Thank you NYC Colors and Rimmel!

This is a long overdue thank you post for the NYC Colors makeup and lip gloss and Rimmel mascara I received from these 2 brands through the Influenster network. Thank you very much for sending me those fancy makeups which I have added to my cosmetics to use.

I love that they took the time to show their appreciation to the bloggers who really fared well during the campaign they had in Influenster few months ago (Jolly Vox Box). I’m glad I made the cut because their brands are worth promoting!

Thank you and more success!

Unboxing my JollyVoxBox from Influenster

I received my JollyVoxBox from Influenster recently. The box came after the holidays but I don't mind because I love what's inside the JollyVoxBox!

This is the 2nd box I received from Influenster. I am still amazed by the generosity of the brand sponsors to give out samples to their clients. I am glad to be included in this campaign as I love what I received.

The JollyVoxBox contains the following items from famous brands:

NYC New York Color HD Color Trio Eye Shadow for $2.99
This eye shadow has high intensity color and has a smooth/silky finish which I really love! It's really great for those smoky eye effect.

Puffs Ultra Soft and Strong To Go Tissue Pack for $0.49/single pack
I love this tissue a lot! It's the first time I hvae used something so smooth but strong as well. It's great for my travels and I have it with me since then.

Rimmel London New Show Off Lip Lacquer for $5.49-$5.99
I'm not sure whether this is a lipgloss or a liquid lipstick or both. I love the shimmery effect nonetheless! The color I got was the Stargazer. It has the unique earthy tone and that nice shine and shimmer without making my lips look and feel thick.

Skinny Cow Candy/Chocolate for $3.99/box
At first bite, it tasted like Reese's but this is a milder version when it comes to sweetness. It's the right chocolatey goodness without feeling guilty because it is around 110 to 130 calories per pack only. The box has 6 pouches containing each 3 pieces of this Skinny Cow Chocolate/Candy goodness!

Ducklings - Mini Rolls of Duck Brand Duct Tape for $2-$3 per roll
This is the last one I opened from the pack. It' so cute and it's so duct tape! I love the funky splash of color designs on the mini-roll I got. So, I used it to my sticky pad as a pen holder. It's great for frames and other art projects you have in mind that can use a little creativity and splash of color. Since it is a duct tape, we all know how strong the adhesive is so it'll be great for repair as well, not just crafting.


Thank to Influenster for this wonderful JollyVoxBox. Thanks to Rimmel, NYC, Duck Tape, Puffs and Skinny Cow for all these products you have shared!


I am very thrilled with the goodies inside! I can't wait for the next VoxBox campaign!


Disclosure:

I received all products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Find New York Activities In Vimbly.com

I love NYC! I can say and I can wear that on my clothes with pride. New York City is such a beautiful place to visit. There are plenty of reasons why one should put NYC on top of their bucket list. Aside from the beautiful sceneries around, the green Central Park, famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the iconic Empire State building, the captivating art museums and galleries, and the eclectic taste of food around the city, NYC has a lot more to offer than sightseeing and food-tasting. And that is FUN, FUN and loads of fun activities to do while in New York.

Thanks to Vimbly.com for bringing together a comprehensive list of activities of various business like wine tasting, pizza making, introduction to cigars, cooking and many more. You can also search for classes, exercise group sessions, stand up shows, live music shows and improvs.  I browsed through the numerous activities and classes listed in Vimbly.com a while ago.  I found so many activities that piked my family's interest. I am keen about the drawing class held at MET (and I am sure my daughter will love that too!) and the pizza-making class at Brick Oven. My husband prefers the wine tasting, of course.

Vimbly.com presented the list in a very organized manner with the option to filter your search according to the price and availability per day of the week and time. It is like looking at a class roster only it is interactive with an easy to understand interface.

And did I mention the costs of the classes, shows and other activities? Well, I'm surprised how some of them are offered for a mere $5! Now, that's super bargain for an experience that is worth the time and money.

I definitely recommend this site to the locals and visitors of NYC. It is great to have this site bookmarked in your faves for a quick access to what's available when you plan to visit. And if you're a New Yorker already, then you must have this saved in your smart phone, tablets, PC or anywhere you can access it like a breeze.

I have bookmarked the Vimbly.com already and you should too!

It's So Cold Here

I think I don't like to come here in the US during winter or post winter time. It is supposed to be spring already but the weather is like winter.

We are bracing ourselves to the colder temperature in Buffalo, New York later on. Today's weather forecast in NY is around 15 degrees Celsius but I am not sure if it's April Fool's Day or what but the forecast for April 1 and 2 in Niagara Falls, NY is around 4 degrees Celsius as the highest and 0 to -4 as the lowest with snow. I keep checking on the weather, maybe it will still change but no luck.

Screen shot from Accuweather.com

Much as we are all excited to see snow, we're more eager to see the blooms of spring. Anyway, snow or not, Niagara, here we come!

Not Quite Up And About

It's been more than a week since we got back from our eventful NYC vacation at the height of Hurricane Sandy. I'm still reeling and the jet lag is kicking in big time. BUT, I am missing NYC already.

Call me crazy but I love the place so much I just can't get enough of it, hurricane and all. I just hoped the natural calamity didn't happen while we were there because I was looking forward to enjoy that getaway.

I learned a valuable lesson here. Next time we travel, I will certainly make sure that I check the weather  forecast around the place, in the nearby states and even from nearby countries before we go. I have not fully recovered from scary experience but really thankful that we are all safe. I feel so bad for those who have lost their properties and loved ones. This whole thing only proved that nobody can mess with Mother Nature.

This Blogger Is On Blog Leave

Every blogger needs a break from the blog scene and I am taking my blog leave from October 25 to 31, 2012!

Last time I went on a blog leave was last July and even then, it was a short break too just like now but it was something my mind begged so I could recharge and enjoy my time with my daughter. This time it's the whole family.

We are visting some relatives again in New York and we just love that place! The weather is cool and inviting, there are lots of goodies on sale and the autumn foliage is starting to show its wonderful hues. Besides those wonderful stuff, I kind of miss Shake Shack and Century 21!

So, if I will comment and visit your blogs on Nov.

Cold Weather Gear

We have trip in the offing by the end of this month, just in time for the long Eid holidays. And guess where we are going again? New York! Yes, it is our all time favorite place to go to during holidays just because everything is accessible and we have family and friends there. It's just so much fun to visit a place when you know people who live there.

The weather there now is getting cooler. We have to keep our warm clothing ready. I may have to buy new winter clothing just like the north face womens jackets I saw in the internet. My winter clothes are getting very outdated and I feel it is time to update them too.

I hope to find great offers there so I can buy some nice winter clothes for myself and family. Who knows, the new winter gears may come in very handy when we push through our Europe tour next year.

Fabulous Shopping Spree in NYC

I cannot get over gushing over NYC. So pardon me dear readers because I just love it there. If only we can live there for good, why not? However, our life is back home so I guess, allow me to just swoon over NYC.

My husband and I have so much fun every time we visit the place. This time, it was just the two of us. Our daughter didn't feel like traveling. Anyway, I have never seen my husband so enthusiastic about shopping in New York.

We went to Duane Reade several times to buy some groceries and stuff to bring home. He even checked the pharmacy area and asked me if he could buy testosterone supplements or the protein shakes. I asked him if he was even working out and wondered "do testosterone supplements work?" He paused and put the jar of supplements and the protein shake can back on the shelf and took other stuff instead like vitamins for our daughter, fish oil capsules for both of us and other vitamins and supplements for our parents back home.   I bought Bengay for my aching legs and feet due to all the walking we were doing there. I also bought my goodies in Duane Reade because everything I wanted to bring home was there. So why go all the way to Walgreens to buy stuff when Duane Reade was just around the corner where we stayed?

We also went to TJ Maxx and Century 21. I had a blast in Century 21. That place saved us the time and hassle of going to New Jersey where Jersey Gardens is. We bought whatever we could in Century 21 near Ground Zero. I bought so many designer bags and wallets. I also bought clothes for my daughter, nephews and nieces. I bought watches like Kenneth Cole and Unlisted for my husband and brother. My husband had plenty of loots as well. And you think only girls go crazy when shopping! He had more stuff in his cart than mine, so who is the shopaholic now?

The shopping didn't end there. He had to go back to TJ Maxx to pick up more stuff for his family and went to NBA store on the last day of our stay in NYC. I forgot to mention, we also went to the souvenir shops near our hotel to pick up some trinkets to bring home for our friends and colleagues. The whole shopping experience in NYC was marvelous. I am used to shopping in outlet malls whenever we are in the US but knowing there are good finds within Manhattan in NYC will definitely save us time and money. We don't have to go to Woodbury Commons which is another premium outlet in New York. If we are buying branded and designer items then we may consider visiting the other outlet malls nearby but I guess, TJ Maxx and Century 21 are enough and what we need to buy is right there anyway.

My Daughter's Christmas Loads!

My daughter might find being a solo child advantageous especially on seasons like this - Christmas. Why you might ask? Well, she gets all the presents, that is why!

Her line of Christmas gifts came from her wonderful Papa (who happens to be my wonderful husband too...hehehehe) this year. They all came early though because part of them were rewards for being in the top 10 of her class.

For a young girl of her age to have so much is such a blessing. We try our very best to give her the best of life, as long as we can afford it. She also has disappointments but I know it's just a few because she got what she wanted for Christmas 2010.

Here are the rundown of her gifts (and what she requested!):

1. Converse - Her papa bought her during our trip to the US. We went to Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall in New Jersey on a side trip while enjoying a brief break from touring NYC!

2. Watch (any kind of watch) - Got her an inexpensive watch with dazzling gems on the clock face! Color - Purple!!!

3. Leather sneakers - Another shoes! Got it from the Dubai Outlet Mall and it looked like Converse but it's made in Germany ;) Very cheap but it's leather!!! Color - Purple again!!! I asked her if I can borrow it ;)

4. Trip to the US - Okay, this was a collective "like" from the family! My husband organized the trip on last minute although my daughter and I were hinting of having a week-long holiday break in NYC! So, off we went to New York last November 12 - 16.

5. New gadget! Her very own netbook. - Again, courtesy of my husband. We keep bickering who's going to use my laptop so to end the squabble, she got her own netbook. Of course, we only let her use it every weekend.

Well, she can't ask for more! We asked her already what she wanted for next year. I know it's too early but the earlier we know, the sooner we can save for it, right? TOKYO!!! Hmmmmm... Tokyo is a very expensive place to visit. Let's see. If she gives us great marks in school, her papa and I might consider.

Bath and Body Works In Dubai

I have waited for so long for this favorite store of mine to open here in Dubai. Finally, last week of October, the first Dubai branch of the famous ultra-pampering scent store has opened its doors here.

I first encountered this brand when a friend gave me a lotion as a gift 2 years ago. Prior to my fascination with Bath and Body Works stuff, I was totally into Victoria's Secret and would order online to get my loot. I am glad that the favorite stuff I used to get from the outlet malls in the US are now available to the Dubai market.

I just bought some bacterial soap from Jersey Gardens last November 14 while vacationing in New York. Thank goodness I recalled that there is a Bath and Body Works shop here so I just bought the  promotional items there.

I haven't visited the place yet. I may check it out these weekend to compare prices. I am sure it will be slightly higher because of the mark-ups but it is okay. At least I don't have to cross the Atlantic Ocean just to get my favorite scented lotions and body mists.

What would they open next here in Dubai? Victoria's Secret perhaps? They already opened Gap, Banana Republic, Aeropostale, American Outfitters, Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel. I hope they'll consider opening the Middle East market to more great American retail stores across the sea.

A Surprise in the Mail

Gone are the days when people wait for the mailman to deliver something special from the post. I remember when I was a kid; I always waited for the mailman to deliver some letters from relatives and friends from far away land. I would wait with bated breath on the arrival of some great news and goodies through the snail mail. However, times have changed drastically. Most people don't send stuff anymore. They email or chat but never write the old school way.

Well, today is different. Just when I thought that the snail mail is going extinct; I received a very pleasant surprise from the mail and it was from my dear friend in NYC!

DN sent me a hand-stitched picture of a little girl flying a kite with a quotation. It is so beautiful. I showed it to my colleagues when I opened the parcel. They loved it and I loved it more!!! I was gushing like the little girl I used to be waiting for something good in the mail. She also enclosed a card with a very touching caption. 

I am really thankful for the gift of friendship and to know the fact that we have never met in person yet and we both feel the connection. We are like kindred spirits, sisters from different mothers, great pals of long ago and yet, we only met through Facebook.

Thanks DN! I am so happy and very touched by your generosity. I told you before, you didn't have to bother with anything. Your friendship alone is a great gift in itself. You are a wonderful person!

To Travel Soon

I was supposed to go to San Francisco with my hubby and daughter today for the long Eid holidays but due to lack of time and not to mention funds and leave credits; I had to bail out.

I just dropped my hubby to the airport an hour ago for his flight and I really, really wanted to go. Sometimes I ask myself, why I am always stuck here when I can go? The answer always boils down to lack of leave credits. I wish I had many!

One might wonder why at this time of recession, we can still have the opportunity to travel. Answer to that is because we get discount airfare being airline staff. We only pay minimal fee for the ticket price. Also, we get rebate tickets from other airlines and avail of their cheap flights too.

There is a downside to being a staff too. We get very low priority in check-in because of our ticket cost. Most of the time, we even get bumped-off in preference to a paying customer. Well, I have had my share of bump-offs and I am certainly used to it.

Working in the airline industry is probably the best for people who is on the go and likes to see the world like we do. We get many travel advisory from other countries and offers on various destinations guide. We may not be paid well as compared to other companies but combining all the free and discounted ticket fares and special airline staff rates on most destinations and hotels, I think it is really worth it!

So, I may just travel again this January to New York. I have always dreamed of seeing snow so that time will be the best time to travel during the cold season. Anyway, I love cold weather! Big Apple, here I come!