Empty Bottle #130: Bath & Body Works Sky 🌸

2014 when I switched from bar soap to shower gels because I read somewhere that shower gels are actually good for someone with extremely dry skin. And because it was the peak of the hoarding phase of my life that I purchased a lot of shower gels. That the shower gels I purchased and/or used for the last 2 years reached up to 30 bottles or more.

My 130th bottle for my Pan Project is called Bath & Body Works Sky (Violet Lily). I have taken photos of the back of the bottle for those who are interested to see the ingredients and other details of this shower gel. Anyway I bought this during sale for only 20.00AED and sadly as much as I want to describe the scent, I can no longer remember it. But when it comes to Bath & Body Works the only scent that remains in my memory is the sweetness. I am granted that the said brand has so many scents to choose from: still there is this undeniably sweetness like a sugar. That overwhelms all the other scents of the product.

Mid 2016 when I started my Pan Project and since then I used all the shower gels on my stash. Without buying something new. And after a year I am glad to say that it is a success. It has been a year since the last time I bought a shower gel and no plans so far of buying another one again even if it goes on sale. 

Products from Bath & Body Works does not come cheap if they are not on sale. But during promotions they become affordable. If you want to buy just to try it out then it is okay. But for everyday use if you have a migraine then I will not suggest it as the sweetness can trigger the headache. If you really want to use shower gels instead of bar soaps then I would suggest go and buy the affordable ones from supermarket. Because whether it is cheap or expensive the end results are the same. 

So that's all for now. As I look into my stash to see what are the items I can finish before the month ends...

And speaking of sweetness: I was surprised that even though I do not eat a lot of sweet food, still my sugar/glucose counts sometimes are as high as 110. And it is quite scary because that is very near to the number of what the doctor will consider as someone with diabetes 2. Well I remember about it since I mentioned that Bath & Body Works products are too sweet. And so with this for the last week I had been drinking my Japanese green tea without sugar and milk. Also I started drinking plain coffee too. Again with no milk and sugar. Maybe I will drink a coffee with sugar and milk only once a week until such time that I can totally get it out of my system. It is not easy. But then I do not want to further damage my system. 

I eat vegetables minimally. But maybe that one will also change this week. Maybe I have to  get used to eating vegetables as if I am only eating chips or french fries. Getting healthy is not the easiest thing on earth. But maybe once I shift to this so called healthy eating that it will affect my skin condition too. You know I have dry skin no matter what is the season. That is why I use a lot of skin moisturizers. And dry skin was the reason why I started using shower gels and came to the point of hoarding it.

Empty Bottle #129: Nivea Micelle Solution 🌸

Photos overload. I guess by now everybody knows what is a micelle solution is. As of me I found out about only last 2014.  And Bioderma was the first micellar solution that I tried. Anyway I am writing this post as part of my Pan Project and documenting the products/brands I used as a future reference. 

Nivea is a good brand. And affordable too. In UAE it can be found in almost all the hypermarkets. I got mine in Safeer Hypermarket. I cannot remember the exact amount but it is not more than 50.00AED. And maybe I paid for only around 20.00AED. I cannot remember as I bought this during the hoarding phase of my life. I mean when I found out about micelle solution I bought almost all the brands I could get my hands on.

And maybe I was able to finish it last year or early this year. That is the outcome when you buy so many stuff that you do not really remember them all anymore. I bought it and kept it. And when I saw it again I was surprised that I have it all along. Sure hoarders can relate.

As of the performance: there is nothing special to it. I mean all the micelle solutions I tried are all the same. All works well. Gentle on the face. Can really remove even the most the most stubborn makeup. I think they differ from one another when it comes to scent or alcohol content. Some would be organic. Some would be with parabens while some are without.

Repeatedly took photos of the back of the bottle to show the ingredients as well as teh other details about the product for those who are interested.

I never got the chance of repurchasing as I've said that I have way too many micelle solutions in my stash. But in case I might need on in the future I would not mind buying Nivea again.

That is all for Nivea micelle solution. I will repeat: affordable, widely available in UAE and works perfectly fine. Not unless you are allergic to scent or perfume.

Now on my life as an OFW.. Well a friend of mine said that he read somewhere that we as human beings should keep on learning a new knowledge. Because if we do not then there is a higher risk on getting a dementia on old age. And we may never know we might reach that old age. Stupid me. My mind has been stagnant for many years. I could not read a book for the reason that I do not have a time for it. I could not learn a new language thinking I would only learn it from school. And I do not have the time or money to do so.

Anyway only recently it dawned on me that even if I cannot read books well audio books has been around for the longest time. You know for those people who cannot see. I had been living under the rocks. And at this internet age getting audio books has been so easy. As of learning a new language.. well audio books for that also exists for many decades now! Now all I have to do is to gather all my gadgets and see what can I use for listening. And definitely I can listen while working. Though there are some obstacles I can manage. But then I might share about that one of these days as after all it is a part of my UAE life as an OFW.

Minimalism

It Started With A Kiss EP7 [Taiwan 2005]

Empty Tube #128: Missha Fitting Wear Pore Cover Primer 🌸

Another blast from the past. Meaning a product I purchased years ago. That slept in my dresser for a very long time. This is from the second batch of my Korean Beauty Products back in 2015. That I am still trying to finish in 2017. So once again sorry guys as this is not some sort of thorough review of a product. I am simply documenting whatever I used and keeping a record of items I finished for my Pan Project. My 128th product is called Missha Fitting Wear Pore Cover Primer.

There is a seller in UAE via website called TheBBCreamGirl. Where you can get all your favorite Korean products and she has an option of COD. I ordered from her for the first and last time only last 2015. There is nothing wrong with her and she is a good seller. But I just really have many products that I must finish that I never get a chance to order from her again. I had been in a stupid hoarding spree from circa 2014 to mid 2016. And the result were not good. I am left with empty pockets. No more space inside the house. Among other things.

Back in January 2016 when slowly I started taking out beauty products from my stash for me to try to finish them all. And I can say that I am semi successful. Meaning no matter how slow I was able to finish most of my skin care products. But it is a complete struggle with makeup. That I have to declutter them soon. As for my Missa Fitting Wear Pore Cover Primer I was able to use it only last year. A year after I purchased it. And was able to finish it off only this month. Why? Simply for someone who does not really wear makeup on daily basis I have a dozen or so for makeup primer and base.

Price of Missha Fitting Wear Pore Cover Primer was 45.00AED and that time I think this price was not bad. As I am used to prices of Western products that are usually 100AED and above. Quality? It feels smooth on the skin. And gives off that matte look. So I cannot think of anything negative to say about this product maybe except that this is not available in UAE marke and upon ordering online you need to wait for at least 2 weeks for it to arrive. But take note that this might not be compatible with some sunscreens. Meaning if it is not compatible it might create little balls in the face.

It is not compatible with La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen but it is completely okay with all the Biore sunscreens I used. As well as with Hada Labo. But cannot say the same with other brands as those are the only brands I am using. 

Photos of the product on my hand and when blended. I think no need for me to mention that it really helps in making the makeup last long as that is really its job, right? But even if I do not have anything negative to say about this product does not mean that I will repurchase. I am not trying to be a cheap skate but with my current lifestyle that I found there is no need for me to keep on using primer or base. In fact I am now trying to finish off whatever I started using and discarding those unopened ones.

The more things you own, the more they own you.

Small House Design #20

PHOTO Credits to the owner

It Started With A Kiss EP6 [Taiwan 2005]

When gadgets are smarter..

Okay.. this is a rant post because of what is happening with me and my devices. Please do spare me of the lines that at least you have gadgets! While others cannot even afford it. Do not get me wrong. I am thankful with what I have. I just wish that in our advance technology they will still make things friendly user for people who do not have patience or time. Where do I begin exactly? For me to get to this point of ranting? In the Philippines it is normal for establishments to play music and sometimes music are very loud. But since I am in UAE and working in an office environment it is entirely a different story. Sometimes I need to listen to music. The Emarati colleague do not mind as long as the music is low. But my Indian colleagues are not comfortable with it. So as an end result I need to use an MP3 player.

Well if you will ask me I can actually live without an MP3 player. I can listen to music at home anyway. But then again it led to another story. This year when I decided that damn.. I was complaining of not having time to finish reading all the books I want, why I haven't thought about of audio books before? So in the day I can do two things at the same time. I can listen to it while working! And if audio books are not available then I can listen to language learning like Pimsleur. That way I feel like I will be more productive. In a way that I will be working then at the same time will be enjoying listening to an audio book or using my brain through learning something new. So using an MP3 is really a must for me. Now because of these damn MP3s that I am ranting right now.

Years ago someone gave me a gift called iPod shuffle. It would have been the perfect MP3 player of them all only if iTunes is not required. I have this love and hate relationship with Apple actually. How can I not love my iPod shuffle? It is pink in color. This is the slimmest and lightest player I ever have! I can use it whatever on earth I am doing. But then the memory is only 2GB and as I have said one must need an iTunes which sucks. Well 2GB is okay if I will be listening to songs only but as I have stated I started listening to audio book this year. I need a bigger memory for audio books. But still using iTunes suck big time for me. Since I came to UAE, having enough TIME is my biggest problem. Let us say I finished listening today and when I get home if I have something to do like cooking I cannot even find a time to transfer something from iTunes to my iPod shuffle. Then I will not have anything to listen to the next day. Yes there were times that I cannot even open my laptop at night. 

So I have given up on my iPod shuffle. Thanks to iTunes. Now I kept it along with my other stuff in my dresser. My current iPhone has a huge memory but quite big to carry around while working. Unlike my iPod shuffle. So I asked Google for the most user friendly player that will not break my bank account and will not be too heavy to carry around. And it has to be waterproof too. Just in case I accidentally drop it in the sink. Or in case I go swimming. Or in case I sweat a lot. When I say user friendly meaning even at work I can just connect it to anyone's computer and transfer file. Something Apple products will not let you do. Perfect choice would be Sony. But we all know everything made in Japan are expensive. But cannot blame them though. As the quality is top notch. I know as I had been a Sony customer years ago. From looking at Sony products I actually ended up buying a Japanese F08D Docomo phone.

I read that most of Japanese phones are waterproof as women loves to bring it with them in the shower. Who do not want that? I know I have way too many phones now but I was too interested because I was thinking that the amount I will pay for the Sony MP3 is almost the same with what I am going to pay for my Docomo phone. It is not as big as my iPhone so I can carry it around. Put it in the pocket of my pants or my blouse. And I do not have any problems of accidentally dropping it in the water. Japanese phones are not too expensive via Amazon Japan but they cannot be delivered to UAE thanks DHL for that. But one can buy it via Ebay and the amount is extremely expensive. So when I found online (just cannot remember the website now) that I can buy this old Docomo phone for only 169AED (paid total of 184AED due to shipping) I was sold. Bought it after thinking about it for three times. It came and I was so happy.

But it will be one month now since I purchased it and I never gotten around in using it. Simply because I do not have ample of time in my hands. After 2 or 3 weeks only that I was able to buy a micro sd card. Since the memory is only 4GB. And I bought a 32GB micro sd card. I was enthusiastic at this point. Until so called advance technology strikes again. Well you can charge F08D Docomo in Macbook but there is no way on earth that one can use it as a USB and so once again why Apple has to make it so complicated? Damn. I still have Windows laptop but then again even with good old Windows I seem to need some application or something for them to make old mobiles work as USB. It will not easily accept my old Samsung phone or my old Blackberry phone much less my new phone but old model F08D Docomo phone. And this is the point where I want to kick people around!

Phones are working. Micro SD cards are working. But connection between the mobile and laptop or even the PC at work is such a big pain in the ass. My old micro sd card reader is not working anymore. But my old Sony M2 adaptor is still working perfectly fine even though it will be on its 7th year or 8th year now. Damn again. Last option? I went out to the nearest shop and bought a micro sd card reader. Shelling out 23.00AED and for some it is small amount but I am now at the point that even a dirhams matter a lot unlike before. But it is not only money that I wasted. As well as my time. It has been months since I last listened to a Pimsleur language course. Making me want to throw curses at our so called technology!!!!!!!!!!! 

Anyhow I cannot keep on getting mad thinking about the money I have thrown so far just for wanting a waterproof gadget that I can listen to or watch whenever I am outside the house. It is over and done. Using it anyway even if it is not exactly as user friendly as I thought it will be. Had to remove the battery just so I can take out the micro sd card and use an adaptor just so the laptop will accept it. Maybe I might get lucky and have a chance to visit Japan then I will not hesitate buying myself a Sony waterproof MP3 player with a high memory.  

Now just making a mental note that after I am done decluttering with my makeup I also have to do the same with the gadgets I own. Or whatever things that are taking up a space on my external disks. And try to get used to more gadgets related I will encounter on the following days.

Empty Tube #127: Cathy Doll Pompom Girl 🌸

Cathy Doll is a Thailand brand of beauty products. In the UAE it is being sold through some Coop markets. I know because I got this Cathy Doll Pompom Girl from Cooperative Society in Dubai near Mirdif City Centre. Those who are curious here are the other Cathy Doll products I was able to purchase last September. It may not be the best brand in the world but for those who loves to try different brands from time to time, then there is no harm in trying it. It maybe expensive but not to the extent of breaking one's piggy bank.

Price was 27.00AED and basically the purpose of this one is just like Japan's Bison Wakilala Scrub. Meaning it is a scrub especially designed for armpits. And making armpits whiter afterwards. There is nothing wrong in using a scrub for armpits. It really helps in removing the film left behind by the deodorant. But as of whitening, as I had been telling for years, all whitening products were nothing but a marketing ploy. I keep on saying because since I was a little I had been using products with the words whitening and brightening on it but guess what? My skin tone has been darker than ever.

If you will buy this if you are in Thailand then I believe that it is actually affordable over there. But since I am in UAE where 99% of products are expensive even without the VAT yet and so it is expensive here. Do not get me wrong. I am not whining. My main point in writing this post are: this is my way of documenting the products I purchased during my hoarding phase. And recording the products I used from that stash. At the same time taking note of them whether one has been helpful or not. If money is not my concern I will keep on buying armpit scrubs even though they will not whiten my underarms.

If you will buy Cathy Doll Pompom Girl just to try it out then it will not affect your budget. But using it on daily basis will do so. Because this tube lasted for 3 or 4 days only. Making daily use of it extremely expensive. Wakilala is a better choice but not available in the UAE market. Wakilala is inexpensive through Amazon Japan but shipping fee is. 

Small House Design #19

13 Feet Wide

Japan

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Japanese Kitkat

It Started With A Kiss EP5 [Taiwan 2005]

Goodbye #166: Canon Photo Printer 🌸

When I landed in UAE I developed a slight envious attitude and it is something I am not proud of. I wanted far too many material things in life that later in life I realized were all wrong and just waste of my money and time. See this Canon photo printer? Stupid me always wanted to have on and finally I get my hands on it I think around 2007 or 2008. But then since the ink and paper were/are so expensive that I used it for only a couple of times. Not more than 10 times I think.

It has been among my stash for a decade. Untouched. Accumulating dust. So naturally when I started decluttering it has to go to. By the way it has been more than a year since my decluttering project. It is taking time for me to finish because of separation anxiety most of the time. Since I spent a fortune on them. So I ended up discarding an item per day. Some I am able to take a photo and/or post over here. Some are not. 

Had I been wise with my finances in the past I would not be here by now. But then time wasted is something we cannot undo as well as money wasted. We can just all learn from our mistakes and move on. Look into the future instead and start all over again.

As of my clothing: I know there are still far too many that I must let go of but do not have time now. Time. Maybe only in my dreams that I will have an ample time in my hands to do pretty much everything I want. At least I am able to declutter my makeup slowly. Slow progress is better than none at all, right?

Small House Design #18

15 Square Meter 3 Floors

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Sigaw ng OFW

It Started With A Kiss EP4 [Taiwan 2005]

Olens: Motive Silicone Hydrogel Gray 💕

Photos Overload

From the third batch of my order from KLensPop. This is from Olens and it is called Motive Silicon Hydrogel Gray. Only last December 2016 when I started using contact lenses. Which becomes more comfortable, at least for me, than using my glasses which is now heavier. The downside of contact lenses is they are expensive in UAE market.

But as I browsed the net, my search led me to KLensPop. The most affordable contact lenses when on sale. And I was satisfied with my first purchase that I am now on my fourth. Even though taking photos takes time for me, I thought that it is worth it. To spread the word about them. To share the information. And show how beautiful actually the lenses are. So I will try to bring out my camera soon as take photos of other contact lenses as well.

As you can see it looks expensive as it comes in a bottle unlike the Freshlook in UAE. And as you can see from the photos the front and back of the bottles have English and Hangul description. Which is good for us non-Koreans. And it is ISO certified. Silicon Hydrogel contact lenses retail between 25USD to 60USD but I bought it on sale for only 6.50AED per pair and that is around 24AED only. So with my 166.50AED I got 6 pairs and the shipping fee was included in that amount. 

So far I do not have any issues with all the contact lenses I am wearing from this website. And this one that I am posting I will start wearing it after a week or two. I cannot afford to use them all at once. And I have to write down how many times I used a contact lenses and for how many days. 

This is how you open it and the down photo has quite a clear details about this contact lenses. It will expire after 4 years! I have taken some more photos which I will be adding as soon as I have the chance.

September 12, 2017: Adding a few more photos. Just because I found a spot in the tiny flat that is actually good for taking photos. Due to the light on that area. So on this next photo it shows well the top of the bottle when opened. Actually the part where the silver is ~ can be quite hard for me that I have to use tweezers to open it.

The Motive Silicon Hydrogel Gray inside the bottle. Because of these clear photos I want to take photos of my other contact lenses and share them over here. Yes by now I have at least 15 pairs if my memory serves me right. I am using a pair in the morning which I have to remove over lunch and I am not keen cooking and/or eating with my contact lenses on. The have to put it on again after lunch.

And here are the Motive Silicon Hydrogel Gray in the contact lens case. Anyway I wore it already over the weekend. Because I have black eyes that this gray does not really show much on my eyes. Not very visible.

I even took a photo of the empty bottles. This contact lenses actually upon first use has 6 months shelf life but it does not mean that one has to use it for 180 eyes. The recommended use is up to 30 times only. In the span of 6 months. And of course one has to really clean it well. That is why I bought myself 2 big bottles of contact lenses solution that I found on sale that I can use until December.

That's all for today and thanks for dropping by. Will see when can I have time again to take photos of my other lenses. As I cannot wait to share them too. Especially my favorite hybrid lenses. Ciao!