Good Bye 2011, Hello NEW YEAR!

Friends and Family are ultimately the most important things, (people) in Life, and its definitely magnified during the Holidays. So, instead of hitting up some ridiculously overpriced club this year, I opted for a night out with my Friends and Family. Happy New Year Everyone!! May you continued to be blessed with life's finest.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

China's Enduring Legacy

Before closing out 2011, My sister and I decided to take in an Exhibit of Warriors Tombs and Temples at the The Bowers Museum.

Its always good to know where you come from. Did you know I'm 1/4 Chineese?

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Just in Time

Do you make New Year Resolutions? I always do and writing them down definitely helps me remember them. My number one resolution every year would have to be, live a better life than you did the year before and that may come in many different forms. So...how appropriate that when I was flipping through Oprah's magazine, I stumbled across this page.

I totally agree.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Best Christmas Ever

Hope all of you who celebrate Christmas had a wonderful time with your Family and Loved ones. I had an amazing night, (we Latinos celebrate Christmas Eve). I danced cumbias, ate and ate and ate. Had some lovely home made sangria, rompope, Vino, and of course, tamales. I won a round at Loteria which I have to say, I'm getting luckier and luckier at this. Hands down, my biggest surprise present of the night and one that I am very Thankful for was a Color Nook. I die!  Wishing you all Happy Holidays. I'm still in the Holiday Spirit.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Color Tattoo

I was ecstatic when I came across these lovely jars of what appear to be a dead on dupe for MAC's paint pots. I love MAC but when ever I find a reasonable alternative to higher end products, believe that I'm all over it. I've seen these Maybelline Color Tattoo creme shadows at CVS and Target. They retail from around $6.29 to $7.99 depending on where you buy them. The application is very smooth. You can either apply them with a brush or your finger. They last all day as the name would suggest, Tattoo. Perfect Gold lid for the Holidays. I have mine paired with a bold red lip today.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Sad Mac

Santa: I've been a very good girl this year. I promise you. So, would you pretty please take into consideration gifting me a lovely new MacBook? I'm not asking for too much now. Am I?

Recently, my sister accidentally sat on my Computer and literally dismembered it. Aside from me taping it, my way of reattaching it, my CD/DVD drive has taken a dump on me as well. My dilemma is, should I get my drive fixed for about $150-$200 or should I just invest in a new MacBook? Clearly, I don't have the funds at the moment (post Xmas shopping, my wallet is empty) to go out and get a new machine, but being without a properly functioning one is a bit frustrating. I must start a MacBook piggy bank.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Missing My Baby

Toots,
I love you with all my Heart and I miss you like Crazy. Mommy is tearing up right now. Oh how I remember our play dates at the park, our walks, runs, nights on the couch being bums watching movies and pigging out. Most of all, I miss your hugs, kisses and your warmth. I miss your companionship and unconditional love. If only you knew what an impact you've had on my life. I promised you this, I will come for you and I will.

I hope you are well and happy. I will stop by and bring you your X-Mas presents soon. Can't wait to see you. Its been too long.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Gratitude Entry

As the Holiday season is upon us and we're all scrambling around like busy bees looking for the perfect gift to give our loved ones, I like to reflect on the things that I'm truly grateful for. Yes, there are the obvious ones and then the others, that simply put a smile on my face.

* I'm truly grateful for my Health. Without it, I have nothing. I ride my High Cloud when things are going well in this department because "ish" can change drastically for me in a matter of a second.

* I am so blessed to have my BFF aka Sis, "Pika" as my Roll Dog. Don't know what I would do without her.  My Fam Bam. As small as we are, there is love there.

* I have the best group of friends that many wish they had. True, loyal, ride or die chicks and dudes in my court.

* By introduction to many readers...Kelis - for always going the extra distance with me. Kelis is my "Boss Bitch" aka my other Roll Dog, 2002 Honda Civic. Thanks to Tish, she perfectly named my wheels and I must say, the name suits her perfectly.

* I am grateful for my jobbie job.  Without it, I wouldn't be able to afford my life.

*  Starbucks. Amazing!! Grande Iced Coffee with Milk and Toffee Nut.

* El Pollo Loco Caesar Salad Bowl. Best meal on the fly. I think I eat this about twice a week and never get tired of it.

* Fashion Blogs. Can't get enough.

*Youtube. From Tutorials on just about anything to the most hilarious spoofs of people.

* Music. "That Shit Cray."

* All my collections.... make up, watches, nail polish, jewelry, etc.

* Iphone. Life Changing.

* Books. I  Love Fiction and Literature. Reading Rainbow takes the prize here. I'm referring to the Amazing book club of intelligent and inspiring women that I belong to.

At the end of the day, I'm Grateful for Living. Every day is a blessing. I say, live everyday as if it was your last. Because eventually, it will be.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Clearance Alert 50% and 75% Off

In case you haven't heard or had the opportunity to pop your head into a CVS lately, I just wanted to give you a heads up that selected items are reduced 50% and 75% from their original prices. I scored a Revlon nail polish for $1.37 and the Beautiful Siren lipstick for just $2.00 and change, two Wet and Wild Lip Glosses for a $1.00 each, and other goodies.. There are some good steals, you just have to take the time to browse. Definitely a good deal.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Holiday "Itis"

I got it.... No escaping it. It is what it is. Work piling up and no desire to complete it. Wanna get away? Yes, please.

Coincidentally enough, my lovely friend Celina just sent me this email.

 Disease Alert

The Center for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weekly Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you get WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues or anyone else via any means whatsoever - DO NOT TOUCH IT!!! This virus will wipe out your private life entirely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises.

Take two good friends to the nearest liquor store and purchase one or all of these three antidotes - Really Urgent Medicine (RUM), Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) or Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidote repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

You should immediately forward this medical alert to five friends. If you do not have five friends, you have already been infected and WORK is controlling your life.


I think I need to call in SICK.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Plain and Simple

Enjoy Life - It Has An Expiration Date

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Holiday Shopping

I started browsing in stores last week for the perfect gift for the lovely people on my list. I was coming across a gift giving mental roadblock mainly because I felt that anything (other than electronics) I'd give someone wouldn't be all that meaningful. Mainly because I feel that we have become such a materialistic comsuming society (me of all people). Here's the way I think about it. If its something you need, you probably have it already, or you probably can go buy it for yourself. If its something you want, its probably too expensive for me to buy it for you (x25, the amount of people on my list). So, I'm left in the middle. Giving you something that you don't really want or need. Ugh!

I always ask people for their Wish Lists, thinking everyone has one because, I do. I always do. I wish all the time and for a lot. But when they tell me, I don't know what I want, then you leave me even more in the dark. I just want to put a smile on my love's faces this season with a meaningful gift that will warm their hearts. Happy Shopping.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Colours from the Capitol

Here they are... in all their beauty. Inspired by the Hunger Games, this lovely collection of polishes will hit your stores March 1st.

I'm digging the metallics. Fast Track and Harvest Moon are very intriguing. Smoke and Ashes and Luxe and Lush are definitely going into my collection. They're sure to sell out so I will definitely hit up my china glaze retailer asap. Which ones catch your eye?


Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

NOTD - Nail of The Day

Holiday Bling

Sally Hansen Gem Crush Collection

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That Shit Cray!

I'll say it over and over again, Music is food for my Soul. So when I was at the JayZ and Kanye West concert last night, I couldn't of been more high or in Love. I caught myself blowing kisses at both of them to profess my Love for both but also as a big Thank you Shout out for infusing my life with pure joy and excitement.

The Energy was off the Hinges! Watch the Throne is going down as one of my Top Concerts of all time.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Disheveled

Mom: Mija. Areglate los zapatos.
Translation: Daughter. Fix your shoes.

Meli: Porque Mom? Asi me gusta traerlos.
Translation: Why Mom? I like wearing them like this.

Me  Vale Vale Vale..... Me Vale Todo.... MANA.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Tic Toc Tic Toc

Time's a wastin!

Besides the fact that I love watches, my latest tortoiseshell MK watch is not what this post is about. Maybe its because we're reaching the end of 2011 but I seem to be thinking alot more recently about how time is literally just slipping by. Its as if someone left the water faucet on and time is just going down the drain. I try to maximize most of it and live everyday doing something that truly makes me content. But I always feel a void in my heart at the end of the day wanting more and wishing the clock had just a couple of more hours to spare.

I want to say that ever since my 21st birthday, the last ten years have just zoomed by. I have no regrets for what I did and did not do in the past decade (well, maybe some). You can only live in the present so the present is what I'm focusing on. Yet, this present of mine, as aware as I am of all my needs and wants, is still prooving difficult to get it all done, the daily to do lists, the grocery shopping list, the bucket list, etc etc... As my friend Tish would say, so much "ish" to do and not enough time.

How sad, at least for me, that its pitch dark outside by 5 p.m. I really dislike Daylight Savings Time. It makes me ponder over this issue with time even more. Because, you better believe that after working an 8 hr shift, commuting for almost 2 hrs, all I want to do is nothing. So, before I leave work, I leave fully prepared with my daily to do list, jotten down on a post it note, and set out to conquer my present.

I wish I could fix that leak and hold onto this precious moment for just a bit longer.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

NAKED2

RUN... Don't walk. Urban Decay's most coveted Naked Palette has just released its sister, cousin, fraternal twin. The NAKED2 palette is live on sale on urbandecay.com right now. I just picked up two of these because I know they will become impossible to get your hands on. Since they are considered the Holy Grail of all palettes, I urge you to pick this up ASAP. You don't want to end up on a waiting list for a year to get it like most people did for the first one.

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful

Battle of the Wands

I've heard all the hype surrounding these two magical mascara's for quite some time now. Some of my favorite beaty gurus swear by them and magazines are constantly giving them shot outs. So, I decided to try them out and here are my verdicts.

Smoky Lash has a very wet consistency which in my opinion, all of these are my opinions by the way, makes the product apply really clumpy. It does give you those thick sexy lashes that we all want but I almost feel
like you need to really work at it. The trick is you can't apply too much. The good thing with this "issue" is that you can get your lashes looking great with just one coat. Keep an eyelash comb handy because you may want to comb out the excess if you don't want to walk around with what may end up looking like tarantula legs. If you like that look, by all means, Rock it!

Diorshow applies nicely. It separates and coats each lash. But what Smoky Lash has, Diorshow lacks. You definitely needs two coats minimum to see any difference in your lashes. And that's just for daytime wear. If you're gonna go out and want a more dramatic look, you're gonna need to pack this baby on. This wand does nothing for thickness or fullness. Its more of a lenthening and clean look mascara. I feel that I can achieve the same, if not better results with one of my favorite drugstore brands, Physicians, My Blackest Lash Mascara.

So, my solution to bridging the gap and having the best of all worlds, thick, long, full lashes is to use both and that's exactly what I've been doing. Have you tried either one of these?

Posted by Meli, Adventures In All things Beautiful