Handmade Paradise- Souvenir from Peru

First vacation this year, also the first time in S. America was to visit Peru. Other than gasping the grandness of the famous Machu Picchu, shopping was definitely one of the “must do” in my itinerary. Here are my “trophies”.

Llama/Alpaca products- One of Peru’s icon is the llama overlooking the ruin of Machu Picchu and packs of alpaca along the Andes mountains. Inca used to use them for sacrifice (black only, highest of the rank) and now Peruvian uses them for cloth, food and money making machine just to take pictures with the tourists.

 

Sweater Jackets

Pouches (LOVE the colors and the patterns! GOT TO HAVE THEM!!!)

Llama/Alpaca figures (Decoration, Key chains & more...)

Silver Goods- Handmade silver rings are very nice! Bottom left: Inca Trilogy of Tiger, Condor and Snake (It’s a 2 layer ring, the top layer turns) and bottom right: Inca Cross (I found it very modern looking).

Shoes- Colorful sneakers! I was so in love with the color combination and the style. I can't help myself to get one. Found the website selling those shoes here in the U.S. but the prices doubled.

Coca Tea & Candy- You can’t bring any coca products back to the U.S. I got busted with 3 packs of 10 candies and 2 box of 25 bags of tea. Not worth it!!!
Other than that, of course, there are all kinds of clothes, hats, ponchos. All made of llama and alpaca wool. Sometimes I don’t know if they are really 100% but it’s all for fun of shopping and the sake of getting something we don’t have here.


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J. R. WATKINS Hand Cream- WOW!!!

For hand cream, I don’t know why I am not fond of popular brands like L’Occitane or Crabtree and Evelyn. They are nice especially the scents, both are very aromatic and soothing; but the texture aren't so impressive (to me..). Plus, I believe there are good quality hand creams out there with more friendly price tag. Luckily, one day I was in a whim of getting the J. R. WATKINS’ lotion while shopping with my friend, and who knew, I liked it a lot! Later on I got this sample hand cream from a different friend…and WOW!! This is an even better product! I especially love the texture of the cream. It seems thick but when using it on hands, it spreads so easily and dries fast without any oil/cream residue (even when you rub it). It is more like a thin layer of wax on your hands after all. Also, because I use keyboard all day long, this cream won’t make the keys greasy!

This one I tried is Aloe & Green Tea. Smells very refreshing. But, since I like herbal/earthy scent better, I will get the lavender one in near future.

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Perfect Little Thing- AQUIS Hair Wrap

For people who have long hair knows that to wait for your hair to dry can mean a lot of inconvenience (at least for me it is). Water dripping everywhere, towel not absorbent enough my head is cold or towel getting loose while I toss and turn reading on my bed. Plus, blow dry hair right after wash takes a long time and it is not good for the hair anyways.
Long story short, to avoid all that, many people use hair towel wrap. I have found the one I am using now from company AQUIS is the best among all. It is made of microfiber and the fabric is in “waffle” texture. This design/technology does wonder. It is not only absorb water fast, also vaporize from the towel quickly. So the towel is damp but never “wet” and never made my head cold while wearing it. I think that’s what impressed me the most, no feeling of wet and cold while waiting for my hair to dry. What a perfect little thing that makes my life much better!!

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Metallic Eye Pencils- Drugstore Favors

After trying many different eyeliners, I found 2 metallic ones I really like and have been using them for awhile. For me, waterproof non smudge is really important to me. I don’t like raccoon eyes or unintentional smoky eyes (who does?!) If I want a clean metallic everyday look, this are the ones I go for!

-Master drama by Maybelline in BOLD BROWN

I almost can't tell but there are very fine glitters in this pencil and the glitter is not gold or silver; it is brown. Very subtle and nice color.

-Slide on, glide on, stay on & definitely a turn on water proof, extreme shine eye liner (Yes, the name is this long) by NYX in SL05 GOLDEN OLIVE

As it says on its name, it is an olive gold so it has an old Hollywood feel to it.


Both of them create a natural everyday look.

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Mascara Ads- FAKE!

I think since girls in Asia are obsess with wearing fake lashes on the daily basis, we Asian know what kind of effect it gives regardless your ethics. SO…I don’t know since when, I started to notice all the mascara ads in the magazine or TV are FAKE! When I say FAKE it means the ads are deceiving to a point that the campaign must think women are all blind or something. Obviously, all the models in the ads are wearing fake lashes and the ads are claiming that’s what the mascaras would do. Mascara enhances the look but it will not make your lashes look like fake plastic lashes. Real natural lashes aren’t the same length and they aren’t the same thickness. I was so annoyed that I CAN tell which kind of fake lashes the models are wearing. Sooo unclever!

Does anyone realized the same thing and feel the same way I did?! You are welcome to chime in!

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Magnets from Paris- Vintage Posters

I buy souvenirs everywhere I go. Big or small, I always want something to bring home for memory. It was the second time I visited Paris and again fall in love with the city but regardless how much I enjoyed the lights on Eiffel tower, I didn’t want another Eiffel tower Keychain for my collection…

One day I strolled along the left bank going through all the book stands, I’ve found the magnets of vintage posters. They are very French, very Paris-ish and kind of chic from my artzy point of view. And not just that, the price was surprisingly reasonable (3 for €5) consider I was nearly broke after 3 weeks backpacking all over Europe. Other than tasted the most famous macarons and pastries, I managed to bring home 6 magnets and was more than happy to see them every time I open the fridge door.

I don’t know the history of each and every posters but the top right is a popular one called “Vingeanne Milk Girl with Cats”.

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This Amazing Mascara I Discovered

After accidentally discovered Chanel’s LE VOLUME DE CHANEL I am totally completely obsess with it. I was never a brand name fan when it comes to makeup, because I believe there’s always dupe out there from the drugstores. However, this one has no replacement. The formula is SO GOOD that there’s no comparison. It does a heck of good job on volumizing and I mean no clump at all. Sometimes, even the good ones out there would volumize your lashes but does not give you a natural look. This one will cover your lashes so well just make them thicker LASH by LASH. So, at the root it’s thicker and on the tip it’s thinner. No other mascara does that!! Other cons are it is super black, the wand does its magic and it does not smudge. Very long lasting, too. To me, it’s a perfect 10!!

Conclusion is this expansive little thing worth me every penny!! ($30) You just gotta try it yourself and be amazed.

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