Valen’s Vanity Square

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Chinese New Year!

It’s the first day of CNY, so far there’s been nothing much to do today, except had lunch at parents in law’s. There will be some guests visiting us later though, so I need to prepare some drinks and foods. I’m aware that this bunch of guests have a big appetite, haha!

That’s what people enjoy most during festive holidays - eat, eat and eat! ;P

One of the things that we like on long holidays is the smooth traffic. Less vehicles on the road, especially the heavy vehicles such as moving trucks; this makes driving more enjoyable and we reach our destination faster.

Well, I think I’d better stop here, gotta prepare for my guest arrival. Till I post again, enjoy your holiday!

If your guy is a video game fanatic and you, somehow, are willing to spend a little bit more on him, then the second video game console made by Microsoft, Xbox 360, appears to be the perfect gift for him this Valentine’s Day.

You’ll be rest assured that the xbox 360 will give your guy a totally new gaming experience with the Xbox 360 Wireless Controller and the content-rich Xbox Live. The integrated Xbox Live service allows players to actually compete against each other real time on the internet. Players can also download arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, and movies. That’s a really cool ‘expensive’ toy, eh?

A warning though: once your guy got his hands on Xbox 360, he might just decide to change his ‘dating partner’ for the rest of the evening. So, give at your own risk!

Jeez, everything is like so last minute for me this Chinese New Year. Only got my hair cut yesterday; moreover it’s one of those 15-minute quick hair cut that cost only RM15.

Managed to grab some tops and a pair of pants, didn’t get shoes though. Anyway, I have already exceeded my shopping budget! So, I will just have to stick to old shoes and old handbags this CNY.

The worst - I’m wondering how in the world I’m going to pay my credit bill next month…

Eeeeks, does this mean that I need to start looking for a job very soon? Is this the end of my life as a full-time housewife?

If there are women who are shoe fetish, I’m sure there are men that are necktie fetish. Haha! So if your guy belongs to this group of species, a necktie as your Valentine’s Day gift to him may be a good idea.

Don’t just pick any necktie. There are certain things that you need to watch out when selecting a tie, particularly one to go with a suit. Here are just a few tips suggested by experts (not me, of course!):

• Select the right tie length and width. In general, people usually go for a length of 54 inches and a width of 3 1/4 inches.
• Check the quality of the tie - it should feel smooth to the touch. Try silk ties; they are always a good choice.
• Inspect the tie’s lining. Good quality ties are lined to the tips. Good lining gives the tie a good shape and bulk.
• If the tie twist when you drape it over your hand, it’s not gonna lie flat on your chest. Dump it.

Fashionable European neckties available at www.Ties-Necktie.com

Before you go shopping for the right tie for your guy, why not check out first the assortment of neckties at www.Ties-Necktie.com?

Just like Christmas, Chinese New Year is a time where one gets to visit relatives and meet up with old time friends, AND tends to end up eating and drinking too much. See this photo of cookies that I made in the preparation of CNY, you’ll understand what I mean.

So, if you don’t want to find out yourself to be a few pounds heavier after CNY, then you’d better put some ‘precaution’ steps in place. For one, you can always visit my weight loss blog for some weight prevention and weight loss tips, hehe.

If you are one of those that just want to let loose your appetite during festive seasons or holidays and later rely on diet pills to lose weight fast, then remember to do your research first. You may have heard of several well known fat burners around, such as Hydroxycut, but remember to check out consumer reviews as well as compare the prices. Learn more about the pros and cons of a particular diet pill before you pop them into your mouth.

Well, diet pills are a quick fix, but for the point of long-term results and optimal health, eating right and being physically active is always the best, natural way to stay slim and fit!

Shopped, shopped, and more to shop!

Chinese New Year is just a week away. And just like Christmas, it’s a festive that calls for a lot of shopping, haha!!

I have been busy shopping for household items, such as CNY decor items, new bathroom mats and ingredients for making cookies. Have also bought some skincare stuffs from Sasa to replenish the finishing ones.

I was surprised to find out that Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel has changed its packaging. It’s no longer the slender, tall bottle in white. Instead, it has a new, young-looking design and graphics on the bottle this time. Not sure why the change and all that. However, A VERY GOOD new is: Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel is now on promotion! Usually a 30-ml bottle costs RM139, it’s now ONLY RM100! I didn’t even want to think twice whether I should buy it or not. It’s really a good bargain! So if you want to replenish your Cellnique Pro Sebum Gel, now’s the time. I don’t know when their promotion is ending, so you’d better be hurry!

If your boyfriend or husband is one of those who wants to look good all the time, and don’t mind using skin care and body care stuffs, why not pamper them with a selection of beauty products this Valentine’s Day?

(I know, not all men can accept or will admit that there is a hint of vanity hiding underneath their soul, haha!)

1. For long hours of skin hydration - Vichy Hydra Mag C Fortifying 24 hr Hydrating Care
2. Exfoliate away dead skin cells - Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion
3. For a cleaner face - Biotherm Homme Hydra Detox Instant Anti-Dullness Detoxifying cleanser
4. To sooth away tiredness and aging signs on the eyes - Givenchy Anti-Fatigue Eye Lift
5. Need a more kissable lips? Try Uriage Lip Balm
6. Give the skin a boost of hydration - Neutrogena Hydraboost Mask
7. For a clean and cool shave - Clarins Men Smooth Shave Foaming Gel
8. Get rid of dry and dull-looking complexion - L’Oreal Paris Men Expert Hydra Energetic Anti-Dullness Moisturizing Gel Cream
9. Oouch! Hate the grease on your hair! Try Kerastase Bain Clarifiant Long-Lasting Regulating Shampoo for Oily Scalp-Oily Hair
10. Tone up the skin - Shiseido Men Hydrating Lotion

The products above are voted as 2008’s top skin and body care products for men in Taiwan.

As promised earlier, I will also give out a free report on this blog, so to be fair to both my blog readers here and at my Lose Weight and Get Fit blog.

The free report I’m giving out is named - “Bath and Body Beauty: Pamper Yourself From Head To Toe“. Well, this report is not written by me, but I’m granted the permission to give it away. I chose this report to give away because I think, as women, we should take good care each and every part of our body everyday, so that we will always stay healthy and look our best.

Also, as independent women, we should make sure that we are financially protected at all circumstances. We all know how things are rough currently. So, while 2009 is still new and fresh, check that your life insurance, home insurance and medical insurance coverages are sufficient to cover for any losses should any undesirable situation arises.

Okay, I think I should stop rambling and give you the link to download the report.

Just right click on the link below, choose ’save link as’ or ’save file as’ to wherever location in your computer. Easy!

Download free report here!

I hope you’ll enjoy reading the report.

Another Valentine’s Day gift idea here. This time mainly for girlfriends or wives who love scrapbooking. I don’t know if there are guys who actually likes to make scrapbook as a past time. If yes, then this idea applies to them as well, haha!

Mind you, scrapbooking materials are not cheap. From papers, card stock and stickers, to die cuts, embellishments and various paper cutting or shaping tools, scrapbooking can be considered an expensive hobby if you don’t know where to source for cheaper materials and best deals.

3D Embellishments available at ACherryOnTop.com

So, if your sweet heart is an enthusiast of scrapbooking, buying her (or him!) a box-full of embellishment can really make her day. Or give her coupon codes or vouchers from scrapbook store so that she won’t have to spend so much when she needs to replenish her paper or card supply. Other craft supplies such as rubber stamps and ink pads, a set of good quality paper cutters, or even papers of different surface texture, could make really nice Valentine’s gift for scrapbookers.

Don’t forget to wrap up the gifts beautifully, e.g. in a basket, and attach a Valentine’ Day card filled with your words of loving to it.