Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale Summer 2013

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale started in store Tuesday, June 11th.

Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale Winter 2013

January 2nd, this past Wednesday, Victoria's Secret started their semi-annual sale. I don't know how long the sale will go on for, but I thought I would post my haul.

I didn't buy much. I mostly bought cosmetics and one lotion. They also have bras and panties on sale.

I bought two Diamonds After Dark Eye Shadow Duo. This duo is Gold Fusion.

This is Opulent. They had another duo with silver and blue eyeshadows. I decided to pass on that one.

I bought one lipgloss from the same line, Diamonds After Dark, in Be Jeweled.

This is Sheer Lip Color Duo in Naughty and Nice. It looks darker in the picture. It's bright berry color and the lipgloss is definitely sheer. You can wear each piece alone or together.

The last thing I bought is Drenched In Pink in Wild & Breezy. If you liked anything or did not, check out your Victoria's Secret. They might have things mine didn't.

Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale

Please don't forget to enter my Senna Brow Shaper Duo Giveaway. It ends June 30, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST (Eastern time).

Even though my readers are not male, I want to wish you a Happy Father's Day!!! Go celebrate and show your love to your father. :)


On Tuesday, June 12th, Victoria's Secret started their semi-annual sale in stores. They have it twice a year in January and June I believe. It's always best to check it out the first day. It sells out quickly.

These are some of the things I bought. Yeah, it's not everything I bought. :X The other stuff are gifts.

I bought Mega Makeup Kit. They have 90 must-haves for lips, eyes, and face (64 eyeshadows, 8 lipsticks, 8 lipglosses, 3 blushes, 2 bronzers, 1 luminous powder, and 4 brushes). The packaging comes in black and silver. I bought the silver.

When you open the lid, it's the first layer of eyeshadows. They also have a mirror.

You pull the first layer to the sides and you see another layer of eyeshadows.

The layer after the eyeshadows are lipsticks and lipglosses. The final layer is blushes and brushes. I was not able to swatch the lip products and blushes, but the eyeshadows are extremely pigmented. I wasn't expecting that! I also love that the lip products are in their own layer. I hate when it's with the eyeshadows/blushes. The powder will fall into the lip products, and it just doesn't feel so clean. It might just be me though. :P The only bad thing is that once you apply the lip products, you cannot reapply unless you carry the whole heavy kit with you.

I bought another eyeshadow palette. I wasn't planning on buying it until the salesperson swatched the eyeshadows on me. I fell in love with the five colors on the left not including the purple.

I was extremely lucky with these blushes! I found the last three blushes and luckily they were different colors. I'm not too sure if I'm going to keep one or two, but I will have at least one as a giveaway. I just hope you guys will like them. :)

Finally, the lipstick. I actually was not going to buy this until I swatched it. It was gorgeous on my hands! :)

Wet n Wild Palette in We're Blasting Off, Masks, and Giveaway Winner for Victoria's Secret Eyeshadow

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my money except for the masks. They were given to me as gifts. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

If you're wondering about my blogroll, I had to take it down. One of the links had malware, but I wasn't too sure which one. For that reason, I have to redo my blogroll. If I don't add your blog quickly, I apologize. I will add as time goes on and it might take months. :X

A month ago my Rite-Aid had the Wet n Wild Dream Weaver collection. From that collection, I bought two trio eyeshadows.

Victoria's Secret Eyeshadow Giveaway and Aveeno Road to Healthy Skin Tour

I don't know if you remember my Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale Haul. I posted all the swatches except for one. The reason why I didn't post a swatch for that one is that I got an extra one for one of my readers!

Here's the picture of the eyeshadow, Baked Mineral Shadow Quad in Secluded Lagoon.

Here's how the palette looks open.

You cannot tell from the pictures of the palette alone, but it's huge! I compared it next to one of my MAC eyeshadows. I hope you can see the difference in size.

Here's the swatch of the eyeshadows from left to right. They're really pigmented and gorgeous in my opinion. Then again I can be biased since it's my typical colors. :P

I did two looks with this eyeshadow palette.

Look #1:

Here's how the eye looks open.

Here's how the eye looks semi-closed. I used all the colors in the palette.

Look #2:

Eyes open.

Semi-closed eyes.. I did not do a good job lining my eyes, but it's all good. :X

How to enter:

1. You must be a public follower of my blog with a Google username. PLEASE do not just follow for the giveaway and then once the giveaway is over, stop following. It's just not polite!!!

2. Open to all including international.

3. You must be 18 years or older. If you're younger than 18, please get your parent's permission.

4. The giveaway will end in three weeks, August 28, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST (Pacific time).

5. The winner will be drawn with a random number generator. You have 48 hours to contact me at aly_4realz (at) hotmail (dot) com or else a new winner will be chosen.

Questions and extra entries:

1. You must give me the Google Username that you are using to follow my blog.

2. If you follow my Facebook page, give me the username you are using to follow. (+1)

3. If you follow my Twitter, give me the username you are using to follow. (+1)

4. If you re-tweeted the giveaway on Twitter, give me the link. (+1)

5. If you added the giveaway on the side bar of your blog, give me the link. (+1)

6. If you added a post but is on a separate giveaway page, give me the link. (+1)

7. If you added a post and is on the main page, give me the link. (+2)

I'm going end with the Aveeno Road to Healthy Skin Tour that is happening this coming Wednesday, August 10th, and Thursday, August 11th, in Santa Monica.

Free Skin Cancer Screening Tour

How Five Minutes Can Save Your Life

WHO:                   The Road to Healthy Skin Tour Screenings conducted by board certified local dermatologists

WHAT:                 The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour, presented by AVEENO^® and Rite Aid, will be stopping by the area in the Tour’s 38-foot customized RV to offer free full body skin cancer screenings and the latest skin cancer information to the public. AVEENO^® sunscreen samples, coupons and complimentary copies of Fitness magazine are also distributed. Screenings are first come, first serve. Local dermatologists that have donated their time will be available for media interviews.  For more information, please visit www.SkinCancer.org/Tour.

WHY:                    Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed annually across the country. Skin cancer is also one of the most preventable and curable form of cancer if it is detected early. The goal of the tour is to save lives by detecting skin cancers early on, and educating the public about skin cancer prevention by means of sun protection and the need for prompt, effective treatment. 

LOCATION	DATE	TIME	DERMATOLOGIST
Santa Monica, CA Rite Aid #5490 2412 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405	Wednesday, Aug 10th	1:30 PM – 3:30 PM	Lisa Chipps, MD
		2:00 – 4:00 PM	Vicki Rapaport,MD
Santa Monica, CA Rite Aid #5488 1331 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90403	Thursday, Aug 11th	1:00 PM – 4:00 PM	Heather J Roberts, MD
		2:00 PM – 4:00 PM	Daniel Behroozan, MD

I will not be attending since I have to work. If you're around the area or can get off work, I really recommend this! You will really benefit from this screening. It's amazing what you will learn. :)

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my money. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale Haul

I cannot remember, but I believe it was in June when they had the Victoria's Secret Semi Annual Sale *sigh*. :X I went right after work on the first day, and hot dang it was crowded.

Here's my beauty haul. I actually bought some more but I'll be giving them away as gifts. ;)

I'll start with my Beauty Rush...

I bought two eyeshadows from this line. Even though this line isn't discontinued, the colors are. I got Glow Gold and Green Goddess.

Here is the swatch of the colors. Glow Gold on the left and Green Goddess on the right.

I also got a lipstick in this line in Grape Fruity. It seems like this line is discontinued, but I'm not 100% sure.

Here's a swatch of the lipstick. It's a light, sheer color.

Now for the Minerals...

I got one lipgloss in Untamed. It's a discontinued product.

Here's a swatch of the lipgloss. It's such a pretty, not my typical color. I still like it though! :)

The last collection is the Baked Mineral...

The first thing I got is the Shadow Quad in Secluded Lagoon. I won't be showing a swatch of the colors for a reason. ;)

The second thing from this line is the Bronzing Powder in Sun Goddess. Unfortunately, everything is discontinued in this line. I have no clue why since the packaging is adorable, as well as, huge. This is the only one I found. If I found another Bronzing Powder, I would have given away as a prize. :/

Here's a swatch of the bronzing powder.

The last thing from this line I got is Luminous Cheek & Face Highlighter. Oh mi goodness the marbleized is gorgeous! I think I fell more in love with that than the color itself. :X

Here's a swatch of the cheek highlighter.

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post are bought with my own money unless otherwise stated. I am not affiliated with any company nor getting paid to advertise any products. This post is written with my honest opinion.

Tuna Rice Balls and Finished Products

Disclaimer: The product mentioned in this post is bought with my money except Victoria's Secret. I am not affiliated with the company nor getting paid to advertise the product. This post is written with my honest opinion.

I made two different version of tuna rice balls... hehe~ You can also check out my other Korean cooking recipes I have posted.

If you need some guidance with the ingredients, you can check out my Korean Cooking 101. ;)

Ingredients:
can of tuna
olive oil
chopped garlic
soy sauce
brown sugar
sesame oil
black pepper
sesame seeds
cucumber
mayonnaise
dried seaweed

Step 1:

Abalone Porridge (jeon-bak juk)

The past two days I've been working on this new layout. I got the layout from Blogger Templates and had to re-add all the side profiles. I don't know how you bloggers do it in such a short time. I know I'm html illiterate... lol~ :X Please be patient I'll eventually add all the blog links into the blog roll... hehe~ I wanted a new layout with the start of the new year. I think the layout is pretty!... wheee~ :)

I wanted to post a recipe during this winter weather. I think this is a good one... hehe~

If you need some guidance with the ingredients, you can check my Korean Cooking 101. ;)

Ingredients:
1 c. rice
water
2-3 abalone
1-2 carrots
1-2 tbsp. sesame oil
chopped garlic
7-9 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. fish sauce
dried seaweed
chopped green onion

Step 1:

Korean Pancake Version 3 (gamja jeon)

I recently learned how to make this, and I think it came out great in my opinion! :) I hope you like it as much as I did, as well as, my dad... hehe~

If you need some guidance with the ingredients, you can check my Korean Cooking 101. ;)

Ingredients:
1/2 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 crab meat
squash
2 large potatoes
olive oil or any oil
soy sauce
garlic salt
green onion
red pepper powder

Step 1:
You will need to have the ingredients (flour, salt, crab meat, and squash) ready before you start cooking or mostly the flour and salt. You will find out why in later steps. ;)

Step 2:
Peel the potatoes and then grate them as quickly as possible!!! The reason why is, because it will turn brown and then dark brown... eek~ You want it to turn less brown as possible!!! :X Once you grated the potatoes, toss in the salt and flour. The flour will help the potatoes to not turn brown!!! For that reason, you need the ingredients ready. ;)

I know in Korea they take out the juice out of the grated potato, but I noticed you don't need too. Plus you don't have the time to take out the juice... hehe~ :X

The picture above is the potatoes with the salt and flour already mixed in.

I used this to grate the potatoes.
In a frying pan, put olive oil or any oil to use to fry the pancake. Scoop a little and spread it around with a spoon. I topped the top with sliced crab meat and squash. Cook until both sides are brown.
Now you can eat with soy sauce mixture. In the soy sauce, I added garlic salt, chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and red pepper powder. I usually don't add water but the soy sauce I used was dark, therefore, I added water to dilute the mixture.


This week I picked up some items, haul, for myself. I need to stop buying hair accessories but I couldn't resist this one.
I think it's so cute!!! :)
I also saw this watch and I fell in love. I don't know how the quality is at Forever 21 but the band is so cute. I have never seen a silver band before... hehe~

Then I stopped by Victoria's Secret to get my free gift, a vinyl tote.
It's worth $19.50 and you get it for free... score~ You need to sign up at VSPink (click here to sign up) and then print out the coupon. On the bottom, you need to cut out the free gift coupon which is the tote. I would take the whole sheet just in case they want to see the name. It expires end of March! ;)

I hope you get a better salesperson than I did... lol~ I believe they have three different totes, but the person I had just picked one up. She wouldn't let me choose even though they were all there together *sigh*. Rude salesperson... ish~ :X

Soy Bean Paste Soup (dwenjang gook) and Some Goodies I Picked Up Today

I make this soup often, because its simple and my dad loves it... hehe~ I hope you guys like it as much as him! :)

If you need some guidance with the ingredients, you can check my Korean Cooking 101. ;)

Ingredients:
water
3-5 anchovies
2 dashima/dried seaweed
1 potato
chopped garlic
1/4 Chinese cabbage
soy bean paste
red pepper paste
seafood mix
1/2 firm tofu
squash
chopped green onions

Serving: 4-6

Step 1:
Grab a pot and add water, anchovies, and dashima. Cook the broth for about 15 to 30 minutes depending on you.

Step 2:
I usually take out the anchovies and dashima, before I throw things into the broth. Unfortunately, this time around I didn't cook the broth as long as its suppose to be *sigh*. Towards the end of the broth, I just threw in the potatoes. :X
After 20 minutes of cooking the broth, I took out the anchovies and dashima (depending on the person you might use this at the end of the recipe). I left the chopped potatoes, and threw in chopped garlic and Chinese cabbage.
I added 2 spoonful of soy bean paste and 1 spoonful of red pepper paste. You don't have to add the red pepper paste, but I do to add some spice to the soup... hehe~
I added seafood mix.
I added firm tofu.
I added squash and let it cook for 5 minutes. At the end, taste the soup to fit to your taste bud. If you need more soy bean paste, add a little bit more. Top of the soup with chopped green onions, as well as, the cut dashima you used for the broth.
Now you can eat with rice and kimchi! :)


Yesterday, I got a postcard from Napoleon Perdis. I must have signed up for something, but I can't recall... hehe~ :X So today I went to the nearest Napoleon Perdis store to pick up my freebie... whee~
They gave me this cute bag! How cute is the packaging and the bag!?!?
The postcard said I get a free Protege Lipgloss worth $25, but didn't expect samples. The salesperson included three samples I didn't know until I came home. How nice was she!?!? :) I got pre-foundation skin primer, foundation, and eye spy eye cream and primer samples.

The back of the lipgloss it says "This limited edition mint-flavored lip gloss is the secret to lustrous lip 24/7. A built-in mirror ensures ease of application, while Bees Wax nourishes and protects your pout. Results: Lips are left super-shiny." I tried it on as soon as I got home, and its a pretty color. It doesn't look orange on me as it does in the tube. It's a very natural nude-ish pink color, and it doesn't sting my lips... woo hoo~ I can feel the mint for 5 minutes max but not to the point of pain. :X

Since I was at the mall, I decided to get my free lotion from Victoria's Secret.
It's a 1 oz. body lotion. You can print your own coupon here. Remember Monday, March 2nd is the last day to get this lotion. ;)

Then I stopped by H&M and bought myself some hair accessories... wheee~
I bought hair pins and hair bands. I also picked up the free magazine.

To end the shopping trip, I stopped by MAC store.
I asked them if they were giving out free Hello Kitty bags since they didn't give me one the last time I bought some Hello Kitty stuff (click here to see my last haul on Hello Kitty MAC products). The salesperson said she would give me one for free. How nice was she!?!? Of course I ended up buying something though. :X I bought Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in Pink Fish.