JAN 04 2017

I've been procrastinating, as always. But this time, I intend to see it through. I've been thinking the past couple days on what kind of resolutions and goals I want to set for myself for the new year. I want to be more genuine, especially on my blog - so I'm going to revamp this blog site to become an online journal. I'll be writing as if it's a diary or real journal. I would normally keep a physical journal but I am a stickler for pretty and my hand tends to cramp when I write too much - but it shouldn't be a problem if I'm just typing on a blog. It's just an odd day to start this, but better late than never... let's begin !

Today was an interesting day. We went to the movies last night and I stayed up a little later than normal, safe to say that I woke up extremely tired. My arm doesn't hurt as much as it has the past couple days but I am still suffering the side effects of recovering from a cold. I knew today would be the day that Weekly Idol's episode with Big Bang would be on and of course, I spend my entire day waiting for english subs and watching videos of them on YouTube - I'll be really sad when they go on hiatus for their mandatory military service.

Work was boring - as I always say. Nothing excites me about the job function I'm doing - it's all repetitive and I'm just itching for something new. Since we're moving soon, I feel like it's time for me to move onto a different job as well. I'm in a rut.. what do I do? I still don't know what my dream job is and I don't want to keep bouncing around from one job to another without having a clear direction of where I'm going. Is this what being an adult is all about? Wondering if I'm making the right choices? Maybe that's why on Food Network and other shows or channels there's always someone that's older that has the story along the lines of "I had a boring office job and one day I thought to myself, why not follow my dreams? So I quit and started my own (blah blah)" -- I guess that's what people call a midlife crisis or whatever, but it's sad that they don't realize it earlier. Sometimes I wonder if that's going to be me... I'll grow older have office jobs but never really feel fulfilled...

I want to start my own etsy shop, but what will I sell? I make mediocre handmade notebooks and I don't know what else I can make. I really want to learn calligraphy but hobbies get expensive and time consuming. I feel like I don't ever have enough time....

Another one of my resolutions is to finish what I started or follow through with my plans. James got me a new camera for Christmas and I was doing really well vlogging our California trip but I just stopped vlogging.... I want to at least keep posting videos at least once a week and also do a creative video once a week but again .. it's a lot of time on top of a full time job. *sigh* what do I do? I feel like I'm already having a quarter-life crisis...

Anyways, since before Thanksgiving I was giving up dairy - at least in the process of becoming dairy free.... But when John came, everything got thrown out of the window. I need to learn self control and need to focus more on improving myself. I used to go to the gym so often, at least 5x a week but I haven't been to the gym since the middle of December. I don't know how I'm going to fair when we start going back. We had Papa John's pizza for dinner - saves me the time and work to make lunch.

We move in a couple of weeks. I am excited to be moving to a new complex. Our apartment is fancier than what we're living in now but it's further - which I'm not excited about. It's going to be a longer drive to work and I won't be able to go to our Super Target anymore :(

I'm already getting tired. I desperately need to catch up on my sleep. Another goal - drink more water. Hopefully I can keep track of everything I want to do - which is the goal of this blog, to keep me accountable.

Review: Clay Mask | Mint & Lemon

Hi friends! Here is another post on a Freeman Face Mask. Today I'm going to review my experience with the Clay Mask: Mint & Lemon. I decided to use this mask today because my face has been feeling a bit more oily than usual. I'm not sure if it's because of the weather or what, but I needed something refreshing and and clean feeling. 

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The scent is soooo refreshing. I wouldn't expect anything less from a mint and lemon scent. I love smell of lemon! When I put it on my skin, I could feel the coolness right away. It made my skin retract and feel so fresh, exactly what I wanted to feel. This would feel way better if I had cucumbers for a real facial feeling, maybe something to consider if you're doing facials!

 

The clay mask dries very fast, much faster than the previous mask, Anti-Stress Dead Sea Minerals. I'm not sure if you can tell from the pictures, but it dried almost instantaneously after 5 minutes. I tried to put an even layer throughout my face and neck and it dried so fast that you can see some fingerprints. Last time I used a mask, I focused on my face, this time I thought I would also use some on my neck.

As I said earlier, the mask dried very fast, so facial movement was hard after it dried all the way. I suggest doing this mask before taking a shower because if it gets in your hair, it'll be easy to wash out. My face didn't feel as refreshed after washing it as it did when I first put the mask on. I think I would only use this mask again if I want a fresh feeling before bed instead of in the morning when I usually shower because the feeling doesn't last throughout the day. 

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Overall, this mask kind of did the job. I love the refreshing feeling when I first but the mask on, but after washing it off, it didn't leave much of a refreshing feeling. I still prefer the Anti-Stress Dead Sea Minerals mask over the Mint & Lemon because the texture is more rich and easier to apply and it didn't dry as fast so it made the relaxation feel longer than just drying right away. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but I really like to relax and take the time for myself when using masks, or doing any type of beauty care. I would suggest this mask if you want something fast but still refreshing for your face.

Keep a lookout for the other mask reviews in the future. I will also do a combo post of the pros and cons of all the masks and how I would compare them to each other and my rating or verdict of them all. 

Twitter: @kimchipopp | Instagram: @kimchipopp

Subscription Box // The Indie Box - The Next Penelope

March Box: The Next Penelope

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I have to commend whoever is in charge of the artwork, whether it is on the developer's side of The Indie Box side, because the artwork, again, is so beautifully done. I love that the blues and purples. 

The items are very lackluster. I was not impressed with the items...at all. It was a let down and to be frank, they weren't really novelty items. Only a couple of items with the game logo or a similar color scheme did not win me over. There was also a little snap-bracelet which I thought was not practical nor was it necessary to have. I think it would've been better instead of a paper plane to build, it could've just been a plastic plane on a stand. It could have been a plastic plane assemblage.

My expectations for this box may be a bit high, but I am paying for physical copy of the game, as well as novelty items, exclusive to the game. These items were not novelty... they felt like children's toys. I was honestly disappointed in this box, even though the art was beautiful, the items left a lot to be desired. 

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This box and subscription made me realize I have a real standard for novelty items and a high importance for it also. It also made me realize that a subscription box like this just isn't for me. It may be nice for other people who are collectibles or enjoy indie games, but I guess that isn't what I expected or looking for in in this subscription. The game takes a backburner already because I am not critiquing the box for the game, I am in it for the items, but that just be my downfall already. I'm just providing my opinion and outlook on the box and maybe it will change in future boxes, but for now I'm just left with wanting more.

Twitter: @kimchipopp | Instagram: @kimchipopp

App Review: Shopkick

Hello Lovelies ♡ Today, I want to take the opportunity to introduce to you a phone app called Shopkick. In this post, I'm going to explain everything that's great about Shopkick and why you should try this app too! I wouldn't suggest anything to y'all that I wouldn't use myself, but don't feel pressured to try it.

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What is it? Shopkick is an app that rewards you for visiting some of your favorite stores and it's super easy to use. It's as easy as walking into a store or scanning a few items while you're walking around. You get points, which are called kicks and when you get enough kicks you can redeem them for real life items, like gift cards or even a cruise vacation!

How do I get kicks? Walk into a store or scan items that show up in the app! The app will show you how many kicks you will earn for walking into a store and how many kicks you can earn from scanning items at that store. Sometimes there are special days where you can earn more kicks such as 100 kicks just for walking into a store.

What do I do with those kicks? You can redeem them for gift cards or other real life items, such as an iPad, clothes, or Beats by Dr. Dre. Once you have enough kicks, you can redeem it for anything on the rewards list!

Why should I start using Shopkick? It doesn't cost you anything and you still get rewarded. Honestly, you get free stuff and who doesn't like free stuff? If you're at the store already and window shopping or just walking up and down the aisle, you can whip out your phone and scan a few items. Eventually you'll get enough kicks to redeem a gift card to spend at the store you choose. 

Here are some rewards that are available!

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My Experience with Shopkick

I have been using Shopkick for over two years. My sisters introduced it to me and I have never been so grateful for them showing it to me. I haven't had to pay for anything from Starbucks in over two years because of this app, and to be honest, that's all I use my kicks on, gift cards to Starbucks. I always make a killing during Black Friday because they do special extra kicks such as 100 kicks for walking into stores and it's amazing. I don't have to do anything extra besides walking into a store or scan a few items when I walk around or when I'm waiting at the checkout line. 

Some cons about the app is sometimes I forget to take my phone out or open the app before I walk into the store. There are other times I will walk into a store but I don't get kicks, it bums me out, but to be honest it doesn't cost me anything extra, just a little bit of time. I'm glad to take a little extra time if I get free stuff for doing it. It takes a little while to accumulate kicks also, but again, I'm eventually getting free stuff, so it's worth it to me.

If you're interested in joining Shopkick, click this on your phone to start using the app. I hope you take into consideration in trying this app, because it'll be worth your while. ♡

Twitter: @kimchipopp | Instagram: @kimchipopp

*Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by Shopkick nor was I paid for this review. This is my honest opinion and review of an app that I've been using for a long time. If you have any questions feel free to comment or tweet them to me.

Let's Eat!

Since James and I don't live near our parents anymore, or close to family, eating Vietnamese food is rare nowadays. Thankfully, there's a Vietnamese Restaurant just a few streets down from where we live. It's a nice family owned restaurant and everything is so cheap! The whole meal cost around $10-$12!

On the right is shrimp spring rolls, a great appetizer. It comes with a side of Hoison sauce with a little bit of Sriracha sauce. On the left is the entree. The bowl in the forefront is mine; it's noodles with bbq pork with peanuts and lettuce/herbs. James had the bowl in the back, which is pho with meatballs.

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Then we went to Starbucks for dessert! I am part of the Starbucks Rewards/Star Member and they were doing bonus stars for any purchase of a s'mores or caramel ribbon frappuccino. I love all the frapps that Starbucks offer, but my weakness is always a caramel one. ♡

Twitter: @kimchipopp | Instagram: @kimchipopp

Review: Anti-Stress Mask | Dead Sea Minerals

♡ Anti-Stress Mask | Dead Sea Minerals

I've had these Freeman masks for a while now and I never really used them. I decided that since I wanted to take better care of my skin, I should use the products I already own instead of buying new products. I barely used these masks and I will try to use them all more frequently. I'm going to review each mask with it's own post.

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To start off, I'm going to review the Anti-Stress Mask, the blue one on the right. I thought this was a perfect mask to use since there are a lot of things going through my mind lately and it might be causing my recent breakouts. 

The mask is very easy to apply. I wear glasses so it's hard for me to see because I obviously can't wear my them after applying. I've used this mask previously before and I've learned to apply only a thin layer. You can tell from the pictures that the thinnest layer dries very fast, especially on the nose and upper lip area. You can also apply the mask on your neck, but I mostly focused on my face. The scent is kind of floral but it's not overbearing. It only took about 10 minutes for the mask to dry all the way and during that time I took these pictures and also check social media, so it doesn't take long for it to dry at all. You can leave it on for longer and you'll notice that it gets harder to move your face or make any facial expressions. That's a clear sign that you're ready to wash it off.

 

I would've taken pictures of how it looked like when I washed the mask off, but I applied the mask before hopping in the shower. The mask feels like silk when you rinse it off and I think it's easiest when you're in the shower. I don't know about you, but when I wash my face at the sink I tend to get water everywhere or I didn't wash the mask off all the way. My skin felt very refreshed and I felt instantly relaxed afterwards. This feeling didn't last the whole day though, but product says you can use it around twice a week or as many times as you see fit. I'm not sure if I have enough patience or can remember to use it twice a week but I think realistically I would use it around once or twice a month.

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I purchased these masks about two summers ago while they were on sale (buy one, get one free) at ULTA. If you're iffy about trying them, you can purchase a sample for around a dollar in the cosmetics section of your local drug-store, Wal-Mart, or Target. The sample sizes can give you about two masks, so you can try it twice or try it out with a friend. It's nice because you don't have to commit to a whole bottle, especially if you just want to test it out. 

Twitter: @kimchipopp | Instagram: @kimchipopp

Subscription Box // The Indie Box - Risk of Rain

I've recently found an interest in Subscription Boxes and this is the first one that I've subscribed to. Subscription boxes have been around for a couple of years now, but I didn't have an interest in them until recently. A subscription box is when you pay for a box that gets shipped to you every month. There are many different subscription boxes out there and all the prices vary.

The Indie Box is a gaming subscription box. It is targeted towards people who like video games but also those who like indie games and novelty items. Indie games are usually games that many people don't know about or is produced by a small company or even just a group of people. The Indie Box's goal is to "Bring Back The Box," this means that they value the aspect of physical copies of video games. This is one of the best things about the box because nowadays you can just buy the game online and digitally download it. With The Indie Box, you get a physical copy of the game as well as some novelty items related to the game itself. The subscription is mostly for James. He's more of the gamer of the two of us. I personally wanted the novelty items that came with each box, so it was perfect for us. 

February Box | Risk of Rain

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I have to admit that the artwork for this box was amazing. I thought it was beautifully done. I was a bit disappointed about the items included inside the box. I'm not sure what I expected for the novelty items and I haven't played the game, but as a general consumer, I'm just not impressed.

The Captain's Brooch Pin was very high quality, perhaps a bit too high. It's very heavy and I don't think it would stay put if I wore it on my shirt. The back part of the pin feels a bit flimsy compared to the rest of the brooch. If I were to use the brooch, I would put it on a purse or bag as a decorative item, but honestly I don't see myself using it at all. I think that's why I feel unimpressed. These items don't have functionality to them, granted they are novelty items, but I would at least like to display some things.

The Monster Log is super nice. I have many notebooks like this and I might be a notebook hoarder, so I would never use it because I don't like making mistakes in nice notebooks or ripping out paper. It's an overall nice notebook, but because I am a bit OCD and like to keep things clean and pristine, I wouldn't use it daily. It's hard to tell on the picture but it has little notes, I'm guessing of monsters, from the game. I thought it was a great little touch to the notebook to make it different than any normal notebook you could get at the store.  

Some other things in the box includes a thing that's kind of a USB card to plug into your computer to play the game. This is kind of like how you could normally get a game at the store and stick it in your computer. It also comes with a steam code on the outside of the box if you don't want to open your box at all, probably for those extreme collectors. The box also includes an official game soundtrack and a few stickers. To be honest, I haven't opened many of the items in because I am one of those people that likes to keep things in their original packaging. It also came with a pair of socks! The socks are alright. I don't know if you can tell, but there is a little face on it, cute factor - check! The quality of the socks? Meh... It's alright if you don't want to wear them, but compared to normal pair of socks, it's not the best type of socks ever. They're probably more for lounging around than anything.

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Overall, it was a nice box. I am mostly reviewing the novelty items, but I will update this if I, or James, ends up playing the game. I think what I learned about subscription boxes from this is that I value novelty items more than I thought. The game aspect is nice but not for me specifically. Don't let this semi-review of The Indie Box deter you from subbing to it. It's a great box and I love that their philosophy is trying to bring back physical game in a mostly digital world. This is great for people that enjoy a nostalgic feel about video games. If you're still unsure, I will be reviewing all the boxes I get from now on, which is quiet a lot of reviews since we signed up for the 6-month subscription. Keep a look out for the other boxes that I've received in the next few weeks until I get caught up with the current boxes!

Twitter: @kimchipopp | Instagram: @kimchipopp