Valentine's Surprise

Got a pleasant surprise from my husband today. He had to leave early for work so he called to wake me up around 7:30 and asked if I had gone out of the room yet. I hadn't but I was curious so I got up and here's what waited for me in our dining area...

A single stem red rose and a bottle of Chloé :) Anyway, I got a surprise for him too, hehe. Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Scented Candles

I had to get small gift tokens for a couple of people the other day and was going to give boxed chocolate but then I found these...

Scented candles from Scentsational. Such a cool name for a candle company. Love that they are already packaged and ready to give away. They are natural soy candles with nice smells like Green Tea, Jasmine, Southern Magnolia, Tropical Paradise, etc.
Also got a candle for myself, flavor is Mint Leaves & Lime but this is from another company. Burning this baby right now...

This Week's Make Up Haul

I've been trawling for drugstore make up this past week just looking to try different products. I have a really simple beauty routine and I already know what stuff works well for me but I was in an adventurous mood so...

This mascara I've already had before and really liked so I repurchased :) The eyebrow pencil, also from Maybelline, I was intrigued because it was mechanical (no need for sharpening) and had a comb at the end (perfect for traveling, I don't need to bring a separate brow comb). However, the line it draws is quite thin, I like my HG Sonia Kashuk eyebrow pencil much better.
I don't normally like to use liquid foundation because for me powder is much faster and easier to apply. I have to say though, I quite like Maybelline's Super Stay Foundation. It's supposed to be long-lasting too (haven't proved it yet though) and very affordable. Nice medium coverage and the consistency I like better than MAC's Studio Fix Fluid.

Found this compact, Boots No 7, and I thought it was pretty so I got it. Wanted to find out if I could replace my trusty MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation. I was kinda disappointed. The powder settled into my fine lines and emphasized my pores :( It also had a weird fishy smell. Should have researched this one first before I bought. Good thing it wasn't that expensive.

I got this Milani eyeliner as I've heard a lot of good reviews about it. In summary it's like a cream eyeliner on a stick, so smooth to apply and the blackest black eyeliner I've ever tried. The downside is if you have oily lids it's definitely gonna run.

Lastly, I got a quad from Rimmel. I was gonna get two but decided to try this one first then purchase the other set of colors if I liked how this one turned out. It's ok, not very pigmented, a little shimmery and very powdery. It was also very inexpensive so I was not expecting much.

So that's it for my trial and error make up this week. Ahh, the beauty of being a woman... :)

The Body Shop Mini Haul

Passed by The Body Shop after work because I wanted to try their face sprays coz my MAC fix + ran out and I thought I'd try something new. Instead of getting just one thing I ended up with a few more purchases... Good thing they were on sale :)

These brushes are so soft and perfect for traveling! I got two of them. I really like that they don't shed, they're very dense and pick up a lot of product. I also love that it comes with its own travel pouch.
Got another lip product...
And finally, what I really set out to buy originally. I like the faint rose smell, it's really light. Works as well as MAC fix + when used as a setting spray, in my opinion.

Essentials Haul

So this is what I have been buying this week. Lotion, lotion, lotion. Hehe, my skin gets really dry during the cold months so I'm stocking up on these...

I got lotion from Lubriderm, Aveeno and Cetaphil - my favorite kind that is sort of hard to get and somewhat pricey. But I got these all on sale and believe it or not, we most likely will use this up in the next few months :) Also got Neutrogena moisturizer and makeup remover pads, Goody spin pins (I've heard so many good reviews about this I just had to try) and Seche Vite - everyone's favorite top coat.

I stock up on beauty/skin care products when they're on sale so I never run out of essential items like body wash, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. I'm also not really very picky so drug store brands are A-ok with me and I like it when I get a good deal.

Awesome Sneaks

I can't help but do a review on these Reebok Zig sneakers. I've been gushing about how comfortable these shoes are for a couple of weeks now. A friend of mine bought a pair a few months ago and I didn't believe that it was so great because the design didn't really appeal to me, it still looks pretty weird even though I've been wearing it for close to a month now, but it's slowly growing on me...

I use these mainly for walking, I'm not a big runner. These shoes really provide good balance and a lot of stability, probably coz it's wider at the base.

My husband got a pair too, I think they're called Realflex. They're a bit normal-looking than mine and he loves them too, so yey! for Reebok :)

If you're a little bit skeptical as I was, I suggest just going to the store and trying them on, won't cost a thing and you'll know for sure if these are the sneakers you've been looking for all along. Sizes do tend to run a bit smaller in Reebok, just FYI.

Getting Into The Holiday Spirit

I love this season, everything gets so festive and dressed up for the holidays. Got our tree up. Same exact one as last year, didn't change a thing...

Had date night with my husband last night. Went to the city to look at the nice store displays and light shows. Here's the facade of Fendi... Ridic! Dripping with lights and crystals.
Then there's the red bow Cartier always puts up every year.
There were so many people! Did everyone decide to go to New York City last night???
Anyway, the Rockefeller Christmas tree was gorgeous and breathtaking as usual. Didn't stay long as we had to grab some dinner and catch a show...
We were there fairly early - seats were sold out. Enjoyed the Rockettes' performance - they're really amazing!

On the way home, almost every radio station played Christmas songs. I love this season :)

Cute Little Things

Went to Crate & Barrel recently, I LOVE that store... actually, any store that sells housewares I love :) Anyway, I found these cute sauce holders and condiment spoons. I'm planning to put our soy sauce and vinegar in them for sawsawan. Can't get over them, they tiny and perfect!

Also got some cute baby boy clothes for a friend's baby shower. There's so much cute baby clothes out there, I just love shopping for them coz they're so small and adorable...
Speaking of babies, isn't this the cutest baby ever?
He's so round and fat! I love fat babies :)

My Very Basic Skin Care Routine

Thought I'd just share a few things I use on a daily basis, coz I also like reading about what other ladies use to get ready... I don't really use a lot of eye makeup or heavy makeup everyday but if I do then I usually use Almay makeup remover pads and Ponds cold cream. They're both very effective at removing makeup without me having to scrub it off my face.

After I remove my makeup that's when I usually take a shower. I follow up with Purpose cleanser for my face to get rid of the greasy feeling from the makeup remover and get that squeaky clean feeling. Using Dove body wash right now but that usually varies, depending on what's available. We don't use bar soap at all, just a personal preference. I'm using Tigi Bed Head shampoo and conditioner till I use it up, which will be a long time. Sometimes when I get extra flakey I use my husband's Head & Shoulders.
I have pretty low maintenance hair too so I don't use any hair products on a daily basis other than shampoo and conditioner. I also use St Ives apricot scrub occasionally when my face feels a little rough. Of course, everyone needs to wear deodorant so we don't offend others :) I'm using Dove invisible solid right now. I got these in bulk so I have maybe 4 more sticks to finish before I get to switch. The only thing I don't like about this is if I'm not careful and I'm wearing black, it sometimes gets on my clothes when I put them on. Oh well... I use Cetaphil DailyAdvance lotion for my face AND body. I know! I'm so glad this does double duty for me. I know a lot of women use something entirely different for their face - usually something with some SPF or anti-aging thing. But this is really what works for me and I'm not about to change it to some fancy cream, this moisturizes very well without that greasy feeling. I love Cetaphil, enough said!
I don't like heavy scents, I'd rather reapply than get overwhelmed with a perfume so these are pretty much my favorite right now, Burberry Sheer and Gap Dream. I have other perfumes/EDTs but they don't get used as often as these two, you can tell because they're half-empty already.
So that's it! My very simple and basic daily routine.

Faux Leather Goods

It's officially shopping season, my favorite time of the year :) Got some cute things... First up a motorcycle jacket from Baby Gap for one of our inaanak. Freakin' cute! It kinda sorta matches my husband's black leather jacket (although his is definitely more expensive).

All the pockets are fully functional, love the details and stitching. The lining is awesome too. I want to buy one for our future son :)
I got this bag from Aldo. Nice and soft and smells so good...
More bags... Not as nice but not as expensive either :)
Oh! I have to do a post about a shoe I got recently. But that will have to wait till tomorrow. I'm finishing up my stuffed mushrooms and black bean stew for our dinner...

Early Christmas Gifts

Finally got around to buying stuff for ourselves... My husband had been wanting to get the new iPhone but it was always sold out. After a week of trying we got a reservation online and picked it up from the Apple store.

And I got an iPad 2 (yey!) with a pink Smart Cover too :) Ngayon, 'di na kami nagpapansinan coz we're both busy downloading apps like crazy...

One thing that peeves me though is the iPad has a crappy camera, you would think they'd give it a decent one for the price you're paying AND it doesn't support flash :( Should I have gotten a Samsung Galaxy tab instead? Or a Blackberry Playbook? Aaahhh!

Wardrobe Remix #27

It's been a while since my last outfit post. Thought I'd share a quick one...

Blazer: Kamiseta

Shirt: Old Navy

Jeans: random find from Glorietta

Shoes: 5 year old Nine West flats

Sunglasses: Charles & Keith
Really like this houndstooth blazer that actually shrunk already from too many washes. It's so warm but a little itchy inside coz it's not lined.

Early Christmas Shopping

Got started with my Christmas shopping already! I have quite a lot of folks and godchildren to give presents to (my husband and I are currently playing ninong and ninang to 4 kids - all under the age of 1).

Anyway, kids stuff at a later post. I have to say, it's so easy to shop for ladies - there's so much you can give... I got these two Nine West bags, really cute, I kinda want them for myself :)

This one's for my sis-in-law - PocketBac sanitizer from Bath & Body Works and makeup from e.l.f. I love that she's not so picky, basically likes everything I give her, kahit mura lang :)
And a bunch of Aero shirts.
I also got some stuff for myself but nothing special, just basics from the Gap. I'm so tired of shopping, we spent about 6 hours at the mall yesterday just buying stuff. Gonna be relieved when the giving season is over...

His & Hers - Closets

I'm so fortunate to have a relatively neat husband. It would really drive me nuts if I had married a slob. Anyway, we have a pretty small apartment and storage is a big problem. We got his wardrobe from Ikea for a very good price earlier this year. (He has a lot more clothes now, of course...)

Just didn't like the plastic doorhandles that it came with so we installed some new ones. It's a good basic wardrobe to start with and it was very easy to assemble, it took us maybe 2 hours from start to finish.

In contrast, I got the built-in closet from floor to ceiling, it sucks that it isn't very efficient, but hopefully we won't be here too long and I can have a walk-in in a couple of years :) Yeah right, dream on!

Yup, it's a mess, I have a lot of clothes. What can I say? We have four seasons.

Sick Of Chocolate

I've been sick for a few days now because I ate this...

My husband got them last Friday and I had some, even though I know I develop allergies when I eat something sweet. I know, it sucks. Good thing I'm not really fond of sweets, just sometimes when I want a cup of hot chocolate or a slice of leche flan or cheesecake... but I'd rather have savory than sweet. I just don't like being sick.

Having A Little Fun In The Kitchen

Got these egg molds a while back, found them at a specialty kitchenware store. They are so cute and adorable - hard to use with eggs but perfect for pancakes.

Haven't gotten the hang of it yet but I will :)
Just add some butter, maple syrup and some banana slices - it'll make a pretty breakfast...

Electronic Haul

We have been frequenting our local electronic retailer to get some stuff for my husband's family. Got a Dell Inspiron laptop and Nikon Coolpix camera for my sis-in-law (who loves anything pink), a Nikon L120 for dad-in-law and Sony Cyber-shot for bro-in-law.

Hope they like our early Christmas gifts, in addition to the three balikbayan boxes that we already sent a while back.

Decompressing My Shoe Closet

I got rid of 18 pairs of shoes because they no longer fit in my closet. Living in a small apartment really pushes you to edit your belongings. Plus my husband keeps complaining of the stray shoes I have lying around... Probably half of the shoes I had to part with I've only used a couple of times. Of course, they went to a good cause :)

I use a bookcase (about 6 feet tall) for a shoe cabinet, because I can't afford to have a walk-in closet like Mariah's. I just covered it with an old shower curtain so it wouldn't be disgusting to look at, hehe...

Now this is what's left of my meager but much loved collection. Trimmed down significantly but still a little full. But seriously, I only have two feet, how many pairs could I possibly need?
I need to find a way to organize boots, they're awkward to store and takes up too much space when upright... Ideas anyone?

Major, Major Haul

We have been shopping a lot lately because we're sending a balikbayan box to my husband's family. So behold, our most recent shoe haul...

Yeah, I know, they're gonna be swimming in sneakers...

Then the almost perishables...
We filled two boxes already, might need to get a third, I don't know... Anyway, it's fun sending stuff to the Philippines, they probably have a lot of these things there but they said it's more expensive, especially electronics. Gonna post some good buys later :)

Kitchen Liners

Got some grip liners to match our yellow kitchen walls. I lined the drawers and some of the shelves because I got so tired of the utensils sliding around the place. Plus it looks prettier and you know I'm a sucker for pretty :)

Our kitchen is really tiny so it's good we don't have a lot of stuff. My mom gave us this Corelle dinnerware set that we have been using everyday, I swear it never breaks no matter how much we bang it around. I'm sold on this for life!