Spring Summer Trip and Conquest of Europe, Kelana Convoy 4: Frankfurt, Fussen, Innsbruck

I manage to dig up old pamphlet as well old notes of last year trip. So hopefully I manage to get this trip series done especially before my Seoul trip this July. Hehe, so the journey continued, I still got to finish blogging about this trip I had, I just felt it's a shame to let it pass just like that. 

This post would be on Germany and Austria.

 After we left Netherland we head to Frankfurt, Germany. To be honest, nothing much to do Frankfurt, just look around.

Frankfurt is definitely a modern city however it changes when we reach Romerberg.

European Central Bank - Frankfurt

I believe we were hanging around the Römerberg, old central square in Frankfurt Alstadt(Old Town).
This was important in the old days I believe. 

Römerberg-

Ostzeile *the 2nd buliding on left with white and brown finish, two large triangle with smaller in between*

Alte Nikolaikirche * the first building on right, with pillar* - gothic church

I remember I just walk around and take a look at stuff, I remember I walk until cross the Main River for a while, but nothing much there. I guess the rain quite kill mood and everybody was busy looking for souvenirs which I wasn't.

Römer- City Hall

I walk and walk and reach here... but I didn't take a closer look... I was too lazy, and it was raining.

Frankfurt Cathedral: Dom St. Bartholomäus

Again I can't remember the name of the campsite, but I remember I really liked it. I remember it was raining that night, we were eating 'nasi lemak' in the rain, what a nice night, comfort food in the cold rainy night.

The next day we went to Fussen, to visit the ever so popular Neuchawanstein Castle *wiki*, 19th-century Romanesque Revival palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen. This castle is believed to be the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, so that's nice I guess. 
Again for some reason I did not take any pictures....Hmmm ... I don't know ... maybe it was scorching hot that I was too busy queing up to get ice-cream instead of taking pictures.... and not to forget we had to hike up the hills to get to the castle *well they got horse carriage service but I'm trying to save money*. I say even from afar the castle look marvelous and even the the environment view *minus the heat* is really nice.  Well to be honest I didn't really explore the castle and I didn't walk up to the spot where you take picture of the castle as your background. which is nice... but I was just not in the mood?? haha!

But what I love most about this place is LAKE SCHWANSEE. It's very cooling and calming on that hot day just to sit around the lake and rest. The water is so cool and it does feel great and 'homey' in a way when we dip our toes in the water. 

Lake Schwansee - Lovely isn't it! I say one of the best picture I take

Other than a great place for a picnic, there's also canoeing service for the lake, and that lake is really wide, I don't think there will ever be a time where you feel the lake is so crowded. And if you're more 'daring' just go for a swim, or 'skinny dippin' , hehe jokes... *seriously don't, awkward for other tourist there*

So I enjoyed the cooling toe-dipping rest I had at Fussen and it's next destination to Austria.

What is great about this trip is that when you're in a convoy, you might think the road journey is too long, I mean what do you expect we cross one country border to another, but what's great is that the VIEW is really magnificent. 

My parent's hometown is in Seri Menanti and we have to go through Bukit Putus all the time which I find nice, sometime nauseating *because we keep turning* and sometime even creepy *at night where I thought of some supernatural stuff*, this is journey is like that but times 50 or even hundred... You really get that OVERWHELMED feeling.

Then we arrived at Innsbruck, Austria. 
So Austria, think of Vienna *classic music capital though unfortunately not included in this trip*, apple strudels and their famous people:-

Marie Antoinette (the Archduchess of Austria who became Dauphine and the Queen of France) - quite the tragic her life is *I watched Kristen Dunst Marie Antoinette as well some documentary on her

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer) - Try his Lacrimosa for his Requiem Mass 

 Sigmund Freud (father of psychoanalysis) - he's famous for analysing dream and  the psychosexual 

 Arnold Schwarzenegger *actor*- the ever so famous Terminator

Alright back to Innsbruck.
So we walk around the alstadt, 'old town' after visiting Swarovski crystal shop  and nope nothing amaze me there.

 I visit the famous Goldenes Dachl, 'golden roof' and not sure what exactly it was before but it is museum now with all the history of Tyrol sovereigns *I remember I read tyrolean stuff there, though absolutely no memories of it anymore now* 

Walking along Alstadt (old town) toward The Golden Roof- straight front

Midtown Innsbruck
Tower with the 'green top' - Hofkirche (Court Church)

As I walk along following the others who's looking for souvenirs, I noticed the nice big building which is actually the Imperial Palace or Hofburg.

Hofburg entrance .. or exit? can't remember haha! 

Well we just got to the lobby  by entering from the 'back'... and the inside is definitely amazing... I mean what do you expect right.  Lot's of artwork showcase and I took a pamphlet with me and when I look into it, not to over sell it and said it so amazing and what not... it's just that sometimes I enjoy feasting my eyes with these 'artsy royal stuff'... in malay, 'cuci mata'.

Dom zu St. Jakob
 (St. James's Cathedral although often wrongly called St Jacob's Cathedral)

After a while of walking and looking around as well as getting my taste of Austrian's famous apple strudels, we gather back again around Renneweg, we went to the ski jump ramp/stadium, Bergiselschanze that was famous for Winter Olympics. Nothing much there especially during summer. 

So we hop into the coach again for the next destination, Italy! To be precise, Venice.

I am actually quite excited for the next post because I really enjoyed Venice and Florence. It is quite unexpected but actually I do enjoy a bit looking up for infos on the places I visit to put into these blog post. So I really hope this post is helpful for people and that they got a bit of idea on this trip, either on the places or the Kelana Convoy service that I joined.

Spring 2012 Beauty hauls - mostly makeups!

Alright just finish my exam. It's just one module that I sit for the 3rd time so hopefully 3rd time is a charm, and I scored this finally... haihhhh...


So continue on... first post after exam, beauty hauls.


This season for some reason I was into brushes. Just thank goodness, I was not sucked into MAC brushes crazyness, I was spending more drugstore brands *cheaper*. and I would thank the Boots's 3 for 2 offer for this.

so I'm not sure where to start but since I talked about brushes, so let's start with that, again these are all in random order because there's is no way I can remember when I got all these stuff. This seems a lot *and expensive* but you see I'll just put up the retail price here but most of the stuff I got for free or discounted from store offers or my beauty card club claim *rebate* and note that all price in GBP.

So as you know I am a big fan of Pixiwoo channel on Youtube, I really like that Samantha Chapman has comeup with a brush collection "Real Techniques" and it's all synthethic brush and affordable.
The face brush might cost a bit more than 10 quids, then there's brush set for a bit more 20 quids and in set they got about 4 brushes, making this collection really affordable.
Real Techniques

Top: The packaging,
 Bottom: Brushes in panaromic view style  brush  pouch,
 from left: pixel point eyeliner, accent brush, brow brush, base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush

Starter set (eyes): 20.99
I admit I got this because of the rave on the 'Deluxe Crease Brush' that is an amazing brush for putting on concealer. The other brush included in this are the base shadow brush, accent brush, pixel-point eyeliner brush and brow brush. Then there is a nice brush pouch which is really great for travelling especially.

Stippling brush : 10.99
I was just really tempt for some reason. After watching a few videos using stippling brush with foundation and I was more convinced.This one is all synthetic bristles and supposedly 'stippling and swirl' method can be used with this brush instead of the traditional dual fibre stippling brush method which is just to stipple.

Eco tools brush is also one of those recommended by Pixiwoo and love it because it's affordable.

Recycled Retractable Kabuki 12.99
I got this for touch up purpose and I don't really like the sponge that come with powder compact. I used to bring my Bodyshop Kabuki brush because it has pouch but it's just too much effort that I had to get it out from the pouch so I have to get those retractable one. This is a good option because it's a good quality and cheap.

Touch Up Set 14.99
I think I got this in the Boots offer 3 for 2, and instead getting something cheap for free, I make sure all the stuff I bought is of about the same price so I save more than 10.00 pounds. Great! The reason I snatched this set because I was attracted that it has lip brush and lash brow groomer because I don't have proper one. Other brush included is the Finishing Brush and Eye Shading Brush which is great for under eye sockets and it come with an extra pouch.

MAC Brush Cleanser 8.50
Did you know how long does my brush take to dry itself after cleasing?? Days!! Which I found so inconvenient so I got this brush cleanser. It's alcohol base so it disinfect, clean and condition, plus with faster drying. What's greater is that it's good for cleansing between use since it's fast drying as explained by MAC sale assistant when I was at the counter.

As you all know I am quite a MAC junkie so these what I got.

MAC

From Left upper:  MAC Lipliner in Dervish, Prep+Prime Eyes #Medium Dark, Lipstick  # Taupe, #Diva

Lipstick in Diva  13.50
A great deep red burgundy matte colour, with enough red pigment since I don't really like 'too much purple' like Rebel. Finally a decent lipstick for the wine lipstained effect.

Lipstick in Taupe  13.50
I got to thank ThePersianbabe for introducing me to this lipstick on Youtube. I'm buying this so it could be a great day to day lipstick since it's not so 'full on' and also it's a matte which I always prefer. It actually look quite nude but a bit darker on me but it's great! I would love to explain more but maybe on another post.


Prep+Prime Eye in Medium Dark 12.50
I thought of getting the MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre because it's a better match for my skin but I hate the idea of getting another paint pot for the same purpose because then what I would do with my Painterly Paint Pot?? So I decided to try this one. For days I'm doing simple wash of colour or simple eyeliner when I feel Painterly Paint Pot is just too much but I still can't forgo eye base, this is great. It's quite sheer and the sales assistant explain to me to use it very sparingly and before my concealer or even under paint pot.


Lipliner in Dervish 10.50
I can remember exactly why I got this, I think I was trying to get a lighter brown nude lipliner *lighter than Spice* but the sales assistant match me to this which is pink one but I kinda like it and got it which mean I end up not buying what I originally want to... haihh...*I wasn't on top of my game that day* But, I'm not really into wasting stuff as well as  returning so I still use it. It's lighter than Whirl  and has a bit of sheen.

From Left: MAC Eyeshadom (Refill Pan) # Cork, #Print

Eyeshadow in Cork 10.00
Eyeshadow in Print 10.00
So since I got the Z-pallete *large one* I was only thinking of getting eyeshadow or blush in pans so it's more cheaper. So I got MAC Pro Pallete  Refill Pan in Print to add a dark grey into my collection and it has some shimmer but not glittery. Another one in Cork which is a matte medium yellow toned beige, great for subtle contouring since my Brun is a bit too dark.

Packed To Go: 3 Assorted Black Eyeliner 27.50
I bought this just because it's a great bargain. Three full size MAC eyeliner for less than 30.00 pounds??? Woww! It would be really perfect if it got brown in it... haiihhh. So this include the Penultimate Eye Liner in Rapidblack, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved and Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline.

Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle 21.50
Definitely the latest purchase,  a bit of retail therapy during exam mode. I always wanted to get MAC skinfinish and when MAC In Extra Dimension come up with 'to die for' golden tone Whisper of Gilt, I really want to get it, but UNFORTUNATELY they ran out. I missed it. There's some stock of Glorify which is more bronzy but I don't want that. So to make myself feel better I got the Mineralized one, Soft and Gentle. I might make another post on highlighters.

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Somptueuse #39 23.50
I got to say I had to get an injection of luxury at times and Chanel does it for me, that's is all.
This is a matte to satin finish, very light and airy and the colour is just a divine deep red and very much 'me'! The luxury effect definitely obvious with the amazing packaging with 'click on' and 'Chanel' engraved.

Origins A Perfect World Anti-oxidant Cleanser with White Tea 17.00
I used Neutrogena before and I love the Refreshing Cleanser *blue bottle* but it ran out when I was back in Malaysia last summer and I asked my sis to get it since I want to stay at home that day, but she got the Deep Cleansing (orange liquid) instead which is very drying for me. After a while, I just had to change it. It takes me to use it up 3/4 of the bottle that I finally decided to throw it, haha! So instead of looking for the right Neutrogena cleanser I thought of getting Origins instead since I'm using their skincare.

These definitely I bought because of the offers in Boots. Nevertheless a little comment why I reach for these.

From Left: Revlon Photoready Makeup #Vanilla, Revlon Bronzer #Sunkissed, Barry M Dazzle Dust #Old Gold

Revlon PhotoReady Makeup in Vanilla #002 12.99

I thought of getting a lighter foundation to be mixed with my very dark Clinique Superbalanced makeup so that it matches my face better.

Revlon Bronzer in Sunkissed #02 7.99
I was attracted to it's finish, I thought it would be a great subtle highlighter.


Barry M Dazzle Dust in Old Gold #24  4.59
I was attracted as a cheaper pigment, and Old Gold seems like an easy colour to pull of.

Okay I got to admit this post is quite compact... I don't put much comment so that this post is not too long...
Though most I would include ins certain near future post.


So it's summer holiday for me now, I have about a month in Belfast before I go back to Malaysia and then I have my trip to Seoul Korea in July so can't wait for that. That reminds me that I haven't finish my post on my Europe trip last summer... I'm lame at this... '-.-

Review: Origins Make A Difference Night Skin rejuvenating gel-cream

I know I should be in exam mode but I thought I just want to make a quick review on this product... I just realize Origins discontinue it, or at least in the UK.... and I don't really know why?... 

So this review might have no purpose, but I still want to review it.. hahaa!

Now I can't remember when actually I got this, sometime last summer... after the exam I think.

I thought I blog a haul on it but I guess I didn't get to, hmmm.

Well I couldn't get the exact details on this products as Origins has discontinued it (no information from website) and I also lost the box it came with so I can only include my opinions.

I remember I was one of the earliest one to get this (it was new when I got it), since I did not find many reviews on this when I got this. I remember I got this to help with my dry flaky patches around forehead, jaw area during the exam period last spring...  I notice they coming up lately, but not as bad as last year, just around the outer corner of the eyes... *ok try to relax please...*

Origins Make A Difference Night Skin Rejuvenating Gel-creme 

The price should be about GBP 30.00+ which is standard Origins and is included in the Make A Difference range which targeted for dry-dehydrated skin. You see in Origins, in each range they will have a specific ingredient which contained in all of the products in a range. For example, White Tea in the A Perfect World range. However I find it's quite weird that this one product has a different active ingredient in it from other product of the same range. For the other products (toner, serum, cleanser, moisturizer) it would be the Rose of Jericho, but for this particular product it is Evening Primrose ... hmmm....

I specifically chose this product because it's for dry skin and it suppose to get rid of the dry lines.

It's actually an extra treatment which you layer on before your moisturizer... I'm all into layering skincare... hahaaa! What really attracted me is the formula which is actually a gel-creme... now I'm not sure which skincare style, Korea, Japan or Taiwan? But I was attracted to their style of layering multitude of products, which  is to cleanse then apply toner, milky lotion, serums (more than one), gel creme and a rich cream. It's a lot, I know! So since this was a gel-creme I thought I could imitate these skincare style.

So I use at night after serum and Benzoyl Peroxide gel and continue with my A Perfect World Moisturizer. You can go without another moisturizer but that time I was really dried so I had to top my A Perfect World and besides that I had to have my dose of antioxidant at night.

I remember it really clear up the dry flaky problems I had last year, and reduce my dry lines. It does say rejuvenating and I think they did mention that in the description and it makes sense since night creme do usually has rejuvenating/renewal features.

I really like the texture, very light and refreshing even the scent. I tried the other Make A Difference moisturizer at the Origins counter, they had a strong unpleasant herbal smell, where as this night gel-creme has much much nicer scent.  As for moisturizing I got to say I don't feel it much, I mean I don't really feel 'soaked damp' where I expect in a hydrating treatment. It says it can be on it's own without another moisturizer but I don't think it's moisturizing enough.

Overall, it's is a good decent product, if you think your day moisturizer is not enough to be used at night, this is a good addition to night skincare regimen. However, if this is still available I probably still would not repurchase it, I rather try another product because it's really not that great of a product. Nevertheless I still say it's a shame that Origins discontinue it. 

Rating: 3.8/5

(minus 0.2 for being discontinued)

Well since I'm at it, I think I should just list down my night skincare and they are mostly Origins product, hehe.

1. Cleanse with Origins A Perfect World Cleanser (latest change, I started about a month using this product)
2. With cotton pad, apply the A Perfect World Age Defense Lotion (a clear liquid toner)
3. Apply Origins Planscription anti-ageing serum and focus on where I got lines, middle of forehead, crows feet area, mouth area(smile lines) between brows.
4. Apply the Brighter By Nature skintone-correcting serum (which I think recently discontinued as well from Origins since I could not find it in the website and Origins also has also come up with Mega Bright, a new skintone-correcting serum. I will get this after I finish my old serum) 
5. Apply the Ginzing eye treatment around the eyes using ring finger and pat it a bit. 
6. Layer PanOxyl 2.5 Benzoyl Peroxide Aquagel on the whole face very thin layer and gently without rubbing it in. I would avoid area with dry patches if there is any. Apply a bit more on a active spots/acnes.
7. Apply the Make A Difference Night Skin rejuvenating gel-creme.
8. Apply my regular moisturizer, A Perfect World Antioxidant moisturizer with White Tea.

Sometimes if I'm doing exfoliation/mask treatment that night I would forgo my PanOxyl 2.5 % BP, and sometime would exchange the Make A Difference Night gel-creme with Origins High Potency Night A-mins renewal cream which I received a sample from Origins. I would love to explain in more depth but this would be really longg.... But basically the above steps is what I do regularly.

So I'm not sure what's going to change more in my skincare, I would try my best to update as much as possible via blog post and twitter.