Hi all! I added a few pairs of earrings to my shop. Check them out in the video below and let me know what you think.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Out And About: Chinatown Market
The beau and I recently stopped in Chinatown to grab a bubble tea and to walk around a bit. While walking I decided to stop in Chinatown Market which is a little grocery store that's right off of the Red line Cermak stop. Though, I've been to Chinatown plenty of times, I kind of avoided this store; And I'm not sure why. Maybe because it looks a little small and dumpy. But I've been to plenty of stores and markets that are dumpy and end up finding awesome stuff. Anyway, I walked in and was a little overwhelmed. There was soooo much stuffed into this little store. The shelves were packed to the gills with teas, herbs, spices, beverages, candies, dried fruits, etc,.... I was not prepared for all of this. So I quickly grabbed some random herbal beverage and got out there. Plus the aisles were pretty narrow and the store was somewhat crowded. I decided I would go back when it was less crowded and I had more time to look around.
Well, I went back and this time it was earlier in the day. There weren't many people in the store so I took my time looking around. I found plenty of interesting items that I wanted to try/buy and plenty of others (like preserved chicken eggs) that the westerner in me wouldn't think of trying. There were loads of teas, herbal elixirs, fresh produce, and preserved fruits. There were also a lot of snacks and candies which were a little healthier and less processed than some of the snacks that you'll find in a conventional grocery store; and a lot cheaper than what you'll find in a health food store. There was also a frozen section, a deli and a little area with beauty products that I didn't have time to look at. So I'm sure I'll be headed back to check out what I missed. Here are the few things that I did pick up; all for about $11. And I wanted more but that dang budget flags waves high and mighty these days (it's really real).
What I got:
Left to right:
Common Self-Heal Fruit Spike Drink
A beverage made with Prunella Vulgaris and other herbs/roots. Tasted a bit like cola without the fizz. And was a little sweet. I can remember if it was sweetened with sugar or honey.
Grass Jelly Drink
A beverage made with grass jelly and other ingredients.
Honey Pomelo dry fruit
Dried pomelo fruit with sugar and gelatin. These were tasty but upon reading all of the nutrition facts (which I usually always do but didn't this time) I was disappointed at the amount of calories and sodium (240/220) that one piece contained :-/
Green Tea Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds coated with green tea powder and salt. Not bad but I found myself getting tired of the taste after a couple handfuls.
Temple of Heaven Green China Tea Special Gunpowder
Loose green tea
Meiji Milk Chocolate Bar
Average chocolate bar
A few more photos:
Do you shop in Chinatown where you live? or other ethnic markets? Let me know.
P.S. I kinda wanted to try the durian chewy candy. I figured that would be the closest I'd get to trying the infamous fruit.
Well, I went back and this time it was earlier in the day. There weren't many people in the store so I took my time looking around. I found plenty of interesting items that I wanted to try/buy and plenty of others (like preserved chicken eggs) that the westerner in me wouldn't think of trying. There were loads of teas, herbal elixirs, fresh produce, and preserved fruits. There were also a lot of snacks and candies which were a little healthier and less processed than some of the snacks that you'll find in a conventional grocery store; and a lot cheaper than what you'll find in a health food store. There was also a frozen section, a deli and a little area with beauty products that I didn't have time to look at. So I'm sure I'll be headed back to check out what I missed. Here are the few things that I did pick up; all for about $11. And I wanted more but that dang budget flags waves high and mighty these days (it's really real).
What I got:
Left to right:
Common Self-Heal Fruit Spike Drink
A beverage made with Prunella Vulgaris and other herbs/roots. Tasted a bit like cola without the fizz. And was a little sweet. I can remember if it was sweetened with sugar or honey.
Grass Jelly Drink
A beverage made with grass jelly and other ingredients.
Honey Pomelo dry fruit
Dried pomelo fruit with sugar and gelatin. These were tasty but upon reading all of the nutrition facts (which I usually always do but didn't this time) I was disappointed at the amount of calories and sodium (240/220) that one piece contained :-/
Green Tea Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds coated with green tea powder and salt. Not bad but I found myself getting tired of the taste after a couple handfuls.
Temple of Heaven Green China Tea Special Gunpowder
Loose green tea
Meiji Milk Chocolate Bar
Average chocolate bar
A few more photos:
Do you shop in Chinatown where you live? or other ethnic markets? Let me know.
P.S. I kinda wanted to try the durian chewy candy. I figured that would be the closest I'd get to trying the infamous fruit.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Birchbox June 2012
Hi all! I got my Birchbox today and this month's theme is Jet Set, so the items are all travel friendly.
Here is what I got:
Cynthia Rowley Dress Up Band-Aids (Full-size Pack of 20)
I must admit that I side-eyed these bandages when I first saw them but they are really cute. I'd wear one sans wound. The info card says that these retail for $15 per 20 pack but there is a bundle, including these plus a 20 pack of designer waterproof Band-Aids, on the Birchbox site for $14.
Masqueology Pore Minimizing Mask (1 mask)
A one time use mask that is supposed to minimize the visible appearance of pores and refine the overall texture of skin. I'm excited to try this. Retails at $24 for 3 individually wrapped masks. Available in a brightening formula also.
Let's see what's in here
Melvita Rose Floral Water (0.95 fl. oz.)
I love rose water and I'm happy to have this little travel spray for my purse. Retails at $22 for 6.76 oz.
theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen (0.04 fl.oz)
This stain left a very sheer and natural finish on my lips. It wasn't too drying like the liquid stains I've used in the past. Retails $17 for .3 oz.
Juliette Has A Gun - Not A Perfume (Sample vial)
I really like this fragrance. It's light and clean and has a soft finish. The creator describes it as minimalist, elegant, pur, and I agree. It retails at $85 for approx. 1.7 oz.
Here is what I got:
Cynthia Rowley Dress Up Band-Aids (Full-size Pack of 20)
I must admit that I side-eyed these bandages when I first saw them but they are really cute. I'd wear one sans wound. The info card says that these retail for $15 per 20 pack but there is a bundle, including these plus a 20 pack of designer waterproof Band-Aids, on the Birchbox site for $14.
Masqueology Pore Minimizing Mask (1 mask)
A one time use mask that is supposed to minimize the visible appearance of pores and refine the overall texture of skin. I'm excited to try this. Retails at $24 for 3 individually wrapped masks. Available in a brightening formula also.
Let's see what's in here
Melvita Rose Floral Water (0.95 fl. oz.)
I love rose water and I'm happy to have this little travel spray for my purse. Retails at $22 for 6.76 oz.
theBalm cosmetics Stainiac in Beauty Queen (0.04 fl.oz)
This stain left a very sheer and natural finish on my lips. It wasn't too drying like the liquid stains I've used in the past. Retails $17 for .3 oz.
Juliette Has A Gun - Not A Perfume (Sample vial)
I really like this fragrance. It's light and clean and has a soft finish. The creator describes it as minimalist, elegant, pur, and I agree. It retails at $85 for approx. 1.7 oz.
Sign up for Birchbox HERE
Check out my other boxes:
Friday, June 8, 2012
Birchbox Favorites
I have been subscribed to Birchbox for over a year now and I really like the service. Though there are hits and misses, I think that it is more than worth the $10 monthly fee. And I'll continue to be a member. I currently have Birchbox points to spend so I'll probably get one of these favorites I have listed here. Here they are:
Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint Zhen Gypsy Tea Coconut Chai Black Tea
Ahava Dermud Hand Cream Befine Exfoliating Cleanser
Pomege5 Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer SweetRiot Dark Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs
Check out my boxes:
Sign up for Birchbox HERE.
Photo sources: Birchbox.com
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Check Out My Feature On One Brown Crafter!
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