New Youtube Video: Winter Collective Haul Part 1!!!! =)

So...I know that there are many cultures out there, and people follow different traditions and all!  As a traditional Chinese Asian, I've grown up following the tradition of buying new clothes and necessities for the new year!  =)  I grew up learning that a new year, meant new clothing and necessities, which meant a new start, and a new and good luck for the year!  Whew...wow that was a mouthful of words!  Anyway, following that tradition, I actually bought quite a good amount of clothing for 2013!  I'm the type of person who loves shopping.  lol I like finding good deals, and I guess maybe buying a top or two every so often, but I never splurge on clothing!

Anyway, my favorite store is and has always been Forever21!  And guess what?  That's exactly where I bought most of my clothes!  I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but throughout the passed few years, I've actually began to shop less at Forever 21, because I felt that it's prices got higher.  It's either that, or it's cause I actually learned how hard it is to make money!  It's so easy to take things for granted when things are constantly given to you...well in this case, me.  So yah... I started shopping less at Forever 21.  It was last year that I learned of Forever 21's awesome end of the season sale, where everything on sale is an extra 50% cheaper than the already marked-down price!  Therefore, haha I went a little crazy, and shopped shopped and shopped!  =)  I bought a lot of things for this year, and I really wanted to share what I bought; therefore, I made a video to show you guys my awesome finds! =) hahahaha

Video Below!  Please Watch! =):

It was so much fun filming this video, and I actually have a part 2 coming up!  The video would be way too long if I showed everything I had, so I decided to split my purchases into two videos!  So remember to stay tuned for that one! =)  

My youtube channel, is Sparkling Louder, and a list of my videos can be found on the right hand side of my blog!  

My post today is simple and straight to the point....minus the first two paragraphs, LOL but anyway, hope the video is enjoyable!  

Anyway, before I end this post, I just wanted to share a video on my blog!  I was being the typical Wing, roaming through youtube and watching cute animal videos, and I came across this video that brought a smile onto my face!  It's about a tortoise helping it's friend (another tortoise who is flipped over, and struggling to flip back to it's feet)flip up!  So cute!  

Hope this video brought a smile on your face as well!  haha the tortoise moves pretty slow, but nonetheless, I still find the video very cute and touching! 

2013 New Year Resolutions

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! 

I can't believe it's 2013 already! wooohooo!!!!  Though I'm not getting any younger, I'm actually pretty glad to have a fresh start!  I know improvement and self reflection can happen any time of the year, but for some reason, it's near the end of the year that I start reflecting on myself more than ever!  I guess that's the power of a new upcoming year, haha or else New Year's Resolutions wouldn't exist or matter as much as they do!  

I spent a lot of time self-reflecting yesterday night, and I managed to write down all my resolutions for 2013!  2012 passed by like a rocket going to space, and there were definitely great and not so great memories that occurred!  There are things that I wish I had done differently, and I guess with all the right decisions and mistakes I've made, I was able to come up with a list of meaningful resolutions for 2013!  

I have 8 resolutions total, and I want to share 3 of them on my blog!  

So Here Goes! 
1) Blog at least every other day!  
I started blogging on October of 2012, and at first it was just something I did for fun.  It was probably throughout December that I realized how much I love blogging.  I love my blog.  I know it doesn't have an amazing layout like other blogs, and the content really isn't for EVERYONE, but I love it cause it's mine!  =)  LOL  It's something that I guess no one can really take away from me, and I can really share my interests on it!  haha I think those who blog can understand what I mean!  It's like my baby!  LOL  I'm watching it grow day by day! =)  Oh...and another reason why I like my blog is cause it actually keeps me organized!  (As weird as that sounds, it really does!!)    

2) Make a schedule everyday & follow it! 
It's so easy to waste a day!  Time is precious, and I feel like the best way to keep me working and motivated is by making a daily schedule (you know..like setting a goal for myself everyday! =)) , and actually following my plans for the day!   

3) Try my best to be happy!  
I'm happy a lot of the times, and I want to keep up with it, or add even more happiness in my life!  I realize that sadness, stress, anxiety, or just negative emotions can really bring anyone down, so I want to try my very hardest to refrain from any negative feelings!

Yep, so those are 3 resolutions out of 8!  The rest are more personal so I'd like to keep them to myself! =)  hehe  I can't wait to check off all my resolutions by the end of the year!  It took me a long time to come up with these resolutions, and I'll be so proud of myself if I can actually achieve all of them!  I doubt that I won't have any mess-ups, but I hope despite messing up, that I'll learn to improve myself and not give up on my resolutions!  

Anyway, I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Celebration!  I hope everyone will have a wonderful 2013, and I can't wait to blog more and share more of myself on my blog! 

To a Successful 2013!  Lets make more valuable memories!  Peace! 

Christmas Trip: My First Time at DAISO JAPAN!!!! =D

Hey Guys!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Boxing day, and omg it's gonna be New Years 2013 in like....2 days!  OMG  crazy!  I feel like I'm getting older and older =(...haha maybe that's cause I am!  

Anyway, I've been meaning to blog about Daiso Japan for a week now, and yep I'm finally getting to it!  

Okay, so long store short, no stores except for Asian stores are open on Christmas (at least I think), haha therefore, my brother thought of the brilliant idea of bringing my family and I to a Japanese store (He claimed that everything that's sold there is made in Japan! not true!)!  I was quite excited cause I absolutely love Asian stores, and I was just happy that there was somewhere to go to during Christmas!  He never told me what the store was called...and guess what?  

Turns out it was DAISO JAPAN!!! 

OMG I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it!  

(Pictures Below!!!) =)  

To those of you who have Daiso Japan stores around your area...and find Daiso very common at where you live, let me just say...YOU GUYS ARE SOOO LUCKY!  haha you guys have no idea how long I've been wanting to go to Daiso!  Well..ok I'm just being dramatic here... but it was ever since I started watching Budget Barbie (QiuQiu) from clicknetwork.tv!  The host of Budget Barbie always shares super awesome, cute, and affordable products to her viewers, and ever since learning about Daiso from her, I've just been wanting to go!  

I honestly thought Daiso(s) were only located in Asia...so I was super surprised seeing it in front of my eyes!  haha the experience was awesome!  

Apparently, it was Daiso's Grand Opening that day, so there were a bunch of super pretty flower stands!   

There were so many people who wanted to come in, a line started forming outside the entrance!  So glad I got in before the line formed, or else I don't know how long I would have had to wait!  

I was so happy just being able to be in Daiso Japan, but I was even happier when I found out that everything in the store was $1.50, unless the item was actually marked a specific price! I didn't see anything over $4 I believe...so that's pretty rad!  

The first thing I saw when I walked into the store, was this shelf full of super cute phone holders! =) EEK! 

There was a section filled with a bunch of super cute hair accessories!  I'm usually not too into wearing hair accessories, but I couldn't help myself but to buy one!  

lol now I'm trying figuring out how to wear it!  

Super prettily decorated napkins...Why do people invent these????  So much temptation!  I didn't end up buying any though!  

OMG.... a pair of pink & strawberry patterned slippers were hanging right in front of my eyes as I looked around the store!  Yep....I bought them!  It was the LAST pair, I couldn't say no to them.... =)  To be quite honest..I actually needed a pair of slippers at home.  It's been so cold lately, and socks are not enough to warm my feet! =(  Though I liked a lot of the stuff in the store, I managed to stay logical most of the time, by trying to get things that are practical and a necessity in my life!   

Pastel Socks!  Very Girly! I love! =)  I'm seriously considering going back and buying some of these! 

I saw a bunch of cute stickers!  I was actually surprised that these only costed $1.50.  I've always had the impression that stickers were pretty costly.  

Something that I've always loved as a child, as well as now, is stationary!  I've always loved writing letters to my friends, and I guess that habit has carried on till now!  I didn't end up buying any, but if I ever need to buy stationary, haha I'll know where to go! 

***The store was filled with fluorescent lighting, so I don't know why the pictures turned out so dark!  Sorry for the quality of the pictures, but thanks for baring with me! =)***

AWWW!! Cute lunch boxes!  How come I never had these when I was little! LOL  I would totally use them now!  Cause no one's ever too old for strawberry/heart food containers right?!  =) ...or am I being too positive? 

Loofa!!!!  One of my family members actually bought one!  

I had to stop myself from buying these...but hey! 5-8 packs of tissues for $1.50 isn't expensive right? (FYI: The floral patterned tissues are actually sold in a pack of 8!) 

I was a little surprised to learn that Daiso Japan sold stuff like face washes and make-up!  I'm actually considering trying them! Have you guys ever tried face washes, moisturizers, toners, or stuff like that from Daiso before?  If so, would you guys recommend it?  

LOL!  I had to take of picture of these to show you guys!  I have never in my life heard of Disposable Panties before!!!  My brother told me that they were made of paper!  So convenient!  If everyone uses these...then no one will ever need to wash their undies, they can just dispose the worn one, and wear a new one the next day!  

The last column was filled with kitchenware and home goods!  A lot of the stuff was actually made in Japan, which is really awesome for $1.50! 

There were a bunch of wrapping supplies at the end of the column!  

This gave me a chuckle!  Newspaper gift bags!  How creative!  

LOL Incase you guys weren't able to figure out what this is just by looking at the picture, it's a Dumbbell!  Besides the Disposable Panties, this was the other product I just had to show you guys!  I've never seen anything like this before, and I think it's pretty cool!  Whoever is lifting weights can put as much water they want in the dumbbell depending on their strength!  This is probably for women though, cause most men would probably think lifting a dumbbell (filled with water) this size, is a piece of cake!  

The End to In-Store Pictures!!

I had such a wonderful time shopping at Daiso Japan!  I feel extremely grateful that my brother brought me here, cause if it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't have known a Daiso Japan would be located so near me!  

Fun Fact: I didn't put on make-up that day!! 

Anyway, I took a picture with the store before I left, =) so I can always hold a picture memory of that day!

What I Bought! 

These were my purchases!  Quite pink huh?  Besides the pink floral bow, everything I bought was practical!  =)  

I had a wonderful Christmas Day with my family, and I can't wait to go back to Daiso!  I know some of you guys might not be able to understand my joy or excitement, but the feeling I got from going to Daiso, is basically the feeling of you being able to go to your dream location!  A place that you never thought you'd ever be able to go to, but without notice, you have spontaneously reached it! =)   

Anyway, have a Happy New Years Guys!  

Hanging Out W/ My Bestie & Gifting Time!

Good Afternoon Everyone!  

I don't know why...but I've just been waking up super late lately!  Super horrible..and omg I need to get my times straight!  Anyway...as of 3 days ago, Christina and I actually hung out!  We went to a good amount of places that day, including the city where we grew up in, and yeah it just gave me a very nostalgic feeling!  haha I can't believe it's been 3 years already since I was still a student in high school!  

We ate at the SM Grill that day!  Have you guys ever tried it?  I'm not quite sure on how to judge the food, because I think food is pretty subjective...some people might love the way something tastes, and others might just dislike it!  I thought my order at SM Grill was pretty good, but not great!  lol Here is a picture of the food we ate! =)  

I ordered a Chicken Salad Sandwich w/ Cole Slaw on the Side!

The sandwich wasn't as good as I hoped!  But I nonetheless, enjoyed it! =)  On the other hand, the Cole Slaw was really amazing!  I've always loved KFC's Cole Slaw...but this was awesome!  The taste wasn't sweet like KFC's, but it was rather more sour.  haha I realized that Pineapple was in it! Yum!  

Christina ordered a Tuna Melt w/ Cole Slaw on the Side!  

I'm sure I ordered this before, cause I'm a huge fan of tuna, but I don't remember how it tasted!  haha I'm pretty sure it tasted better than mine though, cause the tuna salad looked super yummy! OMG 

After eating at the SM Grill, we went to Lacy Park!  haha this is like the only park around the area...and it's beautiful!  Lacy Park, is a private park with gates surrounding it!  I believe it's closed at night, so haha it's not a place where anyone can just come and go!  Pictures below!  So excited to share these pictures on my blog!  =D 

This is the gate Entry of Lacy Park! =)  We were welcomed by a City Banner! 

So Pretty Right?  I've been to this park for literally my entire life, and it wasn't till going to school at a City-Like area for 2 years, that I was actually able to truly appreciate the natural beauty my home town preserved!  LOL I feel so emotional cause I miss this place so much!  

Anyway, 4 more days till Christmas!!!  I love how the entrance of the park is decorated with Christmas flowers! =)  haha I know I'm super excited for Christmas right now...but once Christmas is over...I'm gonna be so sad, cause that just means I'll have to wait another year!  And it also means that I'm aging! =(

Lol, I had to share this picture on my blog!  It's so cute!  When do you ever see Dog Waste Stations or Dog Fountains in parks???  lol They even provide plastic doggy bags and stuff! Omg so cute!!!  Kinda spoiled though....  Since when did dogs get their own fountains? LOL

This park has so many trees!  It's crazy awesome!  haha I don't know if I'm going crazy, but this picture above reminded me of Twilight!  It's the gloominess of this picture, plus the type of trees in it!  

This is where we sat to exchange our Christmas Gifts! =D 

Thank you Mr. George Smith Patton. JR for having such a great influence to this city!! =) 

I asked Christina to help me take a picture of me and this soldier.  The quote was actually what I really wanted to capture!  The stone reads: 

-"The greatest love one can have is to lay down one's life for a friend." 

Clearer image below:  

When I read this quote....and I guess soaked in the meaning of the quote...I felt very touched...and emotional haha once again.  It made me a little sad though...cause I kind of realized that in this world today... no one would really give up their life for a friend.  As sad as that sounds... I think it's true. =(  It's just natural for people to be selfish...and I guess throughout these years..the courage that one has for a friend has remotely diminished. =(  But nonetheless, this quote really touched my heart!  

 hehe BFF and I taking a picture together! =)  I thought I was taller than her that day....but.....I guess not! And I was wearing heals toooo!!!! Boo! LOL 

Gifting Time! =) 

Thank you for the Gifts Christina!  =)  I love all of them, 

and I'm glad to hear that you love the presents I got you as well! =) 

I have so many pictures of the park that I want to put on my blog...but I think if I did that...this post will seriously never end!  haha Therefore, I'm gonna gonna write a separate post on Lacy Park, so yep! haha stay tuned for that one!  =)  

After exchanging presents at Lacy Park, Christina and I decided decided to go to Half and Half for a drink!  And that's kinda when my camera started to die, haha =(  which means this post will end soon!  

Half & Half!  Seriously...this building is too cute! =)  

Christina ordered a Barely Milk Tea w/ Pudding!  & I ordered a Almond Mocha Milk Tea!  My drink didn't taste that good....=(  I felt kinda sick afterwards, so I don't recommend it lol...  

Right before my camera died...I managed to snap a beautiful breathtaking picture!  =)  Nature is so beautiful!  I don't feel like it is appreciated enough!  haha cheesy as it sounds, this picture kinda gives me a heaven on earth type of feeling...crazy...lol  

I had such a wonderful time with my best friend! =)  We always manage to have a blast whenever we hang out!  haha it's kinda sad that I get to see her like maybe less than a dozen times a year...Which is less than 4% of the year actually!!!  Nevertheless, I'm glad we're still close like always, and still having a great time as we mature!  Can't wait for more hangouts!!