Are you a perfectionist?

Are you a perfectionist, budget beauty mommies?

Sometimes I tend to try so hard to be perfect. But then again, perfection is subjective too. My perfection may not be your definition of perfection. So what is perfection really?

In pursuit of perfection, the moment where you feel so suffocated because you can't admit you're failing or to reach out for help, is when you feel like your world is collapsing.

Breathe.

It is ok to seek help.

It is ok to admit that nothing is going right.

It is ok to feel lost.

It is ok to not have the answer for everything.

It is ok to take a break.

It is ok to confide your problems to others instead of just hiding behind 'I'm fine'.

Instead of trying to be perfect, celebrate that you have tried your very best today. No matter how bad your day went, as long as you have tried and done your best for the day, you're absolutely perfect!

True beauty lies in our imperfections. Celebrate you today!

#budgetbeautymommy

New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year, budget beauty mommies! I had a great start to the year with my family and friends. I've only just had a quiet day today ever since but loving every minute of catching up with family and friends.

New Year brings new year resolutions. This year, we all made our new year resolutions including little darling. New year resolutions are really difficult to keep for us adults let amid our little darlings, so we have decided to make it a monthly anniversary to check in on our resolutions. So every 30th is our monthlyversary.

New year resolutions are not meant to be a chore. So we celebrate with some homemade butter cake and this tradition will carry on. Trust me, a little bribing and kisses help :P 

 😉

How taste and smell can trigger memories - Rosemary Essential Oil

Sometimes all you need is some comfort food.

The smell of sesame oil added to hot porridge with pepper as seasoning really brings me back to childhood days. Studies have shown that our sense of smell and taste can evoke our memory. This is evidently so especially when you're living abroad and the fondest memory we usually have back home is of our mom's cooking.

As you may already know, I'm a huge essential oil advocate. Not just any essential oil but only Certified Pure and Therapeutic Grade(CPTG) essential oil like Doterra's. Speaking about memory, it's interesting to note that smelling Rosemary essential oil is proven to increase memory by 75%! Studies have been done to prove this and came with the conclusion. Wow!

Rosemary has long been linked to memory, with the most famous literacy reference found in Hamlet when Ophelia declares:'There's Rosemary, that's for remembrance: pray, love, remember.'

What is your favourite smell or taste that brings back your childhood memories?

#budgetbeautymommy

Homemade pumpkin porridge

Pumpkin porridge ingredients: napa cabbage, winter melon, pumpkin, 2 1/2 cups rice

Rosemary Essential Oil for memory

I'm not the 'ideal beauty'

Im going to be honest and confess that I'm not your ideal 'beauty'. 

This is because I don't hit the 'standards of beauty'. I don't have a small face with a sharp chin that's all the rage recently. My face is large and broad. I have been called sepet all my life because of my tiny squinty eyes. Sepet is a slang for small slanty eyes.  Plus, I'm a mono lid. I'm not blessed with double eyelids which are considered beautiful. My nose is too bulbous, skin too tanned, not voluptuous enough with a boyish figure. I've also been called a stick insect as I'm quite small framed. 

Growing up, there was a particular Aunty who liked to refer to me by the nickname she gave me because of my tiny eyes. It embarrassed me and made me uncomfortable though I never told her so. But I think the disdain for my tiny eyes was sealed forever in my heart when somebody wrote in my autograph book to not smile or my eyes will close. I was only 9. 

Needless to say, just like most Asian girls growing up, I've considered going for plastic surgery to correct my monolids. I've always wished I was born pan-Asian to have more westernised features. I grew up watching Beverly Hills 90210 and I idolised the western standard of beauty as that's what I grew up with. 

I guess all these name calling and unrealistic standards of beauty dished out through the media, they were very unhealthy for my self esteem and I have a poor body image as I was growing up. Made me very envious of others who are blessed naturally or those who are blessed with good surgeons. 

Luckily, I've outgrown my insecurities as I get to discover myself better and learn to love and accept myself better. It doesn't really matter if I'm not an 'ideal beauty' because what matters is I'm comfortable in my own skin and accept myself and love myself as I am. What matters is my family and friends love me for who I am and not for how I look. (That said, I'm all for plastic surgery for tweaking if it makes you feel better about yourself) When you accept yourself, you look after yourself better. Your inner peace and beauty radiates out of you. It's like the reason why you are hopelessly drawn to certain individuals but you have no idea why. 

Everyone is unique and beautiful in their own ways. So, spare a thought before you tease someone, even jokingly, about their looks. A harmless tease from you could be detrimental to another person's self esteem without us knowing. Instead, why don't we all start to get to know someone better instead of judging them by their looks? 

So, shall we pay it forward and compliment someone today to make their day? Like and share if you agree with me! 

#budgetbeautymommy

It's the simple things that matters in life

This morning, my BFF sent me a picture of her breakfast in the old coffee shop in the heart of town. It's brought me very fond memories as my parents used to frequent that coffee shop in their younger days. 

A wave of sadness swept through me as I also realised that our kids and the next generations would barely know such hidden gems. I'm saddened to think that our kids would only know fast food joints and fine dining restaurants. They wouldn't experience life like eating without air Cond, sharing tables with strangers because there are not enough seats or queuing up to buy food or even waiting patiently for food to be served. They may be inconvenient but the meal brings just as much joy and satisfaction. We may grumble but we are grateful. 

I'm afraid that our kids may not be as resilient as us and may not have the capacity to enjoy the simple things in life when modern living is all about instant gratification. 

For me, it's not the end that justifies the means. But it's the journey that's worth it. 

From now onwards, I hope all budget beauty mommies will share with their little darlings their heritage and tradition so our little darlings will not forget their roots.

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy‬

Why you should live life today?

Life is so fragile. Was just talking about doing a yearly health check as breast cancer runs in my family and this morning the first thing I hear after waking up, is that my friend's wife had just passed away after a 7 months battle with cancer. 

The news really made me extremely upset and sad because she was so young and beautiful and they have a beautiful baby daughter. I have never even met her before but my heart aches for her and the family. 

Just makes me rethink how short life is and that most of us are just going through life in auto pilot and not living. 

If you're laughing everyday, crying from laughter and have love and can give love, I think that's a beautiful and fulfilled life, amongst other definitions of a good life. 

If you're a Budget Beauty Mommy, squeeze your kids tight and let them know what a miracle they are to be yours. It's ok, the mess on the floor can wait. Memories don't wait. Our kids grow up too fast. 

Tell your parents, spouse, family and friends that you love them. They may know you do, but it means the world to hear it from you. If you really, really can't say it, express it through a card or an sms. 

You have a passion or hobby or even a new job direction that you're too afraid to try, just take the plunge. You'll never know where it might just bring you. 

You've fancied a certain special person for a long time in the distance, just give them a call or chat them up face to face. You'll probably get an ego bruising but you'll never have a what if scenario anymore. 

If you're feeling lonely despite being with someone. And you've genuinely tried everything in your means to keep it together. Well, life is short, walk away. There is always someone who would love you for who you are. It's better to be alone than to be lonely with someone. When one door closes, another opens. If they're really meant to be yours, they will eventually come back to you. 

Do something nice for someone today. Be it a stranger or someone in need or a helpless animal. It doesn't really matter. Touch a life and make life more beautiful - one person at a time. Pay it forward, put a smile on someone's face today. 

Life is precious and we only get one chance at it. Make memories everyday and leave an impact in everyone's lives that you have touched. We'll never know when our time is up. 

I love you all!

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy‬

Good life lessons taught by kids

Kids are really wonderful and full of surprises. If we observe them carefully, we can really learn a lot from them. 

True account from two budget beauty mommies. A topic that can be rather icky but fascinating, nonetheless.

My BFF's 2 year old little darling chanced upon a used sanitary pad on her mommy. So she asked, "what is that pretty thing?" Bless her heart, that little darling associates everything red as beautiful. It's amazing how little darlings see beauty in even the most mundane or unimaginable things. Sadly, a trait that most of us have lost while growing up. 

Then, my little darling who was approaching adolescence, started crying when she saw mine. She exclaimed, "you're bleeding. Are you sick? Are you going to die?" Needless to say, I was very, very touched at how thoughtful and caring my little darling is. Such empathy is genuine and not diluted by cynicism, a defensive mechanism we learn in the process of growing up. If all of us truly cared and have empathy for each other like our little darlings, the world will be a much better place. 

Both little darlings have a wonderful life lesson to teach us. And, both little darlings share a similar habit of following us into the bathrooms!

Enjoy it while it lasts because our little darlings grow up way too fast. 

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy‬

Prayer is the voice of love

Budget beauty mommies, Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put our hands together and focus and expect things from God.

Thinking positive and wishing good for others is a prayer.

When you hug a friend.

That's a prayer.

When you cook something to nourish family and friends.

That's a prayer.

When we send off our near and dear ones and say, 'drive safely' or 'be safe'.

That's a prayer.

When you are helping someone in need by giving your time and energy.

You are praying.

When you forgive someone by your heart.

That is prayer.

Prayer is a vibration. A feeling. A thought. Prayer is the voice of love, friendship, genuine relationships. Prayer is an expression of your silent being.

#‎budgetbeautymommy‬

Life Motto of Budget Beauty Mommy

"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I respond to it"

This is a motto I try to live by. It really helps not only myself but the relationships around me. It's empowering and not demeaning. It comes in handy especially when you have kids.

Consider this: Your little darling broke a glass accidentally. She's looking terrified and is starting to cry out of shock.

Do you react? By scolding her and making her feel small and useless while you clean up the mess alone?

Or do you respond? By giving her an assuring smile and say, "It's ok darling, just a broken glass but luckily you're not hurt. Let's clean up the mess together."

Would you react or respond?

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy‬ ‪

Cleaning up smashed essential oils bottle is so easy with Doterra!

Sad sad day today! Broke my new bottle of balance. I'm impressed though, the bottle broke but didn't shatter, so it was an easy clean up. I would say it's children safe in case it breaks, but never again!

Love these essential oils more everyday!

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy

Unconditional Love Taught Through A Selfless Aunty

I was cutting up mango as dessert yesterday night. I didn't even realize that I ended up cutting all the juicy mango flesh and serving them out whilst I left the seed for myself.

 I remember being a young kid about 5 years of age, I always see my Aunty eating the seed after serving mango to us. I remember asking her why does she always eat the seed? She'll laugh and say, "the seed is the best part silly girl, my favorite!" and she continues enjoying the mango seed.

 It took me so many years to finally grow up and be an adult and mom myself now, to understand that little act of love from my Aunty. She does not enjoy eating the seed at all, she only wants to reserve the best parts for her family first. I know for sure, I don't enjoy eating the mango seed, getting the fibers stuck to my teeth, but I just do it automatically! 

It puts tears to my eyes thinking about how unassuming and loving my Aunty was, and still is. It's the little acts of love that touches the heart for decades to come, as opposed to grand gestures of love that are not half as honest. 

 Thank you Aunty and I love you for teaching me love, with your actions. 

Your silent teachings have left a deep impression in me! Please comment and share your story of unconditional love with us!

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy

My dearest Aunty

It's Red Nose Day

It's Red Nose Day today May 26th, Budget Beauty Mommies! Do something for the kids and end childhood poverty by wearing a red nose today and donating via the link below:

donate.rednoseday.org

All Budget Beauty Mommies, do share a picture of you wearing a red nose. You can instant Red Nose Yourself here!

Have fun changing the world for the better, one red nose at a time...

‪#‎budgetbeautymommy

It's Red Nose Day today! 

Happy Teacher's Day!

Happy Teacher's Day!

A teacher is not just one who teaches and educates us in schools and in universities.

A teacher is someone who has touched your heart. A teacher is a parent, family, precious darlings, friends and enemies, animals, rich or poor, strong or weak, old or young, kind or wicked. Each living sentient being is capable of teaching us something in life.

Even those who have hurt us is teaching us a valuable life lesson.

A big thank you to all teachers. You have made me who I am today and I'm grateful!

Check more out on Budget Beauty Mommy!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL Mothers!

Happy Mother's Day to All mommies. I have a very special big shout out to:

1. All the mommies
2. Mommies to furry kids
3. All stepmoms and significant other mommies
4. Expecting mommies
5. All the LGBTQ mommies
6. All mommies who wanted kids but couldnt have or are still trying
7. All mommies who have crossed over
8. All mother-in-laws
9. All foster mommies
10. All adopting mommies
11. All mommies who may not be in our lives for some reason
12. All single daddies and grandparents and family members who had to step forward

You are all amazing and Happy Mother's Day to all of you! Comment if you love your mommy.

Check more out on Budget Beauty Mommy!

Do You Have a Sock Monster in Your House Too?

Does your washing machine eat socks?

Sock monsters terrorising the washing machine are real! I've put in 3 pairs of socks but only 5 socks came out unharmed.

Another lone sock goes in the black bin liner of odd coloured socks.

You're all invited to go through my pile and look for pairs!

Check more out on Budget Beauty Mommy!

Sock monsters at large!

What makes a happy mommy?

A happy mommy is when your kids are at their healthiest and growing well, even if your kids are 90 years old.

Check more out on Budget Beauty Mommy!

What is a Budget Beauty Mommy?

You know you're officially a Budget Beauty Mommy when you score beautiful dresses but so very cheap at the local flea market but you splurge on your children's clothes and accessories in the best shops. That feeling is priceless.

Check more out on Budget Beauty Mommy!