Hey guys, you did not actually think I’d allow that 10 year milestone to pass me by without commemorating it in some way, right?! Pish! Perish the thought!
I originally had more lofty plans to celebrate 10 years of blogging, including throwing a little party, but for various reasons, I put those plans to bed (but if you want to help or sponsor something, let’s talk! I can’t do it alone). Instead, I decided to give back to you, lovely readers. And it comes in the form of a humungous beauty hamper.
I’d stopped running giveaways here on MWS for a while now, because they just weren’t appreciated (fact). There, said it, and despite what people kept telling me, it affects how I consider giveaways. But I wanted to find a way to give back, and this was the easiest way.
In this very special My Women Stuff 10th Anniversary giveaway, I have a hamper of full sized beauty products that I specially handpicked from different brands. They are ALL products I personally use and still use and in some cases, use often and keep back ups of. If you’ve been with me, none of them will come as a surprise and you may even find yourself nodding along to each of them, as you would an old friend.
I have 4 5 sets for 4 5 very lucky MWS readers, so here’s what you will stand to win and how you can participate. There is one more opportunity going out, but you’d have to be in the know for that one, so you might want to get on the ball, coz if you’re in the know, you’re in the know! 😉
In this very special giveaway to celebrate 10 years of blogging on My Women Stuff I have specially selected and hand-picked the following gifts worth a little over RM2600 (US$600) made possible thanks to various sponsors named below:-
- Alpha-H Liquid Gold (review) – Sponsored by me because we can’t get this here in Malaysia readily. This is a product I am never without, and one I pick and use often for my lazy evening routine. I always have a bottle on hand, and now you can too! This is the 100ml bottle which will last you a while.
- La Mer The Treatment Lotion (review) – Kindly sponsored by La Mer Malaysia, I specifically requested for this item because I love how it gives my skin that lovely boost of hydration that makes other products work so much more effectively. I believe this will work for most skin types which is why I picked this one. I have back ups, and I rarely ever have back ups of anything!
- Melvita Nectar Supreme La Creme (review) – I’m not that crazy about organic products but when they work, they work! I enjoyed using this cream which is comfortable on my skin and gives it the nourishment it needs and craves in the evening, and it lasts a surprisingly long time. I wasn’t expecting very much, but it impressed me enough to be included in this beauty hamper. Thank you Melvita Malaysia! For oilier skin types, you may want to use just a tiny bit, or reserve it for evening use only.
- Dior J’adore Eau de Toilette (review) – I often say I’m not into floral perfumes or jasmine scents but for some reason, I adore J’Adore by Dior, that is both floral and has jasmine at its heart. But I’ve loved this for years and it’s the one I find myself reaching for the most often as I head out the door. It’s the one I have as a travel purse spray in my daily makeup pouch. It’s the one that makes me feel so lovely and feminine and it’s the one I just knew I wanted you to have. Thank you Dior Malaysia for making that possible! This is the 100ml bottle.
- Guerlain Meteorites Perles (review) – MWS or at least, Paris B is synonymous with Guerlain Meteorites, aren’t I?! I was raving about them and collecting them long before they became the de rigeur prop on Instagram LOL! I love them, and I still love them and every new tub released makes my head swivel around even as I tell myself I don’t actually need more. Thanks to Guerlain Malaysia, you will receive the special edition 30th Anniversary Meteorites, limited edition for Spring 2017. I don’t even own this one! Hmph!
- Dr. Brandt Vitamin C Power Dose serum (review) – I swear, this is the one Vitamin C serum I love and actually saw impressive results with and want to never be without! It’s so bloody effective, but expensive, so when Ken’s Apothecary, local distributors of Dr. Brandt, agreed to my request for sponsorship of this specific product, I was over the moon. You must try this and you lucky ducks will! I have to replenish very soon.
- Bobbi Brown Nourishing Lipstick (review) – Know me long enough and you’d know I love me a good, nourishing, moisturising lipstick. This one from Bobbi Brown impressed me so greatly I not only ended up buying more, I just had to let you try them in my favourite colour, Rosebud! It’s very wearable and will sit well with many people. Don’t blame me if you end up visiting the Bobbi Brown counter to add to your collection! Thank you, Bobbi Brown Malaysia!
- Shiseido Perfect UV sunscreen (review) – It’s come to the stage where you shouldn’t even ask me what sunscreen I use because this is the only one I have used for years and for now, appears to be the only one I’ll ever use. If anything, I’ve become synonymous with the Shiseido Perfect UV sunscreen. If Shiseido reformulates it to the point that I cannot use it anymore, I will cry, I swear! Thank you Shiseido Malaysia for acceding to my request for the one product I am never without and for the product I probably help them sell the most of 😛
- Antipodes Juliet Gel Cleanser (review) – Antipodes Natural Skincare was the brand that revived my confidence in the efficacy of natural and/or organic skincare and this was one of the first products I used and enjoyed. I picked this one because I felt it to be the most universally acceptable for most skin types. It’ll last you a long while and I promise, you will love this as much as I do. Thank you to local distributor, TNS Skinlabs for kindly sponsoring this!
- L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil (review) – I was very grateful that L’Occitane Malaysia agreed to sponsor this iconic product, because it is truly one every beauty buff should own or at least try. I love the texture, how it feels, how it smells, everything. It’s one I’ve used for years and will continue using for years to come when I feel like a luxury shower treat. This is the 250ml bottle.
- Caudalie Grape Water Spray (review) – If you think all facial mists or sprays are the same, know that I experienced enough difference in the Caudalie Grape Water Spray to include it in my beauty hamper. It calms my skin, cools it and helps my products and oils absorb more readily. Thank you Caudalie Malaysia and Ken’s Apothecary for being so quick to agree to my request for sponsorship. This is the 200ml large sized can.
- Stickers from Closet Planner Addict – I know how popular planners are today, and cute stickers too; so I commissioned 2 sheets of special edition MWS 10th Anniversary stickers from online sticker shop, Closet Planner Addict, and they were hand delivered all the way from Australia! They are so exclusive you won’t be able to get them anywhere else! Thank you for the hard work, Tine! If you love cute yet practical stickers for your planner, you want to check Closet Planner Addict out. Some of you may recognise the face behind the store, who is my good friend, Tine of Beautyholics Anonymous. I know that some of you have expressed to me your concerns that she’s taken a bit of a hiatus from her beauty blog, but I have spoken to her a few times and been assured that she will return. She just needs a little time to realign so don’t worry – I’ll make sure she comes back 😉
There you have it. 12 very very exclusive items to celebrate and commemorate 10 years of My Women Stuff. I wanted just 10, but it sort of grew of its own accord, and I actually had to stop adding to it or I would never be able to send it out! As it is, I’m hoarding large cardboard boxes and bubble wrap for this purpose LOL! 😀
But what you really want to know is this – HOW DO I ENTER THIS AWESOME JAW-DROPPING GIVEAWAY??
To enter here’s what you have to do:
- Leave a comment below telling me where you hail from and how you stumbled on my blog, if you remember (simply because I’m curious how far MWS reaches) ; AND
- Tell me your biggest personal achievement in the past 10 years – your chance to toot your own trumpet so toot!
That’s it!
If you happen to win and will be in Kuala Lumpur at any time, and willing to have lunch or tea/coffee with me to collect your prize, I’d love that. Naturally, if you prefer for me to just post it out, that’s fine by me too. But I’d love to meet you, so think about that 🙂
Now, there are some basic and important things to take note:-
- There are
45 FIVE beauty hampers worth over RM2600 (US$600) each to be won =45 FIVE winners (props not included). - 1 entry per person only in this giveaway.
- Deadline for all entries will be 12noon 17 March 2017 (+8 GMT Malaysian time) after which comments will be closed. Winners will be picked at my leisure from the comments received here, and announced on Twitter and Facebook, at the end of this post, and notified by email. There will be no separate post published.
- This one is very special and open internationally. If the prize is despatched internationally (tracked registered post) I will not be responsible for any breakage, loss or customs fees.
- I’m wiping the slate clean so anyone can enter and possibly win, even if you’ve won a previous giveaway on MWS, so everyone has an equal chance!
- If any winner named fails to respond after 48 hours, a new winner will be automatically picked so if you don’t check your email, sorry.
- The winners announced are final and no appeals or complaints will be entertained.
- If new, here are the general terms and conditions applicable to all giveaways on MWS.
Have fun and good luck! I’m rooting for you, because damn girl, I’d love to win this one too! 😛
Paris B
p/s If you are on Instagram or the newsletter, keep your eyes peeled! Just saying 😉
Gabriella says
First of all, congratulations on your 10th anniversary! We are talking about 10 years commitment here (longer than paying a car loans :p) , you surely had done an awesome job!
I came across your blog via search engine 2 years ago since I was searching a review for budget makeup/skin care (Biore Clensing Water to be exact). That was the time when I started to take care of my skin, wear make up and all that jazz. Your blog has been kind of my “beauty bible” ever since cuz I love how well contructed your blog is, easy to read and giving us the most honest reviews on internet.
Speaking of my achievement, I’d say the biggest thing that I have achieved is myself (sounds like a snob :p) . I grew up as a plain kid who had a dream but every dream comes with a denial. I’ve always wanted to look good, but aside I know I can’t afford anything to make me look good. And I’ve always dream to travel, at least out of Malaysia. Same thing, i grew up thinking that I will never ever able to pay my travel cost. But last year, i put aside all the negative voices in my head and start to change myself differently. No one should condemn you on how you want to live your live. You are 18 and you want to wear heavy makeup? Go! You are 48 and you wanna travel alone? Go! You should always believe in yourself.
I’d love to type longer, but it would be much better if we can sit and have a tea together ? Toodles xoxo
Sya Zee says
Hi Paris, congratulations on your blog’s 10th birthday from this Singaporean reader!
I stumbled upon your blog through a Google search for daily skincare routines. I remember thinking that, even though there were SO MANY results, there seemed to be very few Asian bloggers with my skin type. So when I found you & MWS, it felt like a godsend gift, especially since I was reaching the end of my tether regarding researching tips and recommendations for skincare at the time.
My greatest achievement is probably my career. I am a journalist, which is something I never expected to be. I’m an introvert, who is awkward around people and hate making small talk/being in conversation with people I am not close to or hardly know. But this job, this job has drawn me out, taken me out of my comfort zone, made me try new things, get to know people I otherwise will not be able to, thrown me into deep waters and forced me to swim over and over again. Each time, I thought this is it, this is the point where I throw my hands up and say “no more!” But here I am, still a journalist, years down the road haha!
Regardless of whether I win anything or not, I just wanna say a huge THANK YOU, PB, for always “being there” when I have skincare/beauty questions and for always being an engaging, friendly, eager-to-share person, whether here on your blog or on your other platforms.
Dang says
Hello Paris,
You’ve heard it a million (or more) times.. Well done. Maintaining a blog for 10 years is not a walk in the park.
My bookmarks are all skin care blogs. I have added / deleted blogs as young as I can remember and yours is the one that is always there. I had even deleted Caroline Hirons page.
So as you can tell, I have been reading your blog as far as I can remember. Let me tell you why. We are of similar age, so similar skin type. We love the same products – Antipodes, Shishedo Synchro foundation, Caudalie, Shiseido Perfect UV sunscreen (I felt the pain when Hada Labo sunscreen discontinued). And I was contemplating whether to purchase Sunday Riley products, you helped me make up my mind. I have tried products that you did not like and I realised we had the same conclusion so I trust your reviews. I like honest product reviews, 7/10 skin care blogs these days are just trying to please the sponsors.
I was in Singapore when I first started reading your blog and I have since moved to Australia. I don’t think I have much to toot. I moved because of my husband (please tell him how noble I am). I moved to a new country with no friends, gave up my yoga practice and plunged into adapting a new country, married life, motherhood and … learning how to drive.
However like everyone else (you included), everyone deserves a pat on their back for the achievements they had in 10 years. We have all come a long way.
So what gives me joy these days? Reading positive reviews about a skin care product (don’t you love online shopping) and I can’t wait to try it. When I travel, I was teased that my skin and body care takes up way too much space compared to my clothes. 🙂
Congratulations once again and here’s to a more mature and wiser adventure to come.
xx
Meaghan Rae says
Hi! I’m an American living in Japan and loving it here. I found your blog from a bloglovin suggestion (and am glad I did).
I’m most proud of quitting my career in the states (that paid well but I was completely miserable in) and took the chance to come here to Japan. I ended up trying out for a dragon boat team, having never done any water sports (and barely knowing how to swim). It was way out of my comfort zone and again, I’m glad I took the chance. I have made a group of really good friends, gotten to compete and find something new to work at and be good at, and have even pushed the envelope running (which I am very recreational at) because of runner friends I made at dragon boat.
It sounds weird to be proud of quitting something, but it was the best (and scariest, and hardest) decision I’ve ever made.
LR says
Hi Paris!
I’m writing from Singapore, I have been silently reading you since my early university days (I am now four years into working) and I *think* (it has been so any years!) I stumbled upon your blog when I googled for reviews on some skincare products. I continued reading as I enjoyed your candid writing, and trust your reviews. I have even gotten (slightly) addicted to meteorites after reading your high praise :p
I am currently into Kiehl’s products and wonder if you have any opinions on them? (I fell in love with their hydrating overnight masks after a particularly dehydrating trip to Melbourne)
I have two proudest recent personal achievements!
I trekked the Indian Himalayas about a year and a half ago with a few close friends even with the crazy high altitudes and asthma (no inhaler! long story…) and emerged in one piece. It was a crazy, (literally) breathtaking trip and is definitely the highlight of my adult years. I have been to many countries but that was definitely the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The scenery was like nothing else I have seen anywhere else in the world and the colours present in nature was astounding (Red mountains, anyone? Magenta sand??)
The second achievement is a lot closer to heart. I am an architect by training and about a year ago I joined Epic Homes as a volunteer to build houses for the orang asli families affected by the flooding in Gua Musang. I finally saw how beautiful my chosen profession could be, and I really loved that I was building for people that needed my skills rather than just maximising profits for yet another greedy developer. I am extremely proud of having done that, little though the effort may be, and really hope to have more opportunities to volunteer with them!
Tay Xin Lei says
Hello there, I’m from Melaka 🙂 I started to follow your instagram 2-3 years ago (cannot remember) when you posted one of your lunch bento (Damn sad that you stopped the lunch bento update). The most proud achievement in the past 10 year for me is that I didn’t stop my studies even though I failed my paper 3 times and successfully joined one of the big 4 accounting firm one year ago as an auditor 🙂
Faith says
Hello! I’m Faith, 21 and from Singapore, and I found your blog whilst looking for beauty reviews on masks and I started reading ever since!
Also, I love singing and I got the chance to be part of a national singing competition in Singapore, and came out Top 10! Got the chance to be part of various TV shows & recently, just finished another singing competition that went on for several months!
CL says
Hi Paris! Happy 10th Year Anniversary!!
Ciao from Venice, Italy (currently on my honeymoon but I can’t give this a miss, can I?!)!
I’m CL, my Instagram handle is clconquers (the nosy woman who suggested you to cross your shoelaces underneath that tongue of your Adidas superstar ?) and I have to be honest, I have a super goldfish memory which is why I don’t quite remember how I stumbled upon your blog since it’s been years! Although it’s most probably from my constant browsing for beauty products on the internet and erm, yours is usually on the top of the list ?
Oh and I’m from Penang, have been working in KL for the past 6 years so brunch/lunch would be a good idea haha!
I’ve also shared with you previously from your new year newsletter on my struggles and achievements last year but if I were to extend it to the past 10 years, I’ll have to say getting married (last Sept) to my partner of 13 years was my biggest achievement so far! It was not easy having to deal with 6 years of LDR and we are definitely not the easiest people to deal with in terms of such relationship. But nothing good ever comes easy, right? We sure have our ups and downs but I cannot imagine who else to spend my life with other than him. Okay not gonna go all mushy here..haha!
Hope to hear from you soon! xx
Summer says
Dear Paris,
Congrats again on the 10th anniversary!
I’m from KL. 🙂
I don’t remember how I stumbled across MWS, but it must have been when I first started working and begun to take interest in cosmetics and skincare. Probably around 8 years ago. It’s the time when one begin to earn money and learn how/where to spend them! 😛 Since I’m in IT, naturally the first step is to Google it. That’s the precursor to my beauty blog reading.
Biggest achievement in the past 10 years? Finishing a half marathon in Chiang Mai. I’m still amazed that I managed to survive it despite not much training beforehand. Haha… It was an unforgettable holiday for me. Next on the list is to hike Mount Rinjani in Lombok, yikes!
I’m one of the MWS silent readers until recently… I enjoyed our occasional newsletter conversations a lot. Would love to meet you in person one day. 🙂
Angeline says
First, you made me squuuueeee like really crazily with the magic word “giveaway”.
Then, I spent the whole of last night thinking about the past 10 years – and much of today too.
I’m from PeeJay, Selangor and I was strangely drawn to your blog when I searched for Antipodes – after reading it 3-5 X – i bought it for my mum and myself. ( she loved it)
If you asked me about “achievements” when I was in my 20s I would probably proclaim out loud and say – attractiveness ( shameless aren’t I), graduating, getting a job, house, car, holidays, getting wasted in a club….. And the emptiness goes on and on.
Here’s what I think can count as achievements:
I made it to my 40th last year – wrinkles, fine lines, red lips and all- yay for chocolate !
for me, it was becoming a mom, (something I never thought possible as I came from a broken family).
Waking up for the past 10 years mostly to happiness and happy endings although we all know life isn’t always perfect but I’m reminded to be grateful every moment – so I juz suck it in and call my bestie to cry if I have to.
Teaching and raising my boys to respect fellow human beings regardless of race, gender and religion – especially respecting women – for too much of today is focussed on sexuality and being naked is the new normal.
Starting a small part-time business teaching reading, doing well in my day job.
Having family and friends who stick by me no matter what.
So yes, I feel the past 10 years have been more a blessing than achievements – thank you for forcing me to look so far back this week – feeling a tad weepy now but also super glad I stumbled upon your blog some time ago.
For you, I wish you many more 10’years of health and blogging fun.
Maddie says
I’m a reader from London! Stumbled on your blog about 2 years ago looking for Guerlain reviews and came back reading ever since.
My top achievement in the last 10 years has been conquering my anxiety – I haven’t had an anxiety attack for over a year now. Considering I use to get these a few times a week it’s a HUGE accomplishment for me.
Pui Yee says
I’m a reader from Ipoh! Not that far hehe…I’d love to have coffee (or tea!) and cake with you! I can’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but I must’ve been Googling for a review or something and your blog popped up. And the rest as they say is history.
Hmm…my biggest achievement I suppose would be landing a paid job?! That, and my recent adventure down the rabbit hole into the world of calligraphy. Still a long way to go, but yeah…I think that’s an achievement of sorts when I used to be a couch potato after work. I still am a couch potato…just not as much as previously lol! Cheers to you, Paris and here’s to many, many more years of blogging and good health!
Margaret Cheong says
Happy 10th Anniversary, Paris! And many, many more to come.
I stumbled upon your blog after googling for review for a specific product which I couldn’t recall because it was aeons ago but I gained more understanding on the organoleptic and the effect of the reviewed products. I admire your neutral way of writing without the pushy sales rhetoric while giving the readers an overview of what to expect when using the reviewed product.
On my achievement during the last ten years is nothing really significant or glorious enough to be shouted but my most memorable event was to be able to travel to Seoul Korea back in 2015 to bring honour to our country, Malaysia in the Seoul International Invention Fair. I have won a bronze medal for my invention which took me by surprise since I never expected much from my work. I learnt that to put 100% in what we do because other people may appreciate even though you might not put any hope or value derived from your effort. My mantra now is always do your best and never give up.
Deborah says
Dear Paris,
You’ve heard it 90++ times thus far, but congrats on your blog’s 10th anniversary! It’s fantastic that you’ve kept it going for so long and it’s always such a pleasure to see Malaysian bloggers doing what they love 🙂
I’m from Kuching, Sarawak and I think I stumbled across your blog about 3-4 years ago, got busy and then reacquainted myself again when it became a need to really think through my skincare and makeup routine cause uni hasn’t been kind to me. Can’t quite remember which post it was, but it was likely one of your delightfully detailed (I love detailed reviews…) posts about the Météorites. Btw, I’ve finally made the plunge in late December as a treat to myself and loving it… Even if my friends just don’t get it ? As much as I get the fuss over high-end products, I really appreciate the drugstore-range posts (cause uni..) and now all the more so that Catrice was just made available in one of the Guardian stores in town end of last year.
It might be odd in its own way, but despite all the cool stuff that has happened in the past 10 years, I actually consider understanding and settling into my own skin my greatest achievement. I know most people would call the pre-teen to teenage years the most volatile years of a person’s life, but for a very long time I felt like a farce for consistently forcing a cheerful demeanour and always needing to prove myself as the best to others. It was a slow process and I battled depression quietly at a point, but I’m feeling great now and turning 21 this year kinda puts everything into perspective. So now I’m just hoping that I can help others going through a similar phase, God willing.
Much love (and hugs),
Deb
Robert C. says
I think I stumbled onto MYW when I was still in highschool. I remember going through all the posts made, and I remember especially loving the travel section. I remember I even bookmarked the one where you went to Prague! I loved it so much that year and years ahead, I actually went there! And it’s amazing.
Honestly, I actually don’t remember specifically how I stumbled onto your blog cause it was aeons ago. I’m guessing that it’s probably when I tried to Google for reviews of certain products (I like to be informed and I read the F.A.Q.s of everything cause I’m weird like that) and that’s how I stumbled here. I don’t regret it cause I love the community, especially reading the comments section on each post. (Instagram wasn’t big then). And a lot of blogs are just very here-is-the-product and not much thought and I liked that MWS is so engaging and how each post is thought-out and it’s like a story. But most times now, I’m just more of a silent reader hahahaha though I still stroll around the comments section.
Oh my, thinking back, I feel so old now hahahahahahahaa. But gosh, the biggest achievement? I guess for me was to get to University. Haven’t graduated yet but hopefully. I guess another one of my biggest achievements for myself is accepting myself for who I am and accepting my own body and appearances. I’m not perfect in accepting myself yet but working towards it.
Anyways, I’m from the U.K.
Robert C. says
Typo in the first paragraph: MWS*
Amelia says
Congrats on your 10th year anniversary!!!
I hail from Petaling Jaya. Not too far away. Have been a silent but faithful reader of yours for the past 8 years! I remember clearly because I just got married and after a few months, I got a really sick and was admitted into the hospital for a week. I started looking for beauty reviews and your blog popped up!
My biggest achievement is overcoming my fear of pain and delivered both daughters of mine naturally.
Kate says
Hello there! I’m kaiping from sunny Singapore! I came across your blog when I searched for reviews of kiehl’s midnight recovery concentrate and has been an avid reader since. There are quite a number of happy purchases I made after I read your great reviews on them.
My knowledge of skincare / beauty related stuff has grown from none to working in the industry itself. It’s always rewarding to educate people about importance of skincare / beauty-related treatments and I see myself continuing to do so for the next decade and longer. I still check out your blog frequently to know what are your latest spoils and usual indulges. Y’know, one can never have enough of everything nice.
I hope everything’s fine with Tine and wish that MWS would last forever!
Yiwen says
Congraulations! I can’t exactly recalled how i stumbled upon your blog, very likely is a link with other beauty blogs and voila i have been reading every since.
I really like and appreciate your deep honest review on the products. Unless some, which just as if copy out from the press release. And oh boy, i can’t even keep track on the products that you influence me buy after reading your reviews 😉
I’m 30 this year and hail from subang. Aside from monetary and career wise, i feel my biggest archievement is being comfortable and confident with my bare face.
When i was growing up, i have very low self esteem. When i discovered makeup, I hid behind a ‘mask’ and i have zero confidence in stepping out without makeup. Add with poor skincare regime, i look like a vampire from twilight.
And comments from peers who saw me without makeup also eat me up slowly from the inside.
Fast forward, i dunno when and why i started to make more effort in taking care of my skin. And the efforts really paid off , i’m glowing with my bare skin.
And this really do boost my self esteem and i feel i’m ready to take over the world ?
Laurie Krista Burns says
Warmest congratulations on your 10-year anniversary, Paris B! I found out about your lovely blog when searching for information on Guerlain’s Météorites. In need of some pampering, I wanted to find some but wasn’t sure which shade to buy or even how they ought to be applied. Your lovely article on Météorites explained, quite eloquently and practically, everything I needed to know. I was pleased to find many other things of beauty described your blog as well. I also enjoy the moment’s escape when you post a new article.
I am living in a new city with my husband and baby (Montréal), taking some time off work to be a mother full-time. In addition to these drastic life changes, I found I would not be able to return to my career, based on my foreign credentials, without six more years of costly additional training. I cannot claim any career glory, even in my former life in a difficult field, but lately I have learned a lot about kindness and helping others. My landlady, who lives downstairs, is extremely ill. She has family nearby but they are busy with their own lives and maybe visit her only once a month. Although this woman is very independent, she has begun to allow me to bring her groceries and check in on her. I find excuses to check in, if only to ask her a question about local life here or how to say something in the local vernacular. She seems to enjoy the occasion to chat, private as she may be. In each small kindness and interaction, I am realizing that my relationship with this woman is somehow more meaningful than many other things that I thought were important. I am also finding that this current simple life is more rewarding for me, as opposed to running after a glittering career which might have been pure fantasy all along. In short, this is a state-of-being I am happy with. I am not sure it can be called an accomplishment, but somehow, I feel more useful to others than I have ever felt before. In another year, I will have to go back to work, but I can say with certainty that it will be a humble choice of job that may not even qualify as a career. I am okay with that. One thing at a time…
Liz says
Happy 10th Paris! I discovered you when I received my first real paycheck in 2008 and needed skincare/makeup recommendations so that I would look ‘nicer’ at work. Your blog was a wealth of information and in a non-stalker-ish way, I must have probably tried out 80% of the products you raved about. I’m forever grateful to you for championing sunscreen because I am now in my early 30s but still get the “NO WAY YOU LOOK YOUNGER” comments. I share the same love for Shiseido’s sunscreen (although I’ve now found a cheaper dupe in Anessa), the same heartbreak over the newer (but disappointing) Dior Addict lipsticks, the same fondness for red lips (Sephora’s Always Red lip cream stain is my holy grail) and the same stress over why my skincare/makeup choices are getting more expensive.
Biggest achievement in the past decade is probably me taking my first solo trip back in 2012 to Cambodia and Penang as a reaction to some issues I was going through that year. It suddenly gave me a different perspective on life in general and well, travelling started to be a thing for me, whether on my own or with company.
Oh, I’m from Brunei so given the opportunity, I can totally arrange my life around to meet you even if there’s no hamper involved and subject to the availability of cheap airfares.