Winter Child

Hi. This is waaayy overdue, but before the year ends, I figured that I should share this already. =) 

I like being born in December. Something about it feels really cool. Anyways, I'll keep the paragraphs short since this is probably going to be a picture heavy post. 

For my birthday, (which was a couple of weeks ago) we decided to drop by the Noel Bazaar in World Trade Center that we do every Christmas season. 

Starting with the gifts I received (and bought for myself). =)

=)

Neutrogena Eye Brightening Concealer that I bought from the bazaar 

Shorts that I also bought there (and the spiked bracelet from my sister)

A soft-leatherette satchel bag from my mom and dad

I actually opened this beforehand but I had my cousin wrap it again because her wrapping skills are great!

Forever 21 Lipgloss, E.L.F. Smokey Eyes set, and Etude House falsies from my sister

A satchel bag that I bought at the MRT Ayala Station

New Frames from the bazaar

Traincase from mom and dad

Since I wanted to try a new place, I decided to treat my family to lunch at Banapple, Greenhills. I've read quite a few good reviews, and I just had to try out the place for myself. The pictures that follow were taken by my sister.

The cozy interior

Their famous cakes and pies

Those are my sister's fancy nails

This was my sister's order. Chicken fillets with bacon. Can't remember how much though

My tapa order =)

My goal was to try their banoffee pie and S'mores pie

Banapple was definitely a good choice. I loved their tapa. A little too savory but with the rice, it all worked out. My sister also loved her chicken dish. My mom ordered the salpicao and loved it. My dad ordered their tocino and liked it as well. Their servings are quite huge though so scarfing down the pies was a little troublesome. =) But worth it of course. 

The rice meals were over 150 but less than 200. 

The banoffee pie was so heavenly, and at 95 pesos, it was definitely worth it. It had CHUNKS of bananas, which I loved to bits. The S'mores pie, which was 110 per slice, was great too. My parents loved it more than the banoffee, but my sister and I liked the banoffee more.

This is from elizabethannsrecipes but my birthday cupcakes looked exactly like these.

Since I really love S'mores, I mean really love love them, I opted for S'mores cupcakes as my birthday cakes that my parents bought for me at the bazaar. We bought them at The Chocolate Bar. Our dinner was some take-out from Pizza Hut-- buffalo wings and pizza, just the way I like 'em.

Well, that's enough sharing for a day. =) Can't believe the year's almost ending. Have a great day. Cheerio!

Pure Beauty Treatment Hair Care Oil

Hi. Again. Back to the beauty products. This time, I wanted to share with you one of my hair life savers, Pure Beauty Treatment Hair Care Oil.

I've quite an unruly hair, so I need something to keep my strands from sticking up all over the place. I've tried a handful of hair mousses and polishes before. The last one I've tried was Etude House's hair serum, and now this one from Pure Beauty.

This Hair Care Oil is made from Korea. I bought it on sale for 139 but the original price is a little over 200. 

The Verdict:

The first thing I like about this oil is that it doesn't leave a sticky feeling on my hands after I apply the oil, unlike the others I've tried. The pump also dispenses just the right amount of product. I'm good with three pumps. The size of the bottle is also just right for travel. The most important thing is it keeps my hair, well, managed.

Overall, it's a good hair oil, especially for those who need to keep their hair well-kept. Pure Beauty also has a water hair essence version.

Anyways, it's almost New Year! Have a great weekend. Cheerio!

Food Talk: Sophie's Mom

Hi guys. This one's long overdue and I figured that before the year ends, I should put this entry up. 

I see the stall of Sophie's Mom whenever I drop by Fully Booked (Sophie's Mom is at the 3rd floor of SM North, The Block. Just in front of Fully Booked). Their stall is almost always half empty when I drop by. I've read a couple of reviews about their sweets and they all echo the same thing: Sophie's Mom rocks. So, one day after work, I decided to try what was left in their stall.

The cute-sy box with ballerinas around

There were actually two red velvet cupcakes but my mom already took one before I was able to take the picture.

Red Velvet 

Banana Walnut

Cookie Dough

The Verdict:

Well, I think I just found another favorite cupcake shop, and this one's much nearer to my house. I took a bite of the velvet and the cookie dough and both tasted great. The cupcakes were so moist and they were not too sweet. The banana walnut, which I ate  wholeheartedly, actually had a dark chocolate top that my mom asked for it. 

The only thing I noticed was the banana walnut cupcake was relatively smaller than the other two, but it tasted great, so problem solved.

Each cupcake costs 50 bucks. They also have really big cookies. I tried the red velvet one and it was so good-- a cross between crunchy, chewy, and moist. Cookies are also at 50 pesos each.

If you get the chance, make sure to drop by Sophie's Mom and check out their goodies. Cheerio!

Happy Christmas!

Hi guys! Wishing everyone who comes across this page a Happy Christmas! Sorry for the lack of posts the past few days. I haven't gotten around on taking pictures since the holidays started. *Hopefully I'd get to catch up real soon*

Anyways, since I love dogs and I found this on the Internet...

FROM FREECHRISTMASWALLPAPERS.NET

Happy Christmas guys and may God bless us all! =) *Happy Birthday Papa Jesus!* Cheerio!

Certified Movie Buff: The Santa Clause

Hi guys. I guess everyone's pretty busy now that Christmas is coming in less than a week. But if you do have the time to squeeze in a little me or family time, might as well spend it by watching a really cool Christmas movie.

I, no, my family and I have this "thing" for Christmas movies. We've probably watched all the Home Alone movies a hundred times, but this is also one of our favorites: The Santa Clause trilogy. Nope, not a typo. There's def an "e" there, I checked.

This is actually a pretty old movie. The first one was shown late in 1994 and the third one at around 2006. 

So, The Santa Clause tells the tale of Scott Calvin, a divorced businessman who couldn't care less about Christmas. Sort of like Scrooge with a suit on instead of pajamas. When he mistakes Santa Claus, walking on his roof, as a burglar, he accidentally scares him off and sends Santa falling off the roof and virtually dying. I don't know if he actually died or what because he just, well, disappeared. That's when the "clause" comes in. A clause, left as a card on the suit, that says that whoever gets a hold of the Santa suit and wears it has the obligation to be Santa Claus, and of course, Scott just had to try it on. And that's how all hell broke loose, which included growing a white beard despite shaving. Scott now has to learn to love Christmas and be the "big bearded guy" or just end up destroying Christmas for everyone else.

Well, I've spoiled quite enough about the movie. All in all, it's a great family movie. Very Christmas-y with a dash of Disney magic. The second one (the Mrs. Clause one) and the third (the one with Jack Frost as the villain) are great too, but I think the first one is the best. Well, I think in most movie series, the first one is always the best. The Santa Clause embraces every aspect of Christmas that a child always thinks about, with a few good lessons to learn along the way.

What about you? Any fave Christmas movies? Lemme know. Cheerio!

Avon Simply Pretty Lip Balm in Apple Cider

Hi. Christmas is almost here. A little over a week to go. If there is one thing I love to do during the holidays, it's enjoying Christmas-y drinks, like hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. =)

Eggnog and apple cider are two holiday drinks that are famous in other countries. I've never tried any of the two, and the nearest I got to tasting apple cider is through this Avon Simply Pretty Lip Balm in Apple Cider. 

The Verdict:
I love this lip balm because not only is it moisturizing, it also gives that reddish tint to my lips that make them look healthy.
As for it's flavor, I can't say if it is apple cider-ish because I've never seen a real apple cider in my life, much less, smell one. But it does smell good. Kinda fruity but not exactly like apples.
The packaging added to the Christmas-y vibe of this balm because of the snowflake details. I can't remember its exact price but it's definitely under 100. Avon usually has sales.

If you're planning to pick up something like this, I saw on Avon's recent e-brochure that they have a new version. It's priced at 120, but if you're lucky, you might get it on sale. DO check it out because I think I saw Santa on the lip balm. =)

Happy weekend guys! Cheerio!

Avon Dew Kiss Lip Balm

Hi guys. With December being so chilly more often than not has allowed me to take out my favorite lip balms. Medicated ones have always been my best bets but I make exceptions during the cold season. Quite ironic, but simply my style.

Anyway, probably one of the only lip balms I've finished, the non-menthol ones, is the Avon Dew Kiss Lip Balm. When I finished mine, I didn't get the chance to purchase another one. So when my sister handed me this, I was ecstatic. Apparently, one of her classmates gave her this, all the way from Canada. Explains the different packaging. What I had kinda looked like this.

FROM GOOGLE IMAGES

Unfortunately, as you can see below, I stripped it naked because I misunderstood the broken lines. (Silly silly me) It was supposed to be stripped ACROSS upper part, not all the way down, which I brilliantly did.

The Verdict:
If I were to choose my favorite non-medicated lip balm, it would be this. It smells great, first of, like a very faint floral smell, which totally rocks, even though it's a lip balm.
It's also so moisturizing so it makes my lips look healthy. It's colorless but I'm fine with that. It's not medicated but it works well on chapped lips. Not as fast but well enough and effectively.

My bad comments would of course be with the packaging. I hope they make it better, but then again maybe that's just me.

Anyway, a little over 2 weeks before Christmas. Anyone else too excited like me? Cheerio!

November 2012 Hit Listers

Hi. It’s December now, and before you know it, the year’s officially over. I don’t know what it is about December, but I’m always too busy around this time of year. It’s probably the all those sales and shopping.

Anyways, before I bore you of my wandering thoughts, here are the ten things that have made me happy in the month of November in no particular order. =)

1. Nature Republic Baby Tok Lip and Cheek Tint in Plum

-I’ve had this for about a year. I just suddenly remembered to use it again, and it still is my favorite blush. Although I’m a loyal peach-shade user of anything from lippies to blush, I love this purple blush to bits. Plus, it’s so easy to blend.

2. Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser

-I’m all for Neutrogena now and this Salicylic armed baby. =) This cleanser rocks, despite not being as foam-y as I would like it to be. I’ve now emptied this bottle and am off to buy another. Review will soon follow. Promise.

 3. Pure Beauty Treatment Hair Care Oil

- I ran out of the Etude Hair Serum I nabbed from my sister, and had to find a more affordable yet still works as well. I think I’ve found my bad curly hair days’ savior. Review, coming soon. All I can say is I love that it works and doesn’t stay sticky on my hands.

4. Maybelline Clear Smooth Aqua Gel Foundation

-My first legit foundation, and so far I’m loving it. It’s so light on the skin that it doesn’t feel like I have anything on. Plus, it’s oil free.

5. Snoe S Stem Cell Sunblock Cream SPF 30

- Suddenly, I’m thankful that I ran out of sun cream samples. Too thick for my liking, but does its work without the hefty price tag.

And now for the non-beauty related stuff but still cool for me... =)

6. Monk

FROM GOOGLE IMAGES/blog.seattlepi.com

-Tagged as the “Obsessive Compulsive Detective,” you just gotta love Adrian Monk.

I can’t remember how many times we’ve watched each season. Or how we willingly allowed ourselves to be hungry because the series finale was on TV. It’s that good. If you’re a police procedural shows addict like me, you’d appreciate the humor, exemplary story arc, great characters, and totally cool-some plot that this series has. Monk is about a former detective Adrian Monk, who suffers from an extreme case of obsessive behavior. He can’t live without his wipes, all the umbrella handles should be facing one direction, and..the tomatoes in his sandwiches should be cut into squares. But hey, he’s the best and brightest consultant in the police department. And he’s so cool. =)

7. Nice Guy/Innocent Man

FROM GOOGLE IMAGES/http://www.squidoo.com/nice-guy-korean-drama-2012

- I’m starting to become a sucker for Korean melodramas. Watching I Miss You now sends me clutching my heart, but this one’s a little toned down. Nice Guy stars Song Joong Ki (the quirky funny one from Sungkyunkwan Scandal/Secret Love) as Kang Maru, a guy who gets left by his love that sends him living for revenge, and maybe, possibly all while finding love along his twisted journey to payback.

8. Christina Grimmie

- I’ve been know to stalk YouTube singers. Not in a creepy obsessive way, just in a “he/she’s so good, so why isn’t she/he that famous yet?” way. Although Christina’s voice has that rasp reminiscent of Christina Aguilera’s, her cover renditions are so awesome, she made me a fan. Check her out on YouTube here.

9. Get It Beauty Self

-Most Korean women I’ve seen on TV have that “barely-there” makeup that I’m addicted to. I love studying how they do it and all. With our cable subscription before, I watched a show similar to this all the time. But now that we don’t have that channel, well hello YouTube. My favorite one is the one of Korean model Jang Yoon-ju here.

10. Cupcakes

-Okay, this may totally be just a little off but I don’t think I’ve eaten more cupcakes than I have this November. It was a crazy cupcake month. Just look at this and try not to drool. I haven't had one like this, but it's just too cute.

GOOGLEIMAGES/mychocolate.co.uk

What are your favorites for November? Lemme know! Cheerio!

Snoe S Skin Stem Cell Sunblock Cream SPF 30

Hi! It's finally December. =) As I compile the stuff that served as my favorites for November, I think it's time to share with you my thoughts with my new sunblock, Snoe's S Skin Stem Cell Sunblock Cream SPF 30.

This is actually my first product from Snoe. Their products have always intrigued me but I never could decide what to try first. So when I ran out of my sun cream samples, my first stop was Snoe.

The SA of Snoe (sorry I wasn't able to get her name) told me that this works well as a moisturizer too, so it was like a 2-in-1 thing. Plus, Landmark was then having a cosmetic sale, so I got it at 20% off.

She suggested that I also use it only with loose powder, which I have done a couple of times.

Pros:
1. Has a faint pink shade so it doesn't really come off as a white film on your face
2. Even though it has SPF, it barely gives off a white cast on pictures
3. I can't describe the smell, maybe a cross of floral and powder, but it's good.
4. Very affordable. It's 169 bucks, but I got it for 135. It has a lot of product (no indication though of how much), and you're bound to use just a little amount anyways.
5. Fairly high SPF

Cons:
1. It's of a thick cream consistency. Almost paste-y, so it can be a little hard to blend. What I did was I mixed it with some aloe gel from Nature Republic (see last picture) so that I could blend it easier.
2. As for its moisturizing and stem-cell like properties, I can't really vouch for em since I really wasn't able to notice these effects. I've been using it for more than a month, but no visible effects. Maybe some time soon I'll see better effects.

For its prize and amount of product, this one's a good sunblock cream. Can't wait to try more products from Snoe. Cheerio!