I took a turn for the nostalgic last month, and hearkened back to the early days of blogging, when we’d share little random things in bite-sized pieces, because it was fun to. I enjoyed that, and apparently, so did many of you!
So, I’ve decided to make it a monthly feature – as regularly as I can remember to post LOL!
What’s most interesting for me is how much has changed, or evolved, since my last post last month, so this serves as a nice little check-in for me with how I’m doing 🙂
What I Love – Makeup
This one was easy to pinpoint. I’ve been rediscovering my Guerlain Meteorites, and falling in love with them all over again!
I go through phases with the Meteorites.
Sometimes, I use them everyday, and I sneak narcissistic glances at every reflective surface I pass, because I look so damn good! LOL 😀 Other times, I forget I even own them LOL! 😀 Feast or famine, that’s me!
But when I recently caved and purchased the Meteorites Perles de Satin, I was reminded once again just how magical those little balls of wonder are. I’ve been using my old ones, and falling in love all over again with the magic they weave.
RELATED READING: What are Meteorites and do I need them in my life? Short answer: YES! READ HERE
What I Love – Life
Last month, I went through a few days of quiet and disconnect. I took that contemplative process with me, and in the course of things, made certain decisions that would move me forward.
I always say that life is a series of forks in the road. Rather like a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book (anyone remember those?!). The choices you make at each fork, will lead you on a different road, to a different conclusion. Or perhaps even take you on a circuitous scenic route back to your original path.
Well, it’s been a challenge for me to not be dragged back by the snatching claws of the past, and I walked through some dark roads in the last month. But I made the effort to take a chance, and step out of my comfort zone a little more. For the past month, it feels like I’ve stepped out of the dark woods, into a clearing, and I’m just standing here, basking in the sun a little. (Always with sunscreen on of course LOL! 😉 )
Each day I take a step further into the clearing, and it’s been a positive period for me. So what I love about life right now, is just taking chances because you never know what’s just around the corner 🙂
What I Love – Hair care
I had a scalp diagnosis recently, which left me feeling bemused. I used to have a bit of a flaky scalp before this, so I was prepared to hear the same words. This time however, I was told that my scalp was very healthy, and so was my hair!
I realised then, that it might be to do with the hair-care products I’ve been using. I now opt for sulfate-free hair-care products, and only stick to using Sachajuan, Yuan Soap and most recently, ShiKai.
I first tried the ShiKai Tea Tree Shampoo and Conditioner a while ago, but I wasn’t keen on it. A few months ago, I’d finished my Yuan Soap shampoo, and this was conveniently in the shower, so I decided to finish them.
To my surprise, the ShiKai Tea Tree Shampoo has grown on me. It has a lovely fresh scent of tea tree and peppermint, and leaves my hair and scalp feeling nice and clean. It is sulfate-free although it does lather up a little, and very little is needed especially for my short hair.
I think this might be what’s kept my scalp nice and clean all this time, not oily nor dry. I don’t have a flaky scalp anymore, and it doesn’t itch.
I wash my hair daily, and nothing’s suffering from that. So all in all, I’m glad I gave the ShiKai Tea Tree shampoo a second chance! 😀
WHERE TO BUY: TNS Skin Lab, Watson’s stores
What I Love – Eating/Cooking
When I think of Thai food, it is never the popular tomyam that comes to mind. It is always pad kra pao moo/gai (thai basil pork/chicken).
The day I learnt how to cook it myself, I stopped ordering it outside, because it is just so easy to make it yourself! Serve it with hot steamed rice and a fried egg, and it is the comfort food to end all comfort foods 😀
I’d been making this for my nephew this past month, omitting the chilli, and the kid loves it. Polishes up his rice a treat, and told me it was yummy even though “the vegetable is a bit bitter” LOL! 😀 It’s easy to eat, tasty and quick. Lots of recipes online, so I won’t share. Really, it is so simple, you should try it if you enjoy pad kra pao as much as I do!
What I Love – Dressing Up
Some time in April, I posted on Instagram, a dressing-room photo of myself in a dress I’d fallen in love with. It was a lovely dress, and I was very tempted to get it, even though I knew it was a very memorable piece, and therefore noticeable when reworn.
I’m not usually given to mooning over fashion pieces, but for some reason, this dress stuck with me. Each time I walked past the store, I’d stop to have a look.
Eventually, a month or so later, I caved LOL! The dress is by Cos and it is rather pricey. It is also memorable, because it is so colourful and vibrant. But I’ll be damned if I don’t wear it to death to get my money’s worth! LOL!
What amused me more than anything however, is how most of you who are on Instagram, remembered my dilemma about whether to buy the dress! LOL! So thank you all for committing that little useless bit of trivia to memory and rejoicing with me when I eventually got it! 😀
What are 5 things you love from the last month?
Feel free to co-opt my categories, or share your own with me 🙂 Finding something to love and enjoy is a bright spot in any day/week/month 🙂
Paris B
A few days ago I stumbled upon a Japanese method of introspection, Naikan. It is based on the three questions:
What have I received from X?
What have I given to X?
In what ways have I troubled X?
You can do it about a specific person, or more generally, for example the last 24 hours, the last month or year, or your whole life in different phases.
If you do it correctly (and are no saint), you will realize that you receive way more than you give. That way you take nothing for granted, and become more grateful and humble. The universe doesn’t owe us anything…
This pops into my mind every day, and it is becoming quite important to me.
Wow mind blowing. Do you mind to share which book you read about this?
“Naikan: gratitude, grace and the Japanese art of self-reflection“ (Gregg Krech).
Like every personal development book I’ve ever read, it’s extremely redundant, you could boil it down to about 20 to 30%. But the message is hugely inspiring.
Traditionally, there are 7 day retreats and you set aside some time for this self reflection every single day. I do it on the go, several times a day. Not sure about a full week of Naikan…
Let me know what you think about it, if you decide to dive into it. 🙂
I love this concept, Maja! Thank you so much for sharing. I shall have to read up a little more about it. It is most certainly a very thought-provoking process, and I think, a good way for us to appreciate things a little better!
Let me know what you think about it. Have a wonderful day!
Feast or famine LOL love that Paris! And it also explains my finances most of the time…
I can easily put my hand up for all the different things you are loving Paris, but if I had to write my own right now it would be;
1. Baking (especially for others)
2. Family (when you free yourself from the crazy family members and find support/love from the others)
3. Gardening
4. Sleep
5. Pets/animals
<3
LOL Amen to feast and famine hitting my finances too haha! Thank you for sharing the things you’ve been loving in the past month, Sylvia. I’ve seen your baking efforts on IG, and I love it! Primarily because I can’t bake haha! I hope your cat returns home safely!
Thank you for the well wishes Paris!!! It’s much appreciated <3
P.S. I REALLY need to clean my oven now though lol! So I thought of you naturally 😛 I'll let you know what I can find at my local hardware store (I think that's where I'll need to go to find something strong enough….).
ROFLOL! My oven cleaning exploit is legendary hehe… Just be careful and don’t knock yourself out!
Life was a dark phase the last two months especially dealing with integrity at the workplace. I was very upset, won’t go into details but family is what holds me together.
My obsession with nail polishes especially Chanel is now making me think if I should splurge on all 6 colours from its latest collection? I have 3 now.
Watercolour painting as a new hobby started when I joined my boys for art lessons unleashed my hidden talent…LOL…I still need more practise but it’s therapeutic and I enjoyed it. So I splurge on expensive water colour paints.
Reading The Unwinding Of the Miracle by Julie Yip-Williams, her cancer journey and passing away at 42 leaving behind two young children is so heartbreaking. Her final message is so powerful, ‘Live while you’re living’ – all of us take live for granted most of the time. On that, I focus on who and what I love most, enjoy what I’m doing and appreciate life.
So glad to hear you’re out of your dark phase, just don’t go in there anymore because there’s so much more to life.
I’m so sorry to hear you had to walk down dark roads too Nvie. But on the bright side, I hope you got to leave it at work, and return to your loving family for some solace 🙂 And I hope that period is past for you too! It sounds like you have an artistic soul! I can’t paint my nails to save my life, and I can’t paint that well either (enough to pass exams at school LOL!) so it always amazes me when someone can, and do it well! I’m sure it’s very therapeutic, so well done you! 😀
Great exercise to put things in perspective when dark cloud loom over us. My 5 fav in June are:-
1) Family
— my 4.5mth old baby, 4.5 yrs old daughter, and hubby who is sometimes there and sometimes not
2) Food
— Very selective this year due to baby’s needs. Will be back to eating more my style with spice and taste. In any case, I love khao soi (northern Thai yellow curry noodle), red dates pastry (not red bean pastry), brandy schnapps, Noisette (hazelnut domed dessert)
3) Make up
— started learning about make up as my daughter started requesting make up as toys. My initial attempt turned her pretty face to into Chucky face. She got bored soon after and I ended up liking make up for myself.
4) Money
— absolutely love buying investment that generates money, be it steady stream or via capital gain. Money can’t buy happiness but can eliminate A LOT of stress :p
5) Ocean
— the feeling of touching it / swimming in it, diving, including some seafood too (oops). I hung my diving boots for now, waiting for my girls to grow up. Everything about the ocean never stops getting my attention (strangely, I don’t really like beach and sun but I love the sea)
Thank you for sharing your Fab 5, Adrienne! 😀 I think it’s always helpful to be a little contemplative and appreciative now and then. It puts us in our place 😀 Gosh, I’m sure handling 2 young children must be quite a handful! Well done to you, Mommy! 😀 And I’m 100% with you about money. It’s a bit of a taboo topic, but the fact is that money does ease a lot of things in life. I’m quite careful with spending myself and always make sure I have the money, before I spend it, and find ways to make more. It isn’t mercenery, despite what society perceives, unless that’s the only goal in life! LOL! 🙂 Oh and speaking of the ocean, I’m not a big fan of the ocean or beach myself, but I love the sound of waves. I find it very soothing and calming to my soul. So I love going to the beach, but only to hide under a huge shade, with a big hat, sunglassess and sunscreen, and just listen to the sea 😀
You are so pretty in that dress Paris. Love it !
ps/ that soup has me drooling.
Thank you Kristine <3