My life via instagram

I hope you are all enjoying your holiday season and you had a very Merry Christmas! I can't believe how fast it came and went this year.  I hope you all got to relax a bit, ate a lot of yummy food and surrounded yourself with awesome xmas movies and laughter :) 

I have been having a hard time keeping up with blogging (no surprise there), but hopefully once my move is complete and I am settled in, I will be able to share with you my new surroundings (in Tokyo, Japan!).  In the meantime, I wanted to share with you my life - instagram style~!  I just find it easier to just take a photo and then post it up in an instant instead of having to log into blogger and updating here.  Feel free to add me on instagram @missmicchan :)

From top left: a photo from our engagement photo shoot (taken by Lakeshore Park Lawn), I took hubby to a Calphalon cooking class for his bday since he loves to cook, used picfx app to decorate the bottom 2 photos.

Left: Went to NYC for a trip and found cute Hello Kitty items at Fao Swartz, Right: A very foggy NYC covering Rockefeller Center

Left: Ate at GoGoCurry - very good, Right: NYC in Lego

  

Love to take photos of food.  The photo on the right is actually only 10 chicken wings!  One piece was HUGE! (at a restaurant in NYC)

OOTD, Red blazer for $15 at H&M (which I didn't end up buying), new Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac purse (I LOVE!!), somewhat new ombre glasses from Zoft in Japan (used picfx app to decorate)

I have tried many ramen places in Toronto and the hubby and I have FINALLY found a place that we thought was good.   The left one: Santouka (recommended!), Right: Sansoutei (it's alright), and the other ramen places were just ok too (ie. wouldn't go back if we had a choice)

Top Left: Halifax trip for work, Beautiful sunset by cheltenham badlands, Niagara Falls

The wedding :) We had it at the Sunnybrook Estates: Mclean house and it was amazing.  Will hopefully post most photos from the wedding

Some posts I have been thinking of doing: 

- Wedding

- Jewelmint haul: the pieces I got from my mystery box

-  Christmas, Birthday, Boxing day, NYC Haul

That's it folks! I hope you all have a very wonderful and safe holiday season and a joyous New Year!

well hello there stranger...

Let me start off by saying I thought I was too old for school, but I got it all wrong. I went back to school full time and loved it~! My term has just ended and I can't believe how fast it went :s All I can say is : stay in school kids. I have so much respect for those people that continuously yearn to learn for more. I'm not saying you have to go back to school to learn more, simply picking up a book or a newspaper and using your brain is great :)

 Im tying the knot in a week ....wow. I have so much to do. help. Here's a couple of videos about some jewelmint pieces I got recently. All I gotta say is that I'm impressed with jewelmint. Their pieces so far seem to be quite sturdy (and they better be since they're regularly $30 a pop), and I like that fact that the next girl doesn't have the same piece as I do.





that's it for now..but I'll be back :) Have a good weekend

Beautiful Banff Alberta Canada

 

So I decided to use my aeroplan points and fly off to some place in Canada I have never been before: Banff, AB.  I have heard such great things about this place and since both the fiance and I love the outdoors so much, we decided to go for it! This is one place you MUST visit (if you're going to visit Canada).  It's simply breathtaking! We were very lucky since we had such beautiful weather the whole time :)



First stop of course is Lake Louise.  This is an alternate view of the lake (we had to hike up to get here)Check out how beautiful the water is!  To be honest though, Lake Louise is slightly overrated.  We found TONS of beautiful lakes and mountains to look at :p

 

So we were on our way from Banff to the Columbia Ice Fields and I decided to stop (right before Saskatchewan cross roads) and what a gem this was.  Hardly anyone was here since most people stop at the SK cross roads and I'm so glad we stopped here.  WOW Just wow... Fiance actually cooked up some rice and curry in a small burner and we had a very nice warm lunch with a breaktaking view :)



That's him warming up the curry using the burner (see...no one around! lol)

 

Beautiful Lake Peyto
 



Lake Moraine: best lake we visited IMO.  I liked this lake a lot more than Lake Louise.  We were told that this lake is very pretty close to sunset and the parking isn't as bad during that time as well :)  We got 'lucky' with the parking.  Long story short, there was a huge line up of cars for parking spots, I let a guy in before me since he seemed like he was waiting for a long time - cut to the chase- he ended up getting a parking spot and so did I :)

Of course we had some noodles while we enjoyed the view of Lake Moraine



Another random stop on the road - stunning!

Saw 4 bears during our trip :)

 

Banff city at night

I have so many more photos, but I don't want to bombard you with Banff.  It was such an experience I will never forget.  What are some places you have been that are 'must visits'? 

 

On a side note: sometimes I just want to blog about some random stuff.  Mostly things about my wedding these days (since I'm getting married later this year). I just can't imagine how some people spend so much money on one single day. Also, doesn't the bride/groom ever feel bad asking friends to cough out all this money for one single couple? Can you imagine having to attend 5 weddings in a year.  Each wedding there is: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelor(ette) party, stag and doe etc..That's a lot of money! >_<...what are your thoughts?

New Videos

It's been awhile. Sorry :( I have just transitioned from my full time job and it's been a crazy ride lately. Here are some videos that I recently uploaded onto Youtube


Some foods I had in Japan

 
August Topbox unboxing

I went away to Banff, Canada for a little vacation and will post some photos shortly! I know I also have to do my purse haul of of these days as well - especially because I just recently added a new purse to my recent collection :S

Talk soon xo

July Topbox 2012 unboxing YT video

Just a quick video on my July Topbox.  I also purchased some House of Harlow pieces and did a mini-review as well :)

Yumeko’s Weekly Photo Challenge #7 – Vacation Edition

I have been following Yumeko and she has these weekly photo challenges and decided to take it up for this week :)

1. Somewhere you visited on your last vacation
I apologize as my last vacation was Japan (sorry if it's repetitive)

 

Fiance and I went to a ryokan that had a private onsen (hot springs bath) on our balcony.  I LOVED it, we could go in whenever we wanted to and the water was hot hot hot! Love! 

2. Something you bought on your last vacation

I decided to hit up the Burberry Blue Label store as they don't sell this in Canada.  More to come on this topic :s I ended up buying FOUR purses while I was in Japan OMG >____<

3. Something you ate on your last vacation

Went to a restaurant called Sansui - so yummy (and look how much food there is) ^^

 

Of course when you go to Japan, you MUST try desserts there.  It just doesn't compare with our sad selection of pies and cheesecakes lol There's an endless amount of options in Japan and I always find that it's a lot lighter ... so I can eat more haha >_<"

4. A ticket/bill/receipt from your last vacation

Unfortunately cannot find anything...:S sorry about that!

5. The number one place where you live, that you think people should visit

Of course...the almighty Niagara Falls

 

I suppose I could have posted something like the CN tower, but to be honest with you, I think Niagara Falls is a MUST! Although it may take a little over an hour to get there from Toronto, it's just breathtaking! The power of the falls is just so incredible! I remember hearing somewhere that Niagara is the #1 honeymoon destination in the world lol Don't know if this is true, but it's a definite must go!

....last but not least, here's a video on YT that I just posted about my trip to japan

Have an awesome week everyone! 

Zara and Winners & new Youtube video (May Topbox + Fried Chicken)

Happy Sunday!
Went to Square One Shopping mall to look for dresses for my bridesmaids and of course I left the mall with some Zara purchases.  FYI, they've got a sale going on so go now before sizes run out.  Surprisingly the line up for the change room wasn't bad and the line up for the cash wasn't bad either.  Even my friend was saying how organized and tame it was compared to the Zara location she visited downtown.

Black top for $35 CAD and pants for $20

Left: $40 Zara Right: $44 Winners

Question: Which one do you thing is more appropriate for a wedding? (the top right photo)

I want to wear the one on the left but I'm scared that I will be caught wearing a dress someone else is wearing since it's Zara.  The pants were a steal at $20 and they're super stretchy so they're very comfortable. You can't see it in the photo, but the pants have zipper detailing on the side of the leg, nice touch :)

....and last but not least, Mississauga is finally getting a Galleria! woo hoo! It's a Korean supermarket that sales anything from yummy food to cosmetics (kind of like a T&T supermarket).  Sorry for the crappy photo, I took it from the car with my cell phone.  The location is right across from the new Walmart by Dixie and Dundas

Here's a short video of this fried chicken place that I tried in Japan..yumyum!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KStNroVx88

Here is the May Topbox video - a bit disappointed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e40am-AEDEY

Back from Japan!

Hello all, it's be a long time.  This is just a quick post to share with you my travels to Tokyo, Japan.  There are TOO many things to post about Japan so I'll trickle them in post by post.  I've also uploaded a short video on youtube about a very neat touchscreen vending machine :)

click for the youtube video

As you already know, the products in Japan are just so cute....I wish we had them here in Canada.  This is only some of the stuff I purchased while I was there. Unfortunately, a lot of stuff I got this time was food.  I took 2 suitcases down with me and 1 was literally filled with ALL food items haha

These are tabs : so cute!

More to come...stay tuned :)

Unboxing Topbox March + Haul + L'oreal Colour Riche Balm

What a beatiful day it is today ^_^ I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday!

I just wanted to post a video I did of my unboxing of the March Topbox subscription.

My youtube video here: Unboxing Topbox March 2012

These are the items that were in this month's subscription of Topbox. Unfortunately, I signed on last year and since they were sold out, I received my first shipment in March (this month). So far, I am pleased with the shipping process: they send you an email with the tracking info and if I remember correctly, it arrived on the exact estimated day of arrival.

The other day I went to walmart to kill some time as I was waiting for my replacement brakes at the garage. I always love roaming around cosmetics :) I found this little gem: the L'oreal Colour Riche Balm in #518 Tender Mauve. I LOVE this!!!! It's smooth, not sticky, has SPF of 15 and the colour looks great on the lips!

When I was cashing out, even the cashier said she loved this product :)

My sis and mom just came back from japan so I post a video in the next little while on my Japan haul :)

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend! ttys

First Youtube video: Abercrombie, Hollister Haul +timmies

Happy March 1st! :)Hope you all had a wonderful February!

I posted a quick post about the Abercrombie & Fitch , Hollister sale and just wanted to share my haul with you on Youtube
Youtube video

I apologize in advance as I'm using my laptop camera to record: the video quality isn't the best and the sound is muffled :s Next time I know to use my regular camera ...sorry about that!

The sale is still happening, but just make sure that you click on the clearance section, not the sale section. After receiving my package, I realized I was missing something that I ordered for my other friend...unfortunately it was sold out :( I went online again today and found a hoodie for $12.50! Couldn't resist so I got one for myself too! With shipping and 2 hoodies, it was about $49 meaning each hoodie was about $25! Not bad in my opinion!

Anyways, hope you all have a great week.  I've had quite the rough week. My fiance is in Japan so I'm doing a lot of my wedding planning on my own. It's tough.  Everytime I go and see a vendor they ask me: why are you alone? I see couples choosing flowers, tasting various cakes, choosing the right photographer...the list goes on.  Then today as I was driving I realized I was being selfish.  I should be really appreciative for all that he does for me...I am so loved and I should truly appreciate this instead of wasting all my energy on my pity party.  So I told myself : Appreciate what you have. Appreciate it b/c there's no doubt that there is someone else in this world that has it a lot worse than you do
ttys
micchan

Hollister + Abercrombie & Fitch sale!

Just a real quick post informing you of a great sale that Hollister and A&F are having at the moment, I ended up buying a whole bunch of stuff for my family in Japan.  The A&F stuff there is more expensive than here (crazy...as I think it's expensive as it is).

You can go to the respective websites (dont forget to sign up your email address on the bottom right side of screen to receive a code for free shipping) or you can visit
Redflagdeals.com forum to see comments from others that have purchased sales.  I should have looked thorough this forum first as I have realized there are many 'hidden' sales !

happy family day and happy shopping :)

Posted a new video

wow..im on a roll here!
I just posed a new video compliation of my eating adventures....well it's more like fiance's eating adventures as I'm usually the one behind the camera :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IKsgvSxBbU&feature=youtube_gdata

(please keep in mind it's loose translation. ^^)
Enjoy!

My Love life

Yesterday was Valentines day..I went to Metro to do some grocery shopping and saw a line of 15 guys at the florist lol last minute shopping! 
I found this story on Facebook:

"So today I was in Hallmark buying my mom a Happy Birthday card when I noticed... this old man stnding in front of the Valentines card section contemplating which one to get. I decide to go over and I ask him “Are you getting a Valentine’s Day for your wife?” in which he replies 'No my wife died 3 years ago from breast cancer but I still buy her roses and a card and bring them to her grave to prove to her that she was the only one that will ever have my heart' " :') <3 love!

I have been in many relationships in the past and always wanted the fairtale guy..the prince charming. The kind of 'love' you see in the movies like "P.S. I love you"..but I came to realize that this was out of reach and I was being unrealistic.  So I went with what I thought was the next best thing; being with your best friend.  We were together for over 4 years, we rarely fought, got along really well, he made me laugh, he had a huge heart, I got along very well with his family....we ended up buying a house together and he even asked my parents for my hand in marrige O_o.  I broke this relationship off last year.  I realized I was just settling.  I decided to concentrate on my self and excel in what I was doing.  Do my best at work and just continue to advance foward in life.  Then I met him..my version of prince charming.  That's what they always say...you meet your significant other when you least expect it.

I was away for 2.5 days at the end of January for work and when I returned home, this is what I saw...

My fiance had cooked me up several meals and put them in the freezer since he would be leaving for Japan on Jan 31st. There's some curry, 2 diff types of pasta and some fried rice. <3 He also wrote notes for me ...I tear up each time I take one out to eat. Wow..just wow... <3

Lesson for you out there looking for "the one": concentrate on yourself. You have to be truly happy with yourself in order to be in a happy relationship. You only attract the same kind of people as yourself.  If you yourself are happy/in a good life state, then you will also attract people that are happy/in a good life state ( I hope that makes sense). 

My sister sent this to me when I was going through the rough time of dealing with the break up. It's a quote from a lady named Maxine "As my self-respect grew, I attracted more respect from the people in my life. ...As my confidence grew, I became increasingly aware that I had been expecting someone from outside myself to make me happy.  The need to be loved remained at my core, but I began to deeply understand that my happiness was my responsibility.  I had been looking for a "life saver" rather than a "life partner." 

Althought he's in Japan for the next 6 months or so and it hurts so bad that I'm not physically with him, the love is there and it just feels so right. In Japan, it's usually the girl that makes chocolates for the guy and gives the guy gifts ^^ I made him a scarf and sent him some valentines day chocolates that I made - they're chocolate covered brownie bits ^^

Here he is rocking the handmade scarf..he had to shave off his goatee for interviews lol Still handsome <3

Do you guys want to barf yet? hahah sorry It just feels so good to be in love and please remember...we ALL deserve to be loved...to be truly loved!

A healthy relationship is one that continues to help you move forward in life; to improve and advance both as a person, but also as a couple.
Love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction.- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Have a good week!

Blog award

Happy hump day (..hm I believe my last post was also on a Wednesday) haha
I received this really cute blog award by Nat: natikiru (thank you!)

For this award you:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the award questions.
3. Tell something about yourself you haven't told anyone on your blog yet.
4. Award as many blogs that you think are worthy of this award.
5. Make sure you let those you gave the award to know that you awarded them

Award questions:
1. What is your go to makeup product?
Lately I'm not really wearing make up, but one thing I definitely wear before I leave the house is concealer.  I find it mediocre - anyone have any recommendations?

2. What was your fashion trend of 2011?
Oh boy...I don't really follow trends so I'm not sure ... hm...I jumped on the Pandora bracelet bandwagon :s

3. What is your favourite dessert?
I love ALL sweets! I don't have a favourite dessert

4. What is your middle name? Don't have one
5. What was the last song you listened to?
I'm planning my wedding for later this year and my fiance and I decided to use this song as I walk down the aisle. I listen to it when I'm feeling a little low (had a crazy rough day today...cried my eyes out)
Kenny G wedding song
6. Something you don't know about me yet
I have a skin condition called psoriasis. It's quite irritating especially during the dry winter months.  It flares up when I'm stressed and I wish I never had it :s

I pass this blog award to:
The Skinnies
MACnunu
Beauty is Imperfections

Have an awesome week everyone!

NOTD, food and pretty necklace

Happy humpday (ie Wednesday)! I received a FULL sample of this China Glaze nail polish in my loosebutton subscription last year.  I never tried this nail polish b/c I assumed it was a dark brown colour and didn't feel like wearing a dark colour like this until recently.  I was plesantly surprised to see this nail polish being a dark plum colour with small tiny gold shimmer - gorgeous!! Love love!!! The colour is China Glaze #668 side-saddle

My apologizes, this photo was taken after several days of wear



Can you see the small golden shimmer?! So pretty! :)

(btw, Loose Buttons is one of those monthly subscriptions where you receive samples from various companies.  For more info: www.loosebutton.com  I have stopped my subscription after several months as I have a vast collection of sample makeup/skincare that I need to use up first)

I had a double date the other weekend: went to EDO Restaurant in Toronto to take advantage of the Winterlicious prices/meals.  To be honest with you, I had low expectations of this restaurant as it being a Japanese restaurant.  I hope I don't offend anyone with this comment, but many Japanese restaurants aren't own by Japanese people and chefs aren't usually Japanese...for this reason, the food is just ok/avg/good.  Growing up eating Japanese food daily, I'm quite picky and am rarely impressed with Japanese restaurants, but EDO Restaurant was a plesant surprise :) The chef came and spoke to us after as well - a very nice encounter!

This plate may look quite normal, but it was very good!

I also purchased a necklace from Forever 21 and I love how the colours shine :)

Also, on a side note, lately my eyes are attracted to neutrals: creme, ivory, taupe, muted pinks, corals, peach colours lol I guess I'm becoming more 'girly' (I'm actually quite a tomboy if I let myself go) lol

Have a great week everyone! ^_^

Happy New Year! I understand that it's February as of tomorrow, but better late than never ;)

I just posted 2 more vides : first one is Disney world (again...) but is about the Christmas lights and decoration.  The 2nd video I took last year of downtown Toronto :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eX-Ri9WD1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX6HhSZq3o0

Is it just me or does anyone else experience Christmas withdrawl the beginning of the year? I'm over it now, but looking at the videos and photos makes me smile wishing for Christmas all over again. haha

On a side note, the fiance left for Japan today ...im balling my eyes :( I know he will return later this year, but it's going to be tough.  Ive had one LD relationship in the past and it ended with him cheating on me :(  I know this time it's different, but it just hurts a little to be physically away from him.

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far, let's all continue to look forward and continue to challenges ourselves! ^__^