Motherhood Update: MY BABY IS TURNING ONE!

Who would have thought that an OC, anxious person like me will be celebrating her daughter's first birthday? Reminiscing back to when I found out I was pregnant, to giving birth and soon be celebrating Zoe's birthday is mind-blowing.

I'm not gonna lie, I still struggle with Zoe but one thing is for sure, I am the luckiest mother to have her as a child. She is nothing but a sweet angel ( although her level of sass increase as her bday is approaching). She has never gotten sick, never gave me problem with her sleeping routine and never was a stubborn cry baby. It's funny because as ironic as it sound, it's as if I'm growing with her- she made me a kinder, more compassionate person.

At times I get caught up with my anxiety, I would look at Zoe and miraculously will feel relaxed. She would be at her corner with tons of toys, talking to herself, minding her business. Sometimes, she would come crawling towards me while crying and when I lift her up and pat, her crying stops- almost making me feel like a superwoman who can heal all aching wounds.

Zoe lit up my life and so as the people around me. There was one time, my clinical instructor back in college commented on Zoe's photo saying how she likes seeing Zoe's picture because it's making her day brighter.

One of my many fears was becoming a mother. I function with a schedule, I don't like mess and I don't like unpredictable changes, and those are what having a baby is all about. But put it this way, If I made it through, you will, too. A friend told me once that there no one is really ready of motherhood- there's no formula nor rule to follow.

Motherhood is a bittersweet roller-coaster ride. Either enjoy the ride or be scared the whole time.

If you are reading this and struggling with the transition of motherhood, know that it will only get better! But if there's advice I have to tell you, that is to stick to a bedtime routine. When Zoe was 1-3 months, putting her to sleep and keeping her mostly at night was a struggle, I barely get sleep. So one day, I said enough and researched ideas that I included Zoe's routine.

1. Play in the daytime not the nighttime

During daytime, make sure you interact with your child. You also have to make sure that the area is bright with enough noise to stimulate her- be it your voice, children songs, or your favorite tv show your watching on hulu cause you missed it last night, lol. Let her know that daytime is for playtime and allow enough periods of rest. Babies does not know the concept of day and night, so we have to introduce it to them.

2. Don't stimulate playtime at night.

At night, make sure your baby's bedroom is dark or with minimum amount of brightness, soe she can get the concept of light equals play while dark equals sleep. Your baby will wake up asking for milk but it will get less and less if you stick to your routine and as your baby grow. Stay with her in her room until she falls asleep, not in the living room for unnecessary noise can be distracting. Dedication to this routine is key. Your baby is smart, she will eventually know the difference between play and sleep, as the routine progress.

3. Give her bed time bath

This is optional but I find this really helpful, I give her bath every night before she goes to sleep and put her on her PJ. Bath are said to relax and soothe human body thus helping with sleep. Afther bath. I'd give her milk and let her re;ax for a while, then I sing/ hush her to sleep. Giving Zoe bath resulted to longer sleep time.

Before the tips mentioned above, Zoe will wake up 45 mins or an hour after putting her to bed, but after the routine, she sleeps at 7:30-8pm, wakes up at 2am for milk and sleeps again, and starts her day at 7am. By 10 1/2 months to this date, she can sleep the whole night without asking for milk.

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here's a photo of me the night before I gave birth,
I took this around 10pm and
I started having labor at 5am. I gave birth at 10:19pm
click here for my birth story 

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REVIEW: SHAAANXO PALETTE REVIEW with CRISTAL ROSE BEAUTY

Hi guys, today's blog post is very exciting - it is a review on my current fave makeup product, the Shaaanxo x BHCosmetic product and not just that, I am collaborating with my girl, Cristal ( click here for her youtube channel and shaaanxo palette review). She is so pretty and i love her.

Shanon Harris is my favorite youtuber -ever, and so when she did announce her collaboration with BH Cosmetic, I knew I had to grab the deal. I bought mine for 11$ because that time it was on sale. I know, 11 freaking dollars, for 9 pan of eyeshadow and 9 pan of lipstick. I don't know if there is still a sale going on but I'm gonna have the link here so you could purchase the palette after reading my review.

The palette is actually double sided, the other is the eyeshadow, the other one is the lipstick palette. But I'm not gonna be talking about the lipsticks, since I rarely use it but it has great pigmentation. I just prefer liquid lipsticks better. 

Let's talk eyeshadow.

Without any bias, in fairness to this palette, it has high pigmentation and good range of color selection that can range from everyday look to like full glam, night-out look. It has 4 shimmers, 4 matte and 1 duo chrome. Though I personally would like to have more matte than shimmer in the palette, but you know, for the price you pay and the quality of the product you're getting, there is really nothing to complain.

I put numbers on the pan so I could tell you what shades I wore to achieve my makeup of the day, easier. And also, it will be easier for me to explain what is what. 

The shimmers are 2,3,5,7 

The mattes are 1,4, 6, 9.

The duo chrome is 8.

Shaaanxo x BH Cosmetic Eyeshadow Palette

The Shimmers

shimmers: 7,5,3,2
(shaaanxo x bhcosmetic eyeshadow palette)

The pigmentations on these bad boys are crazy, they are also creamy which is amazing! 

The pan # 3 is my favorite. It is like a rose gold shimmer, you can highlight with it, or you can put it on your lid. I also like the pan #2, I use it as a highlight on my cheekbone. The pan # 5 is a beautiful brown shimmer that you can totally use by itself to achieve a natural makeup look. Pan # 7 is like a silver/rose shimmer. I really can't describe the color but it is on a warmer side, so you can totally put this if you want more definition on the outer V of your eye or something.  

The Mattes

top to bottom: 1, 4, 6 , 9
(shaaanxo x bhcosmetics eyeshadow palette)

I'm not the greatest fan of the pigmentation on the mattes. Unlike the shimmer pans, these are powdery but they are as equally beautiful. The pan # 1 has the least pigmentation amongst all the color in my opinion, I use this all over my lid to act as a base, I also use this to highlight my brow. Pan #4 isn't as mustard as it is on the palette or the swatches, this is perfect for transition shades or if mix with pan # 6 can be a crease shade. Can we just talk about pan # 4 and 6 for a moment? You guys, them combine makes the perfect shade, like you can wear these two color and call it a day. Pan #6 is my favorite matte shade, it's like a brick color but warmer but also red but a little cooler. I don't know, but this is what I use all over my eye on the eyelook that you will be seeing later. Pan # 9 is a dark black shade perfect for smokey eye-effects. 

The Duo Chrome

Pan # 8 is a brown/green duo chrome color, I love this color for the lid, but it is almost similar to Urban Decay Lounge Eyeshadow I got from Ipsy couple months ago.

# 8
(shaaanxo x bhcosmetics eyeshadow palette)

Top: # 8
(shaaanxo x bhcosmetics eyeshadow palette)
Bottom
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Lounge

Overall, I really think this palette is a steal. Especially if you are a beginner, this gives you a variety of colors you can play and experiment with, not just that it has 9 amazing lipstick on the other side. If you're travelling, this could be very handy and if you are on a budget like me, this is also very affordable. 

Here's my makeup look using the eyeshadow palette. I made like a heavy all-glam look since Cristal made like a natural, day-to-day wear. 

I started with # 1 as a base then used #6  for my transition shade and # 9 all over my lid. I put #8 on top of 9 to add it an extra uff since 8 is duo chrome. I mixed 9 and 6 for my waterline. I used #3 for the highlights on my inner corner

I hope you guys enjoy this review and I hope this has been helpful. Don't forget to tag me on your Shaaanxo x BHCosmetic Eyeshadow Palette look on instagram ( chimeeeey11) and dont forget to subscribe and comment down below. Love you guys and hope you are all having a wonderful day!

A CUP OF COFFEE

I would be lying if I say that the past days have been easy because truthfully, days went by drastically. Life has a funny way; today it gives you glitter, tomorrow it throws you mud. We just can not predict how life works.

My month went downhill after the first week, it went super sour so fast, I wasn't able to gather my cool and made harsh, wrong and aggressive decisions. I am a very understanding person, it is something that I pride myself. But like any other human, I am limited, I can only take so much. And when i burst, I burst my bubble big time. 

As depressed as I was with what's going with my life, my dad told me something made me rethink my situation, he said "make sure to use what's going in your life right now as an inspiration to be better" and he's right. I can not let this madness fool me, anymore. 

What happened today made me realise that in life, people will you down, dreams can crash, and hopes can be destroyed but despite all that, there will be time that life will turn upside down- in God's perfect timing. 

So today, I shook all the negativity away, grabbed a cup of coffee and told myself, "nothing a cup of coffee won't fix".

REVIEW: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD

If you have been following me on my Snapchat, or Facebook, you know how geeked out I was when my lovely husband surprised me with the Harry Potter book, not once - but twice. It turns out, he pre-ordered the book way back on June and forgot about it. Hahah. So yeah, I have an extra copy- just in case the other gets dirty, haha.

I am a Harry Potter fan and my favorite HP book is the Prisoner of Azkaban, I love the twists and the omg moments. Tell you what, If you love that certain book like I do, then my friend, you need to go to your nearest bookstore and grab HP and the Cursed Child. You'll thank me later.

That said, if you're not a big fan of HP series, or just a so-so lover but is a reader, I say give this one a shot. Though keep in mind that this is a script of a play, not an actual book. And no, this was not written by JK Rowling, but was written by the director of the play, Jack Thorne.  And I guess that's the sad part. most of us, expect something like what JK Rowling would write. But this is a script- OF. A. PLAY.

I personally thought the play was well written but very short-lived, you know. I read the whole book for 5 hours, the moment I finished the book, I almost wanted to throw a tantrum because I did not want it to end. That was it.

I wanted more, I wanted more of everything to be honest but I keep on reminding myself that, this was a play, they can't be as intense as how JK Rowling previous writings. But nevertheless. I love the new series. I am in awe. I am savoring every teeny-tiny bit of it.

Some say the book was more of a fan-fiction, I say it is just what I need. Closures. Action. Friendships. Love. An ending. JK Rowling said on an interview that this is the last of Harry Potter. And I love how Thorne, gave me a certain ending- a happy one.


You don't have to be a Harry Potter geek to understand this series of Harry Potter, if you watched the movie ( and I'm guessing you did, because who haven't?), you will understand every bit of the story. Well, basically the story revolves around Harry Potter, and his son, Albus Severus Potter. Harry's struggle of leaving the past, and Albus trying to change the future.

I will be spilling some beans from here on out, but I will mainly keep the plot a mystery because I wanted you guys to read it instead, Jack Thorne did an impeccable job writing this, it would be a shame if you hear the story from me and not from him- he is such a beautiful story teller.

Things I love about the book:

Albus' s friendship to Scorpious, Draco Malfoy's son.

Yup, you heard it right, Albus is bes tfriend with Scorpious and these two is a perfect match. Unlike his dad, Scorpious was kind, smart and sensitive. He is like the female version of Hermione but kinder.  I mean, If it wasn't for Scorpious love to Albus and their friendship, the world may have been not where we want it to be.  I particularly love how they met, can you guess how? Clue: it involves Shock-o-Choc, Pepper Imps and some Jelly Slugs.

" Scorpious (as smoke comes out of his ear): Thank you for staying for my sweets, Albus

Albus(laughing): Wow"

Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

Draco Malfoy's vulnerability.

What's a Harry Potter without the Malfoys, right? But unlike to what we know he last seven series. Draco was actually a lonely child who wanted nothing but to be good at Quiditch- and to have real friends he can have fun with. I love, love, love how Thorne transformed Draco in this story. With nothing but the memory of his wife, I love how protective Draco has become towards Scorpious. How willing he is to lose it all just to save his son *sighs* Malfoy can love genuinely after-all.

" Harry: Love Blinds. We have both tried to give our sons, not what they needed, but what we needed. We've been busy trying to rewrite our past, we've blighted their future. 

Draco: Which is why you need this. I have been holding on to it, barely resisting using it, even though I would sell my soul for another minute with Astoria 

Harry: Oh Draco, we cant. We can not use it. 

Draco: We have to find them- if it takes centuries, we must find our sons- "

- Jack Thorne,, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 

Draco being part of the group.

There was a part where Hermoine, as bossy as she is, tried to boss everyone to be alert and stand by their positions to attack the enemy, Draco can't help but feel great that he is now part of the fun. I think that was brilliant, how Thorne finally giving Draco a chance to be happy and to belong. I cried a little when all five of them ( Draco, Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione) became friends.

" Hermione: Positions. Everybody. And remember, we don't come until he's got her in the light- we've one shot on this, we don't want to mess it up. 

Draco: Hermione Granger, I'm being bossed by Hermione Granger. ( She turns towards him. He smiles). And I'm mildly enjoying it. "

Severus Snape was alive!

Scorpious met Severus, and their exchange of conversation is too much to handle. Severus was my favorite Harry Potter character, so it was really exciting for me to see him once again. I love that Thorne made Severus knew that his efforts- his death paid off to something wonderful. He is a hero.

"Snape: Harry Potter is dead. 

Scorpious: Not in my world. He said you were the bravest man he'd ever met. He knew, you see- he knwe your secret- what you did for Dumbledore. And he admired you for it- greatly. And that's why he named his son- my best friend- after you both. Albus Severus Potter" 

Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child 

Act Four, Scenr Twelve.

I'm not gonna tell you what this chapter is all about, but one thing was for sure, I was sobbing! Take not on this particular scene...you will cry. Or at least I cried because I'm a weakling like that. Lol


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Sorry if this review turn out to be more of a teaser rather than a review, but I just can't help it. My advice is stop whatever you are doing, and grab the book right now. Trust me, it's cheesy in a very good way.

A SWEET SURPRISE!

If there are things that knock my socks off, they are books and kindness. And yesterday, I received both.

Chris, is not much of a sweet guy, I mean he is sweet but in a different way. He's not the type of guy who posts on my fb wall or comments on my posts all the time. Or buys me flowers and gifts every week. Chris's sweetness mostly comes after he comes back at work, I will see m&m's or muffins or bananas on my study table. So thoughtful, right?

But on some other day, Chris goes overboard with his sweetness. Like today.

Chris knew that I have been eyeing the new Harry Potter book since June. And yesterday, while I was loudly obsessing the want to buy the book after its release,  he interrupted with a big grin and handed me the book, giggly.

For a book lover like me, it was kinda romantic.

The whole day, Chris was extremely sweet, he even made lasagna with deep fried zucchini and mushroom, and oh - garlic bread for dinner. And wait for it! He offered to wash dishes! Of course, I didn't let him wash dishes ( he doesn't know how to wash dishes the right way, so I never let him since the day we met). Let's just say he sucks at cleaning, hihi.

I think it's kinda cute that Chris is still trying to impress me - on the most random days, just cause. I've seen couples stop trying after years of being together, thus complaining and feeling unloved happens. Chris isn't the guy you see over social media professing love over heart-shaped flowers, or on midnight clear skies. But he has his own unique (most of the time annoying) way of telling me he loves me. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Zoe trying to out-read me, lol

Tho I wouldn't mind him giving me books every week. Hahaha!

Hope you guys had a great weekend, tell me about it. And did you guys have the new Harry Potter book, too? Awesome! Don't forget to tell me everything about your weekend and tag me on Instagram at chimeeeey11

xoxo