#ChicSassyMomFinds | Bath and Body Works 3 Wick Candles ✨

Hmmmm 🤔, it seems that truly most good things start with "c", coffee, (Korean drama oppa a.k.a.) crush-es 🤫, candies, cake, chocolates (Royce! Royce! Royce!), coats, ChicSassyMom (me, myself, and I! 😉) and candles too. Hahaha I can probably keep going of thinking about other stuff that starts with "c", but I'll keep it at that and save it for next time.

All you need are Bath and Body Works Candles.

I love, love, love candles + aromatherapy, reminds me of spa. I used to be a spa-addict. Oh, well. Hahaha So meantime, I get my daily dose with spa-ish scents from oils to lotions and candles. Plus, my hubby has this keen sense of smell that everything can smell bad. So I fill our home with all sorts of air freshener, candles and all. We have our differences in scent preference, but so far, we agree on on some scents from Bath and Body Works. Truly, we've tried most candle brands, and the Bath and Body Works candle never fails to make the whole house smells good, even after a meal with kimchi. Best candle everrr. I usually wait for the candle sale as low as $10++ per candle instead, or half the price from $24++. The candle holders are nice too.

Please, please, indulge me. I'm feeling dramatic again. A LOT on my mind, I needed to unwind, chill, pray, hope, and don't worry. So I light a candle or two, say a little prayer, imagine I'm in a spa or somewhere nice...happy mode. Cheers! ✨

#ChicSassyMomFinds | Simple Hair Salon 💇🏻‍♀️

Annyeong! 🤗 Oh well, happiness is looking good with short hair. I have to make it work. Hah. I was truly hoping to keep my hair loooong, but my gosh, the hair fall is killing me. I needed a trim. We're in Fremont, so I googled a Korean Salon near me. I found Simple Hair. It has a very good review in Yelp. (Here, it seems, Yelp is it!)

It's not really a Korean salon, but it's the nearest thing to having a Korean hairstylist. It seems that it's very popular with hair color and rebonding, which they call Japanese Hair Straight. It's about 30 minutes drive from home, but I begged lovingly requested my hubby to bring me there. From experience, I just get a haircut once in a blue moon. Though, I do get more hair coloration visits. I just did walk-in. My hairstylist is Kim. She's Asian. I'm happy to have her.  I love the care and the precision, she's just like my ever reliable Sharon of Kawisori Salon in Manila. And yay, I love the styling most. I'm so made up. I dream of curls since my hair is so straight, but just not brave enough to get a perm.

Love it. Niceeeh! 💁🏻‍♀️

I feel so pretty after the salon trip. Though, I can't wait to grow it longer and have brighter colors (hmmm,  red or mocha/blond ?).  I just truly need to fix the hair fall. Please, please.

First photo: Before the haircut | Second and Third: Everyday hair after salon styling 

Price of Haircut is $35 with shampoo and blow dry/styling + $10 tip. Pricey from my usual Korean Haircut, but what can I do, I'm here. Haircut, check. Next is hair color. Let's do this! Cheers! ✌🏻

Simple Hair Salon 
33 N Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035

#FriYay 💃🏻 What'cha Doin? 🤔

Annyeong! Bonjour! 🤗 Oh my, how time flies. Time check. January is almost over. Did you have a New Year's Resolution? Moi, I had, sort of. It's the classic, Diet Day 1(forever). Hmmm, so far, so good, a lot of pounds to go, like the most pounds I have to shed in yearsss. Oh well. Wish me luck, fighting! Plus, I did want to try to sleep early like 10pm instead of 2-3 am (more often than not  because of Korean Dramas), I need my beauty sleep, and yes for health and wellness too. Fret not, Chinese New Year is just around the corner, we can reset and start anew, for real.

Did you notice I said bonjour too? Here and on Twitter too (@chicsassymom). Oh well, besides dying to go back to Paris soon, methinks, I need to re-learn French. I spent two years, 6 modules of learning it then, but nothing. So I thought I'll give it a try. Hah. As if. Or time to seriously learn to speak Korean by getting myself a language class in the city. Let me see, will let you know if I finally did it. Long overdue.

Anyhow, it's soooh cold. Lazy day today, again. Korean drama time. Oh my, I can't believe that months ago I was a super busy queen bee. Oh well. You win some, you lose some. Life can only get better. Aja! Aja! Fighting! ✌🏻Wine? Cheers!🍷

#ChicSassyMomFinds | So many lipsticks 💋 #FOTD #Review #Swatches

So many lipsticks, so little dates, oh well. 😉 More often than not, I'm so easy to get. When Kylie said I'm on Sale. let's hoard go. When KDrama says Shu Uemura is it, me too! In fact, with all the PPL (product placement) of Korean dramas, I'm compelled to get YSL and Dior too. Surprisingly, with the best skincare routine that Korea has to offer for me, most Korean dramas feature international lipstick brands. Now that I'm in Sephora-everywhere-whenever-country, everything is within my reach. Good luck. So hello, hello, Anastasia, Kat Von D, and Dior! 😚

Few of my favorite lipsticks. 💄

Truth be told, I can live with just Shu Uemura matte lipsticks (see my favorite Seoul FOTD post) or maybe go trendy with Korean girls' gradient lips. Or just go for my usual lazy day look with Lucas Papaw and Benefit Cosmetics lip tints. Easy peasy. But with liquid lip kits abound in California, I still need to practice. So I ended up not really using the Kylie and Koko from my recent haul (will save a post for it). Plus lately, I don't really have a lot of time to get dolled up. Oh well. But when there's Sephora, and family are gifting you more lipsticks, it's tempting to just get some more. Plus, I'm curious about Kat Von D and Anastacia Beverly Hills. Hah.

Here's a quick look of Dior Addict Lip Tattoo (which I swatched and tried at Sephora), Kat Von D (Exorcism), They're Real going Matte with Smashbox Insta-Matte, Dior Addict Lip Tattoo, and Anastacia Beverly Hills.

The Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Double the Lip is a lipliner and lipstick in one. Add the Smashbox Insta-Matte, tadaaa!

#FOTD with Dior Addict Lip Tattoo Natural Cherry | Kat Von D Exorcism | Benefit Cosmetics + Smashbox Insta Matte | Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Plum

The most challenging for me to apply is the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Listick ($20++). When I initially swatched it at Sephora, I thought I was getting myself a wine color. Only it's too dark. I rock! But it's not really an everyday look that I can pull off. Benefit Cosmetics They're Real Dual Lip is a safe choice for regular lipstick. What I'm truly loving are the Dior Addict Lip Tattoo ($30++) and the Anastasia Beverly Hills. Dior Addict basically is very high end lip tint. It's so easy to apply, weightless and truly lasting. Pure luxury. I'm so tempted to collect all colors. 🤫 The Anastasia Beverly Hills Sugar Plum ($20++) surprisingly is easy to apply and not so drying, it feels velvety and creamy for a matte lipstick. Super pigmented and lasting. I feel so pretty. 😍

Personally, I'm so tempted to get more Diors and Anastasia Beverly Hills. Anastasia before Kylie. And now, Dior Addict Lip Tattoo before Benetint and Posietint. Oh well, life is better with lipstick. Cheers! 💋

#FangirlModeOn | Master in the House with Lee Seung Gi

Annyeong, cinggu! 🤗 Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was pleasantly uneventful, which allowed me to indulge to more KDrama time with Lee Seung Gi's Hwayugi (Korean Odyssey) and Master in the House a.k.a. All The Butlers.

Master in the House/ All The Butlers (Hangul: 집사부일체) stars Lee Seung-gi, Lee Sang-yoon, Yang Se-hyung and Yook Sung-jae. on SBS on every Sunday.

Sidestory, I'm not a super fan before, but watched most of his dramas (I love him most in The King 2 Hearts), but my, my, after his military service, I find him more charming, endearing, and loveable. So yes, the more oppa, the merrier. Hmmm, 🤔 there must be something about the Lee's (Lee Joon Gi, Lee Min Ho, Lee Jong Suk, Lee Sang Yoon, now him too) that sways and flutters my ardent fangirl heart. 😂 Goodness, ottoke?! 🤦🏻‍♀️ I can't get enough of him in Hwayugi. Though, I'm not so sold into the OTP/Romance side just yet, I do hope they do something about it. Please, drama gods, do not fail us. Having said that, I naturally have to get my Lee Seung Gi fix. Yes, yes, I re-watched most of his drama as far back to My Girlfriend is a Gumiho. Then I found Master in the House. Oh my, so I had to updrade my Viki Subscription to Viki Plus to satiate my fangirl heart.

Master in the House Episode 1 with their Master Machine (ala Mystery Machine of the Scooby Doo gang) 

Lee Sang Yoon, I love from Angel Eyes and On the Way to the Airport. Yook Sung-jae from Who are You: School 2015. I'm happy to meet Yang Se-hyung. There's a great mix to the group. With Lee Seung Gi expertly leading the group with all his wittiness and flair for doing Variety Show. He's so funny when he talks fondly (at every opportunity he gets) about his military service experience. Yang Se-Hyung adds the perfect comedic timing. Yook Sung-Jae is the perfect humble, earnest dongsaeng. This is Lee Sang Yoon's first variety show, I find him super adorable, charming and awkwardly funny, and sincerely loves his candid honesty without trying so hard for admittedly being a Variety Show newbie. Haha. I remembered Lee Bo Young from the last awards show she hosted saying that her Whisper Drama Team is quiet and shy. So it's very endearing to see Lee Sang Yoon in a whole new light. He never fails to shine. Together, with perfect ensemble of honest, insightful, witty, funny, diligent and loveable individuals, they are captivating.

Read more after the break. (Get your Lee Seung Gi fix 😉).

#ChicSassyMomFinds | Coat Day Today 🧥 #OOTD

Cinggu, 🤗 it’s cold outside! ☃️ I love coat weather. I live for coats (and boots and scarves and beenies and bags too 😉). I love dressing up for winter (see my favorite Seoul OOTD post), being all bundled up compared to summer (beach body, I'm not 🙅🏻‍♀️).

I thought I was done after my shopping soiree at Marshalls, only to realize that one can never have too many coats in San Francisco. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yay! 💃 New coats. 🤗 Black/White and Wine (ye,that coveted wine 🍷 colored a la KDrama’s Black Knight 😉) are from Guess. The Black is Calvin Klein's (for rainy days) all from Wilsons Leather. I’ve been eyeing the same outfit at Macy’s but it’s so hard to shop there, unlike at Wilsons Leather where everything is organized and short listed with mostly just the nice stuff. #OOTD

Oh my, shocks! I'm ready to slay the day! Let's go. More outfit post soon, hmmm, Where to go?! 😉 

#ChicSassyMomFinds | Small Flower Garden #Friyay 🤗 🌷🌷🌷

#FriYay Hello, California Sun! ☀️  I woke up (albeit late 😉) compelled inspired to do household chores. Hah. I wanted to enjoy the weekend tomorrow and spend quality time with the fambam (though I'm pretty sure it's all day XBox for them, oh well, I try 🤗), so I thought I'll get the laundry done (finally!) and do general cleaning. Since it's sunny yet refreshingly cold, I can finally do some gardening and cleaning.

I just remembered that we bought Tulips last time (like more than week ago at Costco) and went out to see them already in bloom. 🌷🌷🌷 Hubby got this for me thinking that they will only be flowering in time for Valentine’s Day. 😉 Oh well! Need a new pot! 💐😚 #greenthumb ✌🏼

Lavender and Grass heads. Lavender are my favorite. I was worried since last time because I clipped, pruned and transplanted, worried they will not survived it, so far, so good.  The grass head I thought they withered since I was too lazy (because it's so cold outside) to water them.

Our small flower garden of Petunia and lavender. Seahorse wind chimes for good luck. 

It's so hard to grow Petunia. That photo was taken weeks ago, now, sadly they're withering because of root rot. I will be getting new plants soon. Will keep this post updated. Come back again. 

I'm inspired. (Though I did not get the laundry done yet because the laundry area is full, will try later) Truly, happiness is watching your flowers starting to bloom. Have a great weekend, friends! ✌🏻

P.S. I'm on Instagram, Twitter (@chicsassymom) and FB (Chic & Sassy Homemaker). Let's connect! Fangirl together. 

#ChicSassyMomTravels | San Francisco Hearts ❤️

San Francisco, how do I heart thee? Let me count the ways. ❤️ Sometime 2010, I shared the same sentiment after being charmed by the city that truly, I left my heart in San Francisco. We're happy to be back. I'm falling in love with all the hearts the city has to offer. 

December 2017 visit: America’s Greatest City by the Bay by Tony Bennett at Union Square 

2010 Visit with little Chaseyboy

Also 2010 Visit: Another Red Sparkling/Glitzy Red Heart at Union Square

January 2018 Visit: Open Heart by Patrick Dintino Pier 39 

January 2018 Visit: My Heart by Sirron Norris at the building lobby from Embarcadero Bart Station

It seems there are a lot of hearts, third time's the charm, so just maybe I will see more hearts of San Francisco. 😍 Hmmmm, it means no time to rest, more time to explore the city instead of staying at home, binge watching Korean Dramas. 😉 Oh well, let's do this! Sending finger hearts to everyone! Saranghae! ✌🏻😍

#ChicSassyMomFinds | EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo

Annyeong, cinggu! 🤗

There's no time like the present to clean the makeup brushes. Oh well, I've been too lazy lately. 🤫 Bad. I know, right? What a joy that it's just easy peasy with the EcoTools Makeup Brush Shampoo. I will try to be more diligent.

EcoTools brushes are love. I mean, they're affordable, luxuriously soft and long lasting. I had the Alicia Silverstone EcoTools brush like forever. I just recently bought a new set, well because it was on Sale and it has a case. 

Product Description: This dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, brush shampoo is made with gentle plant-based ingredients, and is free of parabens, phthalates, and petroleum-based ingredients. After use, brushes will be left clean, soft and free of any oily residue.  

To use: Dampen bristles with lukewarm water.  Squeeze a small amount of shampoo onto the brush, and gently rub bristles between your fingers to create a light lather. Rinse thoroughly. Continue until water runs clear. Squeeze excess water, reshape brush and lay flat to dry – do not stand brush upright.  

Tadaaa! Squeaky clean. The Benefit Cosmetics Blush Brush was super makeup-filled. I'm so guilty for just reusing it without cleaning. Next time, come back again for a before and after cleansing photo.

The EcoTools Brush Shampoo is a super affordable and effective cleanser. Price ranges from $4-8 depending on where you buy it. It means you don't have to skimp on it, and no reason to dilly dally brush cleaning. At almost half the price, it works as nice as the  Beauty Blender Liquid Blender Cleanser. So yes, note to myself, don't wait for spring to clean, hah. Cheers! ✌🏻

#DietForever | What is Mediterranean Diet?

Oh my! Few weeks ago, I was on Keto diet, I survived Christmas with very minimal cheating. But still there was cheating, so meh. It takes a while to go into ketosis, I think, for me, give or take, 3 days, so if I suddenly cheat, then there goes the diet, hello, fats! I think it will be hard for me to go back to it because unless I commit to it (truly, madly, deeply), I will always need to worry on all the bacon and fats I'm slurping if I suddenly break the fast. The struggle is even worse after the New Year with all those fruits I hoarded. I thought of going for a week on GM Diet, but realistically, with it, I can only do 2 days. Desperately, I googled weight loss diet  with fruits and vegetables and and red wine (I'm missing my daily glass of red wine with Keto Diet)? Hahaha Tadaaaa...Mediterranean Diet is it!

It is said to be a heart-healthy eating plan where it incorporates the basics of healthy eating — plus a splash of flavorful olive oil and perhaps a glass of red wine. It also features whole wheat and other grains, fruits, vegetables, and a certain amount of seafood, but low in meat and dairy products. Hmmmm 🤔 it's amazing, how it just refers back to the usual healthy diet espoused and preached by my parents, and now I preach and nag to my son about, minus the wine. 😉

Mediterranean Diet welcomes a glass of Red Wine to boot. 🍷 Whaaat? Red wine? I'm in!

Mediterranean Diet Food Guide from Wikipedia
Eat: Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, potatoes, whole grains, breads, herbs, spices, fish, seafood and extra virgin olive oil.
Eat in moderation: Poultry, eggs, cheese and yogurt.
Eat only rarely: Red meat.
Don't eat: Sugar-sweetened beverages, added sugars, processed meat, refined grains, refined oils and other highly processed foods. Credit: Source

The upside of going into this diet today, and hopefully committing to it, is we actually have an abundance of fruits and vegetables in California. It's so easy to eat colors. Plus, we actually use Olive Oil in cooking anyhow. My difficulty will probably be eating less of red meat, which I can survive not eating for a year when I was on medical emergency last time. So yes. Maybe I can do this too. Minimizing sweets and desserts, hmmm, I can do that too. I hope. The serving of healthy carbohydrates via whole grains makes it realistic. People, I need rice and bread too. The difficulty of Mediterranean Diet personally for me is that there's no recommended serving or calories. Plus, there's no measurable committed weight loss like how Keto and Scarsdale diet do (albeit very drastic), where you can actually lose plus minus a pound per day. Going into Mediterranean diet will bring me back to the ever reliable of really living a healthy lifestyle and committing to it long term. Oh well, we're creature of habit anyhow and I've been on diet forever. Will be updating this another weight-loss journey here and on IG (@chicsassymom). Follow me. Wish me luck. Let's do this! Aja! Aja! Fighting! ✌🏻 

#ChicSassyMomFinds | Addicted to Jo Malone #Fangirl

Jo Malone, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Jo Malone Haul. Happiness is a new Jo Malone scent. So pretty and nice.
Blackberry and Bay | Nectarine Blossom & Honey | English Oak and Redcurrant | Wild Bluebell

It doesn't help that Lee Jong Suk oppa posted a Jo Malone Post. Ha. A post is in order too. Hahaha #FangirlForever ✌🏻

Lee Jong Suk @jongsuk0206 IG post January 5, 2017 post. 😘

Seriously, sincerely speaking, Jo Malone smells really nice. Random people really tell me that I do smell nice. Then we're instant friends. I feel that I'm armed with confidence and grace, the irresistible me. 😉 A bit pricey ($120++ a bit cheaper on duty free like Singapore (where I bought the Nectarine Blossom and Honey, and Abu Dhabi so my sister tells me, but generally that's the price range), oh well. My friend is teasing me that with the 4 Jo Malone bottles I got, I would already have gotten a pair of Gucci sneakers. Oh well, I'll go into those soon. Meantime, Jo Malone first. 😄

Truly, perfumes create lasting memories. I do tend to reminisce and to associate a scent with something nice and wonderful. True story, Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay reminds me of Seoul. Because it was my first ever Jo Malone bottle, so I save it for special occasions like my Seoul trips. I finished it, and just recently I got a new bottle. Nectarine Blossom & Honey is like the all time favorite and must-have for most if you're just starting. So I made sure to get it too. The English Oak and Redcurrant was a scent that I did not personally pick, but was recommended when my husband bought one without me. The scent reminds me of America.  It's like the scent of USA, when you go into their nice malls like Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. It's so classy and lingering rich. The Wild Bluebell is so calming, festive and angelic, reminds me of Christmas (warm and fuzzy feel good kind).

Jo Malone Holiday 2017 Gift Bag comes with glittery pompoms. Bring it on! 

Simple Elegance. Black & White bag, bottle, and ribbon to boot! 

You ought to know I'm so easy to get, once I'm into it, I commit, until something nicer comes a long.  (Thank goodness for my better half for indulging me.😙) But for many years now (wow!), I tend to play favorites. Few of my favorite scents are Chloe Classic, Chloe Fleur, Anna Sui Secret Wish, Salvatore Ferregamo Incanto Shine, and now Jo Malone (looks like I'm in it for the long haul). Though with scents, to each his own. Though I can be very, very, brand loyal (Hello, Innisfree!), I only like one or two scents from a specific perfume/cologne brand. For Anna Sui, it's really only Secret Wish. Same with the aforementioned. But with Jo Malone, my goodness, the possibilities are endless. Plus, the brand is into layering (good job, brand!), there are some recommended combinations, but you can do it yourself, so can personalize a scent. Own it, strut!

In the US, I get it at Nordstrom, Palo Alto, found it also in Neiman Marcus. You can also get it on Jo Malone online, and my, my, new discovery from the site is that you can actually engraved on it. Niceeeh! Oh my, I need to get one soon! Let's do this! 🤗

P.S. I'm on Instagram, Twitter (@chicsassymom) and FB (Chic & Sassy Homemaker). Let's connect! Fangirl together. 

#FangirlModeOn | Hwayugi Ep 3 to resume Jan 6 🤗

Annyeong, cinggu! 🤗

Episode 1 and 2 of Hwayugi or Korean Odyssey are truly, madly, crazy lovable to an ardent fangirl like yours truly. Indeed, hello, Lee Seung Gi, it's nice to have you back. My excitement level is like that of Descendants of the Sun now Black Knight's level. But it's with sadness that there are real life drama surrounding the drama that resulted to accidents, investigation of negligence, and cancelling of production and airing. The immature fangirl in me cries pali, pali, juseyo, the struggle is real, but safety first. Then I wise up, prudently and diligently reflect, that truly, no actors, crew and staff should ever be subjected with so much stress (physical, mental, and emotional) for the sake of profits before artwork. Patience is a virtue. No good will come up with things done haphazardly. We need happy artists at work. The labor of love put into the masterpiece should resonate. Korean dramas feed and touch souls and lives here, people.

Lee Seung Gi oppa plays Son Oh-gong, the Monkey King of the Chinese Classic Novel Journey to the West. 

I'm giddy that he's playing the Monkey King role. Hahaha, because my hubby always teased me that I'm a monkey, mischievous, okay sometimes prideful. Hah. I'm born on the year of the monkey, that's why. Anyhow, normally, the fangirl in me would watch the Chinese version (in fairness though, I watched Scarlet Heart first, so was happy to have Lee Jun Ki oppa with Moon Lovers), probably even read the book. But I'll pass. I have all my favorite people playing characters in Hwayugi. No need to make things complicated by comparing.

Oh Yeon-Seo with Lee Seung Gi. I'm already sold to their chemistry. Oh Yeon-Seo will never disappoint.  

I like Cha Seung-won in Three Meals a Day, and yes, I've seen The Greatest Love too. His role and his interaction with Lee Seung-Gi, is sincerely funny. Lee Hong Ki, I love, love, love him in Bride of the Century, and so I'm happy to see Sung Hyuk as Dong Jang-Goon in a drama with him too. Sung Hyuk's character in Bride is a reminiscent  of that one sweet oppa one needs to always have, that he has you back. So you're safe. It feels the same here, with his being a confidant of Son Oh Gong.

Anyhow, I feel and see a more oppa-ble Lee Seung Gi here. Hahaha I watched most of his drama, but when I binged watch again on Shining Inheritance, Gu Family Book and King 2 Hearts to feed my Lee Seung-Gi fix after the hunger left by Ep 1 and 2 of Korean Odyssey, I'm seeing him in a whole new light. It's really that post military aura that makes everyone more oh-so-lovable. Hello, heartthrob!

So it it with happy fangirl heart to hear that Hwayugi team are working on improving work quality, not just the output, but giving health and safety of the team members priority. Episode 3 will resume airing January 6, as rescheduled. Oh happy day. Korean Odyssey fandom, rejoice! 🤗

Source: Naver Entertainment

#ChicSassyMomFinds | Festive Tablescape 🍽

Please indulge me, I'm feeling mighty pleased for our Christmas and New Year tablescapes. #FeelingInteriorDesigner The New Year's (naturally, I had to outdo the last one) is my personal favorite with my favorite candles/holders as centerpieces...tadaaa, instant candlelight dinner.

Service for our little family of three. 👪
  Royal Stafford Dinnerwares | Spode Wine Glass and Candle Holder | Johnson Brothers Devon Cottage Mug | Kate Spade polka dots placemats (Beige face) |  Grace Teaware #Homegoods #HomegoodsFinds

Christmas Table Setting 🎄
Noritake | Grace Tea Set | Spode Glass | Kate Spade Polka dot Placemat (White face)

With the little home space we have, I made do with using our kitchen counters as our

Traditional 13 Round Fruits for good luck and more sweets. I'm collecting pineapples, I usually use this as a candle holder, but for the NewYear...Pineapple Surprise. 🍍 

More desserts, please. Life can only be sweeter. 😋 The family that eats sweets together, sticks forever. 😍
Royal Albert Two-Tier Cake Stand with Macarons, Cakes and Crinkles, and chocolate fudge. 

I'm feeling accomplished. Yay! Props to me. Hahaha I'm not sure if I'll do this again for the Chinese New Year (Ha, we're not even Chinese) but we just got used to celebrating it. In fact, for the past years, it's our official New Year since we're out there spending Christmas and New Year elsewhere. Oh my, there's just so many traditions to keep and to follow, oh well, food is food, and family time is the best. So yes, the more the merrier. Hmmmm, diet tomorrow. 🤔 Let's do this! Aja! Aja! Fighting! 🤗

#ChicSassyMomFinds | Ugg Boots #OOTD

Winter is really here. It's so cold! ❄️☃️ I love, love, love dressing up for winter. *LeSigh  Awwww...the boots, beanies, gloves, scarves and coats, the works, name it, I love to bundle up. 🧣San Francisco weather is perrrfect. You can or can't bundle up so much, your choice, your mood. Anyhow, I finally got my first UGG boots. Niceeeh! I found a pair that's not too bulky looking (classic UGG boots makes me look so plumper hah), looks sturdy but still very much comfy. So yes, I'm finally giving my ever-reliable FitFlop boots a rest.

UGG Maddox Boots in Chestnut Brown. Got this pair in the outlet store at the Great Mall, Milpitas. It's so hard to choose and not a lot of available for my sizes. 

Cloudy day 🌤 aka lazy day’s #OOTD ,  but Macy’s is calling. No makeup. Chubby cheeks. Messy hair bun. H&M with floral appliqué sweater, LV Speedy 💼 and Ugg boots 👢 to boot. Hello, 2018! ⛅️

Updated 01/17/18: @ Pier 39 with Alcatraz
 #OOTD 🧥Abercrombie & Fitch | 👜 Prada | 👢Ugg

Hmmm, will keep this post updated with more outfit posts, still staying at home. By choice, it's so cold and I'm done shopping. Haha. Hmmm, loving them, will probably get myself a black pair, one can never have too many pairs of boots. That, plus I tend to collect brands that I like (Hello, Fitflop!), you ought to know. 😉 Stay fashionably warm, bundle up. Aja! Aja! Fighting! 🤗

Belated Birthday Post 🎂 + DIY Cake + Gen Korean BBQ

Annyeong, cinggu! 🤗

With a grateful heart, I thank thee, God, for another wonderful birthday. I'm thankful for my boys for  being with me on a joyful day (my wish was their command 😉) .

I'm thankful for my family and friends for sending the warmest birthday wishes my way (thank you, Facebook and Instagram).  Ultimately, grateful for the gift of life. 

I'm still on the 30ish level, hahaha, so I get to still keep my blog description.

Sidestory. My birthday is after Christmas, December 26. Before, up until my 18th birthday, I already had the making of a drama queen,  hah. For whatever reason, sans Facebook, my birthday was just another day, either my dad or mom needs to start greeting me first, before the rest of the family realized that oh, it's my birthday. It's just that big rest day after all the Christmas festivities. Plus, it's still school break, so I was never greeted in school or was my birthday remembered by my classmates. For x no. of years, I was crying (so dramatic me) because of one reason or another. Then, I grew up. And voila, I'm wiser. I'm grateful for each and every time. In fact, it's like I have a bonus, I get to celebrate 4 days of merriment. 2 days for Christmas, and 2 days for my birthday. (That's because of the time difference in the Philippines and California.) So yay, bring on the happy day.

My cake. This was also our Christmas cake, but we're too full, we ended up not eating it. My hubby wanted to get me something from the Nothing Bundt Cake (we love, love, love it) but told him, I'll be happy to have this for my birthday cake. Tadaaaa, from a plain Costco Cheesecake, I added fresh strawberries, then added leftover decors and three candles, happy birthday to me!!! 🎂

When we're in the US, I celebrate my birthday at the outlet stores. Hahaha. Then have my spaghetti, or noodle for long-life from wherever available in the foodcourt. Since we're on an extended visit in California, I can forego that. So my lunch feast is Korean BBQ. Oh happy day.

Korean food!!! I love you so!

I miss Korean food. Seriously. It has been a while, my last feasting was in Shik do Rak in LA. The line and wait in Gen Korean BBQ  Fremont was sooo long, an hour.  (The Korean fangirl in me is super happy because my fandom is growing. Teeheee) But because it's my wish, the boys had to oblige. We went for a Lunch buffet is $15.99/person with 27 items (Dinner is $24.99 with 36 items).

Side dishes. Kimchiiiii! 😋

We got Premium Steak (not my kind of steak), Spicy Pork Bulgogi, Samgyupsal (Pork belly), Premium Chadol (angus brisket, thinly sliced). Oh my, I guess, we're still full from Christmas, we only got one round of everything, except for the chadol. 🥓🐷🐄

I got soup, jap chae, sweet and spicy chicken popcorn. That's about it. We only had 7 of the 27 items. Ottoke!? I need my Korean cinggus on our next Korean feasting. That, or I need to be truly, really starving. Hahaha Anyhow, not bad for $15.99 per person. So yes, I will definitely be going back. I had to say that the service is super nice, that is after you're already seated. Plus the place is nice and clean. 

Happy Birthday to me. I take inspiration from my previous birthday posts, here, here and here too.

As Jack of Titanic says... 

"Well, yes, ma'am, I do... I mean, I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count."

Truly, every waking day is a blessing and God's gift. I'm blissfully happy, and pray it lasts the whole year through. 🙏🏼 Aja! Aja! Fighting! 😍

Happy New Year! ✨ #Hello2018 #BlogAnnouncement

Thank you, 2017! 😇 2017, for yours truly, is beyond crazy, dramatic amazing... at the onset, it feels that rollercoaster ride 🎢 from Six Flags, which I refuse to take everrr, but with a leap of faith, I took it, and with a grateful heart, and God’s everyday miracles and grace, I’m enjoying the ride, happy I did it! 🌟✨🤗

Dream Big. ✨  #BathandBodyWorksCandle are love! 🤩 

Annyeong, 2018! 🤗 There may be times that I will still feel that I'm just barely getting and thankfully, some dramas (the bad, sad and melo real life kind) are just fleeting. But still, I try to thrive. Aja! Aja! Fighting! ✌🏼👌🏻

Oh well, so many dramas (Korean and real life 😉) so little time. I hope to do better this year in keeping this little space of mine in the blogosphere up and running. More posts, less drama and dilly dallying. Though I'm still trying to figure out how to give a sense of direction to my readers (thank you! ;-D) on what to expect on a regular basis (I do hope daily), I will be keeping the following topics:

• ChicSassyMomFinds  - favorite things, shopping finds, random sale steals and haul, beauty finds and must haves, OOTD, FOTD, Home
• ChicSassyMomEats - food, restaurant 
• ChicSassyMomTravels - travels, overseas, road trip, California Dreams and Palm Trees, Seoul Searching
• Fangirl Mode On - Korean Drama, Chinese Drama, Entertainment 
• Diet Forever - oh well, my weight loss struggle journey
• Random Stuff - Hmmm, everything in between
• Blog Announcement
• ChicSassyMom Giveaway

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed 2018! 🌼 #DandelionWish

I believe life can only get better.  Truly, the best is yet to come!!! ❤️ Happy and Blessed New Year, dear family, cinggu and friends! 새해 복 많이 받으세요!! 🌟😇✨🤗🎇❤️🙏🏻