Halloween is just around the Corner

     

     Halloween is here! Some of my neighbors have decorated there houses already. This year my neighbors will go all out since we have more kids in the neighborhood compared to the previous years. Yes, we're participating since baby will be coming anytime soon. We usually go down to San Diego to go Trick or Treating with our nephew but this year we're opting to stay home. I'm almost done with my Halloween treats for our kids in the neighborhood. I just need to stock up with some more candies for Halloween day itself. I might put up all decorations too. I just love Halloween and decorating the house for any holidays. I hope baby will be out to celebrate his first Halloween.

CoLD FeeT

     So boyfriend took me out for my daily walk in our nearby outdoor mall. I was able to convince him to drop me off ULTA. So upon arriving I went straight to O.P.I. section. I found O.P.I Red and Big Apple Red. They were 2 bottles left for each color. I was debating which red shade I really like. I eventually decided on Big Apple Red. I was also looking at the blues and another color I like which was Tickle my France-y. However after staying there for a couple of minutes. I returned the bottle in the rack and walked away. Yes, I had cold feet buying another nail polish. I just ordered on-line a bottle of O.P.I. Muppets Collection Warm and Fozzie and I bought from Sephora a red nail polish as well. I have 5-6 nail polish bottles I still have to use. I think I should be good. I was not desperate to have those colors since the shades I want are not limited editions. Now I'm thinking I'll ask those colors for Christmas and for my birthday next year. I might end up getting all the colors before I know it.

      I'm just loving nail polish lately.

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     On another note I was so excited to find this blog regarding reviving old and dried up nail polish. It was so nice to know that they really don't expire. Now I can breath easily and know that I can use all my nail polish for a long time. 

http://www.scrangie.com/2008/12/restoring-polish-quite-possibly-most.html

PaTienTly WaiTinG For OuR LiTtLe One

 

     Pregnancy can never be predictable. First few months of my pregnancy I had real bad morning sickness that sent me to hospital trips for IV hydration and continuous pregnancy disability leave. Barely mid-pregnancy I started having premature contraction giving us a Preterm labor scare and permanently sending me to disability leave and eventually losing my position at work and now I'm on my 39th week and no sign of delivering the baby yet. I 'm due this Sunday October 16, 2011 and I'm wondering if my baby will come on time. I know 6 more days but I'm just excited to hold my firstborn and finally see God's miracle. Our whole family can't wait to meet him too. So for now even if I'm busy researching about nail polish, I'm just patiently waiting for my little prince to make his debut. I hope he comes soon.

   

I'm OPI obsessed!

     I been using nail polish but mostly on my toenails (because my line of work discourages fingernail polish as much as possible) but for some reason after my make up addiction or hoarding or whatsoever, I just got into nail polish but this time for my fingernails too. I know, I know I'm pregnant and all but I've read mixed opinions but pretty much it's safe to use it as long as you don't inhale the polish itself. 

     So once again I'm an ULTA frequent shopper because they are the only one in our area selling my choice of nail polish brand O.P.I.. I'm not a brand snob, I have tried Salley Hansen, NYC and Hard Candy. Those brand are cheaper and deliver good color but when I bought my first O.P.I which is Planks a Lot, I just fell in love with it's color, consistency and how easy it is to apply. I have started a small collection and I still want some more. Nail polish hoarding I guess but I just can't be content if I don't have all the basic colors. This one is so hard to do though. Right now I only want to buy O.P.I Red which is a very classic red shade but since I love purple and rose pink colors I want to find the other shade I want as well even if I have a couple of pinks and purple already. This will be indeed very hard but I know I should stop it. Because once the baby comes, I'll be lucky if I can still paint my nails lol. But maybe one more trip to ULTA and I'll be contented. Wish me Luck!

Bare Escentuals

      

      My new found love. I've been using MAC Studio Fix Foundation and concealer for long time now and I've been very pleased with its coverage. However I wanted to venture out and try another alternative makeup line which will be easily accessible in case I ran out of my MAC products. The nearest MAC store isn't that far but it's still a 20 minutes drive and once baby is out I don't want to drag my child just to get one. Since ULTA is much closer I did some research and checked out the products they have that will be a good alternative.

     I've been hearing good reviews and rave about Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals. I was hesitant at first knowing my skin is very sensitive. I was scared of breakouts but I still took the risk and bought their foundation. The foundation was wonderful in just few days I noticed that my skin was even getting better. For some reason I find it more glowing and I had no break outs. From foundation I went on my BE shopping spree. I think I spent over $115 for all the products. I got their small 30 day started kit and eventually bought Mineral Veil, Multi tasking Summer Beige, Handy Kabuki brush and lip gloss. 

    So far I'm impressed with all the complexion products. It may seem that I'm putting too much makeup in my face since all of the products are in powder form but it's been really really light on the skin. The Multi-tasking summer beige does not only have SPF but provides a good coverage as a concealer from dark under eyes and old acne scars and the Mineral Veil has given me an oil free face. My skin is dry and oily combination and I've always had issue with oiliness in my t-zone but since I used mineral veil, I never had the same issue. I've been using NYC smooth pressed powder which also helps control the shine but mineral veil works much better. The brushes are so smooth and soft on the skin. I also have the small full flawless brush which came with the starter kit. I'm just in love with this products. I still alternate BE and MAC depending on my moods and time. But I've been using BE more often now.

     However as much as I love the complexion products of BE, I'm still trying to like their lip gloss. The pigmentation is just ok, the scent and taste islike sweet dessert however I really wish it's more moisturizing and lasting power is longer. I expected more since it cost $15 dollars but I have an on and off relationship with it. In order for it to work for me I have to use Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint as base to moisturize my lips or top it off with Naturally Nude L'oreal Le gloss lip gloss to keep my lips moisturized all day. I wanted to love this because it's a mineral lip gloss and they have good color choices but I think I will just try to finish this one and will not repurchase for sure.

My new BFF's

     I've been through a lot since I got pregnant. First was my bout with hyperemesis gravidanum which I suffered for almost 4 months and recently it's back once again. Then came my premature contractions and shortening of cervix which led me to being ordered for bed rest (which I have to over come once in awhile because when bf is traveling I still have to do grocery and other errands) and when my 32 week of pregnancy I had PUPPP or Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy. 

     It wasn't the best experience at all. It all happened too when the temperature here in California was going on 3 digits high and our air condition broke down. Good thing bf was very good in fixing stuffs and he was able to repair it in 2 days but I had to suffer from itching, scratching and discomfort.

     But there are 3 products that provides me with some relief and which I'm still using since PUPPP is still active and as describe will only subside once I give birth.

     Thank God for Sarna and it's maker. An anti-itch lotion recommended by a mommy friend who had the same experience. This lotion is steroid free, good for sensitive skin, non-greasy and fragrance free as well.  I tried the Aveeno Skin relief lotion but it was just too thick for me and I just couldn't stand it although I like the minty feeling it leaves your skin.

     Aveeno Skin Relief Body wash. It's been recommended by my OB and by all the PUPPP sufferers The oatmeal ingredients helps a bit, although I still take like 2-3 bath a day to be relieved from itchiness. 

     Yardley London Oatmeal and Almond soap. How I wish I was back home in the Philippines where I can buy all my trusted oatmeal soaps. I was in search of just a plain oatmeal soap but I was having a hard time finding in my area until I saw this in CVS. It was less than $5 so I took the risk and bought it. It also provides temporary relief like the Aveeno body wash and I do prefer this one because the oatmeal bits really helped exfoliate my drying skin. I've been using this more than the body wash.

     Other than this 3 products 2 other things have helped me get through my PUPPP bouts. Cold shower and ice.

Busy Bee

     It's been more than a month since I last blogged. Oh dear!!! Been a busy bee. Been preparing for the baby shower, cleaning the house (mostly bf is doing the cleaning, I'm just the moral support since I'm getting heavier each day) and dealing with my pregnancy nemesis called morning sickness or should I say all day sickness. 

     But even if I've been busy I still found time shopping for makeups and other beauty essentials. I don't know if it's hormones or I'm just stocking up before my little prince comes. 

     I should be on a budget since I'm not working (but I'm saving believe me or not) but I just couldn't resist shopping. Some of my shopping were on sale especially the clothes and some on regular price. I think after this month it will be more baby time and spending than mommy time. Oh I shouldn't forget that I was shopping for the little one too. 

    I think I'm almost done with my shopping except for replacing my MAC concealer which could wait since I have my Bare Escentuals Multi-tasking summer beige and a few nail polish I have on the list. Yes that's my latest love right now nail polish. 

     But we'll see, we'll see. Knowing me I'll probably end up having it before October comes LOL. I'm trying to convince myself that I can always ask it as a Christmas gift but sometimes I just couldn't resist. Only thing that stops me right now is I barely fit the car, me waddling like a duck when I walk, warm or hot weather and the "I don't want to spend that much anymore" guilt feeling. I'm just really hoping that I'll be able to use all the products I got when the baby comes.