Yummy Mami

This afternoon, I had my lunch at the newest mami house along Sgt.Esguerra.  Just a few steps from GMA Network is Ma Chicken Mami House, a subsidiary of North Park.  The small diner is well-lit and with very neat interiors.  But don’t get intimidated with its chic style and location, the prices are really affordable.  They have rice bowls for as low as P78 only.  The Wanton Mami is only P68 for the small, filling bowl.

Ma's creamy wanton mami for only P68

Wanton chips served while waiting for our orders

the charming interiors of Ma Chicken Mami House

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Let me present to you the lastest collection of Bits of Beads:

  

here's the website for more product information: http://bitsofbeads.multiply.com/
email: Bitsofbeads@rocketmail.com

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make-up 101 for me (tips from a pro)

Last weekend, I just attended a crash course on make-up for special occasions. So thankful to HR for this opportunity. Here are some of the lessons I've learned from the make-up artist to the celebrities, Jerome Chang:


Tools and Make-up
1. Brush - it's not in the brush, it's in the hands. So it's ok if your tools are not as expensive a Shu Uemura, the magic lies in the artist's skilful hands. And like any skill, applying make-up can be perfected with constant practice.


2. It is ok to scrimp on color but never on the base. Your eye make-up and blush-on can be from cheap local brands but it is always good to invest in good concealers, foundation and make-up base.


3. On concealers and foundation, it’s good to have several shades so you can mix.


4. It is ok to buy cheap products but make sure they are not expired.


5. Cream-based cosmetics are most economical. An applicator brush spreads these cream-based products evenly. Sponges are ok but they absorb your make-up products. Hence, only a percentage adheres to the skin since the majority is absorbed by the sponge. Instead, use a brush.


Applying make-up:
1. First, it’s always good to have a healthy flawless skin. If the canvas is smooth, less work for the make-up artist in hiding the blemishes.


2. Don’t overlook the eyebrows. Since they cap the face, eyebrows give the impression whether the bearer is happy or sad. That’s why they should be well-arched and trimmed, not too short and not too bushy. For eyebrows, the best color is yellowish brown (not too dark).

3. Decide on where to concentrate. If the lips are of bold, bright or shocking color, keep the rest of the face subtle. If you opt for a smoky eye, a nude lipstick is the best choice.


4. On deciding where to concentrate, it is best to know your subject’s assets. If the eyes are expressive, play with the eyes. If the lips are like Angelina Jolie’s, concentrate on it.

5. On cheeks, light pinks and peach create the best natural-looking blush. If your face is round, concentrate on the temples of your cheeks then apply a darker blush (or bronzer) towards the ears. If the face is oval, a horizontal stroke evens the face.

6. For plumper lips, outline the lips with a darker shade then fill the rest with the lighter lipstick. But make sure to blend evenly. Lip liners tend to stay longer than cream based lipsticks so better blend the two colors well.

Always, less is more. Unless this is make-up for theatre, TV or film, make-up for special occasions should only highlight the best assets, not re-create the subject into unrecognizable.

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Five Cows

Last month, we celebrated the birthday of two of my dear Alta friends Jessica and Melai at the Five Cows Resto and Ice Cream Bar.  Located at the 4^th level of Trinoma Mall near the cinemas, this is very accessible to our office since we frequently have our lunch there.

Though I wasn’t feeling well that day, I know we had a very fabulous meal.

We had pasta and sweets overload that day:

vongole

Creamy Beef and Wild Mushroom

Neptuna

Flaming Alaska

Birthday ice cream

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Proudly Pinoy

When I was younger, there was this public service ad "Buy Filipino". That really made a mark on me that until now, I still purchase and use locally produced products as much as I can. I believe that this way, I can help thousands of Pinoy workers keep their jobs. When local industries are doing well, there will be no need for some to leave the country to find jobs.


So now, I'm listing down the fabulous Pinoy products I swear by.


Hapee Toothpaste

I particularly loove the Night Mint toothpaste with Camomile. I read in the box that it promises relaxing slumber while it controls bad breath during your sleep. I'm not sure about relaxing bit though, but I love the taste and it's reasonably priced too.

Carla Abellana, the new Happee endorser

Lamoiyan Corp., the company behind the brand Hapee, started as a tube supplier for a big toothpaste brand until it branched to producing its own line of oral care. In its website, I read that one of its corporate values include "Respect for the Individual: Values individuality by treating each other with fairness". In fact, they have differently abled individuals in their workforce. That alone makes me want to support this brand more.


For more information, visit http://www.lamoiyan.com



Careline Cosmetics

Careline Eyeshadow Quad - Hip Hop

Careline Eyeshadow Powder Single - Vanilla White

Honestly, I am a cheapskate so I really love scouting the department stores and drugstores for inexpensive yet fabulous makeup. In my kikay kit, I keep a lot of Careline eye makeup. I am so fond of the powder eyeshadow and would you believe, the product’s at par with the international brand I used before. The powder is really easy to blend, doesn’t cake up and of course, won’t hurt your budget.



Sanicare


I swear, this brand of tissue is really tough and a lot more practical than others I’ve tried. I used to buy the cheap one or two-ply toilet papers and I end up using the entire roll because it’s not so tough at all. So now, I always look for this brand in the supermarket because it really has more value for my money.





Visit its corporate website too: http://scpa.com.ph/

Skinwhite Glutathione Lotion



I’m not really into skin whitening but I particularly like this product because of its SPF 20. Not so sticky and it smells good too.

Vitress Cuticle Coat

 

When my hair was longer, I keep this handy to tame those tangles away. This only costs around P60 but the effect is the same as the well-known global brand’s hair serum product. A small bottle can last me up to 2 months, when my hair is about shoulder length.

Bench Fix hair care line



While the salons are also plausible, its hair care line can help maintain the fabulous work of the stylists. I am an avid user of the Clay Doh (strong hold with matte finish) since I had my pixie haircut. When my tresses were longer, I used the Shine Wax or the Styling Crème for softer and shinier finish. To tame my curly bangs, I used the Styling Stick. Because of its wide variety of hair care products, there will surely be one to fill in your needs.

Bench FIX Clay Doh and Rock Steady, each for about P90 only.  Also available in smaller size, priced around P40 only.

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oxfords

Here's the pair of oxfords I'm soo lusting now.  I just saw this online and I'm trying my best not be impulsive to hit that "buy now" button. 


From http://www.stylebible.ph/themall/item/1264/

 But it reminds me of the jazz shoes I used in my college PE class.

So, should I buy the oxfords or not?

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Kudos BPI

This morning I went to BPI to have some banking transactions done.  Since I do this before going to my office, normally, I'd allot at least 30minutes to have everything accomplished. 

true to its tagline, transactions are easy here.
photo courtesy: http://www.bpi.com.ph

Of course I anticipated queues and long waiting time but to my surprise, there was none.  Instead, I was welcomed by a friendly staff who led me to the computer kiosk that is more like an atm machine.  The instructions are clear and very easy to understand, even an idiot with no computer background can get their transactions done.  After everything's encoded, the machine will issue a slip with the transaction number and you'll be led to a very comfy couch where you can wait for your number to be called.  Yes, no need to stand up for so long in queues.  And in less than five minutes, my number was called and the teller handed out the slip right after I gave the money I had to deposit. Technically, all the teller did was to count the money and print out my transaction details.  That quick.  I finished everything in less than 10mins.  How efficient is that?  I wish all banks in the country are like that.  (Paging: BDO)

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Berry Good! :)

Lately, I'm so into berries. Maybe a mere coincidence that when I checked my grocery bag, it's full of berry good things:



Nivea Angel Star Body Souffle, Lotion and Shimmer lip gloss

photo courtesy:  Nivea.com

This new product line of Nivea has the remarkably sweet raspberry scent in the same moisturizing strength. All these come in cute pink packaging attracting its target market: the teens and the likes (including me, lol!)


I've been a fan of Nivea lip balms since high school (oh, that's more than a decade now!) and seeing the addition to its ever-reliable line of lippies make me so excited to try it at once. Aside from making the lips supple, this Angel Star lip balm has a shimmery effect.

Nivea Angel Star lip balm.  Cool packaging, huh?!

Angel Star lip balm close up

 

See the shimmer?  Fabulous!

   
I'm a huge fan of yogurt too. And when I'm short of cash, I indulge my yogurt cravings with Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt. For only P25, this yummy and healthy dessert definitely makes my day.
 

My favorite yogurt flavor:  Berry Mix (strawberry and raspberry)

Creamy-licious yogurt. yum yum!

Iced tea with a twist: C2 Forest Fruits Tea has raspberry, blueberry and lemon.  That's sweet and tangy combination with a very distinct fragrance.

Photo courtesy:  Universal Robina.  Forest Fruits Tea is the purple variant

bringing C2 Forest Fruits to work. I looooove!

Here are some berries I love too:


I just loooove Halle Berry with her uber chic short hair and attitude:

photo courtesy: http://www.nzhairdressers.co.nz

Someday soon, I want to achieve this hairstyle.  Hmm.. just a thought, why won't I have a trip to my hairdresser later?!

Before Nivea Angel Star body souffle, here's the body butter I soo love and highly recommend to those with flaky skin.  Perfect in cold weather,  I use this for my feet to prevent my heels from flaking.

Sophie Martin Strawberry Milk Body Butter

For only around P200, Sophie Martin Strawberry Milk Body Butter can last me up to three months.  Because of its thick consistency, just a pea-size can cover so much.

Though a lot of people has this already, this Blackberry smartphone is still in my wishlist. 

Blackberry Curve 3G
photo courtesy: Blackberry.com

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15 minute make-up routine

Now that my boss is getting so strict with timekeeping, I have to come up with a quick, 15-minute make-up routine. Of course, coming to work sans make-up is a no-no for a job like mine, facing several clients in a day. To keep me prepped up for every presentation without a lot of hours to waste in front of the mirror, here’s my tip:

First and most important of all, put on a moisturizer. It is the most important step because this makes your skin breathe under those layers of powder. I recommend that you find a moisturizer with SPF so you don’t have to apply another round of cream on your face. And of course, apply evenly. (1-2mins)

For a fresh look, dot a concealer on your problem areas like under the eyes and some blemishes. (1min)

Apply your foundation and/or face powder. Make sure that the tone of your face is same as of your neck. (2-3mins)

Brush color on the apples of your cheeks, light tint on your forehead and on top your nose. (1-2mins)

Put on eyeshadow. Safest and easiest to blend are those with shimmery finish. (3mins)

Apply mascara on your lashes. This is to open up your eyes so they won’t look droopy. (1min)

And lastly, put on some lip gloss or lipstick. (1min)

Now you’re good to go.

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Mousse Make-up

Lately, I’m into these mousse make-ups that are becoming a staple in my kikay kit. I find these products a better option than those of traditional powder based.

Mousse makeup is actually an air-whipped product which makes it blend easier with the skin. Most mousse-based I know have matte finish that I love so much. With its consistency, these make-ups tend to cake up less. How fantastic is that?!

Over the past few months, here are some the mousse products I’ve tried and continue to love:

Maybelline Dream Matte® Mousse Foundation:



Avon Mousse blush
For an instant blooming look, here’s a one sweep blush-on to absolutely achieve it. Since it’s a mousse, there’s no need for brushes to apply this make-up. With its matte, no shimmer finish, blush looks more natural than powder blush-ons.

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If you’re always in a hurry like me, this is highly recommended because application doesn’t need much effort. Because of its whipped formula, this foundation is so easy to apply as it glides smoothly onto your face. And as the name suggests, it really has a matte finish with a surprisingly weightless feel. In less than 5 minutes, you’re good to go.Elianto Mousse Eyeshadow
I was always a fan of loose powder eyeshadows until this product. Like any mousse makeup, this glides easily sans brushes onto your eyelids. With light shimmery finish, these eye make-ups are perfect for day wear. Available in Satin Purple, Pearl Green, and Milk Pink.