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Curiously Carmen

Life Update | Summer 2016

August 4, 2016

Warning: Text heavy & personal post ahead

You probably don’t know this, but I took a blogging break this past July. I think I wrote a total of two posts, which is very unusual for me as I love writing. I debated on writing this post because it is more personal. However, I decided that this is MY blog, and I haven’t sat down and written fully for awhile even though I love doing so.

Since I have tons of backup posts, you probably didn’t realize much as I just kept pushing those out! I tend to publish more beauty posts than food posts now, but mostly my drafts were food posts, which is why there was an influx of those. Am I the only one that saves drafts in case I go radio silent?

Anyway, the major reason why I rarely blogged was that in the third week of June-ish, my grandma got admitted into the hospital. She had been in the ER a couple times this year already, with the cause always being a really bad cough to the point where she couldn’t breathe. Normally, she would go back home after a couple days of observation. This time, she ended up being in the hospital for almost a month. Her health progressed worse every day, and we all became increasingly concerned for her. She was already in the hospital for two weeks before we found out she had a tumour in her lungs that was causing the coughing and breathing difficulties. We were told that the tumour was small, and could be treated with radiation. So, my grandma started doing radiation. At this point, all of us visited her whenever we could. After school, I would make my way to the hospital and someone would always be there with her. All of my spare time was spent with my grandma, but I did not mind a single bit because I love her and don’t want her to feel lonely in the hospital.

Suddenly, things went downhill for us. We were told that she had a 12-14 cm tumour behind her lungs, which is a pretty huge tumour. We were also told that the cancer had began to spread. Her health was failing really quick. She barely had enough energy to lift up her arm to wave to us, yet alone talk or eat.

Then came the most terrible news. The doctors told us that her time with us was very limited. What started out as a trip to the ER for a bad cough, turned out to be the most horrible thing we could imagine. My grandma was to be transferred to palliative care. Her body was too weak to continue with the radiation or treatment. The only option was to keep her as comfortable as possible until the fight was over.  On July 16th at 8:25, my amazing, strong, and selfless grandma took her last breath, surrounded by her family that she had worked so hard to raise.

The rest of the month was a blur. I spent most of the time preparing the eulogy, grieving, looking at old pictures and knowing how lucky I was to have her as my grandma. As you could imagine, blogging and writing was the last thing on my mind. Even though I love my blog and it is one of my proudest accomplishments, I barely had the effort to log in to publish a draft, but I didn’t want this place to be a field full of crickets.
GrandmaIt’s hard to believe that my grandma is not here with us anymore. She loved her family more than anything in the world. She would spend all day cooking for us, making enough food to feed a hungry army, plus more. She had such a sweet smile and laugh. Despite missing her terribly, I know that she is no longer suffering.

Pohpoh, thank you for all that you’ve done for me and the family. I’ve never met a family more tight knit and close as ours, and it was because you and grandpa raised everyone so well. Some days are harder than others, but there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. The past year without grandpa was hard for you, so I am very glad you get to be reunited with your best friend again. I love you.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve really realized how important it is to have quality over quantity when it comes to friendships. This month was very difficult, but it made me realize that I am surrounded by amazing people. From checking in on me to giving words of support, you know who you guys know who you are and I really appreciate your care and concern for me.

For the rest of the summer, I am almost done my full time school. I seriously wonder how I was able to hand in all my term papers and assignments on time with all the stress I was going through. Once school ends and I push through this last grind of finals, I plan on just relaxing, relaxing, and more relaxing (aka blogging). Two more weeks to go!


Filed Under: personal

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas from my blog to you, my fellow reader! I hope your day will be/has been filled with fun, family, and great food!
Merry XmasI have been trying to keep busy with all the Christmas festivities thus far … Christmas movie marathon, baking Christmas treats, and going to see the beautiful city lights in my amazing city, Vancouver, in Canada. This picture above was taken in downtown by the water. I still have a few locations that I want to check out before everything is taken down!

Van dusenAndddd here is another picture of me bundled up, I call this my black marshmellow outfit because I look very puffy but it keeps me nice and warm. My toque also makes me look like a pom pom. This was taken at one of Vancouver’s big city gardens, where they have an elaborate light show every year. Probably my favourite Christmas event to go to!

Have a wonderful day and talk soon! Merry Christmas again to you all!
-Carmen


Filed Under: personal Tagged: candy canes, Christmas, christmas movies, christmas tree, elves, festive, happy holidays, holiday season, home alone, light show, Merry Christmas, north pole, presents, santa, stockings, Xmas, Xmas lights

My Makeup Story Tag

November 14, 2014

I have been tagged by the lovely blondebeauty13 to do “my makeup story” tag! I’ve seen this going around the blogosphere for awhile, so here are my two cents on it. Thanks for the tag and keep reading to see who I’m passing this on to.

1- How old were you when you started makeup?
I have been around makeup since I was born, pretty much. There is a professional (well, as professional as Sears photography is haha!) picture of me when I was four years old, on my mom’s lap with noticeable vibrant, deep red nail polish. My mom loves wearing makeup and I guess that’s where it started for me.
I began playing with makeup in Grade 7, so around 12 or 13 years old? That was back in the days of school dances, we would get ready in the school bathroom. Anyone else remember buying things from Claire’s?! I remember receiving an eyeshadow palette from Claire’s, a boutique chain catered especially towards preteen girls. The eyeshadow set was something similar to the one below, but with 6-8 colours only 🙂
claires

2- How did you get into makeup?
I’m not too sure, makeup is something that has always felt natural to me. I don’t wake up everyday dreading putting on makeup, in fact, I really enjoy it. Probably sometime around the first time I started wearing makeup, I began to read a lot of those embarrassing teen magazines that I feel a bit ashamed of now… haha like J-14, M magazine, and Discovery Girls. If anyone read those, please let me know so I feel less embarrassed…  I would always go to the library and read magazines like those/novels until the library closed, I was usually the last kid to leave the library. Here’s an issue of J-14 from 2005, back in my prime reading days LOL.. From there, it progressed to Seventeen magazine which I subscribed to for a majority of my high school days. How embarrassing… Why am I admitting to all this publicly…
J-143- What are some of your favourite brands?
Urban Decay is my favourite brand right now, I love all their products. I also like Benefit, Bare Minerals, and Kat Von D. For drugstore products, I like Revlon, Maybelline, ELF, and L’Oreal.

photo 1 (6)

4- What does makeup mean to you?
To me, makeup is really fun and enjoyable. Makeup shouldn’t be a mask that you hide under, but instead, as something that enhances your features. Makeup makes life more colourful (literally, hehe), and brings together a lot of people whether it’s through Youtube, beauty blogs, or just in person.

5- If you could only wear four products on your face, what would they be?
Eyeliner, mascara, liquid foundation, and eyebrow pencil.

6- What is your favourite thing about makeup?
I love how you can change up your look and dress up. I love how makeup has the power to transform your mood and empower you, and gives you confidence. Also, this is a bit stupid but I really appreciate the packaging and marketing of all beauty products. I admire the design and advertisements of the beauty industry, but that’s probably my Communications (in-process) degree talking. I saw this at Sephora the other day and fell in love with the packaging.

web_bellecarousel_compositev2

7- What do you think about drugstores VS high end?
I like both, but obviously I can’t afford all high end products which is okay. Drugstore products are becoming more and more innovative, and there are a lot of drug store products that work just as well as high end brands. Just because you can’t afford high end makeup, that shouldn’t limit you to not wearing makeup.

8- What is one piece of advice you could give to a beginner?
Practice makes perfect. No one is born knowing how to create the perfect eyeliner wing/cat eye/ eyebrow shape. See the picture below, we all have been there before at some point LOL. Also, always wash your face and remove your makeup before going to bed to prevent bad breakouts and infections! No bueno =(

Winged-liner_RESIZED

9- What is one makeup trend you never understood?
Hmm… this took awhile for me to think about. Heavy lip liner 5-10 shades darker than your actual lip/lip stick. WHY??? Why Britney why? LOL!

britney

10- What do you think of the beauty community on YouTube?
It has transformed the way we view makeup. Great makeup techniques can be taught by the everyday girl, which is very encouraging. It’s so accessible that anyone with an internet connection can learn how to do makeup. I’ve spent many many hours watching beauty videos and vlogs!

I tag (in alphabetical order):

  • All Rosie Beauty
  • Eat Munch Love 
  • Elephant Heart Blog 
  • Gimme Cheetos 
  • Little Bit Soph 
  • Nat Lam Lam
  • Rant and Rave About It

You are also welcome to share your makeup story even if you aren’t tagged, I look forward to reading everyone’s posts! However, please do not feel obligated or pressured to do this if you don’t want to, I won’t be upset or offended 🙂

Thank you for tagging me blondebeauty13, click her link to read her tag!

-Carmen


Filed Under: eyes, face, lips, makeup, personal Tagged: beauty, beauty blogger, beauty community, beauty guru, beauty tips, eyeliner, eyeshadow, girly, lipstick, makeup, makeup lover, makeup tips, mascara, my beauty story, my makeup story

Minnie and Mickey Mouse Costume DIY

October 21, 2014

Ha! This is probably the most ironic post I’ll ever write because I am probably the worst 20-something year old crafter, drawer, diy-er in the world. I seriously can’t be bothered by craft instructions, nor do I have the patience to sit for hours on end sewing or gluing piece by piece.

As for drawing? I have NO talent in that department whatsoever either. In Grade 9, our class was playing Pictionary and my poor classmate thought I drew a banana. Guess what it was? A SNOWMOBILE. So yes, I am extremely lacking in the arts and crafts department.
unnamed (34)

Which is WHY, as I was saying…that it is ironic that I’m writing this post. The boyfriend and I were Mickey and Minnie Mouse last year, and our costumes were made with things that you probably have lying at home.

I love dressing up for Halloween, but I’m a firm believer that your costume shouldn’t cost you a leg and arm (Halloween pun intended) and if you look around enough, you might just have parts of your costume collecting dust in your closet!

unnamed (33)

Also, please keep in mind that this is not going to be a step by step tutorial, but rather, just briefly showing you what we did, and hopefully inspire you if you’re planning on being Minnie or Mickey Mouse this Halloween. 

Materials used:

  • Foam board, dollar store
  • Cheap cotton gloves, dollar store
  • Old Minnie Mouse head piece, thrift shop
  • Scissors, home
  • Hot glue gun, general store
  • Headband, dollar store
  • Paper (for Mickey mouse only)

We didn’t have a hot glue gun so we had to purchase one (figured it was worth the investment in the future anyways), but that was where the bulk of the money went for this costume.

In total, both headbands and materials cost under $20, considering that one of these in the Disney store cost $20 minimum, not bad!

MickeyFor the Mickey Mouse ears (for the boyfriend), I found a template similar to this, which we then traced onto the black foam. The boyfriend then cut out the foam, positioned the cut outs where it looked appropriate (not too wide apart, but not too close either) and glued it together on the headband.

We got a bit of dried glue on the back of the ears, as you can see :(.  Just to warn you though, the quality up close in real life won’t look that good. But we figured that for the price we paid, it was worth the sacrifice. Plus, the pictures are going to last longer, and the ears turned out pretty decent in photos!

Minnie  I ended up finding an old children’s size Minnie Mouse set from the thrift store for $5. I simply snipped the ears and bows off, and glued it onto my headband. Perhaps you could find one lying around as well, or you can buy/make a red bow and then paint white dots!

Oh yeah, the headband set that we bought came in a set of dark blue and black, which is why mine is dark blue. But once I put it on, my dark hair blends in with it and you can’t tell that it’s blue.

For the gloves, we used the remaining pieces on the foam board and cut out the raindrop shapes and hot glue gunned it.

1403695_256304224516884_1632396849_oAs for the clothes, due to my love of polka dots, I had this dress from H&M lying around from the summer time. I also had a pair of yellow flats which worked perfectly for this costume!

I had to go out and buy a cardigan, but it’s very versatile and doubles up as office appropriate attire.

For the boyfriend, he bought a pair of cheap red pants from the men’s section at Forever 21. He ended up cutting oval pieces from paper, which he then taped onto the pants. I remember that this didn’t turn out so well. From the 5 minute car ride, the tape wasn’t holding out so we had to stop at Shoppers to buy better quality packaging tape.

It would have been better to hot glue gun or sew white fabric on.

unnamed (35)As for the makeup, I kept it relatively simple and placed a lot of emphasis on fake eyelashes and blush. Minnie has super long lashes, so I doubled up my falsies and placed them only on the outer corner of my eyes, to give it more of a cartoon effect.

I wanted to look extra girly and add more of a cartoon effect, so I put on a lot of blush. It’s hard to tell in those pictures though! Of course, I had to draw a button nose with eyeliner as the finishing touch.

1532013_281116645368975_820147862_nAs a bonus, I also got to wear my Halloween costume two months later to Disneyland!

I hope that this post was a bit helpful during the Halloween costume planning season! Half the fun is thinking of, and preparing the costume, am I right?

What are you going to dress up as for Halloween this year? Or, what have you dressed up as in the past?

Thanks for reading!

-Carmen


Filed Under: costumes, face, makeup, personal Tagged: arts and crafts, costume, costume making, costume planning, crafts, disney, Disneyland, diy, dress up, halloween, halloween 2014, halloween costume ideas, halloween diy, mickey mouse costume, mickey mouse diy, minnie mouse costume, minnie mouse diy

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Hi and welcome to Curiously Carmen! I am Carmen, the girl behind the blog. You can read more about me here!

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