Monday, December 7, 2015

What I Want for Christmas

And for my birthday, hihi.

This year, I won't be including a lot of books in my wish list because I haven't read all the books I received last year. Ang galing ko. I really should find time for reading and other intellectual and artistic (if there are any, LOL) pursuits.

Anyway, here are the things I wish to have right now:

1. Matte make-up (lip color, eye shadow, and contouring sets to be specific)

Photo from  www.ebay.com

Photo from www.imperialtwist.com

Photo from www.drugstore.com

Photo from www.ebay.com

Photo from www.youtube.com
2. Shoes like these...

Photo from www.sandalsmarkad.blogspot.com

Photo from www.mozimo.co.uk

Photo from www.yomister.com

3. Jeans (because my old ones don't fit anymore)

Photo from www.today.com


4. Books, still

Photo from www.goodreads.com

Photo from www.speakoftheangel.com


5. A laptop (which I hope I can buy next month)

Photo from www.buntutech.com

6. Dresses and jumpsuits (because sometimes I'm just too lazy to pair two pieces of clothing together)

Photo from www1.macys.com

Photo from www.pinterest.com

Photo from www.dressedupgirl.com

Photo from www.pinterest.com

Photo from www.wanelo.com

7. Raket so I can buy 1 to 6 *winks*


What's on your wish list?

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Solving My Skin Woes Part 1

My skin is getting problematic again. I started having breakouts a few weeks before our anniv. So great. *eyeroll*

Here's how my ugly, acne-ridden face looks like:

It took all my patience to cover up these bumps and marks for our date.

Last night, I decided to purchase some products to get rid of the acne, erase the spots, and lighten my face (like geisha-white, LOL). These are the stuff I hoarded...

For day use: 



For night use:






First update (December 09)
It has been a week since I started using the Garnier products. I'm still having breakouts. As of now, I have two brand new pimples to deal with. I'm not sure if the products are not working or I just have to do some major cleaning in my bedroom (because my sister always insists that pimples are just caused by dirt).  I'll be using the Clindamycin roll-on treatment on my new babies so they'll dry out the next day.

Photo from www.writingismyhappyplace.wordpress.com
I was also thinking that maybe I already need to visit Dermstrata and have their anti-acne facial. What should I do?

Second update (December 14)
My skin got REALLY OILY (pang-prito ng itlog levels) for the past few days so I simplified my beauty regimen by using only the Pure Active scrub and toner. Then I decided to go for Flawless' Acne Control Advanced Facial instead of Dermstrata's because I was hoping to have artistahin skin.


Here are the blog entries I've read prior to availing the treatment:
http://www.anagonzales.com/2014/06/how-i-got-smoother-and-acne-free-skin.html
http://www.abbiereal.net/2010/06/awesome-facial-from-flawless.html
http://thebeautyjunkee.blogspot.com/2014/05/flawless-acne-control-advanced-facial.html


Photo from www.flawless.com.ph

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take photos of the torture I went through yesterday. Aside from the usual cleansing, steaming, and extraction, the treatment also involved mini massages for the hands and the back and a gel mask. The mask can be applied all over your face, including the eyelids and the lips. However, the facialist will ask you if you are claustrophobic and if it's a yes, she will leave out those areas. At first, I didn't understand why she asked that question but as soon as my face was covered with the mask, I freaked out a little bit because it was suddenly pitch black (You know how you can still "see" a bit of the light even with your eyes closed?) and I cannot open my mouth. Eventually, I relaxed and enjoyed the cooling sensation of the mask, which lessened the pain from the extraction. After 15 minutes or so, she peeled off the whole thing and the facial was done!

I commend Flawless for their relatively topnotch service. Their tools are sanitized and sealed prior to actual use (they made me sign the sealed pack). The bed was covered with a white disposable sheet which is another plus for cleanliness (I cringe at the thought of someone sweaty lying on the same bed before I did). Aside from the short exchanges of the facialists and the commotion because Xian Lim was there (I'm pretty sure that's his voice), the atmosphere was very relaxing. Remove the minor noise and I could have fallen asleep right there.

I shall post another update to show the improvement (or the lack thereof) of my fezlak. *wink*


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Cheers to Two Years!

My boyfriend and I just celebrated our 2nd anniversary, yey! But he prefers telling everyone that we've been together for 8 years already because he fell in love daw the moment he saw me (3rd year high school, to be specific). Eh di ako na mahaba ang hair. *smirks*

We weren't able to plan well because he had to go to the States. I remember how we had spreadsheets pa for our itinerary and expenses last year (OC game is strong, haha). This time, we just searched for a hotel that's good for a staycation and a sosyal restaurant with a romantic vibe. 

But before I tell you the deets about our anniv, let me first share the little things he did for me prior to our celebration...

Surprise no. 1: Coming straight from Nueva Ecija, he went to my office to give me my favorite CBTL green tea latte over ice, tapos may blueberry muffin pa. He said he knew that it would be the last time he'll see me before his US trip so dinaanan na niya 'ko. Sweetness overload. 

Haba ng hair level: hanggang EDSA Kamuning



Surprise no. 2: HE SENT ME FLOWERS. I know this is not such a big deal for other girls pero muntik talaga akong gumulong sa clouds na may rainbow sa kilig when I received that box of long-stemmed roses with a very sweet message. He ordered the bouquet from Island Rose (http://ph.islandrose.net/) while he was still in the US. You know what to do now, boys. *winks*

Haba ng hair level: EDSA Ortigas


And now, for the actual anniversary ganap...

BF booked a one-bedroom suite at The Linden Suites in Ortigas, Pasig (http://lindensuites.com/). The rate already included breakfast buffet for two. I've read a lot of good reviews about this hotel, but I was somehow worried about how it is a popular choice for parties. I really didn't want to knock on the neighbor's door and tell them to keep it down. Fortunately, I didn't hear any boisterous laughter or drunk videoke singing during our entire stay. 

I can say that we got more than what we paid for in terms of size and features.


The view from the living room
BF complained about the distance of the TV from the couch. I thought it was actually good for the eyes. 

From the executive desk (sayang, nawala yung lapis)

Aside from what can be seen in this photo, there were also kitchen utensils inside the drawers. You can cook here!
Pillows were soft and fluffy, but the bed was a different story. We were still able to sleep well, though.


They had most hygiene/grooming stuff, except for toothbrushes! Wala ding bidet, which stressed us out a bit, haha!

We ordered (our very, very late) lunch from the in-house restaurant, Mesclun. We had our meals delivered to our room. 

Sisig spaghetti for me
Crispy pork binagoongan for the growing boy, LOL.
Both were REALLY GOOD. The pasta was al dente and the sauce wasn't too creamy or oily (because hello, sisig plus chicharon bits pa naman). The pork binagoongan was the right kind of salty. In short, they passed our foodie standards, hihihi.

By the way, BF's anniv gift even had a photo shoot. 
It's an Anne Klein bag! Lakas maka-yaman, hahaha!
And for the highlight of the day, our dinner date...

I reserved a table for two at Galileo Enoteca Deli in Mandaluyong (http://galileoenoteca.ph/). It's a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with murals and wine bottles on display just like Bellini's in Cubao, but this place has a more rustic charm.



The BF who always looks so good

The blogger who seldom looks THIS GOOD

We ordered linguini con gamberetti di mare (pasta with shrimps and garlic; we opted for oil-based) and pizza (a combination of tutta carne or all meat and quattro formaggi or four cheese). The pasta was a winner but the pizza was too salty for our taste.


This one is the sweet kind  (because we can't pretend to be alta snobs who love expensive, bitter-tasting wine)
And of course, we had dessert(s)...

Tartufo
Panacotta
Me in my first communion dress, charot!
After dinner: Expectation vs. REALITY

Guess what comes next? BREAKFAST BUFFET!

Yeah, puro lang kami kain. Hello, District (size) 36.

Mesclun's buffet spread was smaller than Seda Nuvali's (where we spent our first anniv) but they had pretty good food choices for the day.





Happy, hungry kid spotted
BF's first plate
My second plate (naks, may salad)
BF's third plate



BF took some pictures of the hotel before we checked out.

Stairs leading to Mesclun
Artsy

We spent the rest of the day...

Eating (syempre, ano pa ba)

Lunch at Dolce Latte in Megamall
(https://www.zomato.com/manila/dolcelatte-ortigas-mandaluyong-city/info#tabtop)
Spanish Salmon Sardines (so delish I can't stop thinking about it)
Baked Truffle Pasta (creamy and cheesy, good for sharing despite the size)

Playing a game of bowling

Dropped this ball on BF's foot. Good thing he still loves me, hahaha!
In good form
In VERY BAD form (I looked like I didn't know what I was doing)
Of course he won, ugh. 


And eating pa rin

Dinner at Groove Bar & Kitchen, Matalino St., Q.C.
(https://www.facebook.com/groovebarandkitchen/)

Our fave: grilled bacon wrapped shrimps
We're hoping for an out-of-town trip next year. I guess it's going to be months of planning and lots of spreadsheets again. :)