CFA Update – 3 days left…

I hope you are all practicing questions and hopefully are getting fast at it. We are to complete 120 questions in 3 hours, thats about 1.5 minute per question. We have 3 days left so give your full best, no partying, no dinner with someone, maybe chat on the phone with your friend and vent, but AVOID hours of FACEBOOKing. When you are done studying try to relax, watch a show and relax your mind for the next day. You have to work hard and give your best and not regret after but if God forbid you fail, no worries, write in December.

As mentioned before, do go through Mock exams available on the CFA website, i hear they are very important (will probably give more feedback when I write the actual exam). Anyways, eat fruits and veggies to boost your energy rather than coffee or tea, just drink caffeine like you usually do on a normal day, don’t over-do it.

Have a great day!!!

CFA Update – 6 days to go

Well hello there everyone who are writing one of the CFA exams, there are six days left, aahhhhhhhhhhhh… I am scared, I keep telling myself to take deep breaths because if I dont relax, I dont understand what I am studying. So few things I would like to share:

1. Eat WELL! Do not eat junk, do not drink too much caffeine, try to eat healthy i.e., fruit and vegetables with proteins.

2. Try to study between 7am to 5pm because that will the time when you will be writing the exam known as the PEAK TIME for the candidates. Do not take a nap during that time, and try to get up early!

3. PRACTICE PRACTICE and PRACTICE QUESTIONS! (Maybe even time yourself)

Will provide update as to how I am doing. Good luck!

What’s in my cosmetic bag?

You must be wondering, why I have a picture up of random make-up items. Well I would like to share what I carry in my cosmetic bag on a daily basis. The rule of thumb is, to keep what is needed for my face, and not more because I have acne, less is better for me right now, trust me — so if you don’t need it, don’t keep it or you will end up using it.

in my cosmetic bag…

So the items I carry are as follows:
1. Cover FX Powder – I started using this due to acne and it definitely doesn’t inflame my skin since its water based, and I would definitely recommend this product for people who have acne.
2. Cover FX Bronzer – I LOVE IT, I don’t think I have ever been so satisfied with a bronzer.
3. Kabuki brush (Benefit) – used for setting the powder on my face, and it reaches all the areas of my face, trust me, brushes make a difference.
4. Blush brush (Quo) – very important tools to put bronzer and blush.
5. Mac Concealer brush – I don’t use it often since its time consuming, I would rather use a finger when putting on the concealer.
6.  Bourjeouis Lipstick – its light pink and I use it on a daily basis except parties because its matte based.
7. Shahnaz Herbal Eye Kohl – not sold here, so I usually order from Dubai if a family member is coming over to visit, it usually lasts me 6-8 months and there is nothing like this product in North America.
8. Black eye pencil from Annabelle- dark color and smooth but don’t use for eyebrows because it’s dark.
9. Bourjeous Eyeliner – which I love to put on if I am wearing blue, its long lasting and has a shimmery shine, and is definitely worth the pricey price.
10. Stilla Eyeliner – It’s finished but can’t let it go since it was the best eyeliner ever.
11. Maybelline Gel Eye Liner – I recently started this as well but I am not so fond of it. As mentioned in my review, my hand shakes on this one and the line is never perfect – definitely sad about this purchase.
12. Bourjeouis Gloss – long lasting and amazing gloss, usually wear them at parties.
13. Hard Candy Mascara – the Ginormous blackest black mascara (completed a review 2 weeks ago) is good and already started to stink a bit. It smells like burnt plastic; don’t know why since it’s only been two weeks.
14. They’re Real mascara — pricey but really good as well. If you want more info, check out the review I did for this one.
15. Mac Concealer pot — Everyone has it and talks about it.
16. Mac Blush – I believe it’s called Dainey (Limited edition).
17. And a little perfume on the bottom left corner.

Please share what’s in your cosmetic bag?

My mistake = My loss (UPDATE)

I wrote this blog a while ago but forgot to post this , I am not procrastinating but an update is required. So the real situation is explained in the ‘My mistake = my loss’ and this is part 2 of that blog. One day my older calls me up for lunch and we had not spoken for a while but I was so excited that he initiated the lunch. We did not talk about the gift but we talked about how we as a family need to stick together, need to accept each other the way we are, and learn how to forgive each other because  family is always first.

We might not be religious but we are bunch of great human beings; we were and we will always be because of our amazing parents. Our parents provided us with everything we wanted and they still do even though they dont have to. Their love is unconditional and too much sometimes but its always there. They have always given us the freedom with the knowledge of what is right and wrong and its our responsibility to do the ‘right thing.’ So my point is, life is too short; and I may have repeated this many times in my blogs but staying mad at someone will not get you anywhere.  It will not only increase your hate and health issues but put you farther apart from that person who you love. So let it go and give that person a call and talk, even for few minutes but its time to break the ice.

In my situation, we both understood without saying it out loud and we cleared the air and we decided that we will always talk it out and no one will ever come between us; its fun to have an older bro around who I can talk to whenever I want. I am their only sister and I know my brothers love me a lot because that’s what families do. So my beautiful niece’s birthday is coming up and they had asked me for a date first before anyone else (i know its not a big thing but it meant alot to me). So  stay positive and let God do the judgement because you are a human, what you can do is be the bigger person and forgive.

I hope you keep reading my blogs, take care!

Long weekend NOT for me

I had done a dinner (for the guests from France) and it went fabulous, the food I catered was tasty and I had gotten gifts for the guests and they loved it. Thank God, something well over the long weekend, and then I jinxed it and Saturday was a downfall lol.

I had a wedding on Saturday and I must say the decor was just gorgeous and the bride looked beautiful, i would love to share pictures with you all — but need to stay anonymous. It was an Aladdin sort of theme but way more gorgeous. The wedding was great, but my hair was a mess. I found a gurl on facebook who works from home and does hairstyles and updos and I made an appointment for my hair. She did not know how to do hair, jeez, my hair looked like something had exploded, I dont even want to recall the bad experience, it was too hurtful.

After a dramatic weekend, I started studying. I have stopped reviewing and now working on questions, the end of chapter questions and then my goal is to work on the CFA Mock exam. I will keep you posted but there is only 2 weeks away, so give it your best. Hope you all had a productive and or great weekend. Ciao!

Family from France…

I have family over from France and they are nice people but I feel bad for not spending more time with them. I truly am sorry but I have a lot going on in my life. Is it normal to feel like that? It’s my mother in-laws twin sister with her daughter, son, sister-in-law and brother-in-law; it’s really nice of them to visit us for two weeks but wouldn’t be nice if they told us ahead of time so we could be more prepared. For example, I am busy going through quarter-end at work and I am busy with CFA at home (so damn behind, I tell ya). Anyways, that’s life, they are staying at my in-laws and they have been showing them around as well, and today I am taking them out for dinner, lets see how that goes.

Another update, I had a Beauty expert appointment yesterday but she ended up being sick so they asked me to come again the next day. I called and she said she was busy and if I could pick another day. The thing is, I am bridesmaid for my best friends wedding this weekend and I needed make up and new eye shadows, but oh well, they lost a loyal customer. This is not the first time they have done this to me, this means they need to improve their customer service jeez.

Have a great long weekend!

Update in the afternoon:
So I went into SDM few minutes ago because I had to grab something, I saw  the beauty expert who dumped me earlier this week  apologized and explained that her grandma had passed away and one of the employees had been sick. I forgave her, purchased my items and she gave me some cute little gifts and I left. The point is, give the benefit of the doubt, dont just judge, I was selfish and I judged her right away which I should not have. Therefore, I updated my blog in the afternoon.

Ear-aches…

Hello Everyone,

I would like to share a home remedy given by my mom. I think I should just create a tab of mom’s advices because they work. Anyways, my left ear has been hurting since yesterday, it gets itchy quickly and I feel like poking something inside it. It hurts a bit when eating, and especially when swallowing food or saliva.

The thing is, I am very busy right and I know I wont get a doctors appointment anytime soon, so I asked my mom for a remedy, she told me to take olive oil (about 2 tsp), warm for 20 seconds in a bowl and slowly pour in the ear that is hurting. And keep the hurting ear facing upwards so the oil can easily go down. So I did that last night but I asked my hubby to put it in, it gave me a tingly effect and then I slept fine. It hurts way less than yesterday and hopefully should go away. Keep in mind, if still hurts for more than 3 days, definitely go to a physician.

Another point I want to make is, olive oil is one of the greatest oils out there (I usually get the ‘Extra Virgin Olive Oil’). I know we eat it in our salads and food but its good to put in our hair and skin. If I know I am taking a shower in few hours, I would put some oil on my hair and skin, and the hair/skin feels so softer after the shower.

I believe there was a diet (cant remember the name) that mentioned drinking 2 tablespoon of olive oil every night before sleeping can make you loose weight and I believe I tried for few weeks before my wedding and it worked — but its disgusting when you have it just by itself.

I hope you don’t get an ear infection, but if you do, TRY IT! And if you know any other remedies, do share!

New products bought this weekend – Part 2

 Continuation of Part 1 —

2. Maybelline Ink Pen Eye Liner – Approximately $7

The ones I have previously used are Bourgeois Eyeliner and then Stilla Eyeliner, keep in mind, they were all ink eyeliners and have been very satisfied with the products. Bourgeois lasted for 2 months and Still about 3-4 months. Maybelline eyeliner is a similar concept, its thin as 0.4mm, provides a dark line, lasts me all day, and lastly, comes off easily at night. I give it 7 out of 10, why 7 you may ask? The pen is a bit different from the inside and that makes my hand shake even more, my grip is not great on this one as it was in the first two eyeliners. I don’t know what it is, but let me find pictures to explain you. Overall, its only been few days and been going great; in my perspective, the liners from amazing to good are as follows: Stilla (at no.1) then Bourgeious and lastly Maybelline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Connair Hair dryer – Approximately $20

I know what you are thinking, a person whose mom is a hairstylist/Esthetician uses >$150 dryer is using a Connair product from Walmart. The thing is, I love trying out new things, my mom has always advised me to use name branded products because they are better but I find some cheap stuff are better SOMETIMES. Dont get me wrong, I love my babyliss and Chi products, I don’t think I can even give them away either lol, even if they break down. Usually a babyliss dryer last me 3 to 5 years for sure and it usually travels with me to all the countries. Now back to why I bought this, I am trying to grow my hair and am avoiding chemical based products or really hot dryers, and try to be more naturale. I have noticed that i get frizzy hair with heavy dryers and connair gives a sleek look even without using any hair products.  I don’t want to misinform anyone so I will post the one I got, and keep in mind, i have only used it twice. Ask me in 2 months…

Have a good day everyone!!!

New products bought this weekend – Part 1

I haven’t shopped for a while because I am busy studying and trying to save for my next vacation. My husband and I have decided that there will be no vacation, if I don’t pass Level 1, a very bad promise I made lol. Last weekend, I went to Wal-Mart for groceries and bought few cosmetics since mine expired:

1. Hard Candy Mascara – Color: Black – Approximately $6

The rule is, throw out your mascara in three months, but I think if your mascara smells too tangy or starts itching your eye then its time to get a new one. Usually it lasts me 4-5 months, which is pretty decent.  I had been using the Luminous Mascara from L’Oreal and when that finished, I started ‘They’re Real’ which is an amazing product EVER, I love both of the products, but ‘They’re Real’ is a bit pricey for me (30 bucks). Anyways, both of the mascaras have outdone themselves and have officially expired so I decided to try something new.

Hard Candy brand, which I never heard of till last weekend when I saw a section in Wal-Mart dedicated to it, it was so Goth-like, sorry no offense but if you see it, you will know what I mean. So I ended up getting the black color mascara (see pic below), even though they had carbon black – didn’t know if that’s more blacker or not and there was no sales lady who I could confirm with. I ended up getting the mascara since it was $6 with tax (the price is unbelievable since everything is becoming so expensive these days). Anyways, it doesn’t clump, smear, or flake, and is easy to take off. It lasts me all day therefore my rating for this product is 8 out of 10.

Hard Candy Ginormous Mascara

 

 

 

Stay tuned for two more product reviews…

Adam & Eve story (my way)…

Well I wanted to write a post yesterday but was sad since I received a bad news at noon. So I went home, talked to mom and husband, letting it all out and went to sleep. My husband and I have been together for a long time and since we have known each other for so long, it feels like we grew up together. We have been married for a while now and to this day, our proposal is fresh in my mind. He proposed to me at my house near my parents and in-laws with an onion ring since I always found that Homer Simpson proposal to Marge as classic and funny, and reminded of us in some ways. He was a gentleman and had asked permission from my parents’ earlier that month. Since I don’t mention names, let’s give him a made up name Adam and myself Eve.

In short, Adam saw Eve at an event and it was love at first sight (so he says). Eve on the other hand, didn’t want to get into any relationship as she was doing her undergrad and wanted to study further, but ended up marrying him right after graduation lol. Long story short, the few years have been the most amazing time of my life and hope we stay happy forever and ever and ever. To be honest, I don’t think I can ever imagine a life without him.

Hopefully the bad news I heard yesterday will turn into good news someday so please keep me in your prayers. Ciao for now!