MAKE UP

>>NEW ESTEE LAUDER MAKE UP: NO-BUY-MODE STILL SWITCHED ON>>

Alright, my visit to Estee Lauder counter was really necessary because I have ran out of my Mocha Writer Lip Liner and that's the only nude colour that I really like and been using for over 5 years now. However, when I found out that they were giving away a gift pack for a purchase of 2 or more items so I also grabbed a quad eyeshadow.

I just love the packaging!

Pretty colours!

Quad eye shadow amongst the gift pack

Pink Ice (01)/Pale Moon (13)

Mocha (63)/ Berry Ice (23)
Lovely colours eh!

My generous gift with my new make up purchases

The gift pack contained:

Pure Colour EyeShadow

Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick

MagnaScopic Maximum Volume Mascara

Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Cream SPF 15

Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser

Advanced Night Repair Protective Complex

ESSENTIAL SHOPPING

>>ESSENTIAL SHOPPING: NO-BUY-MODE STILL SWITCHED ON>>

My no-buy-mode is still one however, there are things that can't be avoided shopping for because of the fact that they are essentials and I can't imagine myself waking up in the morning thinking that I haven't got them. Call me sad but that's just the fact :)

Hmmm... Why am I talking like this as if I've just spent an arm and and a leg on unnecessary shopping? Okay, I must admit, I've still got loads of shampoos and hair conditioners stashed away but I just couldn't resist buy-one-get-one-free offer (BOGOF, yes that makes me a bogger ha ha ha! Whatever!). So I grabbed a bottle of Sunsilk shampoo and 3 bottles of conditioners (Yes, I do use a lot hair conditioner).

I know what you're thinking about my 3 Rimmel eyeshadows... They were on 3 for 2 offer so I actually got one free. Does that sound clever enough? I think it does. Ha ha ha!

Got this Davines Universal Polishing Coat For Wizards (No. 10) from the hair salon when I had my hair done. It smelt really great when Becks (my hairstylist) applied it on my hair as a finishing touch so I decided to grab a pot. It really is a generous pot for (100 ml) £15.50 ($27/1,275 PHP) and I only need very tiny of it to make my crowning glory shine and smell gorgeous all day ;)

My new Rimmel eyeshadows. I thought the colours look beautiful!

Colour Rush Trio Eye Shadow in Modern Glam (699)

Colour Rush Quad Eye Shadow in Bold Behaviour (014)

Colour Rush Quad Eye Shadow in Smokey Brun (002)

Believe it or not, I'm quite excited about trying my new Rimmel make up on. I've never used them before so it'll be something new ;).

Wish me luck!

Till next time...

TTFN!!

Films

>> CLASSIC FILMS COLLECTION>>

I love classic Hollywood films because of the glamour that they had. Pre 60s I think were the era of really good films and I could watch them over and over again. I've manage to collect classic films in the past but lost them at some points and I'd rather not go into details as to how it happened ;)

Anyway... When I was looking around shops with my bf and son, I saw these DVD collections and they were just so cheap on sale so I thought I'd grab them. Aside from the sale, I also got further 10% discount using my NUS (Students Union) card which is expiring this month (September) so I really had a great bargain on these collections.

I just love Audrey Hepburn! She's my top favourite amongst the classic Hollywood actresses and I love Marilyn Monroe for her sexy/comedy films...

I'm an old soul I guess and that reflects my favourite films to watch :)... but then again Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of those films that could've been made at this present time. There's a modern feel to it despite of the fact that it came out in 1961. It's one of my top favourite films of all time :)

Clothing, Bling, Chocolates and Sweets

>> LAST MINUTE SHOPPING>>

This is an old post and I've nearly forgotten about all these until I saw them on my file.

I was preparing Sam's clothes to take with us on holiday when I realized that he needed more summer shirts and trousers (ended up getting a pair of jeans). Since Sam is not fussy when it comes to his clothes I took him to New Look as they were doing 75% discount sale on everything. I was so glad we went as it turned up to be a really really cheap shopping trip. The quality of kids clothing in that High Street shop are quite good as well so it became one of my favourite places for getting Sam's clothes.

This was his loot... A pair of jeans, 4 shirts and 2 vests

For the whole lot... they cost me £4.50 at the end. I couldn't believe it! When I asked the sales assistant how come it was that cheap... She told me that the store offered further reductions after 75% discount. I was gobsmacked but who am I to complain?

After New Look, we walked down the British Home Stores where I found this other bargain. Yes, 75% off as well.

Just thought we'd nip in Debenhams to see what they had on offer and got these for myself... 70% so I thought it was a great deal

These were 75% off as well plus they were 3 for 2 so that was a double whammy discount!

Tried the hair thingy bob ;)

We picked up these 1.3kg of Roses and a box of jelly babies for my bf's mum and dad

I was still on my no-buy-mode when I shooped for these that's why I looked for the best bargain that I could find so it didn't hurt much. Besides, they were essentials... well, aside from the few items ;)

What about you? What do you do when you're on no-buy-mode? Do you completely stop shopping? I've realized that the best way to cope with the present credit crunch is to be sensible with purchases and I guess I have been this time :)

Food

>>THE DOMESTICATED SIDE OF ME>>

This is my other passion... food! I love food and enjoy working on them too! It's been a while since the last time I cooked with my bf... Yes, we both love to cook and really enjoy doing it together. However, since we don't live together (not yet anyway ;)), I have to get myself busy in my little kitchen without anyone to harass.

Here was the sushi I made the other day when I felt like having some without having to visit a Japanese restaurant. I do this quite often and I think I'm getting the hang of it. My bf was impressed with how I rolled them the first time I did it on my own. My favourite is smoked salmon sushi... I could eat it everyday!

Presenting... My home made sushi!

Are you into cooking as well?

What would be your speciality?

New Hair Colour :)

>> FROM BLONDE TO BRUNETTE>>

My hair has been badly damaged because of constant highlights so I've decided to be kind to it for a change and coloured it back to my natural dark root. I'm planning to keep my hair away from highlights for as long as I can. It'll take a while for my hair to recover from the torture it has gone through so I intend to give it the TLC that it needs ;)... My poor hair :( Never mind, it's not too late.

My hairstylist had to coulour my hair in two stages because some of the highlights turned pretty bright (Now I can say that I used to be a platinum blonde ha ha ha!). However, we've agreed that she didn't colour it too dark otherwise it could look very sharp and strong and it might take a very long while for me to get used to my new colour. I'm glad we did it that way. I think she's done a great job with it considering the state that my hair when she got hold of it.

Anyway, enough of my sob story... Now that I've got a 'new' hair I thought I'd share a 'few' photos with you ;) When I said few, I think you had an idea on what I meant of 'few' ;)... Did I hear someone say... Cam whoring!?

My badly damaged hair (I hope it recovers soon)

I used Blade Runner by NARS to create my eye make up

Lipliner: Lip Pencil in Cherry by MAC

Lipstick: So Frivolous Rouge by Lancome

That's my new entry for now... It's great to be back :)

TTFN!!!

Music

>> JUST ANOTHER GREAT SONG>>

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend :)

I don't intend to dominate my blog site with music but it just happen to be another thing that I'm passionate about. Perhaps, I'm a woman with so much passion in life ;)... Aside for my love of make up and other girly things... I also love music and films. My favourite music ranges from A to Z... It's very very diverse indeed! Well, just another thing you'll know about Gracie anyway ;)

Anyway... just before I roll into my bed after my 3rd night shift (I'm off again for another week so... I'm not complaining), I thought I'd share with you one of my favourite Classical songs by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. I love listening to Andrea Bocelli's voice as well as Sarah's. I often wish that I live in London only for one reason... to see West End shows every night ha ha ha!

Well... here's that song that I'd love to share with you guys... I hope you enjoy it just the way I do :)




This was a performance on reality tv that I watched closely early this year. Suzanne Shaw was my favourite act to win and I was glad that she did... It was fabulous! My favourite song on a favourite performance... that was indeed the highlight of my viewing night at home with Sam. Sam did ask me to pick up the phone and vote but I had to stop myself.

So, here it is... again... I hope you like it too :)