Home is where your story begins...

It has been centuries since the last time I blogged. One may think that I probably have left the blogging world for good! Surprisingly I am still going to write, at least I will try!

Speaking about leaving for good, I am leaving the UK for good soon! It feels so odd saying that - suddenly it feels so real! In just a few months time, I will be home wearing flip flops and shorts 24-7 all year round. Home is Brunei and it is a hot tropical country. You're talking about 30 degrees and humid! You can't walk from one building to another without sweating like a pig. That is why we don't walk and everyone is do dependent on their cars - very bad, I know. Anyway, despite it being so hot and humid (which is probably not a good match), it is home. Due to that reason, I have been busy packing my stuff to ship back home. Gosh! Who would ever thought that stuff can actually breed faster than the UK's population! So far I am 80% packed and I already have 11 big boxes. Crazy!!

I am going to miss the United Kingdom so much and it is a place that I will always call my second home. I always complain about the gloomy and cold weather but I guess it is true that you do not appreciate something until you lose it. Now that I know I will never have winter again (Brunei has one season only i.e summer) I wish I enjoyed and appreciate winter more than I did.

So these are some pictures of my humble flat.. a home that always gives me comfort, shelter and happiness even on gloomy weather and bad days.

I love chess! 

My Lazy Couch!

As a student, I hardly cook proper meals so oven was definitely my bestfriend in the kitchen

The view from my room, at least during the summer.

This was taken during winter. It was foggy but yet so beautiful.

 During winter

So serene

Where I normally have my hot bubble bath

I am so lucky to be able to see beautiful green trees from my bedroom windows

A beautiful scene from the 7th floor

Bed v Rocking Chair? Rocking Chair!!!! 

I will definitely miss this home so much!

``The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.'' - Maya Angelou

Officially Graduated!

Wow! It's been awhile since the last time I blogged. I am definitely useless in keeping my blog alive and I am not surprise that I have few followers!

Anyway, I have been very busy lately nevermind suicidal. I have all the stress in the whole world as exams are just around the corner. The Bar is no joke! I have work everyday even during the weekends. Hmm..  I don't know if it is even legal to make us work 24-7!

Just to let you know.. I have officially graduated with a 2:1 LLB Law! Well, I have finished my undergraduate last year in July but our graduation ceremony was not till Feb this year. To tell you the truth, it was one of the best days of my life! My mom was here to celebrate with me and I couldn't be much happier!

A week before my graduation, my boyfriend and I went to Westfield in Merry Hill to find my outfit. Looking for clothes was easy but looking for the right shoes (and the right size) was a pain in the bum! My feet are soo small that none of the shoes are designed for me. In case you're wondering, I am a size 2.5 (US 35). If anyone knows where to buy petite shoes (in the UK or useful websites), please do let me know!

I initially wanted to wear this black dress from Jane Norman. I fell in love with this black dress but sadly, size 6 is only available online. I didn't want to risk it coz my graduation is in a week time. There were a few nice dresses that we've found but I ended up buying this from West One.

This photo doesn't do justice but it is a very nice top! I just changed the belt with a bigger one so that it hides my not-so-flattering-belly. Hehe

So here are some photos of me on my graduation day..

With the woman that I love and respect the most, my mom.

With my Dearest Sister

My handsome man

Thanks for the kisses! 

One of the proudest moments of my life

Dinner at Copthorne Hotel

I hope to post properly very soon. I hope you guys are well and have a good weekend! 

Christmas Haul: Dermalogica Cleansers and Soothing Spray

I started using Dermalogica about 3 weeks ago and I absolutely loved it!! My friend was kind enough to give me his unused trial kit to see if it would help clear my acne. To be fair, I can already see a difference after 3 weeks of using them! For your information, my skin is oily, acne-prone and I also suffer from discolouration due the acne-post scars. I know, poor me.

The trial kit that I had includes:

1. Dermal Clay Cleanser

2. Skin Resurfacing Cleanser

3. Multi-Active Toner

I am over the moon with these products and was so happy to see them in big bottles when I unwrapped my Christmas presents. I cannot thank much these generous people who got me these things for Christmas!

Derma Clay Cleanser

This product says:

A skin-perfecting formula designed to provide deep-cleansing to oily, congested skin. 

Review:

I cannot agree more! This is probably the best cleanser I have used. Since I have started using it, my face has never got shiny once! I don't even break out. It also makes my face feels light, breathable and fresh without overdrying my skin. The only downside that I can think of is the design of the bottle. For 250ml, there is no pump dispenser and the bottle can be too hard to squeeze.

Skin Resurfacing Cleanser

The product says:
Achieve superior smoothness and ultra-clean skin after just one use with this dual- action exfoliating cleanser. Helps retexturize skin suffering from visible signs of aging by removing dulling surface debris and helping accelerate skin renewal. Antioxidant Vitamin E conditions and enhances softness while fortifying the skin's natural moisture barrier. 

Review:
I am only 24 and some people say that we should only start using anti-aging products when we see first signs of wrinkling. I think it's a good idea to start using anti-aging products long before you're even thinking about wrinkles! My friend said this also helps in reducing the post-acne scars that I am suffering at the moment. The weird thing about this cleanser is that it sank into my skin quickly on application! It was like applying a moisturiser! Could that be right? The instruction does tell you to massage at least 30 seconds so maybe that is how it was supposed to react anyway. 3 weeks after using this cleanser, my skin is certainly brighter, smoother and starting to glow. I am not sure if it has reduced my scars yet but so far I am liking the glowing effect so I am going to continue using this cleanser. 

Multi Active-Toner and Soothing Protection Spray 

I can't really say much about the multi-active toner coz I have now swapped it with the Soothing Protection Spray. It is described by dermalogica as a shield that protects your skin against external environmental assaults like irritating cosmetic products, pollution from cars, dust etc. Although the Multi-Active toner did help hydrate my skin I just think that the soothing protection spray would be better for my skin in the winter. As my skin gets flaky over the winter, this spray hydrates my skin more than the multi-active toner. It also has a wonderful smell which is hard for me to describe but it is simply wonderful!

1, 2, 3

So here is my new skin regimen:
I wash my face with 2 facial cleansers, twice a day. Once with the Derma Clay Cleanser and then I will massage my face for at least 30seconds with the Skin Resurfacing Cleanser. Next is the Soothing Protection Spray. I spray it directly to my face and then gently rub in.

Result: Hardly ever break out and my skin is less greasy. I love love love Dermalogica! 

Molton Brown - Naran Ji

I've always liked Molton Brown bathing brand but their products do not come cheap.  As I am living on a student budget, I don't think I am ready to splurge £15 on a hand wash  just yet. Oh well, gotta love being a student!

Anyhow, as a member of the Middle Temple (one of the Inns of Court in the United Kingdom - where I will be called to the bar once my course has finished), we're spoilt with the luxury of having Molton Brown handwash everywhere in the wash room/changing room. My friend Aaron really likes the smell of Naran Ji handwash from Molton Brown. He once told me that whenever he's in the changing room, he would normally use four to five pumps each time he washes his hands. Nope, he does not have OCD just obsessed with the smell. 

So, knowing that he really likes the smell of  the Naran Ji hand wash, I thought of surprising him with a little gift from Molton Brown.. Tadaa....

Naran Ji handwash and the hand lotion.

Now, how should I describe the scent? I think this handwash has a mixture of citrussy and spicy with undertones of cinnamon. I don't normally like the smell of cinnamon but this one is not overpowering at all. However, I personally think that the smell is more suitable for men than it is for women.

As for the lotion, I had a quick sniff in the shop and I could say that the smell is extremely mild. - which is good as you don't want it to clash with your perfume. Although it can be quite runny, it is easy to use as it has a pump-action dispenser. What I love most about this lotion is that it is very light, non-greasy and absorbs into the skin in seconds!

Packaging wise, Molton Brown manage to keep the packaging minimal. Their clear/transparent plastic bottles are just classy and they will definitely look lovely on show in the bathroom! I do think that they will make a very good Christmas present. I also like the fact that they come with a very cute bag with a little ribbon to tie it together. This way, there is no wrapping nightmare to deal with!  

Beautiful and Elegant = Blair Waldorf

I am a huge fan of Gossip Girl and Blair is definitely my favourite! I still think that she is one of the prettiest woman I have ever seen on TV! I love her beautiful doe eyes, high cheekbones and oh so perfect porcelain complexion. I may have a crush on her at one point. I mean, who doesn't? Here are some of her best outfit and make up that I adore soo much!

Some people may say that Serena has a better wardrobe but I personally prefer Blair's. I mean, both have different styles so I can't really judge. Serena is more towards a boho-chic style or Kate Moss's inspired whilst Blair is more of a preppy kind of style with a feminine and elegant touch. And she only wears dresses and skirts (never seen here wearing a pair of jeans before!). Now, if only I could actually shop their closets!

1,2,3 Cheese!

I went to a wedding last weekend and it was my very first invitation to an English white wedding in the UK! It was not a lavish one but everyone was definitely enjoying their time dancing to some 80s songs! Anyway, this post is just to tell you guys how pleased I was to see the photos that were taken by Steven Oliver, the photographer that night. He took some shots of Adam and I and these are the outcomes.

Steve the photographer is a very pleasant man and friendly. He was also kind to give us a second copy of the photo for free. Well, he was having a buy one get one free promotion for a month but we missed it! But when me made an order, Adam got two copies for one! In terms of the price, they are very reasonable. So why don't you check him out? Click here to see more of his work. :)

Chloe Perfume

Another present that I got on my birthday was a perfume by Chloe. I pretty much fall head over heels for this perfume when I was in Sephora in Champs-Elysees (Paris), but I never got it. I did put it in my birthday list instead (in which I was torn between this one and Rose, The One by D&G).

(My man got this perfume for me)

I've always liked perfumes with fresh smell, not too sweet but yet, girly. I also like some fruity perfumes too. Chloe has all the scents I love. It is light, fresh, fruity and it has floral scent too. It is not overpowering and won't suffocate anyone around you, promise! It is definitely a versatile fragrance that suits both day and night, be it summer, winter, spring or fall.

Last but not least, the packaging. How can you not love it! It is feminine and elegant, simple yet classy! I just love the silver band around the top that ties in a knot! The clear bottle with Chloe into the metal just adores me. Such a perfect design. Gotta love Chloe!