The Donut Bun

Hey Everyone,

Wad up? I'm now blogging from Scotland. It was a hectic weekend, and there are lots of boxes near the front door yet to be unpacked- all mine, coz my Virgo man unpacked all of his things in barely 20 minutes. Howww???

So, me with a bun that I did all by myself....I never thought I'd see the day! You must have noticed that I'm not very creative with my hair, so this donut was sort of out of my comfort zone. Usually, I hate buns & ponytails.... they give me a headache ("My hair hurts!") But since Cosmo wanted an updo for the story I was featured in last month, I had to do it- for the first time in my entire life. Oh, actually this is the 2nd time. 1st time was the for only the initial pics that I had to send asap- ya, that bun didn't turn out so well....and yes, I had to do this same look twice!

It couldn't see the top, so I missed putting hairspray on  some stray bits. Look how they poke out =\

I used this Primark Hair Donut which I got for only £1 (Rs.83), a hair tie & some hair pins. I wouldn't say it's hard, but it'll take some practice to perfect it.

You'll see me do this hairstyle in a video shortly. I have to wait for broadband to be activated here in our new place, so I can upload it to Youtube. Ugh, something or the other is keeping me from posting this video! Hmm, but everything happens for a reason.

What do you think? Do you like wearing buns? 

Celebratory And Crazy Artistic EOTD After Apartment Hunting

We got back late from Dundee on Friday night. Yesterday was supposed to be a day to rest with only Grey's Anatomy, but somehow I ended up doing this look- not just eyes, a whole complete look, which I will post shortly.

*It's okay if you don't like it. Even Mr.CZ found me very scary-looking =D

I guess I felt inspired, coz we finally found an apartment we liked in Dundee, Scotland. Btw, we'll only be there for 6 months.

[To be continued...]

Products Used:

• Minty green + turquoise eyeshadows from MUA Poptastic Palette. SORRY I WENT FOR THIS COLOR AGAIN! I DON'T KNOW WHY!
• Urban Decay Blackout (black) on bottom lash line & corners of top lid.
• Black and silver glitter is Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Liner in Rock Chick.
• Lakme Kohl Ultimate to tightline & to smudge on bottom lash line. 

• Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara on top & bottom lashes. Review here.
• Demi Lashes are Bourjois Faux & Fabulous Lashes Lady In Black. Shown here. 
• Eyebrows:  Urban Decay Blackout (black) &the same glitter gel liner on top. 

♥

So.... The Story of  our 2-day apartment hunting: 

Day 1:

We were supposed to view one apartment. We met the agent in front of the door....she lead us inside and it was one of the most dingy walkways I'd ever seen! Red door, grey cemented walls & floor, dirty stairs.... Mr.CZ & I looked at each other with horror. As we started ascending the dirty stairs, the agent stopped walking, turned to us, and said, "There's a nice apartment on X street. Would you like to have a look at that one?"

We: "YES! Is it better than this?"

Agent: "Yes, much better. It's a brand new apartment. Nobody's ever lived there. This one *she scrunched up her nose*", then she lead us back out into the street without showing us the apartment at the top of those dreadful stairs. 

We reached X Street. I noticed a book store, a takeout restaurant named Curry-something & a nice bakery. We're going inside a door next to the bakery. Ooh, apartment is above the bakery! 

It was an odd-looking (read: down-market) walkway. There was a small messy garden with a clothes line,  and 3-4 black garbage bins in the corner. First impression was a put-off, third rate. Then we reached the stairway with minty green walls...and we stopped outside a metallic door.

We got inside, and OMG it's a brand new 3 bedroom apartment, and it's very nicely done up! Grey carpeted floors, L-shaped couch in kitchen-slash-living room,  multi-colored cushions, fun colored lamps. It had all the amenities & white goods. The bedrooms were awesome with the same type of decor as in the living room. 

1 of the extra bedrooms looked like this

We fell in love (mainly coz everything's new), and immediately wanted to take it. It's so meant to be, we I thought. Agent informed us there were a couple of interested students who viewed it earlier that day too, but they want couple tenants for the place. Okay, now we must take it asap! Long story short, we had to wait till the next day to know if the owner of the place, who's all the way in Hong Kong, will agree to 6 months. [We cancelled rest of the viewings that evening.]

Mr.CZ was uneasy that whole night coz he really wanted the place. I played the calm-whatever-happens wife, but ya, I couldn't stop thinking about the colored lamps & cushions & contemporary kitchen.

Shopping @ SEPHORA, New Delhi

I'm back in Newcastle. We reached yesterday afternoon.....decided to take naps at around 4:30 pm..... slept like logs.... and we woke up the next morning! 6 flights in 3 weeks.... phew... no more!

This quick Sephora trip happened in the 1st week in New Delhi, before a family dinner at Punjab Grill (it has the best lamb chops!) I didn't really want to buy anything, coz most of the stuff I would have wanted- Benefit, Soap & Glory - were cheaper in UK. NYX products are also cheaper from Ebay. 

Hello, Dubai!

Just posting quickly before my battery runs out. Long story short: It's a connecting flight to Newcastle and we couldn't take our luggages. I have to wear the same clothes...and...and...I have no eyeliner in my handbag! But it's okay, the mall is nearby =D

This is my first time in Dubai. It's sooo beautiful! *Waves to readers from Dubai*

Will post more pics in a few days.

Now we're going out and taking an early flight back to Newcastle.

See you again soon! Lots of posts coming up..... and will tell you about another change.

Featured In COSMOPOLITAN Magazine

And we are blogging from New Delhi again! Still very sleepy and exhausted, but I don't want to sleep! I'm loving the pleasant weather and it's so good to hear the sounds of honking traffic outside. Our neighborhood in Newcastle is on mute compared to the streets in South Delhi.

So on our flights back from UK, my mind was dominated by mainly 2 things:

1. Masala Maggi Noodles ~ Because I've missed it since November. You can get it in the UK, but you have to order it online (3-4 times the price in India) or go to some Indian shops...forget it.
2. Cosmopolitan Magazine March 2013 Issue ~ Because it made one of my teenage dreams come true!

When Cosmo's Features Writer, Priyam Chaturvedi, asked me to create a look and a step-by-step picture & video tutorial based on one of the hottest SS13 Trends, I was more than excited to do it! Her one email put a smiley with two-tone lips on a very un-Christian Grey grey February sky. I think she put this story together brilliantly, and I'm so happy she picked this photo from a few others that I didn't like so much =)

LOTD : Daddy's Little Girl.....

Q:  How many stepmothers have you had?

A:  Two.

Q:  What were they like? 

A:  First one put the TCH in the B-word. Second/Present one- I really don't care.

Q:  Do you  love  like your daddy?

A:  Next question, please.

Q.  Okay...err.... what are you wearing in this look?

A:  I'm wearing Veronica's products from MAC Archie's Girls Collection. If you haven't seen the previous photos & swatches post, please go here

LOTD/OOTD: I Haven't Gone Shopping For 34 Days (and counting)

My shopping ban started last month when I decided to save for MAC Archies Girls Collection. I thought it would launch around Valentine's Day, but no. It did launch only online exclusively at Selfridges, but I want the thrill of buying them in stores. Touch all the products... swatch them.... die a little inside when something nice is too pricey.

Hence, shopping ban stretched further than expected.

Yes, I've bought hair & skin care products, but they don't count coz they're everyday necessities, and I got them at a supermarket with groceries.

I also bought shoes from Ebay. Those don't count either, because....because they don't count!

23rd Feb, Saturday: I planned to go only to Primark & Superdrug - I'll feed the hungry beast some small snacks before the meal, like a pair of earrings & 1 lipstick, I thought. BUT it snowed heavily. Plan cancelled.

24th Feb, Sunday: Fever & tonsils attack. I could hardly move from the couch. That's a message from the angrier beast.

So.... shopping plan moved to 1st March...... until.....

I called MAC store to ask about Archies Girls launch date, and they said 7th March. 

Now I have to wait till the 7th.

So altogether: No shopping for 42 DAYS! Beast, please! Try to understand!

Feeling Blue? Wear Yellow!

Sweater: Primark  |  Skirt: Nichii (Malaysian brand). It's the same skirt I wore in my birthday outfit post in 2011. I love it so much and have worn it so many times.  |  Inner Collared Black Shirt: Penny Lane  |  Tights: Primark Super Cosy Tights with fleece inside...LOVE! |  Earrings: Aldo Husselbee. Shown here  |  Bow Sunglasses: Ebay. Shown here.  

Trailer Of My New Makeup Video

I know, right? So dramatic I am. "Trailer" and all....haha! Nah.... actually, this is video editing practice and for me to see what mistakes (many many, I'm sure) I might have made in this one before I edit the final video. You know I've found video editing such a challenge before.

But ya, all my videos will always have trailers from now onwards. One thing I absolutely LOVE to do on Saturday evenings is watching trailers. I could watch them for 30-60 minutes straight when I'm looking for a good movie (read: horror/thriller) for the night. So, I thought... why not make my own trailers too?! Indulge my inner storyteller & director (Gosh, I hope you know I'm kidding.)

Hope you liked my amateurish Trailer & you're excited to watch the whole blockbuster! =D

Videos will be more regular this year. It has been one of my new year's resolutions for over a year! To tell you the truth, regular blogging was boring me a little bit....I don't know.... I guess I just needed a change...something new. You know, Gemini (and a little bit of Taurus) mentality.

Thanks to everyone who still subscribed to my channel even though there was only one video.

Cheers to new beginnings.....

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

Date Night Outfit & Cute Surprises

After Valentine's Day, all the muscles in my body ached. No, no, it's not that! I was just so exhausted from doing so many things that day, and it's just been a stressful week. I almost didn't click these pics coz I don't like indoor night time photos (esp when not clicked by myself), but I asked an equally tired Mr.CZ to quickly click a few. I must have forgotten to turn on the flash. We are a very stressed out couple, that's why date nights once in a while are much- needed. 

We had a good time that night. Italian food & wine at Prima, then we went club hopping.... danced a lot.....reached home after 3 am. I couldn't walk in those shoes anymore!

Veronica Lodge Inspired Makeup Look

Hello!

I'm sure you've known me forever, but I'll  introduce myself anyway. My name is Veronica Lodge. Daddy named me after Veronica Lake. Now MAC Cosmetics has named a makeup collection, Archies Girls, after me & my best friend Betty.

I love to shop. I love shoes. Ah, shoes! You can never have too many shoes! 

Coming Soon! Can You Guess Who?

♥ Cynthia Z *.*

LOTD ~ Big Hair With Babyliss Volume Waves Tong

Do you have a dream hairstyle? One that you have always imagined yourself with, but have never been able to achieve it? Sometimes you're sooo close to it, then *BAM!* the stupid hairstylist trimmed it too much or burned part of it during rebonding; OR you ruined it yourself by doing something equally stupid- like, streaking with Fem Bleach or spontaneously giving yourself a "razor cut" with some puraana blunt scissors and you ended up with high-low hair (one side shorter than the other). And then it's only just a dream, again.

My dream hairstyle is a longer (on the sides), pouffier (at the roots), shinier, evenly colored (dark roots make them look flatter) version of what I have here. Dreamy, romantic, cascading waves.....like cashmere between his fingertips.....yeah yeah.

But a dream hairstyle is like everything else in life. If you want it, you have to make an effort and get it yourself!

So.... I got myself a curling iron. I've always wanted one! I had a hard time trying to decide between Babyliss Volume Waves Tong & TRESemme Salon Professional Volume Curls Tong . In the end, I went with my gut. By that, I mean I went with the more established hair styling tools brand.

Barrel Size- 38mm (1 and 1/2 half inch)

Plates- Nano Titanium Ceramic 

Heat Settings- 155°, 170°,185°, 200° C.

 

This was just a trial, and my 1st time using it. I will come back let you know if it makes me happy, how to use it, products etc, another time. But first impression was quite good, considering I didn't really make an effort. The curls started to flatten at night, but the waves & volume were still there the next day.

Mehr & Me ~ LOTD

A spontaneous look I did in between coughing fits. I ate 2 small packets of popcorn one night and next day my throat got so sore & my voice almost gone. I usually like having sore throat so I can sing "I'm all out of faith....this is how I feel....I'm cold and I am shamed....lying naked on the floor...." but this time I don't sound  exactly like Natalie Imbruglia.

Anyways, this is how MAC Mehr Lipstick looks on me. I'm liking it a lot, and it actually looks better in pictures.

Face: Garnier BB Cream, Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer & Rimmel Nude Scandaleyes Kohl to conceal, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.

*Confession: I forgot to conceal under my left eye! Because I only planned to do a EOTD with just the right eye... haha! See how my concealed right eye (with YSL Touche Eclat) looks more lifted & my left eye looks dragged down and tired? Especially in 1st photo.

Cheeks: MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish. Shown here 

Eyes ~ Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette (review & swatches to come), Rimmel Extreme Definition Eye Definer Black, Max Factor 2000 Calorie Curved Brush Mascara

Lips: MAC Mehr Lipstick (Matte). Photos & Swatches here 

Earrings: Accessorize 

Peach Leather Jacket: ZARA.

OOTD ~ NYE Masquerade Party

Welcome To The Dark Side

2 Holiday Makeup Looks ~ Red 'Vs' Coral

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

This was supposed to be up yesterday, but we were busy, and I was exhausted by evening. So I decided to just sit back and do nothing..... listen to  Last Christmas & All I Want For Christmas Is You....and wait for Christmas Eve!

I couldn't decide which lippie color I wanted to wear, so I wore 2. You know, I don't usually smile wide in my FOTD's because I always end up looking too enthu... like, too much teeth.... sometimes too goofy. But a Holiday/Christmas-themed look is an exception =D

Outfit Of the Day, Mini Haul & Some Very Thoughtful Gifts From The Man

One: Posing in that position (maybe 7 times to get it right) will make your thigh muscles very angry at you. Going down the stairs was a pain even after 2 days! >.<

Two: I ended up sitting in most of the pics because the camera kept cutting my head off.

Three: Please excuse the messy background. We always think about tidying it up, but it's always raining & wet. Sheesh, I didn't even notice that stick branch on the ground until I was editing these pics.

Random Life In Pictures ~ Closet, Home, Snow, Etc

Hope you're having a nice Saturday. I had one of the worst days yesterday, but whatever....it's over now.

Life is so unpredictable right now. I don't know where we'll be living next year. Maybe in the UK, maybe in another country..... but one thing's for sure- I'll be in New Delhi for some days around March-April...woohoo!

My Closet: Sorry for the bad lighting, it's very dark in the bedroom. I'm very very lazy when it comes to organizing my closet, so it's easier for me to show you a non-messy one when I don't have much clothes. I need more hangers. I have not filled most of the shelves. Definitely need more shoes =D I don't keep the ones I've worn outside on the wetness & mud in here, so I have about 5 pairs near the door downstairs.

Jane Norman Belted Woolen Dress ~ Best buy & most-worn! Got in on sale for £15 (Rs.1300). It can be worn as off-shoulder or cowl neck.

Perlini Faux Fur Leopard Print Bag ~ Old. Got it years ago from Singapore.

Booties ~ Vincci   

MAC Angel Lipstick ~ Look & Review

Apart from Shaggy's insanely popular song, 'Angel' makes me think of a story a college roommate told me about that still makes me LOL to this day. A guy (admirer) had handwritten a love letter to her girlfriend:

"Blah.... blah..... blah........

...... You are my angle."

I think it's actually one of the most misspelled words in the English language. 

Sometime this year, I saw In Facebook:

• Proud mother put up photo of her kid with caption: "My little angle." 
• Status of some girl: "Treat me like an angle, and I'll show you what heaven is like."

Uhm, wrong angle, dudes! 

Coming to topic in hand, MAC Angel. One of MAC best selling lipsticks. I'll start with the look I did with it.

 

FOTD ~ Side Swept Bangs & Wearing Recent Purchases

It's -1 degree in Newcastle right now....brrr.... my feet are never warm!

I've become hyperactive after midnight these day, and I actually cut my bangs at around 2 am last night. I always regret cutting bangs, but this time I feel okay about them because my hair has become very flat in this freezing weather. I'm actually in the mood for a drastic hair makeover, but I'll let them get healthy first.... or not, I'm an impatient curious cat.

Face:  Revlon Colorstay Foundation, Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder.

Eyes: Urban Decay Snakebite. Buck on the crease, Half Baked on inner corners, Lakme Eyeconic Kajal & Bourjois Intense eyeshadow #10 Matte Black to smudge, Rimmel Scandleyes Mascara

Cheeks: Revlon Photoready Blush in Coral Reef . Reviewed here & The Body Shop Honey Bronzer #1 to contour under cheekbones

Lips: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle. It's less coral than it looks up there. True color in pic below. I will post photos & swatches soon.

Hairband: Miss Jo, New Delhi. 

Earrings: Forever 21 

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick Review & Swatches

When you buy a MAC Viva Glam Lipstick, the money goes to the MAC Aids Fund. A recent statement by MAC:

"M·A·C Cosmetics is going to make twice the impact this year on World AIDS Day. On Saturday, December 1 M·A·C Cosmetics will match all VIVA GLAM product sales on any of the MACcosmetics.com ecommerce sites for a double donation. Typically one VIVA GLAM purchase can buy five meals for a person living with HIV but with M·A·C Cosmetics’ donation match on World AIDS Day a VIVA GLAM lipstick purchased online can buy 10 meals. 

M·A·C’s commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS occurs 365 days a year through the sales of our VIVA GLAM products, 100 percent of the sales price of VIVA GLAM products goes directly to the M·A·C AIDS Fund. This year on World AIDS Day, M·A·C is going to make an even bigger impact by matching all sales of VIVA GLAM products purchased on maccosmetics.com and giving twice the money to the M·A·C AIDS Fund.,” 

Shade ~ Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick is a bright yellow pink. It's very bright pink with a coral tinge. Compared to MAC Chatterbox, it is warmer & leans more towards a coral-pink. It is also lighter than MAC Impassioned.

Finish ~ Satin. This finish is just slightly more creamy than a matte finish.