starbucks vs costa

just when i was getting cozy with my Costa latte, here comes Starbucks sending some free stuff through my door. it's very thoughtful actually. a booklet of coupons with 50p off my favorite starbucks drink for every single day of january. how is that for customer service?

it even came in a shiny, plastic card holder which i can use for calling cards or credit cards once the booklet is all used.

they have been sending me freebies eversince i got myself a Starbucks card in 2007. before, they have sent me sachets of coffee (see related entries) and coupons for free lattes.(see related entries) but i haven't actually used any of the coupons in the booklet yet because i am still enjoying my rendezvous with my current favorite creme brulee latte at Costa. i think Starbucks will have to do better than that because Costa is really giving them a run for their money. but having said that, i could actually use one of the coupons. i haven't had my Stabucks favorite mocha frap for the longest time.

BACK TO REGULAR PROGRAMMING

the holidays has kept me busy not to mention some little glitches at work thus the lack of posts lately. now that the holidays are behind us and i am now starting to move on(more on that in my future entries), i will try my best to regularly update this blog of mine, which i haven't done in the last 19 days to be exact. 

i have a lot of updating to do. the thing is, where do i start? i guess i will have to start with the recent holidays, what else? we had a wonderful christmas. ava is more aware of it now but not fully aware. she knows about santa but doesn't really get excited with a mere mention of him. at least, not yet. she likes the opening of gifts though and really love all of them, most especially the toys. speaking of gifts, i got my most wanted from my personal santa (hubby). i always wanted a matching necklace for my swarovski earrings that he got me from last christmas. a year after, i got the necklace. not bad. sometimes, it feels very rewarding when we wait for something and not just have it fall into our laps.

on the buying front, we did go to the sales on boxing day but didn't really get to buy anything. i thought i have been good but then, what i did online was a different thing. i bought something from Harrods.com. i ticked and paid for the goods but alas, 2 days after i received an email from them telling me that my orders are out of stock and i thought, isn't it supposedly reserved already once you have paid it online. they did send some apologies and offered a free delivery if ever i decide to get something else on the website. also, on new year's day i thought, we will stay home and not spend at all since apparently it's a good way to ring in the new year. i thought i've been good and realized i spent on my newfound website, Forever21.com on new year's day itself. but never mind. that would be my christmas gift to myself because i haven't really  bought anything for christmas.

image:goldfacedbetty.com

now, i'm just waiting for my order to arrive. how about  you?what have you done lately?

my best beauty buy:chanel vitalumiere

i always get asked every time i wear this foundation. the thing is, it gives me a very dewy complexion and at the same time, hides any skin blemishes.  matte foundations are so last season.  i've always hated it anyway. before, i just use body shops glow enhancer which i mix with my moisturizer. it did the trick though not as good as this one. no mixing needed. just a pea sized amount and it's enough for a good coverage. it is not very cheap this one  but with just a little amount needed, it might last over a year. another thing, it's got spf 15, so it protects your skin from sun damage. i would give this product  5 stars.

My Christmas Wish List

1.let me start with the cheapest item in my list, a cath kidston case for my blackberry. i already have a case but it's black and this one is red and merry, just like my red blackberry.(cathkidston.co.uk or visit bicester village)

2. a swarovski angelic pendant to match my earrings(swarovski.com or visit the shop in MK)

3. eversince a friend introduced me to Longchamp handbags, i never looked back. i used to buy inexpensive sometimes cheap handbags or sometimes, just because of the brand name and in less than i year, i get tired of them. they become out of style. with Longchamp, aside from its durability, it already is a classic design in itself. i also love the fact that it has a wipe clean material. it also is very spacious that i can fit my kitchen sink inside. i already have two, i want more in every color.besides, a girl can never have too many Longchamps.right,kate?(harrods.com)

4. chanel and dior cosmetics which i am obsessed with lately. most of the time, expensive equals to better quality but not all the time. but with these brands, it really is equal to very good quality.(boots.com)

5.Samsung Galaxy tab. i am not so sure why this one is on my list. i don't like touch pads that's why i opted for the blackberry instead of the iphone. it could only be that i want internet access on the go all the time. my blackberry actually has internet access all the time,WIFI even but then bigger screen is always better. why the tab instead of the ipad?because it's smaller that it fits in my small hand.

6.spa gift vouchers.i need to relax.need i say more?(champneys.com)

7.daphne chair.i have always been a fan. i admire her television work and her being ambassador for unicef. plus the fact that she juggles all of these by being a hands on mom to her 3 girls. i lusted for her daphne linens.now i want her chair.it will look good in our living room.only available in rustan's.an effecient santa would send it straight to england.

 8.the price is ridiculous for just a candle but they smell divine. that's why i wanted someone to give it to me. i could buy something else with my £40.(spaceNK.co.uk)


 images via:
letsgomobile.com
daphneosena.livejournal.com
perfumezilla.com
makeupandbeautyblog.com
kaboodle.com
fashionsolio.wordpress.com

What Christmas Is All About

I was surprised to see a nativity scene when we went to MK shopping mall last weekend. i mean, i don't usually see this during Christmas here in the UK since there are a lot of different religions around so it's best that they stay politically correct. but then, this is what Christmas is all about, the birth of Jesus, thus the "Christ" in Christmas.

Here, it's more commercialized. don't get me wrong, the spirit of giving (gift) is very much around but then it's  more about the christmas trees and tinsels and the snowmen and santa clauses. back home it's more about the midnight masses and the getting together and i'm talking about big ones like clan gatherings from grandparents,aunts,uncles,cousins. first degree, second degree, third degree cousins.your grandparents' cousins, your  parents' cousins. i could go on and on. it's mostly about celebration of Christ's birth and celebration of family and friendships. That's why people could go up to 5-10 christmas parties during the season.

the number of people here is just the tip of the iceberg.circa 1996?

circa 2009

Nobody dreads Christmas back home. Everybody loves Christmas and this is what i want Ava to grow up to. I want her to experience the wonderful christmasses i had, surrounded by loads of family where everyone is outside being merry and not inside tucked under the duvet.

Longchamp ambassador?

she loves her Longchamp...

and so do i...

and what do you know?...we have the same engagement ring as well.

well, obviously, mine is not worth £100,000. it was only P2,000 way back in year 2000. but i do have my prince, thank you.

image from cbs.com

Victoria's Secret fashion show 2010

Wen, 22, is the first woman of East Asian descent to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show according to style bistro.

probably my most awaited event of the year, second to the oscars...

images via firstpost.co.uk