My 22nd Birthday ~

I thought this year's birthday would be quite toned down, as last year's 21st is supposed to be the big shebang as per western tradition and all.

But no, this year my mom decided I was finally starting to look adulty! Lol

My actual birthday (5th Dec) was pretty chill. We had a Christmas lunch at work, courtesy of manager (thank you JP!) where everyone talked about Christmas traditions and children and I realised I had neither *sob*

But that aside, I really do love the people I work with, so it was really nice that the Christmas lunch happened on my birthday!

For dinner, mom said we could go anywhere I wanted. I have been wanting to try places around Britomart for the longest time, but could not justify the hefty prices of those restaurants just for the lols. Birthdays are a great reason from that aspect, to try out places I usually wouldn't go!

We had dinner at Ebisu, ordering a platter for four (lol) and umeshu.

The sashimi was amazing - my mom was so happy with the fact that her very delicate stomach did not reject the raw seafood haha. Quality Assurance test: pass!

The pink umeshu is fruity and very very sweet, while the 'standard' one was pretty nice. I do like some umeshu once in a while :3

The platter was just the perfect amount that we didn't need to order anything else! So afterwards, we went to Milse for dessert. I have always been meaning to try out their evening menu items, so my birthday was the perfect reason for indulging in all the fatty goodness!

We ordered the tasting menu set above, but they also included an extra appetizer - the passionfruit cream stick thing. No idea what it was called, but it was yummy (and fatty cough cough)

My favourite is the pumpkin (top right image) , with the valrhona kalingo (bottom right) coming close second. Would have liked a little more spice in the pumpkin, and a little less sweet in the valrhona kalingo, but anywho we got bar-type seats so it was very entertaining watching the everyone working in the kitchen. My mom was so amazed by the fact that they put away every little container even if they bring it out only half a minute later for a different dish! X'D

We went home after finishing dinner and a brief tour of downtown for my mom. She doesn't come into the CBD too often, so it was a nice chance to do some exploring. Sometimes you miss a lot of details when you see things every day!

I found my gift waiting on my desk when we got home -

The box is the OBAKU watch I reviewed in my previous post, and set with the most fragrant and cute bouquet of roses! I usually don't like to spam money on flowers cause they're hella expensive in Nz but these were sooo cute and it was a present so I can't complain right haha

My mom also decided that this year, I should have a party. I really did not have the brain power to plan something during the semester, so it was really nice that my mom went about and arranged everything! The party was a fairly closed affair - some family friends from out east and central came over, had a feast and caught up on life. Most importantly, had a nice drinking session LOL

My mom ordered me a super yummy coffee cake. One can never escape from coffee after the love of coffee has set in right!? XD

And I received some more gifts - the new OPI gwen stefani 18k gold speckled top coat and a Estee Lauder lip gloss set (with travel bag)

I might review these later, but anyway I've had a try with the red lip gloss (photos on my twitter @snowrii) and I love it! I usually never wear lip gloss because they are 99.9% too sticky and impractical for NZ winds, but these felt pretty good. Giving them a true outdoor run on Monday (tomorrow) though.

The gold top coat is pretty nice for subtle designs, and should only be applied in one coat or else the gold glitter overwhelms the gold pieces. I always love getting new nail polish though *v*

So thank you DJ (& fam) for your presents!! Super loving them ~

Also ty for your present MC! ;)

And so... That's pretty much what happened for my birthday! It was very pleasant and lively, mostly thanks to my mom for taking care of everything! So many thankful feelsssssss~ thank you mom!

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[REVIEW] OBAKU watch V129LECIRB

I really wish OBAKU made a name for all their watches, but nope this watch is only labelled as V129LECIRB

In the catalog, but not on the actual website wtf? The white is rather pretty actually, but I'd much rather it were in rose gold...

Anywho, this was the watch I received from my mom for my 22nd birthday~

We picked it out and before even buying it, my mom said she wanted to borrow it.

But then yesterday she insisted I wear it first for at least a day. I thought it was enough that she gave me the honor of opening it but sure, ok! hahaha x'D

It was purchased from Angela Daniel Jewellery for $265 (NZD). Wish I looked at the price before the purchase wtf. Only looked now for the purposes of this post and it's quite shocking wtf.

Well, the watch itself is nice, each jewel is set perfectly, and the surfaces are all perfect and smooth. The watch hands are thankfully perfect. This is the main perk of buying stuff in store I guess. Despite the (usually) giant price hike, at least you can inspect what you're buying before paying. (unlike what I bought in this post)

The markers around the side are super subtle ❤

I originally had a thing about the silver bits extending out over the strap, but the more I see the watch, the less it bugs me. In fact, at this point in time I rather like it!

The strap is really thin which I like, and the leather is pretty soft!

A little unfortunate is the fact that the size of my wrist is just right between the size for the first and second eyelet. The first makes the watch a tiny bit too tight, and the second is too loose wtf. If I lose a little weight it should be better though haha #ReasonToLoseWeight275917

worn at 2nd eyelet. Slipped all over he place .-.
Can you see the dent in my hand from wearing my DW Classic St. Andrews? lmao

Overall, this watch is pretty much the same as my Skagen (from the point of outfit matching / occasion / bling / color), though with one major perk: it's a lot easier to read the time since the face is round with markers. Apart from the fact that my wrist is unfortunately quite unsuited to the eyelets placed on this watch, I have no bones to pick at all! The price is a little steep, but I think it's worth it! Definitely a watch you can wear for a decade!

Finally, ending this review with the beautiful bouquet of fragrant roses my mom bought me. Isn't it wonderful to get home after a long day and see a a pretty present in a giant bouquet of roses? *w*

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Fukubukuro Wishlist 2015

Hiya!

This will be my full 2015 fukubukuro compilation wish list. As I see it becoming rather long, the details will be under the cut.

Currently on the list:
- Liz Lisa (LLxMM collab carry)
- Luxe Rose
- Ank Rouge
- Golds Infinity
- Sneep Dip
- Alice and the Pirates (also has info for BTSSB though I will not be purchasing it)

Early Christmas shopping - b/c we don't have Black Friday

Actually, the title is semi-inaccurate. We didn't traditionally have Black Friday, but apparently England is starting to do the whole black friday shebang and as a British colony, NZ is starting to adopt Black Friday too. Saw a few ads for Black Friday sales this year, and probably will see more next year.

Anywho, mom and I decided to go to a cafe far out west for brunch today. Black Cottage Cafe is literally like 20 minutes out west and sooo out in the middle of nowhere. They made really good egg benedict though. I ate mine too quickly so here's a photo of mom's (with smoked salmon)

yums

Anywho, onto what I bought today!

RRP $150 or something

RRP $150 or something as well

The above shoes: $40 total! Wild Pair does this deal at Christmas of 2 for $40 on some items and I got a steal last year. So happy they started it early this year so I could catch it before I go on holiday!

Comfy underwear. 1 set for $25!

I'm really lazy so if I like something I will literally buy multiples

Just like this blouse. Bought 2 because I hook blouses so easily -0-

Nice details!

The blouses were 2 for $60 ok. I stopped at 2 because as tempting as 3 for $80 is, I could not justify buying three of the same blouse -0-;

Camisoles - nice lace detail~~~

Not the cheapest, but left three for $15 and right two at $10 each or something

One can never have enough camisoles. I found the first two lace ones later at Glassons and had to buy them cause really, when in the last decade in NZ have there been $5 camisoles?

That's it! Hopefully I shall keep my paws away from new items until I leave for Japan ^^ sooo happy with my purchases today though - the entire trip I spent under $200!! For so many items! Hehehehe bargain hunter yeaahhhhhahhahahaha

Since our inventory of rose petals is getting pretty big so rose bath tonight yay! 

The pink bath salt thing is the popular Japanese 'weight loss' bath powder thing in soda scent ❤



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[Review] Classic St Andrews Lady - Daniel Wellington

Ok so before I start, I just want to make a disclaimer:
Everything in this post is MY OPINION based only on the Classic St Andrews Lady watch I purchased this month. The observations I make on my watch may not apply to all watches of this model, or other models by the Daniel Wellington brand.

Thing is, I had heard so many good reviews about DW watches. One of my friends bought a black strap one earlier this year (don't remember which one though) and she absolutely loved it and recommended it to me. So when I started looking for watches recently, I went to DW first.

All their designs are very simple, and perfect for work. Something you could wear for years and not find it too gaudy or out of style. That was definitely one major perk for me - after all, watches aren't the cheapest of things so I definitely wanted one I would wear for a good long time!

Then of course, Alexa had a discount code for DW for her followers so I thought, why not buy one now since I have a discount anyway?

As I said on a previous post when I just received my watch, the shipping was the best I have ever experienced!

The design and color was exactly what I expected judging from the stock photos on the website. I love the case color so much, it's so perfect with the strap color.

The strap was sturdy, rather thick in fact. which I guess is nice? Gives the watch a little more weight.

But that's where my affection for the watch stops.

First, the watch that I received started chaffing at my wrist about a week in. I wore it every day, so I think this is a good indication that the chaffing probably won't ever improve? At the very least, there is no way I will be trying to chop off the end x.x

Turns out the end of a thread wasn't cut deeply enough so the hard tip was pricking out

Then, seeing as I had just acquired 2 watches I decided to compare the two. Although my Skagen watch was probably a fair bit more expensive than the DW, for $150 I was expecting a little more detail on the strap holes.

Very rough edges. Was expecting a little cleaner considering this is a 'smart' looking watch?

Compared to my Skagen

Can't help comparing. The difference is just too big.

Also, the leather for the DW watch was a LOT stiffer than my Skagen. From my (limited) experience with leather, chances are that the softer the leather is, the better quality the leather is. Granted, the strap is rather thick, but that could also be an attribute of the type of leather used.

Finally, my last bone to pick with the watch: The hands are nice and thin, however on close inspection, there are specks on the hands. They're not polished properly. Or something. I don't know, is it that hard to make sure two watch hands are polished properly? I haven't observed this on any of the other watches my mom has (she collects a few), so this came as quite a surprise. I hope you can see it in the photo. Unfortunately my camera isn't made for macro...

One last photo of the watch worn. It really does look quite lovely from far away. The dial doesn't appear to be too large at all, and this color is rather neutral - good for pairing with both dark and light clothes!

So my overall opinion of the watch is that on the whole, if you're not a watch person and just want something that looks nice for work then it's alright to buy. After all, $150~ $200 for a watch isn't too big of a deal when it's for work and you'll be wearing it 5 days a week or something. However, the details are just lacking, and seeing as I actually rather like watches, I personally would not purchase another one.


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Taobao Haul Oct / Nov 2014

Oh lordy, where do I begin?

Well, I guess the primary goal of this haul was to get some nail tattoos that I could use for more mature looks and the trending styles right now.

And then it somehow snowballed into a haul.

Well, without further ado, here are all the things I purchased in this round. I honestly don't have the brain capacity to write anything else right now, literally so exhausted from unpacking everything and applying the various laptop things to my laptop. So I hope you enjoy the images!

Just a quite note, the purchases are sectioned into Nail Deco, Tech Deco, and Fashion.

Nail Deco

I had a bunch sponsored by Born Pretty Store a short while back and loved them!

Absolutely beautiful, If I just learn how to apply them with acrylic....

Bought both pink and  blue!

Yeah I bought heeeeeaps of nail tattoos ^^; 

I got multiples of some of the floral designs I thought I might use more often too. They're just so irresistibly pretty!!!

Stocked up on cases. I know I will be getting more deco stuff so why not haha

Tech Deco

Thinking of using this one first since the strawberries go with my current screensaver ^^

I am super paranoid about scratching my new laptop - and for good reason. Not only am I super clumsy but my nails.....the risk is just too high hahaha

Unfortunately the keypad cover isn't actually this pastel T_T

And the laptop cover isn't all that nice either. Looks really cheap tbh :/

Well, it wascheap. So I can't say much ;;;;

THIS was cute. Super happy with this purchase. 

Although something like a Ma*rs or Princess Melody print would be nicer..... I just find it weird having like a 'person' on your laptop? unless it's the mega otaku full body waifu kind of sticker. That I can understand.

Fashion

The fabric was nicer than I expected!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE wish I bought it earlier!!!

Pretty poor quality tbh

Typical Candyrain TT stuff haha.

The sleeves on that top really are a little too much. I think it would've been cute enough with just like a fluffy or lace cuff sort of thing instead of the princess sleeve thing ><

As usual, feel free to ask for links to anything you want to purchase :)

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