Tiny events #12

It has been a long time since I updated my tiny events. It is because I have been busy catching up with some stuffs in life and my life has not been very interesting for the past couple of weeks.

It is exam period again. Tomorrow will be my final paper for the semester. I am giving an update on my life right now before I go missing in action for 2 weeks. 

For the next 2 weeks, I will be on my winter trip to Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal. 

I will have limited access to internet as per usual and I won't be updating the blog. 

' So, the weather update in Moscow. You know your life is mundane when you have nothing better to talk about other than the weather. Well, my life is as such. 

There has been a heavy snowstorm and it has been snowing nonstop for a couple of days. Moscow has been a winter wonderland and my balcony is covered with snow and I do not know what to do with it. I can literally build a few snowmen with the amount snow accumulating right there. 

Should I leave it or shovel it? What do people do? I have no experience with snow and balconies within my entire life span. 

When there's strong wind, my room's insulation is terrible. Wind enters from every crevices of the window and it does not feel pleasant at all. The heating system is not bad I can feel the centralized heater working, heat dispersing from it , it is just that when there's wind, it does not tackle the coldness anymore. It is basically freezing in the room. Does not help when it is cold and it is -10 or lower outside. We had stuffed clothes around the crevices and there's a huge thick curtain covering the windows but it does not help at all. '

This is a little random but also I want to talk about inflation in Moscow. I know the crisis over here does not help but I find how obnoxious that prices hike like every few weeks over here. 

I am experiencing crisis too. 

I was browsing the web the other day looking at YSL because there's a few things I wanted to get from YSL and I realized that they had hiked up the prices by 200-300 Rubles in a fortnight. It is pretty crazy if you tell me. 

Eversince the currency crisis over here, I have observed that prices has hiked up more than 50% since last year. 

My heart drops everytime I see price changes on the website. 

' This football looking cake is a Medovik cake from the brand Dobrinskiy. I find the cake design really cute. I know it is supposed to resemble honeycombs but to me it looks like a football. 

I was craving for cake the other day and one of the supermarket chains were having an offer for this cake so I bought it. 

I did not regret buying it because it is so yummylicious. Every layer is so creamy and the cake moist.

If you are a medovik lover like me, I recommend you to try this cake. Without the offer, it is pretty pricey though but still worth it.

Also, never buy pre-made packed medovik from the dry corner, it taste disgusting. Buy the fresh one. '

Lately I find joy in ebay shopping. I have not gone ebay shopping crazy by ordering 34284293 items. I just have been buying some cheap makeup brushes from ebay with hopes that they will be good and to replace some of my very old brushes. I don't expect them to be superior to the Sigma or MAC brushes but good enough for me. 

I do not know is it me but I am still at that stage that I am not willing to fork out a huge sum of money on makeup brushes. The most I will pay is probably Sigma or Zoeva level other than that It is too expensive for me. Maybe someday the day will come when I invest in brushes. When I have the extra cash to splurge.

On the topic of beauty products,
The other day my mum asked me for help to place an order for some Korean cosmetics and beauty products. Usually I get really excited and throw a few items in the shopping cart along with her items to take advantage of the joint shipping.
This time around when I was browsing Korean cosmetics and beauty products to pick up, I don't get as excited as I used to. It is like they don't grab my attention anymore.
I used to haul a ton of Korean products. Then, when I started using them, I realize I am always underwhelmed at the products and my love for Korean beauty products faded.
They still have a few great cosmetic products like the cushion foundations, BB and CC creams which I love. Most of the time, I just find most of the products to be extremely hyped up and gimmicky. I am not trying to throw shade at Korean products. It might work out for some of you but on the most part, it didn't for me. This is just my thought on Korean beauty products

Now, in my beauty and makeup corner, for skincare, I have been reaching for Japanese products and French pharmaceutical brands and makeup wise, it's a mix between American, European and Japanese and Korean makeup.
I have been buying most American beauty products of late, it might be a phase.
Instagram made me buy everything.

Sorry for a wordy post this time with lack of photographs and the post seems so disconjoint.
This post is not very typical of my tiny events post but I feel that future tiny events post will be of such. It's so not "tiny events' anymore but I am so lazy to rename the post. Let's keep it that day. 

If you manage to get through this post, thanks so much for reading. 

Haul : Essence, Catrice & Maybelline

I used to talk about how I love going to the beauty store near the hostel on the 15th because they are always 15% off storewide on the 15th.

Now I live outside so I seldom head to beauty store as much as I used too. This time on the 15th, I was having exams and it so happened to take place in the university which is well, near the hostel and near the beauty store. 

Just after the exams, I went to the beauty store to pick up some stuffs. 

I got items mostly from Essence and Catrice. The odd one out is Maybelline. 

Essence and Catrice are great German drugstore makeup brands with a few gems in their collection.
I own a fair bit of items from both brands and I love a lot of items that I own from them. 

Catrice All Matt Plus Shine Control Powder in 010 Transparent 

During my last trip, I broke my casing for my MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural. This winter, I am going on a trip again but I do not want to risk further destroying my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish since it is a pricey product so I picked up this powder as a backup. 

It is a normal pressed powder, nothing too exciting. I just hope it work well in setting my makeup.
I don't have too high hopes on it. 

Essence Hidden Stories Trend Edition Highlighter in Enter Wonderland.

This was at the clearance bin so I just picked it up since it was marked down to a ridiculously affordable price. 

I do not own a highlighter of such shade. It is a lilac purple. 

Essence I love Nude Eyeshadow in 06 Coffee Bean

I am searching for a dark shade. This shade just fits the bullet. It is pigmented and smooth upon swatching.
It's affordable and it does the job.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Creamy Mattes in Creme de Rose

I love the Maybelline Color Tattoos, they work really great as bases, they are so comparable to the MAC Paint Pots for a fraction of the price. 

When Maybelline launched the Creamy Mattes edition. I wrote in it my to get list. It took me awhile to get it though because the beauty store has a chronic out of stock issue with the Color Tattoos but I totally get why. 

The only shade available was Creme de Rose, Creme de Nude is still in out of stock mode. I will be hunting that baby down as soon as it gets back in stock. 

It is a creamy rosy nude shade. 

Catrice Alluring Reds Liquid Lipstick in Brigette Bordeaux. 

This was also in the clearance bin. I picked it up because of the shade.
It is such a beautiful dusty rose shade. It is such a perfect everyday shade.

Essence Eyeshadow brush

My old eyeshadow brush is dying, I have been using that brush for 5 years, so it is time to retire that brush.So, I need an eyeshadow brush replacement and I got this. 

The eyeshadow brush is in pink which is so cute.

I really like the design of Essence brushes. I find them super cute and girly. 

The Travel Tag

This is a very different post from me, I haven't done a tag for a long time. 
I love travelling if you didn't know about it. I am travel bug. Since now, I am based in Europe, I am taking all chances to travel around Europe.
If you have the chance to travel, grab the chance, you will be surprised on how it will open up your world, learn about new cultures, soul searching, meeting new people etc. 

What was the last country you visited?

Sweden 

How many countries have you visited?

Greece, Italy, UK, France, Iceland, Hong Kong, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Hungary, Vatican City, Turkey, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, . If you count transit, it would be 15 (Qatar, Dubai and Germany).
This winter holidays, I will be heading to Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Germany.


What is your favourite place on the planet, that you've been to?

London. I just somehow feel a special connection with London. This place is definitely is my cup of tea, it has everything I have ever long for in a city, from sight seeing locations, food, activities, shopping. It just has everything.. 

I am giving a shoutout to Norway and Iceland too. They are probably the prettiest place I have visited on the planet. If you are more of the scenic type and enjoys adventures. I would definitely recommend Norway and Iceland.

What is your favourite place in your home country?

This is a tough question. I really really love Kuala Lumpur because this is where I was born and spent my whole life at. I am just a city girl who enjoys the busy lifestyle of the city. 
For a more mixture of cultural and city life, I would choose Penang. This is my mum's hometown. This state is a great mix of cultural heritage with a little bustling city life. 

If you could board a plane now, where would you go?

Japan. I have always wanted to travel to Japan but I just do not have the funds right now.

What's your cup of tea - tropical island getaway, snowy ski break or city exploring trips? 

I like all of them but if I were to choose, probably a city exploring trip.

What are your top 3 hand luggage must-haves?

Besides passport, document and all the obvious.

Lipbalm, pocket tissue and snacks.

Any travel tips to share?

Buy your flight tickets in advance, you will be surprised at how much you save.
Apply an ISIC if you are a student, you could get student discounts occasionally and it cuts down the budget. 

Download any map app into your phone or have a map handy because no one likes to get lost, it's fine to get lost in a country which you speak their language but other than that... urgh!
Don't be embarrassed to take crazy touristy photos, you will definitely appreciate them. 

Most embarrassing moment abroad?

Probably all from taking crazy touristy style photos. 

Biggest disappointment?

So far, there isn't any.

Nicest surprise?

My friends told me how Turkish people aren't very friendly but I was pleasantly surprised when I was in Istanbul. They were very welcoming. I guess that's because I did not have high expectations on their hospitality after what my friend told me. 

Three places at the top of the travel bucket list...

Japan, USA, Morocco

Favourite food discovery...

There's a lot to name. From delicious pastries from the little patissierie we bumped into in Paris to Frozen Greek Yogurt in Santorini to Haggis in Edinburgh. 

Why do you travel?

The world is like a storybook. You can't be living in the same page everyday. There's a need for adventure, soul searching, discovery for self improvement and better understanding towards the world. 

What three things would you take travelling, if you could?

My complete skincare kit, my whole wardrobe and makeup collection. 

Have you picked up any phrases from travelling?

I have picked up all the basics of the languages of the countries I have visited like Bonjourno, Takk. Nothing too fancy. 

What two places would you not go back to and why?

If I have to choose it has to be Manchester, I find Manchester really mundane and boring. There's nothing much to see in Manchester. 

Your dream travel companion...

Basically anyone who shares the same interest as you and who you can compromise with.
Choosing a travel buddy is a tough one, when you do find one who is compatible with you, travelling becomes so much more fun. 

Most surreal travel moment... 

There are just too many to list. 
The Aurora in Iceland. The beautiful architecture and scene in Santorini, Greece. Hiking in Geiranger and the beautiful scenes in Geiranger. 

New Year Feast

For this year's new year bash, we had decided to do an open house and celebrate new year with all of our friends. What is better than celebrating new year with a bunch of friends.
We prepared lots of food to welcome the new year.  There's no party without food.

The wide selection of food.
We have gifted friends who can cook really well so there were many delicious dishes.

Vegetable and Roast Chicken.

We have many meat dishes since there are many carnivores among the friends.

Garlic bread

Potato coleslaw salad

Fried noodles and Char Siew

The char siew is really delicious. Thanks to a friend who is so gifted at cooking.
It is the first dish to be finished up.

Fried Noodles again and Nasi Briyani.

Two birthday cakes for two birthday boys.
One is a cream chocolate cake and the other a carrot cake.

We played a whole ton of games through out the party such Texas Poker, Monopoly, Uno, the playstation and also the drinking game which I did not participate. I do not take alcohol.
The party lasted till 7am the next day, it is so surprising that many of them are able to stay awake the whole night playing games.
I actually could not take it, I went to sleep at about 2.30pm while the party is still on going.
I pretty much can never stay up overnight, I am more of a morning person. When it comes past a certain time, my brain just won't function anymore.

p.s. I won monopoly.

I am vain so let me insert. a party selfie. 

FOTD : That super lazy new year's look

Since New Year Party was in my apartment, I didn't glam up since it's all about celebrating at home, feeling comfy.
I just threw in a simple look to look presentable for photo sessions.

Face : Etude House Face Conditioning Cream, L'oreal Nude Magique Foundation, Flormar Terracotta Powder in Dual Gold, Daiso Blush in Pink
Eyes : Catrice Absolute Nude Palette, Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer, Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara, Maybelline Master Precise Eyeliner, Catrice Eyebrow Pencil, Kiss Me Eyebrow Mascara
Lips : Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul

It is my first time using the Rimmel Wonder'full Mascara. My first impression on this is that I do not like this mascara at all. It weighs down my lashes so much that no matter how many times I recurl my eyelashes it falls back straight.
Since I have only used it one time, I will give this mascara a few more go before I have the final say on it. 

Christmas Party

This Christmas, we had a christmas feast right over at a friend's apartment.

Before everything, I would like to post the christmas deco at our apartment with the cupcakes that my talented blockmate made.

They are just so pretty and cute. I love the reindeer, it's so cute that I just do not want to eat it. 

On the christmas deco, this year we just want to be more festive since we have moved into an apartment. 

Our christmas gifts and their mini christmas tree at my friend's apartment. 

We are doing a gift exchange for this christmas party. 

A huge array of food for 9. 

The amount of food is just unbelievable. Three chickens for nine people. We are going to get fat tonight. 

How nice of them. They prepared a christmas hat for every guest. 

It's starting feel like Christmas over here. 

They even ordered a full size Magnolia Bakery Red Velvet Cake. 

This is like the best cake you can ever get in Moscow. It just taste like heaven. 

Magnolia Bakery cakes are my favourite. 

My gift from the gift exchange. 

It is a coffee tumbler.  

FOTD : Christmas Party

Please excuse the messy background of the sofa bed. It is so hard to get the bed out of sight since this is the only place that I could actually get an okay lighting. Not the best but still better than other places of the room.

I am going to start off with my face makeup. For my base, I applied the Etude House Face Conditioning Cream. Winter has been harsh here and my skin has been quite dry, I just need an extra boost of moisture to create a smooth canvas for the other products. My foundation is the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation then set with my MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural.

For my eyesbrows, I penciled it in with the Catrice Eyebrow Pencil and to lighten up the shade and set the brow I applied the Kiss Me Eyebrow Mascara. My eyeshadow is the Ellefar Glitter Eyeshadow Palette. It's a party, it's definitely okay to go all shimmery and glittery for the eyes.

Eyeliner is the Maybelline Master Precise eyeliner in Black. This eyeliner is drying up already, time to pick up another eyeliner. Mascara is the Maybelline Big Eyes Mascara. I love this mascara sadly it has been discontinued and mine's already drying up and time to toss it out.

Blush, is the Essence Me and My Ice Cream Cream Blush. For bronzer and highlight, I applied the Flormar Terracotta Powder in Dual Gold which I picked up from Istanbul.
Lip colour is the Catrice Glossy Lip Glow. 

2016 high end beauty wishlist

2016 high end beauty wishlist by suzannelsx featuring a bronzing powder

2016 drugstore beauty wishlist

2016 drugstore beauty wishlist by suzannelsx featuring H&M