old stuff - Spring Summer Trip and Conquest of Europe, Kelana Convoy 5 (Italy): Venice, Rome, Pisa, Florence

Now this is just beyond ridiculous, so post from Summer 2011... 2 years ago? lol

This mostly on the visit to Italy where I enjoy some part and when I just really hate it...

This take a while to finish since it's a lots of places, so hopefully you guys can just bare with me.

funnily though, I thought I can't remember the trip much.... but as I was typing away it just come back to me... especially those special meaningful one. Enjoy!

We enter ITALY, bella Italia! 

VENEZIA

 a.k.a Venice *lovely place*

One funny thing, my tourguide describe Venice as the City of Romeo and Juliet....hhmmmm...

it's actually VERONA, not Venice.. even in the sci-fi anime, Romeo x Juliet it's Neo Verona, there's never any part of this play mention Venice *Sorry, I just had to get this information out, lol*

However I can tell you Venice is actually the city where the infamous Giacomo Casanova, the "Casanova" from, so you get some romance out of that. 

To add to that Mozart has lived in Venice for a while, and the building which tourist usually refer to as Mozart's House is still there. I've seen it from my gondola ride and it is located at the Rio Dei Barcaroli (Canal of Barcaroli). I really enjoyed the gondola rides. Regarding gondola ride, the more expensive the ride, the nicer the canal, the nicer the view. We took the 90 euros ride and note; not all gondoliers sing.

A bit on Venice now, Venice is kind of a cluster of islands *I think so* and we got S. Marco, S. Polo, Dorsoduro, S. Croce, Cannaregio, Castello and Isola Della Giudecca. Since it's a budget tour there's no way in hell we're able to cover the whole Venice so we're mainly at the S. Polo and S. Marco though we came from Dorsoduro. We were staying at camp site in Fusina and took a water taxi to Zattere al Ponte Lungo, land in Dorsoduro.

Continue on, we enter S.Marco through Ponte dell' Accademia. So we still under his guide until  we get to the famous Piazza San Marco.

Piazza San Marco - St. Mark's Square - Basilica di San Marco (centre)

It is big, crowded and hot, though I love that pictures will look great! *just that I don't have a camera '-.-*

We continue on to check out the murano glass. They're lovely and colourful, there's wide price range, can be quite cheap but can also be very very expensive! The same goes for the Venetian lace which we get a good look at a lace factory. Now there's many type of Venetian lace, but I would recommend you to get those handmade one, don't waste money of machine-made one, you can get those in pasar malam. From the factory I purchase one handmade file' lace centerpiece, costing 15 euros.

Now that make my mum a bit proud " My daughter bought me venetian lace centerpiece " 

*sound fancy isn't it*

Then we were taken to a restaurant near the Doge's Palace, now guys, DO NOT FOLLOW THEM! eat somewhere else. There's nothing special about the restaurant, you can get cheaper seafood linguine or pizza somewhere else. After that we are left to roam the Venice on our own. First we get to Ponte di Rialto for souvenirs shopping.

Inside Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

Here there's like row of stalls selling Venetian souvenirs including Venetian mask and Murano Glass, I got a murano glass on a ring and Venetian mask brooch *now that's clever*. Some people got their gondoliers striped shirt and straw hat, hehe. 

In the journey I definitely get a taste of authentic gelato, watermelon, chocolate and moree! it's cheap and tasty!!! *drooling*. Now referring to what I said about lunch at Rialto Bridge , along the Grand Canal there's like row of restaurant with affordable price *some cheaper than the previous lame restaurant '-.-*, erghhh. It would be a better experience you know to eat by the Grand Canal, don't you think so? In the mids of regretting the seafood linguine I had near Doge's Palace and downing myself with loads of gelato, I did make a stop to pizza place. The pizza slice is large, with strong fragrance, how can I resist!!

Ponte di Rialto

Now, the first tip that tourguide let us know is that, maps are useless, because Venice especially S. Marco is basically a maze with all the random alley and short cut. 

Random alley in Venice

As far as I remember, we did go into circles at one time.

This should be Ponte Dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sigh)

Just before we meet up back at the jetty for the water taxi, I went to look for the Bridge of Sigh, though I had a hard time finding it since it look like that, lol.

Viewing from Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)

ROMA 

a.k.a. Rome

Now I have a very bad experience and it's all thanks to that good for nothing tour guide '-.-...

Now now, it does start with a great tour into The Vatican City and we roam around Piazza San Pietro. It was a very long line to enter the basilica. The line was across the piazza.

In Vatican City - Piazza San Pietro - Basilica di San Pietro (Centre)

As I expected the art decor inside the basilica is really beautiful *what else to say?*

I don't know much about the art and the details of its association in Catholicism but I enjoy looking inside it. 

Inside Basilica di San Pietro

The pillars, the ceiling and statue... how they immortalize something mortal? at the same time 'mortalize' something immortal? hahaa! I'm not really into dwelling on this view in this blog, but think again how these artist *which are just mortals* made out an art to describe their belief , God and how the details/features/characteristics is drawn within their 'mortal' imagination whereas we know those characteristics shouldn't be grasped by men's view? 
*lol, bare with my thoughts please*

Inside Basilica di San Pietro

From the Vatican City we continue our tour around the place and we were brought to place where there are a few kebab place. We had our lunches there and continue our journey, what big mistakes I made, I followed the  wrong  lame tourguide, '-.-
Unlike the one I really admired *as a tourguide* this lame-a** tourguide kind a have no idea what we're doing? No *much* knowledge on the venue, on the history? what a joke for a tourguide! '-.-
Comeonlah weyh! we're in Rome, one of the city with rich history, remnants of one of the strong force yearrrrrsss agooo.... haishhhh.... he should have done a bit of homework, I don't expect the whole history, but at least explain the venue and what's the purpose... epic FAIL!

So we walk to the famous Colosseum where gladiators fights and it is so much bigger in the past compare to now. I was so in regret that I didn't enter the the Colosseum.

Now don't ask me why I didn't enter... it just happen that way... erghhh...

I'm the type of person who travels and want enter places, despite how boring it can be...

Nothing much to say here other than that I'm just pissed lol... 

Trevi Fountain

The reality of the so-called magical Trevi Fountain.... it's packed... hehe....
But I believe this would be a nice scenery at night.
The area around the fountain was nice and there's a lot of cafe and most important... gelato... we need gelato in the summer.
That's pretty much about Rome, we head back to our campsite after that...

What I remember most about the trip to Rome was the trip in the train, the train as usual quite packed but not bad that time, I even got a sit. I remember I was sitting opposite this old man and then another lady *quite old as well* I offered her my seat, then she sit for a while and she get up again.
I gesture again to ask her to sit... the most funny thing is... hehe I don't know how to explain the situation in this blog...
since I don't speak Italian and she clearly don't speak English.... despite that I 'feel' I understand what was she saying... I think she said that the 'old man' smells funny... 
The story continues when I sit with her *without the old man* and we attempt to have a conversation....
other than the fact we're technically speaking different language although I tried to throw my so very limited Italian vocabulary.... there were other Kelana Convoy tourmates there and they just giggle seeing me talking attempting 'so-called' Italian conversation.
"Roma... Bellaa!" " Venexia, bella!!!" *exaggerated gesture*... hahaa! it's just funny and sweet when I think about it again. 
That conversation does heal my disappointment a bit from the Rome tour. Even though I didn't get to get myself into history/culture of Rome, the conversation I had with the sweet Italian lady make me feel 'connected' and welcomed in this visit. Bella Italia!

The journey continue on.... to Tuscany part of Itali. Before we made our way our campsite, we made a stop to centre of Florence.... unfortunately.... I didn't remember at all to take picture... why is that???
I was to busy shopping... lol....anyway we had about 2 hours something I believe.
Apparently, Florence have very good deal for leather goods and gold as well. I just manage to hunt for leather goods... and if you see my old post, I got myself a hand-made gladiator-inspired sandals! the best souvenirs I got from  the trip...

Florence as you guys know was the centre of Renaissance especially in Arts... if you guys remember Renaissance history, in those time, artist all move to Florence to grab opportunity to obtain a patron *sponsor* ... it's the IT city for art. This was definitely obvious from all the architecture and sculpture along the walkway, especially the David statue ... very 'ecchi'... lol.

We were late that time since I misheard what time the tourguide said, but we still manage to get back despite the almost 'annoyed look' people have lol... Seriously I really thought 2.50 instead of 2.15.. hahah!

The journey continue on to visit the Pisa. So again we only have half day in Pisa and being tired from the journey, we still need to settle in the new camping site. At this point we put up our tent like it's second to our nature, although this time ground is harder so start to hammering our tent spikes.

After that we walk to the the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa which is the top attraction of the cathedral city in Italy, Pisa. It was quite a walk but not too bad and it still bright despite how late it was and we arrive at the Piazza dei Miracoli or Piazza del Duomo which is one of sacred square for the Catholics.

Piazza del Duomo , Archdiocese of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa from afar

Upclose... sorry for the random photo bomb.

We kind of hanging out there *that what most people do there* since it still a nice day... and suddenly some of us decided lets get on top of the tower. I seriously couldn't remember how much was the entrance... *it is been almost 3 years* but probably definitely less than 20 euros...

Getting on top to the tower was quite a climb, it was just a spiral staircase that go on and on but it was just about 50m high... so not too bad. But what was freaking me out is just how I felt the ground a bit slippery, it's marble and the stairs was eroded in the centre.... It felt like I was going to slip down at any time... but nevertheless I made it to the top! Yeay!

Me on top of the Leaning Tower

Campsite: This place is really good and the toilet is nice as well.

This is definitely one of the best achievement for me in this tour. The view is seriously spectacular! We pretty much see the whole Pisa from there. So enjoying the view after a while we get down, and they give us a time period to get up and get down.. Not many people can be in at the same time... I guess we wouldn't want the Tower to lean in more.. like it's already leaning and I definitely felt it. It was thrilling.

So we're back at the camp when it is literally dark... like that is like 10.30pm or something... wow! Satisfied! even though we got back and dinner almost finish,*we literally only had rice and gravy* but I'm still soooo satisfied.

We get rest and we're ready for the next destination, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. 

OOTDs #8

I was just testing out the Blogger apps on my new phone *my love Samsung Galaxy Note 3*, I can't deny how more convenient it is especially in terms of transferring the photos. Did I mention the photos is so much better! However as 'cerewet' or detailed I can be is that I always think that I need to edit lighting of the pictures... I can do that on my phone as well since they have a decent photo editor, but for some reason I just think the photos look better through the phone than looking into my laptop... I wonder if it just the brightness of my laptop compare to my

Note 3... I'm still figuring out whether I can start upload photos into blog on the go or would the quality be less?? hmmm...

*still using old Blackberry*

Top: Gap Mens

Bottom: BDG jeans

Hush Puppies loafers

Oversized leather jacket Topshop

Asos High Waist Jean

Dunes ankle boots

Mango Loose Jumper

Grey jersey tank/slip H&M Basic

Socks from New Look

Me:

Mango Loose Knit 

Grey Jersey Maxi H&M

Adidas Grey Trainers

Khaki Army Jacket Topshop

Brown Satchel Topshop

Her:

Print dress Forever 21

Heavy knit cardigan Dorothy Perkins

Pants H&M

Bag from Seoul

Review: NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pad

It has been a while... as usual.. but yeah, since last summer things happen. I had to resit a paper, 'again' *the horror* in the summer and since it's like a deal-breaker for me, I pretty much just focused on study and staying calm and positive. Whenever I thought about doing a Blog Post I always felt a smack in my head asking me to revise for exam instead. So yeah... Thank God, things work out, I proceed to next level in my study but unfortunately this year is so much different, more demanding with classes and expected self-directed learning, so I kind of struggling at this moment. However, I always believe that "fanajplease" is one of my 'self-care' method so it never crossed my mind yet to stop doing this.

Since I started following Dr. Schultz on DermTV at Youtube, I have learned the benefits of Glycolic acid as the gold standard exfoliator. But since I have not much knowledge on what brands out there are based on glycolic product, I was quite lost and it doesn't help that Dr Schultz don't really promote any brand of skincare, but it was cool. So I just went to Debenhams because that time I only purchase skincare from there, *Origins* and I just search for 'glycolic'.
There was'nt many products and this was one of it and it was the cheapest I believe. Retail at GBP 12.95

NIP+FAB Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pad

At first, I'm not really into exfoliating pad, just because I think I'll finish it faster like how I felt when I use facial wipes. Nonetheless, because I really wanted to get my hands on actual glycolic exfoliation I just thought what the heck! anyway it's not that expensive anyway.

For its price I think it's a good deal because despite the small size and thin pad you get, using one for the whole face is more than enough. The active ingredients in it: 2.8% Glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and blue daisy. So this really got a good combination of mild exfoliation from the glycolic, hydration from the hyaluronic and soothing from the blue daisy. 
Using it for the first time I don't have any bad reaction and no irritation, it smells and feels so fresh and it just the perfect thing to have on skin after a long day. This remind of another point, I was told that this can be worn once daily... and I think it should be fine as long as you don't pile on other exfoliating stuff with it. I personally wear this twice or thrice weekly and sometimes followed with Benzoyl Peroxide as according to Dr. Schultz, this is like a gold standard combination to combat acne. And let me tell you, it work! I feel my facial skin rejuvenates and de-congested and the spots and acne just heal waaaayyyy faster than usual. Definite obvious improvement in smoothness even after 1st use, more so after a few use. As I usually follow with a mask after exfoliator, I don't do the same for this, since for me mask can be exfoliating as well and this pad is just good enough. I did send question to Dr Schultz and I was told that I don't need hydrating mask after glycolic treatment. Just follow with your serum and moisturizer. I love using this especially when I just don't need to bother to do the whole 'spa' like treatment with scrubs, mask, etc...  Very convenient!

Currently I am discovering more glycolic-base product since supposedly patent expiry, glycolic stuffs become more readily available than before. But again, from a consumer point of view, be careful of the current market as companies know women are into glycolic these days, they just slap on 'glycolic' on just about anything... Now foundation containing 'glycolic' wouldn't sound right, right?

Overall rating: 4.0 / 5.0 (especially because of the price and how wet the pad is)

Red Lipstick overview - My pride possessions (and obession)

I've been contemplating on how to do this post.... the thing is I miss the timing of making the post.
I wish I had done this sooner, now that my lipstick 'collection' has grown a lot it's kinda pressured to be doing a lipstick collection post... it was suppost to be a continuation from the First post  which I made about red lipstick... but then again I just made a review on my first red lipstick just a few months ago... lol

Nevertheless.... I thought this overview might be the first steps to get into posting about my lipstick, which I should since they're like what I crazy most. I might go crazy about an eyeshadow, but I go serious lunatic when it comes to lipstick.

So first of all these are my lips makeup 'tray/drawer'.

Lips makeup: Top Left- Lipliner and primer, Top Right- Lipgloss/stain/cream, Bottom Left: Red/Dark lipstick , Bottom Right: Neutral/Nudes

Obviously I have more reds and deeps compare to nudes neutrals, I just prefer them and they just sit more nicely on my lips.

So for this post I will comment a bit on my 'ultimate' red lipsticks and a few other red lipsticks, hopefully I continue on to other type of red or deep lipstick, my neutral/nudes and even my lipliner. I will definitely try to post individual review as well from time to time, maybe doing this post will remind me to wear these lovely lipstick more.

Lipstick and swatch accordingly

Order of lipstick and swatch (from left):
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #39 La Somptueuse
Nars Semi Matte in Fire Down Below
Revlon Matte in Really Red
Topshop Lips in Hazard
MAC Lipstick in Russian Red
MAC Pro Long-wear Lipcreme in Prolong

Order of swatch (from left): Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #39 La Somptueuse, Nars Fire Down Below, Revlon Matte Really Red, Topshop Lips Hazard, MAC Russian Red, MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme Prolong

So first of all my ultimate red lipstick would be the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Somptueuse and NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Fire Down Below. I just love these two that I still kept them in the their outer package. These are the two lipsticks which give me the feel of luxurious especially the Chanel one, and this Chanel one is the most expensive lipstick I ever bought and followed by the Nars one. Because of the price it explains why I didn't wear them much, thus have not reviewed them yet until now... hehe *excuses*

Nars Semi Matte and Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet

Ultimate favourite reds - Left: Fire Down Below (NARS), Right: La Somptueuse (Chanel)

La Somptueuse is a deep warm red, which I can't really describe exactly how, it seems warm, muted, deep intense red, but it's not really a brick red and it's not really a burgundy, it's not bright but it's not really dark, it's really the right balance. I can wear this freely day and night without any adjustment needed. It last long and leave a flattering stain.. The formula is really good, despite being matte, it feels light and not crayon-like which is the usual for matte lipstick. I felt like nothing is on, but it's there and very pigmented.

This is quite new, my first Nars lipstick. From the swatch you can see how similar Fire Down Below is to La Somptueuse, it's really by an accident. I guess, I just drawn to these types of colour, and my friend like tease how my lipstick colour give that 'gothic' vibe... lol... I'm flattered hahaha!. This give that deep intense warm red lips, but by comparison this is more warm or browner than La Somptueuse. It's a semi-matte so again it's not really flat matte and it's texture is not really thick, but still very pigmented.

From left: MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Prolong, Topshop Lips in Hazard, MAC Lipstick in Russian Red, Revlon Matte in Really Red.

Now to the other reds.

I was very disappointed when I first got the MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Prolong, I thought it was at least a neutral red and could be my ultimate red lipstick since it's in a longwear formula... but it's actually a very blue red and it's quite loud *like MAC amplified cream formula*. That time I didn't really appreciate blue reds but I opened my mind now. I love how this look great in the summer when I took it to my last summer trip to Seoul.

Topshop Lips in Hazard is definitely something I buy influenced by this beauty youtuber Barbara, The Persianbabe.  It's not expensive so I don't have to think much when I bought it. It'a a neutral red and look more warm on me, although Revlon Matte Really Red would be warmer. This is more creamy than matte, but after you pat with tissue, it still give that 'matte' look. This is easier to wear since it's more creamy and I love the stain it leaves.

MAC lipstick in Russian Red is the latest addition, and I just love it for being the iconic red lipstick. Although I was hoping it is more warm. Again it's a blue red but not as 'blue' as the MAC's Prolong. I love that it's matte but not as drying as Revlon's Really Red. The shade is quite intense deep, but not really if you are dark. I probably will love this in the summer as I  did with MAC's Prolong.

I think I have mention this Revlon Matte Lipstick in Really Red before, so you guys can check out my proper review on this. On me it looks most warm compare to the other 3 reds.

As time goes by, I had tried out a lot more lipstick and I started to open my mind about lipstick especially the reds and deeps. Wearing red or deep coloured lipstick does need some attitude (confident), you can make it 'effortless' and classy if you more of a easy-going lay-back style *like me* or you can go for that 'I'm Fierce!'  or rebellious attitude. It's always hard to start trying them at first especially those with fairer skintone, but you just have to go for it. Maybe some *even your friends* might point out to you, you feel embarrass and it's annoying bla bla bla... but as long as you remember it's just makeup, it shouldn't bugged you much. If it doesn't work, maybe you're just not into reds and deeps, it's not meant to be, no big deal, lol. 

I will post another overview on the other deeps and reds I have and hopefully starting to review this lipsticks, which mean, I should also start to wear them out more often! *I'm so glad it's summer!*

Looks: Inspired by Dolce Gabbana Spring Summer 2013

I like Dolce Gabbana collection for Spring Summer 2013, it's quite bohemian, classy and colourful, at the same time very earthy. Since there's lot of colours, I can see how Pat McGrath opt for neutral palette for the makeup. I think most Dolce Gabbana makeup base on neutral colour with some alluring cat eyes. Pat McGrath describe the look as "Sicily-an holiday - sunny beautiful Sicilian faces"

So it's been a while since I post a look on myself, to be honest there's nothing much 'too' interesting in this look, but I was just playing around with makeup after a long while I have restrained myself because of exams week, so I thought I should just post this up.

The makeup used for this look

This is what I come up with:-

A little disclaimer here: Please excuse the quite over the top photoshopping, I basically  just 'glowing' lol... but I didn't expect that today is not sunny enough and my trashy BB camera couldn't pick up enough light. But hopefully it still give an idea of the look.

I list down exactly what I used and plus if there's any different from Pat's actual Dolce Gabbana look. As far as I know, she used Dolce Gabbana Makeup. You can get more information here.

Face makeup:

Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation 16 hr in 45 Gold
Clinique Superbalanced Makeup in Wheat
I mix the Vichy with a bit of the Clinique as it is a tad bit too light for me.
The Bodyshop Concealer Crayon in 05 to conceal any blemishes, under eyes and redness
MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark and MAC Blot Powder in Medium Dark as well to set the base.
Since Clinique Superbalanced Makeup in Wheat is quite dark I used as base contour on hollow of my cheeks, side of nose, side of forehead.
I set the contour with MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark and further contour on my jaw and kind 'connect' side of the nose to the brow and follow through the socket.
For blush I used MAC Bronzing Powder in Bronze on the cheeks and I highlight the top of the cheekbones and my nose bridge with MAC Mineralize Skin in Soft & Gentle.
In Pat McGrath's version, she put more blush than I did, and she didn't mention any highlighter, but most important and obvious she also put bronzer on the the browbone as well. 

Eyes:

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly on top lid only, and a wash of the Revlon Matte in Vintage lace over it.

On the socket, a bit of MAC Eyeshadow in Cork.

MAC Fluidline in Blitz and Glitz (the only gel liner I have), to make a quite thin, a bit elongated and flicked slightly upward. 

No 7 Metallic Eye Pencil in Bronze in the waterline. 

MAC Zoom lashes mascara on top lashes.

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Black Brown and set with The Bodyshop Brow Gel.

In Pat's version, she had a white wash on the top lid and this was more obvious than me. And I just realized she used a black inside the eye, when I thought it was something metallic brown *silly me*, although I really like the effect. 

(My undereye is a bit dark because I messed up a bit and I removed it including the concealer, and I didn't bother to put back some concealer, hehe.)

Lips:

MAC Lipliner in Spice all over the lips to get that almost peachy nude lips.

Top with mix of Revlon Colorburst in Sienna with Rimmel Apocalips in Nude Eclipse.

OOTDs #7 - I've been wearing these in the past ...

I was definitely diggin' this combo, the jumper and the oversized coat and some lace leather shoes.
I was attached to that jumper... I got it from New Look long ago.

When it was still cold

Topshop Jamie Jeans in Vintage Blue
Clarks Suede lace up boots
Vera Moda Black oversized coat "Audrey Jacket"

Sunny but still cold.

Clarks Tan Lace Brogues

I got this fabulous Vero Moda coat from Asos, it was on sale (I got for less than 40 quids). 

Very cozy and stylish... I wish I had it sooner...

Finally a proper black coat... although it's summer already... lol

Can't wait to take this out again in next autumn winter.

And when it got hotter...

I just turn to Topshop Army Jacket.

Topshop Black Jamie Jeans