A Slow Start for a Full Day
I woke up earlier than usual yesterday because my son had lessons. After my morning ritual, I cooked a hearty high-protein breakfast.
Breakfast sausage patties, eggs, garlic fried rice
I didn't rush. I even had time to read a few paragraphs from a book I've been trying to finish for a few weeks now. I set the tone for the day with intention and nourishment. By slowing down, I also gave my ADHD brain room to breathe. I was able to brainstorm a few ideas for my blog before I started my day.
Starting slow and strong makes it easier to stay present throughout the day.
Products I’ve Actually Used Up
Do you remember the hitting pan craze in the early 2000s? I used to document all the products that I've used up in this blog. I get giddy when I use up a product. I've used up 3 in 3 days.
Completely finished:
• Bobbi Brown Corrector
• The Face Shop Daily Moment Hand Cream
• The Face Shop Lemon Verbena Body Lotion
This is proof that I really use the things I buy. I don't just collect beauty, I use them.
I also have this rule of 1 in, 5 out. Whenever I buy something, I make sure to get rid of 5 things from the house - whether they're junk or for donation. This keeps our stuff in check.
I come from a family of hoarders. All the women in my family are hoarders and I'm breaking that genetic imprint. With this rule, I don't get overwhelmed with purging. I go through one drawer or one small space in my house and purge and remember my number. Right now, I have to get rid of 70 things. I'm on my 10th item. Last week, I had to get rid of 130 items!
ADHD tip: This is a great way for dopamine hits! Every item I chuck or donate gives me sense of accomplishment.
You can enjoy beauty without overconsumption. Being a beauty blogger doesn’t mean being wasteful.
Makeup Today
I skipped my Queen Bee palette today and used MAC and Bobbi Brown. I used the BYS eyeliner. My favorite for making wings. I used to stay away from liquid liners because back in the day, they were so hard to control. The BYS liner is so easy to use!
Product Review: Clio Kill Lash Mascara
My dear friend recommended Clio to me. I bought this mascara along with the Peripera Ink Velvet on one of our Greenbelt trips.
I think I got this on sale, I can't remember anymore, but this was an expensive mascara. It costs $21. I wanted to try something from Clio and the lady said that this was their best seller.
This is waterproof, but as you can see, there are some flecks on my skin.
I apply 2 coats and then blot them on tissue, like how you would blot your lips. I try to remove as much excess product as I can. However, just after about an hour and a half later, I checked my mirror and saw that my undereyes have gotten dark from the fall out.
Good thing I always have these in my kit:
I also have them on my desk where I do my makeup.
I remove this product with my trusty TFS Makeup Removal Wipes. It's a bit hard to remove and I have to wipe several times. Gently. The first time I did it, I hurt my eyes. I forced it. I waited for the liquid in the wipes to dissolve the product before I wiped it off completely the next time I removed it.
Will I buy this again? Since this is something that I need to throw away after 3 months, no. The price is not worth it. I don't like buying expensive things that I'll be throwing away in a just a few months. The best mascaras are still from Maybelline (great value for your money, too!), but I started to react to them. Maybe I'll try BYS next time.
Cheeks: Clinique blush, BYS Bronzer, BYS highlighter
I Booked a Grab, Not a Guilt Trip
My toe has healed from that horrible accident last May. The nail is growing, but I'm still careful. I've been given the green light to drive, but I chose to book a Grab (that's our local Uber. They bought Uber out). My reasons for hiring a car are in this post.
I've been doing a lot of thoughtful decision making not only in my CEO and homemaker duties, but in transport and energy use, too.
Fashion in the Wind (and the Candid Fun of It All)
While we were waiting for my son's teacher, my son and I took some pictures in the wind.
Wore my favorite Miladay necklace
(Shoutout to my Miladay family for never forgetting to greet me on my birthday!)
Also wore these earrings, a gift from mom on my 18th birthday
Jewelry doesn’t have to shout to be noticed. A delicate key pendant, heirloom earrings from mom, a bag you truly love—these tell stories louder than any trend.
My son couldn't open his eyes because of the wind and the sunlight, so he always hid behind me.
(This is the reason why I always wear a winged eye because when I forget to open my eyes wide when I smile, they become slits. I have Chinese blood. My great grandfather was Chinese.
After class, we went down and I saw this deck. I told my son to take a photo of me. I wasn't ready yet. I told him not to click as it was still so windy and I was fixing my hair, my clothes, my skirt. But he's my little paparazzi and started to click away. He likes taking photos. He's an artist, too, a painter, so I guess that's why photography comes easily to him.
This is one of my favorite skirts. I feel like a princess whenever I wear this
I really loved how he captured the movement of my skirt in this photo. I wasn't ready for the picture here as well. I just finished fixing my hair from above and turned to face him to tell him wait, but he was already clicking.
I love this Muji tote. It has so many compartments for our water bottles and other things. I also love that the handle is the perfect length for me. I can carry it like that or over my shoulder. Either way, I'm comfortable.
Inside the tote: Umbrella, Mango shopping bag, floral shopping bag
Shopping Without Buying: The Art of Not Compromising
We went to H&M after this. There were a lot of on sale items! I found the skirt and dress that I bought a few weeks ago and they were already on sale! But the sizes were smaller. Most of the sizes were XS and S. I missed my XS and S frames for a while there. I used to be able to buy a ton of clothes when they were on sale because the sizes left are always XS and S. I missed it only for a while though. When I look at my old photos, I cringe because I realize that I was too thin!
I found 2 items that I liked, fitted them, but wasn't happy with them.
I always try clothes on before buying. I don't shop for clothes online. If it doesn't fit perfectly, it doesn't come home with me.
It’s okay to walk away with nothing. Style is built on intention, not impulse.
Watsons + Beauty Blogger Discipline
We went to Watsons next. I wanted to buy a body scrub but changed my mind. I saw that the BYS lipsticks were on BOGO. But I still have a lot of lip products, so pass.
Long-time followers of this blog know that I hoarded makeup and beauty products back then. For one, I sold makeup, so it was natural for me to have a lot of them.
Now that I'm older, I've learned the value of disciplined beauty blogging. And I'm enforcing it every time I find myself admiring a brand's gondola. Sometimes I take a really long time staring at the products. That's because I have a conversation with myself in my mind whether or not I should buy something. The sales attendants sometimes get impatient with me. 😁
Mini-Haul: Mumuso + Daiso
We went to Mumuso next. I saw this display.
What is it with themed displays right? They just put a bunch of products in the same theme or color family and suddenly you get a dopamine hit. Or is it just me? I said "oh, my gosh" when I saw this. Then I looked at the products one by one and decided that I didn't need anything!
Cute, yes. But still, pass.
Here's what I got from Mumuso:
After Mumuso, we went to Daiso. I needed some chopsticks, cotton buds, and a small drawer. I forgot to buy the small drawer. 😑
Here's what I got from Daiso:
All of my purchases are for real life. I use all of them. I don't buy things just to use on the blog once. I'm not one of those people who just give in to the hype. Whatever I post here, I use them daily.
Food Stops and Tradition
Mini dates after class is our tradition. We look for things that we're both interested in and then eat at a favorite resto or explore a new food kiosk.
BBQ Potpots with honey mustard dip. These are like Shakey's mojos
(Let me know if you want a review of this in my food blog)
We ate at Army Navy. When it's just us, we eat here because his dad doesn't like it here.
My son had his usual quesadilla
I had tacos. We shared the iced tea. We always share drinks because I can't finish them and my son doesn't like sweet drinks unless it's a fruit smoothie. We were not able to finish this iced tea and brought it home. It fit in the third slot of my olive tote!
Such a roomy tote!
While waiting for the food, I transfered the Daiso things to the tote. I folded the paper bag to take home. We use this for our recyclables. The garbage man is happy that we segregate.
We were supposed to eat rolled ice cream after lunch, but since the quesadilla had cheese and he ate the cheese on my tacos as well, I told him that we should skip it. He's not allowed to have dairy after 5 pm and it was 4:39 pm. I've observed that he gets lactose sensitive when he eats dairy at night. I conferred with my primary care provider and he said not to eat dairy after 5 pm.
I try to be very observant of my child's habits and food intake. I take a mental note of what makes his body react differently. This allows me to make a compromise with him. He loves cheese. I still let him eat cheese during the day when he can process it properly.
After lunch, we headed home. After I washed my face and changed my clothes, I wore my homemaker crown again and did the laundry and a few more things.
We ended the day with this dinner. I know its Shin Ramyun again, but ladies, the craving is real! Lady Flo is coming soon and I can't help it. My son and I shared one pack though. Well, he ate more than me.
I also cooked some scallop and bacon fried rice and served danmuji.
The Heart of the Day: Staying Stylish Without Missing the Moment
There was a time when days like this would pass in a blur — tasks checked off, errands rushed, moments overlooked. But now, I choose to be present. I choose to dress up even for errands, to savor slow breakfasts, to walk through aisles with intention, to smile at my reflection because I actually feel beautiful.
Today wasn't just about the look. It’s about the moment, the memory, the mindset. I stayed glam and felt glam while carrying a huge mom tote.
I made time for my son, made thoughtful choices, and made space for joy.
Today wasn’t extraordinary — but it was mine. And that makes it golden. 💛
Beauty isn’t just the lipstick or the heels—it’s how you live your day. How you slow down for a warm breakfast, laugh in the wind with your son, and still carry yourself like you own the room (even with a giant tote). That’s the real glow.
📸 Credit:
Photography: Zac Shoots Life
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