To My Friends

Posted on October 21, 2012 by tinnipoo

My life in Taiwan so far has been busy – working rather long hours and busy enjoying what the city has to offer: shopping, food, beauty treatments, dance classes (which I still very much suck at ).

I may appear to be a lonesome figure in a big city, but I’ve really been loving it. I’ve always been someone who is comfortable being surrounded by groups of people, as well as being by myself. Partly because that’s just how I’m built, and a lot to do with my friends, and that includes my #MBBE girls.

#MBBE is something special – a friendship group that extended far beyond our mutual love of makeup and food (though they are still a big part of of get-togethers ). Read my previous post (with plenty of happy snaps!) here. But today I also like to share some very touching words from Jacie, blogger of You’ve Got Nail and lifetime #MBBE:

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Sometimes in life, circumstances happen to bring together powerful forces.

Cheezels and Pepsi.

Sonny and Cher.

Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer.

And the Melbourne Beauty Bloggers Event.

Two years ago, I was asked by the delicious Ms Valerie Chan to attend an event designed to bring together burgeoning beauty bloggers. I’m an independent sort and the idea of joining forces did not appeal. But the promise of free cake did and off I went.

And then it happened. I met a group of girls where we connected. Instantaneously. I remember getting a foot spa with Christine of Beautyholics Anonymous where we chatted like we’d known each other for years. We swore. We made blue jokes. And, at the end of the day, everyone there knew we had stumbled on something magical.

And the cake was pretty good too.

Since that time, the ties that bind have only gotten stronger. Not only did we support each other as bloggers, we began to support each other as women and sisters.

In December last year, I had a miscarriage at 19 weeks. It was without a doubt the most traumatic experience of my life. Along with my family, my MBBE family were there. Even when I dropped out of sight for weeks at at a time, they were there. Checking in. Making sure I was ok.

When I decided to stop beauty blogging, there was not even a moment’s consideration as to whether I was still MBBE. I was MBBE for life.

These women are my sisters. They are my lifeblood. They are people I lean on and they are people who lean on me. If they were the mean girls they are portrayed to be, they would have dumped me the moment I stopped blogging. That they didn’t is a reflection on the beautiful, perfect friends that they are.

To those who wish to see the bad in this, I believe this says more about you than it does about us.

Don’t hate on a sisterhood that is strong and kind.

Don’t hate on a group of women who supported me through the most traumatic experience of my life without once judging, hating or criticising me for my choices.

Don’t hate on a special connection that defies explanation.

Don’t hate on women who hold me tight when I shed tears and bleed. They are worth more than the gold in the world.

These are my sisters. I love them. So f*ck off. Seriously.

‘Because there is one thing stronger than magic: sisterhood’ – Robin Benway
The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, June.

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I count myself very lucky to have true friends like my #MBBE sisters. No matter where I am in the world, no matter how many or how few people I have around me, I would never feel lonely knowing our friendship is there, for life.

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Art-terly In Love with YSL Arty Ring – Valentine’s Day Limited Edition

Posted on February 17, 2012 by tinnipoo

As much as I curse the enabling nature of the beauty blogging community, I actually love it (but you probably know that already). Just last week I saw the YSL Arty ring in Tine’s post, then in a tweet from Emily on the eve of Valentine’s Day – I started to feel quite a bit of lemming-ness.

A day later, when I happened across the YSL Arty Ring in Love Pink – I knew I HAD TO HAVE IT. In addition to the inherent beauty of any YSL Arty ring, this is Limited Edition for Valentine’s Day and features a Hot Pink cerise glass stone.

It took a mere 3 hours to make the purchase, and 3 days later I am now its proud owner…. SQUEEEE!!!

The good people at Net-a-porter packaged it in their signature matte black box, which is beautiful already. My little baby YSL box was inside, housing a pink pouch with the Arty ring inside. (Note: regular Arty ring comes with a white pouch)

The size 7 is true to normal US ring size (inner diameter 17mm), and fits my middle finger perfectly

Art terly In Love with YSL Arty Ring Valentines Day Limited Edition

Yes - I did my nails especially for it

I love the colour of the stone: it can look anywhere from pink to red, depending on the angle and the light.

It has the word “love” engraved on the band at the back too.

There are now 4 #MBBE with YSL Arty rings… can’t wait to take a group pic!!!

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Getting the VIP treatment at the Australian Open thanks to Dove

Posted on January 21, 2012 by tinnipoo

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you would be familiar with my frequent bouts of laziness. My usual Saturdays involve little beyond cups of coffee and endless hours of Taiwanese drama/variety shows, and I rarely blog on consecutive days. But this was such an awesome experience, I MUST tell you all about it now!

As one of the sponsors of the Australian Open, Dove was beyond amazing to have offered some of my fellow MBBE ladies centre court tickets, VIP access to the ao club and even chauffeur service to and from the event. I was lucky enough to be invited by Ponikuta as her plus one!

On arrival, the lovely Laura (PR for Dove) greeted us and took us straight to the ao club. It was certainly a relief to get out of the sweltering heat, and the club is absolutely gorgeous. It had a dining area, bar and lounge, all of which decadently decorated. After some much needed refreshment (Heineken is also a sponsor – brilliant!) and delicious dinner, we headed to the Dove Marquee.

Unfortunately by the time we got there, the marquee had closed. The Dove Marquee is open to public, and offers everyone a variety of pampering services and goodie bags – read about it on heartofpearl. The queue can be long but it’s definitely worth the wait, so make sure you check it out if you’re at the Australian Open!

Then it was time for the game! I’ve only been to the tennis a couple of times before, both of which were in the corporate boxes with my previous jobs. I always found the corporate boxes rather sterile, so was really excited that our tickets were for the court seats – AND second row from the front!!!

The first game was Lleyton Hewitt vs Cedrik-Marcel Stebe, which Lleyton won after a 4 hour game. Apparently Serena Williams, who was playing in the second game against Tamira Paszek, was super annoyed to have to wait so long. I could certainly feel Serena’s annoyance in the beginning of her game, when she whacked a few balls out of the sidelines rough-handedly.

Because the men’s game took so long, we couldn’t finish watching the women’s and had to call it a night at midnight. But not before taking some group piccies

Getting the VIP treatment at the Australian Open thanks to Dove

Clockwise from top left: a face-shaped chair at the ao club lounge area, me & Ponikuta with our Dove goodie bags, the bar at ao club, me and Laura (Dove's PR)

Some MBBE and Laura

I know I’ve said it a zillion times before, but I love my MBBE ladies. We had so much laughs that night, talking beauty (as usual) and sneaky swaps of BB Cream, a new book by a certain Taiwanese beauty blogger, and a pressie for me from Malaysia (thank you Paris B!). There was also a particularly amusing dialogue between me and Ponikuta at the beginning of the women’s game, which I’m still laughing about ;D

Thank you Dove for being so kind and spoiling us to such a memorable night – I had a *ahem* ball!!

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Thank you 2011

Posted on December 31, 2011 by tinnipoo

Is it just me, or is every year going by quicker and quicker? This year felt like it flew by, but I have to say, it’s been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable years I’ve had. Here are my favourite and most memorable things from 2011:

1. I began my career in Marketing

It was around Xmas last year when I made the transition from sales to marketing, and I couldn’t be happier. I love my job and I’m so thankful for the amazing things I’ve been able to do because of it – and thank you for those who have supported the brand and the products I’ve launched into the market this year.

2. I began blogging

Through my new job, I got to know the wonderful Beauty Bloggers around Australia, and some (you know who you are) gave me the kick up the proverbial to start my own beauty blog just over 6 months ago.

I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging: from doing 1-2 posts a week to now 3-4 (still sporadic I know), giving my blog the makeover it needed, braving FOTD, to trying my hand at things I’ve never done like nail art - I’ve learnt so much every step of the way. Thank you to my wonderful readers who have given me so much encouragement :’)

3. Attending the inaugural ABBW as both a blogger and PR

I was lucky enough to have been invited to attend ABBW as one of the bloggers even before I started blogging. But I am so glad that I ended up blogging prior to the event, as it gave me so much more appreciation for all the events and topics of discussion. As nerve-wrecking as it was, I also enjoyed representing my brand at the ABBW. Thank you The Plastic Diaries and You’ve Got Nail for the invitation, and all the attending beauty bloggers for the help and support for the Masterclass.

4. Being a part of a sorority (MBBE)

Where would I be without the wonderful #MBBE? They are bunch of crazy talented, passionate gals who are caring and supportive of each other. Every time we get together there would be loads of laughter, food and obsessive beauty talk. Thank you for welcoming me into the group.

5. Discovering new products

Not so good for my wallet or tiny apartment, but I loved trying so many products that I would have never tried before! I LOVE Clinique Chubby Sticks, solved my hair woes, and ventured into the world of OPI. Thanks to my job and being a blogger – I now live and breath beauty every moment, everyday (Amen).

All in all, I had a fabulous 2011. So fabulous, that what I want to do in 2012 is MORE of what I’ve done this year – more blogging, and more beauty marketing! I am a big believer that passion is key to happiness, and I want to keep that passion aflame by challenging myself to do better.

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My Sorority Sisters – Melbourne Beauty Blogger Event (MBBE)

Posted on November 28, 2011 by tinnipoo

It’s such a happy coincidence that I’m writing this post today, when it’s the 6 month anniversary of this blog! Yippee! I know that’s only a little milestone, but considering it was only 10 months ago when I was still thinking, “I can never start a beauty blog”, please allow me to indulge myself in some self-love (the pat on the back kind, in case your mind was in the gutter)

To quote Amy, the adorable gal behind Things I Love, the MBBE is like a sorority. They have welcomed me into the group when I wasn’t even a beauty blogger yet, and now I consider them as my close friends integral in my life.

It was beyond awesome that I was invited to the 2011 Melbourne Beauty Blogger Event – organised by Val of Ponikuta and held at Miss Fox on 12th November.

Miss Fox is a gorgeous salon in Melbourne CBD that offers a range of cosmetic, therapeutic and grooming services, great beauty products and event venue hire. They generously treated us MBBE gals to super yummy Pimms, cupcakes, luxury hand massages, manicures and makeovers. It was such an indulgent experience and I have already enquired about holding a hen’s night for a soon-to-be married girlfriend.

After the pampering and a whole lot of chattering (and we are a talkative bunch!), we had the pleasure of listening to Kate Morris, the founder of Adore Beauty, about her journey as an entrepreneur who changed the landscape of the Australian beauty retail business. I have been a customer of Adore Beauty for many years, not just for the great array of brands but also their beauty services, online forum and product reviews.

The best thing is that Kate is that she is a makeup junkie who has a true passion for beauty, and the drive to make her dreams a reality. A serious case of girl crush here? You betcha!

Kate was so lovely she stayed for the entire event, and presented to us the prizes for the raffle draw and beauty quiz (I won an Illamasqua pack yay!)

We shared in the delight that was Jacie’s win of Beauty Directory Star Beauty Writer (Online) of the Year Award for 2011 – presented by Passion Pop Lover AKA Kimmi of The Plastic Diaries.

We walked away with our arms full of goodies – provided by Miss Fox, Benefit, Lancome, Clinique, Kit Cosmetics, i.d. bareMinerals, Guinot, Illamasqua, YSL, Alpha-H, Dermalogica, Soap & Glory, KMS, Goldwell, POD Skincare, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, Face of Australia and Prada fragrance.

In case you haven’t realised my affection for the MBBE bunch, I have to declare that my favourite part of the event was the company – these ladies are inspiring, smart, loving and beautiful. We laughed so much together and will continue to support each other through all our endeavours – blogging and everything else