Tantalising Skin that Glows

For years, many people have been telling me to use toner, moisturiser, serum, etc but I was such a fuss-free person that I really couldn't be bothered to. 

I was never one of those girls who'd pile on cream and lotion and drink lots of water and stay hydrated cos truth be told, it took too much effort. I loved playing netball, running and dancing and I believed that these gave me the glow that I wanted. 

Fast forward 8 years later and I'm cursing at myself. 

So for a couple of years now, I've battled with uneven skintone, puffy and dark undereye, dry skin and all that. So the makeup began to inch thicker by the months and finally, I say enough! I look plastic and way too horrible so I started my search on skincare regime that would scream miracle. 

This isn't one of those stories where I end up with skin so tantalising that you can eat. 

BUT!!! I did, however, find the product that has eluded me all these years. I chanced upon Kiehl's Midnight Recovery range and thanks to the good people at Kiehl's, I can step out of home without putting on too much makeup.         

You only need 2 - 3 drops of the Concentrate every night and when you wake up in the morning, you'll be amazed at the glow of your skin. I swear, no words will justify the beauty of this product. I don't really like new products cos I have sensitive skin but I do try things at least once and with Kiehl's Midnight Recovery, once was enough to have me hooked.

Then I tried their Midnight Recovery Eye and though the results for this isn't as fast as the Concentrate, it still helps a wee bit. Nothing fancy to scream about but one of the better products in the market, I dare say. 

Happy camper!

Hugs,
Nora

Magic of Love

This date every year (just in case you've been living under a rock for... ever, it's Valentine's Day), there is no running away from romance. It dominates the airwaves, social media, magazines, tv, movies, etc. 

I like to think that this is the one day that you'll recount the day you met your love, the journey that you took to get to where you are today, the experiences that you've gone through to know that this is true love. Maybe I'm idealistic but love tends to sweep you off your feet.

I can't say I've had too much luck in the love department. Truth be told, it has not been too kind to me. When I see my friends getting married, having kids, getting engaged, or just spending the day with their other half, it always makes me envious. All I wanted was someone to care for and who'd care for me in return. 

Over the years, I realised I know who I am and what I want and I no longer seek what I did. 

But in a twist of fate, a pleasant gift (in the human form) was presented to me in the most unexpected way that I can possibly imagine. I never thought it would transcend past our physical proximity but three months later (and counting!), he still amazes me by his kindness, thoughtfulness, playfulness and so much more. 

Everyone says "don't fall in love when you know there's a deadline. don't fall in love when he's more than 8,000 miles away. don't fall in love if you're not sure. don't don't don't."

Who's to say when or why you shouldn't fall in love?

Because when it comes down to it, your heart is gonna do whatever the hell it wants. It's not going to listen to your head ALL THE TIME and at some point, the magic of love will hit you. Even the most brilliant people have been known to drop all common sense when it comes to love. 

So here's my take (in the generic sense and in the personal sense towards that special one): Fall in love because your heart will lead you to it even if your head says otherwise. Fall in love deeply and intensely. Fall in love despite of all of it because who knows? He/She just may be that exception after all. 

Even if it proves otherwise, better to have loved and lost than not at all right?

So despite my brain telling me one thing and my heart beating down the other path, I guess I'm finally admitting this. 

You were the sweetheart I never thought existed, the perfect balance of yin and yang that always makes me smile. I love that you let me in to your life. I love that you're my imperfect perfection. I love that God thought it was right for us to meet and carry this on the way it did. Above all, I love you.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

hugs,
Nora

Get Insane on Insanity!

Losing weight is a bitch. 

It's been a lifelong problem but this time round, I'm so determined to take the pounds off that I'm doing almost everything I can. 

And that means... through a friend's recommendation, I'm on INSANITY. again. 

                                    

If you've not heard of Insanity, where the hell have you been?! Timbuktu?

It's a workout regimen that is meant to improve fitness in 60 days through a strenuous stamina training. Developed and fronted by Shaun T, this is basically a max interval training where you work out like crazy for about 3 - 4 minutes and then rest for 30 seconds. And yes, this goes on for  45 - 60 minutes. 

Everyone I know have lost weight and shaved off inches off their body and they look bloody amazing! 

Apart from personal friends, these are some of the people who have seen so much improvements on their body. 

                                     

Fantabulous no? So this is my second time on Insanity cos I didn't manage to complete the full 60 days the first time round. The ankle gave way on me and it took me three months or so to recover.
BUT now that I'm 2.5 weeks away from finishing the programme, WHY IS IT THAT MY BODY DOESN'T HAVE THE RADICAL CHANGE THAT I'M EXPECTING?!

And no, I won't post up my own "transformation body" until the end of the programme.

Anyhoo, any kind soul who'd like to share their tips or secrets or anything of that sort - MUCH APPRECIATED! email me, Facebook me, etc. You know the usual drill.

Before anyone asks, yes I am eating clean. Of course, I'll have my cheat day a week but even then, I don't go crazy with what I eat. So here's an indication as to what's lunch/dinner for the past 6 weeks.

 Steamed fish with Cayenne pepper, greens and cauliflower. It actually tastes better than how it sounds.

 Brown rice with chili chicken and broccoli and cauliflower. SUPER YUMS!

Steamed chicken breast with greens, carrots and a hard boiled egg.

Muchie love!

hugs,
Nora

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Mark of the End

Sometimes, saying goodbye comes as of no heartache to some. Maybe the love wasn't strong enough. Maybe they really wanted the separation. But to others, saying goodbye can be a truckload of painful emotions. 

Last week, I said goodbye to life as I've known it to be for the past 3.5 years. I'm not denying that it was a relief but saying goodbye to some of them beautiful people made me tear that little bit. 

These are my sincere thoughts: 

For those who've taught me, thank you. Those are lifelong lessons that I will never trade for anything else in the world. From the professional sense to learning how to be a better OR bigger person, these lessons are priceless. 

For those who've supported me, thank you. I will never forget the moments when you stood by me and was what i needed most - a friend. Those moments are forever cherished. 

For those who've inspired and motivated me, thank you. You were the reasons that I enjoyed going to work and doing what I do. 

So with that, this chapter of my life is officially closed. :) 

But one should never be without a game plan, I say. The door opening up to new opportunities and excitement is finally ajar that wee bit more now and needless to say, I'M BLOODY PSYCHED! Couple more months before that door is fully wide open for me to step into.

Chase after your dreams and go after what YOU want. Don't let others be your voice cos it's your life, not theirs. 

More on that soon! 

Hugs, 

Nora

Give Thanks

As you trudge through your daily routine, have you ever stopped to say thank you? 

Maybe not cos you're way too busy trying to get through the day. 

At the end of the day, as you lay in bed, have you ever stopped to say thank you? 

Highly doubtful cos after a really long day, all you want to do is just veg out and watch tv. 

How often do you say thank you to the ones around you who matter? 

It doesn't have to be a crazy long message or phone conversation but just letting them know that you appreciate them may make their day a better one. 

Maybe life is hard for you right now and nothing seems like it's going right and you're griping about why the hell should you have to say thank you when you're going through a hell hole.
In the words of Epicurus (an ancient Greek philosopher), "Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for".

That's a quote that resonates deeply with me.

So on that note, here's my saying thank you.

Thanks mom, for giving birth to me and for always making sure I'm safe, happy and in general, OK.

Thanks to my sisters for knowing when to back off when I needed to be alone and for being the voice of reason.

Thanks to my friends who've stood by me and given me the support (physically, emotionally and mentally) that I needed. for simply being the bestest.

Thanks to the bestie for the patience and assistance and advice.

Thanks to the colleagues for enriching my life with so much experiences that I could not have gained anywhere else. These made me grow up that bit more and appreciate what I have and who I am now.

Thanks to the one who allowed me to end 2013 on a positive note. Though distance is a bitch, the wonders of technology gave me the chance to explore a realm that I didn't think was possible.

To the people I've yet to meet, I CAN'T BLOODY WAIT! LOL. 

hugs,
Nora

Start of the New...

The mandatory end of the year/beginning of the new year post. 

So 2013 has been one hell of a ride. If anything else, I think it's the one year that takes the words emotional roller-coaster ride to a whole different league altogether. 

It started out with me being so depressed because of a failed relationship and that took its toll on me. I became a completely different person and I have to say that it's not something that I'm relatively proud of. But something good did come out of it. 

I found myself and I know who I am now. While this new revelation may not please the entire world, I've long seen it past me to want to please everyone. 

2013 was also the year where independence takes on a different meaning. For 28 years of my life, it was something that I've craved so badly and now that I know its taste, I don't want to let go. 

On the professional front, I've also re-discovered what I can achieve and what I excel in. Being put through a series of tests and challenges was no easy feat and even if it's not appreciated, I've taught myself not to care too much about it. 

The personal front has been a bit of a muddle, to be honest. I fell in like with people, some more than others, but not once did I fall in love. Of course, some would have my heart palpitating and my command of speech and wit would be tossed right out the window. 

But when I was least expecting it, a tinge of hope came knocking at the door. Nothing much I can say about it now cos I myself am confused with the myriad of emotions that run through me but safe to say, I'm somewhat happy. 

With all that said, 2014 seems to be full of promise as I venture into the unknown in so many things. Obviously with all things new, you hope that it'd work out exactly the way you picture it in your head. However, this time round, I'm going in with a pinch of salt so that the disappointment (if it happens) won't hit me too bad. 

So on that note, let's embrace the new year and hope that it'll be a much better one than 2013! 

Much love to all. :) 

hugs, 

Nora

The Only Exception

"I'd never sing of love if it does not exist.

Maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul
That love never lasts.
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone.
Or keep a straight face.

And I've always lived like this
Keeping a comfortable distance.
Because none of it was ever worth the risk.

Well you are the only exception.

I've got a tight grip on reality,
But I can't let go of what's in front of me here.
I know you're leaving at some point in the future.

And I'm on my way to believing."

Heard a brilliant rendition of The Only Exception on Glee today and that got me thinking. 

Love. Some describe it at an intense feeling of deep affection. Others define it as a romantic attachment to someone. 
I define it as something unexpected that more often than not, screws you over. But sometimes, when you're so convinced in your convictions, someone would throw a spanner in the works and make you question yourself.

"The best moments in life are usually accidental" - quoted from the movie About Time.

So here's my question: would you rather have that accidental moment and go on a whirlwind spin or continue living the way you have been - safe n content?

I know what I want and what I'm falling for - that one exception. 
But knowing all that doesn't mean squat when you know you're on a one-way road to nowhere. 

xoxo,
Nora