbrush: The next most important thing you need in your handbag is a hairbrush. You don’t want to look like a troll which is why a tiny hairbrush is the best tool to prevent this from happening.
Hairspray: In order to style your hair, a hairspray comes in handy. Make sure it is a travel sized hairspray so that it does not take up the whole bag.
Anti-bacterial: In case you end up in a bathroom without any soap to wash your hands.
Tissues: Same scenario; if you end up in a bathroom without any toilet paper (which is often the case in the girl’s toilet on a night out).
Phone: Make sure you have your phone available in case you need to contact friends and family. It is also nice for your friends and family to be able to contact you.
Wallet and keys: Remember your wallet including your card, cash and ID. Keeping this in your wallet makes your bag organised and you know where to find the different items. A good suggestion is to hang a little teddy onto your keys as that makes them easier to find.
Snack and water- in case you are stuck in a queue and you have no shops nearby where you can buy food and beverages.
Gum – During the day you eat and drink lots of different food and beverages which may affect your breath. A quick fix is to have a packet of gum available. It is not very pleasant to talk to people who have stinky breath, and will considerably damage your natural charm from coming across.
Alarm: Never walk home alone. There are many scary people out there so take some precautions and have a tiny alarm in your bag. Make sure this is visible in your hand whilst walking home as that might prevent bad incidents from happening.

If you have all these items in your bag you will always be prepared and look your most fabulous.

This guest post is brought to you by House of Fraser, the UK's leading department store, and its affiliates. Opinions expressed do not reflect my own views and no compensation was received for this post.

Rinny's Beauty Diary

Update: Will Be Back Soon!

Bauble Bar Haul

Review: Bauble Bar

Bauble Bar Haul

Review: Etude House Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk - BE101 & OR204

ETUDE HOUSE: Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk Lipsticks

Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk in BE101

Dear My Blooming Lips-Talk in OR204

2nd Anniversary Giveaway Winner!

OOTD: Date Night

August Blog Advertising Opportunities

Sidebar Large Ad

Sidebar Medium Ad

Blog Button Swap

Cosmetic-Love Haul

Week of 7/2/2012 Recap

OOTD: Mint and Coral

Review: Koji Dolly Wink Liquid Liner

Review: Koji Dolly Wink Liquid Liner

Guest Post: What to Do With 800 Million Spare Hours

Isme.com's Collect+ Service

Collective DSW Shoe Haul

Tutorial: DIY No Sew DSLR Camera Bag Insert

EASY DIY NO SEW DSLR CAMERA BAG INSERT

SUPPLIES NEEDED

INSTRUCTIONS

Diary Entry 6/17/12: Find a Hobby

CLOSED: Belated 2 Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway

Giveaway Prizes

Giveaway Rules

How to Enter

Work Wear Series: Orange Pleated Skirt

Review: O'slee Rosehip Peeling Gel

Review: O'Slee Rosehip Peeling Gel

Product Info

How It Works

OOTD: Pink Blazer & PacSun Bullhead Black Jeans

Belated Sephora Haul & Blog Button Swap for June

Blog Advertising Opportunity for June

Sponsored Review: LensVillage EOS Gothic 3 Tones Hazel

Review: EOS Gothic 3 Tones Circle Lenses in Hazel

Petite Friendly Bras: Ravijour Lingerie at MyPetiteFour

Ravijour - Japanese Lingerie

Diary Entry 5/19/12 - Cut Off

Review & Swatches: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters (Pic Heavy)

Review: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Product Info

Color & Wear

Swatches

Guest Post: 10 Things You Need in Your Handbag

10 Things You Need in Your Handbag

Sponsored OOTD: Ready for Spring