DIY: STONE RING/STUDS

Hello! 

During october I went with my family to a beach on long island that was covered in stones, no sand. 

I collected a few flat stones and decided to do this easy DIY jewelry project.

Since the stone are pretty plain I wanted to add a something to make it a little more unique. 

I end up using nail polish to paint on simple patterns. 

Then I simply used E6000 glue to add the ring blank and earring blanks.  ^.^

Walmart Beauty Box Winter 2014 Review

The Walmart Beauty Box is a quarterly subscription box ( Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)

Winter 2014 Box

Cost: $5.00

( box is free, you pay for shipping)

Products: 

1) Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes with White Tea Extract (10 count)--Travel Size---$3

I really like this, it cleans up makeup really well. I do have to say the smell isn't for everyone.

2) Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash 1.8 oz --- Travel Size---$ 1.20 

Dove is my go-to body wash, so I was glad to see this in the box.

3) Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion 1oz ---Travel Size ----$1.80

Very moisturizing and has a very faint fragrance.

4) Covergirl Colorlicious Gloss in Juicy Fruit (640)---$6

Shimmery and goes on semi-sheer

5) John Frieda Luxurious Volume Shampoo and Conditioner .28 oz & $2.00 off any John Frieda Luxurious Volume styling product ---Sample size 

I like John Frieda, looking forward to trying this.

6) L'Oreal Paris Color Vibrancy Shampoo, Conditioner, Hair Mask---Sample size

I have tried this product before, my hair was smoother and has fruity smell.

To get two hair related products is kind of disappointing.  

7) Flower Fragrances in Cherished, Sultry, and Radiant. ---Sample Size

I like the Cherished fragrance

-------------------------------------

Value: ~ $12

I was surprised and slightly disappointed by this box.

 I expected something similar to the Fall Beauty Box which had a lot more full-sized products. This is still a great value for having only paid $5 and I do like most of the products. I will continue my subscription and hope Spring Beauty Box has better variety. 

Link to subscribe: https://beautybox.walmart.com/

TARGET Beauty Box Review December 2014

Hi Everyone!

Have you heard of beauty boxes/ beauty subscriptions? 

I recently discovered it and I have to say I'm hooked! 

I love the idea, which is simply a box filled with beauty related goodies (from skincare to makeup) delivered to your door! 

 Beauty subscriptions can range from the price to the type/size/number of the products.  It can feel overwhelming with the countless choices. So for my first box, I opted for a one-time purchase box. 

This is my first beauty box!

Target Beauty Box For Her

 December 2014.

The Target Beauty Box is a one-time purchase box. 

They are available at different times throughout the year. 

P.S. they sell out quickly so if you find them in stock grab one! 

Cost: $10 ( free-shipping)

Products: 

1) Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen, 0.03 oz -Black Noir---Deluxe Size---$6?

Wow! I love this liner has such smooth application.

2) Revlon HD Lacquer - 500 Garnet ---Full Size ---$8

Highly pigmented, little goes a long way and surprisingly not sticky!

3) Hair Food Thickening Solution---Full Size---$12

Haven't tried it out it, but I'm looking forward to it. I have thin/straight hair that could use some volume.

4) L'Oreal Butterfly Intenza Mascara ---Full Size---$9

I can never have enough mascara! 

5) COVERGIRL Eye Enhancers Kit ---Full Size---$6

Pigment is good, perfect for on-the-go.

6) ChapStick 3-N-1 Total Hydration Lip Care-Peach---Full Size---$3

  winter = chapped lips, so this perfect. It goes on clear and peach smell is great.

7) Laneige Water Sleep Mask, 20ml ---Deluxe Size---$11( at amazon.com)

 I love gel-formula skin care products and the smell is nice.

8) Boots No7 Protect and Perfect Advanced Serum, 0.1 oz---Sample Size

Total Value: $55.00 (without coupons)

Coupons:

$10 Gift code from Dermstore.com (Free 3-1 day shipping + free samples)

20% off Women's Apparel at Target

$3 off Beauty Department Purchase of $15 or more

Swatches of Covergirl Eye shadows, pixi liner, and Revlon lacquer.

I absolutely love this box! Value-wise this was a no-brainer.  

I paid only $10 for $55 worth of products! Plus, I liked each product especially since I can use it everyday.  

Do you subscribe to beauty boxes? Which one is your favorite?

Week's Salad To Go

I'm sure you've seen salads in mason jars but they are so heavy!

Instead I opt for plastic containers because they are lighter and cheaper.

So hit the 99 cent store and grab some. (usually 4 for $1)

How to build a salad in containers

Top layer 5 : Greens

Spinach, arugula, lettuce, or mix greens

Layer 4: Protein

Grilled chicken, quinoa 

Layer 3: Veggies +

Tomatoes, avocadoes, mushroom, broccoli, oranges, corn, nuts

Layer 2: Moisture resistant vegetable

Cucumber, carrots, peas, beans, radish, bell peppers

Bottom Layer 1: Dressing of  choice

Make it in bulk and refrigerate.

When you're ready to eat, just shake and enjoy! 

Earrings by Nurun

Hello!

Here are some earrings I made recently ^_^

Rotini Pasta Salad

Hello! 

Made tri-color Rotini Pasta Salad. 

For my vegan friends just replace the meat + cheese with more veggies.

Simple, Easy, Delicious
Perfect for the summer

^_^

Ingredients:

1) Cheese (your choice) cubed - 8 oz

2) Black olives pitted + sliced - 1/2 can

3) Bell Peppers sliced - 2

4) Turkey Pastrami cubed 

5) Tri-color rotini - 12 oz

6) Greek vinaigrette - 8oz

( vegies that can be added : cherry tomaotes, graded carrot, corn, fresh spinach, arugula, etc)

Directions:

1. Cook the rotini according to box instructions. Drain and pat dry.

2. Combine all the ingredients in a big bowl and add your greek vinaigrette. 

3. Let it marinate in refrigerator for 1 hour.

4. Done! 

Tip: This full recipe will give you a big batch. Make on sunday and put into 5 small plastic containers marked Monday-Friday. 

You've got yourself a weeks meal!

^.^

Textured Surrounds

Here are a few pictures I took today on my way home.
So many beautifully intricate textures along way, textures we hardly ever pay attention to.

Lush moss thriving on a tree trunk

Surface of the stairs exiting the subway

The curvature of a Fire Call Box

Hair!

During my trip in bangladesh, I was able to practice all the hairstyles i've learned from pinterest on my family members. Here are just a few. 

Perfect braided bun! 

                     

This is in NYC just the back of my head. Simple top bun with a bow on the bottom. I love bows don't you? ^.^

Henna 3

 Henna designs

Belt Parkway Promenade

At the end of may I went to the belt parkway promenade ( I go there often during the summer).

 It was a really perfect spring day =)

(p.s. i took these with my phone)

 During Sunset ^.^

Zucchini Sauteed in Butter

Zucchini Sauteed in Butter

Ingredients:

- 1 Zucchini

- 1 tablespoon of Unsalted Butter 

Directions

1. Wash zucchini and pat it dry 

2. Cut into 1/2 inch slices

3. Heat your pan (on medium) and add butter

4. Once butter melts add zucchini

5. flip zucchini after 1 minute

6. After another 1 minute, remove from heat and sprinkle on some salt

simple and yummy! ^_^

Chickpea Salad

Today I made a simple chickpea salad with sweet tomatoes, fresh basil from my garden, and EVOO. Delish! ^.^

Chickpea Salad

-1 can chickpeas (drained)

- 2 medium tomatoes diced

- 2 tablespoon chopped basil

-1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

- salt to taste

Direction:
Mix it all up!
Leave it in refrigerator for 30 minutes
Enjoy! 

How to Pack!

Hi guys! I'm back!

I got a request from one of my good friends who will be traveling soon to do a post on how to pack! 

Here are some helpful tips on packing. 

Tip 1: Roll-up your clothes!

- shirts, sweaters, pants, shorts, etc.

- simply fold your clothes in half and roll it up!

- then play tetris with your rolls of clothes

- Advantages: saves space & reduces wrinkles
- you can also layer many items on top of one another and roll them together

Tip 2: Shoes in shower caps

- There are a few ways to pack your shoes:

a. Stuff your shoes with socks and place between articles of clothes with soles facing up. 

-Advantage: no more squished up shoes

b. place them in shower caps! ( dollar store - 9 for 1$)

- Advantage: no more dirty clothes

c. place in plastic bag

Tip 3: Fragile items goes in the center

-Always put the hard items on the sides and fragile items in the middle

- The heavier items should be closer to the bottom to make the luggage stable.

Tip 4: Ziplock bags

- ziplock bags are the best! 

You can use them to organize your small items such as socks, toiletry items, makeup, etc.  

- If you're taking shampoo or lotion I suggest:

 1. removing the cap

2. placing a layer of plastic wrap 

3. screwing cap back on tightly

4. Placing into a ziplock bag

( this will guarantee a messy proof luggage)

Tip 5: Winter Jackets in Space Saver bags

- invest in some space savers bags ( here are some on amazon.com) especially for bulky winter items

- It will condense the bulky items into a smaller size

- disadvantage: it add a little weight and you need a vacuum