Changing perspectives

Been in London for approximately two weeks now, and I am so glad I made this trip here.  My first post about London may have sounded a bit pessimistic, but the longer I stay in the city, the more I'm loving it.  There's always somewhere to go, something to see.  And all the museums are free!!  That's a major plus.

Here's a taste of some stuff that I've been up to this week.  This week and next are devoted to being a serious tourist since I blew off my first week here.  Hopefully I'll be able to get around to doing everything!

Top left: turkish delight, Tate Modern, The Globe, Borough Market, London Tower Bridge
Middle left: London Bridge, Victoria & Albert Museum, schedule, monument in front of Buckingham, Wellington Arch gate
Bottom left: Hyde Park, fish & chips, Harrod's, Monmouth coffee shop, Buckingham Palace

Bath tomorrow :)  I'll keep you guys updated!

Some tea, my dears?

Finally made it to London on Wednesday after much idle waiting and being in chairs too small for me for too long.  I've only been here for four days, but for some reason it feels a lot longer.  Like two weeks or something.  Anyway, here are a few of my first impressions of London thus far:

• Despite the street scrubbers, the streets are still ridiculously dirty.  My canvas boots have gone from a tan color to black.  My babies *cries*
• It's a very "normal" city.  Everyone just wears peacoats and scarves all day and goes about their usual business.  Nothing exciting.
• The weather is either wet, rainy, cloudy, or a mix of the three.  But that was a given even before I came.

London weather.

• Tea is everywhere.  When people told me how serious the Brits are about tea, they weren't kidding.  The first thing I was asked by the flatmate was "Would you like some tea?"  There's even a library that serves afternoon tea.  PCL should do that too.

The original Twinings store, est. in 1706.

• British food is better  than expected.  People should give them more credit because yes, English cuisine does exist.  I know for one that they don't sell parsnip soup, treacle pie, and sausage rolls everyday in the States.  (Have yet to try the first two, but will *hopefully* soon!)  

Some of the stuff I've had so far, though most of it is not British.  (Actually Australian, French, and Spanish to be exact)

 Goal for next week: knock out the tourist sites like the museums, Buckingham, etc.  I'm a very, very bad tourist.  So far I've only visited Courtnauld (where they hold London Fashion Week), a market, Chinatown, and two drawing rooms in the National Gallery.  Any additional suggestions of what I should do/eat/see in London?

Product Review: Murad Clean Scene Moisturizer

Haven't done a product review in a while since I've been holding the spending down, but I had to buy something when Sephora had the 15 off 35 for BIs, so I got the following moisturizer (been/still searching for my HG moisturizer).

Murad's Clean Scene Begging for Balance Moisturizer
Rating:  2/5
Packaging:  5/5
Uses:  Moisturize; ideal for all skin types (theoretically).

I really, really, really wanted to like this product because it seemed to be everything I wanted.  Price was just right, packaging was just right, and it sounded like it was a good match for my skin after reading some reviews online.  

The Clean Scene line by Murad is targeted towards teens with the cutesy colors on the packaging and with all the products contain salicylic acid.  However, I think it also works for people like me who aren't teens anymore yet still have to fight blemishes and "bad" skin.  The differentiating ingredient in this line is the "Chinese wonder" (quoted from the packaging) called yumberry, which "takes on free radicals and helps neutralize these skin damaging enemies of balanced, smooth skin."  The moisturizer smelled like the yumberry, which has a nice fruity smell.  It also lived up to its claim to "shut down shine"; didn't feel shiny at all after applying and moisturizing properties were adequate. 


So far so good?  Now here comes the catch - I had an allergic reaction.  I didn't break out or have a rash, but I itched like crazy after applying this.  I usually don't have allergic reactions to products, so I'm not exactly sure which ingredient caused the itchiness.  Or perhaps it was the "special" yumberry ingredient?  In any case, this is going back to Sephora and I will continue my search for a moisturizer.

Pros:

• Reasonable price ($22 for 1.7 oz)
• Reputable brand - Murad does not test on animals and its products do not contain parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, or triclosan
• Good packaging - good for travel, doesn't cause product waste, and sanitary

Cons:

• Smell (for those who are sensitive to smells, although this one didn't bother me)
• Experienced an allergic reaction

Hopes for the New Year

Notice that this post is entitled hopes.  Not resolutions, goals, or things-that-I-must-do.  Maybe by using the word "hopes" I'll actually be able to trick my brain into actually fulfilling these hopes.  We'll see a year later.

• Write (at least) 100 blog posts.  Had some hiccups this year, but I did blog 98 times...so close, yet so far from 100!
• Budget money more wisely. didn't set a monthly limit because I know that by being abroad in itself, shopping is inevitable.  But, what I am gonna try to do is stretch my money for all it's worth and come back only with pieces that I genuinely love to death and will use.
• Read more.  When I was little I read at least a book a week.  I need to start doing that again.
• Redefine my style.  As college is slowly coming to a close, it seems unfitting (and boring) to keep donning my favorite t-shirt, especially if I plan to pursue a career in business.  I like a variety of styles, but I'm going to aim for a closet that's "casual chic."  Chic, but not stuffed up or overly conservative.  'Cause that's equally boring (and more uncomfortable) than t-shirts everyday.
• Experience life more.  This is one I have in my pocket with my upcoming travels, but I should add it anyway so that I can check an extra item off my list and feel more accomplished at the end of the year =D  

Short and sweet.  Just the way I like it.  Any of you aiming for new year's resolutions?  Please share so that I can be inspired =)