Carrefour Tea

I was looking for an instant tea that can taste good but without breaking my bank account. And here comes Carrefour tea. Taste wise I will not say that this is the best in the world. As I would still vote for the different tea flavors I bought from Istanbul last year. But then it tastes okay. To think that I do not normally drink instant teas. Remember how I dislike Barley Tea and how I never purchased another Mango Pudding Tea again? So yeah in my book of instant tea this Carrefour brand is already passable. And I got the box of it for only 6AED! Beat that!

And that's all for today. If I find something good or inexpensive again I will surely share it over here. Ciao!

1st Etude House (Cherry Blossom) Eyeshadow Palette 💕

This is the mistake I was talking about. I mean I am doing my best to lead a frugal and minimalist life. But once in a while I still do fail. I placed this order on Ebay even though I do not need it. I just wanted it. I wanted it after looking at all the Korean eyeshadows palette and I was like, okay it will be the last time so go ahead and order! It would have been 2 palettes but the other one the seller run out of stock. Which was a blessing in disguise. 

I do not have any issues or concern with the seller. Actually all the sellers I've ordered from Ebay were all okay. I mean I haven't met a scammer. Even though Ebay do not really have a very good reputation that even my own brother will not order anything from it. 

The quality of the photos for this post are not good as I used my camera again. There is nothing wrong with my camera. I just do not know yet how to work it out taking a close up photos. And I feel that I have to take a photo of the back of the packet too because I want to share how it looks like. You know it is not everyday that I get to order online.

Brand name is Etude House. This Korean brand of cosmetics do have a shop in Philippines but not in UAE or in the Middle East. The palette is called Play Color Eyes in Cherry Blossom. I think Cherry Blossom palette came out only this year. I like pink actually that's why I was drawn into having it because of the color. And if one must know the other palette I ordered but was not able to get was also from Etude House, their 2017 version of Personal Palette which consists of 20 eyeshadows.

I took multiple times of this angle. Just because I want to show how the back of the box looks like. As I've stated above I am having difficulty taking a close up shots using my camera. Unlike when I am using the iPhone. I wanted to throw this box away to lessen the items in my drawer but I can't because one of the eyeshadows broke. And so pigments are all over the palette even after cleaning. So I need to put it back to the box every time.

And finally here is how it looks look inside. One is broken. The pinkiest of them all. The color I love the most. And the powder is all over the palette even at the box and outside of the box of the palette! A way of telling me that I should have never ordered it in the first place for the very basic reason that I do not need it. But anyway what I have done cannot be undone. It is here already. I paid for it. So might as well use it.

I wanted to show the swatches but the way I am taking photos with this camera is bad enough. And I doubt that I can show the correct colors of the palette as the pink-reddish eyeshadow is all over at the other colors too. Lastly let me tell you about the price. I got this for 15USD. The cheapest I can find in Ebay. Shipping is included but I added 2.50USD so I can have a tracking number. If you do not own a PO Box in UAE do not ever think about of ordering online without a tracking number because no one will go to their stock room to look for your name. Or number. I know because I tried. And lost my money of 40AED.

In AED I spend around 92AED because in my computation I am also adding the 20AED I spent on taxi fare going back and forth from my place to Empost in Ajman. Plus the 5AED storage fee. If you really are using makeup then I would say it is worth it because the Western palette you will find in Sephora Dubai will cost you 260AED and above (Urban Decay and Too Faced for example). But if you do not really need it like me then it is a waste of money. 

Goodbye #141: Sixteen Black Shoes

And I am still doing my Goodbye Series post. And now I am saying goodbye to my high heel black shoes from Sixteen. A Brazilian brand of shoes that you can get in any Safeer Mall across the UAE. 

I bought it last 2016 and it was not even on sale. I bought it because I badly needed a black shoes for the office. For how many years now that I had been wearing either boots or black rubber shoes in the office while my colleagues are all wearing black formal shoes. I know it is not really a formal shoes due to the heels. But the thing is in the past I tried all the different kind of heels the said mall has to offer. All were Brazilian brand as they are the most affordable in UAE market. And good quality too. I just cannot find a good heel that will not hurt my feet. I wanted a black shoes that I can wear my socks on but with heels of at least 2 inches. I found one but they do not have my size. And so I ended up trying out different kind of heels. I mean even the heels have different sizes and shapes. I know women will understand what I am talking about.

As I continue to declutter my tiny space that I've decided to give it up. I can wear this but I do not find if practical with my environment at all. I am now always using a backpack. Backpack and heels this high doesn't look good together. And I am walking it the road with stones and sand so it will not last in that. If I will keep on wearing something like this the sole will always be out in a month or two. And there is no place here that fixes sole. So I would have to buy a new pair all the time. Which is not frugal or money saving situation.

I handed it over to my little sister. At least when there is a occasion in her school she might be able to use it than me. As you can see in the box the price is 92.00AED well honestly for me that is expensive. But I got the shock of my life when I last visited Payless Shoes that the prices of their China made shoes have all gone up, prices are now around 200AED. Double of the price of Brazilian brands. 

Even though I am saving money I will still look around for the kind of working shoes that I need but I will be checking only from Safeer Mall or any shops that offers Brazilian brand. Look Brazil made and China made may still have the same quality. But I am leaning more on Brazilian shoes because of the price. 200AED or more for a pair of shoes? Seriously? I will shed out that amount if we are talking about a genuine leather boots! And not just man made leather shoes that cannot even last for a year! OMG! I only paid less than 100AED for the genuine leather sandals from Massimo Dutti. If the shoes is made of leather they can demand a higher price because as per my experience leather shoes can really last for years. But if they are not and they want a premium amount, just no way!

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Pan Project Continues [2017] ⭐☀︎

Only last year when I started doing Pan Project with beauty products that I accumulated during my hoarding phase. At first I have my doubts that it can be done. And now more than a year had passed. I still have way too many items to finish but I am getting there. Am I making any sense? Anyway in this post I just want to share what are the products I am using for a few months now. Using these daily just to finish them all off. 

Biore UV Perfect Milk Face - Sunscreen for me is the most important skin care. Makeup is optional but not sunscreen. So far I cannot think of anything negative about Biore sunscreen, except of course that this is not available in UAE or in the Middle East. I have the complete variants to Biore sunscreens, but I am trying to finish off this white bottle first before moving on to the next one.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence With BB - I may be singing praises regarding Biore sunscreens but not with this one. First of all I am not really into bb creams. And this one sometimes feel dry on my already dry skin. But since I bought it, I am just using it everyday just for the sake of finishing it and avoid wasting money. [I have two other opened Biore sunscreens that I am using on weekends Biore Watery Gel and Biore Watery Essence and both are equally good too].

Essence All About Matt Oil Control Makeup Base - Well to be honest I do not need it but I have at least 5 tubes of it as I bought them during the time that I was a stupid hoarder. And I was crazy about Essence cosmetics. It can hold off the oil in my nose for a few hours but then seriously face powder and blotting paper can handle that oil that I do not really need this product. I am glad that I managed to finish one tube. And I am still getting through the remaining 4 tubes.

Rimmel Stay Blushed - I am quite ashamed to admit that I have this since 2014 if my memory serves me right. Beats me if I know what was on my mind, when it came out in the market I felt that I have to buy it. I have to have it in all variants. Especially when it was on sale in Safeer Mall. And since I was not using makeup everyday that I kept it and forgot about it. Found it again when I started raiding my stash. Anyway it is good. Gives a natural sun kissed look. Will try to bring out my camera and take a photo of the swatch this week. [But what good will it make since it is no longer available in the market?].

Une Rouge Lipstick R10 - Une is a French brand of makeup that said to be organic. Whose mother company is Bourjois. It used to be available in selected Centrepoint in the UAE. But I do not know what happened when I looked for it at the start of 2017 it was nowhere to be found. Price was my only concern regarding the product. But the quality and colors are great. Perfect for everyday use especially in the office.

And the three kind of eyeshadows are (1) Essence 2 in 1 Eyeshadow and Eyeliner Rose Color (2) Essence 2 in 1 Primer and Eyeshadow Pink (3) H&M Cream Eyeshadow. What can I say about eyeshadows that women does not know yet? I am happy with the combination of these three. And nowadays I do not have hassle with eyeshadows as I no longer wear glasses. And I am wearing contact lenses instead. Glasses often gets in the way. That eyeshadow sticks to the glasses.

I do not know when will I will be able to finish the makeup. Unlike with sunscreen or any skin care that I can finish off within a month or two. But in makeup there is no way in telling. I will try my best to do so. That means avoiding Ebay as because of Ebay that I ordered Korean eyeshadow palette that I do not need!

Last week I was at Empost to collect the contact lenses I ordered from Korea. I had known that my package arrived because I received an SMS. I received the SMS because the seller has written down my mobile number in the packet. This week I have another package but I did not receive any SMS from Empost and I started to think that it was just because they are not consistent with their services. But I was wrong. The cannot send me an SMS because the seller did not include my mobile number in the package! But both times I only had to pay 5AED as a storage fee. And I had to bring my own photocopy of Emirates ID otherwise I will pay 1AED for photocopy at the typing center inside the Empost.

I do not have any regrets with the contact lenses I ordered because I do need them. While the eyeshadow palette? Well one of the eyeshadows has been badly broken and the powder is all over the palette. Even in the box. A clear indication I should have listened to the tiny voice telling me do not buy it! You do not need it. While my Korean toner without a tracking number has been lost forever inside the Empost office. They cannot help me because probably my mobile number is not even specified on the package. I lost 40AED on that one. Tsk.

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Goodbye #140: H&M Skirt

Purchased this H&M gray skirt last year for only 30AED if I am not mistaken. It was on sale. Bought it because it has pockets at the back. I am crazy for skirts and dresses with pockets. But the sad part is I never got the chance to wear it even once. And it has been lying in my closet for many months now. So now I am letting it go. I am now at the phase of my life where I can live with clothes enough only for a week. 7 pairs of underwear. 7 socks in the same color. 

But of course I still have more clothes. I am getting rid of them one by one. You know they may just be clothes but even so there are times that it is hard to let go. I will find myself in a item that I am contemplating on discarding on and off until finally I can let go of it. This is a slow process but what can I do? I just need to tell myself that a slow progress is still better than no progress at all. 

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1st Order From KLensPop 💕

Contact lenses. I started wearing it last December but only on weekends. I remember my first time so well. I was so scared. And I thought it was my end. I was going to die. It has taken me a few minutes to wear one. And had no idea how to take it out. Well I tried wearing contacts because as my eyesight gets weaker, my glasses gets heavier. So I thought I will wear contacts while saving money to buy a premium lightweight frame.

When I get used to wearing contacts, putting it on or off became easier. Takes only a few seconds for me to do so. But here comes another concern: money. Every month I have to shell out 120AED for a pair of monthly lenses and solution. And so since I wanted to save some dirhams that I turned to online shopping to see if I can get contacts in much more affordable price.

And that's how I found out about KLensPop and lady luck smiled at me because that time they were having a sale of 5USD or no more than 20AED for a pair of monthly lenses. Did not hesitate and placed my first order.

I cannot think of something I do not like from ordering from them. I checked other websites that offer contact lenses and so far they do have the most affordable shipping fee. Shipping fee is 5USD or 5.50USD using EMS or K-Packet. Website says that it might take at least a month or 45 Days before the package arrive in UAE. But based on my experiences any packages from Korea and some parts of Asia takes less than two weeks to arrive. In the case of my order, it has taken only one week. They are sending the K-Packet with Tracking Number and website where you can track it down. Placed an order last June 28, 2017. They sent my order the next day. And July 06, 2017 the package arrived in Dubai. I was able to pick it up in the post office in Ajman as soon as I got off from the office.

Here are my contacts. Each pair would cost 18USD (still cheaper than the brand I am buying here) but since it was on sale I got them for 5USD each pair. I used pink today to see how it is. It was fine. So far so good. No complaints from me regarding the product. I just wish I can buy an affordable solution in the biggest bottle.

And so that's all. I will be checking the website from time to time if there will be any major sale again. This is the difference money wise: one Freshlook monthly from UAE cost me 120AED versus five monthly from Korea cost me 150AED. 5 pairs for 5 months. 125AED for the product. 20AED for the taxi back and forth. And 5AED for Empost payment.

Actually I found out that in Asia (Korea, Japan and Philippines) contact lenses are very affordable. Even though those countries mentioned do have tax. It is because of the competition. A lot of companies are making/selling contact lenses. The more choices the lower the prices become. I may not be able to get the same amount anytime soon from Korea but still the prices are still lower than what I can buy from here. Actually Amazon Japan do have choices of affordable contact lenses too but ordering from them is so tricky. They are using DHL which has so many restrictions. But if I were to believe the restrictions being imposed by DHL then how come the items can be send without a fuss using Empost? DHL from Japan takes 4 days to arrive in my doorstep by the way. 

Speaking of Korea.. I am trying to upload some K-Dramas in Facebook and YouTube. But I am now banging my head on the wall due to copyrights. Facebook takes forever to upload. And sometimes totally not uploading which is a bummer. But you have a choice it will just give you a warning that the owner of the video will be able to view it (then decide I suppose if they want it remove or sue you I reckon). YouTube takes only 30 minutes to upload but then it comes to copyright they will immediately block the video you painfully posted. For Pete's Sake I uploaded a drama from a decade ago! So I can start deleting some from my external disk. They should be thanking people like me because once it is in the internet the future people can watch it. (Or are they seriously thinking in the future people will still pay for it?)

JULY 14, 2017: I visited KLensPop again and ended up placing another order. As they are on sale again. This time around it is their Silicon Hydrogen contact lenses which I read somewhere a supposed to be more advanced kind of contact lenses. As the eyes will be more able to breathe. I do not know until when the sale price will be. But what I noticed from the first time I placed an order, their sale usually starts at the 2nd week of the month up to month end. So anyone who wants to buy still have at least 2 weeks to do so. They are selling Silicon Hydrogen contact lenses for 60USD but due to sale price becomes 6.50USD which is not bad at all. I grabbed the chance so I can try if this choice of contact lenses is much better than the ordinary ones. 

The downside for me is I have to cut down my expenses on food. As my budget for a contact lenses per month is only 120AED. So even though I am craving for some nachos I have to say NO. It is fattening and it is 27AED. In that amount I would already have a pair of contact lenses that I can use for the whole month. I am craving for my favorite mochalatte (don't know the correct name) from Cinnabon but I have to say NO. The calories are so high and I am allowed only 1,200 per day if I want to lose weight. And price is 22AED. That amount is already a taxi fare for me back and forth from my flat to Empost when I am about to collect my order. And even though I am too lazy to cook, I still have to because eating out is a big NO. And before going out of the house I have to make sure that I am leaving the house on a full stomach to avoid buying snack outside. The sacrifices I have to make when I am buying something. And people who see my photos think I am oozing with money.. 

Goodbye #139: Topshop Miniskirt

I bought this Topshop mini skirt on sale back in 2009 but I wore it for only three times. I kept it in spite of that because to be honest all these years I was hoping that I can move to somewhere cold. What is the connection with the mini skirt? Well if you have seen Asian tv series you will see some Korean/Japanese/Chinese wearing mini skirts and tights and I think that kind of style is cute. But then I tried applying for some jobs with no luck. I have now gotten big that this mini skirt no longer fits me. So I am saying goodbye to it now. And maybe say goodbye to the rest of my dreams too.. 

Sorry for being emotional.. but how the world works is too crazy for me. I am seeing in the news or in the social media how some immigrants in cold places are creating havoc. I am not saying that all immigrants are the same. But the point I am trying to make it is, how come those people creating chaos are given a chance to live in a place I could only dream of? And here I am a law abiding citizen but the opportunities are so elusive? Does this world just belongs to bad people? Because you know bad people are manipulative enough to reach their goal. While good people are always going by the book. Me and my emotions..

Minimalism is the constant art of editing your life - Danny Dover

Daily Reminder

Photo Credits To The Owner

Innisfree Makeup

Not my photo. Got it from the website of Innisfree and I am not sure if this is a permanent collection or limited edition/ Sharing because I found Korean makeup to be more affordable compared to US and other Western brands. So if ever in the future I will be needing a makeup again, Innisfree will be one of my choices. All good shades of neutral, eh?

Goodbye #138: Brassiere

Don't worry I not post any photos regarding this topic. Haha. As I have said a numerous times that I am all for minimalism and frugal living although sometimes there are temptations (the makeup I purchased from Ebay that I might get next week). But in spite of this I am still continuously raiding the small space that I have and looking for ways to reduce my earthly possessions.

So tonight even though I was a bit busy, I managed to squeezed in a few seconds to check my underwear. To see what I can get rid of. To be honest I only need 7 pairs. But then I have more than enough. There was a time that I can go on 3 months without washing them. How do I rephrase what I am trying to say? I mean used to have at least a 100 brassiere. But I am definitely do not wear them again without washing them first.

This time I reduced what I own into no more than 10 pairs of bra and panty. I have to be notorious into deciding what will stay inside the house. Hopefully tomorrow I can shed more items. 

Fried Chilli

This is not my photo. Can't remember anymore the name so if you are the owner please don't shoot me. Sharing it because it looks and sounds interesting. You know Asian is such a huge continents that there could be an endless choices of condiments. Will update you some other time if this is yay or nay. 

Related to Empost again.. 💕

I am definitely not obsessed with Empost or online shopping but I was surprised that I have to share what happened. Well only November 2016 when I was brave enough to order from Ebay. That time I used the company PO Box since I do not have my own. And I got the items after a month. Which was fair enough as one month was the promised delivery time. But then after that I have concerns with subsequent packages. I was already thinking of stopping ordering from outside the UAE or through EMS because of the not so good experiences which has nothing to do with the seller nor the Empost at all.

One of the concerns was, since I am using the company PO Box, I am not allowed to take the parcel even though it is under my name. I am at the mercy of someone else who is not very keen into taking packages. And as an end result it takes time to get my parcel. As I write this it has been 3 months since I placed the order from Yesstyle for a few boxes of charcoal nose strips. Unfortunately it does not have any Tracking Number. I have a strong feeling that the package is lying in the post office only rotting away. But since I do not have the tracking number I do not have a proof. I was very down with this as every centavo counts. Saving money was the reason in the first place why I started ordering online.

Stupid me.. Only recently when I realized that most sellers from Ebay do actually have an option if I want to have my package to have a tracking number. Actually almost all the seller aside from Ebay do have this option. And it is okay if I do not use the company PO Box. The item will still reach me. After all there is only one Ajman, UAE in the world. And even if I have to pay 5AED per package ~ it is still worth it. I do not need a new makeup but I have given up to the whim of having one. If I will purchase a Western brand of eyeshadow it would cost me 260.00AED and above. But since I place an order from Ebay for an Asian brand it costed me only 50.00AED and so paying 5AED plus my taxi fare of 20AED back and forth from the Empost office is still much lower than buying something from Sephora. [But please don't get me wrong I am still very much advocating minimalism and frugal life. Buying the makeup was just one of my lapses.]

Ordering online helps when you need an item not available here or you want to save money. I started using contact lenses since December 2016. But a pair cost me 120AED and it is good for one month or 30 uses. In my quest in finding a cheaper alternative I found out that I have option of buying from Korea, Japan and Philippines. My first online purchase was from Korea. For 5 pairs I paid only 124AED since they are on sale. But even if they are not price will still be lower than what the UAE market can offer. Even without a PO Box my order arrived in the country safely. And it has taken only a week's time to reach here. Unlike when I was using the company PO Box and someone 'authorized' to get it, lucky me if I will wait for a month only. Just look at the case of my order from Yesstyle that has been gone for good. 

I will pick up the item later. And will give an update some other time. Ciao!

Routine Just For Laughs

Photo from Damnlol.Com

Our Mother Earth

Photo Credits to the owner

Etude House Honey Cera

I got this Etude House Honey Cera cream for free from one of my purchases in Ebay back in February. Decided to finish off the free samples I've got before they expire. Feedback? Sorry Etude House, this cream is not for me. You see I am not really hard to please when it comes to  moisturizer but my skin must feel something extraordinary compared to all the creams I used in the past, before I sing praises. In short there is nothing in this brand that makes it stood out.

Empty Pan #113: Bourjois Exclusif Blush

For those who are in my page hoping for a thorough review of the product then I am sorry to disappoint you because there is none. I am just simply documenting the products that I managed to finish. The 113th product is called Bourjois Blush Exclusif and I managed to take some photos.

I wonder how many people on earth manages to finish their makeup products? What do they do with them if they cannot finish it? Don't they feel anything bad when they cannot finish it and just go to waste? Is make up not really meant to be finished at all?

 It was January 2016 when I told myself that I really have to use my items and try hard to finish them. I have written the post morning ritual since January where I shared some of the products I am trying to finish. Was able to finish the skin care products as they are a must. But when it comes to makeup it takes forever. And now thinking about it there is no way I can finish my makeup in this lifetime. Une Breezy Cheeks was the first ever blusher I managed to finished after one year and six months. 

 I have this Bourjois Exclusif Blush since 2014 or earlier and I got in on sale. But I do not know what I was thinking for buying this one. This is just another item I purchased because it was on sale  and not because I needed it. That time I have around 15 blushers so there was no need for it. Another mistake from the past. I kept this and has taken it out only last year. Finally managed to finish it only this year. April or May? 

This is a cream to powder blush. And it might no longer be available. Anyway please bear in mind that I am not advising people to use old and expired products. Especially for those who might have a sensitive skin. I know I am taking risks when using old products. But since so far there has been no side effects on me that I keep on doing so.

These photos show how the Bourjois Exclusif Blush looks on my skin. It is the same also when applied on my cheeks. Silly me that I am attracted to pink but it does not really look good on me. The color seems to be very loud on me. 

And that will be all for today. Thanks for dropping by. I might be able to finish one or two make up items soon as I am now using it on daily basis. Meaning even of weekend. While trying so hard to fight the urge to buy again. Especially now that the brand Essence is just a walking distance from me.

I hope that I will never be urged to purchase another blusher again as long as I live. They will all for sure outlive me in the end.

Small Home Design #8

PHOTO Credits to the owner

30 Day Minimalism Challenge

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Closet Detox

PHOTO Credits to the owner

The Pocket Stylist

PHOTO Credits to the owner

7 Day Minimalist Challenge

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Bottle #112: Bioderma Gentle Wash 🌸

First of all let me tell you that even though I embraced minimalism it does not mean that I am doing it perfectly well. I still have lapses every now and then. Meaning I still buy items I do not really need. Just like last week I turned to Ebay and purchased 2 eyeshadow palettes from Korea. Unfortunately one palette was no longer available and the seller said she would refund my payment. So you see as a human being I am not perfect and I am still struggling.

About the 112th product I was able to finish, it is called Bioderma Gentle Body Wash. Sorry again as I do not have an in depth reviews about the product. What happened was I read somewhere that body gels are better for people with dry skin. And 2014 was the start of my hoarding phase. So needless to say I purchased bottles after bottles of body washes hoping to find the holy grail that will give me a good skin. And so Bioderma was one of them. And because I have too many that I managed to use it only last May 2017. After more than 2 years of being stuck in one of my magic drawers.

Moment of truth: Bioderma is brand of skin care products from France. It is not exactly affordable in UAE market. This bottle was 80.00AED and only a few pharmacies carry Bioderma. Now after more than 2 years of using body washes that the truth is staring at me back. No body wash can give me a moisturized skin. Achieving it consists of many factors. Environment. Food and drinks I take. Etc. And so these companies do a lot of thinking about their marketing ploy on how would they sell their products. Body wash feels good to use as they lather up a lot than a bar soap. But still both can do the same job perfectly well.

Now do not be mad at me for always speaking about minimalism because I do it a lot to remind myself. And not go astray. And at the same time documenting my progress no matter how small they are. And I am not exactly pushing it to anyone's throat. If you have money and space and you want to spend in whatever your heart desires then go for it. But if you are like me who has to find ways how to make both ends meet then minimalism and frugal life is the easiest route. 

And that's all for today. While I keep on cleaning my tiny space. Looking for items I can discard. Or items I can still finish. Ciao!

Goodbye #137: Pink Sleepwear

Finally I was able to raid the space under the bed. Was able to take out all the contents. And as expected I found many items again that I can discard as I no longer use them. That makes them nothing but a mess inside the small flat. One of the items I found is this pink sleep wear that has been with me for a decade now. Wore it no more than 10 times. Stopped using this because honestly I am way more comfortable in using jogging pants inside the house especially when sleeping than a sexy lingerie like this one.

You see even though I am a poor I have spent recklessly on items in the past. Maybe if I did not I will still be poor but still be able to afford some things life has to offer like consuming my yearly vacation in a place of my choice. Each little items I am discarding cost a price. If only I kept the money and use it for something useful like collecting good memories. This sleepwear cost me likely around 50AED. By wanting and needing less I will enjoy other things that I love in life.

Minimalist Mantra

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Box #111: CY Gabriel Soap 🌸

This post is supposed to be dedicated to my 111th product that I was able to finish. But seriously what else can I say about a bar soap? So instead I will keep on writing about minimalism. I had been reading a lot about other people's opinion about Minimalism last week. Well a lot of people are still opposed to the idea and some even said that it is actually anti-poor. But my thoughts? There has been a confusion actually about minimalism that makes some angry.

Normally people who are writing books or giving speeches or writing blogs about minimalism are people from first world countries. Meaning they do have money. So from being minimalist they can go back into the world of consumerism if they want to. And so some poor people like me kinda find it off because it is easy for them to say and do things, while it is the opposite for us who do not have many choices. Admittedly that is often times irritating.

But then if we will look beyond it. Those rich people are not actually the ones who invented minimalism. And the concept isn't something new either. For the longest time Buddhist people have been practicing simple living. Ever since the Catholic have been avoiding gluttony. We often associate gluttony for only overeating but it only means do have more than what you need in almost everything.

For Pete's Sake I am a dirt poor. Poor in a sense that I cannot afford to stop working as long as I am alive. But in spite of it I have so many items littered around the tiny flat. And even though I am poor I am not also financial literate that I made so many spending mistakes in the past. And so even the poor like me somehow need to really understand what minimalism is and how it can help us. But it is not compulsory. Only those who wants it. But then at the same time do no try to bite those people trying to teach or preach about it. Because at the end of you day is it your personal choice to do it or not.

And now back to the photo, I am really sorry that I am not a big help. It just happened that back in 2014 I do not know how it happened but upon cleaning the house, I found myself having 30 or more bar soaps. Aside from the body washes. I am trying to finish them all as you know paper boxes like this one can attract cockroaches. One of the reasons why I am embracing minimalism. To lessen items where they can breed.

It is a bar soap from Philippines that uses the marketing ploy of making your skin whiter. Which is a bullshit. A bar soap is just a bar soap. No more and no less. And intentionally or not I used many whitening products for me to know that those were all lies. Only your good old dermatologist can really help you lighten your skin. 

13 Reminders For Single Tasking

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Ethical Closet

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Sleeping Positions

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #136: Black and White Shorts

I got these shorts on sale back in 2009. But I was able to wear it no more than 10 times. And since I am not letting go of whatever I am not using much, so these has to go to. It could be useful to someone else. Rather than rot in my closet. My closet that still full of stuff after a year of decluttering. I cannot let go of everything all at once due to anxiety. So I am letting go one by one. Takes time but will definitely get to my goal someday.

Tony Moly Snail Cream

Tony Moly Snail Cream sample comes as free with an Ebay purchase I made months ago. Well what can I say? Been seeing snail cream for years now but not paying any attention to it. Methinks it is just a marketing ploy to lure people to buy and try it out. Well I was mistaken. I am surprised that this sits well with my combination skin. Does not make my face oily. Absorbed by my skin in no time. And I woke up the next day with feeling my skin has soften. I will definitely purchase a full bottle. But not anytime soon as I am stuck to finish off all my moisturizers before getting a new one.

150+ Things To Throw Away Today

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #135: HM Blue Shorts

I wanted to talk more about simple living but since I do not have a time yet, I am just posting another item that I am discarding. I bought this H&M blue short from the kids section last year for only 10AED. But wore it around 3 times only. It is true when people say that we only wear 20 percent of our clothing most of the time. So whatever it is not I am not using regularly has to go. 

Tony Moly Black Tea Cream

Another sample from an Ebay purchase. Decided to use it now before I forget all about it. Well first of all, silly me as I was expecting it to be black because the name says Black Tea cream. Anyway this sample is good for one use only. Which is fine with me. Impression? Well this is good for my combination skin but I did not feel any difference. I mean my skin says there is nothing special to it that makes it stand out from all the facial moisturizers I used in the past. So I will not be buying the full size.