January Haul- Michael Kors, MAC, Sephora, and Roots

I haven't posted in a long time!!! Almost the end of January! Lots have happened and since my workload changed from nights to days, its REALLY hard for me to blog as often as I use too! However, today I have some spare time before I hit the bed so I wanted to be a little productive! I went major shopping on Saturday (24th) since I needed ALOT of stuff and wanted to get gift shopping out of the way. Lets get started!

MICHAEL KORS: 

I'll talk about MK first since for the other stuff I bought it kind of gives it away XD! So my one and only Queen aka my MOM, has an obsession with MK just like I do! Therefore, I decided to pick up a "little" gift for her to show off both here and when she goes on vacation!

When we entered MK and looked at the options, I decided to choose what would be best and different from the previous bags I've bought my mom. Me and my Mom BOTH have 4 MK bags each (or 8 in total). All of my Mom's are Hamilton Tote version with the lock in front while I have 2 Hamilton's tote, 1 Gold Stud Tote and one Selma. This is why my main focus was to get my mom something DIFFERENT!

I ended up getting my mom the Michael Kors Camden Large Metallic Leather Drawstring Shoulder Bag in GOLD! My mom is IN LOVE with Gold THUS it only made sense. Price: $400

NOW, the good part was the amount of money I saved thanks to the 20% promotion going on (it was the last day!!) which if I bought a regular handbag and a cross-body I would get 20% on the whole purchase! So I got a little something for myself hehehe <3 Original Price: $135

MAC & SEPHORA:

I decided to do a little makeup shopping for a number of reasons. It being the new year, one of my resolutions was to love myself more and present myself better in society than my usual Root sweats, sweater weather look I usually pull off ALL THE TIME! Of course, when I'm going to work, I will wear my sweats proudly, but on my days off and special occasion I want to look a more mature and sophisticated. Therefore, some lipstick and eyeshadow was in order!!!

MAC "Prowl" Lipstick:
   I actually didn't buy this lipstick, my lovely friend Stefany, who is a MAC addict (for many good reasons) gave this to me!! I really wanted a dark red lipstick for more casual events or a nice date night. This shade is perfect, with a hint of sparkle which will look marvelous at a club or lounge. Excited to use it but I'll reserve it for now.

VivaGlam Miley Cyrus Lipstick:
  Moment, I saw this on Facebook advertisement, I WAS SOLD! I'm still new to MAC or makeup in general but this color IS PERFECT on so many levels! I've wanted a pink lipstick but many of them are either WAY to pink or the hue is just strange. However, this nice hot pink is a nice blend! When I applied it, I was really impressed. For a night out, it really gives a soft look and isn't TOO bright as you may think simply by looking at it. However, if you wear it during the day, its transitions to its hot pink beauty! The Lip gloss is a good combination with the lipstick, giving off a nice add of sparkle which looks marvelous in sunlight (or any light to be honest). Let me also mention, you can use them in combination or separate which will give you different looks as well. Independently or Combined, you will look Flawless.  

I went out to a night event with my best friend and this lipstick AND lipgloss did justice. It's been talked by many makeup guru's on instagram already and no one seems disappointed, including myself. It life span is much longer than other lipstick brands and if I hadn't had chicken wings, probably would have lasted me a few hours. The best thing about this purchase, is all funds will go towards individuals living with AIDS/HIV so at least this purchase was towards a good cause.

Really close up with the top half complete, bottom lip work in progress :P

Lipstick completed my look for my dinner with my bestie <3~

Urban Decay "VICE" Eyeshadow Palette:

 I LOVE EYESHADOW!

 It looks amazing on my complexion and really brightens me up regardless of the event. I've normally used drug store eyeshadow for a very long time but today I decided, No I want a nice eyeshadow palette that has a variety of colors esp for more neutral and "classy" looks. So my ORIGINAL plan was to get Urban Decay NAKED palette (between 1,2 and 3). However, when at Sephora in the UD section I stumbled upon this beauty.

NAKED of course is a really good palette and very popular for neutral classy looks but due to my skin color and my personality being more of a "bright" color individual, I wanted to spend my money on something that I can use for pretty much any occasion. So this palette fit that category! 

Variety of Colors to choose from

When you first open the box, the palette actually comes in a really nice cover to protect the mirror type surface, which I haven't seen with other palettes. I was already impressed with such a discovery.  The outside is very nice and shiny.

When I opened the palette, the range of shades and thought of the endless combinations that could be created, it literally made me smile and rejoice.

Also, would love to stress out the price! For UD NAKED (any type) or UD Electric palette both cost about $58-69 before tax. So lets just say $70 dollars worth. They come with less range of colors, and are much smaller portion. However, with UD VICE palette, this lovely piece with 20 different shades is $70 dollars. Was totally worth the purchase. I'm excited to try it but I'm saving it for later on in the year for more sophisticated looks and events.

ROOTS:

Finally, Got me a pair of sweats (I ended up going back and buying yet ANOTHER pair in pure black since the material is different and when you got thighss.....they dont go well together).

Anyways, THATS IT! Thats all I bought in January. I told myself I would save money but when the opportunity appears, you just live life and grab it. Hopefully, next month I wont spend "too" much money hehe.

Missed All My Bloggers <3 Thanks for Reading

Till Next Time...

Yumoyori <3~

Spring Rolls (春卷) Asian Cuisine Review

On Thursday, I got to go to Spring Rolls with my close friend Noah! I haven't been to spring rolls since I was 16 when I attended a staff christmas party (I use to work at Canadian Tire). So that was about 7 years ago. So this is my review on the experience/food.

We went to Spring Roll fairview location to dine in around 230pm. The arrangement was the same as 7 years ago (even though at that event it was at night around 12am). It still had its elegant and classy look to it but I wish they had added more colour or at least change it up a bit? Spring rolls is known for their various location being very different or as they state " uniquely and stylish" decor.

Floral arrangements are on point, colour is implemented well
and overall outlook portrays a classy, elegant look

So basically every Spring rolls will be designed differently and I guess location is a big part of it. I think if this location was in the downtown area, they would have to change the overall interior look occasionally for events due to a more "higher class" population being downtown. Though I love to stress the difference in classes (aka rich and the poor) in many of these reviews, not to say going to such locations make you "rich or poor" but due to the demographics and economy in each area, I can say that people who are more in the middle/high class rather go to malls like Yorkdale or Sherway Gardens, compared to Fairview which I feel isn't a really "high end" mall (maybe ill do a review on malls one day).

We were serviced very quickly and sat down to order. I remember Spring rolls being a bit more expensive than other restaurants (which for the quality of food and everything being fresh would make sense) and that night i had spent around 60 bucks (Ate Korean steak dish, had 3 strawberry daiquiri's and I honestly don't remember if I got dessert...I feel the alcohol was what hitched the price). The Menu was different from what I recall, so I assumed it was the Lunch menu so their was not as many options compared to dinner which was more like a book type menu with many wine options and main course choices.

Now to what we ordered:
Appetizers: 

Chicken Vegetable Japanese Gyoza 

     -> Pan fried dumplings served with soy-ginger sesame sauce - $4.99

Dim Sum

    -> HarGow Steamed Shrimp Dumplings- chopped pieces of shrimp filled with translucent, wheat starch & cornstarch based pouch- $3.99

   -> Shumai- open faced dumplings filled with ground shrimp, pork and garnished with red dot of dyed scrambled egg - $3.99

Japanese (Signature Rolls) 
->  Deluxe Dragon Roll

Tempura shrimp, crab meat, salmon, tuna, butterfish, cucumber, tobiko, avocado and mayonnaise- $11.99

->  Submarine Roll

                             

Unagi, avocado and tobiko topped with fresh salmon and edible gold flakes $13.99

The total cost for the food was about $40 dollars. Adding Noah drink and tip the total cost was around $50 dollars, which in my personal opinion is pretty pricey for lunch. However, as I stated earlier, for the quality of food the price is nothing of significance.

The food was really good! I was impressed. The taste was different from the average sushi you have at all you can eat restaurants and as seen in the pictures, time and effort was implemented on both the making and organization of the sushi on the plate (kinda like a master piece or work of art). Overall, I was very impressed. While we were finishing up, a group of 5-6 people came in and was seated. They looked at the menu for 3 minutes and soon were up and out the door. Not to say they couldn't afford the food but I got the feeling it was too expensive for their budget. Was an expensive lunch (Thank you Noah <3) but was defiantly worth the price.

Experience = 9/10
    -> It took some time for the food to come to our table which indeed is evident from the time it      
        takes to organize such works of art but could have been better due to the fact it wasn't busy.    
        Only shows that if it was dinner, we may have waited longer

Food =10/10
  -> No complaints in that department. Fresh and Tasted amazing, nothing more to it.

Yumoyori <3~

Starbucks: Pumpkin Spice Awesomeness

Today I decided to talk about Starbucks popular October drink, Pumpkin Spice Latte!

To be honest, Ive only recently started going to Starbucks on a "general" basis. Ive always considered Starbucks very high class or "rich" type luxury that is directed to very successful, rich, individuals who either have a good steady career, job, business or their just rich?

This can easily be justified since many of their drinks are more than $3-4 dollars for the smallest size (TALL). However, though they truthful are more expensive and much more looked upon compared to competitors such as Tim Hortons (more for the general/poor population in some people minds, since you can get a drink as low as a $1.50), Second Cup, Coffee time etc, I believe they have good reason to be.

I actually really like Starbucks. There are many benefits in being a loyal customer and going there on a regular basis. Before I go into a detailed review on those benefits, lets just review the overall environment.

Starbucks is very inviting. Compared to other coffee and overall general fast food or coffee chains, Starbucks is more on the classy side. From all the main Starbucks I have visited, even if it was for a few minutes, I haven't had to worry about loud teenagers talking or giggling, immature people sitting and talking and have not yet had a bad experience with customer service. The environment is elegant, especially within the more "high class" areas. Most times during the day its quiet (besides from the blender roaring away). Usually people are doing school work, business related assignments, online blogging or to just there to have some relaxation time. Summer time is also fun when the patio is open and talking with a good group of friends or planning for future vacations or investments are always fun.

When I bought my Pandora bracelet, the employee told me about her sister who had went to Starbucks every single day, either after school or on her days off to find a boyfriend. She went so often that they eventually hired her part time. Eventually, she went from zero boyfriend, to 4 candidates. I guess Starbucks is a good place to meet that "special someone"

Now for the benefits of Starbucks that I love and of course why I like pumpkin spice during the October season.

1. Loyalty Card/Rewards Program: This is one of the major perks I love and is a reason why many people go to Starbucks. I bought this card this summer and started the reward program. You collect 5 starts to be green and need 30 stars to be Gold. Once you get the Gold card (which has your name) you get to collect more stars for free drinks (12 star- 1 free drink @ any size!!), get exclusive deals and specials, and once you reach another 30 stars it renews your Gold Card for another year. So if you go to Starbucks on the regular, your pretty much set. Pretty Nice compared to other places where you have to signup for a credit card before getting points/deals ex.Tim hortons.
2. Low Fat/Non Fat or Variety of combinations for Weight Loss: One thing about being on diets or trying to lose weight is having to cut off the sugary stuff which usually includes luxury drinks like these. However, thanks to Starbucks having MANY option, from choices of  what type of milk, whip cream and flavouring shots, you can make your drink low in calories and be more on the healthy side. Pretty nice to lose weight and still enjoy the luxury of a nice vanilla bean latte.

3. Customer Service: Finally, Starbucks really tries their best with pleasing there customers. I for one have no patience in that department cause some people are damn right stuck up and Starbucks is were you meet at least 10/day. One negative of being a shop that services successful range of individuals who are high on the hierarchy is dealing with VERY specific, annoying, you better get my drink right or Im contacting your HR customers. When I worked at Cineplex we got those type of people all the time. Example:

 I want my drink extra extra hot, with 2 shots of vanilla, half a shot of mint no sugar added, with non fat milk, no foam and Splenda must be put in the milk and steamed...

^ Yes that has actually been requested before.... Don't go to cineplex and expect that "kind" of service

Anyways, going back to Pumpkin Spice, I can defiantly understand its popularity. If made correctly, the flavour is just a perfect amount, blended well with the foam and whip cream, and at a really good temperature that really puts you in the October mood. Having it today with Starbucks Bountiful Blueberry Muffin, egg and bacon really lightened my mood of "Grumpy" Nurse who finished her Night shift. 

Anyways, thats my opinion of my Starbucks experience so far. Summer bring my favourite Mocha Cookie Crumble Frap and now Fall is my Pumpkin Spice Latte. Im not very familiar with Christmas drinks but I will defiantly be trying them this year. 

Till Next time <3 

Yumoyori <3~

Nintendo 3DS XL- Smash Bros Edition & Pokemon X Review

Since I wasn't able to get my Goose or Moose knuckle (Moment of silence......) I decided to move on to the next item on my list of "stuff I want" which was a 3DS XL console. 

I have always wanted one in the past but with Nursing and studying for the licence exam, I knew I would never have time to play. Now that I have a career, I figured this would keep me company during my night shifts where I cant use my computer and on the long bus rides. 

So I went to EB Games on Saturday with the Mama and saw that the Smash Bro version was released. Now, to be completely honest I wanted the Persona Q; Shadow of Labyrinth version which looked like this: 

 I loved this version better for its colour and nice design. Suppose to look like a book and the back design was pretty cute. I do love blue (my second favourite colour) and I wouldn't need to purchase a skin from Decal Girl to cover up the design compared to me getting the plain 3DS XL. However, when I inquired about it the EB games, the workers stated it was only released in Japan T___T (sadness)!!! So that got shot down pretty quickly.

So at this point, I saw the Smash Bros edition. I asked if they had a floor display model that I could see but they hadn't any available. So it came down to the point where I would either pay $200 for a plain red/blue 3DS XL or get the limited edition 3DS XL Smash Bro edition. 

OBVIOUSLY I would go for the limited edition one >3>. At least I wouldn't necessarily NEED a skin for it and once I get bored and tired of the current design I could than get a skin for it. So I got it for $200, paid $25 bucks for 1 year warranty. So when I opened it in the car while waiting for pizza, I was actually impressed. 

 The front has a beautiful shiny/glossy look to it, very beautiful in the light and the metallic sliver outline of the smash bro characters were superb. Though Im not really into the red (I didn't know there was a blue version but only at certain Eb Game locations) but honestly is a very nice design and overall finish. So I bought this console and of course had to choose a game SO decided to start off with Pokemon X edition. 

So this is overall what I bought. In total my cost was around $275 for the Game console, Pokemon X, clear rubber case to protect the console (from dropping it, even though Im not the clumsy type and Ive never dropped my game consoles before such as PSP, PSP GO, DS regular etc), console protection and paid for the game protection. With my purchase I got the Shiny Gengar since the event is going on till Oct. 26. From October 27-Nov. 12 is the Diancie event which basically is giving you (FOR FREE) a card to get Diancie in Pokemon X, and once Pokemon Omega Ruby/Sapphire comes out you can transfer her over and Mega Evolve Danicie (well you get the stone to make her mega or something along those lines). Apparently she is a big deal cause "she" an unobtainable mythological creature.  Anyways, here are the two pokemon I'm getting for free Thanks to this event at EB Games.

Pokemon X Review: 

So I haven't been able to play much or go far in the game (once I finish the game officially maybe ill do an update on it) but THIS GAME IS EPIC!!!!!!!!! Now let me explain why...

1. THE GRAPHICS ARE AMAZING! I have never seen graphic on the DS like this for a pokemon game (any game that I can personally say will always have amazing graphics is Kingdom Hearts or ANY Square Enix game invented). Even without the 3D, the graphics are very beautiful. The amount of detail placed into this game to really make the surroundings "pop" out is really displayed. When you start out, your room alone is very top notch and I personally love how you change out of your PJ's (and note that your character is holding the Pickachu limited edition 3DS that came out a while back). 

2. The battle style also has improved tremendously, the 3D adding to the effects and really makes you feel your in the game catching and battling these pokemon. 

3. Ive always been a fire type pokemon chooser since I think ALL fire types in every single pokemon game look amazing (i didn't like Tepig, he was ugly out of all them -3-) and are OP cant lie. Though thats my personal bias. So once I got to choose my started, I wanted a FEMALE Fennekin! Now let me just emphasize FEMALE!!!!!! After 25-30 software resets (I honestly almost gave up), I finally got a female Fennekin and continued on with the story (apparently its a 12.5% chance of getting a female starter pokemon compared to the 87.5% chance of getting a male starter since they don't want to make it so easy for breeding). 

4. Character customization has improved greatly and I can actually be a BLACK or " DARK SKINNED"  individual in the game :D 

Being able to finally choose skin colour is major improvement compared to previous pokemon games and I believe further in the game customization is even better and unique. Since I haven't reached that far into the game yet, I guess I'll have to wait and see. 

So far Im just impressed. The worker at EB games really pressed on how this game is REALLY good but I didn't expect such major improvements. Really makes me value the game. Anyways, this is as far as I write (its 6am currently and I want to at least catchup on Fate Stay Night episode). I love the console, the 3D effect is nice (though it strains your eyes over time so I just turn it on/off when needed) and I love my cute character :P. I will finish off my blog with ONE LAST ADORABLE PICTURE, which I randomly found (this blog today was really spammed with pictures lol). 

Goodnight Everyone (Thanks so much for the views and +1) 

Yumoyori <3~