((little fat notebook))

Petit Vour May 2014 review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, cruelty-free, eau de toilette, eco-friendly, fragrances, hand creams, lip glosses, perfumes, petit vour, pictures, products, reviews, serums, skin brightening, subscriptions

19 May 2014

With a theme of Bonjour Belle!, these items are meant to make you feel beautiful. They’re a great way to recharge and gear up for warmer times ahead.

Petit Vour is $15 per box (or as much as $30 for international subscribers) and comes with vegan beauty, skincare, and other personal care products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free boxes (email contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you if you sign up!).

Harvey Prince Hello fragrance – I totally didn’t make the connection at first, but this is the same brand of perfume as the one we got in the last box. Totally different scent that I never would have associated with the other though. Kind of funny that I juuust got this in my Beauty Box 5 – they must be on the promotion prowl or something. I like this scent for how warm and springy it is, but I can barely use up the first sample I got so this will go up for trade.

Paula’s Choice Resist C15 Super Booster – What an adorable little glass bottle this comes in! It feels very luxurious and I can’t wait to see how it does on my dark spots. I’ll be happy if it helps reduce the appearance of some of my acne scars for a more even tone. There’s just a hint of a sweet scent and the fun bright orange color totally makes me think of Vitamin C. How very appropriate.

AROMI Lip Gloss in Rouge – Wow, what a large tube of lip gloss! It’s sort of a fuchsia color and quite a pop of brightness on your lips. I’ve never had a lip gloss with such a strong, vibrant color itself and it looks like I put on lipstick underneath. Why not get the effect of lipstick and lip gloss all in one go? Definitely feels good on my lips and keeps them moisturized and smooth.

Deep Steep Hand Cream in Lavender Chamomile – The branding of this reminds me a lot of Petit Vour itself! They chose an adorable animal, have a single background of color in their packaging, and went for a fanciful design. No wonder they were chosen! The lavender and chamomile combo is nice and relaxing. The cream is very hydrating and felt great on my skin. I’m really happy with the large tube they included, which will last me quite some time. 🙂

I really appreciated the items in this box and felt they were timely and a great mix of products. I’d use them all, which is always a good sign! Which product are you most interested in this month?

[This post mentions a referral program. Signing up and emailing contact@petitvour.com to say I referred you helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this box and wanted to share what I got!]

8 ways my cat is like my fiancé

laelene Post in general blog，Tags: behavior, cats, observations, panda, pets, pictures, similarities, smokey

18 May 2014

Have you ever marveled at how similar a person and an animal have been? I often wonder if Smokey is just Panda (my fiancé) in feline form. They’re so similar in their personalities and preferences that they’re perfect for each other. So much for me getting a pet cat! More like them finding soul mates in each other. Curious what I mean? Here’s a round-up of ways “my” cat is like my fiancé…

1. They’re both kinda awkward. Panda’s an engineer who often fits that stereotype. He’s a bit gangly, not always socially appropriate, and just kind of off in his own world at times. Smokey can stare into space and get lost in her little head. She doesn’t always respond the way you’d expect and she runs kind of crooked. Both very silly, but totally adorable nonetheless.

2. They’re both bad communicators. I am always working with Panda on how he expresses himself (like how he used “veer” when he meant “leer”) and how he misinterprets the meaning of phrases. He doesn’t always use the English language to its full advantage. Meanwhile, Smokey will meow at us as if she wants something, but never follows through. My other cats make it clear when they meow if they want attention or food or something. Smokey just meows and then appears to have no purpose. I wonder if that’s because…

3. They both have poor memories. Panda never seems to remember things I bring up and Smokey seems to forget something happened as soon as she turns around. Perhaps their confusing communication efforts are due to these memory lapses?

4. They both eat and sleep a lot. You’d never know it looking at Panda, but he eats a ton (and never puts on weight). He can certainly chow down and Smokey does the same. She goes through bowls of food like nobody’s business! And when they’re done eating, they can both sleep up a storm. Whereas I usually wake up after 7 or 8 hours, they’ll go on for 10, 12 hours easily.

cat sleeping soundly against soft blanket and pillow

Big sleepers in this family.

5. They both love to play. Panda is always enjoying games and toys, like his little Lego people and even happy meal toys. Smokey will bat around anything she can find, from bottle caps to wads of paper. She’s a huge fan of chasing around a laser dot and playing with her squeaking mouse toy. Lucky for her, Panda is more than happy to play with her. 🙂

6. They both like to pet people. Panda will come around and pet my head like I’m a cat sometimes, which is a funny goofy thing he does. Little did I know that Smokey would like to “pet” us in her own way… by putting her paw on our faces (claws out, ouch!). Maybe they just like to put their hands on things.

7. They’re both scaredy cats. I’m the brave one in the family, staying calm for most things. Panda gets super nervous/worried/scared about things and stresses himself out. He gets startled whenever Smokey is feeling playful and decides to pounce on his feet. He’s intimidated by bugs. And Smokey? Every little noise or movement could cause her to jump alert and/or run off in fear.

8. They both stretch strangely. I often find Panda in a strange position on his side with his knee stretched up and his arm extending through his bent leg. Apparently he finds this comfortable. Smokey is more about stretching completely long, which I’ve never seen a cat do before!

So you see, they were really made for each other. Wouldn’t you agree?

Would you rather: career vs. family

laelene Post in general blog，Tags: family, home, life, panda, philosophy, work

16 May 2014

I just watched the feature on Barbara Walters now that she’s retiring and something she said struck me – how people don’t look back and regret spending too much time at the office, but they do regret not spending enough time with their families. However, I don’t think it’s as simple as that. That’s coming from a career woman’s perspective, but what about the flip side? What about someone who spent their whole lives dedicated to their families? Do they have no regrets? My greatest fear of potentially deciding to stay at home and being a homemaker is that I’ll regret not living up to my potential in a career. So what’s worse – feeling like you wasted too much of your life working away and not being a good family member or feeling like you wasted too much of your time focusing on family and not contributing your skill sets to the labor force?

As it is, it’s tough enough staying home to take care of the family. But then people often think that the home life is just full of daytime strolls and shopping sprees and other fun things. They don’t seem to respect homemakers they way they probably would if they truly understood the challenges (not that I do, but I certainly have seen a glimpse of it and it’s not something I’m confident I can pull off). How would you feel if you worked your butt off for days on end only to have people think you’re lazy? Even worse than that for me is the thought of people thinking you’re somehow less intelligent because you’re not working on some career path. Just because you choose not to be employed doesn’t mean you’re unemployable and neither does it give any indication of your capabilities. Yet inevitably, it comes into question… Did you stay home because you’re not good enough? After all those years away from the workforce, are you somehow less intelligent or hardworking?

So I’ve got to say, at this stage, much as I want to not focus on work so much, I do because I’d rather look back and wish I had taken more time away than wish I had accomplished more in my life. I still grapple with the decision to stay in the workforce and how long I plan on being here. It feels wonderful to be good at a job, be productive, and contribute towards some greater goal. I don’t know if I’d feel as rewarded in terms of my self-esteem when it comes to family life. I can certainly see myself feeling great about raising good kids, helping Panda advance his own career with less stress because of my presence at home, and other less tangible results that have a less direct connection to my contributions. Ultimately, I think I’d want to settle on a part-time opportunity that would give me even greater flexibility in my schedule. For now, since home life is pretty simple without any kids, I’ll stay concentrated on my work.

Would you rather focus on your family if you could give up your job? Have you chosen that path? Or are you determined to pursue a long career?

Ipsy May 2014: Fresh Picks review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: boxes, eye shadows, hair masks, ipsy, lip balms, microdermabrasion, pictures, products, reviews, scrubs, subscriptions, sunscreen

15 May 2014

Ok, Ipsy is back in my good graces with this one. I love the cute little bag and the products are some of the better fits for me. I’d use all but one! I didn’t peek at all this month, so everything was a complete surprise and I am quite pleased. Yay for feeling excited about a bag again!

Ipsy is $10 per glam bag and comes with 5 or so beauty/skincare products. Bags are sent monthly with no option to skip. There’s usually a waitlist to get the subscription. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free products.

derma e microdermabrasion scrub – Ooo! I had no idea this would be back in circulation and I’m so glad it is because I love it. I didn’t get this the last time it was offered and I actually wanted it so bad I got it in a trade, but I’m perfectly happy receiving it and having another one to use. I love the citrus scent, the little scrubby beads, and the creamy texture. I have been made a big fan of derma e and I look forward to trying some of their other products when I finally use up my current skincare items.

Hang Ten Classic Sport SPF 50 – The packaging on this is cute and retro. I’m liking the neon look, which totally reminds me of LA and summer. It’s the more liquidy type of sunscreen and it doesn’t smell like sunscreen when I first put it on, but as I rub it in I get a little more of that scent that reminds me of childhood summers. After rubbing it in, it’s a little sticky and gives my skin a little sheen to it. This is perfect to bring in my bag or leave in the car so I can apply it whenever.

eva nyc therapy session hair mask – I like the light scent of this and I’m definitely appreciating the size of the tube! It’s really refreshing to receive an item that isn’t your usual beauty product, since I’m really up to my neck in lotions, cleansers, soaps, creams, etc. A hair mask on the other hand, is just what I need to add to my collection! This is a very rich, creamy formula that is like a thicker conditioner. I can’t wait to try it out!

Olive Lips Refreshing Rosemary Moisturizing Lip Balm – Oh wow, olive and rosemary? How wonderfully different from other lip balms. I’m not super into the scent, but it’s not bad either. This is super moisturizing to keep those lips from drying out. I find the little tube to be great; it’s adorable and a better fit for the size of my lips. I like keeping a tube in just about every place I might be for awhile, so I could always use another one to place in one of my many spots.

Pacifica Mineral Eyeshadow Duo in Moonbeam & Unicorn – I’m tempted to try this out because they’re just beautiful. You can’t tell from the picture, but the left half (moonbeam, I presume) is this deep purple and the right half (unicorn, then?) is a gorgeous white with gold flecks! Totally fun and just the kind of shades I like. But alas, I just don’t use eyeshadow, so should I just trade it instead? I might have to sit on this awhile. I mean, everyone loves Pacifica so I’m sure I can trade it off, but maybe I should just give it a go myself.

I think in general the theme this month really offered itself to types of products I like more. I’d love to see this trend continue, with fresh products that aren’t the typical boring makeup stuff. If you want to trade for any of my items, check out my eDivv shop.

[This post contains affiliate links. Signing up through them helps support my subscription and I’d be ever so grateful. 🙂 All opinions are my own and I received no compensation for this review. I just purchased this bag and wanted to share what I got!]

Beauty Box 5 May 2014 review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: beauty, body wipes, boxes, cleansers, eye liners, face masks, makeup, perfume, pictures, products, reviews, skincare, subscriptions

14 May 2014

I was wondering what happened to my April review when I realized it was the 24ClearIt kit. Speaking of which, it started to dry out my jaw area so I stopped washing with it as regularly. Overall it’s done ok with my skin so far and calmed it down a bit, but breakouts just can’t be quelled it seems. As for the May Beauty Box 5, the theme is fresh and focused, which is meant to help with some pick-me-ups.

Beauty Box 5 is $12 per box (or as discounted as $99 for an entire year, with an option in between) and comes with 5 cosmetic products. Boxes are sent monthly with no option to skip. You also have the option of buying it as a gift your box to a friend. They offer a referral program that earns you points towards products or boxes.

Is it finally time for summer?! What a refreshing collection.

Info on the products with prices of their full sizes.

MaskerAide Hydrating Facial Sheet Mask: I’m a big fan of sheet masks, though they are rather pricey so I don’t use them that often. This one is suuuuuper moisturizing and just oozing with healing ingredients. I’m glad I read the instructions because I probably wouldn’t have cleansed and toned my face before using it otherwise. This is the only mask I’ve tried to date that actually fit my face! I have a pretty wide one so the eye holes are often too close together and the corners of my eyes get covered a bit, but not with this one! Amazing. It says to leave on for 10-20 minutes and after 10 I was itching to take it off. I can only take so much relaxation! There was a ton of serum on my face afterwards, so I rubbed it in, rinsed off a bit, and also put some on my neck.

H2O Plus Aqualibrium Marine Cleansing Gel: I couldn’t tell what this was for at first. I thought it might be some sort of eye gel, but turns out it’s a cleanser. It came out almost goopy, but smoothed out just fine. I didn’t smell any sort of scent to it and it was very nice and soothing. I do wish the sample size was larger since I feel like I can only get a few face washes out of this tube. I can’t really tell if it’s better than any other cleanser, but I do like this brand overall so I’d consider getting this product.

Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths: What perfect timing for these little cloths, which will be a very useful way to refresh the body during the heat of summer. I’d definitely keep some of these in my purse/bag/car or wherever to have them on the go. I was super surprised to find they had a bit of an alcoholic smell when you first open them. I guess it helps kill off bacteria? My skin feels great after the wipe-down and the powder finish is amazingly smooth without feeling like there’s powder on you (just the way I like it). It was moist enough to get my whole body, yet not dripping wet so there was no mess. If I ever work out during work hours, I’m totally using these to freshen up with.

Harvey Prince Hello: Never been much of a perfume gal, but this truly is a warm, happy scent. With such playful packaging, I was totally intrigued. Then I saw the citrus and floral choices and I knew this would be something I could enjoy. The little card is sweet and explains the choice of Meyer lemon, mandarin, grapefruit, forsythia, and plumeria beautifully. I’m liking this brand already!

Cattiva Precision Eye Liner: I was skeptical, but this eyeliner really delivered. Waterproof? Indeed! And such a smooth, easy application it’s hard to mess up. It doesn’t smudge even with my clumsy hands, so I’ll definitely keep this handy for the few occasions I do use a little eye liner. I like the retractable design so I don’t have to worry about using a sharpener. I’ve never heard of this brand before, but consider me impressed.

Ok, so I have to admit when I first got the box I was like, whatever, decent box. But now that I’ve tried them I am truly impressed. Not only did I underestimate some of the products, I wouldn’t even have given them a chance had I not wanted to provide a more thorough review for this post. Turns out I’ve been introduced to some really great items that I’ll keep in my arsenal. What’s your favorite item this month?

Thunder and lightning

laelene Post in lifestyle glimpses, photo blog, video blog，Tags: cats, lightning, pictures, smokey, thunderstorm, videos, weather

13 May 2014

The dark clouds were rolling in just as I arrived home today. I had driven home taking advantage of the warm air by opening my moon roof to the sky and sticking my hand out every chance I got. At red lights, I’d blissfully turn my face up to the gathering clouds, watching their ever-changing patterns. It was serene. At home, I spent the next hour gleefully enjoying the air before the storm. I love this weather! (Certainly have written about it quite a bit too.)

As the workers laid bricks on the new homes next door, I dutifully stood outside on the porch with my camera, determined to catch a photo of lightning this time around. I just can’t get enough of how they split the sky and make the whole area glow. Those crooked lines crawling across the clouds, flashing in and out before I can even react… they’re so elusive. I could sit and stare for hours as they danced around me. I really wish I had a panoramic room since I found myself chasing the light of flashes from one end of the house to the other.

After awhile, the grumbling of thunder began and a light rain splattered down. I watched as plane after plane kept coming in to the airport amid all that insanity. Oh what I wouldn’t give to be on one of those planes, watching lightning flashing around me! I’ve always been fascinated by how things look differently when you’re up in the sky and I wish I could have experienced that. Those lucky passengers. As I admired their good fortune, I noticed that I could hear birds chirping. Strange, since I would have thought they’d be hiding somewhere. Perhaps they knew the storm wasn’t that big, so they stuck around to wait it out and sing it off.

What a peaceful way to start the evening. Thunderstorms calm and excite me all at once, and always bring a sense of contentment.

moon shining in distance as storm clouds creep across sky

When I first looked out, I noticed the moon just peeking out in the distance.

glow of light from lightning flash brightening storm clouds

For the longest time I got no more than the glow from a lightning strike.

That same view without the flash of light!

lightning bolt from Mary Qin on Vimeo.

Construction guys kept banging away as the storm brewed. Here are some freeze frames:

Then the one flash I did capture confused my lens and made it blurry.

lightning flash from Mary Qin on Vimeo.

Such a quick burst! Totally explosive.

cat laying in kitchen behind screen door

Smokey was really enjoying the weather too.

airplane lightning from Mary Qin on Vimeo.

If only I was on that plane!!!

small streak of lightning stretching horizontally across sky

I managed to get a little horizontal one!

I changed my view from east to north and was rewarded with this beauty. Success!!!

The best cat toys you already own

laelene Post in general blog，Tags: cats, pets, pictures, playing, toys

12 May 2014

Any cat owner (servant) will know that it doesn’t take much to amuse those cute little creatures. In fact, you pretty much never need to buy toys for them to play with, because basic household items are more than enough to keep them entertained. Smokey loves all the little knick knacks around the house and we often find her batting something across the floor. Check out some of the things she’s been playing with: a box (of course, even when she only fits her front half in it), scraps of paper, packing peanuts, q-tips, pen caps, bottle caps, and even a toilet paper roll tube. Most of these items were headed for the trash or are otherwise useless to us… but for Smokey, they make amazing little toys.

I’m pretty sure any cat toys we do buy are really more for us humans than for the cats. I’ve certainly purchased things I thought looked fun, cute, or somehow worthwhile, only to find it was a complete waste of money. Why even bother when all it takes is random things you probably didn’t even mean to drop on the floor? Smokey is particularly good at getting what she wants and she tears right into my subscription boxes with their fun strips of packing paper or peanuts. I never have to worry about her not having something to play with.

So what do your cats find to be the best toys in your house?

Fabletics Portico Outfit (Aventura poncho + Salar legging + headband) review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: athletic wear, clothing, exercise, fabletics, fitness, health, pictures, products, reviews, sportswear, subscriptions, workouts

11 May 2014

It had been awhile since I’d gotten Fabletics so I decided to take a look. I knew I was interested in some sort of outerwear, like a casual sweatshirt. When I came across, the Aventura poncho, I couldn’t resist. I was going to get it alone originally, but didn’t want to pay shipping so I decided to spring for the whole outfit. I’m really glad I did since the leggings turned out to be my new favorite pair!

Fabletics is just under $50 per outfit credit and comes with a 2- or 3-piece set of athletic wear. Each month, three outfits are selected for you to choose from at the 1 outfit credit price point. You can always get other outfits at their VIP pricing of $50-80 (2- and 3- pieces available) or buy any individual item separately. Outfits are sent monthly unless you choose to skip (which is very easy to do). They offer a referral program that earns you points towards free outfits.

Get your first outfit for half off with my referral link! All fitted Fabletics items are chafe-resistant and feature four-way stretch for comfort and movement.

Aventura Poncho in Charcoal Heather

This is such a fun piece to have. I like how it just drapes over your shoulders and provides warmth over any top. The terrycloth fabric makes it nice and warm and the generous hoodie size makes it easy to cover your head completely even with a ponytail. Snap buttons on either side ensure your warms stay in place, or unsnap them for a flowier fit. I like to half unzip the half-zip front, but find that the weight of the hood will often drag the zipper up towards my neck. I wish the front was weighted a little more so I didn’t feel my throat getting covered all the time, but otherwise I love it. The retail value on this is listed as $44.95.

Salar Legging in Flame Orange

These leggings were absolutely worth it and the most comfortable pair I own! I was surprised because I wasn’t even going to get it in the first place, thinking it was more of a cloth-like texture based on the pictures. Turns out it’s far more silky smooth (blend of polyester and spandex) and oh so soft. The color is fantastic too! As with all the other leggings, you get a little secret pocket for a key or card. They offer maximum support, for a nice firm fit. Retail value’s listed as $49.95.

Headband in Ultra Lemon

The headband in this outfit was really just an extra item to me. I don’t usually use headbands, except when washing my face. I wanted the color that matched the leggings, but of course they were sold out so I ended up with these, which happen to match the first sports bra I got. It holds well even on my slippery hair and I’ll certainly keep it around for when I do decide to use a headband. Its retail value is listed as $4.95.

I’m pleased with this outfit, though I would have loved to have gotten it at the $50 price point (it cost me close to $70). Still, if I count both top and bottom at $35 a piece, not even factoring in the headband, I think it was a good value. Not great, but good, especially for the unique items I got and how much I’m enjoying them. I even got complimented on my style when I wore the poncho with the leggings last week! Thanks Fabletics for making me appear fashionable. 😉

I’m really excited now because I’ve officially earned enough points to get a free outfit credit! Nothing caught my eye this month, but I’m really looking forward to redeeming that free outfit soon…

The donkey farm

laelene Post in lifestyle glimpses，Tags: animals, bonding, farm, horses, miniature donkeys, nature, panda, party, pictures

10 May 2014

It was one of Panda’s coworker’s send-offs today, so we got a chance to go out to the farm of another coworker. Panda refers to it as the donkey farm, probably because the donkey is their unofficial mascot. Everyone had heard about momma donkey (Morning Glory) having baby donkey (Melvin), so Melvin became their mascot of sorts. They hadn’t actually met him yet, and I ended up being the first one to interact with him on the farm! I never knew that these mini donkeys made good companions for horses; that was the whole reason they are kept on the farm, in fact.

Hey there Ms. Morning Glory.

brown horse sticking head out towards person

Romeo really loved attention.

brown horse sticking head out towards person trying to lick her

Apparently Romeo saw all people as delicious.

brown horse and white and brown miniature donkey eating hay together

Delilah and Melvin shared a nice meal in each other’s company.

Melvin seemed to enjoy nuzzling my foot. #majorbonding

selfie with miniature donkey poking head through fence

Selfie with Melvin the miniature donkey (and mascot)!

tractor scoop being used as icebox for cold drinks

Put some ice in it, throw the drinks in, and have a party. #farmlife

Blue Apron April 22nd Delivery review

laelene Post in reviews, subscriptions，Tags: blue apron, boxes, cooking, food, meals, pictures, reviews, subscriptions

09 May 2014

There had been quite a dry spell from the last time we ordered one of these meals, so I was ready for another box to come. For awhile I stayed away from Blue Apron because they changed their methods and you no longer get to choose any three of six options for your box. Instead, you indicate preferences: which meats you will eat, or if you’re vegetarian. Then your meals are chosen for you based on those preferences. One week I really wanted to get the box, but I wanted one of the vegetarian dishes and my pre-selected veggie dish was not the one I was trying to select. So… I ended up not getting it.

This time I liked all three meat dishes so I went for the order. The pork buns were delicious, though next time I’d just far less fatty meat. I really liked the pairing with the red cabbage salad there. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the chicken and mushrooms because I usually find chicken to be dry and the mushrooms weren’t ones I’m used to eating. I had no idea there was garlic bread too, which was awesome. I ended up breaking the fish up when I cooked it and the flavors got kind of lost, so that’s probably the only dish I wouldn’t recreate as is.

Blue Apron is just under $60 per box and comes with 3 meals of 2 servings each. That’s $10 per meal serving! Boxes are sent weekly unless you choose to skip (which is very easy to do). After ordering a few times, they will offer free meals you can send to friends (but no referral program).