Hi all,

One of my all time favorite blog posts or youtube videos that I love to watch are “favorite” videos. I love the excitement of wanting to try new things that others rave about, however it can get quite expensive sometimes when others’ “favorite things” accumulate up on my “To-Buy” list. But because I love these type of blog posts/videos so much, I wanted to share some one my own favorites with you guys.

I would have to say a lot of the things I buy, I like to use them for a good few months at a time, so a few of these things have been on my favorite list for quite some time now so that’s why I’m listing these as my “winter favorites”. Once you start reading, I added hyperlinks and so you can click on the name of my favorites listed and view/purchase if you want to.

1.) Ceramidin Liquid from Dr. Jart $39.00 @ Sephora (currently out of stock on line but I purchased in stores) – What it claims online: It helps prevent chronic water loss and seals in moisture to relieve dryness and irritated skin caused by environmental stress. It improves the appearance of fine lines, flakiness, and tightness, leaving skin looking and feeling healthier and smoother.

I have been trying to be more strict in my skin care routine and so while I was grabbing skin care samples to try at Sephora, I had asked the sales lady what she would recommend for dry spots on the face. I have combination acne prone skin (rather on the oily side however when I have dry spots, they are REALLY noticeable). So she recommended this for me and gave me a sample. I loved it so much I went to purchase the full size. I apply it on my face, leave it to soak through my skin for about 3-5 minutes, and then apply my moisturizer. I love this stuff so much; it’s going to be permanent in my skin care regimen.

2.) Prudent Advice for Every Woman by Jaime Morrison Curtis purchased from our local store Revival 23 (link to their IG page here ) $9.99 (also available on Amazon).

When I have “me time” I like to go into boutique shops and just browse in there. One of my favorite boutique shop in town is Revival 23 I love the fact that this local shop carries the best variety of books from cookbooks down to home makeover books. I happened to pick up this little orange book and could not stop reading it. So I purchased it and went my way home.

However once I opened it to start reading at home, guys….I’m not kidding you I was literally crying from reading the first few pages. Not too long ago I made an Instagram post about how prior to being a mother I did not fear death at all. Once I had June, my world changed and now the one thing I fear is death…..because well, if I die? Who will take care of my sweet child and love her the way I do?

I don’t know if this is a mom instinct or what it was but Jaime Morrison Curtis was spot on to how I felt. I initially purchased this book because I loved the few pages I read in the store but little did I know she wrote this book for her baby daughter.

On page 6 in her introduction she writes, “ It manifested itself as an almost obsessive fear that I would pass away, leaving my young child motherless, unintentionally yet unavoidably, abdicating the one true responsibility I had ever known – my duty to raise her”. So thank you Jaime for not making me feel like the only crazy mom who thinks this way but also validating the fact that this is a REAL fear once you become a mom. Anyways, the book is written to be easily read and it’s a book she writes for her daughter, for words to live by as a women.

3.) Cubic Zirconia Pendant Necklace $35 (free shipping) @ Nordstrom

I love simple jewelry. I started to follow this sweet and real nursing student online IG: @claracleaneats and this necklace stood out to me SO much every time she had a post wearing it. So glad she linked it because I purchased it and I love it so so so much. It goes with anything casual or formal and I’ve gotten a few compliments about it from strangers already.

4.) Physician’s Formula Eye Booster 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner Serum $ @ Target

You guys, this is THE BEST EYE LINER EVER. Not because of what it claims to do but it is sooo easy to apply the perfect liner, the application is the best. I posted the link for Target however you can also purchase at Ulta, the only reason I didn’t link Ulta is because all 4 Ultas in my town sell out every single time I go in to see if they have it in stock.

5.) The Sounders Pais Nyob Meskas $20 purchased at the Hmong New Year (can also purchase digital) https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/thesounders

Go ahead and make fun of me you guys but I have seriously been loving The Sounders. For those of you who are not Hmong may be wondering who they are, they’re a Hmong band that’s been famous since I was in elementary school (haha). I literally listen to this CD every time in the car. And I sing the lyrics and pretend I’m really good at speaking Hmong when I sing but we all know my Hmong speaking skills is 1.5/10.

5.) Nars Deep Throat $30 @ Sephora

This blush is my favorite blush of all time, not just in the winter. It gives me the perfect flush cheeks without making me look like a clown. I’ve hit pan and already need to repurchase another one.

Like I said, I love reading and watching other people’s favorite videos and so I hope you guys enjoyed this post.

Kay

I feel lucky enough that I have Tuesdays and Thursdays off to spend with my daughter. Those days off also allow me to get things done around the house. Since Spring is slowly creeping up and the weather has been great here in California, I figured it would be a good opportunity to start gardening out in my backyard.

When we first purchased our home (almost 2 years ago), the backyard was the steal of the show. The landscaping was nice, bushes and tree were well maintained, and flowers were blooming. When going through the final walk through of the house, the previous owner gave me some tips and tricks for maintaining the plants in the backyard….she looked at the bushes nearby the pool and said, “These are the easiest flower bushes to maintain, even if you never water them, they never die…” Well almost 2 years later, those flower bushes are dead.

I haven’t been the best homeowner. We pretty much let our backyard greens and bushes grow out of hand. So much to the point that the weeds were growing taller than myself. However that is a another post in itself. But I’ve been embarrassed to have guests over because my backyard looks like a jungle. Once we have the backyard to where I like it, I will share with you all the updates!

However I decided instead of jumping into a huge landscaping project. I decided to start small and start on my window succulent plantar (which also died on me since last year). I don’t claim to have a green thumb but I hope these new succulents will last me a few more years before they possibly die again.

However, mid way into planting. Daddy came home with a new BIG toy. A “sand box”. Does anyone else’s husband always buy their kids toys, all the time?

So, one project done, a few more big ones to go. Will update soon once the backyard is in process!

Kay