Genuine Leather Marikina-Made Men's Boat Shoes

Trendy and comfy, the trick to walking tall this summer (or all year round, for that matter) is to own a sturdy pair of shoes that'll go with you on your day-to-day journey. With the tropical climate of the Philippines making the country a "perpetual summer" kind of place, why not invest in a cool pair of boat shoes?

BoSh-001

[caption id="false" align="aligncenter" width="348"] Red, Brown, and Black[/caption]

BoSh-002 (left) and BoSh-003 (right)

[caption id="false" align="aligncenter" width="351"] Left: Blue, Gray, Green; Right: Blue, Green, Brown[/caption]

BoSh-004

[caption id="false" align="aligncenter" width="402"] Red and Black[/caption]

BoSh-005

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="404"] Dark Brown, Light Brown, Gray Sole[/caption]

BoSh-006

[caption id="false" align="aligncenter" width="403"] Black and Bone[/caption]

BoSh-007

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Blue, Bone, Brown[/caption]

BoSh-008

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="418"] All Black[/caption]

*For more information on how to inquire or order, please read the FAQ's HERE.

**Boat shoes are made-to-order. Fitting is required.

 

L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil

Aaaah... Rebonded hair maintenance. It makes me feel like a poodle that constantly needs to be pampered. These days, I can't go anywhere without first applying either hair oil or leave-on conditioner. It means the difference between explosive frizz and semi-decent strands, and I'd take decent hair any day of the week. In addition to my ever-faithful bottle of Dove Nourishing Oil Care Serum, I've picked up a bottle of L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil (PHP 550) to test just how "extraordinary" it could be.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] L'Oreal Extraordinary Oil[/caption]

Let's get to the elephant in the room right away: The bottle is made of glass. Thick, heavy glass, for that matter. Though it wouldn't look amiss on a hotel amenity tray, all that glass is a no-go for travel. Ditto on the pump that doesn't have a lid, but just twists to lock and unlock. It's only too easy to get an oil spill in your bag, so please leave it in the safety of your dresser table.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Ingredients[/caption]

The ingredients that make this oil extraordinary include chamomile extract, coconut oil, lotus extract, flax flower extract, tiare flower (Tahitian gardenia) extract, and dog rose extract. All this sounds like a mouthful, but the usage itself is simple: dispense a few pumps, warm in your hands, and spread on the hair. Much like my Dove oil, it doesn't end up looking greasy. The only difference is the scent that reminds me of flowers and overripe fruit in its sweetness. Not my favorite smell in the world, but I can manage. Oh, and the consistency of extraordinary oil is more serum-like, but you can't really tell once it's been warmed up in the palms and applied to the strands.

 

Rating: 4/5 I didn't like the sticky-sweet smell or the inconvenient packaging, but my hair did come out looking tamed and feeling moisturized. Plus, the huge bottle will last for a long time.

I Do Love A Good Wedding Part 2

(Click for Part 1 of I Do Love A Good Wedding.)

Before the shoot, I hadn't traveled to Tagaytay for a long time, so I honestly didn't know what to anticipate. I certainly didn't expect Hotel Kimberly to look as modern as it did, since my image of Tagaytay is still of cottage-type accommodations and old houses with views overlooking Lake Taal. (Like I said, I don't go there that often.) Just to show you how different it is, I'm sharing my photos of the grounds and the facilities. They are, of course, amazing.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Main entrance and half of the lobby[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Front desk in Chinese New Year's regalia[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] The rest of the lobby[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] View of the playground from the upper floors[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Adult and kiddie pools[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] BIG playground[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Farm entrance[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Sunset over the farm[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Did I mention their petting zoo?[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Sheep[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Birds[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] ... and Rabbits[/caption]

Like what you see? Visit the Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay website for more information.

I Do Love A Good Wedding Part 1

The heat is on, and I bet you can feel it too. It's Summer 2014 in Manila. And you know what that means... Themes & Motifs Inspirations for Weddings issue 3 is officially out!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="382"] Love me do[/caption]

The road to closing this issue was a little trickier this time around because of the shorter production time we had, but mission accomplished. Whew! And in spite of staring at soft copies of the articles for hours on end, I'm still amazed to see the finished product in all its completed glory. It feels so fresh, and this issue is all about the fresh new trends of summer that'll give weddings a 'getaway' feel.

Here are some behind-the-scene photos of what went down in our Hotel Kimberly, Tagaytay shoot:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="378"] Dangling crystals[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Hotel Kimberly Pavilion in the afternoon sun[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Our happy "couple" enjoying a sunset dinner[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Breakfast, anyone?[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] The obligatory shooting-the-photographer-shooting-the-subject shot (aka The Inception Shot)[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] They needed a nightcap[/caption]

Wanna see more of Hotel Kimberly? Watch out for Part 2 of I Do Love A Good Wedding! :D

Etude House & Rose Flowering Eyes

Fall 2013 hit me fast and hard. See, I'm a sucker for autumn colors, and it's definitely my favorite season in fashion. There's a certain je ne sais quoi that jewel tones and trench coats bring... Or maybe it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas? Either way, I became obsessed in those three months with finding the perfect fall makeup, and ended up with Etude House's &Rose Flowering Eyes eyeshadow palette (PHP 1,148).

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560"] The right mix of feminine and cute[/caption]

While I'm usually into sleek-looking packaging, this particular palette is undeniably pretty enough that it deserves attention. I like that it's cute, but isn't too teenybopper that an adult woman can't whip it out in front of her peers. This slim palette's size is perfect for your everyday bag. Inside are 10 shadows that can be divided into 2 groups: neutrals and rose tones. Some of the colors are rich and classy, but what sets this limited edition palette apart from the rest are the fun colors that were included to mix things up.  By the way, I applaud Etude House for providing long shadow sponges that make the experience quite ergonomic.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] From Left to Right: Falling, Fade, Innocent, Delight, Pure, Romance, Blossom, Petal, Gloomy, and Poison[/caption]

Let's go through each shadow then...

Falling is a milk chocolate brown with gold shimmer.

Fade is a matte tan and one of my favorites.

Innocent is a pale matte cream that's great as a shadow base or brow highlighter.

Delight (fun color #1) is a slightly shimmery peach-orange that goes very lightly on the lids.

Pure (fun color #2) is a pale cream with big gold shimmer bits that I like to use only on the corners of my eyes.

Romance (fun color #3) is a light pink with big gold shimmer bits that functions the same way as Pure does.

Blossom (fun color #4) is the one to experiment with. It's a bold wine-red (matte), and a little bit goes a long way. Personally, I haven't mastered this one yet.

Petal is a matte light pink with just a hint of peach and is another one of my favorites.

Gloomy is a matte dusty rose and my third favorite.

Poison is a shimmery wine purple.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Fade, Pure, Innocent, and Blossom in action[/caption]

Apart from the gorgeous colors, what makes this palette so great is the quality of the shadows. The powder is finely milled making it wonderfully easy to apply because the pigment has no trouble getting on the brush or sponge. This is the first time I've used such a fine shadow that I'll be making this the standard for comparison. Most of the other reviews I've read have also given a nod to the softness of the powder.

Remember, this is a limited edition release, so go grab the last few in stock. I asked relatives who went to Korea last year to try and find me this palette, but the Rose line was already phased-out there.

Rating: 4.5/5 Pricey for an Etude House offering, but maybe I can turn a blind eye because I love the quality and the colors so much.

Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner

All those years ago, I found my holy grail astringent/toner in Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2, the beauty must-have of my mom's side of the family that speeds up the clearing of blemishes. The only thorn to this rose being the formula is a little too strong for everyday use, so I only limit it to emergency zit assassination missions several days before important events. When I'm not furiously dabbing away with Clinique, a mild toner suffices. That's how I discovered Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner as a gentle giant—bottle of daily toner, that is.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Jumbo bottle[/caption]

Over one of our many casual lunches together, my friend Boni recommended Dickinson's from Healthy Options for being affordable and preventing breakouts on her sensitive skin. (What the heck? All my friends have uber sensitive skin.) I did my research, saw the witch hazel and grain alcohol content, and assumed it would be a dupe for my beloved Clinique. That's when I gave in and bought the biggest bottle (473 ml) for PHP 379. There are smaller amounts, but I didn't mind upsizing because of the price.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="461"] Ingredients[/caption]

Let me tell you, this turned out to be surprisingly mild. I expected strength when I saw grain alcohol on the ingredients list, but there's only 14%. In fact, it's gentle enough that I use it twice a day without suffering any dryness. If I have to compare this with Clinique, Clarifying Lotoin 2 gives me redness for several minutes after application, while Dickinson's doesn't . That's why I can't  use Clinique regularly.

There are plenty of other things to like such as the simple packaging of a transparent plastic bottle that allows you to see how much is left and the all-natural formula that won't give you any "chemical guilt". However, the one thing I almost can't stand is the freaking smell. *vomit* Is this what witch hazel really smells like?! Picture a veggie that has oxidized completely and is just about to start rotting away. I always hold my breath a little as I dab near my nose, but the smell doesn't linger for too long. That's the only potential dealbreaker I can think of.

For sure, you'll save more per ml if you just jump right in and buy the biggest bottle like I did, but if you're sensitive when it comes to odors, I urge you to resist and spring for the 59 ml trial size instead for only PHP 75.

Rating: 4/5 -- Almost a perfect toner, except for the smell.

Fragrance, Dubai Style

Find yourself a tourist in UAE? Odds are, you'll be ushered into one of the many souks that sell just about anything imaginable. (A souk or souq is a marketplace not unlike the local tiangge that often sells locally-made items. Just like with the tiangge, you must be a master haggler to get a good deal.) Particularly in Dubai, the popular souks or souk-style shops are the gold and spice ones, and then there's the seasonal, carnival-style Global Village with its rides and various country-themed souk pavilions. A common attraction in these small shops, if not the spices, are the bottles and bottles of Middle Eastern perfume that come in 'value sets' and fancy packaging. Oh, and along with them you'll get the annoying vendors who won't stop yelling in your ear and following you around.


[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Global Village[/caption]

However infrequently I shop, when I do end up looking to buy something, the only quality I want out of a sales person is their product knowledge. Answer any and all of my questions, but that's it. I'm sure I'm not the only one who cringes at the vendor who follows the customer around, matching his or her every step in any direction. Furthermore, I don't appreciate the spiel of, "This one is good. Made from blah-blah flower. You buy the set? Very good deal!" every time I examine a bottle. That's why I ended up crossing out perfume from my souq list, though some of them smelled downright fabulous.

If you really want to take home a bottle or five of the local perfume or eau de toilette, especially for giving away as souvenir items, here's my top scent-shopping tip: Don't ignore the supermarkets. Though Carrefour may not have the same exotic vibe as an open-air market, it's definitely not lacking in perfumes and cosmetics. You can take as long as you'd like—undisturbed—choosing the scents that tickle your fancy, and the prices are significantly lower. While the souq may have more unique/unusual blends, the value sets offered at the grocery are truly a steal! Here's what my mom got from Lulu Hypermarket, a grocery store a la Shopwise or Target that sells everything you can imagine:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Jasmine Perfume; this was actually buy-1-take-1 for AUD 20 (PHP 250)[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="504"] Ingredients[/caption]

Inventory Time!

It's terribly easy to get over-enthusiastic while shopping and buy more than what you need. We're talking hoarder territory here,

Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum Review

SPF body lotions are a godsend, aren't they? We have sweltering hot days here in Manila, and there's probably a voice nagging inside your head that you should be doing more to protect your skin from the sun. Apart from the hats and long-sleeved shirts, it's the sunscreen lotions that save the day. My personal skin savior is Nivea Body UV Whitening Serum (PHP 219 for 200 ml, but there's also a smaller size available).

The packaging may be standard Nivea design, but I appreciate that the product is contained in a squeeze tube instead of a bottle. Let gravity do all the work for you. With lotion bottles, I usually have them turned upside down in my bathroom, so tubes are still the best! Also, the dispenser is tiny enough that the serum doesn't spurt out and make a mess. Clever, Nivea. Very clever.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] Tube dispenser[/caption]

As with packaging, the scent is typical Nivea lotion. It's fruity-floral but in a womanly way. Personally, not my cup of tea, but I find this type of scent "sellable" in the local market. Besides, what makes me forget that I don't care for the scent is the texture of the aptly-named serum—because it's way too runny to be a lotion! Yet that same liquid quality is what makes it so easy for the skin to absorb without the sticky discomfort of the typical lotion. If you don't notice any whitening, at least the SPF 25 gives more confidence for going outdoors. Bonus points for having a cool feeling once it's rubbed on.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="420"] 10 Promising Properties[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Ingredients[/caption]

The UV Whitening Serum proves that Nivea does their homework carefully. The scent, packaging, price, and advertising are perfect for women from tropical areas who are hot for the whitening craze. Though plenty of ladies are still used to the tiis ganda (enduring hardship for the sake of beauty) thick lotions, the body serum is a skincare trend worth discovering and getting used to.

100 Happy Days: Days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8

I did not forget the next couple of days,  but I'd just rather compile them into one post than to go one-by-one. Here's Day 2:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="614"] These are the last of the "cold weather" season. Thought I wouldn't be able to have any. :)[/caption]

Day 3:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] There's maple syrup for your pancake breakfast, and then there's maple butter...[/caption]

Day 4:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Birthday / Family Reunion that led to a coffee shop after-party[/caption]

Day 5: R&R at home. Got my Shahs of Sunset fix!

Day 6: Went on a hospital visit, so no photos, but I'm glad the patient is feeling better. :)

Day 7:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Lunch date with M, though he wasn't allowed to have any meat[/caption]

Day 8:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360"] Another birthday party in the same week![/caption]

*Okay, not many photos of people because most of them are a little self-conscious and have requested not to be included.

Jergen’s Lotion, I Owe You An Apology

There are certain products that take me right back to my childhood. Off the top of my head, I can name three and their corresponding memories: First is Nivea Crème, which I often spied my mom using when I was maybe 5 years old. All I knew was that it smelled very grown-up and that the blue tin was off-limits to my pudgy fingers. Second, Clairol Herbal Essences made the list because of the original formulation’s scents that I still associate with clean, fresh, non-overpowering fruity-florals. (By the way, the closest shampoo I could find with that same scent is Avon Naturals’ Black Shine 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner. Affordable, too, so go get it if you’re feeling nostalgic.) Third is most definitely Jergen’s Original Scent Dry Skin Moisturizer that would be slathered on after baths. That cherry-almond scent will always be associated with a lotion that’s been used by my mother and her mother before her.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="475"] Left to Right, Clockwise: Clairol Herbal Essences (new packaging), Jergens Original Scent Lotion, Nivea Creme[/caption]

As with most childhood items, becoming a teenager changes everything. Jergen’s developed a bad rap in my mind when I heard a dumb rumor that using this particular lotion had the unpleasant side effect of growing excess body hair. (Like I said, a very dumb rumor.) I switched to other brands more geared towards the hip teenage market, and that went well for me all the way to adulthood. But what can I say? Sometimes, nostalgia is a good thing.

I found out my grandma still uses Jergen's cherry-almond regularly, so I started jonesing for that iconic scent. On impulse, I bought a medium-sized bottle from the supermarket and have been using it the past couple of nights for my particularly dry areas like ankles, legs, and elbows. I don't remember 100% the 1990's formulation, but I think the old version was slightly thinner in consistency and more opaque that its 2014 counterpart.  Perhaps it's the amount of glycerin in the present day's version, but it also seems to be more moisturizing (or sticky?) that what I can recall. Though I'm not complaining, since it's rich enough to help my elbows and ankles along. The scent, however, seems to have remained unchanged.

I'm happily using up my new bottle of Jergen's, so I definitely owe this brand an apology. It took me so long to rediscover it, but I'm back to loving it and I'll be keeping it close by.

 

*Photos from Kao, Nivea, and Clairol websites.

I'm Sensitive!

Deny as I might, my skin is not as strong as I'd like it to be. It's in my genes, from my mother's side of the family. They can be very... selective of beauty products because there have been cases where my mom or aunt have developed breakouts, rashes, and other adverse reactions to things they were using. I would pray to the high heavens that I did not take after them because that would make shopping for beauty loot so much harder. Plus, I could never afford a dermatologist, so I had to navigate the road to flawless skin all by my lonesome.

Up until recently, my prayers seem to have been answered. I spent the last few years trying everything there was to try without incident. Different brands, different products... you name it! Then, in late 2012, I started to notice that my skin wasn't acting the way it usually did. I'd break out a lot, particularly on the chin and forehead or the flat surface of skin on either side of the nose. I wrote it off to having so little sleep while I was doing my internship, but the problem persisted long after that.

Probably the only time I saw a respite was when I was using argan oil alone. But then the desire to try on a slew of other products became so great that I decided to develop a regiment around it instead. And so I got toner, serum, cream, and all that jazz, but it did my skin no favors. I got small breakouts that I would chalk up to my skin adjusting to the new products.

Eventually, I got so sick and tired of the entire thing that I focused on "unplugging" my beauty routine. This meant taking away all the products I didn't need and sticking to the bare essentials. What I was left with were argan oil and hypoallergenic cream, and I have to say that it's done a lot of good. While I didn't notice any whitening, glowing, or radiance, I was able to maintain decent skin through the holiday season.

As it turns out, I'm not immune to skin sensitivity after all. With that in mind, I'll be more careful when testing future beauty loot for skin compatibility. That probably makes one of my 2014 resolutions.  :)