i'm back!! rotterdam/amsterdam trip

i have been neglecting my blog for the past few months. i think i have a valid reason(hope you agree with me). i was in the midst of searching for a home, packing, moving, cleaning, organizing etc. this is in addition to my work which is pretty hectic recently. phew~~~~~finally, i'm more settled down in my new cottage, although i'm still sleeping on the floor like a nomad :) i'm starting to feel that being a homeowner ain't easy. my grass is dying and weeds are appearing everywhere. arghhh......i have no idea what to do. i used to dislike rain(i don't like being wet and caught without an umbrella), but now i'm hoping that it'll rain more often to avoid watering my yard&trees ;P

on to another subject, my much delayed post about my christmas '09 trip. it was a long journey from london to rotterdam. all because of eurostar not working in the cold winter :S we took a train from london to harwich way before sunrise. yawn~~~~~~ then we took a ferry to hoek van holland. it was a huge ferry and was packed with people. i slept most of the journey in the uncomfortable seats for ~7 hours. one ironic thing was they were showing a movie about a sinking ship. not a good movie to be shown to the ferry patrons, don't you think? then we took a train to rotterdam from the port. alas, we arrived! only to be stranded in the heavy snow and the tram stopped working. we finally made it to our hotel after lots of detour. the local people are really nice and helpful.

rotterdam is full with unique and weird architectural buildings.

can you imagine how cold it was?!!

windmill...the only one i saw at Delfshaven. it's a working windmill

amsterdam is famous for pancakes. this is bacon strips with vege...yum

the only tulips available are in Bloemenmarkt. i can imagine how beautiful it is in spring

erotic chocolates. i'll keep to myself what i saw in red light district sshhhhh......

next project: painting my room....how does french lilac sounds? psst...the organizer is given by shop n chomp. using it everyday :)

Happy Earth Day !!!

What's your contribution to give back to mother nature?

Here are some ideas

• RECYCLE......it's not that hard, really
• Use reusable bags when you shop......put them in the trunk. that way you'll always have them with you
• Plant a tree
• use energy efficient light bulbs, appliances etc.
• turn off the water while brushing your teeth
• take shorter colder showers
• use a mug instead of paper/plastic cups
• sign up for paperless bills

what other ideas do you have?

ps: in the middle of moving. hence, the slow posts

london part 1

went missing for a long period of time. no excuse. just feel like taking a break from the blogging world ;-P time to rewind and playback my Christmas+New Year vacation in UK&Europe. Everyone told me it was a bad idea to go there in winter, but what did I do?? ignore their advice and went ahead to a cold cold adventure >_<>

london was snowing when i got there. it almost never snows in london. what happen to our climate?? i'm happy to find out my friend's place is not too far from the tube station. don't want to be frozen every time i leave the apartment to the tube station.

first meal in london.......BURGER!! not what i wanted, but every pub that we went was full. apparently thursday evening is also drinking evening. surprisingly it was good (psst....maybe i'm just hungry)

mince pie...a london christmas dessert. a bit too sweet for liking

pub scene in london

love the christmas deco along oxford st.

close up look of london eye

big ben at night

steak mushroom and cheese suet pudding. love the sauce. delicious!!

i'm addicted to tea. love those teapots, cups and tier plates. i'm hunting for a afternoon tea place in my area.

curry bratwurst from winter wonderland a.k.a. christmas market. londoners love curry. they have curry sauce to go with McNuggets....yummy

missed the train to paris due to severe weather. no paris for me

Happy New Year !!

it's a bit late to wish you all, but it took me a while to get back on my routine after a long vacation. after all, it's still january :D so.................

what's better than kicking off the new year by receiving love package?? nothing!! i was thrilled when i found out that i am the winner for shopnchomp's recent giveaway. this is my 1st win from the blogger world. lisa is so sweet to include many extras in the package.

i wasn't expecting a huge box ;-D

all the lovely goodies

love this dress on the card :D

a pair of dainty leave earrings. comes in a rose print box

extras extras!! which one i should try 1st??
tsumori chisato/shu uemura mirror and planner. cute star, cat, ribbon print.

thanks to sweet lisa from shopnchomp!!

Happy Holidays + Happy New Year

i will be travelling and won't have access to the internet. so, happy holidays and happy new year to you all. hope 2010 will bring more joyous moments to you :)

my christmas haul from sephora with the coupon they sent out recently & mini smashbox haul

see you cottagers next year!

December Giveaways

Eki's 1400+ followers Giveaway

Prize:

Jill Stuart LE Anniversary cosmetic pouch with matching mirror*book will not be included its too heavy to mail sorry*

your choice of one free pair earring from ekiLove♥

Limited edition Japanese kit kats :D

Matcha lattes

My HG face masks, My beauty diary mask in white pearl, catena crystal collagen eye mask, Japanese Hyaluronic acid mask

nailene french nail tip pen in black

Revlon fantasy lengths

crazy rumors organic perk lip balm in coffee bean

Rules:

Be a follower and leave a comment in this post let me know why you like Jill stuart and my blog! :)

that's it!

for extra entry:

you can enter another entry by posting a link about this giveaway and leave a comment with the post link!

Shan's Shan's First Giveaway

Prizes:

-Sleek I-Divine Mineral Eyeshadow Palette in 'Original'

-Aveeda lipstick in 702 Sheer Saffron (It's a deep deep strong browny burgandy red)

-Nail Art Kit

-Nail Buffer

-2 x Poppets (toffee/mint)

-A pack of Mikado

-Some Samples

Rules:

- Follower

- Re-post the giveaway on blogger or on twitter or youtube

- Comment 'Enter me' as well as the link to where you re-posted

- You need to leave your email, If I can not contact you through blogger (If the winner does not answer within 42 hours, I will pick another)

Voyager 100th Follower Giveaway!!!

Prizes:

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

Dior J'adore Beautifying Body Milk

Dior Addict High Shine Lipstik (travel size)

Clinique Fresh Bloom Allover Colour (travel size)

Clinique Cosmetic Pouch

Clinique Mascara + Lipgloss

Etude House Juicy Pop Tube

SK-II Journal Book

Taiwan Mask Sheets

Hello Kitty Wipes

Mirror

A few Samples

(All items are Brand New!)

Rules:

1. Must be a follower of this blog

2. Leave a comment with your Username (the name you use to follow me)

3. And tell me: What do you think of my blog? (please be honest, you will get more loves for being honest :D)

Extra entries:

1. Post this giveaway and the link on your blog, leave me a link (1 extra entry)

2. Follow me on twitter @DinaEstyXu and tweet about this giveaway including@DinaEstyXu, leave me a link to your tweet (1 extra entry)

3. For my first 100 followers, you earn 1 extra entry automaticly for being awesome! :D

Please leave just ONE COMMENT, i'll count the extra entries for you. Multiple comments will be deleted.

This giveaway opens for International readers and ends on December 31st, 2009. you have more than one month to enter this giveaway, so don't hesitate to enter!

Jbreezy Holiday Giveaway

RULES:
Must be a follower
Must be at least 18 years old to join (If you are under 18, please ask mommy and daddy first :])
1 entry- Leave a comment to this post and tell me What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Additonal (1) entry- Repost this Giveway on your blog and leave another comment for this (make sure you answer the question for the 1-entry)
Additional (1) entry- Follow me twitter (Check Right Sidebar) and message me on twitter saying "HI" or "Hello" or "bitch.. you aint all that"... anything! You can also retweet this giveaway. Make sure to still leave me a comment on this post stating you have done that. (and make sure you answer the question for 1 entry)
**Make sure to do the 1 entry before doing additional entries. Winners are chosen using Random.org.
Deadline for this Giveway is on Wednesday, DECEMBER 16, 2009 @ 11:59 pm Central Time. (Mom's Birthday!)

my new toy + yu + thanksgiving

finally i got my 1st dslr. i've been hunting for one for a long time. this is the only camera(besides my lousy phone camera) that i have now, since i sold all my point and shoot. i'll probably need to get a new point and shoot as well. maybe when i get my bonus (wink *_^) i'm going to take real good care of this baby. fingers cross ^_^

went to a japanese restaurant 2 weeks ago for a scrumptious dinner. the bill was @_@, but it was worth it. here are some food pics. the chilean bass was so tasty. it's marinated in miso sauce for 48 hrs.

hope everyone had a great thanksgiving turkey eating fest. i went to denver with some friends for a short trip. it was really cold compare to austin and the scenery was mesmerizing. there are snow top mountains everywhere in mile high city. our thanksigiving dinner was *bleh. we had buffet at grand hyatt hotel. the food was cold and bland. totally not worth paying for. we drove to aspen/snowmass for skiing. it was a pretty exciting journey. we saw wild ram and dead deer on the roadside. it was so peaceful out there. it started snowing a little. sitting on the ski lift and watching those tiny snowflakes gently descend to the white covered ground gives you a peaceful and calm feeling. there weren't enough snow for snowmobiling :( but the women worldcup was held on the same weekend. we watched a concert and fireworks from aspen ski slope. something special from the trip. no shopping/hauling this trip ^_^ on a side note, it snowed in austin last friday. it was a rare sight down here.

shopping!!!! victoria secret is giving a free cute pup with any pink purchase. comes in silver, gold, pink, blue, green. hurry and get yours! y4ou'll also get a free pink panty with a printable coupon from pink nation. just sign up and print.

christmas is just around the corner. have you put up your decoration? i'm pretty lazy as i've just came back from the trip and will be leaving again next week. don't think i'll put up any decorations this year. picture is taken from silvertree hotel in snowmass village.

November Giveaways

Shop N' Chomp Giveaway

Prizes:

* Tsumori Chisato 2010 calendar book

* Limited Edition Tsumori Chisato for Shu Uemura mirror with pouch

* Handmade gold leaf stud earrings

* Various sheet masks

* 2 boxes of Revlon Runway Collection artificial nails

Rules:

For 1 entry:

1) You must be a follower of "Shop N' Chomp" blog

2) Comment on this post with your email address and tell me what your #1 holiday wishlist item is.

For 2 additional entries:

1) Spread the love. Enter a second comment that includes a link to your own blog or your tweet where you have shared my giveaway. Include the 1st pic above showing the prizes.

A Watercolour Sky 2nd Anniversary Giveaway

Giveaway ends November 11, 2009

Prizes:

China Glaze Nail Lacquer in For Audrey

Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate

Dior High Shine Mini-Lipstick in Catwalk Mauve

MAC Pro Makeup Remover Sample

Rules:

1. Be a public follower via Google.

2. Leave a comment with your current beauty obsession [e.g, pink lips, perfect skin, etc.]

3. If you are one of the first/existing 308 followers, you get another entry. Leave another comment saying so.

4. [Extra Entry] Mention this giveaway on your blog and leave another comment with the link.

**There will be a new giveaway every week, so 3 giveaways in November.

Sweetcheek's Giveaway

Giveaway ends November 16, 2009

Prizes:

St. Moriz Tanning Mousse

Eyeko Fat Balm in Raspberry

ELF Mineral Lipstick in Nicely Nude

NYX Round Lipstick in Sash

Neutral Eye Palette

Rules:

1. Must be a follower

2. Comment saying "Enter Me"

3. [Extra Entry] Mention this giveaway on your blog and comment with the link.

The Ultimate Lash Mantra Give Away

Rules:

1. Leave a comment to say Enter Me and become a fan of Lash Mantra on Facebook if you have a Face book account.

2. Post about this give away on your blog, if you have one. Include the Prize Picture above.

Duration: 2 weeks (9th November – 23rd November) See Timer in my side bar.

Winner will be drawn on the 24th of November by Random.org and your address will be sent to Lash Mantra for direct mailing from there.

Savvy Mode's giveaway here

Rules:

1. Be a Savvy Mode follower for one entry since this is to kickoff holiday shopping for Savvy Mode readers.

2. Share this giveaway for 2 additional entries.

3. Sorry, this is open to US and Canadian readers only.

4. Entry period Nov 9 to Nov 19, 2009

The Polka-dotted Apple's FIRST Giveaway!

The winner will get (all brand-spankin' new!) :

Rules:

1. Must be a follower.

2. One comment per person. If more than one, the person will be disqualified.

3. Giveaway ends on November 29, 2009 at 11:59PM EST

4. Must have more than 10 people enter or it will be cancelled.

5. Winner will be chosen at random via random.org.

6. Include your email in your comment.

7. Open internationally.

Answer these questions in a blog post and link back to my giveaway post**:

What is your most prized possession?

my computer. it's my work, entertainment, communication box :) no way i can pass a day without touching my computer (except travelling maybe)

What is your definition of beauty?

hmmm.....don't really have one. i think everyone can be beautiful with the correct aesthetic techniques. fyi, i've seen too many before and after photos. well, that only answers for outer beauty.

What makeup item (Brand and name of product) would you recommend to me?

ecotools blusher brush. it's a good brush that doesn't hurt your wallet.

What is your favorite KIND of makeup item and why?

bbcream/foundation. it covers up all your flaws.

A weird factoid about you. :B

i'm a heavy sleeper. i won't wake up even if you kick me zzzzz

What is the fondest memory of your childhood?

fighting with my siblings. it helps to build character :P

Describe yourself honestly.

i'm a dreamer. i have lots of thoughts/ideas about what i'll do, but most of them have not materialized. i'll try my best to do them whenever possible cos' life's too short :)

Tell me something I could do to improve my blog.

your blog's title font/color. it's hard to see with the background.