eSalon

Has anyone tried eSalon?  eSalon sounds like an interesting idea: You choose the hair color and their team of professionals with create a hair formula just for you.  No more salons or box colors straight off the shelf.  Instead, you can have your own hair color that is designed for your hair type and at an affordable price.

The going price for hair color at a salon is $50 and up.  This can add up depending on how many times you go back to touch up your roots.  eSalon is $19.95, plus shipping and handling.  One day I will try this, but if you already have, please let me know how you liked it. :)

http://www.esalon.com/

Finding a wedding dress on a budget

Some girls dream of their wedding day and have planned every detail in their mind long before they meet Mr. Right.  I'm not one of those girls.  I never thought of what my dress would look like, little lone, what my wedding day would entail.  I always thought I would elope and be done with it, but I know my future husband would like to have a wedding.  After discussing it with him, I think it would be nice to have a wedding.  You only get married once (hopefully) so you should have fun with it.

After looking through wedding websites, I noticed the expensive price tag hooked on every dress and my mouth dropped.  Not only was most dresses very expensive, but they usually weren't very modest.  

How do people afford to have a wedding when everything is so expensive?

Ebay was what popped in my head when I was looking for inexpensive and modest dresses.  After much searching, I stumbled upon the dress below.  With shipping and handling, the price came to $80.

This is a Calvin Klein white satin dress with short sleeves.  It is modest and didn't cost a fortune so I'm a happy camper.

I liked the Calvin Klein dress because it reminded me of Pippa Middleton's dress, which was custom-made by Alexander McQueen.

TIP: Buy wedding dresses from the year before and you can find great deals.  Also, check out thrift stores, JcPennys, and anywhere that sells gowns--you might luck out and find the dress of your dreams. 

Happy dress shopping! :)

Make-up Review: MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

I love MAC's Blacktrack Fluidline. This is my favorite gel eyeliner and cannot rave enough about it.  When I lived in Korea, I would go to the department store to try different brands and this is where I first met this gem.  It's easy to use and depending on what size brush you use, you can create different looks in a matter of seconds.  I'm so glad this eyeliner is so much cheaper in the States.  You can get it for $15 at Nordstorms.  

I think eyeliner really makes your look so if you are looking for a big change, purchase this eyeliner.  

Make-up Review: Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation

I've been eying this foundation for some time, but to be honest, I was a little nervous to try it because of the price.  After receiving a Sephora gift card in the mail, I decided to finally purchase it.  I noticed a lot of celebrities wear this foundation when they do cover shoots and thought it would have great coverage.  After applying it to my face, I wasn't disappointed.

This foundation came in a sleek glass container with an easy to use pump.  It was easy to apply and had great coverage.  It lasted all day and I didn't have to touch it up.  

I had been using L'Oreal's Infallible for the past couple of years because I wasn't able to find a drug store foundation that would last throughout the day.  I noticed L'Oreal's Infallible would leave spots on my cheeks where the foundation caked up.  I did my best to apply it so it would go on even, but I always ended up with spots on my face.  

Make Up For Ever went on smoothly and didn't leave brown spots on my face.  Although, it was a hefty $45 at Sephora (luckily, I had a $25 gift card), it is still the best foundation I ever tried.  If you are in the market for a new foundation, I would recommend this product.

Resolutions for 2013

Every year I set out on achieving the goals I made in the beginning of the year.  I think I do a pretty good job completing them (I must pick easy goals!), but there are always a few that make in on the list every year (flossing and exercising everyday).  I always set a deadline for each goal so I can check it off through the year.  I have short term and long term goals.

When I was 18, I would always have a 5 year plan, but as I get older and have completed most of the big goals (finish college, get a job, live in a different country, etc.), I have a harder time planning for a long period of time.

Why is this?  I think it's because some of life events are out of my control and I have to consider others choices in the equations.  For example, marriage is usually a choice between two people.  Sometimes arrange marriages are forced in different cultures, but in western countries, we usually get to choose our mate.  I believe finding two people that are ready to get married at the same time is a miracle in itself.

Have fun setting your resolutions for 2013!  Be the best person you can be! :)

SarSar's Resolutions for 2013 (first 6 months)

Every day goal:

Floss everyday
Read scriptures everyday (finish New Testament by the end of the year)
Work on living a stress-free life
Brighten someone's day

Every month goal:

Blog once a week
Go on a trip once a month
Exercise 3x's a week
Eat healthy
Keep up with friends better (e-mail, call, and/or meet up every week)

January
Plan a wedding on a budget

February
Quit job
Get married
Move to Tacoma

March
Finish course

April
Have a new job

May
Start business

June
Publish article in magazine

Say "Yes" and follow your dreams!

Everyone has dreams, but not all of us will take the chance to achieve them.  Imagine all the dreams we would have fulfilled if we could only bypass our fears, challenges, and other people's opinions.  

Now imagine how happy we would be if we could take that leap of faith to do something out of the ordinary?  Quit your job and move to different country, earn your master's degree, get married, adopt a baby, buy a home...

What dream do you have that you are afraid to chase?  What is always on your mind, but never get to because of the weight on your shoulders?

I've been able to accomplish some my dreams, such as living in a foreign country and earning a degree away from the comfort of home.  I had a lot of people telling me that I would be kidnapped and rapped if I lived in a different country; they tried placing fears in my head so I wouldn't accomplish my goal.  In hinds sight, I realize my friends were trying to keep me in their comfort zone.  They didn't want me to be away from them because they hated change, but that isn't fair-not to me or them.  We should always be trying new things and expanding our horizons. 

What are some ways to achieve your dream?

1) Set a date

When you have a timeline, you are able to measure your progress in achieving your goal.  Do you want to go live in Hawaii?  Book your flight and start planning your trip.  By booking your flight, you are telling yourself and others you are going to be enjoying the sun very soon!  By investing money in your dream, I am more prone to accomplish my task.  No one wants to lose money, especially when you worked so hard for it.

2) Tell people

When people know your goals, you can't tuck them away and hope for them to magically appear.  People will be asking you all the time when you will be moving to Mexico, when are you getting married, or whatever you tell them.  By telling people, you will be held accountable.  No one wants to back out of a situation after telling everyone what they have planned.  

3) Don't let downers live your life

You only have one life and shouldn't have others controlling it.  I learned awhile back that people will become jealous of you if you are heading towards your goals.  Don't let these people take control of your happiness.  

4) Say "Yes"

Put your dreams in your hands and go for it.  You can do it!  All you have to do is say "yes" and get to work.    You can't achieve your dream without doing the work.