Hi Friends!
March 2020 just went all to pieces didn’t it? In fact, 2020 is, in the current trending parlance, ‘cancelled’.
The whole world has practically shut down, forcing most people to stay at home. Some are facing more challenges than others, and most are having to adapt to working from home.
I know we’re all facing difficulties dealing with this sudden change in our life and lifestyles. So, let’s think of some lighter things – think of 5 things you love or that made you happy or smile in the past month.
These are my 5 Things I love for March 2020 🙂
WHAT I LOVE : Cooking
Well, I’ve always enjoyed cooking, as many of you know (I even used to share recipes here a while ago in my Eat at Chez PB series!) Being forced to stay in for half the month, I’ve had more chance to explore cooking different dishes and prepare meals more regularly, and that has been enjoyable.
One recent dish that I made, that I haven’t in a while, is chicken curry.
My MCO* Mate had bought some lovely bread that would go so nicely with a chicken curry, so I decided to make one, from scratch. It has been years since I attempted it!
It could do with a little more work, and I know it could taste better, but it tasted a damned sight better than any packet paste in the market! 🙂
What I don’t enjoy of course, is the cleaning up! 😛
*MCO – Movement Control Order imposed here in Malaysia that restricts our non-essential movements. No shopping and outdoor activities. Stay home except for groceries & food
WHAT I LOVE : Kingdom on Netflix
This one’s a bit of a surprise, because I have never, and I mean NEVER EVER watched a Korean drama. Ever! I just don’t have the patience for it, and the usual plots that center on romance, don’t interest me.
But everyone was raving about Kingdom, and I was assured many times over that despite it featuring zombies, it wasn’t scary the way a horror movie was scary. (I don’t watch horror movies!)
So, with time on my hands, I delved in. And what a ride it was! Some of the plot twists were unexpected, and it was highly engaging. But what I enjoyed most wasn’t the disgustingly fascinating portrayal of zombies, but how the world can be changed forever thanks to greed, corruption and political ambition. Topics that intrigue me.
The cinematography was epic, and incredibly well shot. The dialogue was gripping (even if I rely on subtitles), the acting was impeccable, and the storyline glued me to my seat.
Watching it at this time, you can draw many parallels to the real world situations that we’re facing and reading about. The difference of course, is that we aren’t hiding from zombies.
Or are we? Hmm…. 😛
If you have not watched it, I highly recommend it! If you can recommend any other Korean dramas of a similar ilk, I’d love to check them out too! 😀 Just no romance stories, please 😛
WHAT I LOVE : Controlling my spending
This is purely a personal note. As much as I understand that spending is necessary to stimulate the economy, a balance must be struck between that and our personal saving and spending habits.
I had been spending a little more money in recent months than I was comfortable with. So, the enforced confinement at home helped curb and control that desire to spend.
A real concern once we come out of this, is financial sustainability – ours. I’m already hearing of people losing jobs or having to take pay cuts, and I expect this will only continue for a while. We do need to have savings, as much as we want to help the economy.
When it comes to spending, in my view, what really helps the economy isn’t the spending that you do on online sites, or buying from overseas sites. It is the spending you do in your immediate community – small shops and businesses, food hawkers, local eateries. They are the ones who really need the injection, so that’s where I’ll be doing my spending. Just IMO 🙂
WHAT I LOVE : Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum new packaging
Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic serum is one of the most effective, and affordable Vitamin C serums you can get. Yet, the packaging has always been a big bugbear – the bottle and dropper system causes it to oxidise more quickly, and the bottle isn’t very travel friendly.
RELATED READING: Know why I say Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic is so good? READ HERE
Well, I guess Timeless understood the concerns, because they repackaged their signature product not too long ago, and I love it! It now comes in a bright yellow plastic bottle with airless pump packaging so it is more portable (albeit still a little bulky) and slows down oxidization of the contents.
I purchased a bottle in the new packaging, and when it arrived, stored it in the fridge, while I finished up my other serum. It stayed in there for about a month or so.
When I started using it, I left it outside on my dresser, and I used it daily. After more than a month, it is only now starting to turn a light yellow. But I’m almost finished with it, so I don’t mind it as much.
It works as well as ever, keeping my skin clear and bright and even toned. I have been staying indoors a lot more (naturally) so I do attribute part of the more even skin tone to that lifestyle change. But there is no denying that the Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic serum works, and works well. It isn’t terribly expensive, all things considered, so yes, I highly recommend it! 🙂
PRICE: RM119 | US$25.95 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Worthee Cosmetics (get 15% off with code PARISB – I recommend you purchase it locally if in Malaysia as you get a fresher batch), Timeless Skincare website (I’ve bought from them before, and shipping can be expensive, but they do good sales now and then)
WHAT I LOVE : Life
Life has been, in a word, good 🙂
2020 has started out slow for me. I had a hectic end to 2019, so a slow start to 2020 was not a bad thing at all. But slow similarly means a slow financial start as well, and that’s what had me pulling the brakes on a few expenses, plans and commitments this year.
Due to the current outbreak, a few ‘jobs’ were cancelled, and as a freelancer of sorts, what this means simply is this – no income. While I have my buffer, I have been careful to not eat too much into it due to the uncertain future.
So what I have loved about March is the chance for me to RESET MY PRIORITIES. I shared this thought on Twitter, and I think it is a lesson that we can all take away from what’s happened.
I get very chatty and opinionated on Twitter (but not always about beauty) so I won’t ask you to follow me there, unless you absolutely want to – my Twitter account isn’t for everyone 😛
But reset priorities we must. It’s allowed me to think about what and who matters in my life. What my priorities are. What aspects of life I need to work on, and how I can survive or weather another storm.
It forced me to think about whether I was overly committed, financially, and how I can reduce that. It also made me think about how I should structure my finances, and whether I am able to liquidate quickly enough should I have to.
As challenging as life has been in the past month, it has also made me think about what really matters to me. And perhaps, that is something that you could reflect on too 🙂
Our movements are still restricted here in Malaysia till mid-April, so I expect things to be quite quiet for a while.
A note on blogging
Blogging will continue here in MWS. It’s what I do and what I still enjoy doing. But there may be a little change here and there, to accommodate the situation we’re presently facing.
I want for us all to remain positive and upbeat in what is challenging times. But I also realize that it is a privilege to be, and some of us face fears we may not want to talk about otherwise.
I’d like to share that. The world as we know it will change, and I’d like to know how you’re dealing with it.
If there’s something you’d like me to address, or blog about, do let me know and I will do my best to address it. If it’s something about beauty, similarly, let me know. Are you facing challenges with your beauty routine, or are you struggling with being confined at home. Do you have problems managing your finances? Let’s talk about the real world stuff 🙂
Tell me about 5 things in March that made you smile!
Or tell me what you want me to blog about or what you’d like to read (or if you’re even reading 😛 ) Talk to me soon! 🙂
Paris B
I’m on my first bottle of the Timeless Vit C serum in its new packaging. Due to staying indoors the past two weeks, I’ve not used any make up including my normal foundation/BB cream. My a.m. skincare routine is:, Timeless Vit C serum, Shiseidos luminizing infuser (just using up a GWP), moisturiser and Shiseido UV.
What I’ve noticed when I cleanse my face in the evening is that the cotton squares I use to clean my skin with Bioderma micellar water are brownish. I always attributed that to the makeup I use but since now I don’t use any, I’m wondering if it’s the Vit C serum oxidising on the face. If so, is that any cause for concern that the serum acts as a pro-oxidant instead?
Five things to smile about for me
1. I managed to catch up with my friends before MCO came into effect. It was long overdue. But truly what all of us needed.
2. I am working in healthcare during MCO. So grateful to have my salary running though we face risk at work on daily basis
3. As you said I am rethinking my finances too. Haven’t used my credit card in a nearly a month except for petrol and groceries. So I can cut down lot of luxury spending and save more
4. Having the kids safe and sound at home when I return from work
5. More than that grateful for the health and food on the table daily. Chance to reset
Some thoughts to share.
Kingdom on Netflix:
Your glowing review makes me really want to watch this ! I’m a Kdrama fan but I still cannot bring myself to watch horror and zombies unless it’s highly recommended.
Kdrama has evolved a long time ago from weepy romances since Winter Sonata is from 20 years ago. There are so many genres to choose from. I would recommend the new Hospital Playlist on Netflix, a light medical drama that focus on doctors everyday life.
Spending :
I hope many people will realize now on what’s really important, as we can only spend on basics stuff now. We really don’t need a lot to get by, and I’m amazed people complain about money not enough, when they are actually spending on wants rather than needs. This is about the middle-class, not the low incomers.
Life :
Although I am very grateful I have a comfortable home with relatively stabil financials, I can’t help but feel depressed about the future. For one, I love traveling, and I don’t see how the travel industry will ever recover from this, at least for a couple of years.
Hi Paris, just want to say I love how you present the products in the photos. I see you love to include eucalyptus leaves. Love that checked cloth and dried lemon slice. Is that a Jo Malone bottle there? I have seen the new lavender collection in your other article. So spending still going to beauty products ya. Haha. Please continue to write more about beauty, lifestyle and I also enjoy reading your experiences at those spa and facial session. Thank you