Curiously Carmen - Page 106 of 120 -

Elephant and Castle Pub

June 28, 2014 Leave a Comment

It was another beautiful sunny Vancouver afternoon, and luckily, I had the day off to spend it in downtown with friends. This time, we decided to try Elephant and Castle because it was close to Stanley Park, and I have heard good things about this place. There was a strong British influence on this pub, and it was located inside the beautiful, heritage Marine building. The Marine building reminded me of Hogwarts, magnificently vintage and beautiful. It was definitely a pretty place to stop and fill our stomaches before exploring our beautiful city and the seawall.
For drinks, I decided to get my favourite beer of all time. Kronenbourg Blanc! This beer is very refreshing, and has a strong citrusy flavour to it. If you’re a big fan of citrus and in the mood for a light beer, this is the way to go. I liked how they included an orange with it too because other places that I’ve ordered this did not include one. Also, please excuse the 24 in the corner, I took this picture off my Snapchat because I realized I forgot to take an actual picture. =.=”
I haven’t had chicken tenders for a long time, so I decided to try theirs that day which came with honey mustard dipping sauce. Was I ever glad I did! The chicken came piping hot, and was super tender, but crispy on the outside. It was also very juicy, seasoned well, and tasted really fresh. My favourite place to get chicken tenders is Red Robins, but since they’ve closed a couple of the locations I normally go to, I haven’t really found a place that matched their deliciousness. Oh wait, IHOP at Brentwood had amazing chicken tenders but that shut down too. Anyways, the chicken tenders here are probably my new favourite, since they both shut down. I love my chicken tenders so if you know a great place for them, please let me know in the comments!
The Somersby apple cider was one of the seasonal drink specials that day. Both my friends ordered it, and they fell in love with how crisp and refreshing it tasted. I had a sip and I loved it too! I actually ended up ordering this the next night at Milestones (Might do a post on that as well, we shall see!)
This was my friend’s mini stuffed yorkie pie ($8), with a side of fries. Two of my friends ordered this, and they both thought it tasted pretty good. However, they were disappointed with the size of the pies. Yes, they’re mini pies but my friend said that after two bites, it was finished and not worth the $8 she paid for! It’s a good thing she had the side of fries to fill her up.
Up next were the deep fried pickles with roasted red pepper aioli. I thought that these were fried perfectly, and the pickles were crunchy and delicious too. The aioli dipping sauce was very delicious and had a hint of garlic and spice. Behind it was “the works” poutine that came with sour cream, bacon, tomato, and green onions. It was also pretty good and had a generous serving of fries and toppings. My other friends also ordered three plates of poutine which I forgot to take a picture of ~~(probably because I was too busy reuniting with my delicious chicken tenders).~~ Anyways, to conclude, we had a great first experience here and definitely wouldn’t mind coming back. Service was friendly and attentive as well. It would be nice if they had more of a social media/online presence! Oh, and to include the drink menu on the website… my friend and I only found the food menu? Unless we were being stupid and missed it…? 🙂

-Carmen

Bella Gelataria Handcrafted Gelato

June 26, 2014 1 Comment

Back when I did not have a blog, I came here with my friend who was stopping in town from Japan for a few days. Prior to him landing in Vancouver, he told me that he had to try this place before leaving, because apparently this place is very well known in Japan. Well damn, if people across the ocean raved about this place, it must be one good gelato place! We ended up loving our gelato, but to be honest, I don’t remember much of the gelato itself as I was too happy that I was able to reunite with my friend living halfway across the world after a year. So, half a year and one beautiful sunny afternoon later, I decided to stop by again and enjoy some delicious gelato after a delicious meal at Kintaro Ramen!

Bella Gelatria is located on the main floor of the luxurious Fairmont Pacific Rim, right by the water. There was a line up out the door, and almost around the corner the day we went. In total, we waited about fifteen minutes in line. The staff working there are very experienced in heavy volume traffic, so they had a pretty efficient system going. There are also awards and framed newspaper articles lined up from top to bottom, so you definitely will not get bored in line.
Of course, if you do not want to read their framed articles, you can take the time to decide what flavour you want to try. I was craving strawberry that day, but unfortunately, the worker told me they didn’t have it. She was then interrupted (in a friendly manner) by the owner and master gelatier, James Coleridge as he informed me that they only make strawberry when in season. Whoa. I have never heard that before. Just goes to show you how fresh their gelato is! Even when scooping the gelato, they have a special method of scooping that I’ve never seen before. They “fold” the gelato into your waffle cone (which comes at no extra charge) multiple times, and then shape it into a round scoop at the end.
After much debate, I settled with the chocolate belgian brownie. I was in love at first bite. The chocolate was extremely rich, smooth, decadent, and soft. I fell in love with how well-rounded the chocolate flavour was, and how creamy it was. I have never had gelato, or ice cream, as creamy and rich like this before. You could really tell the difference in quality. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or not. Typing this post is making me so hungry now.
Next up (no, I did not order three all to myself, incase you’re wondering) is the Thai coconut milk gelato. Just like my chocolate one, this one was extremely creamy as well. There was a strong and delicious coconut taste which complemented your tastebuds perfectly. It came with little slices of fresh coconut as well, which added to the freshness of the gelato.
This was the mint chocolate gelato, but I didn’t get a chance to try it. In total, our three gifts from God (aka. Bella Gelataria gelato) came to around $20, with complementary waffle cones. Delicious is actually just an understatement for Bella Gelataria. Their homemade gelato is so intricately and skillfully crafted, that each delicious swirl of gelato your tongue meets will guide you on a magic carpet ride. Honestly. I’m not the only one that thinks so, either considering that Bella Gelataria has won numerous awards in Italy for their gelato and their rating on Urbanspoon. It is definitely a must try when in Vancouver. You will not regret it.

-Carmen
PS. Here is a picture of the outside, with their big sign. This picture was taken at my first visit in chilly November (read first paragraph above), hence the jackets.

The Face Shop Mini Haul- Korean pore balm?! and concealer

June 21, 2014 3 Comments

Hey beauties! I’m really excited to write this post because I have loved The Face Shop since my preteen years and discovered two amazing products! They actually closed down the only boutique in Vancouver around five years ago. It really sucked because I dug up my old concealer a few months ago, and it worked so well. I tried looking online but I didn’t spend that much time because the site was in Korean. I just gave up and accepted the fact that I would not be able to buy that concealer anymore. 🙁
Anyways, I was beyond ecstatic when my cousin told me that they had just opened up a boutique in town! I couldn’t contain my excitement and I actually went the same day. Incase you’ve never heard of The Face Shop, it is a Korean cosmetics company. It is very popular in Korea and is their third most popular cosmetic line. I can see why it is so popular, their products deliver great results. Here is what I ended up buying and what I thought of the products!
I bought two full sized skin care products- a pore balm and a double ended concealer (total was $35 with tax). They were quite generous with samples, and took great care in wrapping my purchase. The worker also informed me at the till that the beauty balm I bought works best for dry skin. I actually have combination skin so she recommended I swap my pore balm, and gave me samples based on my skin type. 10/10 customer service!
Starting with the pore balm, I was in the mood for trying new products and I was just happy that I was able to shop here again! The sign on the table said it would minimize pores and cut oil from the face, so I figured I would give it a try. I’ve never heard of a pore balm, have you? It comes with a pad to rub it on your face with, but I just used my fingers because I felt it would absorb better. I noticed that the smell of the balm had a borderline medicinal smell, like Vicks Vapour Rub. At first glance, I noticed that it absorbed my oil really well and had a satiny, smooth finish. I used foundation afterwards, as you are supposed to do. Keep reading to see my results!
I couldn’t find the same concealer I bought a few years ago, so settled on this double ended concealer. The worker told me that they probably didn’t carry that one anymore, and showed me the only concealer they had. One side is liquid while the other side is a stick. I found the stick side to be very smooth, blend able and easy to apply. It also matched my skin tone perfectly. I would say it’s the same quality as the one I bought years ago! Yay!
After finishing with both products and my foundation, I was in shock when I looked in the mirror and ran to show the boyfriend because I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming. Sure enough, all my pores had disappeared. My problem area was T zone, but I did not see any pores or blackheads at all. My amazement continued the night as my foundation stayed on perfectly without melting. When I took off all my makeup at the end of the night, I noticed my pores looked a lot tighter and smaller than they usually do. The pore balm was sure a miracle! As for the concealer, it hid my dark spots and scars pretty well and did not smudge.
Here is a picture in different lighting,with both the products on. Both pictures are completely unedited and have no filter, I just resized the second picture to fit my site better. I finished my skin off with my Naked Skin foundation, Maybelline setting powder, and Lancome blush. My total came to $35 for the 2 products. I would definitely buy the pore balm again because it is a life saving primer. I definitely have struggled with uneven skin tone, dark marks, scars, you name it since hitting puberty but the beauty balm will hide all your secrets. I find it works a lot better than Benefit’s Porefessional, which was my favourite before this one. The beauty balm is $17 which is cheaper but maybe I should try using both next time?

Pros:

Pore balm is a complete lifesaver, it will even out your skin, make your pores disappear, and seems to tighten them even after washing it off
Concealer has a very smooth application, and is easily blendable

Cons:

The Face Shop does not have many boutiques, may have a hard time finding it in person but is available online
Pore balm has a strange smell (medicinal menthol scent, like Vicks Vapour Rub)

What are some of your favourite primers and concealers? Have you tried these products before and what did you think? Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin because I’m lonely over there, and comments/feedback here make me extremely, extremely happy 🙂 Have a great day!

-Carmen

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (My HG eyeliner!)

June 18, 2014 7 Comments

Ever since I bought the Sephora “Draw the Line” eyeliner sample yet two years ago, I have found an eyeliner that has never disappointed me, or caused frustration. An eyeliner that has stood unwavering by my eyes, never giving up on my shortfalls, accidental eye grazing, or washing away in torrential downpours that Vancouver sees waaayy too often. This is my all day, everyday, dress up/dress down eyeliner- my reliable rock when all my other eyeliners have failed me. Yes, it may sound a tad bit dramatic, but the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner is my Holy Grail of eyeliners.
Application: I usually shake the pen before using. When applying, the brush is very flexible and thin, which makes it super easy to create flawless eye lining, whether it is a cat eye look, or just your simple, everyday look. The colour on the brush tip does not “fade” as you are drawing the line, so you can apply your eyeliner in one, quick, and easy go!
Long lasting: This eyeliner will last all day without smudging, hence the term “tattoo liner”. I also love how pigmented the colour is (I have “trooper”), and the shade will not diminish or fade throughout the day. It is also waterproof, but removes easily with makeup remover (I use The Body Shop chamomile eye makeup remover).
Value: This sells at Sephora for $22 CAD. I would say it’s worth the money, because it’s hassle and worry free and will last you for months if not a year, even if you use it daily. It’s so tricky to find long lasting, high pigmented, and non-time consuming eyeliners. I rather stick with this eyeliner than buying a couple of eyeliners from the drugstore for the same price. Yes, you may get two for the price of one of these, but quality over quantity :)!
That’s it to this short review! The eyeliners in the Sephora “Draw the Line” set change yearly, and I have loved all the eyeliners that came in that set (seen above). It’s a really great opportunity to try different brands for a cheap price. The set was around $35 but before you think it is expensive, think about this. It came with six high end professional eyeliners, three of which are full sized. The full sized Urban Decay 24/7 liquid eyeliner (which was included) comes to $23 itself. while the Smashbox gel liner pot (came with full sized) is $25 by itself. Drugstore eyeliners cost around $7-10 dollars each these days, so if you were to buy six drugstore eyeliners which aren’t as good quality, you would still be paying more. Do you have this eyeliner set as well? If yes, let me know which one is your favourite! (Picture from http://bestthingsinbeauty.blogspot.ca/2012/12/sephora-favorites-draw-line-eyeliner.html)
Here is another picture of the eyeliner, taken from my Naked 3 eyeshadow palette 🙂 Anyways, I hoped you liked my review and mini blurb about value sets. I’ve noticed that most of my makeup reviews have been purchased from Sephora, I will probably focus on a drugstore product for my next review 🙂 They are easier on the wallet and if you’re lucky, you may find one that’s just as good as the higher end products! What drugstore products are your favourite?
Don’t forget to follow me on Bloglovin because I’m lonely over there, and comments/feedback here make me extremely, extremely happy 🙂 Have a great day!
-Carmen

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

June 15, 2014 5 Comments

(Post updated on February 17, 2016 with pictures)

My first Fiesta Friday! I hope that makeup reviews can be included in fiesta Friday, let me know if you girls are okay with makeup reviews for Fiesta Fridays? I look forward getting to know everyone!

Back to back Naked palette reviews! This one will be short and sweet, since I wrote a post on the Naked 2 yesterday already.

The Naked 3 is essentially the same ingredients and design, but with a different shade of colours. I like to think of the Naked 3 as more rosier and pink shades. Just because it’s the newest one (for now), does not mean it’s any better- the only difference are the shades! I decided to use Naked 3 today so that I could show you guys what it looks like.
Packaging is a sliiiightly bit different, but same durable case and no eyeshadow fall out from moving it around.

Comes with the same Good Karma double ended brush as the Naked 2!
I just noticed that even with this palette, I used the golden tones more than the rosy ones…. Rosy shades don’t look that good on me, I always feel that I look as if I have an eye infection with pink. As usual, I primed my eyes with their primer potion, and used “trick” all over my eyelid (#6 from left). On my outer corner, I used “mugshot” which is a shimmery brown tone (#2 from right). For my inner corner, I used “darkside” (#2 from left).
Another thing I like about these palettes are their versatility. This is my casual, everyday look for eye shadow but I love that I can make it even simpler, or more dramatic. There are so many shades and options to choose from, your possibilities are seriously endless. Which shades do you like wearing together? Let me know in the comments!

You may be wondering why I need 2 Naked palettes? ~~Because I’m a crazy makeup hoarder addict~~ I actually received both as gifts on two separate occasions. I am looking forward to the Naked 4 palette if Urban Decay is going to introduce one, can’t wait to see what shades that palette will have. Well, there you have it – Naked 2 and Naked 3. Which palette do you like better?

Two years later, I’m back to edit this post and add in another makeup look I created with the Naked 3 palette! You can read my Valentine’s Day 2016 post in detail here.

-Carmen