Japanese Candy Haul

Been a while since my last post. I had been trying to live contently without shopping, but that didn't work out so, my newest obsession is Japanese DIY Candy.

Now I've always been obsessed with anything from Japan. I've always loved Pocky, Meiji, and Fujiya(Peko Peko), but I just recently discovered the plethora of freakin crazy progressive candy that comes from the minds of the gastro super geniuses in Japan! 

Little did I know that the super cute Meiji candy that I've had had crazy cool older candy cousins like Wata Patcha, it's like a cotton candy texture gum thing! 

Then I have always been a huge fan of all things Cola flavored, turns out Japan has so many awesome Cola flavored Candy-In this load I pretty much bought every Cola flavored item available. The Japan UHA cola balls have to be one of the most scientifically satisfying candies I've ever had due to its various stages of transformation while in your mouth! First the round semi hard ball is sour , like you almost spit it out sour, but if u just hang in there you r in for the candy experience of your life! It starts to fizz and crackle, not like pop rocks, but this light cottony fizzing that is just amazing! Then the fizz fades and you have a great cola flavored candy ball, then as it melts away and softens you are left with a gummy jelly center that is the perfect ending to this party of senses.

Also always been engrossed by all things floral flavored. I love those little Violet Candies, but they are in sad comparison with the Rose candy from Kracie. OMG!!! The packaging boasts to "Make You Comfortable with the Scent of Rose". You better believe it! The light delicate peachy rose flavor is like a drop of heaven! The sheer flavor genius behind this is unbelievable! I did feel comfortable, like floating on a pretty pink cloud then rolling around in it in a haze of floral ecstasy! 

Speaking of peachy ,which is also one of my fave candy flavor, Japanese candy includes a great selection of really natural tasting peach stuff, such as the Pure peach gummies.

Then the pièce de résistance, DIY Candy, now the brand Kracie is the leader in this concept. I think it is a great learning experience for kids to show how certain materials can transform into different materials. A lot of the DIY candies are like ones that come with a mold and you make your own gummies. But others are a little more outlandish( outlandish as in totally freakin awesome), like the Toilet candy in which you mix up in a toilet bowl and it foams up. Then there is the Dodotto octopus DIY set. It comes with this cute octo shaped squeeze dropper to transport one liquid into another and the tentacles each squeeze out small drops that turn into tiny balls of yummy jelly.

Melon Hi-Chews have always been a fave. Now The Japanese hi-chews take the flavor varieties to a whole new level. They have cola hi-chews, melon soda and many more. Then there is another hi-chew type candy called Puccho. These hi chews have little pockets of gummy surprise inside. Flavored include pink grapefruit, miracle, pineapple soda, peach, and so many more. The base of these candies are a yogurty taffy. The 100,000,000,000 flavor is named for the 100,000,000,000 units of probiotics that they have in them. Candy that's semi-healthy, totally Cool!

Any lover of Japanese stuff knows that these items are not cheap to obtain. This fact makes it really hard for me to share, let alone bring myself to eat them for fear that I will never be able to eat again. 

Hmm **Psychological Breakthrough**this fear of not having enough extends to most of my obsessions. For instance Bath and Body Works, I have so much stock of products for fear of my fave scents being discontinued or otherwise not available. My Sanrio/ Kawaii collection, since I don't have a local Kawaii store, every time I get to one I buy a ton and I never use most of the stuff, because its basically all limited edition. A lot of the products will never be made again, so that's why I also usually buy doubles so I can use one and collect one. Same with Korean Beauty products, hard to come by or not readily mass produced in US , so I hoard. Which is crazy because I innately despise clutter. Which brings me to my organization obsession-I buy and buy and buy, then I buy clear Rubbermaid storage and then I store and store and store. Clear ,so I can always see what's inside. Basically I guess I just have a museum of all my favorite things. 

En fin Japanese Candy is BOMB, but duh, everything out of Japan is great, so no surprise! Must be why there is not a large population of Japanese people that immigrate to the US, cause their country is just so awesome that they don't have a need to leave it. So,definitely everyone go buy some J-Candy! 

This load I got from J-List. Shipping was relatively quick, considering it coming from Japan. I am super satisfied with their price and service and am about to place another order pronto!

Jamberry Nail Sticker Review

So I had gotten these samples of Jamberry Nail stickers like a month ago, but I had a nice gel manicure that was lasting forever. So, after I finally removed the nail polish from my previous manicure (Which I must say Gelish French manicure last for ever I'm talking like a month +), since none of these Jamberry Samples matched, I was thinking of doing an accent nail on each hand. But if I was going to get a real gist of how long this process was going to take, I thought I might as well just go ahead and do the whole hand *In unmatching stickers, ugh ( very hard with my OCD)-I've tried other Nail Stickers**Sally Hansen which were terrible. I was leery of these nails for a few reasons one being the price and another being the fact that you have to cut them then you have to heat them.I thought oh my gosh I don't even have time to give myself a quick clearcoat let alone heat up nails and cut them to my size! But the hundreds of really awesome,really cute and really cool designs that they have, I wanted to give them a chance.

Finally, I get around to testing out the Jamberry Nail Shields.
My 1st fear was having to cut them. Really not bad at all, basically just cut them in half. Each sticker has 2 rounded ends. I cut in in half then used the rounded end at the base of my nail, cause its rounded too. *^~^* Very quick.

Then came the 2nd fear, I had the shield cut and ready to paste on my nail. Its says to hold the sticker with a nail stick but I knew the very tip of it would be cut off anyways cause my nails are short, so I just pinched it up with my fingers. Hold it under hottest setting of hair dryer for like 1-2 seconds, there is no guesswork, you can instantly see and feel them getting soft. Which is what is needed to form better to your nail.
Place sticker on nail, I blew another shot of hot air after I placed it on nail, then apply pressure for a couple secs, then file downward the leftover sticker that is hanging off the tip of your nail.

My whole nail shield mani was done in less than 30 minutes. Whereas if I paint my nails, it is always a couple hours, with screw up fixes, color choice, total removal and re-dos, etc.
Plus these are great if you have kids, the whole house doesn't smell like a chemical factory!


3rd Fear was that I was scared of removal because the Sally Hansen Nail Stickers ripped layers off my nail. But with these just soak in water till soft and peel up a corner, put back in water and keep gently peeling when waterlogged. My nails were as good as new after removal!!

Cons (Subjective)
 Size--I like my manis very tight up against my skin. SO this created an issue for me with the Jamberry Nail Shields, but not sure I should even mention it, BECAUSE...these were samples. There were only 5 sizes included, so in order to cover edges of my nails I cut tiny slices to add to the spots where the stickers that were too small for my nail did not cover. Jamberry does make 9 sizes, so I am sure with a real set everyone can find the right fit. This close up shows the size issues I had, but if you hold it far away and cross your eyes, you really can't tell hehehe--But like I said, this was only cause I had 5 sample sizes. With a set, you get 9 sizes. Bound to get a good fit!

 Wrinkling--If you choose a nail shield that is too big, it will wrinkle. That is a reason also with these why it would be better to err on the smaller sticker rather than a larger one for your nail size.
 Shipping Time--Before I got these samples I did actually order 5 sets , but I waited a week and they still hadn't came and I cancelled the order. I mean I order furniture that arrives quicker than a couple thin sheets of nail stickers!!
 Shipping Fees--I do a lot a online shopping , so I am very familiar with shipping fees. I have ordered huge, heavy things that cost less than the shipment for something that could be sent with probably 2- 45 cent stamps. I mean they are probably lighter than paper. But, shipping is still like $6.95!!
 That was it for the cons

  Pros 
 #1 Absolute is SELECTION!!! The patterns that they have are Freakin Awesome!!! Here's is a teensy tinesy mix of some of their options. Check out their site http://www.jamberrynails.net/home/products.aspx?id=1078
 Quality--Better than any other Nail Stickers I have tried. Sally Hansen Stickers are so fragile, they rip at the slightest mistouch!
 No Odor--Now, regular nail painting of course is fume-y, but even the Sally Hansen Nail Stickers are super stinky. The drawer I had them in was like polluted! The Jamberry Nail Shields are totally odor free!
 Quality for Price--OK, people that are interested in Nail stickers would probably go their local Walmart or Ulta and buy some Sally Hansen's which are like $9-10+ and you get 1 mani if you don't rip half of them while trying to peel them off! The Jamberry Nail Shields are $15. There are 2 rows are 9 sizes each, which when cut in half you get a whole mani, So that's 2 full manis for $15













Long Lasting--I just couldn't stand those mismatched nails so I took them off after a week,with no signs of wear but with my nail growth rate(pretty slow) they would last 3-4 weeks.

Overall, I will totally buy these in the future, but I made a few big purchases lately so I am on a temporary cut back. But for anyone that is currently in the market for Nail Stickers, this should be your ONLY Option. I mean $9 or $10 seems easier to spend than $15, but for a product that is worthless, like the Sally Hansen nail stickers it's way too much. It would be really cool if these Jamberry Nails were in stores so they could be a total impulse buy, but then again, you will most likely be the only one in your area with with these hot designs!

What's in the Mail today?

Hmm, looks like packages from China and Korea ! What have I ordered recently? Wow, Is it really getting that bad? Oh aha, just a momentary lapse of retail forgetfulness. This is one of the best packages received recently!!!!

Melody Pops!!! Childhood candy throwback!!
Chupa Chups, my fave Cola flavor and Chocolate Vanilla Swirl!!
Seriously, WHY, WHY did they stop selling these in the US. What is wrong with these Americans!!!??? ( It's ok I can say that I'm American, and race bashing is always acceptable if its against an American, right?)

Ok, I'm off to ride my peewee bike, which came in the mail last week and toot on my Melody Pop!

Oh yeah better not forget to hide this from the kids before they get home for school. I am soooo NOT about sharing this stash, they just wouldn't appreciate the nostalgia. I'll get them some generic "modern day candy" and they'll never be the wiser!

What's in My Medicine Cabinet? Daily Face Rituals

So I'd say my skin is combination oily kind of on the sensitive side cause I can break out easily from creams. It has taken me foreeeeever to find a moisturizer that works for my skin. Seemed like every cream made me break out.

So, why was I so he'll bent on finding a cream if face my was semi-oily to begin with ? Well anti-aging for one and then in the winter, my face does tend to dry out some.

While I worked at Bath and Body Works, a skin care line came out called Pure Simplicity. This was actually a suuuuper great line, not sure why it got discontinued, well I guess probably the usual culprit, sales were down and Bath and Body Works decision to cut out the 3rd party brands (probably with the rise of Sephora, they just couldn't compete in the skin care arena) and go back to their alma mater of scented body care. But anyways, in Pure Simplicity, my level was Oat. These were the purest cleansers ever!!! As I was famous for my sink demos, I used to show the customers the purity of these facial soaps by rubbing the liquid soap directly in my eye then rinsing it out. And it was that gentle, didn't burn at all. I really loved the concept of the Pure Simplicity line. All the natural ingredients used were taken from the most nutrient rich part of the plant and turned I to a pure and simple skin care line. Actually that year one of the products made Oprah's Xmas List, the Pumpkin face mask, you just wanted to eat it!! Another concept of the Pure Simplicity line was that No Toner was needed. The cleansers were so pure and effective at getting everything off your face that no separate makeup remover or toner were needed, just the Cleanser and Moisturizer. They also had some serums , the White Tea was awesome, that was my first serum ever. You can still find some of this stuff on eBay, the great thing about Bath and Body Works products is they last forever !!!! I have stuff like 10 years old that still looks and smells the same as when it was new, so if that was still my line I wouldn't be scared to buy some old stuff cause I know how it keeps.

Then, one of the other skin care product that I could use the whole system was the Clinique 3 Step Skin Care System. Starting with the Clinique Liquid Face Soap in Mild, then Clarifying Lotion Toner in #3 in summer and #2 in winter, followed by the Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, as my moisturizer. This system worked great for me for a while, but the moisturizer started to get just a little heavy, even though just a gel, so I found The Clinique Moisture Surge, OMG, I still love this moisturizer, but was still a little more probe to break outs while using it. And as for a repair serum, Clinique's Repairwear Laser Focus wrinkle and UV damage corrector. I still use this on my #1 between the eyes frown line(so in need of a shot of 'Tox!!!)

Then after Clinique , something , don't remember what happened within me and the cleanser. Maybe I got a sample of Philosophy's Purity face cleanser and fell in love, cause that was my next cleanser. Purity kept my face nice and zit free, worked perfectly with my face brush. Purity never dried my skin out or left it stripped. I just think that after a while your face gets kind of immune to a product and you are forced to move on. None if philosophy's moisturizers ever worked for me, do while using Purity I stuck with the Clinique moisture surge if I even used moisturizer, seems like I totally stopped moisturizing for a while.

Then came the skin care system love of my life. This line of products, I can and do use almost the Whole Line!!!!
OLE HENRIKSEN
I think I got a sample of OH and was instantly hooked.

Regimens-all Ole Henriksen, unless noted

A.M. Regimen-- I use the African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, with my facial brush, then the Orange Truth Serum Collagen Booster, followed by Sheer Transformation creme(OMG, I can hardly believe I went from using no moisturizer to using 2, no actually 3 because after I scoop out my half a dime size dollop of Sheer Transformation I drop 2 drops of Josie Maran 100%Argan Oil into the creme dollop and apply to face), then I use the tiniest spot of the Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, little goes a loooong way. Wow that stuff really opens up your eyes, sometimes I feel like a deer in headlights after using the eye lift gel! Then like I said I still use the Clinique Repairwear laser focus for my frown line.

P.M.--Then in the night, I always wash my face at night, I can't believe there are so many people that don't , EW and especially who wear makeup. That's just crazy to me! So again with the African red Tea Foaming Cleanser, then the Invigorating Night Gel and Ultimate Lift Eye Gel.

The only product of Ole that I can't use on my face is the Truth Revealed Super Creme, which has an SPF which brings me to my next quest. Like I said for the longest time I could not find a moisturizer that didn't break me out, well that's SPF for me know. I've tried Shiseido, Ole, Clinique, a few more and quit.

But my Ole Truth Revealed Super Creme doesn't go to waste, in fact none of the creams that don't work on my face go to waste . They make the PERFECT "Neck and Dec(k) Creams" as I like to say, perfect for the neck and décolleté , these areas are not sensitive for me therefore I don't have to worry about breakouts there. I get so many samples or parts of sets that I can't use on my face that I probably have a lifetime supply of Neck and Dec creams. You should NEVER NEGLECT these areas! We really don't want chicken neck!!

So for AM I use the Ole Henriksen Truth Revealed Super Creme for The Neck and Dec and for PM I currently use Clinique Youth Surge Night, just cause I have itI also switch between the Ultimate Lift Eye Gel and Clinique's Repairwear intensive eye cream . Also recently got a deluxe sample of Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser and have been using that instead of the Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foam Cleanser for a while and have gone virtually zit free even thought my last period!!!

Masks, Exfoliation and Treatment
Masks
Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar or Umbrian Clay Face Treatment (tube form) both basically the same thing, although bar is the more pure form, less additives), my favorite treatment ever and my go to zit fixer is Fresh Umbrian Clay Bar, as you can see in my cabinet that bar at the bottom. OMG, these bars last like a year or more. In the summer, I use almost everyday to keep the grease away. You just wet the bar, rub on your face and let dry. I leave mine on about 15 minutes. This is perfect spot treatment for zits too. I usually like the tube form for spot treatment, but I just stock up on samples of it everytime I go to Sephora and it usually lasts me till the next time I go, cause you only need the size of a zit. So when I have an unsightly I just use enough clay to fully cover and leave in all night. By morning the zit is considerably dried out. If it was unpoppable at night, it should be poppable by morning. Ok I am sorry I am a popper , I just can't let those things bubble and cause pain under the surface or get a white head on them, I gotta relieve the pressure, contrary to what anyone says, that's how I roll.

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask
This is my fave peel off mask!! Skin feels super soft and purified when done within this. With most products, a little goes a long way, but with this , you do need quantity. You gotta lay it on thick. In order to peel of there's has to be something to grip onto. I would say this needs a good 30 minutes to dry especially with the amount you have to use. Then it peels off, be careful not to put on eyebrows , it may rip them off. It's really good for blackheads and whiteheads,you can see the little impurities on the side that was touching your skin when you peel it off. I would say this is a great deep cleaning mask.

Exfoliation
For a deep exfoliation, I like Fresh Soy Face Exfoliant. This is also good as a winter scrub because it has jojoba and Vitamin E which are moisturizing.

For a light exfoliation I like Boscia Smoothing Facial Polish. This is very gentle, great for sensitive skin and a gentle resurfacing.

My newest fave exfoliation is a Korean brand Holika Holika. It's the Apple Shine Soda Scrub. The exfoliation in this one is Baking Soda. Baking Soda just feels sooo luxurious , it's gentle it's a tad fizzy, a little goes a super long way. I always use this in the shower it works great as a back and neck and dec exfoliator too. Especially since you only need such a tiny amount this a great economically as a body scrub as well. This is a gentle exfoliator that takes little pressure and really smooths out your skin. Baking soda is also supposed to be good for whiteheads, which are my mortal enemy, my nemesis, the only thing that keeps me from having perfect skin!!! Whiteheads on my chin and nose have proven the most difficult thing the get rid of. Still haven't found the perfect remedy , but this helps!

Also can't forget , actually my fave fave, Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub
This is so awesome!! It's the Rice Krispies of the scrub world, it's all like Snap, Krackle and Pop-y. I would say this scrub is a deep exfoliator, very grainy walnut particles are the exfoliator. Now I always exfoliate or mask on a dry face. If face is wet the scrubs don't have as much gripping power therefore can't get down there and do their job. (OMG, so craving a scrub right now) So after applying the scrub add a few drops of water and this is where the magic happens with the Walnut Complexion Scrub, it has a tingly feeling and crispy sound that just adds to the allure of this scrub. When removed you notice brighter, softer and more glowing skin.

Another few that I've tried that are notable are the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm. This is a great treatment for the winter, gentle exfoliation with lots of moisturizing components. Kate Somerville, ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment--Wow this is some powerful stuff. Use this when your face is just feeling blaah. It will liven your skin right up to reveal a healthy glow, be careful with sensitive skin. I actually need to use more, supposed to be good with black and whiteheads!

Oh, and I almost forgot, my lip scrub.
Fresh Sugar Lip Polish-this stuff is amazing!! If you want lips like a baby, look no further. I love all Fresh's lip products. Since I started using this lip exfoliator and the white Fresh lip treatment balm I haven't had chapped lips. I only wish that they made a lip color like the color that this scrub leaves your lips. This scrub is made with brown sugar and for some reason leaves your lips this beautiful mauve like color for a few minutes . afterward. This stuff is a necessity!!

All this talk of my fave go to scrubs has me craving a good exfoliation, so I'm off to scrub till my little face is content
*^~^*

Étude House Mini Haul

OMG, found this really cheap authentic K-Product dealer on eBay of all places!!! Now, you can't always trust eBay, but I figure these items would take too much time to fake. Who knows though. I have the same in a guaranteed authentic and they look identical to me so I am super super pleased with this purchase and am going to use this vendor for all my K (Korean, duh) skin products!! Soooo happy!

Super fast shipping seeing that it came from Korea, vendor promised that it is just so cheap because they buy in bulk right from manufacturer, I know cause i asked "Why so cheap?"

So , yeah I am totally not OBSESSIVE!!!! Buying Multiple of the same product has become one of my latest habits. But it's like , eeeeverytime I loooove something, it gets discontinued, so I gotta buy in bulk!

Kawaii Food

You know what is so Kawaii in a food kind of way. Korean food, so many cute goodies, snacks and drinks.

You know what other food type thing is so Kawaii? Bubble milk tea-Boba--

Kawaii--those frozen yogurt places like pinkberry where you can add your own yummy cute toppings, like popping juice boba, mini mochi, mini gummi bears, fruit, etc. they sell by the ounce. I usually go slim on the froyo (not a big ice cream cold stuff fan) and mound up on the toppings.

This is my latest haul from the Korean food market . Now there are some savory staples. Not too many snacks this time.

Some of my fave snacks are Kikiriki , little chicken leg shaped, chicken flavored crunchy snacks.

KuraeBap-little whale shaped fish flavored crunchy snacks!

Banana kick-cheesie shaped, but banana flavored crunchy sweet snacks

Korean pear juice packets- they are all the rage on some really cool Korean drama shows. Lots of good nutrients too.

Now this juice Lotte Peach water drink. Saw this recently on a Korean drama and have been dying to try-got to pick some up at the K Market today-they r so yummylicious!!

What's In Your Purse

I Love the What's In Your Purse Game!!!!

I really take pride in my purse contents, too. Now I have been a Coach fiend in the past (ONLY RETAIL COACH--THOSE COACH FACTORY ARE JUNK...unless you get in the small retail section that most Coach Factory stores have) , but now I am moving on to Balenciaga, have not gotten my first yet, but its in the cards for my future!! I still have like 3 Coach's in waiting that I haven't even used yet!

      When I get a new purse, it is like a ritual. I would never buy fake leather, side note. Only Canvas, Fabric or Genuine Leather.  So this purse here the Coach Kristin Elevated Satchel in Mauve  I had for months before I used it. Busy collecting all my in-purse goodies. 
So my ritual is, for every new purse, I must have new wallet, new inside purse, new purse sized spray, new lip gloss, new inside small bag for emergency candy for my kids, new inside makeup case, new cute Sanrio or other Kawaii brand notebook and pen set, new small change purse, new credit/ID card holder, new cute folding brush, I think that is about it. Oh yeah and the almighty, Wallet Chain. 
OMG, My first Coach ever was a little Navy and white leather backpack and with it I got an awesome gunmetal shiny-ish grey wallet with purple liner. Well this wallet came with a little chain on the hook, to clip to little ring on zipper pull on inner pocket of purse. It is the best thing ever!!! When you pull your wallet out of your purse, you never forget it, because it is attached to your purse!! These are so great in fact for this purse, I had a wallet chain specially crafted by an awesome family who sells chainmaille stuff on Etsy, http://www.etsy.com/shop/unkamengifts . Promo, woop! Item Customization!!
       So the purse finally complete with all its accessories is now being used. Also having awesome purse contents is a great way to kill boredom if you are ever stuck in a line waiting or something. Well, now I have my cell that keeps me busy with my apps or googling stuff while I am waiting for stuff, but you know what I mean.

So, these wallets were to be the Pièce de résistance of my latest purse set, but after using the Coach Willis in Natural Vachetta Leather exclusively last spring and summer, I am so paranoid of using my Vachetta wallets, because I totally inked up my Willis by accidentally writing on them. Duh, click your pen closed!! So sad for my Vachetta Willis and these butes that'll probably never be used. And those were my 2 choices for notebook and pen set. I went with the Charmy Kitty light pastel set on the Left

This is the beautiful chain that I had crafted by Unkamen Gifts on Etsy. A real investment in itself, 14 K Gold and Argentium Sterling Silver and that tiny lobster clasp. How adorable is that!!! So my justification for the priciness was, if I ever go broke, I can go sell it to Cash for Gold!!