Products I'm loving - Skin & Hair care update August 2025

Sunday, 31 August 2025

 



I thought it would be fun to do this again... so here are some recent additions to my self-care routine that are making a difference:

Bond Repair:  Early 2024 my hair was full of split ends due to water damage, styling while wet, and a lack of pre-pooing. So, I decided to cut it, and I've started using Elvive Bond Repair shampoo and conditioner, which has worked wonders. It's now a staple in my routine. I begin with a dandruff prevention shampoo, then use the bond repair products, and finish off with a moisturizing or protein mask. I'm not using expensive products, yet I'm seeing results. I’ve also restarted pre-pooing my hair with either olive oil or coconut oil, depending on what I have at home. My hair is growing and is healthy, though very uneven from my terrible blunt cuts, but it’s thriving!

Eye Cream: I've added an eye cream to my morning and night routine—it's about time I guess! I'm using MIXSOON Bean Eye Cream and Beauty of Joseon Revive Eye Serum.

Night Cream ad Sunscreen: The Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Glycolic Night Cream is really making a difference. When I first bought it in late winter or early spring this year, I thought I’d been duped by social media influencers. However, now I’m not sure if it’s the combination of the Italian summer (making me sweat like crazy) and the cream that’s enhancing my glow. Either way, I’ve definitely noticed a glow over the last few weeks. The Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Brightening Serum didn't really work for me, but I absolutely love the Caudalie Vinosun Protect Very High Protection Cream SPF 50+. It kept my face protected and tan-free during the two heatwaves. I also used the Vinosun Protect Invisible High Protection Stick SPF 50, which I would reapply regularly throughout the day.

Collagen Powder: I’ve been adding collagen powder to my smoothies for the last three weeks and have noticed a glow in my skin. I can’t prove that it’s solely due to the collagen since it could be because I’m in a calorie deficit, drinking more water, or perhaps even from the eye cream or Caudalie night cream. Anyway, stay tuned; I'll loop back later this year with an update on this post.

Perfume Tok: I went in to a Douglas Italia store to buy Bianco Latte but ended up with Bianco Oro. The most popular perfume in the world, did nothing for me! I only smelt  a plain simple white body soap bar . I know its me and my nose because I can't smelt it. Every video on perfumetok talks about how amazing this vanilla with a blend of milk and honey perfume is, so I thought why not. But I guess not...  I used to love sweet and floral scents, but now I’m really into patchouli. Seems I no longer want to smell delicate.... I adored Gucci Bloom and My Way; those were my go-to scents. Anytime I was passing through an airport, I would stock up. I want to feel feminine, assertive, attractive, and confident. It wasn't a gradual change—I just woke up one day and felt different. I have added Lush's Karma Perfume to my collection too. Let's see where this goes. 

What about you? What’s new in your skin and hair care routines? Share in the comments so we can inspire each other!




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Attempting to adult: self-care and the quest for balance in the disappointment that is 2025

Saturday, 23 August 2025

 

Attempting to adult: self-care and the quest for balance - Happily Flawed Blog

Every time I time I think this year will be different and we are finally on our way up after the pandemic...it IS different but we are not on our way up😰... so in spite of it all it's nice to be in a space where I am starting to feel good about myself again

For months, I've been focusing on self-care by:

  • Eating healthily, even while being on a calorie deficit. It manageable one, I don't in the least bit feel heavily restricted, I just keep asking myself why I allowed myself to overeat in the past.
  • Staying active and starting to enjoy exercise, while also seeing the benefits of strength training home work outs. I wanted to make changes that would gradually become part of my lifestyle.
  • Taking a couple of days off here and there for my mental health, and spending them reading books, listening to classical music or calming lofi, then watching the latest #cdramas.
  • Doing small things to make my apartment a cozy and a safe haven, and enjoying being a home body for now.
  • Continuing my journey to build self-confidence, being assertive, and reflecting on other areas for personal development.
  • Having no guilt....absolutely no guilt for choosing to take care of myself

I now have time to think about my next life goals, including prioritizing the completion of my master's degree.

I decided to take a moment to acknowledge my efforts here on the blog. I'm trying, despite what's happening around the world😭. The uncertainty is high💩. It feels like a paradox; I feel like I should wait for everything to be perfect, but who knows when that will happen.
What about you? What are you up to? How are you practicing self-care? How are you creating balance?







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Fitness Update #9: Maintaining a calorie deficit while keeping fit and sane during an Italian Summer (Heatwave!?🥹)

Sunday, 17 August 2025

 

Fitness Update #9: Maintaining a calorie deficit and keeping fit and sane during an Italian Summer (Heatwave!?🥹)


-No Canestrelli

-No biscotti

- No double chocolate muffins

- No Starbucks Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso (with cream)

- No almond croissant

- No pistachio croissant

- No glazed donuts

- No juice

- No lemonsoda

- No prosecco

- No piccolo from La Romana

- No Aperol spritz with ice (no aperitivo either)

- No cocktails

- No Burger King

- No KFC

- No brownies with cream!


Just counting calories and making sure I reach my daily macro goals because I decided to go on a calorie deficit at the end of July in Italy, just after the first heatwave and before the second one. 


It may seem foolish, but this pandemic weight has over stayed and it needs to go. 

I know... I know ....It may not look like it, but I am putting myself first. 


I’ve become more active and improved my eating habits; now I just need to stop wearing XL sizes in Italy. Surprisingly, everything has been working well. I’m battling through the hunger pangs and still managing to stay active every day with walks and resistance training.


On August 13, a heatwave warning came through online. I left the office for my evening 40-minute walk and kept a good pace because I needed to stop by the supermarket. Ferragosto was just a day or two away, and the population of Turin was dwindling as people retreated to the beach, with all the shops, bars and cafes closing. I didn’t want to worry about food for the next couple of days. 


I came home with three shopping bags, drenched in sweat. The sunscreen was peeling off my face in order of the layers of application and re-application throughout my day. Using the last reserves of my energy, I climbed the last two flights of stairs to my apartment on the top floor. My neighbor, whom I hadn't seen in three months, swings open her front door and looks at me with pity. "I’m so sorry; it must be hotter than where you came from. I'm here if you need anything."


Yes, it is hotter, I thought, but I did this to myself, Signora.😭😭😭 I need to keep up my routine so I can lose the weight. I didn’t have the heart to tell her all this, so I simply nodded.


On August 14, it was 36 degrees outside, and I was working from home, with occasional dizzy spells while sitting on the couch. I finished my work early and did my resistance exercises with heightened awareness because I couldn’t afford to faint in this heat when everything is closing for the August holiday. Luckily I felt fine afterward, had dinner, and slept like a baby.


On August 15, I headed to work, and it was humid; I felt sticky within four hours of leaving home. I was surprised that I managed to have protein and fiber at lunchtime, with only complex carbs and protein—my body had no complaints. As I proceeded with my evening walk, it felt like I was walking through a sauna for 40 minutes with no cold plunge breaks. I made it home without feeling dizzy, but my back and knees ached. After dinner, I checked to see if I had reached my daily macros and slept like a baby again.


I am using an app to track my meals, and it is dawning on me how much I was overeating pre-deficit. That muffin with my cappuccino in the morning, that Starbucks coffee every other week, the occasional ice cream and cone on the way home, the dessert with my lunch then KFC burger or wrap for dinner... all while lying to myself that because I am now active I am burning it off...not good...not good at all. I also learnt I wasn't drinking enough water and yet somehow I thought I was🤦‍♀️... this app and the heatwave helped me double my intake, especially now that I am eating more fiber. 


Now I have to be creative...I want to maintain my exercise routine because my mood has improved, and I feel good about myself, so I need to ensure I’m fueling my workouts while staying in a deficit. This is a great challenge for me and I am enjoying using my motivation and self-discipline tackling it.  A lot of this is mostly pacing myself, being in tune with how I am feeling and knowing what my body can do in the moment. 


What about you? What crazy things are you up to this summer? How committed are you to putting yourself first? Share in the comments.


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Watch The First Night With the Duke - Also very cute & adorable but not our 2025 #kdrama summer hit

Sunday, 3 August 2025

 



I can't believe it was only had 12 episodes. Why? I really wish they had given us more!


The period idol #kdrama revolves around university student K (Seo Hyun), an ordinary young woman who suddenly finds herself in her favorite romance novel set in a historical context. She has become the minor character Cha Seon Chaek, the daughter of a wealthy noble family, whose dream is to lead a peaceful and normal life. While possessing the character, Cha Seon Chaek spends one night with Yi Beon (Ok Taec Yeon), the lead male character in the novel, and everything starts to unravel from that moment..


I thought I had found my “Mr. Queen” 2.0. I was laughing so hard during the first three episodes; it felt so familiar, which is what originally drew me to “Mr. Queen.” The lead couple has exceptional chemistry, and the supporting cast is also hilarious, with great comic timing. Special mention goes to Lee Joo Wo, Ji Hye Won, Oh Se Eun, Lee Sang Woon, and Kim Ah Young. I truly wish they had added more episodes because these talented actors were capable of telling a fuller story. 





I would love to see Ok Taec Yeon in more roles like this. Next time, let’s spend more time on his side of the story. I want to see his battles depicted as epic, with the political intrigue being more compelling and involving of the court. The palace and the royal household should look grand and rich too not bare and empty



We had some good villains, (Lee Tae Sun and Kwon Han Sol) but Prince Yi Gyu needs more depth. Did he really have to be connected to the heroine to have a story? I don’t necessarily think so. He had a solid backstory, and I wanted to understand more about why he was sent away. Cho Eun Ae also needed to express her anger towards the nobles and elites for never making her feel welcome, as well as towards her father for forcing her to keep trying to fit in. They said some cruel things about her, and we never quite resolved that issue. I do appreciate that they tried to address her struggles with Cha Seon Chaek.





All in all, I really enjoyed this series. I just wish it had deeper storytelling beyond the cutesy love story, as there was so much potential. I highly recommend it though despite the weird close up running and horse-riding shots (why?😕 in this AI advancing age !?). I watched it on Viki. Any thoughts? As always comment below.




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Watch the #cdrama Under the Microscope - Learn about math and tax mismanagement in the Ming Dynasty

Saturday, 26 July 2025

 


"Under the Microscope" provides an in-depth examination of the ancient financial schemes that ultimately led to the fall of a dynasty. This adaptation is based on a book written by Ma Boyong, about rare ancient folk archives from the Ming dynasty .


The story follows Shuai Jia Mo (Zhang Ruoyun), a mathematics enthusiast, who encounters a epic tax miscalculation in the Jinhua County registry. His efforts to rectify this mistake are met with numerous obstacles, creating tension among various stakeholders.




It is said, the Ming dynasty's downfall was largely due to the government's failure to manage its finances effectively, particularly in regard to tax revenue collection. The narrative of this #cdrama centers around a tax known as the "ren ding sijuan" (silk by head count).



Themes of corruption, humanity, injustice, and politics resonate universally, making this story relatable to people around the world. As someone who  mostly enjoys period idol cdramas, I found this to be a fascinating watch. The storytelling relied heavily on dialogue, and if I missed even a second, I risked losing track of the plot. Nonetheless, it was an enjoyable experience. The world-building was impressive, and each character was utilized effectively. The acting was exceptional; everyone delivered strong performances!



In my humble opinion, this is a must-watch for everyone. 

Share your thoughts in the comments.





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Watch the #cdrama In the Name of Blossom - an epic part 2 with love confessions, political chaos and marital meltdowns.

Monday, 21 July 2025

 

Watch In the Name of Blossom - an epic part 2 with love confessions, political chaos and toxic marital meltdowns.


Wow! The perfect Season 2 of our beloved "Flourished Peony."


The story continues in the bustling city of Chang’an, where our heroine, He Wei Fang (Yang Zi), thrives as a hub of commerce and beauty. On Jiang Chang Yang's ( Li Xian) path to serving the country, He Wei Fang helps him, and the two ultimately profess their true feelings for each other, turning their fake marriage into a real one. Together, with friends and family (the great ensemble cast) they work to quell a national rebellion and restore harmony to the kingdom.



Here's what I enjoyed most...

**CAUTION: A LOT OF SPOILERS AHEAD.**


The leads truly opened their hearts and confessed their love for each other! It took nearly 70% of the series to get to the confession, but we were rewarded with a lot of heartwarming scenes afterward. The candles, the careless smooches, the fireworks, and the matching hair accessories were just what we needed. Although I was initially annoyed, I realized that if they had given us the confession at the beginning, we might have stopped watching. The tension in the story would have completely disappeared, so I understand why they stretched it out, even if it did lead to some frustrating misunderstandings between the couple. They were too smart for some of those misunderstandings!




The political plotline wrapped up with not just one, but two jaw-dropping showdowns between the prince, our flower envoy, and the emperor! The first showdown, which was the massacre during the induction ceremony of the new civil servants, was heartbreaking enough to make me stop watching for a couple of hours. The emperor's "I can't" sobs haunted me. The second showdown on the battlefield allowed me to forgive the writers for the lack of political  intensity in part one of the series. Tu Song Yan really came through in this part of the drama; he was much more believable. There was ruthlessness, scheming, and sinister laughter highlighted by close-ups of his power-corrupted eyes. I forgot all about the endearing father from "Go Ahead."




Let’s not forget the emperor (Jeremy Qu)! We got some comedic and emotional scenes of him awkwardly trying to resolve his relationship issues with his favorite consort (Shen Meng Chen). I am so happy for them, although the empress seemed to disappear—where did she go? Wait... was there ever an empress or did I just assume?




There were some amazing emotional moments between what I would call our second lead couple. Miles Wei and Zhang Ya Qin delivered great performances that made me almost root for the most desperate toxic #cdrama couple I have ever seen! The ending they received was fitting, given that all the men in her life either enabled, used or failed her and he had racked up a lot of enemies using his royal father-in-law's schools of thought to climb those government career ladders. 



The OSTs were amazing and well suited to the cinematography; I could listen to many of those songs on repeat for days.

Lastly, what about the General (Ni Han Jin)? Can he get his own spin-off? I would like to see him in a lead role. 



Flourished Peony and In the Name of Blossom combined... one of my hits for 2025!  I got everything I needed. I watched both parts on Viki. 

You need to watch it, and when you do, tell me in the comments what your favorite moments were.


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Watch the #cdrama Youthful Glory - Cuuuute but not our 2025 summer period idol hit

Sunday, 6 July 2025

 

Youthful Glory - #cdrama review on Happily Flawed Blog poster



Another day, another #cdrama that wins your heart, but you can’t ignore the storytelling issues.


What happened ? And why does it have that title?


After spending eight years defending the northern borders, Prince Jiang Xu (Song Wei Long) returns to the royal court of the Daxian Dynasty to investigate the embezzlement of military funds from his army. To assist with his investigation, he proposes marriage to  Ming Tan (Bao Shang En), a young woman from a distinguished military family, to protect her family from political exploitation. However, as Jiang Xu delves deeper into the case, he uncovers that the embezzled funds are deeply intertwined with the entire economy of the Daxian Dynasty. As he works to dismantle the criminal network, the Ming family becomes scapegoats for the true masterminds. Can Jiang Xu clear his wife's family's name?


See....it has all the makings of a great summer #cdrama hit but...😩


Here are the things I liked:

The couple is very adorable—I have fallen for them. When I start rooting for a couple, it’s over! I really liked them together, and that’s an essential component for #cdramas for me. I need to be invested! I would love to see what they do next. While the male lead is charming, we need to work on those close-ups that require intense emotion.




The speed of the plot is good; things happened. Thirty episodes was a good number. The ensemble cast was good too, but, as always, some could have done better. Overall, it was an enjoyable viewing experience that showcased the charm and charisma of its young cast. An incident in episode 23 made me laugh for a full thirty minutes. Dai  Lu Wa, Qin Xiao Xuan and Ke Ying stood out to me, can't wait to to see them in their next drama roles. 








We lost the precision in storytelling towards the middle, which made the ending feel rushed. The transitions between different moments were not done well, especially shifting from romantic to funny to emotional to political intrigue. What a waste of an evil character in Wen Rong (Sun Zu Jun)! He appeared out of nowhere and had an epic backstory that was unnecessary.


Special mention - the scene where Ming Tan's father dies .....love love when actors make a relationship so real that you end up in tears while watching


This was supposed to be our summer hit, but sometimes the emotional moments feel insincere or lacking authenticity. The strange close-ups don't help; they come across as awkward and fail to convey the key emotion. In one scene our female lead looked possessed instead of heartbroken, and in another or male lead gave pained instead of intense concentration. 


It's worth your time only if you are willing to let go of ALL expectations. It's cuuuute, they are all cute but that's about it. Oh...and the OSTs are really good too ...Youthful Time , By Your Side and Timely Encounter.




I watched on it on Viki 

Any thoughts? share in the comments below.



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Watch the #cdrama Prisoner of Beauty - Drew us right in but we needed much more...

Friday, 6 June 2025

 

Prisoner of Beauty cdrama review on happily flawed blog

I almost didn't watch this one because of this poster. Its giving 50 Shades of Grey and that is not my vibe... saw it while scrolling on Instagram and kept swiping but the persuasive #cdrama community was raving about it as the next hit so I gave in...


Prisoner of Beauty poster


Xiao Qiao  (Song Zu Er), a clever girl from the Qiao family, marries Wei Shao (Liu Yu Ning), the master of the Wei family, as part of a family alliance. Despite the bad blood between their clans, the two start off wary of each other, constantly testing boundaries in both humorous and tense ways. Over time, they begin to appreciate each other's unique quirks and talents. Through various ups and downs, they learn to work as a team, tackling family drama and larger issues to bring some peace to their world. It’s a story of partnership built through trial, error, and a little chaos.


Here are my thoughts with minor spoilers...

1.Our lead couple

While I found the characters charismatic and endearing, I feel we spent too much time with them, which didn’t move the story or plot forward. I loved the humor and quirks as they matured into a married couple. I know there were complaints about the look of the male lead, but I thought he was exactly what the character needed. We are not meant to like him; On the surface he is an arrogant 'brat' and hard-hearted leader. It is through her eyes that we learn to like him. The assault episode was considered a big miss, however I strongly disagree. In fact my #unpopularopinion is they were trying to show them both as victims for different reasons ...but it didn't quite translate as well and left the #cdrama community furious. I think there was some good acting by Liu Yu Ning during the incident and  through his character's reflections later. We learn that he isn't monster, nor does he want to be


Wei Shao from Prisoner of Beauty

Xiao Qiao from Prisoner of Beauty


2. Our supporting cast


The story drew us in from the beginning, I was thoroughly engrossed. This is the second time I am writing about a drama just after its finished airing. While I enjoyed the supporting roles, many of them felt one-dimensional, and I wished for more depth. Qiao Man's personal  maids (Hu Xiao Ting, Li Xue Qin and Cola Yao) played their parts, but it would have been nice to have more backstory for them. It would have made the story more grander and added to the slowed pace during certain periods of the drama. Not everything has to be love story. I wanted to see the challenges they faced while helping their mistress manage the household. How were they accepted so easily? They were a nice mix of ages and experiences for some good storytelling.... another missed opportunity. 


The generals (Wang Cheng Si and Wu Hao Chen), who were both loyal and humorous by Lord Wei's side, could have shared more about the stories behind their loyalty. With some characters, there was an attempt to provide depth, but it seemed to fizzle out towards the end. Wei Yan's (Liu Duan Duan) entrance was filled with enticing mystery as the elusive, clever Casanova, only for him to transition into a pining lost soul and then return as a warrior. The same energy that marked his entrance was needed throughout his character arc. Within the first two episodes of us meeting him, he had the audacity to give Wei Shao a drawing of Xiao Qiao and claim that that is the women he had fallen for and wants to marry. He confidently states that she is married. Wei Shao only realized after his generals pointed it out him, then just passed it off as his mistake for not formally introducing them to each other much earlier😶. Wei Yan then proceeds to keep a courtesan that looks just like Xiao Qiao in his sleeping quarters. She is even asked to dress like her! Can we spell it out loud ? All together now... A.U.D.A.C.I.T.Y.  Where was all this energy in the later episodes Mr. Wei Yan? We needed it.







3. Our villains

I will say the same thing I say every time. We don't have to like our villains, but we must appreciate and understand what has shaped them into who they are. They need to push the story forward in a way that makes sense. However, as we moved toward the later episodes, the depth of the villains' actions and behaviors seemed lacking to me. Lady Zhu( Cui Yi) is the mean unaccepting mother-in-law who always fumbles in crucial moments and ends up annoying us instead...lol.  Su E Huang's (Xuan Lu) obsession with the Wei clan should have been focused on her struggle to fulfill her destiny as an empress. Qiao Yue (Feng Hui) may not have been our favorite character, but it doesn't make strategic political sense for him to turn against the Wei clan. Chen Pang (Du Yu Ming) could have been a more convincing main villain, but he just disappeared from the story. And let's not even discuss Li Yan (Ji Xiao Bing). They all had a lot of potential, but the script ultimately let them down.





Is it worth your time? Yes, consider this a #cdrama fix that you can binge-watch without much thinking. I mean the chemistry between our leads is WAY UP there😍. Is it our 2025 summer hit? It had all the right elements but sadly its a no from me,  but time will tell...I am now a fan of the the leads and supporting actors so I will be looking out for their upcoming dramas, but we will forget this one and move on to the next one.  

What were your thoughts? Tell me in the comments


I watched it on You tube, Viki and WeTV




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Watch the Flourished Peony - Because we need them to release part 2 immediately!

Saturday, 24 May 2025

 

Watch Flourished Peony -cdrama review on Happily Flawed Blog

I just finished episode 32  and I need atleast fifteen more episodes...I am feeling lost and empty right now. Can you relate?


Set in the Tang Dynasty, the story follows He Wei Fang (Yang Zi), a merchant's daughter skilled in cultivating rare peonies. With the help of the infamous flower envoy Jiang Chang Yang (Li Xian) in Chang'an, she escapes a marriage of convenience and starts her own business growing peonies. Together, they establish a flower shop that empowers women with difficult pasts and creates a thriving brand. 


As He Wei Fang witnesses the struggles of the poor, she works to transform the industry to benefit the community, all while assisting Jiang Chang Yang in his mission to serve the country. Their bond deepens into a secret love. Its endearing how their love grows, its a mature safe one.


I highly recommend this drama for three reasons.


First, I really appreciate the entire cast. Everyone contributes effectively to bringing the story together, making it a strong ensemble. From the Liu family social climbing ways, to the Flower Guild refusing to allow female members, they really all draw us into this world. I wish the political intrigue had been more developed, and that we had a better understanding of the royal family. We are introduced to the emperor (Jeremy Qu) and one of his consorts, but there isn't enough opportunity to see how they resolve their romantic conflicts and dramas. 


Flourished Peony cdrama poster



Secondly, I realized that the actor who plays my favorite character in "Go Ahead," Tu Song Yan, is also portraying Prince Ning! Talk about range! This is why we need a part 2; there was no character arc or conclusion for the Prince. His character poses a threat to the crown and the kingdom's stability, but the last time we see him, he shows up at the Flower Envoy’s house to gift him a concubine.


Prince Ning in Flourished Peony



Lastly I appreciated the strong female characters and beautiful costumes in the drama. It portrays women who are striving for their loved ones, whether they are portrayed as good or evil. All of them are pushing boundaries. While they don’t always succeed, their determination is evident. I think the show handled the theme of domestic violence well. Shao Yun does an exceptional job of portraying her character's torment. Sheng Yi  desires a better life, but her husband and her family have destroyed her self-esteem. Mu Dan and the Princess You Zhen (Zhang Ya Qin) are worthy opponents; perhaps they could have been friends if they weren’t both connected to the same man. This loyalty to the man that tells her MULTIPLE times he does not want her, ends being You Zhen's downfall...if only she had focused on her talents..




Please go watch this drama cause I really need us to put pressure on them to release a season 2! 


While we are here discussing my needs... in part 2 let's hope they graciously gave us the following:

  1. The leads totally spill their hearts out and professing their love for each other!  
  2. The political drama needs to wrap up with a jaw-dropping showdown between the prince and the emperor! We need more fighting scenes with  Jiang Chang Yang too...
  3.  And let's not forget the emperor! We need some comedic scenes of him awkwardly trying to resolve his relationship issues with his consorts—it’s like a reality show waiting to happen.

            What about you? share yours in the comments. What do you need from part 2?



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Watch the #cdrama Blossom- For Li Yun Rui really holding down the male lead role in a period idol drama

Thursday, 22 May 2025

 

Blossom cdrama review on Happily Flawed Blog

I’m here because of AvenueX, and I must say, she’s never steered me wrong with her recommendations!


The story follows Dou Zhao (Meng Zi Yi), who faces quite a tough journey. After losing her mother at a young age and being left by her husband, she finds herself feeling disillusioned about love and family. But then, she gets a surprising twist when she’s reborn as a her younger self! Seeing this as a second chance, she decides to take action to stop her stepmother from claiming the family inheritance. 


As Dou Zhao works to combat the negative rumors spread by her stepmother, she crosses paths with Song Mo (Li Yun Rui), a nobleman in disguise. He’s on a quest to uncover the secrets behind his family's downfall. Together, they decide to get married and form a partnership, hoping their union will help them navigate through family scandals and political troubles around them. 


We are going to do something different this time . I am going share my random simple  thoughts and I would like you to join me by sharing yours in the comment section. Those thoughts you quietly think to yourself as you watch. Here goes....


SPOILER ALERT


It was at this moment that I decided to stay and finish the drama. I first came across Li Yun Rui in Love like the Galaxy where he did a great job in a supporting role, so I was curious to see how he would fair as as the male lead ...and he surely delivered. 

 Silver #cdrama fox.


Li Yun Rui in the cdrama Blossom


#Cdrama grandmothers( Mu Li Yan) always know how to put everyone in the family straight, nothing gets past them. There was nothing spectacular about this performance, and nothing bad either. She stepped in when needed to protect our heroine and stepped back when the job was done. 



I felt the chemistry between them especially this awkward scene on the boat, if it wasn't there I wouldn't have completed the #cdrama.




I loved your character sir (Xia Zhi Guang), 
but I wanted more for you because you had depth and wisdom. 



Grandma knew you had fallen and weren't going anywhere from this moment lol...
These pining in the trees scenes if done well always win me over.



You really tried to be evil step mother (Alina Zhang)...but sincerely it wasn't enough for me. I need to hate you and understand you at the same time but I felt nothing.


Should-have-been-born-a-man-empress- cause -she-has-a-great-mind(Yumiko Cheng), I was waiting for the meltdown at the end but it never came.




I was not prepared to learn that your powerful backing was a love story too...very juicy...thank you for that (Wang Tong Hui)!




Was also not prepared for this couple (Li Xin Ze and Li Bai Hui) to go out like that.... especially because they had to fight so hard to be together...seems as though they killed them off just to end the story.





Girl (Snow Kong) when you said you believed your love could change him (Yan An), I wanted to shake you into sense and cry with you at the same time. These two were the stand-out performances for me. I just wish we had hints of this twist earlier, it took a while for me to adjust because some of their behaviours and actions were not justified through the story correctly...I do see where they were trying to go though.



Probably one of my faaaavourite scenes at the end...watching him(Tan Kai) after such a great struggle just let go.



Should you watch it? Yes, it is not Love like a Galaxy but it is better than what they have given us in the last two years. These two have chemistry, I promise. Argue with me in the comments if you disagree 😉

Watch it on You tube, IQIYI and Viki. 




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