Sunday, January 8, 2017
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Friday, January 6, 2017
Goodbye #46: 3D Glasses 👋🏼
Another item I found while cleaning my place. Beat me if I know why I kept it. This 3D glasses has been in my drawer maybe for a year? The old me was a hoarder. And keeping a lot of little useless items. Now the new me is more than ever more determined towards my goal. I want that all my stuff very minimal that it would fit in a luggage or two. Why? Because I want to see the world. I am not getting any younger. I do not have a family of my own. Soon enough whether I like it or not, I will be leaving this earth. Death is inevitable. So yeah I want to see the world at least before I die. But right now let me get rid of all the trash inside the flat.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Goodbye #45: RDL No. 3 👋🏼
All the products I am posting have the same story. I purchased it. Used it. Kept it somewhere inside the flat, then forget about it. The pattern is all the same. And that is the same story with this RDL Hydroquionone.
The Philippines have quite a few beauty products. But I think one of the reasons why our products are not popular just like with South Korean or Japanese is because of lack of information. For example RDL has been around for as long as I can remember. But do you them in Social Media? Do you see them in blogs? And are they giving away enough information such as how to use it?
Let me give an example about a Japanese product I purchased last November. The Japanese product is called Lotion or Toner. One click at Google and I will find an information how to use along with all the other products I own. I bought this one with the idea in my mind that it will whiten my skin. Well at least make the color of my face even. But no idea if I can use it together with the other products I own. Can I wear it under my make up? Should I use it before or after my face cream? Should I finish the bottle in one month? And when it is advisable to use it again?
This product have a stinging sensation. That I had given up using it. As I fear I was using it wrongly. And I did not see any skin peeling anyway. So I kept it along with my other stash. Resurface again while I was uncluttering the house. And because of that experience it is now included in my list of 'Products That Will Not Work'. So once again I will remind people that any discoloration in your body that you want to correct, go to a dermatologist. Do not waste your time and products doing it by yourself at home.
The Philippines have quite a few beauty products. But I think one of the reasons why our products are not popular just like with South Korean or Japanese is because of lack of information. For example RDL has been around for as long as I can remember. But do you them in Social Media? Do you see them in blogs? And are they giving away enough information such as how to use it?
Let me give an example about a Japanese product I purchased last November. The Japanese product is called Lotion or Toner. One click at Google and I will find an information how to use along with all the other products I own. I bought this one with the idea in my mind that it will whiten my skin. Well at least make the color of my face even. But no idea if I can use it together with the other products I own. Can I wear it under my make up? Should I use it before or after my face cream? Should I finish the bottle in one month? And when it is advisable to use it again?
This product have a stinging sensation. That I had given up using it. As I fear I was using it wrongly. And I did not see any skin peeling anyway. So I kept it along with my other stash. Resurface again while I was uncluttering the house. And because of that experience it is now included in my list of 'Products That Will Not Work'. So once again I will remind people that any discoloration in your body that you want to correct, go to a dermatologist. Do not waste your time and products doing it by yourself at home.
'The best fondation you can wear is the healthy glowing skin' - Anon
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Goodbye #44: One Earth Organics Deo Spray 👋🏼
Well I do not want to throw away my cosmetics. But if they are expired already I do not have a choice anymore, right? Saying goodbye to One Earth Organics Deo Spray. I am not sure if this brand is still available and/or if you can find it in UAE. I cannot remember what year I purchased it and it was a set together with One Earth OrganicS Underarm Cream from a seller in Qatar and picked up in Ajman Empost.
I purchased it as it promises to whiten the underarms with a few people swearing by to it via Social Media. To make the long story short One Earth Organics does not work just like all the other brands in the market that has come and go. In the end the best and only solution would be go to dermatologist. Have peeling and other treatments done by a professional.
I was able to use One Earth Organics deo spray a few times only, like maybe three times? Then I kept it until I forgot all about it. For me it works only if I will just stay at home and sit the whole day. But if I need to work or go out or do activities this thing will not do. I found it again upon having a general cleaning.
I purchased it as it promises to whiten the underarms with a few people swearing by to it via Social Media. To make the long story short One Earth Organics does not work just like all the other brands in the market that has come and go. In the end the best and only solution would be go to dermatologist. Have peeling and other treatments done by a professional.
I was able to use One Earth Organics deo spray a few times only, like maybe three times? Then I kept it until I forgot all about it. For me it works only if I will just stay at home and sit the whole day. But if I need to work or go out or do activities this thing will not do. I found it again upon having a general cleaning.
Lesson Learned: If it is too good to be true, stay away because usually it isn't.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Loreal UV Protect 2016
This is the new version or should I say 2016 version of Loreal UV Perfect sunscreen. Okay I am not sure that this is the 2016 version but all I know is this is the upgraded version. The old one was PA+++ only while this new one is PA++++. I got it from Safeer Hypermarket after the Christmas. Photos overload.
What the product promises to do
More information about the product
Top of the box
And I don't know what R stands for
SPF 50+/PA++++ Long UVA
Tube of 30ML
Old and New packaging
Usage and Expiration
Old and New Packaging
Expiration (Old Packaging)
Patents Pending
The cream of old and new are the same
The top cream is Laroche Posay Anthelios Cream while down are both Loreal old and new packaging. La Roche Posay is yellowish and thicker.
La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream
Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV
Old and New Loreal UV Perfect
I checked out Google about the sunscreen line of Loreal in Asia. It turned out that in Indonesia it has 5 variants. But only Loreal UV Perfect made it to the UAE market. Anyway that only downside that I can say about it is not being waterproof. But it is good for every usage. It does not leave white cast on the face. Moisturizing enough that if you lack in time no need to apply a separate moisturizer. Not greasy. Over all applying it just feels like you are applying a normal day time face cream. Works perfectly with my other skin care products and make up. And that's all. If ever something along the way comes up regarding this product I will surely update it here.
Just want to share about Japanese sunscreens. There has been a rave about Japanese sunscreens. But they are not available in the UAE market. And so last November 2015 I decided to order online. I made an order through Desert Cart now the thing is it has been 2 months but still I haven't received Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ and I don't know or understand why. I trust Desert Cart , I mean they are not a bogus online shopping. They were able to deliver my other orders on time except this one.
Because of this experienced I turned to Ebay. Ordered some Japanese sunscreens (Biore and Hada Labo). But they are using EMS which said to take up to one month. Now it is more than one month but still nothing from UAE Empost. Feeling frustrated, made an order again to Amazon Japan since they are very fast when it comes to shipping. And they should be by the way since their shipping fee is expensive. I ordered the same brand of sunscreen that I am not yet receiving from Desert Cart. And guess what? My orders from Amazon Japan is delayed. What's up with this Shiseido Senka Aging Care UV Sunscreen? Seems like it is hard to get a hold of it.
Checking again Desert Cart, if you will order Shiseido Senka Aging UV Sunscreen now you will get it after two months. I don't usually curse but then WTF? Will I get mine after 2 months? Even if I placed the order 2 months ago. This really boggles me because the other Japanese sunscreen and products will not take this much time. What's up? What gives?
'Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin' - Anon
Monday, January 2, 2017
Goodbye #43: Foot Cover👋🏼
Another old item from a decade ago. Found this while cleaning the cabinet. Honestly I do not understand while the old me was clinging to so many items until they piled up into nothing but clutter. And also think about all the money I wasted. Money I could have saved and use for vacation. I could have been on a holiday vacation somewhere else instead of being at home over the holidays and cleaning the flat.
But alas whatever happened in the past it cannot be undone. Anyway I have thrown away this foot cover. I do not even remember why I purchased it or why I have never gotten around into using it. My salary is very little and yet I managed to have a thousand little things inside the home. Yes a thousand. I'm not writing a post about the others but I have thrown a lot already.
But alas whatever happened in the past it cannot be undone. Anyway I have thrown away this foot cover. I do not even remember why I purchased it or why I have never gotten around into using it. My salary is very little and yet I managed to have a thousand little things inside the home. Yes a thousand. I'm not writing a post about the others but I have thrown a lot already.
'Clutter in your physical surroundings will clutter your mind and spirit' - Anon
Repost: Why I Decided To Do A 200 Days Of Nothing New Challenge (And Why You Should Too)
This is the source.
Written by: Assya Barrette
A few days ago, I sent my story on how I decided to buy nothing new for 200 days to a number of online publications. Two posted the story, and from there, 200 days has gotten republished on a few sites and has gotten thousands of social shares.
By internet standards, this is definitely no big deal. Nonetheless, I’m delightfully surprised that this story has gotten the attention it has.
It was time that I wrote something about it for my own blog.
Permit me to start by talking about my dad first a little bit, as he is so central to everything I do today.
He was a truly exceptional father. He cooked, cleaned, picked us up and drove us everywhere, helped us with our homework and always encouraged us to be the best we can be.
He had a Masters in Mathematics, was fluent in 3 languages (French, English and Arabic) and was extremely well read. My fondest memories of my father involves long discussions on politics, religion and philosophy.
I guess that everyone feels this way when they lose someone they love, but the world has been impoverished because of his passing. May God allow us to be reunited in heaven.
Emptying out my dad’s apartment was a pivotal moment in my life. I cannot fully describe how difficult it was moving out my father’s things, both physically and emotionally. There were mountains of clothing, furniture, utensils, nick-nacks, photos, books, electronics that we got rid of, and there was still a good 10-15 boxes that we kept. The worse part was that much of it went to the dump.
My dad was an average consumer. Even still, there was just so much waste produced during his short lifetime.
It struck me that the way that we are built to consume in industrialized societies was a form of extremism. I decided that instead of fueling the machine, I was going to try to live off of its waste. I’d been going to thrift stores for clothing for years, but I’d never tried to supply my needs exclusively through pre-owned sources.
And I was successful. For 200 days, I was able to get everything I needed pre-owned, except for groceries, basic toiletries, and a pair of new rock climbing shoes (I added a day at the end making up for it). I also got rid of a lot of stuff, including my wedding dress, bags of photographs, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, old trophies and more.
I went without things like new underwear, new gifts for others, face cream, new clothes and the various other things you’d typically have the impulse or need to buy over 200 days (more than half a year).
As I spent the last few weeks with him, caring for him as his health declined, a question gnawed sharply into my soul.
We embellish our lives with so many possessions, emotions, people, and aspirations. In the end, what does it really matter? What are all of these things about, if we are to die unable to take anything with us?
I felt that I had been made to bear witness to what consumerism really means to people and the environment. I’d never truly understood it’s emotional, spiritual, and environmental costs until that experience.
I did 200 days because I hoped that my actions would become more closely aligned with the reality that possession of anything is temporary.
Here is the reality:
We are not alone in the world; what we buy and how much we buy impacts the world is so many ways. From sweatshops in Bangladesh producing clothing and goods, to forests destroyed to extract metals for our phones, to the destructive effect of plastic on our natural environment, the effects are devastating.
We are not immortal; when you die, you don’t take the crap you bought to the grave. It stays behind, for future generations to deal with.
The earth is coming up to its limits of what she can provide; We need to think of more collaborative and sustainable ways of getting what we need and want.
I don’t mean to say that any buying new things is destructive. Some stuff is very constructive, such as buying containers to avoid takeout boxes, or supporting a local economy by purchasing from local artisans. Things like medical equipment need to be new and sterile.
I also don’t mean to say that we are never to buy anything new as a long term lifestyle.
What I mean to say that we need to properly understand the impacts of what we buy. Only then can we consume less and create systems of collaborative consumption and ethical commerce.
I’ve created a free course to show you the many ways you can avoid buying new things.
It will help you break down your prejudices against used materials, and help you learn to ask to borrow for stuff from your friends and family. It can encourage you to donate or give away your own excess items instead of just throwing them away.
Written by: Assya Barrette
A few days ago, I sent my story on how I decided to buy nothing new for 200 days to a number of online publications. Two posted the story, and from there, 200 days has gotten republished on a few sites and has gotten thousands of social shares.
By internet standards, this is definitely no big deal. Nonetheless, I’m delightfully surprised that this story has gotten the attention it has.
It was time that I wrote something about it for my own blog.
Permit me to start by talking about my dad first a little bit, as he is so central to everything I do today.
About my dad
He came to Canada from Morocco in his early 30s, and married my mom, a French-Canadian, and together they had three daughters. When my parents separated when I was around 8 years old, my father became a single dad to three young girls. He never remarried.He was a truly exceptional father. He cooked, cleaned, picked us up and drove us everywhere, helped us with our homework and always encouraged us to be the best we can be.
He had a Masters in Mathematics, was fluent in 3 languages (French, English and Arabic) and was extremely well read. My fondest memories of my father involves long discussions on politics, religion and philosophy.
I guess that everyone feels this way when they lose someone they love, but the world has been impoverished because of his passing. May God allow us to be reunited in heaven.
What happened after my dad passed away
When he passed away from cancer at the age of 65, it was up to me and my two sisters to take care of all of the administrative work. We had to fill many papers, inform many people, and finally empty out the many things in his old apartment.Emptying out my dad’s apartment was a pivotal moment in my life. I cannot fully describe how difficult it was moving out my father’s things, both physically and emotionally. There were mountains of clothing, furniture, utensils, nick-nacks, photos, books, electronics that we got rid of, and there was still a good 10-15 boxes that we kept. The worse part was that much of it went to the dump.
My dad was an average consumer. Even still, there was just so much waste produced during his short lifetime.
It struck me that the way that we are built to consume in industrialized societies was a form of extremism. I decided that instead of fueling the machine, I was going to try to live off of its waste. I’d been going to thrift stores for clothing for years, but I’d never tried to supply my needs exclusively through pre-owned sources.
And I was successful. For 200 days, I was able to get everything I needed pre-owned, except for groceries, basic toiletries, and a pair of new rock climbing shoes (I added a day at the end making up for it). I also got rid of a lot of stuff, including my wedding dress, bags of photographs, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, old trophies and more.
I went without things like new underwear, new gifts for others, face cream, new clothes and the various other things you’d typically have the impulse or need to buy over 200 days (more than half a year).
Why did I do 200 days of nothing new?
My father’s illness and ultimate death obviously had a huge impact on me, as it would on anyone.As I spent the last few weeks with him, caring for him as his health declined, a question gnawed sharply into my soul.
We embellish our lives with so many possessions, emotions, people, and aspirations. In the end, what does it really matter? What are all of these things about, if we are to die unable to take anything with us?
I felt that I had been made to bear witness to what consumerism really means to people and the environment. I’d never truly understood it’s emotional, spiritual, and environmental costs until that experience.
I did 200 days because I hoped that my actions would become more closely aligned with the reality that possession of anything is temporary.
Consumerism is a lie
Consumerism teaches us that it is good to accumulate for its own sake. That the world can endlessly supply us with all of the stuff we want. That the limit of our consciousness is basically just us, stuff and our desire for this said stuff.Here is the reality:
I don’t mean to say that any buying new things is destructive. Some stuff is very constructive, such as buying containers to avoid takeout boxes, or supporting a local economy by purchasing from local artisans. Things like medical equipment need to be new and sterile.
I also don’t mean to say that we are never to buy anything new as a long term lifestyle.
What I mean to say that we need to properly understand the impacts of what we buy. Only then can we consume less and create systems of collaborative consumption and ethical commerce.
Should you do a buy nothing new challenge?
I would definitely encourage you to do your own buy nothing new challenge, just so that you can truly understand what is already out there. If you have never done anything like this, you will be shocked by the amount of materials in thrift store and online classifieds.I’ve created a free course to show you the many ways you can avoid buying new things.
It will help you break down your prejudices against used materials, and help you learn to ask to borrow for stuff from your friends and family. It can encourage you to donate or give away your own excess items instead of just throwing them away.
What’s next
I began this blog with the mission to help people find and learn ways to live more sustainably. I also want to use it as a platform to do my own explorations into alternative and more eco-friendly ways of existing. I’ll definitely be doing more challenges – perhaps another buy nothing new challenge!Sunday, January 1, 2017
Loreal UV Perfect
Usage: Use UV Perfect at the end of your skin care routine, as a daily UV protector or moisturizing make up base. Avoid eye contact. In case of contact, rinse them immediately and thoroughly. What a silly mistake. I was using it wrongly all those time. Now there's only at least 1/8 left which I will finish in a day or two. Again the next photo has chosen to have a weird angle than how I originally photographed it.
The variant I have is Transparent Skin. And I just want to show what the cream looks like. And finally in the last photo the Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV Essence that I got yesterday from Desert Cart. [I will write a separate post about my experience in Desert Cart and of course about the Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV Essence]. I do not read about the ingredients of the two sunscreens except both are having the same SPF 50/PA+++ meaning no need for me to buy from an online seller. As I have a choice of Loreal.
And now because of my interest in Loreal UV Perfect that I asked Google about it. Well according to Google it is available in Asia in different variants! But then since I am in the Middle East and makeup is far more important than sunscreens that we do get only one variant while in Asia they get the mist, bb cream and whitening. And also the essence. Out of all the 5 variants available UAE got only the Loreal UV Perfect Transparent Skin. (Sigh!) Anyway that is all for today. Thanks for dropping by.
'Glowing skin is a result of proper skin care. It means you can wear less make up and let your skin shine through' - Michel Coulombe
My Turkey Diaries: Wallet
Goodbye Old Card Wallet 👋🏼
Happy new year to all!
Well while most of you are either in a party or spending time with friends and family, I am at home and doing some general cleaning. Which I started with my 2 days Christmas leave. I am not trying to be kill joy. But I know for sure that for the rest of the year I will not have much time to do something like this. With my clothing alone I spent 2 days to unclutter. And mind you even that 2 days was not even enough.
My clutter is mainly consists of little items like this one in the photo accumulated through the years. For the longest time I had been searching for a wallet where I can put all my cards. My place was messy that I have forgotten that I actually have one. I have this since 2006. So yeah it has been a decade. I lost it among with my other clutter. Found it upon cleaning my drawers. Had to throw it as I don't have any use for it anymore. Yes my friends it is really true that the less stuff you have, the less time you'll spend it cleaning. And that time you could spend in other things that you love.
Well while most of you are either in a party or spending time with friends and family, I am at home and doing some general cleaning. Which I started with my 2 days Christmas leave. I am not trying to be kill joy. But I know for sure that for the rest of the year I will not have much time to do something like this. With my clothing alone I spent 2 days to unclutter. And mind you even that 2 days was not even enough.
My clutter is mainly consists of little items like this one in the photo accumulated through the years. For the longest time I had been searching for a wallet where I can put all my cards. My place was messy that I have forgotten that I actually have one. I have this since 2006. So yeah it has been a decade. I lost it among with my other clutter. Found it upon cleaning my drawers. Had to throw it as I don't have any use for it anymore. Yes my friends it is really true that the less stuff you have, the less time you'll spend it cleaning. And that time you could spend in other things that you love.
My clutter consists of clothing, cosmetics and little items like this one. Just an update: I used to have at least 600 clothing or more. Because I am diligently trying to get rid of an item per day that I managed to reduced at least half of it. I am not yet satisfied as my goal is to have much only that would fit one big luggage. I know I will get to that point very soon. As my new rule this 2017, anything I will not use within a month simply has to go. If I did not need it within a month then there is no way that I will be needing it in the future.
'If it doesn't nourish your soul, get rid of it' - Anon
Lotus at Emirates Coop in Dubai
I'm glad that I found this big Speculoos Paste in Emirates Coop of Dubai but then I cannot bring myself to make a purchase. The price is just too much. Seriously.
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