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You Awards (On sticky)

Advertorial

You know, I've thought that I have a really cute butt, but there seems to be no contest for me to join to show off my ... erm... favourite asset! Perhaps you also suffered the agony of braces for years and want more than praises for your teeth? Or perhaps you have a really toned physique and you think you deserve more than just appraising looks for it?

Well congrats then coz it is Watsons' annual YOU AWARDS, the award that's all about you! And you can actually win money for looking good!

Watson came up with a grand total of 8 categories for people to pit against each other! No 'butt' category, but they do have:

Healthy Hair
for hair that gives you confidence throughout the day

Fit Figure
for the body that is taut, toned and full of energy.

Flawless Face
for a face made amazing with make-up magic

Healthy Skin
for a skin that glows with health and radiance

Friendly Face (Female)
for the face that speaks the universal language of friendship

Friendly Face (Male)
for the face that speaks the universal language of friendship

Sunny Smiles
for the smile that lights up the room when you walk in

Sporty Physique
for the body that loves exercise and the great outdoors

So many!

With 8 different awards it's much easier to win isn't it? Honestly, just pick whatever you think has the least people join and go join it! OK I can't decide which one that is... I guess less people have fit figures? But I can't join that...

Ahem. Anyway, to entice you to read on I have to let you know the amazing prizes!



Wait for it...



Wait...

$2,000 for the winner of each category

PLUS

1 year modeling contract for Glow magazine

PLUS

1 year's supply of the sponsors' products!

Great prizes or what!

And to register is surprisingly easy! Check out the simple registation page here.

All you have to do is to keep a Watsons receipt (any amount will do!) and fill up the form by telling Watsons why you think your feature is unique in 400 words or less.

And then post up 2 photos of yourself! Easy right?


Now, just because I'm a Know-it-all like that, here's some pointers on how I think you can have a better chance of winning 2 categories... Flawless Face and Sunny Smiles!!


First, dress up in nice clothes and preferably a noticeable accessory! First step to being shortlisted is to be noticed!! (Mine is the hairband)

You have to put make up though, being bare-faced is obviously lame for a make-up contest.

Ugly without make-up

Everyone who knows me knows I've been using ZA's two way cakes ever since I was 13! It has always been my favourite!

Recently Andie introduced to me Revlon's awesome liquid soft-flex foundation and it has officially joined my make up family!

It's really, really cool! The foundation has a crazy magic formula that lets it stay on your face for HOURS AND HOURS. The texture is a little like... deodorant. You know how when you put deodorant you can't really 'rub' it off? It's like that! But powdery!

And miraculously enough it doesn't ever (EVER) let your t-zone shine, no matter how oily your skin is. Marvellous.

However, I don't like the colour as much as I do ZA's powders, so I do a mixture of Revlon on T-zone and Za all over.


(And btw these are really my own opinions Revlon is totally not paying me to say this)

Put a little on your sponge just like that.



Spread it evenly... Apply ZA...

And your base is done!



Glam up your peekers with loads of mascara!

On my lower lashes - Loreal's lash fibres and Rimmel's mascara as the second coat because it's a nice shade of brown.

And my eyes are done!


Next step is for Sunny Smiles!

First you go brush your teeth real clean!!!


And then...

Remember to apply lip colour because nobody wants to see pale and cracked lips!


You can cam-whore while you are at it:

There! You are all ready to take photos! First for your Flawless Face Award...

Have a few for selection.

You can try the classic act chio pose...

Or I'd suggest a pose more special so that you get noticed!



Like this? :D


And as for the Sunny Smiles Award...

Just make sure you are feeling really happy when you are taking it, because a smile can always reach your eyes, and those are the best kind of smiles!


Now that you've got your photos, make sure the pictures you have are clear, sharp and bright!

Then you can send them in HERE.

Recruitment is open from now till June 10th only so hurry!


AND WAIT!

If you are not interested to join in the contest, you can still join in the fun by voting!

Voters also get prizes! The 8 lucky voters who correctly vote for the correct category winners will stand to win attractive product hampers each worth up to $50 in value and a $100 Watsons Voucher!

However, voting only starts on the 18th of June so there's a long way to go.


If you are joining, Good luck! =D

Sunday Cuteness: Natural Updos!

My post yesterday about Natural Updos got me thinking that today I would post some more. I know we naturals are always looking for ways to dress it up. So here goes this week's edition of Sunday Cuteness!

Ahhhh just lovely. Didn't get enough??? Check this out:
http://www.nappturality.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t128160.html

Month 3 Switching Product

So a few days ago I was feeling pretty down and sorry for myself because my hair was looking a hot mess, I poked, prodded, lopped off, combined, decomibined and just messed about in my poor head. I really dont know what I was trying to do but as stated previously I was trying to be something that I just could never be. My locs a lot like my self are very free spirited and have a hard time conforming and although that sounds corny its pure truth. I ams what I ams and leaving my hair do its thang is the best action I could ever take for my hair. Any further and you would see a blog about my big bad baldness and what it means to me (lol).

Anyhow I went and changed some of the products Ive been using as regular staples. Seriously if you want your locs looking half decent stop using the run of the mill crap products they have on the shelves these days. I was using Pantene clarifying shampoo once every few days and although its not that particularly all that bad if used infrequently it was doing some damage to my hair. Everytime I washed my hair felt stripped and always looked dull and after a rinse with apple cider nothing revived it. ACV is good for the hair but not all the time I guess this is why they call it a journey, you vear from the beaten path occasionally. Anyway like all gradual switches that Ive been making in my life ive started using the teatree soap from Dr Bronners. It's wonderful although I find it a bit antiseptic smelling it does the job. Heck I even tried brushing my teeth with the stuff lol it said I could do it right on the bottle (reminded me of listerine with froth lol) Yeah so now my scalp is quite happy and my hair is looking nice and sheeny (ooooooh) I rinse occasionally with ACV and I use Organic Root Stimulator Locing gel to moisterize my scalp and locs and thats it so simple (I like it like that). What Ive learned from all this is that natural products are always far superior for the results you want to achieve.

Aside from the reduction of a weekly chemical bath of product Ive also decided to start a new exercise program. I went out and bought myself EA Sports Active training program for the Wii and its probably the best money Ive ever spent on myself. I'm hoping that by incorporating some exercise into my life and healthy diet I will grow my loverly locs down to my back faster. This month I will be renewed and I'll stop feeling sorry for myself because self pity does not get me to my destination faster. Anyhoo just wanted to update for tonight my bed awaits me ;3

Honestly what was I ever worrying about? my locs are looking quite loverly wouldnt you agree? :)

Cheers everyone

Nat

I just found my cookies in one of the most beautiful wedding blogs I've ever seen. http://www.casandoideias.com/.

Weekend Updo Inspiration ;)

Hey guys!!! So I am going to an 8th grade formal this evening (I know, awwww so cute) and I want to put my hair up somehow. But with this busted (well not so bad but on its last leg) twist-out, I needed some "hair-spiration". I always go to You Tube and look what I found! There are so many fly natural ladies out there who are nice enough to video-chronicle their styles for the rest of us. Thanks Misskrisnew!

So here's what I'm gonna do....
1. Retwist the majority of my hair with my Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave In lotion
2. Let these twists set until this evening
3. Take them down and ATTEMPT to re-create this chic updo...maybe add a flower or a cute clip

I am excited for two reasons.
~ One, I get to see all my 8th graders dressed up and enjoying themselves as they approach the end of their middle school careers :)
~ Two, yet another opportunity to show the young ladies (and the fellas) that you can be dressed up AND natural and still look great. I think if I had seen more natual hair as a kid, for casual, professional and formal events, I may have considered going natural a little sooner. Just trying to plant seeds people...



So anyways.... I hope you all have a great weekend and check out the vid if you need some inspiration of your own!

Cookie of the Day

This monogram is based on my Wedgwood Inspired cookie but with a greenish tint.

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone

Since I've been stuck on black and white lately, I thought I'd try something different. It turns out that Brush Embroidery Cookies look good in green and pink, too.


But I can't resist posting this one.

We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Amanda for winning the Free Cookie Giveaway! She will be receiving 6 Fabric Pattern Sampler Cookies from my Etsy store.

Thank you so much to everyone for entering! Come back next month for another Free Cookie Giveaway.

Summer Skin Scrub

It's almost here ladies and gents! The long days of warm summer sun and cool frosty drinks...ahhh I get excited just thinking about it! I am especially looking forward to hitting the beach this summer, a well deserved treat after 14 months dedicated to school. Mmm hmmm.

So to get ready, I thought I would try my hand at a homemade sugar scrub. Lately, my skin has been feeling great since I totally ditched lotion for 100% pure Grapeseed Oil. I LOVE it! But we could all use an exfoliant to shed that layer of "winter skin" before we don our shorts, bathing suits, and tanks.

Here's one recipe I found that I think I will try first:

• 50 percent white cane sugar (note that organic sucanat, while the best choice for food, doesn’t work as well for this recipe)
  
• 50 percent vegetable glycerin to moisten the sugar (or some kind of oil since which can be a successful substitute)
  
• Small amounts of aloe vera gel, vitamin C crystals, or anything healing that dissolves in water
  
• 1 or 2 drops of essential oil if desired (Larry recommends combining orange and lavender)

Combine the ingredients in a bowl. Scoop some of the scrub onto your hand and massage gently onto your skin for a minute (the scrub will actually tighten onto your skin like a masque). Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before rinsing.

I have all the ingredients above from the hair mix I made a few weeks back....so I won't feel any PJ guilt, lol. But, I think I might use EVOO instead of GSO becasue the GSO is much more expensive. I will never buys this from anyone ever again now that I can make my own!

Check out these other links for more sugar scrub recipes:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Simple-Sugar-Scrub-92027
http://www.cancerlynx.com/bodyscrub.html
http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

And for those of you who are visual learners (like me!):


Do you have any special summer treats you concoct yourself? If so...do share!

Bali!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna go to Bali for a sponsored 4 day holiday! Lucky or what!

I've always want to go there but this is my virgin trip. *crazed smile*

I'm gonna be honest with you guys... Don't think I'd update the blog blog part of the blog, but for sure I'd update the Photo of the Moment and Twitter!

So come come to check for my holiday pictures before I even blog about them normally! :D

I checked and the roaming data price is 2c per 1kb. How much is that exactly? I guess I just won't be excessive.

Anyway I'm so happy coz I can take beautiful shots with my new camera! So excited!!!

I already put it into a waterproof bag (Juicy, no less) to prevent the same thing from happening to my old Cybershot (ie drowned in sea water together with phone). FML.

p/s: I cannot understand why any of you think that the jerboa is not cute. Just because it looks nothing like we've ever seen before doesn't mean it's not cute what!

Check out my cookies on Kathy Peterson Inspired, the blog of Kathy Peterson, a best selling author and host of The Balancing Act on Lifetime. What an honor!

www.kathypeterson.com

Black and White Cookies

These black and white cookies were a special request for a party with a black and white theme. I'm not quite finished with the whole order but six dozen of these on display will look pretty good, I think! Get some of your own in my Etsy store.


There's one day left to enter the Free Cookie Giveaway! Check back tomorrow to see if you've won.

Visit Craft For Health to read my guest blog post on the therapeutic benefits of crafting.

Craft For Health

Check out my guest blog post about how I gain therapeutic benefits through crafting cookies on Craft For Health. How exciting!

I want I want I want! Pygmy Jerboa....

Saw this link from Perez Hilton's tweet.

This cannot possibly be real. It's the maddest cutest thing EVER in the WORLD!

My god I totally want one so bad!!!!!! How can there be something real that's so cute?!?!

It's so cute it's actually making me feel a bit sick. Like seriously!

*makings coo-ing noises*

*whips out credit card*

So where do I buy one??

My Country Kitchen in Chicago

I really love spending time in my kitchen. When I'm in it, I forget I'm in the city!



I adore this cabinet filled with tiny things.

These Cow Print Cookies were inspired by my Memorial Day weekend trip to Wisconsin. They're available in my Etsy store.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been leaving such lovely comments on my blog.

There are 2 days left to enter into the Free Cookie Giveaway! Check back on Friday, May 29th to see if you've won.

FINALLY!

New blogskin is up! Currently my designer is still fixing the comments. Like it? Click on the "I like this" button at the bottom.

And give me your comments!!!!!!

****************

UPDATE:

Ok now that the site is properly done I've got time to blog more about the skin!

My web designer is none other than Lionel, from Nitro Designs. He also did my friend Ming's webpage, and I really liked what he did with the speech bubble on the banner with the twitter feed in it!

So about 2 months ago, I asked him to help me with the design...

We sorta bounced ideas off each other till it is what you see here!

For years I procrastinated on a new skin because the old one was so good and I felt really pressurized to do something better than that if I wanted a change.

But times has changed and so must blogskins!


I must take credit for the idea of the "twitter feed + Photo of the Moment on top" idea though!!

I've been photoblogging/tweeting on those two so much it's crazy!

Now, because I have a blackberry, it's super duper easy to simply take a photo and send it to blogger!!

The whole process takes less than 1 minute.

Snap, blackberry asks me what I want to do with the photo. I select "email" and send it to a secret blogger email address assigned for that blog, and type in a caption. And I hit send!


Every blogger should have a blackberry!


And because Photo of the Moment and Twitter are updated ALL THE MUTHAFUCKING TIME, you will no longer log into the website and feel annoyed that I didn't update!


Because I definitely would update everyday from now! Yay for us all!


To scroll to the previous photo, just click on the little purple arrow. :)

Cool isn't it?

Other cool stuff!

- 6 different banner photos that rotate everytime you refresh!

- Little "I like it" widget at the bottom lets you express your feelings for entries without having to leave a comment.

- Finally incorporated a search bar

- And an "Older posts" button.

- And and... Look how chio he made my blockquotes!

And good news for advertisers, especially blogshops!

If you wish to have a cheap and efficient ad, the Pixel Grid would be perfect for you.

One square with a tagline of your choice links to your webpage...

And get this...

SGD $100 - and that ad is permanent.

Yes! Forever there! So grab the prominent spots before they are all gone!

It doesn't have to be a small square. You can buy 6 squares to form into a bigass ad and $600 gives you a permanent ad space on xiaxue.blogspot.com! :)


The chio photos are shot quite some time ago by photographer Kenneth Koh. You can see his works here!


So anyway, whether you like the design or not, it's here to stay! Meanwhile, remember to always check on Photo of the Moment because that's updated all the time!

I'm editing photos for the photos I took... Got a lot lah! And I love that now you can see the quality of my LX3 in its full glory because the photos can go to a maximum width of 640 pixels wide!

Meanwhile to placate you all here's a photo of me I like very much:

Chio or what! I totally look like someone shot me unaware but I was the photographer MUAHAHAHAHA! And yes I dyed a patch of my hair pink!

I am comtemplating doing it for my whole head. Yes/No?


And now you can click on the "I like it!" button!!!

I finally went to the store to get the supplies I needed to bring the Cameo Cookies back to my Etsy shop.



Thank you to Creativadoration and Beautifully Ever After for blogging my cookies!

And don't forget to comment on "Free Cookies" to enter into the drawing.

Almost 3 months and just not feeling it

Today I'm feeling a little sad about my locs.... to me they arent looking like what I expectd them to and I guess thats just because my hair texture is so soft (I'm sure I'll get over it tommorow) Anyway another thing thats got me down is that I went and tried extentions in there and nope not for me. Some of them got so badly tangled in there I had to lop off a few and now I have these little buds (well two to be exact) In the center of my scalp and one in the front. To salvage I had to wrap them with some extention hair. I seriously dont know what possesed me to get up in my hair like that. I think cruising through so many blogs Ive become a little loc envious and tried to create something that I'm not. My hair is puffing up, unravelling and just plain ol acting up..... Oh I know this is part of the process but seriously can we skip this part :( Anyway just wanted to rant I'm sure I"ll feel better about the whole thing as time progresses. There are just way to many pros to stop now. Ive also been experimenting with twisting my locs but that just doesnt work for me Ive tried different methods of maintainance but I always end up going back to interlocking. I wash once every few days with pantene clarifying shampoo and rinse with ACV and then I put some ORS locking gel mixed with aloe in it (JUst for the moisture not really to loc) I wonder if my method is a bit faulty what do you Suggest? Today I ran out of shampoo so I used my husbands head and shoulders (with aloe) my head is still a bit itchie and another thing about those extentions avoid them if you have scalp problems they just add to them. I think the chemicals they use to clean the hair just sets of the itch (not worth it) I think it's going to take a few washes to get my hair PH normal again.

shopping!

it's spring, flowers are fashionable, let's go shopping, get some fresh highlights

Are you a PJ?? A Response to BGLH

I admit I had never heard the term product junkie until I started reading natural hair blogs last year. Of course it refers to someone who is constantly buying new products with the zeal of a "junkie", even if they already have similar items at home. It is an interesting term and so true for a lot of people, myself included at times. Black Girl with Long Hair did a great post about hair regimens getting out of control within the natural hair world and I just had to comment. It got me thinking about my own product-buying habits as of late and how I have felt influenced by the different blogs and You Tube videos online. I began to feel out of the loop on certain things when really what I have been doing and using works just fine for me.

I have been natural for a while now so I thought I was beyond that phase. But every now and then I relapse when people start posting about the amazing results they have with "such and such" product or this-n-that routine. And going to the natural hair show in Atlanta was another time I felt compelled to try new stuff. It's not all bad, sometimes you do come across a great product that really works well and fits nicely into your routine. But other times, you look up and realize you have 11 bottles of this or 5 jars of that and it is all sitting under your sink, collecting dust.

So I made myself follow one simple rule when it comes to product buying:

If I have one already, I can't buy a new one until it's gone.

This applies to anything - shampoo, conditioner, gels, combs, rollers, whatever. I have not always followed this rule but it helps when I stroll past a beauty supply store or the hair care aisle in Walmart. Here's another one that's good:

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

That means, if I like the conditioner I am using, I won't stop or throw it away just because someone else says it's bad. Or just because a certain technique works for someone else does not mean it will work for me.

Here are some more tips I found in this article. They refer to beauty products but work for hair stuff as well:

Only shop when needed. This may seem like a simple point, but think about the number of times you've gone into a store like Bath and Body Works just to "browse." You're bound to come out with a couple of lotions or sprays. Especially during sales. If you must go to the mall walk by those stores that tempt you. Avoid the beauty aisle in grocery stores. Don't even use it as a shortcut to another section of the store. You may be lured in by that new diet pill you saw on television. Bath and Body Works gets me all the time!

Don't read about new products. If you're facial cleanser is working beautifully for you, don't search for a new one. If the latest cleanser is any good, it'll still be available when you've finished the one you have. If you're bombarded with advertisements, blogs and forums raving about a project, tuck the review in the back of your mind and proceed to point below. I'm guilty of this guys...

Swap beauty products with your friends. It's like getting something new, but it won't cost you a thing. Swapping products also allows you to try out new things. This works best with other product junkies also looking for their next fix. This is fun AND free! I give my best girl friend lip gloss or eye shadows all the time and she loves it!

Sometimes trying new things is fun, especially when you are new to the natural thing. There is nothing wrong with trying a new look when you feel the time is right. But when it becomes a money issue or a competition-like "I'm trying to keep up with the other naturals" issue, it is a bigger problem. Considering I am still in "broke grad student" status, I'm going to do my best to take my own advice! So thank you BGLH for this nudge, I am back on my mission to spend wisely and focus on what works for me. Each head is so different so stick with that works for you. Good luck to you all and go check out the BGLH post if you have not already!

Blah blah blah

All the comments are going on about how lazy I am and little prophecies about how I am going to lose my popularity etc!

I mean, on the whole I AM lazy, undeniably, but I've been busy these few days working on the new blogskin! I mean, that is part of blogging also right! Hmpf! Kena accused of being lazy when I am actually working hard! I even missed a KTV session ok!

I know you are salivating (you are that excited), but it will only be launched in maybe 2 days' time.

And the reason why I polled whether you guys want short posts or long posts is because I bought a Blackberry!!

Therefore, I'm connected to the internet all the time and I can twitter/post photos with a short caption anytime I want!

Since most of you choose long posts over short posts, I've actually came up with the perfect skin for that. I think it's fab anyway!!! It will be like... revolutionary!!

Meanwhile, excuse me while I go work on the skin and an advertorial for Watsons.

If you are that bored, you can sign up for Twitter and follow me here: LINK.

The 300 or so kiasu people who are already following me got a little glimpse of the new blogskin yesterday. :D


AND............ Watch videos!

********************************************

XIAXUE'S GUIDE TO LIFE



Happy Mother's Day to the best Mom!

I know. So long overdue it's almost Father's day.


CHICK VS DICK



Watch KK and Paul attempt the impossible.


THE SHAN AND ROZZ SHOW



A woman who claims she can see angels!

Ding dong or some sort of messiah? Decide for yourself.

And a little bonus.

Asia Uncut on Star World interviewed me ages ago but I had not mentioned it yet. You can watch my interview here:

I totally deserved being forced to use a mac for the show.

They told me to bring my laptop but I forgot.