LUSH: Mask Of Magnaminty

NEW FACE PRODUCT!

Ok ok, so it's not THAT new, I've been using if for a month or so, but hey, that's enough to see some results!

LUSH Mask Of Magnaminty! I finally got my hands on this stuff, let me tell ya, it always sells out at my local LUSH store. So when I just popped in and saw it on the shelf during a random mall trip, you bet your bottom I bought it right then and there. 

Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon!

Oh my! I've been busy and haven't gotten to post this... OOPS! Here it is, I wrote this July 25th. Enjoy!

MY LANTA FRIENDS! I did it! 13.1 miles and no stopping! Napa to Sonoma was a great run! looking back at my training, I could have trained more and not have the heat as an excuse to not run and being tired from work, But all in all I'm proud that I finished!

Summer 2015

Hello internet friends!!

GAH! Some time has past and I haven't been posting any blogs.

Since starting work life I've lost the time in the day to sit and write new products and share fun trips and events in my life. ( I'm blogging during my lunch)

But I can now say I have a nice adult job, only took me 1 year after Uni to get, and I'm learning so much!

Lets roll some photos of what I have been doing, just to get something started.

I do have products to share with you! They are Lush and I am working on getting it up and I am planning to share my summer 1/2 marathon training for the Napa to Sonoma Destination Race! Spoiler: I did run the whole thing :)

Okay, Now some photos for interest!

 

Trip to Pyramid Brewery Restaurant

Shamrock'n Half Marathon

I finished! I did it again, 13.1 miles! As I'm writing this, my legs are sore but I'm happy. All my training made me succeed in another great run.

Funny thing, on my Nike Running App, my distance and time were different than what is on the course. Here are my 2 results from Sunday.

Training Fun and Update

So my training for this 1/2 marathon is coming to an end, and I though it would be fun during this training to sign up for a Color Fest Fun. It was held over the weekend and it was only a 5k which was perfect. The fun part, colors and music... and beer. Need to carb load right? :)

Plus it was nice to do this. This run was to celebrate the spirit of the Holi Festival and the charity group that this run helped, Just Care More.  

Finnish Beauty Haul

So my mom and twin sister just came back from Finland and I got me some much needed goodies. BEAUTY PRODUCTS!

These products we don't have here in the US and they are my favs. So here is what I asked for from my other mother land.

Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer

Lumene Gel Effect in #30 In the Field ( Pellon Laidalla)

Lumene Blueberry Eye Makeup Pencil

Also some samples:

Lumene 2 in 1 Deep Purifying Dail Scrub & Wash

Bright Now Vitamin C Shine Control

Natural Code by Lumene CC Makeup (2 nude)

The 3 products I asked for are the ones I use daily and fell in love with. Yes the US has many of the same products but I just like the formulation of these. For example, the eyeliner from Lumene seems more creamy and easy to draw on and the product stays and last on my tight water line.

I've mention the primer before too here. It helps keep my face matte and it leaves my skin moisturized, so I do not need to put my face lotion on before using the primer.

The gel nail polishes I've wrote about too, here, and I LOVE THEM! I know there is something similar in the drug stores in the US, but I just seemed to like Lumene products, which the cosmetic lines are not sold here.  

So there is my little Finland Beauty Haul for ya.

Thanks for read!

At it Again: Half Marathon

I'm at it again! Singed myself up for another half marathon for this year, which means TRAINING! Unlike what I did last year, training on my own, I signed up with a training program who is also in partnership with the race. My reasoning, to not hurt myself like last year and maybe, maybe make some new running friends. 

I signed up with Fleet Feet in Sacramento and for $109, race registration not included, you get a training schedule (8 weeks) and a support team. So far I don't see the benefit of training with a group, but it is my first time and I know it'll take some getting used to. Plus with this group, there are perks on race day, which will make that day stress free and eventful. 

Along with my schedule with them, I still use my Nike Running app to chart my runs. However I do not follow what they are recommending to me this time, but I do like Nike in my ear counting down the miles. Also Nike Running is better if the race is 12-13 weeks out, since they start planning 2 long runs by week 3-4. 

More about this experience to come! 

Wish me luck!

Juice Beauty Facial Products: Love it or Hate it

On August 18th I bought Juice Beauty facial set from Ulta, a beauty store for my international friends. This set came with a cleanser, serum, peel and a moisturizer ( I have not tried the moisturizer). 

They are a deluxe sample size, so I wouldn't have to buy full sizes if I didn't like it, or I got a freaky reaction. I noticed that my current face cleansers were not "working" anymore and it was time to find something else. 

Juice Beauty is an organic skin care line that says clear skin in 30 days. On the box it says it has no parabens, propylene, petroleum and silicones, just to list a few. It does have a light funky smell to it , but I don't mind. 

I was breaking out and my face was now immune to the products I’ve been using, so while at Ulta, I was introduced to Juice Beauty. 

By week 2 I had broken out a little, but it seems that I wasn't alone since in some reviews, girls had mention the same thing happening, so I pushed to week 3. By then I had that weird feeling when I saw a clear face, no pimples! Since then breakouts here and there, almost every other week, clear one week, then breakout the next. It’s tough.

Here I’m in week 5 and I noticed my skin looks great, but the pimples still come, 1 or 2 at a time. I'm forever getting 1 pimple, goes away, and then there's another. I don't get it, the box says blemish, and picture of a face full of acne, so is my pop up pimple something else? Is it my diet? The water? Laziness? - Maybe? Maybe not? But my skin looks great, minus the occasional pimple. 

I saw something happening week 3, then nothing after that. So I cheated during the tough pimple days. I noticed the serum has .75% salicylic acid where as my Neutrogena has 2%. So on a very bad day/days, where I just can't stand a monster, I put my Neutrogena Rapid Clear Spot Gel, which helps. Toothpaste if I need business to happen. (is that a myth? I don’t know, but it helps me.)

What I really like about this line however, is the cleanser and the peel. The peel, my goodness! It's really just a thick liquid you set on a pimple/blemish for 10 mins and wash off. It gives a tingling feeling, so it's doing something. I do notice after cleansing and putting this on, then the serum, I wake up, and there is a slight difference in size. 

If when I decide to repurchase the cleanser and the peel, since they are my 2 favorites, I'll have to really think since the cleanser is $22 and peel $39. I don't want to think how much I've spent to find THE ONE acne treatment for me, but it’s a lot and I end up with a cocktail of facial products that make their rounds on my face.

The problem is they work, but then they stop working and my breakouts are stronger, maybe my acne hormones are stronger. I'm hot and cold with this line, but I wish they had a more stronger option, then maybe my face would be like the ones you see on the before and after, with nice skin tone WITHOUT the bumps. 

Thank you for reading my jumbled up review about this line, "importantly", a brand that is Organic. Maybe my face needs a mix of pure and regular products. All I know is that I’m half way through the bottles, so I’ll see how it goes from here… maybe I need 60 days not 30.

Thanks for reading!

If you have a product that works for you, let me know! I'm still looking for the one! :)

Welcome September

This post is some what like a diary entry since I've been doing little things here and there. I also decided to add some photos from my Instagram to add some fun to this post :)

It's been a while since I posted last but it's hard to find the motivation while my job search is not going to well. However, I can share that I am trying a new face product and planning on writing a little review on that and I'm going on an exciting trip later this month and I am also planning on sharing that experience. PLUS 2 concerts I going to, Kings of Leon and Walk the Moon, pretty exciting about those.

I've done somethings during this summer. ie. Lake Tahoe, State Fair, Sonoma, Wine Tasting, Swimming, Nights Out, Casino and Volunteering, just on the top of my head. :) 

It's weird to think I was more active on my blog a year ago, while living in West LA and working in Santa Monica. Now that I'm home, it's just looking for jobs and emailing CVs, walking the dog and taking care of my nephew on the weekends.

With that lack of interviews happening, I've had only 2 and sent out over 20 emails the back 2 months, moving back to Finland for my masters sooner is looking like a more solid plan, at least I will have the government aid and no headache about health care and the cleaner air and cheaper options to visit neighboring countries. OH YES AND WATER! Also finding a job maybe a little easier too, if I put as much work as I'm doing here, I think I would break even with my applying to interview ratio.

I'm now just rambling but It has been a long while since I made a present on here. Looking forward to writing about my new facial cleanser I've been using, so look out for that.

Bye for now!

Thanks for reading!

Half Marathon Experience: Helsinki City Run

I DID IT! I finally ran my half marathon that I was training for these past couple months!

May 10th I ran in the Helsinki City Run and finished! It's been my goal to run in a half marathon and I'm glad I got to check it of my to-do list.

That's 21km, 13 miles, and my time... 2:07:56. :)

Looking back during my training I got hurt a couple times, sat out 2 weeks and had a slow recovery training before the big day. What helped me through it was the satisfaction I would get once I crossed the finished line.

My savor was Tiger Balm , Ibuprofen and Zip Fizz Energy Drink. ( I wrote about Zip Fizz HERE)

I'm normally a long distance runner, so 21km wasn't bad, but my knees start to hurt around 15km mark, which is painful, but manageable.

My after race dinner at Chicos... mmmmm... so worth it :)

Now I can't wait for the next one, I think I found my new hobby. I normally run alone for exercise, so why not be social and... run alone with people? There is some logic there. :)

Anyway....

Thanks for reading!

Week of Achievements

Hello! Hello! Thought I'll take a break from my thesis writing and share to the internet world my achievements this week. :D

MY THESIS IS NEARLY DONE! This week I've been coming to school early in the mornings and staying until 6/7pm. That's real dedication to finish and graduate this spring. I now have a total of 11,668 words, which is 29 pages, not including the 2 page of references, title and table of contents. I still need an abstract and conclusion page, along with my appendixes. But I’m so proud of myself. :D

Moving on to running. This Friday I ran 11 miles in 1hr 43mins. It felt awesome. I now know I have it in me to run the half marathon next month. :) and I will survive. Still having my bowl of oatmeal before my long runs and my energy drink that I shared in a previous post.

I also have been making spinach and cheese egg omelette in the morning with cucumbers on top... why not! hahahaha! So good after my running days. Never skimp on the cheese and spinach... can never have enough ;)

Well I guess that’s all. Keep your eyes peeled for a new polish I bought, I’ll be reviewing it once I find some more free time. :)

Thanks for reading! 

Master Cleanse & Training

This week was totally life changing! For the first time I ran 9 miles and I felt great! On top of that I did and survived the Master Cleanse, even though it was for 3 days. More on that a little later. 

From my previous post, I've been training for the Helsinki City Half Marathon Run which is in May. I've been using the Nike+ running app and I'm so glad I am. It's so motivating and forcing me to run the distance... Literally. This Friday called for 9 miles... 9 miles!!! I didn't know how well I would be but I did it and my time was 1:23 WHOAH! I was so proud of myself! I was even more surprised when the app told me my pace and I was able to kept it up for the whole run. I've never felt so great! I didn't even feel like I was going to pass out! I felt like a CHAMP! I rocked that run! 

Now I think I rocked it because the pass 3 days I was doing the master cleanse. Lemon, Cayenne Pepper and Maple Syrup with a Salt Water Flush... Yummy. I had major fantasy about food and cravings but I stuck to it. Normally you would cleanse for 10 days but since I was running my short runs Tuesday and Thursday PLUS it makes you lose a lot of weight, which wasn't my goal, 3 days was just perfect. 

Click HERE for the site

What I noticed from doing the cleanse was my pooch left and my tummy was smaller, and with the salt water flush... Let's just say everything is all cleared out :p I never felt so light or looked so flat. It was a little scary looking at myself in the mirror. I feel for myself, this would make for a nice monthly cleanse, to take 3 days  and just cleanse and clean out my body. I did drop to 122lbs, I'm normally 125/126lbs.  Since it was mostly water weight and the lack of solid foods that dropped me so low, once I start eating again and continue to train it'll be back to my normal weight. Lets see if my tummy would stay flat :P Here's Hoping!

To me the master cleanse is pressing the restart button so I can have a fresh start from zero.

***

Well there you have it, my update on my training and my mini cleanse experience that is keeping me fit and happy. :) 

Now let's start week 6!!! 

Thanks for reading! 

Half Marathon Training

WOW! I've been training for the Helsinki City Race Half Marathon for 2 weeks already. I can't believe it! So I thought I would write down my thoughts and what I'm doing to prepare.

My Goal:

2hrs 30mins or JUST FINISH.

What I'm Doing:

 

I'm using the Nike+ app on my iphone. I'm really liking how the coaching program works. I have a lady that tells me when I reach a mile and tells me my time and speed, when I've hit the half way point and when I'm almost to the finish-line.The app also prep-plans the run days, rest days and cross training days which is great.  I find this helps me pace myself during my runs.

As for extra energy for long runs I've been drinking Zipfizz. I find it kicks in at my half way point on my 5-6 mile runs, which is great. I do only use 1/2 a tube with a glass of water. :)

How Do I Feel:

During my runs I've been feeling great. I run normally, so running long distances is not bad for me. However, I did a 7 mile run 2 weeks ago, and ever since I've been having knee problems. Also, with the longer runs, my feet have been sore, but luckily I have rest days :)

 I'm just taking is easy with my knee, but today's 3 mile run went pain free until the end.

I think this was a good short 2 week up date. :) here's to week 3!

Thanks for reading!