Valen’s Vanity Square

A get away on an island holiday was of great fun, but came home with a memory loss after that is not.

I have forgotten where I placed a very important digital device which is used to generate a security code in order to perform online banking!

If our brain could be just like a computer, where information contained in the hard disk can be stored in memory cards, so that even when the computer (the brain) is corrupted, the information (i.e. where I kept the device) is safely kept in the data storage device and can be retrieved as needed.

All I could remember is that I last used it before CNY at my mom’s house, but no trail of that after she went looking around in the house. I checked all my bags but no sign of that device anywhere. So, where have I put it?? I think I can spend all day thinking about this today…

Jeez, I’m getting old… perhaps it’s time to take some Ginkgo supplements to help improve my memory.

Back from my island holiday! And I’m now one tone darker.

Well, it’s impossible not to get tanned after spending a few days in Langkawi Island. Wherever you go, the sun is always up there in the sky, smiling to you and kissing your skin. I’m lucky that I am only just one tone darker, considering that we did quite some outdoor activities, e.g. trekking up to the Seven Wells, Cable Car, Crocodile Farm, from the parking lot to the shopping mall… There’s just no way you can escape from the sun!

Good for me that I bought Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF50 (PA+++). Although it’s considered expensive for a sun protection lotion (RM160), it’s a really great product for it can be used on both face and body parts, and it doesn’t leave a sticky or filmy feeling on the skin (e.g. arms and legs). Instead, it leaves a smooth, powdery feeling on the skin, and keeps the skin hydrated. It also has a very nice fragrance unlike normal sun protection lotions or creams.

The Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF50 is very water resistant and perspiration resistant. That’s both good and bad. Good because it makes perfect for outdoor activities, as you don’t have to reapply often due to sweating. Bad because you need to soap and wash yourself thoroughly to ensure no residue of the lotion is left on your skin at the end of the day. In fact, according to the leaflet in the product packaging, the use of a special Shiseido suncare cleanser is recommended.

There is still a lot of the lotion left in the bottle, so I will be using this Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF50 often whenever I go for my weekly outdoor walking sessions.

Hello from Langkawi Island!

Thought I would be missing in action for the whole week, but I’m able to write this post because my sister brought her laptop along while I took with me my USB modem. Anyway, just a quick post to tell you all that the weather is sun scorching hot here!

Just like how mechanical men need car lifts to raise the cars above the ground to ease their tasks, women also need the right ‘tools’ to take care of their skin. So, I have packed into my luggage three very important skincare products to help prevent me from getting tanned this holiday:

• Kanebo’s Freshel WHITE C Whitening Milk to be used at night
• Shiseido Ultimate Protection Lotion SPF50 to be apply on the face, neck and arm during day time
• SKINLITE Brightening Facial Essence Mask to be used at night

It’s crucial that I use my sun-protection and whitening product diligently these few days if I don’t want to go home few tones darker!

Whether or not that will happen, I will tell you when I am back later!

Thought I won’t be posting anymore before I go to Langkawi Island next week, but can’t help to just ‘drop by’ and wish everyone out there a warm and happy Valentine’s Day!

I was at the shopping mall yesterday and oh man, so many people were shopping for Valentine’s Day gift. If you have not bought your honey sweetie valentine any thing, you still have time before you leave for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Just pick up something from your nearest shopping mall, whether it’s a full-prized men’s watch, or discount furniture, or simply a teddy bear from the bargain corner, as long as it is something that he or she likes or needs.

As for me, I’m not exchanging gifts with hubby this year. Both of us are at the edge of being financially broke. I think my only best Valentine’s Day gift that I can give to him is… Not Making Him Spend Any More Money. Hahaha!

I suppose men and women who are in love on this planet are looking forward to this Saturday, Valentine’s Day.

I’m not looking forward to, coz it will be a lonely Valentine’s Day for me. Hubby will be traveling overseas tomorrow and only back on Sunday. But it’s okay, I have some work to do anyway, that is to plan the itinerary for our holiday in Langkawi Island next week!

‘Work’ also includes some shopping, hehe. Need to get myself some sun protection products for both the face and body this week. Whether or not we will spend time on the beach or island hopping, sun protection lotion or cream is a MUST when you’re holidaying on a tropical-sunny-super-hot island!

And, this time I won’t forget to apply them on the back of my NECK, which is the part I’ve always neglected (forgot that it also needs my tender loving care).

Hmm, may be I should also drop by the pharmacy to see if there are any discount supplements worth getting. I feel like I’m going to be down with a cold or something, so better boost up my immune system with some vitamin C or anti-oxidants now. I don’t want to fall sick on an island vacation~

See you after my holiday!

Finally, CNY is officially over, yesterday being the 15th and last day. What a relief - the ‘eating’ days are over, too!

I had been enjoying feast after feast for the past three days, including my own home-made delicious baked chicken wings and fudge brownies served with ice cream, and hubby’s secret recipe lamb stew. Whoa, I’m so lucky that I did not put on any weight so far!

At least from today onwards, at least for a week, I can eat like normal days, normal volume and healthier meals. Next week, I will be away for a holiday at Langkawi Island. I know there will be at least a couple of seafood feasts to look forward to. Eeeeks!

I think I now understand why many people rather resort to diet pills that work - and work fast - when comes to lose weight! There are so many temptations around us that can sabotage any weight loss plan. Following a slow but steady and healthy weight loss plan may be just too slow for some, especially if they have serious overweight issue.

If you need to lose weight, what will be your choice?

As I mentioned earlier, CNY celebration is still ongoing. That’s why I’m going to have a super busy weekend!

Friends (more than a dozen of them!) are coming over for dinner on Sunday. So, I’ve got a lot of housework and cleaning up to do today. Besides being a CNY get-together occasion, we also consider this as a small housewarming party for friends.

Our house is relatively new (just moved in last November), so there isn’t much home decor in place yet. Our front yard looks very bare, with just two pots of green plants. Don’t think we can ever plant a tree there; we used to wish that we could grow some Flowering trees in our garden, but looks like our wish will only come true when we own a property with a bigger front yard.

For now, this is the only flowering plant we have…

Orchid plant at home as decor

Looks quite nice, right?

The problem is, I have never ever in my life kept an orchid plant before, until now. I don’t have a clue on how to take care of it. Some of its leaves are turning yellow now. I supposed taking care of plants are just like taking care of our skin — we need to know what it needs and what not to give.

Jeeez, this reminds me that I should apply my facial mask tomorrow night before I go to bed. I don’t want to look dried up and haggard when my guests arrive on Sunday! Haha!

Today is the twelfth day of Chinese New Year. I supposed everyone has gone back to work and their regular daily routine. But, the celebration is not over yet! More family gatherings and friends visiting happening this weekend before this festive officially closes its curtain after Monday.

As you know, festive holidays are always about eating and going to bed super late (or should I say super early?)! I think some people may actually end up being more tired, looking more haggard, and feeling less healthy than normal working days! One thing for sure, too much of cookies and oily foods cause breakout on the skin!

So for girls, here’s what you can do to rejuvenate yourself from head to toe after this CNY, by using an inexpensive 100% natural product - oat (grain) and oatstraw (grain and grass)! I got this very useful information from a newsletter I subscribed from the site Rejuvenate: Turn Back the Clock.

Here’s how! [Quoting from the newsletter]

To sooth the skin

For a satisfying skin softening experience grab a handful of oatmeal into a thin cloth. Soak it in your bath and squeeze the cloth until milky oat cream is released. Use it as a cleansing rub or for a relaxing hot bath that goes deep to heal tired muscles and joints. For a complexion treatment pat on face.

You can also use it as a foot treatment to unwind at the end of your day to relieve tired feet or as a pre-soak treatment before a self-care pedicure. The soak will also remove unwanted corns, calluses, and sweat.

Take a oakstraw bath

For a stronger solution you can boil a gallon of water and pour into a bathtub containing about 2 pounds of oatstraw. To make it less messy pour 2 quarts of strained (and reheated) oatstraw into a tub of hot water.

Nourishing hair rinse

Shampoo with your regular shampoo and conditioner. Rinse. Pour 1 cup strained oatstraw infusion on hair and massage as a leave-in treatment. Gently towel dry hair.

Rejuvenating oat tonic

1 cup oats
1 cup water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon raw honey
1 teaspoon water

Pour boiling water over oats and let stand overnight. Add remaining ingredients in the morning. Mix well, pour into cloth and wring juice out while saving it. Offer or drink by the teaspoonful.

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If you want to learn a few tips and tricks on how to rejuvenate yourself at any time, sign up for the newsletter offered at the site Rejuvenate: Turn Back the Clock, or even better, get a copy of the book Rejuvenate: Turn Back the Clock to discover the secrets to look younger once and for all!

Every woman and gal has their very own must-haves - must-have bags, must-have cosmetics, must-have items in the wardrobe, etc. Ah, vanity!

But then, different people have different definitions of ‘must-haves’. My definition of my must-have skincare items is: it is a product that I have used for at least 3 times, and will continue to use for the rest of my life!

Well, that leaves me with only 3 items, as far as I can think of.

Must-have #1: CELLNIQUE Pro Sebum Gel
I’m using my third bottle now. While I may not use it everyday, it surely is a rescuer when whiteheads start to mushroom on my face and neck. I will keep applying the gel for a number of days until the whiteheads vanished. Good for blemishes on the chest, too, hehe.

Must-have #2: SIMPLE Purifying Cleansing Lotion
Lost count of the number of bottles I used, coz I’ve been using it for the past few years! At first I used it to mainly remove make-up. Although it is gentle by nature, I find it to remove foundation, blusher and eyeshadow quite effectively. My make-up is usually not heavy, so I find this cleansing lotion suits my purpose well. Nowadays, I have included it as my first step in my double-cleansing protocol.

Must-have #3: SIMPLE Cleansing Facial Wipes
Also lost count of the number of packets I used. To me, it serves the same purpose as the SIMPLE Purifying Cleansing Lotion, but definitely more convenient to use. I mainly use it when I’m traveling, or when I’m feeling lazy or in a rush to get myself clean and go to bed.

After trying so many kinds of products, these three are the only ones that seem to be there forever, haha! Well, I guess just like buying life insurance for yourself, where you need to make life insurance comparison based on the premium charges, coverage and benefits, we need to compare the price, convenience of use and effectiveness among skincare products before we can decide which deserved to be our must-haves.

So, what are your must-have skincare or beauty items?