Angel Contacts: JitterBug Lens Cleaner

Hello all,

I'm currently freezing my butt off in front of the computer, as my place has been having heating problems.  That is why I haven't been posting as frequently; it's too cold to stay my room.

Anyway, I just wanted to share something I purchased recently: JitterBug Lens Cleaner.  I've been eyeing it for a while (i.e. 7 months) on the Angel Contacts website, but have been resisting because I kept telling myself that $21 is too much.  Then I saw that the website had a promo code going on for 5% off everything on the website and soooo.. I caved and ordered it.  I had a choice of the lens case, and chose the purple elephant -- so darn cute!

The ordering process was simple and quick; online ordering on October 29th, and it was shipped the next day.  I received it within three working days, on Monday November 4th.  I liked that the website provides a tracking number too.  Useful to appease the OCD like me ;)

Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant 豫湘園

I love eating out with mom, because she knows good food places that I would have never found on my own.  The most recent one was a trip to Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant.  Many people would probably just see the red "Handcrafted Noodle" sprawled across their banner.

Review: Essie All In One 3-Way Glaze pt.2

So I said I would revisit this post after at least three days.  It has been four + a few hours.  To recap, I bought a new "three-in-one" Essie glaze that is used as a base coat, top coat, and on its own.
Its promise (as stated on package):

• stronger looking and feeling nails
• smoother nails instantly
• shiny glossy top coat that lasts for days

As I said before, my nails generally have no problem with breakage, as they're pretty strong, so I cannot comment on the first promise.  Having nail varnish on for the most part makes the nails feel stronger, anyway.  Yes, my nails instantly felt smoother after putting it on, however, it feels that way with any nail varnish I put on, so nothing special there.  The third point is probably the one of interest.   On the third day, I noticed the varnish starting to lift at the tips of my fingers.  I think one of them even lifted during my shower.  That creates this bulge at the tip, where the varnish seems to have lifted and bunched up together.  Also, the bottom part of the nails are starting to show due to varnish shrinkage. Not a pretty look.  I tolerated that, since my nail beds weren't significantly showing.  On the fourth day, bits of the varnish chipped off during shower time.

Broadway Seafood & Sushi

My co-worker and I wanted a change of scenery for lunch, so we hopped onto the 99 B-line from UBC and got off at Macdonald St to see what's around.  We spotted Broadway Sushi, a hole-in-the-wall type restaurant, and saw that the prices were pretty darn cheap, so we decided to revisit that next time.

That next time was just last week.  They have a 5% off your order if you call in an hour early for pick-up.  We called at 11:45am for 1:00pm pick-up, and ordered Combo 1 and Spicy Combo.  Combo 1 included: a Rainbow roll (described as a California roll with tuna, salmon and shrimp on top), a House roll (think California roll with egg and salmon), and a miso soup.  The Spicy Combo included: spicy salmon roll, spicy tuna roll, spicy scallop roll, and miso soup. This is the first time I've seen "fillers" (i.e. cucumber) in a scallop roll.

Combo 1

Review: Essie All In One 3-Way Glaze pt.1

I was browsing at Shoppers Drug Mart at UBC when I happened upon a deal the store had on Essie varnishes - $7.99 CAD.  The deal lasts from October 19 - 25th, if anyone's interested.  I believe Essie polishes range from $12-14 CAD in stores when no deals are on, so $7.99 is a pretty good deal. Otherwise, I wouldn't normally buy any nail varnish that is over $5.
Anyway, I picked up Essie's All In One 3-Way Glaze, which can be used as a base coat, top coat, or on its on.  The packaging states that this base coat and top coat helps strengthen and leaves nails with a high-gloss finish. My nails generally have no problem with breakage, so I wouldn't be able to say how it works with strengthening nails.  However, nail varnishes rarely last more than four days without chipping.  Actually, after the four days, the whole layer of varnish would peel off.  Does anyone else experience that?  Once I peeled one off and showed a friend.  She freaked out cuz she thought my entire nail came off ^^;; I'm wondering whether that's the base coat problem, or a problem of my nails not liking varnishes...

Review: Dermal Green Tea; My Beauty Diary Bird's Nest face masks

I spotted some Dermal collagen essence masks on sale for 2 for $1.00 CAD at our local Japanese convenient store Konbiniya. So I picked up a few to try:

• Red ginseng: mild; firming; refining
• Snail: regeneration; moisturizing; nutrition (sounds a bit gross, right? extracts from snail slime...)
• Pearl: moisturizng; convergence; brightening

Dermal Green Tea Collagen Essence Mask
Claims: firming; moisturizing; health
Leave on for 15-20 minutes

It contains Green Tea extract which restores your sensitive skin caused by ultraviolet rays effectively and it keeps skin clean and smooth.
Vitamin E and collage - it provides your tired skin nutrition and makes your skin healthy and bright.

Skin care haul: Asian face masks, mostly

Hello, how are you~~

I feel like it has been a very exhausting week, but nothing productive (go figure).  Been lacking sleep x_x

My friend recently came back from Hong Kong, and she picked up a few things for me! I'm so blessed (:  I mainly asked for face masks, because it is a lot less expensive getting it in Asia.  Also asked for Laneige Water Sleeping Pack, and a Sunplay Super Block sunblock (not shown in picture).

• Bird's Nest: Ultra whitening, nourishing, revitalizing ads
• Black Pearl: whitening, nourishing
• Natto: moisturizing, tightening

I have gone through the Black Pearl one, and tried Bulgarian White Rose (hydrating, whitening), as well as Beautymate's Anti-Blemish Reparing masks.  Both My Beauty Dairy and Beautymate face masks each come with a plastic mask folded in with the masks themselves, for easier unfolding.

Bird's Nest; Bulgarian White Rose; Black Pearl; Laneige Water Sleeping Pack; Natto; Aloe

Kuma Japanese Restaurant

So my PI took us workmates to lunch, as two of our team members are leaving (or rather, graduated).  He picked out Kuma Japanese Restaurant, which is located at Dunbar & W18th Ave, across from the BC Liquor, if anyone knows the area.  We even got a ride in his fancy VW convertible there; my first time in one ever!  Let's just say that the ride was too short.  Anyway, I digress.

Our PI said that the place recently changed management.  As this was my first time there, I would not be able to compare.  Upon walking into the place, I noticed the woody theme that a lot of authentic Japanese restaurants seem to adopt; the tables, chairs, and even the plaque that menus were on were wood. Cultural artifacts were hanging around the place, such as wooden slippers (geta) and koi fish flags.  The servers wore an olive green wrap of some sort... some variation of a yukata? Ours pulled the order sheet from the folds. Very interesting.  There was a cute sign that says "Taste of Osaka" (rom. Oosaka no aji?) hanging by the teppan.

Review: Yes to Blueberries Line Reducing Lip Treatment (7 days)

    I've introduced this product in my previous post, but I will quickly describe it again.  I picked this up at Shoppers Drug Mart.  According to the box, this product is supposed to reduce the look of fine lines around lips in 7 days.  Also, I am supposed to apply it on and around the lips.  After one day of use, I have noticed that the area around my lips started to get itchy (allergic reaction?), prompting me to scratch, and then it becomes more red.... just a really bad cycle.  However, I chose to do something not so smart i.e. continued to use it ^_^

Aritzia Warehouse Sale

If you're in the Vancouver, Canada area, you've probably heard of the Aritzia Warehouse Sale (especially if a person who lives under a rock like me, did).  I believe it started on Tuesday, August 27th and lasted for a week.  I usually do not shop at Aritzia, as I find the price tags there to be way over my budget for clothes. On the Saturday, I decided to check out the place.  My sister wouldn't go with me because she hates line ups.  When I got there at 2 pm, I just waltzed right in.  I guess all the good stuff's gone now that it's the fifth day now.  I picked out two items, both white.

Dillema white Terry L Whisper hoodie in S: marked down from $65.00 to $29.99. I like that the front doesn't zip all the way up to my neck so that it becomes restricting.  I don't know what to think of the cinching at the bust area... it doesn't do much for me :p