tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46673653036291653102024-03-13T15:08:02.862+08:00Bambi de la Cruz Makeup Artistry BlogLife in leopard printsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger885125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-2352603312460572482020-10-27T23:06:00.003+08:002020-10-28T12:11:53.449+08:00How I Prep Up and Suit Up For Makeup Gigs in a Pandemic<p>Hi! I can't believe my last article here was pre-pandemic. How much has life changed! A lot of things have happened so I wasn't able to write as much and I've been tied up with a lot of stuff.</p><p>The pandemic also gave me an automatic makeup hiatus. However, even if it may take a while for life to come back to how it used to be, life still needs to go on. People need to go to work and the world has to run while staying safe and following the necessary protocols. I'm glad that after a drastic halt, those in the creative field whose source of livelihood was severly affected could start working again. Yesterday, I've done my first-ever makeup gig during the pandemic and I must say it felt surreal that it's back but different because there's some distance in a very tactile-dependent skill. </p><p>I want to write about how I prepared myself for the gig as well as the safety measures I took in order to give other artists who are slowly going back to work an idea on how they can protect themselves and their clients. Take note that I'm not a medical professional or an infectious disease specialist and I'm only using knowledge I've gathered from reliable articles, vlogs, and advices of fellow makeup artists who have been going to work regularly in the new normal before I did.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZLqs2mx1DIuSzLqEp_cOa_c6DxQDXJ-PXRaN0uxghyDHxEqcXxp3k9yDuFD0bt0EXuD0t7gf6z3CDrM-4jrT9gMWvY-xanuHdhWdpTTML0fUqB93Oezv-YAGeA5X2f1Y1TOS6rBzT4lr/s2048/20201026_155203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1433" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZLqs2mx1DIuSzLqEp_cOa_c6DxQDXJ-PXRaN0uxghyDHxEqcXxp3k9yDuFD0bt0EXuD0t7gf6z3CDrM-4jrT9gMWvY-xanuHdhWdpTTML0fUqB93Oezv-YAGeA5X2f1Y1TOS6rBzT4lr/s320/20201026_155203.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makeup artist in the new normal.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The choice to do makeup full time or go back only part-time is up to you. Since I'm currently working in a regular job and still have my crafts on the side, I chose to do makeup at a minimum. I chose to only do makeup for people I know or close friend referrals (I worked at the wedding of my friend, who happens to be my neighbor too so we belong in the same community), and I only accept 1 head for 1 booking day. I would only do makeup for a maximum of 2-3 times a month. The choice to accept fewer bookings is my own personal choice. I will not judge another makeup artist if he or she goes back to work full time as long as they follow safety protocols required by the community. </p><p>Whether the booking requires and/or provides a swab test or not, we must always protect and sanitize because everyone's lives depend on it. </p><p>So here 's what I did for my new normal makeup:</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Condense the makeup kit.</b></p><p>More makeup gear means more things to disinfect. I kept all my equipment in one bag - and that includes stuff for hair and makeup. I kept my equipment count small. I didn't want to buy more makeup brushes than I already have - that's why I only accept 1 client per day. Some of my friends who do more than 1 head have different brush sets per person in individual zip lock bags and do a thorough disinfection before working with the next client.</p><p>I only pack what's needed. My client beforehand showed a photo of her mom (the person I would do makeup on), her dress etc. I was also provided a makeup peg and information on skin and hair type. This helped me plan what to bring. </p><p>As the number of people working on events are severely limited, I went by myself to not crowd the venue and did both makeup and hair. Should I need help with hair, that's when I hire a hairstylist.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>OOTD For Safety</b></p><p>Pre-pandemic, I was the resident <i>hubadera. </i>However, times are different. I didn't buy PPE gear since it wasn't a requirement and this is my only makeup job in while (I don't know when the next would be or the frequeency of the demand for makeup artists would be in the coming months). However, I had to also protect both of us (and hide my quarantine fats :P). I also had to be extra-extra safe since the person I did makeup to is the mother of the bride who is a senior citizen. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8e9Cs-QHujjSt_RRYk-mS5wa4N1GMegJ34S7NOXv-T5cxAgyjjDi9QrM8Z_Op2C7QTXzpp-fSuS01UMKwADMT3CoGn_LD6rQhktz9fNuXx4brZMPSBoOiLS-muTeFUxHXyzIzXsNitLc/s2048/20201026_155807.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8e9Cs-QHujjSt_RRYk-mS5wa4N1GMegJ34S7NOXv-T5cxAgyjjDi9QrM8Z_Op2C7QTXzpp-fSuS01UMKwADMT3CoGn_LD6rQhktz9fNuXx4brZMPSBoOiLS-muTeFUxHXyzIzXsNitLc/s320/20201026_155807.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this assymetric overcoat protects my leggings from surfaces</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I've had a nice overcoat-like piece that only come out of my closet during my travels I bought it from a friend in a bazaar many years back. When worn, it becomes an outer garment that covers my top and leggings when I sit on chairs or touch surfaces. All I had to do before I go home was remove that outer coat before I step into the car (but I was OC so I changed clothes as well). By doing this costume change, I also protect the community I belong to and my household. </p><p>I also don't forget the required new normal OOTD must-haves - mask and full face shield. I doubled up my mask (surgical mask + kn95, still a breathable combo) since I'll be in a closer proximity to another person and wore gloves during makeup application.</p><p>For bookings that require PPE though, local brands and designers manufacture trendy and comfy protective wear that's OOTD-worthy. </p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>SANITIZE BECAUSE YOUR LIFE, AND OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES DEPEND ON IT</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdAxGw_YnMIq1TdwwydetwZcMf1xxZvxz9bvrTx2K6NS1uTRWi88gox_E2ope2S7NDGqSRyP-v56xtV_gzkgfL4-xLyA7uA2-WYkMv_8w71ONzU9sh7gpSN7_8FNVCp5hKZ8_fHWngrR8/s2048/20200723_132646.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdAxGw_YnMIq1TdwwydetwZcMf1xxZvxz9bvrTx2K6NS1uTRWi88gox_E2ope2S7NDGqSRyP-v56xtV_gzkgfL4-xLyA7uA2-WYkMv_8w71ONzU9sh7gpSN7_8FNVCp5hKZ8_fHWngrR8/s320/20200723_132646.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanitized all my personal things and makeup equipment in this UV Box from <br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/UltraSilverPH" target="_blank">UltrasilverPH</a><br />(sleeping photobombing kitten not included)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Pre-pandemic, we were taught hygiene and sanitation tips that were almost operating room level. Now, even a normal errand run has us treating our home like an operating room. I sanitized all my equipment the night before my gig - from the tiniest eyeliner brush to the hairstyling equipment to the big <i>maleta </i>was disinfected. I ran all my makeup and brushes for 20 minutes in my UV-C box (I got mine from Ultrasilver for Php 1800. This is not a paid ad). before packing them. For bigger items such as carrying case, blow dryer, curling iron, ring light and ring light stand, I placed them inside the bathroom and turned on a UV lamp set to timer for 30 minutes. UV rays may not be our skin's best friend but they are what we need to blast the nasties away. </p><p>Setting up also means disinfecting my makeup surface at the venue (that's where alcohol/Lysol/disinfecting wipes come in handy). Since setting up requires an extra thorough disinfection, I arrived earlier than the designated call time so nothing is rushed.</p><p>I'm also careful in protecting my client while doing makeup since they're not wearing a mask. I talk less and use gloves. I used a clean stainless steel spatula when picking up concealer, lip stick, gel liner, or anything that comes from a pot. I also do not use makeup that comes with self-applicators difficult to sanitize (eyebrow and eyeliner pens with a felt-tip). Double dipping is an ultimate no-no! </p><p>After makeup has been completed, I dispose all tissues, cotton pads, Q-Tips, and disposable items. I then disinfect all my items quickly giving powder products a good wipedown with tissue before spraying with alcohol and running a UV wand on all my items. I place my velour puff, spatula, and brushes in a separate ziplock bag and pack up and give my suitcase a good wipedown of disinfectant. I do the same with my work surface for courtesy. </p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Disinfect everything upon getting home right away.</b></p><p>Remember back then when after a gig we just park our makeup gear and then wash our brushes the following day? This time, we cannot wait for the next day. Everything that has been in the outside world must be disinfected. I do disinfect again all my makeup and equipment even if I pre-cleaned them before packing up. </p><p>All garments immediately go in the wash and a hot shower with a thorough scrubbing is done. Bigger items like malette and ring light, which cannot be washed down were UV disinfected in the bathroom with a UV lamp. It's a bit OC to disinfect twice after a gig, from packing up and when getting home but we have to be super sure as we don't know what our gear has picked up along the way, especially if you commute. The whole ordeal took me 2 hours, but that's because I had to UV-C in batches. </p><p>Makeup jobs have drastically changed because of the pandemic. Although makeup jobs are allowed with very strict protocols, remember to prioritize your health and safety to help the community stay safe. And should you decide to go back, remember to not only follow safety protocols but have a very detailed disinfecting routine. This protects not just yourself and the people around you that day but also your household and community.</p><p>For all makeup artists, stay safe and healthy in this new normal. We will get through this. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-47805844805501686112019-11-12T18:09:00.002+08:002019-11-12T18:09:50.553+08:00How to Not Give Gifts While Having the Christmas SpiritAs a child, I looked forward to Christmas. I remember how Christmas decor would be put up in our house in October during sem break, with Christmas carols filling the malls and toy stores as early as September. I'd have my letter to Santa written out in October after a lot of drafts since August and would be very sleepless on the 23rd of December as Christmas Eve was the highlight. As I didn't like going to school as a child, I looked forward to a longer vacation at home.<br />
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When adulthood came, the attitude towards Christmas did a 180. I was more stressed as the Christmas countdown started and dreaded each Christmas reunion/party/dinner I had to attend. My responses to "when are you having children" or "when are you gonna stop working" have morphed from diplomatic to the tone of cold, frank "shut up or I will murder you at this instant with no remorse" in every Holiday event I had to attend. Mall trips were becoming more stressful and grueling and I found myself getting poorer with each gift giving trip turning me into a modern-day Scrooge. I was my most <i>sungit</i>, moody self in a very festive and family occasion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-LNSGZy0koF4LetZOMSEQXyXvSxP6xLKm4Pbo78iAtu5wDin35Glp-_YuQewpPLMjlUWysWYBH033uh82hVQzceQAGRjvlrfQNgyQMtPZgTS5MklbW0vgiVxiq-jgt3lY3IJPndF97RV/s1600/IMG_20190826_173642_023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY-LNSGZy0koF4LetZOMSEQXyXvSxP6xLKm4Pbo78iAtu5wDin35Glp-_YuQewpPLMjlUWysWYBH033uh82hVQzceQAGRjvlrfQNgyQMtPZgTS5MklbW0vgiVxiq-jgt3lY3IJPndF97RV/s320/IMG_20190826_173642_023.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adulting doesn't mean Scroogeing during Christmas.<br />It doesn't mean getting stressed or excessively spending too.</td></tr>
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To be honest, I wasn't alone in this. I know a number of people who dread the Holidays. Worse-case scenarios are the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/depression/holiday-depression-stress">Holiday blues</a>, where episodes and relapses of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns increase (and this is a real case). While yes, it is common among many that the Holidays has morphed into something stressful, there are still those who look forward to the Christmas spirit and we really don't want to dampen their experience just because it gives us stress and add more to the negative energy we are already experiencing. I didn't want to be a Scrooge anymore and last year I asked myself, "What was it during the Holidays and Christmas that caused me to feel like this?" Christmas alone isn't bad. It's a happy joyous occasion. If you are Catholic or Christian, there's a spiritual meaning to it, and to the religious eye, hating Christmas may warrant you a trip to the confessional or scolding from a religious <i>lola</i> or <i>tita</i>. So what made me become the adult who hated Christmas from the kid whose Christmas started that July afternoon drafting her first letter to Santa? It could be summarized to this -the stress. Yes the Holidays have become stressful and traffic just gets worse every year. There's also the pressure to complete your Christmas shopping gift list, and also the anxiety (if you are an introvert) to attend and may be participate in every Christmas gathering. Now that I have identified these, let's work our way on it, shall we?<br />
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<b>Just go to the events you really want to go.</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hey dollies, don't stress on parties, OK?</td></tr>
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Thankfully, since I am self-employed and do not work for a particular company, there is no need for me to join the awkwardness of parlor games or embarass myself in a Christmas program dancing to the dubstep or remix version of the song of the year. My job as a makeup artist conveniently has me at the supplier end of most events anyway so most of the time, I am not present in most parties. As an introvert, big crowds and loud noises exhaust me so I just choose where I want to be, preferably the chillest one with a small group. I would also just meet a few friends after Christmas for lunch or snacks. Also, If flitting from one party to the other stresses you out, just choose one or two to attend for the day or the week. It's quite impractical to spend less time on the actual parties and more time sitting in traffic or getting frustrated booking a Grab or Angkas just to get to there, right? If one event stresses you out, just don't go. These parties would continue on anyway and are not worth the stress if it doesn't spark you Holiday joy.<br />
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<b>Shorten your gift list</b><br />
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When I travel, I don't buy <i>pasalubong</i> and I don't expect to be given <i>pasalubong</i> when my loved ones travel. Same principle I applied during holidays. In fact, I know a few colleagues who have stopped buying Christmas gifts. For them, it was pointless to get stressed buying little knick-knacks that would end up collecting dust or become trash later on. I still have some knick-knacks that I have no idea how I am going to use in storage. In reality, we don't have to give gifts to each teacher of our kids, each person in our department, the "sikyu sa tapat" or random people we meet in passing. Just give well thought-of gifts to people very close to you. Big families or family reunions also opt for just gift exchange or gift steal, where you just bring one gift for one person instead of bringing several small gifts for 50 people. Don't spend too much! Overspending can lead to depression.<br />
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<b>With Gifts, Choose Something Consumable</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweets treats make perfect gifts for the Holidays.<br />Cookies from <a href="http://www.instagram.com/iwantchip">I Want Chip</a> </td></tr>
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Consumable items like food, sweets, pastries, etc. are safe (and inexpensive) because they get to be used right away, can be shared/served at home, and they don't end up collecting dust. You have various choices like beverage (coffee/tea/drink mixes), healthy (granola, sauces,salad dressings), sinful, etc. I started making soaps to give them as gifts as they have a longer shelf life than bottles of lotions or sprays. Also, even if I am a candle maker, I suggest giving candles to people you know who would really use them because I see a lot of candles just stocking up and collecting dust. Save the special Christmas gifts to someone you really hold close - your partner, spouse, parents, or child.<br />
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<b>Consider alternative gifts</b><br />
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If you yourself don't want to receive material gifts, you can suggest to friends to still want to give you something to donate it to causes and charities close to your heart. Your barkada can also choose to just have a nice lunch as your gifts to each other. Cook for your family a special dish for Christmas lunch or dinner as your gift to them. Treat you <i>inaanaks</i> to lunch or teach them a new skill you learned in a workshop you took. A friend of mine treated his staff to pizza lunch as his gift to them. With these type of gift giving, we lessen carbon footprint with less junk as well so yay for our planet!<br />
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<b>Volunteer and spread Holiday cheer</b><br />
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For those based abroad who can't be home for Christmas or those that feel lonely during the Holidays, they can volunteer some time to help others. There are lots of NGOs and charity organizations that need a lot of help. Visit a nursing home, an orphanage, or animal shelter or just approach a friend who's part of an NGO and extend a helping hand. We all don't have to be alone.<br />
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<b>Enjoy the present</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzetVYce1uwDRZXM5er_mKX6hU_cbTgkrvlD5u2Xqv3fZgsA2T7kXfST0jde00q9Oqel95q7lgGMZbqUlIxXXEh16aZ-FGYfU1aPt-mVd5HrQqui5unVFOgh5HpXsRTLEpm3sWGlkGkrOI/s1600/20181223_201033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzetVYce1uwDRZXM5er_mKX6hU_cbTgkrvlD5u2Xqv3fZgsA2T7kXfST0jde00q9Oqel95q7lgGMZbqUlIxXXEh16aZ-FGYfU1aPt-mVd5HrQqui5unVFOgh5HpXsRTLEpm3sWGlkGkrOI/s320/20181223_201033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powerplant Mall has for me the cheeriest Christmas decor</td></tr>
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Do things that make you happy or enjoy the things you look forward to during the Holidays - eat your favorite puto bumbong and bibingka with a cup of hot salabat. Enjoy the holiday drinks at Starbucks whether or not you're collecting planner stickers. Watch the light show at Ayala Triangle or simply admire the Holiday decor at malls such as Powerplant Mall because being cat parents, we will never have nice decor as our cats will murder them in a minute or two.<br />
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As adults, we celebrate and view Christmas differently than we were kids but even with the over-commercialization the Holidays has been, we don't have to drain our bank accounts or exhaust ourselves to the point that we start hating an originally cheery occasion. Enjoy what you like about it, don't spread youself too thin and don't spend too much or drink too much alcohol. Love lots!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-87764265027313659732019-07-22T18:50:00.002+08:002019-07-22T18:50:48.818+08:00Mark. Prism Lipstick Swatches and ReviewI've gone through so many lipstick trends in my 12 years working as a makeup artist and even if I don't wear that much makeup anymore I still never fail to include maybe two lipsticks in my bag. I've gone through all the trends - mattes, lipglosses, sparkles, sheers, creamy, sheer, tint, and those super matte liquid lipsticks that were impossible to remove. As an artist, the staple in my kit is still the classic bullet formula - which could be chopped and placed in makeup palettes to save space in the pro kit as well as mixed to create a unique personalized shade.<br />
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When I was starting out 12 years ago, the "in" thing back then was the wet look kind of lip makeup - the shiny lipstick that you wore in layers giving the "wet" shine look making the lipstick look really glossy and shiny. It even had the diamond sparkle variation where the lips really sparkled because of the flecks of glitter. In photoshoots, it was the go-to look requested and I guess because it made the lips look healthier and plumper. The rule was the shinier, the better. Add a lip plumper gloss and you instantly have the "just had a collagen injection" look. The downside to this look though it looked pretty in photos, lipgloss can get sticky and sometimes hair would get stuck on the lips. The look faded away and mattes came back with a bang. However, as trends go they also have a comeback (just like the 90s 2 years ago). Sparkly lips are making a comeback again and they are just as pretty and thankfully are more comfy (i.e. less sticky) to wear.<br />
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On my birthday last month, I received a gift pack from Avon - their complete line of lipsticks - the Mark. Prism Lipsticks which give your lips not just shine but sparkle due to the 4000 prismatic pearls that make your lips look super dazzling with every swipe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZLw34FB7Jw8_pElF3oAjxPNF807oQQgtTblr_6n5ZqmbBjmGnNpzWZljeiSBW1go3vZpzke1smf-zcxq74fxRvonFKW8T7wwUr-GgZUKBCyNzlzyKAVYSKvJypipMY2fvg9QsTD_c10b/s1600/20190722_160954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1056" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZLw34FB7Jw8_pElF3oAjxPNF807oQQgtTblr_6n5ZqmbBjmGnNpzWZljeiSBW1go3vZpzke1smf-zcxq74fxRvonFKW8T7wwUr-GgZUKBCyNzlzyKAVYSKvJypipMY2fvg9QsTD_c10b/s320/20190722_160954.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 of the 10 shades of the mark. Prism Lipsticks to choose from</td></tr>
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I did an unboxing of this as soon as it arrived as I was so excited. It arrived on my birthday and it was like a birthday gift at the door.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid9sa48A0XI_pNBxthb32GVF6scu33UlvtPf_y-4WjnqgMgDB5__7Yk4FMEiyWY7NeUQvP8pplEb8c8xoc6qgGNh7LZoM3IHATxR3ai9TVRblkHibXZywP9bfyrHtGzOdSC3pasUwxnAd/s1600/20190722_161019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1131" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiid9sa48A0XI_pNBxthb32GVF6scu33UlvtPf_y-4WjnqgMgDB5__7Yk4FMEiyWY7NeUQvP8pplEb8c8xoc6qgGNh7LZoM3IHATxR3ai9TVRblkHibXZywP9bfyrHtGzOdSC3pasUwxnAd/s320/20190722_161019.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out the embossed word "mark."</td></tr>
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This lipstick line has the fiercest hashtag ever: #makeanepicMARK resonating how we should never be apologetic with how we express ourself or explain our beauty habits or why we need the 10-step skincare or why did we just feel like wearing bright red lipstick. That message goes beyond beauty as well with our personal choices and passions. When we want to shine and shimmer, we do. We don't wish it but make it happen. Yes? yes. The case's color and how it sparkles reminds me so much of a sleek luxury car, doesn't it?<br />
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This line of lipsticks have various shades from nude to pink up to brights and dark ones. They also have you covered with the classic red. Unlike gloopy glosses from the 2000s, this one wasn't sticky. It actually felt like your moisturizing lipstick formulas with a cream finish. The shiny particles were a lot finer instead of chunks of glitter. On camera, chunks were less obvious and the swatches and color on lips actually looked just shiny and sometimes a bit sheer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNk6-YhNc2UvgKLhw4FzzifXqbeVz230zak0CEyHsffUfItI9DL74LEBrcOwpEYHnr3EyaLgf6DK9u8uhCJZj3gtasOB7kSxpqlLBMs71vOCRhAa3jaJUJMM06C_noPT3B7nAdAYC9tI3/s1600/20190722_161333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNk6-YhNc2UvgKLhw4FzzifXqbeVz230zak0CEyHsffUfItI9DL74LEBrcOwpEYHnr3EyaLgf6DK9u8uhCJZj3gtasOB7kSxpqlLBMs71vOCRhAa3jaJUJMM06C_noPT3B7nAdAYC9tI3/s320/20190722_161333.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from L-R: Interstellar Love, Nude Eclipse, Celestial Crush, Aura On, Energy Flash, Blast Off, Reflective Scandal</td></tr>
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My most favorite happens to be Nude Eclipse, which was a very basic shade that's flattering for any shade. It's like the nude lipstick that you don't need smoky eyes for and you could wear it with just brows and mascara. I also like that it doesn't travel much around the face so I end up with speckles and sparkles with glitter all over. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ABWGHbDs2H1yBdVMeJ_q8TQcMNoMWxAU-kmwMl4yRMbcp4az_z9JQ0DN-SDuho3D0ZVVYXiQLQ816tEpnDYUzDzvxdKhRNjQs9vn9wc8QlbG-vO47IaCOstBHd7yuLoKcZq7IQJbbjpL/s1600/20190714_123129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1398" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ABWGHbDs2H1yBdVMeJ_q8TQcMNoMWxAU-kmwMl4yRMbcp4az_z9JQ0DN-SDuho3D0ZVVYXiQLQ816tEpnDYUzDzvxdKhRNjQs9vn9wc8QlbG-vO47IaCOstBHd7yuLoKcZq7IQJbbjpL/s320/20190714_123129.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wearing Celestial Crush for a TV Interview<br />(Coincidentally matching with my Lululemon top)</td></tr>
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The runner up would be Celestial Crush, which is a cool pink shade which is also good on its own and some people, it could be the perfect MLBB shade (my lips but better). I wore it to my TV interview with ANC and since I was yoga teacher mode, I didn't put much makeup, just enough to make me look presentable as I was being filmed. It lasted through sips of water in between yoga cues. I didn't even need to retouch a lot when my turn came for the interview.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MfF_Y5Roz_5VjtSCzZzcXVQ_LgekfRBetNbcBiyA2-REHo5-kiZCRYgn5j46OFyNhqhypvxw8o-S5cVUTCCWkbPubSkl5alKzj_Z9Wg5mPcLS2B7Td-lO_T5wT5Vd6H6I2TMMZIW0gXV/s1600/20190722_161326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1600" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MfF_Y5Roz_5VjtSCzZzcXVQ_LgekfRBetNbcBiyA2-REHo5-kiZCRYgn5j46OFyNhqhypvxw8o-S5cVUTCCWkbPubSkl5alKzj_Z9Wg5mPcLS2B7Td-lO_T5wT5Vd6H6I2TMMZIW0gXV/s320/20190722_161326.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buildable coverage:<br />Reflective Scandal: 1 coat (L) and 3 coats (R)<br />Nude Eclipse: 1 coat (L) and 3 coats (R)</td></tr>
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The bold shades also do not disappoint, especially Reflective Scandal (a bright sparkly ruby red). As you can see in photos, it looks super shiny almost like a very pigmented gloss.<br />
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For a professional point-of-view, the sparkliness of the Mark. Prism Lipsticks work well at dance performances like recitals or dance gigs where the sparklier the better is key. They also work well for beauty pageants or special events. I would avoid this for bridal looks during the pre-ceremony, ceremony and close-up pictorials as for bridals, we still stick to neutral, safe, and classic palettes since we want the look to transcend time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGnEUXR2Gbi6D-NsZ-FN10SVQN1jt2JnpNQybzyd0lCuN4Kk_CYYhQmHdqOLQ2Y1NI3xpvBgteVCFUo-YEm0J4RXZ8iKrIeOybZkP6DMDTxdyFsTwfQpID8cNk6UfRImN4CeNyPeGb4DF/s1600/20190702_193353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGnEUXR2Gbi6D-NsZ-FN10SVQN1jt2JnpNQybzyd0lCuN4Kk_CYYhQmHdqOLQ2Y1NI3xpvBgteVCFUo-YEm0J4RXZ8iKrIeOybZkP6DMDTxdyFsTwfQpID8cNk6UfRImN4CeNyPeGb4DF/s320/20190702_193353.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wearing a bright plum Blast Off with raspberry smoky eyes<br />because why not? </td></tr>
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For the reception or party look, however, she can change her look with sparkle, shimmer, and shine as she could now relax and party. Although this feels cushy on the lips, I would avoid using this on more mature clients as the shimmer particles may tend to settle on the lines and enhance them even more. For a mature client, I would use this with a satin or matte lipstick for a more youthful lip with the color not settling or feathering because of fine lines.<br />
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Since the lipstick has buildable coverage, this could be also be worn on top of a lipstick of the same shade as a gloss to create dimension. With the right lighting, this would create an amazing effect on editorials. It would also put good use of the matte lipsticks we hoarded by matching them up with sparkly lipsticks to create a shiny, shimmery, non-tacky lip of the day.<br />
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I personally like it because it is not as drying on the lips. The sparkly case also looks pretty for makeup flatlays when you do your posts or on your vanity kit. I like also the diversity of this collection with its 10 shades for us to choose from. I may try to mix up a nude shade with one of the bold shades too (try it! let me know which are good combos). Since they're a pretty good steal at Php 299 at <a href="http://avonshop.ph/">avonshop.ph</a> or if you have a friend or know someone who's an Avon rep, you could buy from them as well.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-25328470041631212622019-06-21T19:46:00.004+08:002019-06-21T20:18:58.191+08:00Five Ways to Happy and Ageless Tita-hoodLast week, I turned 37 years old, officially joining the late 30's group in life. Frankly, I don't dread my birthdays, whether I turn 20 or 25 or 30 and probably when I turn 60 or even 80, I wouldn't. For one thing, it's that one day in the whole year that's for me. It's my day. Also, rather than counting all the malas from the past year and all my life and the what-ifs and what-not's, I chose to focus on the good things that happened. I guess it's the same as when some Catholics attend mass during their birthdays. Even at the worst of careers or when I was still that lost girl who didn't know what to do, I always look forward to my birthday. Probably the reason why I hide during my birthday is that I have no money to treat people out. Hahahaha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghz1FgJBqTl644uz7WrJEoZOTWpQrYHUX5OKlnAldysjk9Sd3Xr8iQmgOOJYyGvv0lsVQQGzNoBkwXnuW46PVICp254kSSPNtAhO1sxEd0e9ynTeTvBZwDIbdNhYeilwBMQhsyavEq2309/s1600/IMG_20190619_163939_467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="882" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghz1FgJBqTl644uz7WrJEoZOTWpQrYHUX5OKlnAldysjk9Sd3Xr8iQmgOOJYyGvv0lsVQQGzNoBkwXnuW46PVICp254kSSPNtAhO1sxEd0e9ynTeTvBZwDIbdNhYeilwBMQhsyavEq2309/s320/IMG_20190619_163939_467.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My YogaHive tribe surprised me with a birthday song and cake</td></tr>
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When the year started, I drew oracle cards for myself and the oracle cards showed me to keep my life in balance. I did the same thing when I woke up after my morning meditation. My oracle cards (I use my dragon oracle cards, a deck I was drawn to) showed me three predominantly yellow and orange dragons with messages to level up my creativity, knowledge, masculine power, and ambition. It's like literally lighting my butt up and these three babies Dracarys-ing me to awesomeness. It was also super timely because not only did I purchase a goldstone bracelet as a gift to myself, Jinky read two of my consecutive new moon cycles and for the last cycle, focus on my image and this next cycle told me to focus on my career (or in my case, careers). If I were a Khaleesi, it would add more braids to my hairstyles. It's like self-care but bombastic. If it's what keeps me looking younger and feeling younger, then so be it. If it's positive vibes, I welcome it.<br />
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So as I get older, I've also learned to care for myself more. I've seen how counterproductive it is to neglect your own self for the benefit of others. It may look like you are making "sacrifices for love" but you are actually being counterproductive and doing the others disservice because you are running on low batteries yet expected to perform at full battery level. I've also learned to not take any more BS and judgement and just live my life and be happy. And you know what? When you're happy and you're healthy, you're more efficient and I can serve others better because there's so much more to give. I've also want to share a few life lessons I've learned over the years.<br />
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<b>Do something you love</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to make my own candles from Craft MNL</td></tr>
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Do something you love apart from work or socials. In my case, it's crafting. Why do I take all these crafting workshops? Because it makes me happy. Crafting for me is like meditation, except you get to make something usable. Doing something you love doesn't just necessarily mean something that earns money. You can take up a new hobby or a new sport or attend talks and symposiums. You can even vary your training by complimenting your usual physical activity by trying something new. Look for classes or workshops or just explore Pinterest, or subscribe to Skillshare for a neverending knowledge resource.<br />
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<b>Stay away from toxic people.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpiDA4l7y1h6rdTUyYw7dxHu40D4L995fNWbvmK3aWfEqyNJHL0sAmYEEM9oxx5RgpBPZq_QAzm1RYi-WBMJfN4IJN0f2IrWuQGaeu7UbDPDz1UqZiH491K3CSX-xM0JtlYvDrNkgYSGj/s1600/pexels-photo-221000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpiDA4l7y1h6rdTUyYw7dxHu40D4L995fNWbvmK3aWfEqyNJHL0sAmYEEM9oxx5RgpBPZq_QAzm1RYi-WBMJfN4IJN0f2IrWuQGaeu7UbDPDz1UqZiH491K3CSX-xM0JtlYvDrNkgYSGj/s320/pexels-photo-221000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The world deals with so much toxicity already.<br />
We don't need any more toxic people in our lives.</td></tr>
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I swear I can't stress this enough. If someone is pulling you down, let them go. If an IG account makes you feel bad about yourself or annoys you, there's the unfollow or hide button. Our planet deals with already so much toxic waste. Don't surround yourself with more toxicity,<br />
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<b>Surround yourself with those who inspire you.</b><br />
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In contrast with the item above, surround youself with those that bring happy, positive vibes. Out with the bad, in with the good, yes? I find myself lucky to be in an environment that's very encouraging and be surrounded by a group of people who encourage me to be comfortable in my own authentic self.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My co-teachers Quino, Kit, and my twinnie Oliver who were also my teachers before</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCs86aYjaZD2PvpFqLeaXdvlmcLen3elWzSUR2WTss7Dj3xBAY3TK0O0OmEz8ARNh4cf05pAqGNt2zbY14AYDtsYCCtPmaZCmllYVvyC802W34uDl7IliJu9qUm-DvV6-tFKT4pmOcAQD/s1600/20181017_132952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCs86aYjaZD2PvpFqLeaXdvlmcLen3elWzSUR2WTss7Dj3xBAY3TK0O0OmEz8ARNh4cf05pAqGNt2zbY14AYDtsYCCtPmaZCmllYVvyC802W34uDl7IliJu9qUm-DvV6-tFKT4pmOcAQD/s320/20181017_132952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My students and co-teachers enjoying an Italian lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH4AMQRPvELTB4_HE32KFWuRAa5nsDAc47ej0ljS0zXGYNKLQ07mOkKs6SpLOSHTaX-_ox6-fPNM2cgpA8u3IrhGv7cr-_VDstR76mIG6l-tZOh7R-zQ8At52ltNdTGd3V8Iq6JQr1oc6/s1600/20180624_121212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSH4AMQRPvELTB4_HE32KFWuRAa5nsDAc47ej0ljS0zXGYNKLQ07mOkKs6SpLOSHTaX-_ox6-fPNM2cgpA8u3IrhGv7cr-_VDstR76mIG6l-tZOh7R-zQ8At52ltNdTGd3V8Iq6JQr1oc6/s320/20180624_121212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolster and blanket fight chic like 90s models<br />
How we roll in our clingy YFL group photos</td></tr>
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Or maybe I am naturally attracted to those types of people? For me, my students inspire me to be a better yoga teacher. Some of them have grown so much in their practice, some of them becoming yoga teachers themselves. The pole world is a world that keeps me super inspired and even if I have yet to attend a formal class again. I train at home to keep the love (and the pole burns) alive.<br />
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<b>Stop comparing yourself.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsBsuwl22EVIu8F8n73JvbVJE6hT9In9kQB9el0ZxQN3WIMr5OHUPTtVgaPJjPgWRZJ5OzSANgfMScypg-bYmrVa43u8aU5kx2iAIYBItAQleHC_WcGtNasDi5GXG4HZnqHmjo-_hyphenhyphenoGJ/s1600/IMG_20180624_174113_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1080" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsBsuwl22EVIu8F8n73JvbVJE6hT9In9kQB9el0ZxQN3WIMr5OHUPTtVgaPJjPgWRZJ5OzSANgfMScypg-bYmrVa43u8aU5kx2iAIYBItAQleHC_WcGtNasDi5GXG4HZnqHmjo-_hyphenhyphenoGJ/s320/IMG_20180624_174113_000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">take a cue from my dollies and mind your own yoga</td></tr>
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When I was younger, I felt so pressured whenever I would see my former classmate travelling or being featured in the newspaper. Whenever I would see a former classmate in her crisp business suit or doctor's coat, I would hide when I was still a struggling artist in my ratty shoot clothes. But then again, when I think about it, life isn't solely a competition with others. Besides, am I living my life for that person I'm comparing myself to or for me? I would rememeber how Kit would reiterate during his yin classes to stop looking around or comparing yourself to your classmate whose <i>hanuman</i> is deeper or <i>surya </i>transitions are smoother. When a teacher would say mind your own mat space, I applied it outside the mat. And you know what? I felt so much better and I have no resentment for that person's success. Rather than say that I failed life because all my former classmates are doctors travelling to this and that country and have kids and all, I would focus that I am a healthy person with no major illnesses, my students love me, I have a client base who are loyal to my services and I am a good furmom to my cats who are healthy (and a bit overweight) and happy and I am giving back to society by helping animals in need and reducing single-use waste. After all, success isn't solely measured by properties or fat bank accounts.<br />
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<b>Get more nutrients in your system.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNTw0m2Uva7tNSk-yxKf4mFokjuBG7IQ1k4BG4JnRn0f0fT9H8nMqtU1V4jhKSuwq4xhB8KuSuFS52cLx2L6LXAMiXC2nmnCACgPFF6Ce6qyeo5YUheT3ddm5Etzf0hFTrye-_2FHHV6N/s1600/IMG_20190613_073744_452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1075" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNTw0m2Uva7tNSk-yxKf4mFokjuBG7IQ1k4BG4JnRn0f0fT9H8nMqtU1V4jhKSuwq4xhB8KuSuFS52cLx2L6LXAMiXC2nmnCACgPFF6Ce6qyeo5YUheT3ddm5Etzf0hFTrye-_2FHHV6N/s320/IMG_20190613_073744_452.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthier food choices (pho over burgers) and Propan Fit to keep my nutrients in check</td></tr>
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I've noticed how my energy is better when I'm meal prepping despite hopping from one engagement to the other. I've incorporated easier ways to meal plan. If I'm stuck in a recipe rut, I log on to Pinterest or YouTube for new recipes to try. I also up the nutrient intake with supplements, especially when I don't get to cook. Supplements don't have to come from super expensive and hard-to-find stores. We can find affordable multivitamins in our favorite Watsons store to fit our dietary needs.<br />
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<b>Dedicate a few extra minutes to look good before you go out.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie98W1mciEOM0BRPilA3xNDdEJOIUpyQXNjjMVTGSG0JHK1IiKqucR2G80UQY4SQFGQDBEj5bcVsvl3mlusNiYUd7-JlWKNSmiM2gWhl1Ny3XbjXhyKcUxjk3gwhqoKmgzTVUhGdpmUF2N/s1600/20190113_202059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie98W1mciEOM0BRPilA3xNDdEJOIUpyQXNjjMVTGSG0JHK1IiKqucR2G80UQY4SQFGQDBEj5bcVsvl3mlusNiYUd7-JlWKNSmiM2gWhl1Ny3XbjXhyKcUxjk3gwhqoKmgzTVUhGdpmUF2N/s320/20190113_202059.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on 6 heads during a wedding yet making an effort to look good when in wedding guest mode.</td></tr>
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A tip I learned from a fellow late 30's person - before you go out, fix yourself because you will never know who you would run into - your boss, your former classmate, your ex, your frenemy, that IG celeb you look up to, Channing Tatum, Kit Harrington, etc. Now I don't mean to go all out like you look like you're gonna have a photoshoot when you're just gonna go across the street for some coffee, but just have a good basic formula makeup when going out and a red lipstick and hair tie in your purse. Sometimes, these little look upgrades make you feel better too about yourself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EPbrNkhOf5Ls_V7JvsW8duzZpufufLMk7GjXdgBd-bvxNVQa-wDITAZjnEn0C64kepKzrzDRDuoLw1n70U8mY0C1T1Qxqy4HymVsM6URcbPNcn2qGOy-7hauZt713FpprMpwrP81s-sG/s1600/20190621_185531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1435" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0EPbrNkhOf5Ls_V7JvsW8duzZpufufLMk7GjXdgBd-bvxNVQa-wDITAZjnEn0C64kepKzrzDRDuoLw1n70U8mY0C1T1Qxqy4HymVsM6URcbPNcn2qGOy-7hauZt713FpprMpwrP81s-sG/s1600/20190621_185531.jpg" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">switching to Dentiste toothpaste </td></tr>
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You also might want to reassess your products and upgrade them to suit your needs since as you get older, we might need to up our skin and hair care. My dentist recently told me to switch my toothpaste to something better for my teeth and gums. I'm now currently using Dentiste toothpaste (available at Watsons).<br />
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<b>Have some time off.</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxhCa8tdTBiKTMnYEmInNdcVrkzlQM1Yac8nldQlUerkJhMvtYASWXFNrPYBuF2uWHb3e41p9u1SBUIP1kgCyIjicsIfdqKg8r4Kuwog4_KmaXGyP9AsJnc8zoPKch61xyF_8ARdPbLuu/s1600/20190621_185243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxhCa8tdTBiKTMnYEmInNdcVrkzlQM1Yac8nldQlUerkJhMvtYASWXFNrPYBuF2uWHb3e41p9u1SBUIP1kgCyIjicsIfdqKg8r4Kuwog4_KmaXGyP9AsJnc8zoPKch61xyF_8ARdPbLuu/s320/20190621_185243.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">companions when I meditate:<br />
singing bowl<br />
The Crafty Cat PH soy candle<br />
crystal for the day<br />
Freshko lavender temple and neck roll-on (available at Watsons) to calm the senses</td></tr>
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Despite the fact that I'm super on-the-go, I've come to terms that I'm an extremely introverted person. I need my solo time in order to recharge. I love being at home. My time-off is usually spent at home with my cats taking a break from workouts and doing my non-monetary crafting projects. I don't even turn on the television. I also do this when I have high-energy projects like talks, fashion shows, or attend events. I need these little silent moments to keep sane. It's like a yin yoga from life. You can also travel, attend retreats, spend a few moments in prayer or worship, or even disable your social media account for a period of time.<br />
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I realize that there's only so much I can do and what my bank account can manage to stop the course of time from happening. Later on, blondie will be gray and I may have to change up the wardrobe to fit a more <i>tita</i>-fied body type. However, that doesn't mean that I should be a shadow of my former self. I could still have that same spirit still, a bit titafied and dealing with less B.S. and more self-care. I wasn't able to treat people during this year's birthday, I hope this could be my birthday treat to you guys because we can be in our 40s or 60s and even 80s and not be <i>lelang</i> or <i>loshang</i>. We may be those <i>titas</i> drinking sangrias dressed in Uniqlo and wearing more feet-friendly footwear instead of the heels we wore in our 20s but we could still be ageless and have that energy and vibrancy our youth has. Also, if we all could have that outlook where we uplift each other or inspire each other and not let unecessary B.S. affect how we live our lives, can we imagine how much healthier, and happier our lives are? Let's make this lifetime count and live it happily and healthily. I hope that today I inspired each and everyone of you. Take care of yourself and love yourself. Your loved ones will thank you for it.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-9383499204234251562019-06-20T15:30:00.001+08:002019-06-20T15:30:36.227+08:00How I Got My Cat Fix In Japan<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(This is part 3 of my series of my #kawaiitothekitties post from our October Japan trip)</span></i><br />
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I'm a cat lady through and through and I can't deny it. So as you can see, part of the things I would want to see in Japan are - the CATS!!!! Japan is practically Asia's neko capital. There's even an <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/03/a-visit-to-aoshima-a-cat-island-in-japan/386647/">island</a> where there are more cats than people. Hmmm... this is an island I would want to be in! I love my babies back home but it's also nice to make new furry friends around the world.<br />
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A pleasant kitty surprise came on Day 2 of our stay when we chanced upon East Ikebukuro Central Park. It's located right next to Sunshine City, which is like a small mall somewhat like Podium or Rockwell. We discovered this after having coffee and taking photos at the terrace of Sunshine City. We saw there was a park next door and took a look. Then surprise surprise, it had a number of cute and fat kitties.<br />
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It's literally a very chill park (chill too because it's autumn) and it's super quiet. I see students reviewing their lessons after school, older people getting some fresh air, and even those who are working taking a quick smoke break.<br />
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It was practically an outdoor cat cafe open 24/7 available to the public no need for entrance fee. There are cats walking around the park and scrambling on the bushes. They are also very friendly. Some allowed me to pat their heads and stroke their backs. There are some lap cats who were cuddling with some humans all wrapped and bundled in their coats and shawls. I saw also several people play with them and some locals were feeding the cats and giving them treats. They had collars and from how they behaved, they seem to be used to people and are treated very well.<br />
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When I did my research about the place, reviews and travel blogs mentioned the cats a lot. The Japanese clearly love their nekos and even if these cats were strays, they were well taken care of and loved. Kinda wish it was the same here too.<br />
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Also, one thing I noticed, the cats there are fat to the point that Candy looked so normal-sized compared to them. It looks like they have been spayed and neutered too because I don't see kittens loitering around anywhere.<br />
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Just a few steps away was <a href="http://www.nekorobi.jp/english/">Nekorobi cat caf</a>e located at Toshima, Tokyo. They have really friendly cats and yes, they are also open on weekdays. Before spending time at the cat cafe, we were given instructions to leave our shoes at the door, our belongings at the locker (with keys), and also wash and sanitize our hands before we play with the cats. We originally settled for a short time stay of 30 minutes to play with the cats for 800 Yen but we had so much fun and they were so cute we decided to extend our stay. Even if the cats were in their sleepytime mode, they still allowed us to pet them and play with them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peko being a cat giving me ultimate judgement</td></tr>
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You also know what's funny? The cats in Japan do not respond to our usual "swswswswswswsws". Believe me, I've tried. But they are so funny they are so used to gigil play and some of the cats liked being patted near their tails. They would even arch their backs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlNhMFT-s77bbm_hIy9wFIHVAMKwJcHH4jOIrgLKoOdIKSKT-_dEnxz2YjekxV7LYiAkiDaSMcijFRu4O7YDYFk1iWc7v3oBYYuQDNo_BudK6wYrXOKwEMo1c56zB5BZuBQKIP8z3ICkj/s1600/20181029_171644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlNhMFT-s77bbm_hIy9wFIHVAMKwJcHH4jOIrgLKoOdIKSKT-_dEnxz2YjekxV7LYiAkiDaSMcijFRu4O7YDYFk1iWc7v3oBYYuQDNo_BudK6wYrXOKwEMo1c56zB5BZuBQKIP8z3ICkj/s320/20181029_171644.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kurosuke: Loooove meeee foreign cat lady</td></tr>
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Among the cats at Nekorobi, I bonded most with Kurosuke (I also found the name cute). He's this super cute gray Minuet cat that looked like a giant dust bunny when lying down. I even named one of my cat plushies Kurosuke.<br />
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Fukomori was also an adorable bebi. He was all cheeks!!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNzWYFvVVQP5Pg8iPLFoZMy9QbIXTZtGKVoyU7PB3Li0dljpoKGwnX7k5QIqVBF8tjIPe5Rw2Ap3PdjgCEoMKwIzc_DYukFlKt2zjT7x5n32eLcdJNyHnRknFi33jWgfyLjy1XSkWTXes/s1600/20181029_173339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNzWYFvVVQP5Pg8iPLFoZMy9QbIXTZtGKVoyU7PB3Li0dljpoKGwnX7k5QIqVBF8tjIPe5Rw2Ap3PdjgCEoMKwIzc_DYukFlKt2zjT7x5n32eLcdJNyHnRknFi33jWgfyLjy1XSkWTXes/s320/20181029_173339.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sofi is also this gorgeous and regal cat that sat down like a princess.<br />
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I was contemplating on going there on our last day but I decided against it because it would be like saying byebye to the cute Nekorobi kitties and I would definitely cry. I followed them in Instagram to keep updated with my new kitty friends.<br />
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Also, I love how the staff of Nekorobi cat cafe was super helpful in answering questions and even understood when I asked them if we could extend our time at the cafe. They were even playing with the cats as well and helping out the other customers. I guess they were just shy with us, being foreigners and me all cooing with my cat lady self.<br />
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As an added bonus for my cat lady fix, we bought our babies pasalubongs such as toys from Don Quixote and cat treats, which they absolutely loved. The first-ever pasalubong we bought our babies though? I'm not sure if they loved it but I love taking photos of them wearing these.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8NrRnIVOfqVef2Xyx6u9LPvByKAXIi70wnLLnMokeYip4h9lobS55VbVJqzAQvTFygSjIYWuc1u4Skt1_RoCMWEsNu0HhT2hlUCfxEPYCJb5CXwGEKFwut94KfFHclfmpHLfKKtyNAuv/s1600/20181029_192952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8NrRnIVOfqVef2Xyx6u9LPvByKAXIi70wnLLnMokeYip4h9lobS55VbVJqzAQvTFygSjIYWuc1u4Skt1_RoCMWEsNu0HhT2hlUCfxEPYCJb5CXwGEKFwut94KfFHclfmpHLfKKtyNAuv/s320/20181029_192952.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I don't think the models of the product liked their jobs too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkAhW1gWUHjozzKmLpwFrMllnvgTPBrrO20dv0rNhE3tlYLqFMJeNm0ldZ9tEN0HaSXhMegOHGoSvUB30JrB8_o0VndEIw1vGpNeoqGQCZHWk07DxHaH_fmv7X7QerY97vT0kSOT9XPX2/s1600/IMG_20181106_221407_218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkAhW1gWUHjozzKmLpwFrMllnvgTPBrrO20dv0rNhE3tlYLqFMJeNm0ldZ9tEN0HaSXhMegOHGoSvUB30JrB8_o0VndEIw1vGpNeoqGQCZHWk07DxHaH_fmv7X7QerY97vT0kSOT9XPX2/s320/IMG_20181106_221407_218.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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Sebastian, inasmuch as he loves me so much was not amused at this. They loved the treats and toys though.<br />
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Being a cat person, omigod Japan was such heaven for me. So much cat-themed anything and cats all over. One thing I also like with this place is the marriage of greenery and city. I'm not too much of a green all nature fan because you know me I'm such a city person but I actually found their parks kind of refreshing as in it's super quiet with everyone doing their own thing. I took lots of photos and IG photos, yoga photos and doll photos. People were having picnics, kids were playing, and there's this group doing acro yoga stuff and it's all good.<br />
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I really was missing my babies during their stay cation but these cat fixes got me my fair share of cat fur on my clothes. When I come back, I will probably know the Japanese version of "swswswswsws."<br />
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Nekorobi Cat Cafe is located at <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−28−28番1号 タクトT・Oビル 301号室 </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">check out their site at </span></span><a href="http://www.nekorobi.jp/english/">http://www.nekorobi.jp/english/</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-56637208435847643262019-03-24T13:04:00.004+08:002019-03-28T18:53:23.679+08:00Underwear That #FeelsLikeFreedomInasmuch as we plan our outfits for the day or for a period of travel, apart from the outerwear we use, we should always take into consideration what we wear underneath. I found myself leaning towards black and skintone underwear when I got older. This was because those are the staples in a professional model's bag and wardrobe. During pole recitals, there would even be an underwear check - to make sure that there are no frilly ruffles or stars or cartoon character printed underwear peeking through pole shorts. Besides, no matter how gorgeous that dress is if you're wearing bad or ill-fitting underwear, it just loses the sense of it all.<br />
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Visible panty lines, bunching straps, and uncomfortable pinchy wires could definitely make or break you. That is why good underwear matters, even if it's not shown. When you are uncomfortable picking wedgies or fixing straps, it really shows. It's really important to find a pair that's comfortable and most of all affordable. Unfortunately, good underwear that's affordable is quite hard to find, sometimes costing more than the actual dress worn. In these frugal times, sometimes it takes a while to buy that bra which costs thousands when it costs more than your outfit.<br />
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I was glad though when I received a pack from Avon's latest collection: Body Illusions underwear which is powered by Invisilite technology and boasts underwear that's lite, seamless, and limitless that anyone of any age would wear it - the teener that's starting to wear bras to the corporate mogul who needs to look presentable and proper for meetings, the pole dancer and fashion model who has always to be wardrobe malfunction-free all the time during performances and shows, and the regular woman who wants to look good and feel good with what she wears underneath her OOTD.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DQWOt9hXZ9bicEzY3e_zxO9jq4bJDjk3v1jSAwme7NqWkD8njoNS-1zzDshZh1tbehl7-zKu1jRMteLKtK8WLNkb3CxJXaSdRV1M4kfj2caqyZRtw470g3z8KtIdKXcZGxTi7OPqFGCl/s1600/Charlene+Full+Body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7DQWOt9hXZ9bicEzY3e_zxO9jq4bJDjk3v1jSAwme7NqWkD8njoNS-1zzDshZh1tbehl7-zKu1jRMteLKtK8WLNkb3CxJXaSdRV1M4kfj2caqyZRtw470g3z8KtIdKXcZGxTi7OPqFGCl/s320/Charlene+Full+Body.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlene Bra in Tuscany (nude)</td></tr>
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The Body Illusions underwear collection comes in two styles: The wired Charlene Underwire Seamless bra and Panty available in Tuscany (a more nude skintone color). I got the Charlene bra and even though it had wires, the wires were not pinching.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUydIfHmf8-qfwFyJLAZKRH6xP9XMW6acjr0998kUKsIjJtr08niypchQj1TSzUKv-f1wP5NW0MjJoc8xI2ns0mjotcxM0gICtAJsc1WiH1yIaqtTqu2iXzsPDfqMcbQem3Zp9s5ELX-3X/s1600/Charlene+Bra+Soft+Touch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUydIfHmf8-qfwFyJLAZKRH6xP9XMW6acjr0998kUKsIjJtr08niypchQj1TSzUKv-f1wP5NW0MjJoc8xI2ns0mjotcxM0gICtAJsc1WiH1yIaqtTqu2iXzsPDfqMcbQem3Zp9s5ELX-3X/s320/Charlene+Bra+Soft+Touch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">laser-cut edges for no marks even in the tightest catsuit you would like to wear</td></tr>
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The fabric glides on like butter with no straps digging to my shoulder or showing through clothes. It literally felt like second skin. The foam cups did not feel or look fake at all. Even though this was a wired bra, it felt comfortable with no pinching or digging wires - and this is coming from someone who is a sports bra kind of girl.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgc-nmkjvRTCrWHz7xk10u4glxq4-W-4q-ZoOOZEZfKMcPuHQVok9iqhpO4nhrhqDPd2GotQKcU4owK_Z97DPPj-kgQQw37nrlfxKWrIBVA0rJWUT6kQj5lHg-Qchv2T3DA7j_y4GL2iNE/s1600/Sonia+Full+Body.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgc-nmkjvRTCrWHz7xk10u4glxq4-W-4q-ZoOOZEZfKMcPuHQVok9iqhpO4nhrhqDPd2GotQKcU4owK_Z97DPPj-kgQQw37nrlfxKWrIBVA0rJWUT6kQj5lHg-Qchv2T3DA7j_y4GL2iNE/s320/Sonia+Full+Body.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sonia Bra in Pink Blush</td></tr>
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The Sonia bra (available in pink blush) is for those who do not like wires and have that sports bra-like vibe because you wear it by pulling it on like a t-shirt instead of hooking it at the back. It still has the same buttery, silky second skin kind of feel. You can even use a set for the perfect bridal boudoir photo (throw in a robe for good measure).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Rw0VM0aAUtuE7SyHnUUbj5Qa3dYBNA5S8iDvEvLAK5tHr_Vut96WopDVexewD98IeYpTYEESgm7TSl0u2oheFc3q4KbN5Q8840rjN_QaYLaVGJjIdlnrvVQxIWsSgLM0bVXnKOISY7_/s1600/20190317_135325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29Rw0VM0aAUtuE7SyHnUUbj5Qa3dYBNA5S8iDvEvLAK5tHr_Vut96WopDVexewD98IeYpTYEESgm7TSl0u2oheFc3q4KbN5Q8840rjN_QaYLaVGJjIdlnrvVQxIWsSgLM0bVXnKOISY7_/s320/20190317_135325.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridal boudoir feels with Avon Fashions Body Ilusion underwear after Jinky's bridal makeup masterclass.<br />
makeup by Jinky Ureta</td></tr>
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I'm very tricky and picky with panties as I have chunky thighs and buns (thanks to squats and plies and teacher Paulo reminding me never to skip leg day). The thing I didn't like with no VPL panties is that they are so thin that I feel they would rip apart under my yoga pants during splits. This, however, was made of sturdy material that still glides on the skin super smoothly. It literally feels like nothing and looks like nothing - even at the tightest of tight leggings and yoga pants. I didn't even feel like my panty was riding down that I have to keep on pulling them up. It stayed put where it is supposed to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4JsnHGMQIRimsX96qZF70MxgxU31RoLvq3h1aB600M5tj2eWr0ZsUDSR_V3QjHRvUk0hUfPYZ-wWouQzoiI0gwwK67zcgzP8y18rJVRXuwClZZsM4wA3qXZaXJyg00e90rtMH26eqM3T/s1600/20190317_191947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4JsnHGMQIRimsX96qZF70MxgxU31RoLvq3h1aB600M5tj2eWr0ZsUDSR_V3QjHRvUk0hUfPYZ-wWouQzoiI0gwwK67zcgzP8y18rJVRXuwClZZsM4wA3qXZaXJyg00e90rtMH26eqM3T/s320/20190317_191947.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go and wear tight yoga pants with no lines. </td></tr>
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For those who wear dresses that are tight at the hip and bum area, this is your best bet. If you are an everyday leg day kind of person like I am, you would be happy to know that this is a panty that will not leave you picking on wedgies. So go ahead and show off your gams and buns without unsightly VPLs getting in the way. This is also workout-friendly as I've tested this during flexibility training - did not bunch, rip, or tear at all. Also, no unsightly peek-a-boo moment in my tiny pole shorts/yoga shorts. So to my pole buddies, this is pole-friendly and Stellar recital approved.<br />
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So how does this fare with your budget? Not bad at Php 899 for the bra and Php 299 for the panty. They have a variety of sizes from S-XL. The bras also come in bigger sizes (36C, 38B, and 40B). I definitely would want to get the Sonia Non-Wire soon after hearing good reviews about it.<br />
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Care is also easy because these babies work best as handwashed with gentle detergent, so yay for those who travel. Just be sure to store your Sonia or Charlene bra in those bra cases you buy at the mall for the bra to keep its shape in your luggage or wardrobe.<br />
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If you Konmari-d your closet and you are looking to overhaul your underwear drawer with the more versatile basics, this is your best bet for comfort, durability, and versatility. It doesn't cost much as other high-quality underwear so you could get more than one or not feel bad about wearing underwear that costs way more than your dress. I swear my favorite happens to be the panty which feels nice on the skin and totally did not budge with my workout.<br />
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If you would like your own set, Avon Fashions Body Illusion is available at <a href="http://avonshop.ph/">avonshop.ph</a> or at <a href="https://www.zalora.com.ph/">Zalora</a>.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-14928247870074700652019-03-19T23:47:00.001+08:002019-03-21T22:23:44.527+08:00Bambikitty X SoapmakingHey all! So much things have been going on and whaddya know that the first two months of the year are over and we are here in March. So much has been going on with life lately that I haven't really sat down and wrote entries. I started the year pretty nicely and I really hope it means that it would carry on for the rest of the year. I'm currently in the process to adjusting to new schedules as I started teaching actively again in Yoga For Life after my self-induced -ber month break as -ber months suck the life out of me and I also added a new class in a new shala to my roster of classes. Like a friend told me, I hardly had time for myself, and sometimes, sitting down for a few minutes in front of the PC and really writing things down helps me slow things a bit and get me to reflect (and perfect, it's Mercury Retrograde. Time to reflect).<br />
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Speaking of Retrograde, how has Mercury Retrograde affected you? I've noticed that lately they've been really unkind to me. Before it was quite manageable, but last year and this year, it's been quite horrible. I don't know if I started being more sensitive to these things or what. This one is crazy. There was a day Facebook and IG would act up, then phone connections acted up, then confusion, omigod. Just a few minutes ago, I had a panic regarding my tax deadlines and then when I clarified it, I was mistaken. Whew! I got scared for like 10 minutes at 3 am. And really, from the word "retrograde" I should really just re-tract, re-flect, and re-connect. Funny thing though, when I checked my zodiac, that's what it said. I'm not really an astrology expert nor do I follow horoscopes to the letter but somehow, when my gut feel tells me so and from past experience when making <i>rampa </i>just messes up life during this time, I'd rather not. Take it slow. </div>
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As my crafting is literally a form of moving meditation, that's what I've been doing for this whole period. I'm starting to re-connect back to fitness as well and trying to get into regular workouts as life has gotten me being lazy 80% of the time. I try to vary my workouts so my body doesn't plateau. My crafting is also a way of re-connecting because I was doing that even before blogging or makeup started. It just took a back seat because of life happenings like work or busyness (sometimes drama) but thankfully, crafting has found a reinassance in today's very hipster era of Pinterest and DIY. Anyway, that's what I've been doing lately so if you follow my IG you see me doing crochet work (I DIY-ed my hats, gloves, and scarves during the Japan trip), doll crafts, the toys I make for the baby kitties, etc. Just recently, I got into soapmaking. Yes. I now make my own soap.</div>
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So how did I get started into it? I started because I saw how sometimes my skin would get red and patchy from certain brands of commercial soap. At first, I thought it was okay but then I was like, "Hey, this never happened before!" Even if I would switch brands, I would often find a bit of rough and red patches on my skin. When a friend of mine who got into soapmaking started selling her soaps, I bought because 1) I wanted to support her businesses and of course, as a small business owner myself, I would do so. 2) #lovelocal 3) I thought it might save my skin and believe me, it really did. It had that pole-friendly feel (unslippy skin is a pole must) yet it didn't leave my skin itchy and raw. When I switched over to handmade and more natural processed soaps, my skin has been better. Since I use those soaps most of the time anyway and seeing how fun and fulfilling it must be, I thought, why not start to make my own too? Besides, it jives with the yoga lifestyle as well.</div>
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After asking around for soapmaking workshops, I found one at the recommendation of my friend at Satinka Naturals in Kamagong, Makati. This location was perfect because it's super near and the price is affordable. The shop had a very quaint hipster apothecary vibe that serves really good food and coffee. The workshop was taught by the owner of the shop herself.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeHuS4ymRusdBEloChun4PknnpMYwsv_nkGid_zmjkAofDgNyttPVvsJF-M5s4gwZ4VpCJoP6ysT1vOy5ph0HFh4bY85UTAexKw28kettyXz12kKzm9O_dFSL3sZHgcn7YkfiwMkeBF9x/s1600/20190210_102548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeHuS4ymRusdBEloChun4PknnpMYwsv_nkGid_zmjkAofDgNyttPVvsJF-M5s4gwZ4VpCJoP6ysT1vOy5ph0HFh4bY85UTAexKw28kettyXz12kKzm9O_dFSL3sZHgcn7YkfiwMkeBF9x/s320/20190210_102548.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">handmade soap by Satinka Naturals</td></tr>
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Soap is basically a combination of butters and oils (basically fat) combined with a lye (sodium hydroxide) solution. You let their molecules come together to have a party until you have this cake batter-like substance that hardens in time. The fragrance, extracts, and additives are just icing on the cake (and sometimes handmade soap does look like cake). Sounds simple right? It's a lot more than that apparently. Soapmaking I found out is both an art and science. It is an art because you make an artwork with your soap and a science because it involves chemical reactions (it's basically a very pretty smelling chem experiment) and a lot of Math. I mean if you look at my soaping notebook right now, it's got more numbers than words. During soapmaking, three things are totally ingrained in my head: to never, ever use aluminum in soaping (aluminum reacts with lye to produce a very toxic and flammable hydrogen gas), be careful (but not scared) of lye, and lastly, to have separate gear for soaping and cooking. So yea, I literally had to buy a kitchen extension after, lol. </div>
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We also learned how to formulate our own recipes such as a combination of oils, the proper ratio to get the kind of soap we want, and what ingredients are good for certain conditions. I also learned to use the term "natural" soap instead of "organic" soap. Organic apparently refers to the product or the actual ingredient. So if you say "organic", you picked the produce from the tree or harvested it and didn't use pesticides or hormones. But since we already processed those fruits or vegetables and used oils, extracts, and stuff, the term we should use is "natural". To say "organic" shampoo means to pick the shampoo bottle from a tree and use it. I think a proper term is natural process soap/shampoo using organic products (in case they used organic coffee/ milks, etc).</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P4Dl_xRzCUW5yRay74X7cuxdL1ZUXoxPs8gc_CZXegZEMBPHPJWzg4203K4ZDqRDjkcDIyPAvNE5gqlHmAU32t10he8S74azOt0-qjXe0UocJCy35ExweQm6Xw7WK7vEO_XORHo5UVh5/s1600/20190210_160337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7P4Dl_xRzCUW5yRay74X7cuxdL1ZUXoxPs8gc_CZXegZEMBPHPJWzg4203K4ZDqRDjkcDIyPAvNE5gqlHmAU32t10he8S74azOt0-qjXe0UocJCy35ExweQm6Xw7WK7vEO_XORHo5UVh5/s320/20190210_160337.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cooking hot process soap</td></tr>
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We learned three ways of making soap - cold process, which doesn't use heat and which produces the swirls and cute designs we see in handmade soaps. It's nice because it requires less tools and produces the swirly things but curing time takes a month and a half. There's hot process which we cook the soap through the saponification process and "gel" phase and make the lye solution evaporate quicker so the soap is ready for use sooner. Lastly, there's glycerin soap, which is a gentle soap for babies and face and we also learned how to make this from scratch. Glycerin soap is also the base for melt-and-pour soaps sold in craft shops. </div>
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At first, I was a cold process loyalist because I wasn't fond of heat in a tropical country. But after delving into hot process, I'm a convert of hot process now (my teacher Satinka prefers this too and now I know why). Turnover is faster and it's more efficient. Plus what I love about HP (hot process) is that cleaning is much better and less wasteful. The slow cooker I used to cook my soap batter in practically became self-cleaning because the batter residue has already become sudsy soap and not a mixture of oils and lye. I didn't need to use a lot of detergent and water to clean out oil residue or mop out soap batter with a lot of paper towels. The only sad thing I have about it is that I can't get as artsy with my soap designs. But honestly, I like the rustic and more handmade look of hot process soap.</div>
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The disadvantage I have though with handmade soap is that it's meltier than the commercial soap we buy in the grocery. I've noticed that even with those handmade soaps that I buy. The reason for this is that handmade soap does not contain hardeners and extenders. As a bar of soap from the grocery would sometimes last me weeks or even months (I know, right?), handmade soap lasts for a week or maybe just even a few days. However, at least I know what's in my soap and that there are no extenders or added chemicals that can cause more irritation on the body. </div>
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It, however, does take a lot of planning and formulation. We were taught how to formulate our own recipes and not rely on being super dependent on recipes online. If you want to make a soap on Christmas that looks like cake or muffins, you start as early as June with the execution because that would be a cold process soapmaking procedure. For cold process soaps, you can't use them right away since you have to wait for the lye to completely evaporate from the soap. There are some soapmaking processes that take 2 days to make if you plan to infuse oils or do layers like soap within a soap kind of thing. And just in case the first attempt doesn't come out right, you have proper lead time to get t right until Christmas comes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5GqJ9ve6RqD2dWFi3m0aPvEBsWu_DhdWnfePP0qt8bWOo2RynNA4sPRIiqbkkU4Eghy9zg9oGyZArhCUAgCP_Mn41yJpM4Oh_sPYn52I6iBKAeDE4e1p5vkC3xfRYN4LhxlicJp8deUO/s1600/20190221_112318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5GqJ9ve6RqD2dWFi3m0aPvEBsWu_DhdWnfePP0qt8bWOo2RynNA4sPRIiqbkkU4Eghy9zg9oGyZArhCUAgCP_Mn41yJpM4Oh_sPYn52I6iBKAeDE4e1p5vkC3xfRYN4LhxlicJp8deUO/s320/20190221_112318.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boldy-Boldy - the first cold process soap I made<br />
I called this Boldy-Boldy because it's fragrance and colorant free</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I remember my first ever soap I made on my own, I stick-blended so much that my batter got so thick it looked more like mashed potatoes than cake batter and I had to glop it in the mold like oatmeal instead of pouring it in. I've had soaps that stuck to expectations and soaps that didn't turn out as expected. As some of my soapmaking friends stuck to cold process and found how it worked for them, I found more success in my hot process attempts for usable and pretty soap.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI-yfRutq57jIJvaxNTOGY5xNJADPSddMGTii48XV_X9n-nPiPo9oA6aUQiAChSWUFC1iMFiaje7HrUL2vVrGlR6POVxPQvF5-Dlf9bNki0vXiQpg1hs_66Qsia8dWtEhL2p5mRGYZxB5/s1600/20190319_102004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI-yfRutq57jIJvaxNTOGY5xNJADPSddMGTii48XV_X9n-nPiPo9oA6aUQiAChSWUFC1iMFiaje7HrUL2vVrGlR6POVxPQvF5-Dlf9bNki0vXiQpg1hs_66Qsia8dWtEhL2p5mRGYZxB5/s320/20190319_102004.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all soaps that I made</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Part of retaining the craft I learned is to practice it more often. Just like dance, you need the muscle memory so you don't forget it. Plus also, I make more bars for selling. The selling part came unexpectedly when I started posting my soaps and I've gotten inquiries. So funny though, I never thought of selling my food but soaps I am good. Another funny thing is that I never owned a slow cooker ever. I just started using one when I made soap. </div>
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It certainly is an art and science and pretty much you'll see more posts of my creations. I'm putting up as of the moment an online shop of all my crafts (that's why I've been making a lot of stuff lately!). Selling it wasn't really expected but when I got inquiries about my handmade soaps after posting them online, I thought of giving it a try. After all, we do need clean at one point. Once it's fully up, I will announce details here soon. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-20375544110428683572018-12-27T23:38:00.002+08:002018-12-28T12:30:25.391+08:00Tokyo Travel Beauty Must-HavesDuring my recent Tokyo trip, I originally decided to bring more makeup than I would usually bring. I wanted to go a bit extra in Tokyo since it would be my first temperate destination in a long while since US in 2005 (I am so undertravelled, so I'm claiming travelling energies right now!) so I thought I could wear more and not worry about my MOTD sliding off my face. Besides, I also wanted to YOLO and go like a Harajuku girl and have a crazy OOTD photo in the famous Harajuku lane.<br />
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However, that first morning in Tokyo when I was about to get my makeup, I discovered a boo-boo. The makeup pouch which contained my eyeshadow primer, concealer, lip and cheek tint, cream blush, contour, and highlight powder and my hair serum was all the way in my bedside table way back Manila. LOL. I was left with just the basics. Well, at least better thaan nothing, eh?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxkxo2MQRBP9jW0h8ajd2sKxOWRze4QkHA2uQdMvF_79CiAIqn0dbq1Vrsbuj0CcElFAzjOkFm25LvGm3ZRAw0JwVo5Yj9LfuudbkWBEXjdrAGxsGCjfxbRiZ3XFjZmteIRsy8SvYDhJ9/s1600/20181031_184155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1186" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxkxo2MQRBP9jW0h8ajd2sKxOWRze4QkHA2uQdMvF_79CiAIqn0dbq1Vrsbuj0CcElFAzjOkFm25LvGm3ZRAw0JwVo5Yj9LfuudbkWBEXjdrAGxsGCjfxbRiZ3XFjZmteIRsy8SvYDhJ9/s320/20181031_184155.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surviving my travel face with the makeup I have</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, so that's my packing boo-boo. Thankfully, being in one of Asia's beauty hubs, I was also able to make emergency purchases while maximizing what I have. When I got home in Manila, I also discovered a few amazing beauty must-haves I can take in my next travel so I still look like a person in my travel photos. I was also thankful temperate weather allows my hair to cooperate making it look like I have a hairstylist with me all the time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZewga6ujmcYMRajP08Mkx2lYje-Z88O6REccuNOjfE43IaTsnU25_JgD6o4lTypOmRWTMlF_2Y49aenfr0618J9ZBSSrW6Lsm0lkpT4yxo0PDqQOPsQrvAh20lxSZ09RSWWSu96-fqUX/s1600/20181220_154718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZewga6ujmcYMRajP08Mkx2lYje-Z88O6REccuNOjfE43IaTsnU25_JgD6o4lTypOmRWTMlF_2Y49aenfr0618J9ZBSSrW6Lsm0lkpT4yxo0PDqQOPsQrvAh20lxSZ09RSWWSu96-fqUX/s320/20181220_154718.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">travel must-haves that I would pack on my next trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I was surprised and amused as our hotel in Japan was aware that there are female guests who are very particular with their skincare. Beauty travel kits containing eye cream, serum, cleansing oil, day cream, night cream, and other beauty paraphernaila are being sold at the front desk for 500 yen. However, if you're like me who already has her own personal stock of beauty products with her, read on for my essential beauty travel must-haves.<br />
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<b>Brow pens</b> - I was so relieved I didn't forget my brow products. In fact, I had two with me! There was one in my handbag and another in my check-in luggage. Brows have gotten so much attention now whereas during the 90s, us <i>titas</i> would pluck them to death. My two brow products in hand are <a href="http://www.happyskincosmetics.com/generation-happy-skin/443-perfect-brows-long-lasting-liquid-pen-in-brown-051682.html">Happy Skin Perfect Brows Long Lasting Liquid Pen</a> (Php 399) and <a href="https://www.maybelline.com.ph/eye/brow/tattoo-brow-ink-pen">Maybelline Tattoo Brow Ink Pen</a>. They are both pen-type brow liners which give natural-looking brows for #<i>kilayislife</i> realness that looks like I had my brows professionally microbladed. I super love that both brow products are long lasting and waterproof. I actually bought that Maybelline Tattoo Brow Ink Pen after reading the <a href="https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/pregnancy/labor-and-childbirth/pinay-mom-gave-birth-inside-a-car-edsa-traffic-a00228-20180903">post </a>of the lady who gave birth in EDSA. If her brows can withstand a baby shower, labor, traffic, and childbirth, they can last you the entire day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NAE4X6J9pBvtAfBpcmVdJ2C4L5XIH0-kWu87Gi1pSWJUi8pvSPFzNpH_USc4nyt6n92a8o-J8NfIUsbjnPF3PW6f4pem6UECugumKP_BXeIOgo4MHq992xMeR83TMDC8gmz_viURPtc2/s1600/20181030_184611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="945" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NAE4X6J9pBvtAfBpcmVdJ2C4L5XIH0-kWu87Gi1pSWJUi8pvSPFzNpH_USc4nyt6n92a8o-J8NfIUsbjnPF3PW6f4pem6UECugumKP_BXeIOgo4MHq992xMeR83TMDC8gmz_viURPtc2/s320/20181030_184611.jpg" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still have my brows intact and shine-free freshness thanks to my trusted products</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>2-in-1 powder foundations</b> - I didn't have concealer with me but I was relieved that my Maybelline White Superfresh Two-Way Cake gave my skin an even finish while covering imperfections. It's also got UV protection because I forgot my face sunblock too at home. I normally use the small <a href="https://www.maybelline.com.ph/face/powder-foundation/white-superfresh-powder-foundation-refill">refill</a> packs which cost less than Php 200 to bring with me to travel because they save so much space and could even fit your jeans pocket.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bro-cCdh9Pn/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Fierce wing on Christmas? Yas! 🎁 K-Palette Real Lasting Strong Eyeliner doesn't smudge, budge or flake away. Available in all K-Palette counters nationwide and online at shop.beautyboxcorp.com, BeautyMNL, and Shopee. #KPalettePh #KPaletteStrongisBeautiful</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kpalette_ph/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> K-Palette Philippines</a> (@kpalette_ph) on <time datetime="2018-12-21T07:01:24+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 20, 2018 at 11:01pm PST</time></div>
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<b>Eyeliner-</b> This was my emergency purchase. I needed my eyeliner to make the eyes pop because without my primer, my eyeshadow palettes were practically nonsense. LOL. Thankfully, Japan was the land of K-Palette and this 1-day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner gave my eyes its much needed definition as well as give me effortless double-winged cat eye when I felt like going a bit extra with my makeup.<br />
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<b>Alcohol-free toner</b> - My skin would be drier so I needed toner that's gentle to the face. Even if it's a temperate country, toner helps prep the skin for makeup and care for it after a long day by cleansing and soothing the skin as well as balancing the pH level. Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner (I got this cute little travel-sized containers from the Beauty Bar K-Beauty <a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2018/09/k-beauty-now-available-at-beauty-bar.html">event</a>) cared for my skin without the sting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIKwNZXwVu2u0TVWsZlGCF9CPGIeR3gh_dIqZy3LZkzoLOtZyCdxabAamOkPqZ8WY8XjNpyS6FCmpRSZc6Mz0uBbPog1Es8AWpxFlkmrg-2jgTR630SQmjZU6hq5A2mkSYVVDIf4DsWCh/s1600/20181220_154804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIKwNZXwVu2u0TVWsZlGCF9CPGIeR3gh_dIqZy3LZkzoLOtZyCdxabAamOkPqZ8WY8XjNpyS6FCmpRSZc6Mz0uBbPog1Es8AWpxFlkmrg-2jgTR630SQmjZU6hq5A2mkSYVVDIf4DsWCh/s320/20181220_154804.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atomizer bottle from Beabi holding a bit of my MAC Fix+ Lavender </td></tr>
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<b>Travel-sized containers</b> - Travel-sized containers saved me so much luggage space when I have products I super cannot live without and bringing big jars and bottles isn't very practical. I bought travel-sized containers in Beabi for storing small amounts of body cream cream, day cream, and night cream). I also saved those sample-sized containers of cleansing oil I used to get from Shu Uemura events to hold my cleansing oil. I even brought a small atomizer bottle for my Fix+, so my makeup sets well and lasts all day.<br />
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<b>Lipsticks</b> - I was so glad I had my lipsticks with me. I don't bring my super duper limited edition lipsticks with me when I travel and if I did, I guard them with my life. Lipsticks brought color to my face since I practically had zero coloring products. Thankfully, those bright lippies made my face pop in photos but I also thought, hey, I can use my more neutral lipsticks as cheek cream blush too! I just blended them with my fingertips, makeup tools I automatically never forget.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Br4wA29AM3v/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Br4wA29AM3v/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">ICYMI: we've added two new holiday shades of the Kiss & Bloom Water Lip & Cheek Tints from the #KathXHappySkin collection! Here's @bernardokath wearing one of the shades, Tough, on her lips. 💋 Get these holiday tints in Tough (pinkish red) and Quirky (berry pink) as a set for only P598 at @shopeeph!</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/happyskin_ph/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Happy Skin Cosmetics®</a> (@happyskin_ph) on <time datetime="2018-12-27T10:03:13+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 27, 2018 at 2:03am PST</time></div>
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<script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
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<b>Lip and cheek tint</b> - I super love Happy Skin's Kiss and Bloom Water Lip and Cheek Tints from the KathXHappySkin collection (Php 299) for their universal shades flattering for every complexion. Sadly, I forgot my little tube in this trip but this definitely will make my travel kit in my next destination, whether it's a personal vacation or a work trip. It's super perfect and easy to apply.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDOV0RXagAoBo31Hodof7-QrqmPsK4WlanI_JT8RUsDb2tvB7FmvmKyctkk66aSYHInDC_QDkcrSuCDlphgVzDlPqJgDxx0tY5vbkIaNm1_5nG3idFrF0q9RHH8uhdmmbN9ePWwMr5e2B/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDOV0RXagAoBo31Hodof7-QrqmPsK4WlanI_JT8RUsDb2tvB7FmvmKyctkk66aSYHInDC_QDkcrSuCDlphgVzDlPqJgDxx0tY5vbkIaNm1_5nG3idFrF0q9RHH8uhdmmbN9ePWwMr5e2B/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple Micellar Cleansing Facial Wipes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Micellar wipes</b> - Sometimes after a long day, it can get too tiring to remove makeup from your face. Even if this is a temperate country where you don't sweat, you should! I discovered Simple Micellar Cleansing Facial Wipes (Php 249 for a pack) a few weeks ago and they are so making my travel kikay kit next time. These micellar wipes lift off dirt, grime, and makeup off your face without leaving any harsh ingredients, making this safe for those with sensitive skin. Even if this is gentle on the skin, I have proven that this can remove waterproof mascara and the hardiest brow makeup known to man. Best of all, it does not leave and slick oily residue. I can take this with me on the plane if I want to remove makeup that's been sitting on my face in long-haul flights.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzBb100Had8wQNP21goS2n6aNyxqy_Mnkd9s6wqfIy0mAAf4gEHl9jUOUCsFtyhandyAaE_kO6OoQfsxzpIJyRX_DhyVMjRyEsB86aLvEfkP95-vm6io1FBhNWFZsxDB7Jt_S2fjgMqTL/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzBb100Had8wQNP21goS2n6aNyxqy_Mnkd9s6wqfIy0mAAf4gEHl9jUOUCsFtyhandyAaE_kO6OoQfsxzpIJyRX_DhyVMjRyEsB86aLvEfkP95-vm6io1FBhNWFZsxDB7Jt_S2fjgMqTL/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple's newest product, the mask sheets (Php 89 per piece) give the skin its needed TLC in just 15 minutes</td></tr>
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<b>Mask sheets</b> - How did my skin not get scaly, patchy, and dry the whole time? I have my mask sheets to thank for making my skin glow in 11-degrees weather. Simple recently launched their mask sheets that are super affordable at Php89. You can even get a set of 3 for Php 199 and that's enough for a week's stay. Just slap one on on your face after cleansing and wake up to nice skin. Don't forget also to maximize the mask liquid on your rough spots like elbows, knees, and heels. Mask sheets are also perfect for long-haul flights where skin can get really dry and thirsty from exposure to recycled airplane air. This is so much more convenient than bringing a big tub of face mask.<br />
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<b>Cuticle balm</b> - It's not just your face that gets dry. You also can get dry nails and cuticles. I super love Posh Nails Cuticle balm (available at Posh Nails branches) because it made my nails look pretty decent for those IG photos even if I didn't have polish on. Best of all, it smells like chocolate!<br />
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Going on vacation does not mean your beauty routine needs to go on vacation too. You can still have your supple skin while on vacation and look good and glowing without bringing your entire bathroom using space-saving and multi-purpose products that really work. Although I did forget a chunk of my intended makeup to bring, I was able to pull off a good beauty and makeup routine that includes not just skin care but makeup and nail care. When I travel again, these (and a more complete beauty kit) are going in my bags.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Store Directory:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beabi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See www.beabi.com.ph for store details</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy Skin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">happyskincosmetics.com; facebook.com/happyskincosmetics; instagram.com/happyskin_ph</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">K-Palette</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">available at beauty bar, SM Department Stores, Rustan's Department Stores; instagram.com/kpalette_ph</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maybelline</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Available at all leading department stores and drugstores nationwide; maybelline.com.ph</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Posh Nails</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See poshnails.com.ph/location for store details;</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-88444671720842904502018-11-24T12:49:00.000+08:002018-11-24T12:49:07.988+08:00A Magical Day At Tokyo DisneylandThere's something with Disney that transcends generations. So when the occasion came for me to visit Tokyo, I wanted a trip to Disneyland. The last time I was in Disneyland was in California in 2002 and I had a marvelous time and didn't know how it happened but I managed to ride even roller coasters and thrill rides. I missed the happiness and even with people telling me to go to Disney Sea, as it was more for adults, I wanted to relive the nostalgia of my childhood first and went to Disneyland in Tokyo.<br />
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With Google Maps, it was easy to get to Tokyo Disneyland via train. Before going there, I already watched travel vlogs and ride walkthroughs so I could know where to go. To save time, we already bought our tickets ahead of time via <a href="http://klook.com/">Klook.com</a> and I downloaded the Tokyo Disneyland Wait Time App in my phone so we could plan out the rides and check out parade and character greeting schedules. To get there, you need to get to Maihama station and from there take a 6-minute walk to Disneyland, the happiest place on earth.<br />
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We go to Disneyland on a Tuesday, which was a relatively light weekday. In weekends, the park reaches maximum capacity. We were also lucky that it didn't rain and it was quite sunny (and a bit hot) during noontime.<br />
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The moment I saw Cinderalla's castle and Disney music started wafting on air, I cried. It was just the right time we got there because the Spooky Boo Parade (annual Halloween Parade) was about to start. As it was Halloween, the park was decorated with pumpkins and halloween decor. Guests even came in Disney-related costumes. When I mean Disney-related costumes I meant full gear, with wigs, makeup, and shoes. It was actually hard to distinguish who was the park guest and the cast member.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgampaCOH0XiTlT6XoFnpdMFzw0W20xyPehWgm-txsjPgy9RrmEbbkUjFKjXACtRrXTLjM9_xkKnHarq-EFlraEoYz5U89_0KFNwficcS-Ar2dIN6PU302Q8i1oP6XOeR7Cvzji2O5ljLed/s1600/20181030_110940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgampaCOH0XiTlT6XoFnpdMFzw0W20xyPehWgm-txsjPgy9RrmEbbkUjFKjXACtRrXTLjM9_xkKnHarq-EFlraEoYz5U89_0KFNwficcS-Ar2dIN6PU302Q8i1oP6XOeR7Cvzji2O5ljLed/s320/20181030_110940.jpg" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wore my Little Mermaid t-shirt for this occasion.<br />Next time, I'm going full gear.</td></tr>
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The Spooky Boo parade featured classic characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Chip and Dale in Halloween floats and cast members dressed like ghouls and skulls dancing.<br />
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Before the parade started, the cast members taught the guests a bit of choreography to join in. Since it was in Japanese, I couldn't understand it though but I watched the guests who did the choreography.<br />
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What I did notice in the parades was that everyone was sitting down. Even if there were lots of people watching the parade, it was very orderly and I was able to take decent photos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxuc9G8t2OvYvB7sGUiJG-oP2k_SRpXimPmPhT4-LJVs3BBSHe3SZht2lpcTjPkSN0c4Eh57wcADNOx68tLmMprR-u2Yjm0m5PfoFULGx0TXxsSHmBJBUPTGjT7pEd_Y4fOiFjyIA03l6/s1600/20181030_110252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxuc9G8t2OvYvB7sGUiJG-oP2k_SRpXimPmPhT4-LJVs3BBSHe3SZht2lpcTjPkSN0c4Eh57wcADNOx68tLmMprR-u2Yjm0m5PfoFULGx0TXxsSHmBJBUPTGjT7pEd_Y4fOiFjyIA03l6/s320/20181030_110252.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">check out the guests in full costume<br /></td></tr>
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Fantasyland had almost all the nostalgic Disney rides there. There was the Peter Pan's Flight, Snow White's Adventure, and Pinnochio ride there too. The first ride we had was It's a Small World, which had a relatively short wait time (25 minutes)<br />
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It's A Small World gets a different upgrade since popular Disney characters were included in the ride. I was able to spot Peter Pan, Lilo and Stitch, Moana, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Mulan, Mushu, and Ariel making cameos in Small World children form.<br />
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Of course, who wouldn't forget that sole Filipina every Pinoy takes photos of?<br />
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By the time the first ride was done, we were hungry. Since it wasn't lunchtime yet, we decided to get popcorn with an unusual flavor. Hence, the honey-flavored popcorn near Pooh's Hunny Hunt.<br />
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I was super surprised too that not only was there presence of very popular Disney characters and characters we see in Disney channel, even super throwback and lesser-known characters were there too. Guests dressed as them too. I was only able to take a photo with one character, Max Goof, from A Goofy Movie, which I used to watch.<br />
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I swear the cast members are the sweetest. They give super tight hugs to guests and even kiss the little children. A little girl even came back to give Alice a few more hugs.<br />
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There were lots of photo-op corners in the park, and interactive displays especially in Toon Town, which took you to a quirky land reminsicent of Roger Rabbit cartoons complete with sound effects. It was also in Toon Town where we watched the second parade of the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICY2nYKGVYmRF5Du-Ca9ehLsLW6xXQFU-ftyR_KQpTZtGQNwa62nI1Z36pVklmySHLigHsQXNp5yGQ5jSPRQYaMpqFndx8oq680qHt9bO8kTI38QZK6OpuT5b6yW_b6v4TbkI56nK9z9_/s1600/20181030_134940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1375" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICY2nYKGVYmRF5Du-Ca9ehLsLW6xXQFU-ftyR_KQpTZtGQNwa62nI1Z36pVklmySHLigHsQXNp5yGQ5jSPRQYaMpqFndx8oq680qHt9bO8kTI38QZK6OpuT5b6yW_b6v4TbkI56nK9z9_/s320/20181030_134940.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mickey!!!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
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When I was a little girl, I was quietly watching the parade. Now, I was waving back at the characters and singing with the songs and saying "Hi Minnie! Hi Mickey!!!!" But wait, am I not a cat person?<br />
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The main waterworks for me for this was the floats of the Disney Princesses. As a little girl, Cinderella was my Disney princess. Then, it became Ariel when The Little Mermaid came. When Frozen was shown, I added Queen Elsa to my list. Well, here I saw one of my princesses and I super waved at her.<br />
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A nod to modern-time Disney was this Baymax float<br />
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This is Peter Pan, the first person who showed us that adulting sucks.<br />
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I'm not really much of a roller coaster fan (lol, such a <i>tita</i>) and since this version of Tomorrowland was full of them, we decided to make our Tomorrowland experience to be where to have lunch. Park food can get quite expensive. However, it's also part of the experience. So what you can do is eat small bites or share food. That way, your tummy isn't super full so you can maximize your ride time too. I just had nuggets and a melon soda sugar churro that looked like a lightsaber. How does melon soda sugar churros taste like? Like Froot Loops. Not bad.<br />
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Also, even it was fall, it does get a bit hot during noon time. Have a reusable water bottle with you that you can fill up with water so you stay hydrated all the time.<br />
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Most of the afternoon was busy exploring the park and riding rides. One ride that we waited super long was The Haunted Mansion, which took 40 minutes. However, it wasn't much of a long wait because the mansion itself had a lot of decor to take photos of.<br />
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The Haunted Mansion takes a different spin because the ghost host happened to be Jack Skellington of Nightmare Before Christmas, and this feature would continue over at the Holidays. It was a total Tim Burton-fest with more creepy creatures and monsters, not just ghosts.<br />
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I also saw one of my favorite rides of my childhood - Splash Mountain.<br />
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Did anyone dare try ride this? I remember it not being super fast though with the thrill part being just the 52-feet drop.<br />
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Mark Twain Steamboat made me sing Pocahontas songs in my brain and took amazing photos of the sunset.<br />
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It captured autumn leaves and sunset colors at just the right moment. Honestly, it was a ride I would definitely ride twice.<br />
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While I was doing my Disney research, I came across the waffle cone. It does look like an ice cream cone but it wasn't as it was a steak and potatoes cone. For 500 Yen, you get this cute cone which had beef in yakiniku sauce and purple potato on top with a bit of cheese sauce.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not ice cream. </td></tr>
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At first I thought it was weird, but I wanted to try it since it seemed like a bestseller. It was pretty good actually. It would have made a good lunch or pre-fireworks snack. There was also maple churros as a special autumn food but since I already had my melon churros, I thought I would have just one churros for the day.<br />
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The Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland at Cinderella's castle had fountains, lights, pyrotechnic effects, and music show attractions and throwback Disney clips which got adults who have been going to Disneyland as kids sentimental. I guess this was the show/parade that made me cry a lot since I saw all the rides, even the rides I no longer ride and the cartoons I used to watch. This was the perfect feature that showed that the magic of Disney reaches many generations as it will definitely live in many people's hearts forever.<br />
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A day in Disneyland would not be complete without the Nighttime Parade. So another tip for those going to Disneyland, be prepared to stay until nighttime because these are shows you wouldn't want to miss. If you are bringing children, have them nap first in the afternoon because they would surely not want to miss this as well.<br />
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You get your usual Mickey and the gang, classic Disney characters like Alice, Pete's Dragon, and every little girl's favorite- The Princesses, from classics like Cinderella and Belle up to today's Rapunzel and Frozen. I was happy to see two of my Disney Princesses and even sang their songs with them.<br />
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I think I cried probably about 7 times in this visit. I cried at the park when I saw the entrance. I cried in all 3 parades and in Celebrate! I cried at It's a Small World. When the park was closing and we had to go home, I also cried. Even though that Disneyland was the "kiddie" version, I enjoyed every minute of it. Maybe the cold weather helped but I didn't realized that I walked so much steps in that day with no complaints at all. It was super nice to relive the nostalgia of Disney and just like Peter Pan, being a kid is super fun!<br />
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Is a Tokyo Disneyland trip worth visiting and returning to? Yes. They change every season and they have different character greetings every time. Maybe when I'm ready to grow up, I can go give Disney Sea a visit as well and see Ariel too. As Disney transcends many generations, It's a perfect place to bring your children. Don't forget to take plenty of photos and relive the magic and share it with your loved ones. Now that I know, maybe I'll level up my dress up a bit.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-65298875250480568842018-11-15T22:33:00.000+08:002018-11-15T22:33:15.771+08:00Happy Skin X Posh Nails Express Gel Polish Collaboration Our hands reflect our daily lives. A friend of mine who reads palm lines even said our palm lines change over time, depending on what direction or situation our life takes and each line tells a story and reveals something about our personality. When we work or do sports, our hands take a beating. Just like the eyes, there's so much the hands have to say since our hands help us everyday. They make us lift, hold things like our food, or smartphones or makeup brushes, etc.<br />
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With social media posts, our hands make an appearance in our photos. They take side roles in our flatlays or when we hold that item for that #travelphoto in IG. As makeup artists, our hands get photographed a lot. In the recent bridal masterclass I took, there was a joke that we also need to have nice manicure for your hands just in case the photographer takes a photo of your hands holding the brush or airbrush gun. I actually looked back to see if a wedding photographer took a photo of my hand in its beat-up glory. With that in mind, part of my travel and work preps is to get my nails done for picture-perfect hands, because you will never know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfAQ2LaJAW4200UYq9L8koS6S7O3md04PWAOCHUrsW0cxPQJCnLXhMFmUZptK7Vjas8jFtyguGIKA0tgplCzw9sdt7x-UQH55YFAdVO0ZTPvGzeDSktXCLm2sQRcqylEiaP7yHXeqkf16/s1600/73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfAQ2LaJAW4200UYq9L8koS6S7O3md04PWAOCHUrsW0cxPQJCnLXhMFmUZptK7Vjas8jFtyguGIKA0tgplCzw9sdt7x-UQH55YFAdVO0ZTPvGzeDSktXCLm2sQRcqylEiaP7yHXeqkf16/s320/73.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Skin X Posh Nails Express Gel Polish<br />L-R Pampered, TLC, Posh, and Luxe</td></tr>
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Happy Skin, one of my favorite local beauty brands collaborates with top nail salon Posh Nails in their latest collection of Express Gel Polish. They feature four shades that can suit every woman in any occasion that she chooses. These are four classic shades which can be worn by anyone: Pampered (white), TLC (nude), Posh (pink), and Luxe (red). These four shades happen to be the favorite shades of most Posh Nails clients and they can have these shades at the comfort of their own homes whenever they need a manicure with no time to go to the nearest Posh Nails salon. I'm a fan of Happy Skin's Express Gel Polish because they give awesome color without compromise meaning they are 10-free (none of the top 10 toxic ingredients are in their formulations) and are vegan so yay for my vegan friends out there. The formula also nourishes the skin as it is enriched with hydrolyzed keratin and almond oil to strengthen and nourish your nails.<br />
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I was able to see the collection for myself as I was invited to the event a few weeks ago held at the East Tower of One Rockwell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkXiPv-p07KtcDS36-qUypeGwe9eYH4L4BGtrguuFn-ZdO_3pG6LaHiW3UuEtGXj4GUqbW9DeyrxsLc7F4WGR38vMezfn0nGL2iyyzvL8QqeMc9Cgd16Ka_rGzmR-QvYiYIggu1wC9UyH/s1600/20181023_170531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="983" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkXiPv-p07KtcDS36-qUypeGwe9eYH4L4BGtrguuFn-ZdO_3pG6LaHiW3UuEtGXj4GUqbW9DeyrxsLc7F4WGR38vMezfn0nGL2iyyzvL8QqeMc9Cgd16Ka_rGzmR-QvYiYIggu1wC9UyH/s320/20181023_170531.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So glad to have spend my afternoon here for a much-needed pampering session!</td></tr>
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The function room was transformed to a nail bar where guests were treated to a mini nail pampering treat by Posh Nails therapists. Stations were set up corresponding to nail color and guests were free to choose whatever color they like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId4DCpb5UgirAIC4_FnZSbQLZMsiYWyTFnkROZE8XrqDxK8sABr6aKQKP62BKdhE79fKtwYyzSctQ18m8pY99uwb6IuPUZK42ZteIZCMbOswBT9qTYx9fgXdtEIIxotltkGwZnNTHsPkL/s1600/20181023_174102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiId4DCpb5UgirAIC4_FnZSbQLZMsiYWyTFnkROZE8XrqDxK8sABr6aKQKP62BKdhE79fKtwYyzSctQ18m8pY99uwb6IuPUZK42ZteIZCMbOswBT9qTYx9fgXdtEIIxotltkGwZnNTHsPkL/s320/20181023_174102.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nail Bar courtesy of Posh Nails therapists.</td></tr>
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I was on a debate to choose either red (which is my go-to color usually) or nude. I then decided on TLC for my nails. I'm usually into brights and darks when I wear polish for events so I thought a nude color could be a nice change. Not only is it a classic and wearable color, they actually make the nails look neater and cleaner. For those wearing this during travel, nail regrowth isn't as obvious. They are perfect for warm-toned skins and morenas but fair-skinned girls can wear this and still look like they are wearing polish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTkXl_7uMblcBTO7Jy8QI8LjyVWse6-Crwexmj_J8xMaeGxo9vV6i0TraTQT4FgNEkcHSOCe5_D4bGojsZgGsFIY8Tq3ccGVHKCha5-rpgcO2Bch2j8OOfC-dd_NctnKMl6BXsxNNjxgv/s1600/20181023_160506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1276" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTkXl_7uMblcBTO7Jy8QI8LjyVWse6-Crwexmj_J8xMaeGxo9vV6i0TraTQT4FgNEkcHSOCe5_D4bGojsZgGsFIY8Tq3ccGVHKCha5-rpgcO2Bch2j8OOfC-dd_NctnKMl6BXsxNNjxgv/s320/20181023_160506.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TLC on my nails</td></tr>
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Drying time too was fast, around 20 minutes so it wasn't long that I went around in my "Edward Scissorhands" mode.<br />
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I also checked out the other colors. Luxe was a very bold and statement red. Now if you're that person who is afraid of red polish because it's too bold, red is actually a very classic color that never looks dated. In fact, with the right red, it can make the feet and hands look neater and whiter, and that's this type of red is. So if you're that shy girl who wants to try red, this could be yours. Pampered, the white color actually I was happy. Some whites kind of look like I experimented on correction fluid on my nails. This one looked nice like creamy nail polish. White also enhances a nice tan making it perfect for summer. Posh happens to be a very pretty blush pink. Think that millenial pink that's understated and muted instead of candy color pink. This is the type of pink that's not too <i>tita</i> pink but nice enough to be worn even by <i>tita</i>. You don't have to be a millenial to wear Posh. In fact, this can be the perfect daytime wedding polish for a bride, bridesmaid, or mother of the bride. I am so recommending this to my January bride and her mom.<br />
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For our take-home shades, we were asked to choose two of our favorite out of the four. I was happy with TLC so I chose that. I already have a plethora of reds already and I have one white one so I guess I chose the millenial pink of Posh since I don't have a pink of that kind yet.<br />
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I already took Posh in my pedi trip and wore it in my recent travel. Although I wore closed shoes the entire time, they totally stayed put for a legs-up-the-wall IG stories photo. I may try it again in my next mani-pedi. This time, I will bring my Happy Skin Express Gel Polish Mirror-Shine Top Coat for an added shine.<br />
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For those wondering, Happy Skin has affordable polishes. The Express Gel Polish retail for Php 299 and the Top Coat retails for Php 249. Use the two together to get gel polish results that aren't such a hassle to remove. They are available at all Happy Skin stores and counters as well as Posh Nails salons. If you have no time to visit a physical store, order them online via happyskincosmetics.com, Lazada, Shopee, Zalora, and BeautyMNL. When you find you shade, take a photo and tag @happyskin_ph and @poshnails_ on Instagram and use the hashtag #HappySkinxPoshNails.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-90234504397005661952018-11-06T14:11:00.000+08:002018-11-06T14:11:11.916+08:00The Reason For My Absence RevealedHey everyone! So for the first time in a while I'll be writing about something very personal which I've told a few people only. If you religiously or used to follow this blog, you might have noticed a long period of time since I wrote something and you guys might have asked what ever happened to the blog? Also, when I do post, it's been very rare for me to post about makeup, reviews, or even book some gigs. I was not as active in writing or posting works or even advertising my services. Well, here's the reason. Last year, I went on a self-imposed makeup semi-retirement. Yes. You heard that right. I wanted to call it quits already with the world that has been my life for a decade.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset taken in Boracay 2017<br />That sunset I thought was the stage of my makeup life</td></tr>
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I actually contemplated on doing this a few years prior, only for gigs to just pop up when I least expected it. Also, I pretty much did not have a choice because 1. We all got to earn a decent living. 2. I valued my self-worth (I never believed in the saying "This girl really doesn't need to work." Everyone needs to work. Even heiresses need to work because they will have to know how to manage the business when the time comes). 3. I just left a project . However, there were times that I felt sad and fatigued when I got homeafter a job even when my pockets were full. And it wasn't just the lack of recovery food because I ate healthier food choices than my contemporaries. It was my emotions that were tiring me out. It was the drama. SO. MUCH. DRAMA.<br />
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If I were to count the drama I experienced in the world of makeup from the time I decided to study makeup, while I was in makeup school, graduated, and up to now and write each experience down and make it to a soap opera, it would probably last longer than FPJ's <i>Ang Probinsyano</i> probably would. From building our portfolios during Multiply days (yes, it has been that long) up to social media hashtags and Twitter wars, there was drama. There was <i>inggitan</i>, fake news, blocking, gossip, ego tripping, and people trying to undermine the other. Someone told me that to stay long in this industry, you needed to have a strong gut. One day, my gut couldn't just handle the drama.<br />
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Maybe it was the yoga teacher in me that asked, do you really need the drama and negativity in your life? Yoga teaches me to let go. We let go of what we do not need, what is negative, what does not serve us. Then I realized one thing. What I liked with makeup was actually working. I liked to create looks. I liked making people beautiful (or ugly, if I were doing special effects). I wanted to create characters and challenge my capabilities. I didn't like being bullied just because my rates were different. I didn't like sucking up to people who were treating me like crap because I was just "a beautician". Nor did I like staying up late in a club to network. The moment I was done with my work, the first thing I look forward to doing is 1. removing the dirt and makeup sitting on my face 2. feeding and hugging my cats and 3. cleaning their litterboxes. I felt unappreciated for what I could do especially when my gigs get cancelled because I am "out of their budget". I felt that I stayed because I was just so used to this and I've been so well invested here materially and financially. I felt that I was in a toxic relationship. So one day, I packed my pro kit, placed them in storage, delisted myself in wedding supplier directories, and silently transitioned out.<br />
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I never made a formal announcement because I thought why add to the drama which I was avoiding in the first place? With the influx too of newer, younger, and much more affordable makeup artists, I was bound to be forgotten anyway. Thankfully, I wasn't super bored and unemployed. There were also times that I would take my things out of storage because good friends and past clients would hire me to get their makeup done. I was thankful that my job as a yoga teacher kept me busy. There were months that I was teaching around 5 classes a week. The students joked that no day is complete if they do not see me in the yoga studio. I started eating better because my creative energies were focused on my meal prepping which I sometimes shared in my blog. However, shortly my blog took a break too. Why? Blogger drama of course! Allergic <i>ako sa </i>real-life drama. I was already following 5 <i>telenovelas</i> and Game of Thrones already (LOL). It was a very welcome change for me physically and emotionally. No withdrawals. I was so thankful that I got so busy and life found a way for my energy to be diverted to something positive. Had I experienced a lull I probably would have been so bitter and angry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> most of my healing days were spent makeup-free and experiencing "normal people" weekends.<br />Here's a weekend visit at Ilog Maria Honeybee farm, and cuddling their kitties.</td></tr>
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Even though I never made a formal announcement, I told a handful of people of my self-imposed retirement which got mixed reactions. Some accepted my decision. A lot were saddened. The first thing a lot of people asked was "What are you going to do with all your equipment?" I wasn't really thinking about them. They were just things. I did give some away, though. When I get asked what my things were doing I would say, They're just there. Sometimes I would use them on myself (hence my project pan) but most of the time I wouldn't since I was almost always gym mode. It came to the point I would get so annoyed when someone would tell me I'm back in the game when I would post a photo. It was like telling me to take that toxic boyfriend back because we look so cute in Instagram together. I started unsubscribing from makeup brand mailing lists so I do not get tempted to buy.<br />
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What I felt then was that I felt my spirit was broken and I just wanted to heal. I had to get out, detox, and take time off. As of the moment, I knew it would later on be a permanent thing. Slowly, I was like <i>panindigan ko na</i> and took my absence further and deleted the aspect of beauty in all my social media accounts (even put ex-MUA in case you guys didn't notice). I was just relieved. I was able to breathe better. I didn't do this for anyone. I had to do this for myself. <i>Manghinayang na ang </i>world with the talent I put in retirement. They will just have to deal. Besides, my creative channels were unleashed elsewhere.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-JM9T-7SHDqx_zGPVhmHdOdYKiQCmAu2TFrexvlaVTwZnbKdHS8mPASA7epMjT1fPRqo4t_b3RwO25jfPNvpVxuXGEoGmwoxqUdJYQrR_6lNhgsRZLrN9WSkdRSDomQrLexJFWnZGaot/s1600/20171118_232358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-JM9T-7SHDqx_zGPVhmHdOdYKiQCmAu2TFrexvlaVTwZnbKdHS8mPASA7epMjT1fPRqo4t_b3RwO25jfPNvpVxuXGEoGmwoxqUdJYQrR_6lNhgsRZLrN9WSkdRSDomQrLexJFWnZGaot/s320/20171118_232358.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">creative energies were channeled making food, crafts, and ways to annoy my cats</td></tr>
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Here's the thing I realized though, drama is EVERYWHERE as in literally everywhere. Even within the four corners of my home, my cats have their own dramas. It's just cuter in their case since they are cats. I may have escaped the drama of blogging and makeup but there is drama too outside it. There was drama between friends, between family, even the world of pole dancing and yoga, which rescued me from being battered and broken in spirit had their own little dramas. I open Facebook, there's drama. Even if I escaped all of this and flew in some remote island with more cats than there are people, there's bound to be drama as well. Drama, retrogrades, name it.<br />
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While I couldn't take a step back in life (because how?) I still took in some makeup jobs hired by friends. One time, a photographer friend of mine called me for a shoot. When I got to his studio early (because he's always early) we got to talking and I found out he also went on a silent break. However, he decided to come back again, but take in jobs that were less taxing to the emotions. Then I figured out, the jobs I took while I was in self-retirement, I was hardly stressed at all. Those I took in were with people who knew my worth and respected my job as an artist. They knew that this wasn't playtime but a real, legitimate job. Maybe I would be a little bit physically exhausted but I didn't feel like my life was sucked away from me. Drama may be present but it's up to us to learn to manage the energies surrounding it.<br />
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Luckily during my retirement, life directed me to work that was in tune to my own energies. Still on retirement mode, a friend of mine was offering a series of makeup masterclasses at affordable promo rates. I enrolled because I wanted to be a supportive friend and also for added knowledge. The masterclass wasn't your typical technique-based class. It had a big chunk of business side, not just to market yourself as a professional but also how to protect your business from loopholes in your contracts. I also learned one thing: To know my market and my worth. I also found a circle that encourages people rather than put them down. As my friend said "I am not competing with anyone. I believe we will all make it."<br />
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Life gives you lot of dramas. It's up to us to choose how to deal with them. I can either not mind the chismis or choose to direct my energy to what I could do rather than dwelling on the boo-boo. It is possible to not let the drama affect what I could do.<br />
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I can't say that I'm fully back since my workload is not the same as it was. I guess I will have to learn to balance and of course the most important part is to take care of myself, which I have neglected in the past. Not just physically like health, diet, etc. But also emotions. I meditate more. I listen to my body if it's tired. I give myself self-imposed day offs once a week where I spend time by myself at home hugging my cats, cooking, or doing chores (I love doing chores! It's my therapy). I tell myself to travel at least once a year and space my travels well so I don't get stressed. Since I'm in my late 30's already, I can't do the monster hectic schedule I had when I was in my early 20's. So I also have to choose the jobs that I have to do, taking into account what I have learned as a yoga teacher. I now should work smarter, not harder.<br />
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I know it's hard to pick up the pieces I left. I'm still healing so I'm doing this baby steps. My blog traffic TBH is not the same as it was a few years back, but hopefully I will get new following and new traffic.<br />
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Let's just be patient and not too hard on ourselves or hard on others. We will get there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-61281398563734287352018-09-24T20:00:00.000+08:002018-09-27T12:44:56.526+08:00Platform 1094: A Taste of Hogwarts In AsiaI'm a Harry Potter fan. The magic still lives on even after reading the books. I would re-read them and watch the movies and they would still have the same effect. There's something about the novels and the entire universe that makes it practically immortal and ageless - it appeals to young children and adults. It also comes alive in your imagination. I would joke that it's the only book series I ever enjoyed since I'm not a book person.<br />
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If a trip to the Harry Potter theme parks in Osaka or London is still a bit of a stretch, you can have your Hogwarts fix in Asia because there is a Harry Potter-themed restaurant in Singapore and it's called Platform 1094 (sounds like a train stop, right?). I was able to have a visit there during my recent Singapore trip (yaay for a 2018 #kittiesinSG).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The benches reminded me of the Great Hall<br />
The chairs gave a pub-ish vibe like The Three Broomsticks</td></tr>
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I think inspired from Platform 9-3/4, Platform 1094 is named as such because of its address - 1094 Serangoon Road. If you are coming from the Bencoolen station, take the Downtown Line (Blue line) to Geylang Bahru MRT Station. From there, it's a 14-minute walk from Geylang Bahru to Serangoon Road (you can also reach Geylang Bahru from the Little India Station by taking the North East Line). There are also routes via Google Maps, so depending on your location and mode to get by, either bus, Grab, or train. The location is more suburb, say a very residential. So if your air BNB is in the city, it's like going from Makati to say, Paranaque or Maginhawa and it's a really cute tiny resto and yes, they have WiFi so feel free to IG your stay there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Vx2OBKe-p4ms0ksmv5fWPxPXzTmE3LIGhCUrqnOxT2N05UJWhKBWjzhqnzknyz3P2no-5dBpInqCgP4MYbaxehSjWA5Y8p9zndONve2bXG7zsML2yDhkS0fnJT0_7EFRrV2voqKs3EvO/s1600/41788467_1170527773121495_6216773240346378240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Vx2OBKe-p4ms0ksmv5fWPxPXzTmE3LIGhCUrqnOxT2N05UJWhKBWjzhqnzknyz3P2no-5dBpInqCgP4MYbaxehSjWA5Y8p9zndONve2bXG7zsML2yDhkS0fnJT0_7EFRrV2voqKs3EvO/s320/41788467_1170527773121495_6216773240346378240_n.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, so that's my notebook! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was actually like a mixture of what The Three Broomsticks, a common room, and a mini Great Hall would look like. There were props to pose and play with as well as murals on the wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyYg9-tu5MZACwFdmImHRuDNa2K51yvaTmbU8hnS3tMGFROUAPquBuHtiu1pCnNc1WvpJRi7lvA64ZmkPXsgqjGZDeML_v-vz7VUPSx4thR3K40m1K7Wb5Z7GgOEAsnHqCHxta9PuzBSw/s1600/42045131_375895696282113_8225207597016285184_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVyYg9-tu5MZACwFdmImHRuDNa2K51yvaTmbU8hnS3tMGFROUAPquBuHtiu1pCnNc1WvpJRi7lvA64ZmkPXsgqjGZDeML_v-vz7VUPSx4thR3K40m1K7Wb5Z7GgOEAsnHqCHxta9PuzBSw/s320/42045131_375895696282113_8225207597016285184_n.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had <a href="http://www.instagram.com/fitfundany">my dolls</a> pose with the props on the shelves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HqGJ0PTGUHWyv5L1s1zQTewOHIy1rGWD6BkYUEt-wRBh6A73d4kW8brYrVFMWHgJKEil3MTv2S8csULinrord74s-Q7pfsEHqS78vgb1xBoy83fLq3l80zCu2DMqYu3G_iXxkCiUtcmF/s1600/42142877_338476220061020_8460177913386369024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HqGJ0PTGUHWyv5L1s1zQTewOHIy1rGWD6BkYUEt-wRBh6A73d4kW8brYrVFMWHgJKEil3MTv2S8csULinrord74s-Q7pfsEHqS78vgb1xBoy83fLq3l80zCu2DMqYu3G_iXxkCiUtcmF/s320/42142877_338476220061020_8460177913386369024_n.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Legos, glasses, and books are the resto's own.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfz0Y9Qwt3VOSAMpJQw2oS_A0xCzJ0Dc9vLBgtYfENaL3Eq7l8cagksEM8B7iyIMupKOiRmi03QX_qw396NFFciDDH3WQXg6oNlBWEIjROfURL9q9yEEAOjt-AnUb5r0S7FNsxl_CZDvw/s1600/42145977_2034906496554594_5320022946985541632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="935" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfz0Y9Qwt3VOSAMpJQw2oS_A0xCzJ0Dc9vLBgtYfENaL3Eq7l8cagksEM8B7iyIMupKOiRmi03QX_qw396NFFciDDH3WQXg6oNlBWEIjROfURL9q9yEEAOjt-AnUb5r0S7FNsxl_CZDvw/s320/42145977_2034906496554594_5320022946985541632_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dany with her fellow dollies.<br />
Following her yet? She and her friends have <a href="http://www.instagram.com/fitfundany">Instagram</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The best part also were actually the cloaks, scarves, and hats that you could pose for a magical OOTD.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nmnq4-I-xQHcYv1_Z7saSnasgl2cz2pIfqMMxOxYMto7TA4vPBQhmg1lra5poYYIfJ2qRxpoQe5jZ9JNeT_jM9LDgWkNPqxdWxC7qL3b8z_u9JEWpOyTlWmMWIqEJ0fOSEgvJ19PZ_L6/s1600/42090694_1242068005932330_3785821368558288896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nmnq4-I-xQHcYv1_Z7saSnasgl2cz2pIfqMMxOxYMto7TA4vPBQhmg1lra5poYYIfJ2qRxpoQe5jZ9JNeT_jM9LDgWkNPqxdWxC7qL3b8z_u9JEWpOyTlWmMWIqEJ0fOSEgvJ19PZ_L6/s320/42090694_1242068005932330_3785821368558288896_n.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, Professor Slughorn! I fit!<br />
Also, in Hogwarts Southeast Asia we can wear shorts </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I actually waited to have a full-on Slytherin gear because Slytherin is my Hogwarts house according to Pottermore (also I love Slytherin. I am not making things up).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNlDRo9im_cG4HKLFkTTDr_8IAcmzFZXs2OaZxowUVPDp5JwtJ61glUfNabe2xqlv7N-MtRqENxVs6BQCqzk3AZx7YB8sonTWxNEpjk4dKQ0QvdTToMdB9j9JbXiJBGkvbJBX-mBR5h07/s1600/41964636_537858366665301_8792069909161967616_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1378" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNlDRo9im_cG4HKLFkTTDr_8IAcmzFZXs2OaZxowUVPDp5JwtJ61glUfNabe2xqlv7N-MtRqENxVs6BQCqzk3AZx7YB8sonTWxNEpjk4dKQ0QvdTToMdB9j9JbXiJBGkvbJBX-mBR5h07/s320/41964636_537858366665301_8792069909161967616_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a bird of paradise (svarga dvijasana) with tight legs from walking </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgigUGLQCMSj5VPKVghtagmGzLVLr8HM3xpq80Y5hcmAUhklyLc7EcqKpDwGuda2iW6VgG8dxmeu9w0RjTp-SJX0cWDaVuXaWvHObXzbS0pGTZVYfOPEUF-WIb7LaT5lWINjFecjHidn6/s1600/41982674_1815099445272899_6463010342560595968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="933" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgigUGLQCMSj5VPKVghtagmGzLVLr8HM3xpq80Y5hcmAUhklyLc7EcqKpDwGuda2iW6VgG8dxmeu9w0RjTp-SJX0cWDaVuXaWvHObXzbS0pGTZVYfOPEUF-WIb7LaT5lWINjFecjHidn6/s320/41982674_1815099445272899_6463010342560595968_n.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my "Hogwarts Letter"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I pretended that I got my Hogwarts letter after so many years. The envelope actually just holds the menu, printed in very Daily Prophet-ish fashion. So you can don Hary Potter-like glasses and pretend you are reading the Daily Prophet when you are actually deciding on what to eat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVDAsofUcQD8RE8jkgN-30jOvWHM7KBPfhWTTmSBfpa4rjFCTNNvoYieELrzW-foK7wRbEweZr9jMZwDTga19dYG-kE956qMISLhXsMI52_8Mif16Phm-Awlx6WMVGVUEeUqhy-IJwSco/s1600/41952362_323292158439394_1005952800389070848_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVDAsofUcQD8RE8jkgN-30jOvWHM7KBPfhWTTmSBfpa4rjFCTNNvoYieELrzW-foK7wRbEweZr9jMZwDTga19dYG-kE956qMISLhXsMI52_8Mif16Phm-Awlx6WMVGVUEeUqhy-IJwSco/s320/41952362_323292158439394_1005952800389070848_n.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truffle Fries</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I guess this is one theme restaurant that did not disappoint on food, because the food was pretty good. We were truffle fans so we ordered truffle fries and we could actually smell the truffle from the kitchen. There were also Spam fries but they tasted like Ma-Ling so I wasn't into it. But the truffle fries were a win at SGD10.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyhcwFCFYp-juothwwbMOxyp9f8ZFbJrGBbup56i8uL_c4qkRyPqvRTp063Kjjm2NYQYx3b-cO4aLs9vxmMFJzC4UewyKPFd7JOcX-iIFg6ea3FQ05-0SD2BkR61TetFMexnPQaYz6bAD/s1600/42197915_244228082929878_6552670761276932096_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyhcwFCFYp-juothwwbMOxyp9f8ZFbJrGBbup56i8uL_c4qkRyPqvRTp063Kjjm2NYQYx3b-cO4aLs9vxmMFJzC4UewyKPFd7JOcX-iIFg6ea3FQ05-0SD2BkR61TetFMexnPQaYz6bAD/s320/42197915_244228082929878_6552670761276932096_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saffron Pan-Seared Salmon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They serve real food such as pasta, salad, and mains. For my omega-3 fix, I got Saffron Pan-Seared Salmon (SGD 18), which was also a bestseller. This yumminess is served with beetroot mashed potatoes and topped with crushed herbs, saffron cream sauce, and came with a side of sauteed veggies. I actually finished the big plate, maybe because I walked to the point of crawling in hunger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR7xk1myLg5csXgbsOLnxZgBCUNVYRrDK_-fLJBS8B4HVv5m3KhWhnHWrdeOj1cOhgjJSWsFk6Rg8Kl5TyZUM7roxq53Iiqyxrb2_eYAKJxGZoF1LFW6myBqY3oUAXvYNmgh1f3kJDShd/s1600/41991877_591120327983818_558839751323418624_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPR7xk1myLg5csXgbsOLnxZgBCUNVYRrDK_-fLJBS8B4HVv5m3KhWhnHWrdeOj1cOhgjJSWsFk6Rg8Kl5TyZUM7roxq53Iiqyxrb2_eYAKJxGZoF1LFW6myBqY3oUAXvYNmgh1f3kJDShd/s320/41991877_591120327983818_558839751323418624_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flexi Frog pre-fancy fog effect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I wanted to complete the experience ordering a wizardy-drink. Platform 1094 has got a selection of wines, beers, coffee, teas, and potions (non-alcoholic smoothies and butterscotch ales), and poisons (alcoholic). It was still early on the day so I chose a potion called Flexi Frog. The name also called to the hip-opening yoga teacher that I am. It was actually just a nice and cold green tea drink served in a flask. It even came with a tiny cauldron with tiny pellets of dry ice to place inside the drink (using a cute spoon) for a foggy effect.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnGQFVAA5d8/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnGQFVAA5d8/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">The perfect name for a drink for the one who's making their way to #roadtosplits . It's called FlexiFrog and it's actually an iced green tea drink made foggy with dry ice. If only getting splitty could be easy as drinking a refreshing iced tea drink. . . . . . . #flexifrog #platform1094 #wheninsingapore #kittiesinSG #harrypotter #wizardingworld #bambikittytravels #pottermore #potions #slytherin #hogwarts #magic #greentea</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bambikitty/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> bambi kitty 🐱🐯</a> (@bambikitty) on <time datetime="2018-08-30T09:16:36+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Aug 30, 2018 at 2:16am PDT</time></div>
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I waited for the dry ice to be gone before drinking it. It was pretty refreshing. I dunno if it would help with my splits but it sure helped as it was a hot day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tXnFzKVZp6CicdTSsMYVs6HfXZEe5F6Mn_EQ_LpZWj78RpFEWkxRRuLRBWVrBdqVYoSRahiE8yiSu1dUQfUpjg9fKCmgtebIZyoc7TYhY_Pi7oeoXieu6bVKD48UIadNYwbSIj5fYZON/s1600/42085302_496866317390051_2915071063450714112_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tXnFzKVZp6CicdTSsMYVs6HfXZEe5F6Mn_EQ_LpZWj78RpFEWkxRRuLRBWVrBdqVYoSRahiE8yiSu1dUQfUpjg9fKCmgtebIZyoc7TYhY_Pi7oeoXieu6bVKD48UIadNYwbSIj5fYZON/s320/42085302_496866317390051_2915071063450714112_n.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They will be one reason to come back</td></tr>
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Sadly we didn't have room for dessert but they had pretty good desserts in the menu. Their bestsellers are the Sweet Treats of the Wizardry World (SGD 12), the Chocolate Blackout (SGD 7.5), and Tea By Lupicia Infused Cake (SGD 7.5).The desserts were in the shapes of spellbooks and the golden snitch. I guess it means I am due for another Platform 1094 so I can sample out their sweets and coffee.<br />
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I really recommend coming in groups or in pairs here so you can sample out the dishes and have someone take your Hogwarts-inspired photo. Just take note of their hours as they are closed on Mondays. Weekdays are 11 am to 10 pm and they open on weekends 10 am and still close at 10 pm. Aside from mains, desserts, and coffee, you can have tapas and drinks here. One of their best poisons is the Mr. Lich's Flaming Brew (SGD 15), which is a platform secret recipe.<br />
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Is it a place I would come back? Yes it is. Would I recommend it to my Harry Potter - faney friends? Yes. Will I eat the dessert? Of course I will.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-41890117416037765502018-09-18T17:01:00.000+08:002018-09-18T17:01:23.726+08:00K-Beauty Now Available at Beauty Bar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our usual skin routine cleanse-tone-moisturize has gotten an upgrade with K-beauty which features not just 3 steps but a 10-step skin care to prep and prime skin to glassy smoothness like those K-pop stars. I have known a handful of people who hoarded K-beauty skincare during a trip to Korea, and several brands making waves in personal vanities and makeup artist pro kits.<br />
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I was invited to Beauty Bar's K-Beauty Carnival where we got to experience brands and their products. The whole event was held in true K-Beauty fashion with Korean-inspired refreshments<br />
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There was even a DIY bingsu bar with super creamy avocado ice cream.<br />
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Just like a carnival, there were games where we got to win prizes such as spin the wheel and the claw game (similar to the claw in Toy Story). I was usually fail at claw games but for that day, it was a lucky day for me.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnnWp1eHkwE/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">
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<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnnWp1eHkwE/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">This girl's been my partner in crime who judges my carb and calorie intake yet indulges me when I want kasama to xiao long bao or lamb kebab plate (i have yet to drag her to an Italian resto). I have yet to bring her to more hipster coffee places for her to try as I sip on iced tea. Had an amazing afternoon @makeupbyjinky and thanks for explaining to me the 411 on dry skin prep as my phobia to oily skin sometimes makes me neglect dry. . . . . #kbeautybybeautybar #makeupartist</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bambikitty/?utm_source=ig_embed_loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> bambi kitty 🐱🐯</a> (@bambikitty) on <time datetime="2018-09-12T05:53:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 11, 2018 at 10:53pm PDT</time></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/makeupbyjinky">Jinky</a> and I enjoying the very instagrammable photobooth.<br />
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The star of the event were the Korean skin and beauty products, each catering to whatever need you have and to fill the steps of the 10-step Korean skincare.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSSVAMQFyxOXczr2TKRrZzteh-bi9xwjXDvRB7Gk9nuyzedjnp9uiwFAOenz80KXZVeGGcO9OoB_Do4E9QC8BuebuM7TVp-LWaoXfUbu-8SDGMjJEZbUlrIJNl2IW6LzxYbhtBXTuG2Tb/s1600/6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSSVAMQFyxOXczr2TKRrZzteh-bi9xwjXDvRB7Gk9nuyzedjnp9uiwFAOenz80KXZVeGGcO9OoB_Do4E9QC8BuebuM7TVp-LWaoXfUbu-8SDGMjJEZbUlrIJNl2IW6LzxYbhtBXTuG2Tb/s320/6.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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COSRX has been making waves with beauty experts. Their one-step beauty pads are perfect for travel (no need to bring bottles which can spill in your makeup kit). They also have essences, ampoules, and moisturizing lotions that feel super light on the skin even if you apply them layer by layer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZWqZCOk6opdb-Rd6KhDuoKmoBRbQozQZbD0voFUx-LtlFiY8XzZq-4eWfpqzJSVSIvGAuugrZWcFm_yn-Ej97htmUkMMFUurkjnNhyphenhyphenI_UMwKP1A9Df66EM9oFmFqObPr334ykHVf692B/s1600/41717082_2304990546179381_2029541913316556800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="862" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZWqZCOk6opdb-Rd6KhDuoKmoBRbQozQZbD0voFUx-LtlFiY8XzZq-4eWfpqzJSVSIvGAuugrZWcFm_yn-Ej97htmUkMMFUurkjnNhyphenhyphenI_UMwKP1A9Df66EM9oFmFqObPr334ykHVf692B/s320/41717082_2304990546179381_2029541913316556800_n.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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We asked Minnie Kim of COSRX on products on how to prep the skin for makeup. She highly recommends the combination of their Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion (Php 1040) and the Propolis Light Ampule (the ampule applied first before the lotion). This preps dry skin immediately for suppleness before makeup since the molecules are easily absorbed by the skin in order for makeup to adhere better.<br />
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This was an eye opener for me in caring and being conscious with dry skin. Most of the people I encounter have oily skin or combination I keep stuffing my kit with mattifyers and oil-control products that I forget about dry skin, which also needs a bit of help. Dry skin when not prepped properly tends to crack and look dull even if you shower the skin with so much highlight so we need a good moisturizer that helps makeup adhere better without feeling greasy on the face. I also needed a bit of dry skin 101 to prep and plump up my more mature clients. I also got to experience lighter formulas for dry skin which can nourish the skin without feeling icky in humid weather.<br />
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For regular routine skin care, the Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence and Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream (Php 1020) will be good to maintain the skin. If this is your preferred brand and you have to prep for a big event like a wedding or an anniversary party, this would be the skin care you would like to use.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ41LPpAS4HwIQ7idPa8rGya-XlHBLezq7MGvGqTMFK-vrhLw_OHjNvV_uAmZKKD7Y8-XDL69y5P5U7UJED5HDbCWfp07_KHuSzbIawBXgXsCVg0S_o5Ux90Sa_oxXV8vUt__mp2SSaUSb/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ41LPpAS4HwIQ7idPa8rGya-XlHBLezq7MGvGqTMFK-vrhLw_OHjNvV_uAmZKKD7Y8-XDL69y5P5U7UJED5HDbCWfp07_KHuSzbIawBXgXsCVg0S_o5Ux90Sa_oxXV8vUt__mp2SSaUSb/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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NeoGen has Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Pads with yummy scents like wine, lemon, and green tea. The wine actually smells like grape-flavored Bubble Yum (or blueberry pie as Jinky said). One pad gives the benefits of home peeling by gently exfoliating dead skin cells and impurities and making the skin look smoother and younger.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdbOIaMQZvYIMIcPoY2cWoTL9hkiFMnNESfHgex6C8OQLlZdciyusJb6WE8fE18HrD6vDVPPPpz33SCp6sDDQNubwTLN_t9uyhy9fGik1s81s6FQ5Tihr9IcDP3kQGMKUznn75GsUoC7_/s1600/41741841_472837233125610_3220963530534551552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="505" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdbOIaMQZvYIMIcPoY2cWoTL9hkiFMnNESfHgex6C8OQLlZdciyusJb6WE8fE18HrD6vDVPPPpz33SCp6sDDQNubwTLN_t9uyhy9fGik1s81s6FQ5Tihr9IcDP3kQGMKUznn75GsUoC7_/s320/41741841_472837233125610_3220963530534551552_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Aside from the peeling pads, I also want to try the Real Fresh Cleansing Stick (Php 1,120). It looks like a green tea scented deodorant but it's actually a cleanser in a stick form, another perfect travel companion being carry-on luggage friendly so you can refresh and cleanse your tired face after a long flight.<br />
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Another thing I noticed also with K-beauty skincare is that although these products are scented, the scent was very mild and fresh, not super perfumed or overpowering, so nothing clashes when you layer your skincare.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDFtPBPI8Wn7YXs9SPClnn_6opRiwyD9fk2ccllPQfMWd9GMAiFAK1QyrlwM3zXXYZN0Vj7jf9wUHg28zGb3-QQGVlXaTe6U5yftkOjdlzQRUje0S3RPl_E_s6CwS8ZWmbz0qwkUKl8mk/s1600/41813782_250890905570809_8759285594862911488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDFtPBPI8Wn7YXs9SPClnn_6opRiwyD9fk2ccllPQfMWd9GMAiFAK1QyrlwM3zXXYZN0Vj7jf9wUHg28zGb3-QQGVlXaTe6U5yftkOjdlzQRUje0S3RPl_E_s6CwS8ZWmbz0qwkUKl8mk/s320/41813782_250890905570809_8759285594862911488_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">checking out Celebeau's Star Secret Cushions (Php 1,095)</td></tr>
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The skin takes the focus with K-beauty makeup. I've noticed in most K-beauty ads that the makeup isn't really too heavy. Just dewy, soft skin, defined/lined eyes, and a bit of color on the lips and cheeks. For the lip color, the K-beauty look just gives the just-ate-an-ice-pop look instead of full-blown pigmented color. Beauty brand Celebeau has buttery pencil liners (Php 545), creamy glosses (Php 745), and BB Cushions (Php 1095) to give you an effortless glow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2d0MD4YZ4BVZvjSaN5deyRt3XwW-0-DTcwV7WQOpQIJnveoVUt_Wkk3Mn_pQal6QA5FjAV9Uelvt37KNiyIkccFZ9a6v-_vA1FvQIjNKYyAV1GlZID3TCRoTCmAv6oUdWvvUYsWLSOVJ/s1600/41734939_1781288201906587_7125923310449197056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="650" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2d0MD4YZ4BVZvjSaN5deyRt3XwW-0-DTcwV7WQOpQIJnveoVUt_Wkk3Mn_pQal6QA5FjAV9Uelvt37KNiyIkccFZ9a6v-_vA1FvQIjNKYyAV1GlZID3TCRoTCmAv6oUdWvvUYsWLSOVJ/s320/41734939_1781288201906587_7125923310449197056_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Performance Glam Tint Gloss Swatches</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6G_nPo7yQHcdceQxa8vqAeJwsEM31BOr69uIp88KncKYDKh3KxrYXdPOkeO-xODUqvfzpuG-ohYBsMeqqsA9ZBA1zgv5yzIAYFEeMIcpsK2mGtm-5Ov_AvhOF0J9RLQQGBhDuLIF04rz/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6G_nPo7yQHcdceQxa8vqAeJwsEM31BOr69uIp88KncKYDKh3KxrYXdPOkeO-xODUqvfzpuG-ohYBsMeqqsA9ZBA1zgv5yzIAYFEeMIcpsK2mGtm-5Ov_AvhOF0J9RLQQGBhDuLIF04rz/s320/13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebeau Onstage Pencil Liners (Php 545)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s1600/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="595" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzoiUclr1qcxTIJPZFgH_7G1DV40LkuM9cEyBmCq8Joo8Z2YrgZT_Joao38uPdvu-j9BdyFSoJk2KcPkSo7BfHd9tjYICb2bbHmcDQ4-CB_0lRppL9pNaa0Kt31sSz1IDlMIOTNAxwvDM/s200/41860499_276306289875528_8930130846912872448_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onstage Pencil Liner swatches<br />
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</tbody></table>
Yaddah has such cute packaging to brighten up your kit. They also spoil your skin with mask sheets and enhance your 10-step prepped skin with lip and cheek tint and BB cushions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtZW5391-RXxbskrSozM1FoMq8Jk95gb4hQTz7GrgjLwrT3LF2mLDSIRlXuyF8ULS2mhlNfj7EKwqIKTn9nkw193LnvhDpn_7bVP5Psw9N5JbUq3GzT9KwKst8zi0El6YbJbVWkmSEnTF/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtZW5391-RXxbskrSozM1FoMq8Jk95gb4hQTz7GrgjLwrT3LF2mLDSIRlXuyF8ULS2mhlNfj7EKwqIKTn9nkw193LnvhDpn_7bVP5Psw9N5JbUq3GzT9KwKst8zi0El6YbJbVWkmSEnTF/s320/14.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was introduced to BB cushions a few years back, I liked the light texture and preferred this over BB creams since some BB creams felt more paint-like to me. BB cushions have almost like water-like consistency on my skin and usually 3 layers give me the coverage I need for special occasions. It gives me the flawless dewy coverage I want without looking too made up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJDOge-miG_GFj-wUlMJ8iRgfQtBpMDYNzOTyCfxWYx2-IWFFgGsZW_LPCs3XZmHWgNseQ-WRVEGSUQZGAZJoiJsoyiwSTpDtqwbtiEbd4R_FpyXIYUAse6ZVlO23pQ_inWyPZjzZ4Vi2/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJDOge-miG_GFj-wUlMJ8iRgfQtBpMDYNzOTyCfxWYx2-IWFFgGsZW_LPCs3XZmHWgNseQ-WRVEGSUQZGAZJoiJsoyiwSTpDtqwbtiEbd4R_FpyXIYUAse6ZVlO23pQ_inWyPZjzZ4Vi2/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, there is Klairs, which also makes waves with their skincare. I'm currently using their Supple Preparation Facial Toner (Php 1,150), which preps my skin for the rest of my skincare without the sting. It comes in regular and unscented, for those with fragrance sensitivity.<br />
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These K-beauty products are now available at select Beauty Bar branches so no need anymore to bug someone going to Korea for luggage space or schedule a shopping trip.<br />
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I personally want to purchase the COSRX Oil-Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion and Propolis Ampule for my pro kit and the Neogen Green Tea Cleansing Stick and COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for myself. I can apply basic principles of the 10-step Korean Skin Care in my own routine or give my clients some skin TLC before makeup. Looks like my stash may need a new upgrade soon.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Store Directory</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beauty Bar</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">beautybar.com.ph; facebook.com/BeautyBarPH; instagram.com/BeautyBarPH</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-88646683357271689242018-09-10T18:45:00.000+08:002018-09-10T18:45:29.680+08:00Adulting 101: How to Register Your BusinessFreelancers such as yoga teachers/fitness instructors, makeup artists, stylists, models, performance artists (actors), photographers, etc. oftentimes with the clients they have or the studios they teach in are required to produce an OR (official receipt). For most of us, doing government duties can be daunting and intimidating because we expect long lines, complicated procedures, and a lot of hassle. However, as responsible citizens, this is something that needs to be done and if you can do this at the beginning of your career, I really encourage everyone to do so.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLsvYMFiG1CR6BuGyID7vI4XbOcsWIffm5-uzoV3TmDgDkpVNJRePZ7_qQE849zhyvF4EK_G-44F-OfiYzMLR6jhsvVsaXBLQ2wb6Sa9TGcpASyivyU1ODXktcMkNC7ELB6iL2kTiWJJI/s1600/accounting-achievement-aerial-1043506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLsvYMFiG1CR6BuGyID7vI4XbOcsWIffm5-uzoV3TmDgDkpVNJRePZ7_qQE849zhyvF4EK_G-44F-OfiYzMLR6jhsvVsaXBLQ2wb6Sa9TGcpASyivyU1ODXktcMkNC7ELB6iL2kTiWJJI/s320/accounting-achievement-aerial-1043506.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although the reason of doing the right thing may seem not as appealing, think of it this way. Having your business registered makes you more legit. It opens you to more job opportunities such as corporate clients or work in TV stations. Makeup artists who work in TV or movie productions/ ad agencies are required to produce an O.R. If you plan to also join bridal fairs, this is also required. Also, it makes you more legit. Sometimes makeup artists get bullied because people think this is just a "hobby" or not a real job (raise your hand if you have gotten this feedback). When you are registered honey, it is a legitimate real job recognized by the Philippine government, you pay taxes like any responsible citizen should.<br />
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So for those who would want to register their business whether they are writers or makeup artists, teachers, consultants, party or event hosts, I wanted to write this walkthrough. I am basing this article on my own experience and my own condition. Like I used to be an employee and want to be registered as a freelance self-employed consultant. If you would be having an employee status (i.e. have a regular day job) but would be say doing photography or makeup on the side, your situation may be different. Also, I am not a business or accounting graduate so everything here is spoken from personal experience with inputs from those with accounting experience or those who previously registered. This may also be the situation of most freelancers. Before starting do not panic. Panic will do nothing but just delay you. Also, have a mindset that it will be done and you are doing this for yourself and this will open you for better opportunities.<br />
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First of all, if you have an existing TIN number, you will use that. YOU WILL NOT AND NEVER WILL CHANGE YOUR TIN NUMBER. THAT TIN NUMBER YOU HAVE FROM YOUR FIRST JOB IS YOUR TIN NUMBER FOREVER. Again, my situation is that I was employed and now will work freelance as a self-employed individual. I know my TIN number so the next step is to find out what Revenue District Office (RDO) I am registered in. Now this will depend on your last employer. You can call their HR or Accounting department and ask. Or, you can go straight to the source, which is the <a href="https://www.bir.gov.ph/index.php/contact-us/bir-trunkline.html">BIR Hotline</a>, which is what I did and is usually most reliable. They will ask you a series of questions (name, birthday, mother's maiden name, etc). The only problem I have though is that the lines can get really busy so you just have to be patient. However, once you get through, the customer service representatives are very helpful and polite and answer all your questions clearly so really take advantage of the time they talk you and have a pen and paper and write everything down. Go to that RDO for Step 1.<br />
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<b>Step 1: Update Your Registration Information</b><br />
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First off is that you need to know if your RDO would have to change. For self-employed freelance individuals, their registered address is the place of their residence. If you live in Taguig or Pateros, your new RDO would be Taguig. Gather necessary documents such as your birth certificate, 2 valid IDs, and marriage certificate (if applicable) and a working black ballpen. Download the BIR Form 1905 (Application for Registration Information Update/Correction/Cancellation) and fill it up in triplicate (meaning three copies) at the BIR website or you can just get from the guard in the RDO. Fill up the forms with your updated information. Go to the RDO you are registered in. You would usually be assigned a number and wait for your cue. Then submit your form 1905 along with supporting documents if necessary. The officer in charge would usually tell you what would be the RDO code for your new location. No need to pay anything since it's just an update. The update usually takes 3-5 business days but for nearby areas like say Makati to Taguig/Pateros, the update was instant. And from then on, all your business transactions with the BIR would be in the Taguig office.<br />
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<b>Step 2: Register and Pay</b><br />
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Have all forms handy still and do not forget your 2 valid IDs, which need to be photocopied. Proceed to your new RDO and fill up a BIR Form 1901 (Application For Registration) in triplicate with your new information. Submit this to the officer along with BIR Form 0605 also in triplicate (Payment Form) to pay for your registration. Registration fee is Php 500.00 to be paid at accredited banks of your RDO. The BIR would give you a list of banks within the area you can pay. I suggest doing this early because there are certain banks with a cutoff with BIR payments. <br />
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<b>Step 3: Submit and wait for your C.O.R.</b><br />
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Come back from the bank to your RDO and submit your BIR form 1901, photocopy of valid IDs, and a copy of your Form 0605 and proof of payment (deposit slip). BIR will also tell you to purchase two books of accounts (columnar notebooks). Some RDOs sell this outside, usually where the photocopying station is. I suggest just buy there. Then these would need to be stamped by the guard and fill up the information needed. Submit these as well and wait for your C.O.R., or your Certificate of Registration along with your stamped books of accounts, which can take 1 hour or 1 week, depending on the workload.<br />
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<b>Step 4: Apply for Authority To Print</b><br />
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When you get your C.O.R., you can start having your receipts printed by accredited printers. So we then need to fill up a BIR form 1906 or Application For Authority to Print Receipts and Invoices. When filling up, ask the officer you are talking to if they know any accredited printers and they will recommend either a printing office nearby or there will be a manong representative from a printing office making tambay in the BIR playing games in his phone. Say hi to that manong and say that you want them to print your receipts. There's a provision in your 1906 form that they would need to fill up (printer's tin, name, accreditation, stuff like that). The printer would then need to produce a sample receipt to the BIR (that is why it is best to get a printer that your RDO knows). Once the BIR and you approve of the sample, then an authority to print would be issued and then there's a go signal to print your receipts.<br />
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<b>Step 5: Get those Receipts Printed</b><br />
<br />
Depending on your printer, your receipts can arrive in 1-2 weeks. Once you get your receipts printed, pay the manong, and then have your receipts approved and stamped by the BIR the same way you have your books of accounts approved. Some printers have their manong do it for them so they deliver the receipts to you stamped, approved, and ready for client use. Take note that these receipts are good for a good 5 years and if you need new receipts printed because you are bongga and have so many clients you may need to contact manong again.<br />
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After this, give yourself a pat in the back because congratulations, as this is your first step in becoming a responsible taxpaying citizen. It's not actually very hard and if you want, you can bring food, water, and snacks, or a book you've been dying to catch up on. I actually brought my crochet projects with me and I was actually able to finish a lot of my comissions with just fulfilling my BIR requirements.<br />
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Again, don't think of this whole thing as hard. Think of it as we are becoming more legit, doing the right thing for everyone in our industry not just ourselves. With this, the job we are in now becomes that real job. Have fun, good luck, and make things right.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Image Credits:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">pexels.com</span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-83959813005304904182018-03-20T18:58:00.003+08:002018-03-20T18:58:39.627+08:00Pantry Staples to Overhaul Your FoodI thought before that my unlimited resources to exercise could be an excuse for me to unli-eat whatever. Like I can beast mode my workout and then eat platefuls of steak and cake after. Actually I found this working against me because I found myself being very sluggish the next day or so stuffed that I couldn't even peel myself off the couch or daybed. When I took the test to find out how much calories I should actually be consuming for maintenance for someone with high physical activity and physically demanding job, turns out I don't need much. In fact, for my body type, it was actually less than 2,500 calories. Also, it wasn't just the calories. It was also the type of food you put in your mouth. A bag of chips contains 160 calories. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNgqo8rlnzA">Blogilates' Healthy Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich</a> has 260 calories. If you look at it, the bag of chips may be less in calories that the ice cream cookie sandwich but the chips contain a lot of sodium, chemicals, and stuff our body does not need as compared to the all-natural goodness from the bananas and oats. Which of you think would be a better snack alternative when you want something to munch on in the afternoon? I would think the cookie. When I really started incorporating better food and being really diligent with my meal preps (it does take time but the results are worth it and think of how much money you save on!) there is a total difference with my energy, my performance, and even how I recover to avoid injuries and prolong my fitness life more.<br />
<br />
So with that, let's talk meal prep. I do my bi-weekly meal prep where I shop for veggies and ingredients and set aside an afternoon or a few hours before going to bed to cook. Since I'm so engrossed in the kitchen, there's less time to drown myself in social media drama (and gadget overdose migraine). It's like magic you're doing and you're making and getting really good food to last you for days. You can start with very easy, uncomplicated recipes that look good just as they taste good. If you get your groove, you can go and look for more advanced recipes. Just don't starve yourself or suffer eating bland food. If you look at my #bambikittycooks, you will never see yucky, dry, tasteless food. For me, it's just not worth it if you cry with every bite of your food or start hating life and the world halfway through this trend diet you tried out because this celebrity was on it and lost a lot of weight. Just eat a balanced diet. Results are better. You may see results a bit slower than extreme trend diets, but you won't hate life as much.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsns9M8IQoyNr8qp7WnM0VSqSwv4zKiuNk4pqVvSLJFa2fh7XdBcQeD3DYQMHyE10Joxipu9-S7UUS3eTCGN7xygKQDSbQqcxa78__EogHic_X3CZn3uygKnE9rJXtdL3VDOnvFACcwnH/s1600/food-healthy-vegetables-potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsns9M8IQoyNr8qp7WnM0VSqSwv4zKiuNk4pqVvSLJFa2fh7XdBcQeD3DYQMHyE10Joxipu9-S7UUS3eTCGN7xygKQDSbQqcxa78__EogHic_X3CZn3uygKnE9rJXtdL3VDOnvFACcwnH/s320/food-healthy-vegetables-potatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to get into prepping, here are some basic staples in my shopping cart in the market or supermarket<br />
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<b>Rolled Oats</b><br />
<br />
I used to buy steel-cut and rolled oats but now I just stick to rolled since steel-cut is quite hard to find in the grocery. I get one big bag. Rolled oats are very versatile not just in oatmeal or overnight oats. You can make granola, add them on to home-baked breads, bake cookies, or just grind them up and you have oat flour for pancakes, crepes, and all the refined flour-free recipes you would want to try. You can even blend them in smoothies for yummy brekkies on-the-go.<br />
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<b>Low-Fat Milk and Nut Milk</b><br />
<br />
My stomach can't tolerate full cream milk as it is. If I have it, I'd feel bloated and grumbly the entire day. However, I discovered low-fat milk to be friendlier to my tummy and I use this to make panna cotta, breads, or puddings. For overnight oats, smoothies, or on my little cup of hot chocolate or golden turmeric milk, I prefer almond milk or soymilk. I get my creamy fix without the bloating and bathroom trips feeling like I'm about to give birth to Godzilla.<br />
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<b>Yogurt</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-x0oAuNKuBFP9D73QBULw_EXGSGQ4ZJlVZCExl9OV34pMuRsAGLhHioGQEOwwFtSFD0hL5NIoPVx8GD2as5eCzzHq6K_p-MrPWKfaKoaUyUAxq1FlBONGGniaqq3tvFaLRv2nq8Mq3br/s1600/20170722_123540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-x0oAuNKuBFP9D73QBULw_EXGSGQ4ZJlVZCExl9OV34pMuRsAGLhHioGQEOwwFtSFD0hL5NIoPVx8GD2as5eCzzHq6K_p-MrPWKfaKoaUyUAxq1FlBONGGniaqq3tvFaLRv2nq8Mq3br/s320/20170722_123540.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savory yogurt: used yogurt as dressing for my salad</td></tr>
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Yogurt has the essential probiotics we need for a healthy gut. Yogurt isn't just for granola and parfaits. I use yogurt to make tzatziki or in salad dressings. They can also be an alternative to sour cream in your burrito or tacos.Regular plain yogurt is fine but if you can get Greek yogurt for protein, so much the better. For vegans, coconut yogurt is also a good alternative. You can find coconut yogurt at the Salcedo Saturday Market every morning.<br />
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<b>Brown Rice/Quinoa</b><br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXFpc5zl71r/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BXFpc5zl71r/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Made this coconut quinoa and cabbage slaw salad inspired by @solenn 's latest recipe video. Substituted peanut oil with sesame oil and green cabbage with cucumber because I didn't have green cabbage with me. So good, refreshing, and filling. #bambikittycooks #salad #realfood</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bambikitty/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> bambi kitty 🐱🐯</a> (@bambikitty) on <time datetime="2017-07-28T11:16:43+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 28, 2017 at 4:16am PDT</time></div>
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This is a healthier alternative to white rice. Quinoa is an excellent protein source (perfect for after workout). I like that this makes me full faster so that I don't consume as much to leave me feeling like I ate a hollow block. A cheaper alternative would be brown rice or black rice.<br />
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<b>Honey</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeIcEJ5F2cI/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BeIcEJ5F2cI/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">A jar of honey arrived at the studio last Wednesday! This gorgeous golden liquid is pure honey - no additives or added sugars hence the color. From the beehive to Yogahive (hahaha how clever!) I said it looks like liquid gold and come to think of it, it is liquid gold! Honey has so many health benefits and is also a natural antibiotic. So how does pure honey taste like? It's sweet but not super sweet like grocery-bought. I have this everyday- a tablespoon in the morning and another at night. Thanks for the lovely gift @michaelsyyu ! #eatclean #organic #suborganics #honey #realfood</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bambikitty/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> bambi kitty 🐱🐯</a> (@bambikitty) on <time datetime="2018-01-19T12:57:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 19, 2018 at 4:57am PST</time></div>
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As much as possible, I like honey that's pure with no added sugars. Honey that's pure is golden in color instead of brown, kind of like liquid gold. I use honey to sweeten smoothies, overnight oats, make energy balls, or just take it as it is.<br />
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<b>Eggs</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnJti2_Oc4F_Arf1-aZrqFLgihp73RKXYq4hlLo8Doo6PT1mrEvznpp5KsQqhxEudaS2ALGkrgEG-dL6JJKlnhNsjA4SdSbT2fVBkNfUyKSWQMlOveuHYa8vHuRpljzBRov68aegwsuiU/s1600/29472671_10215366877387938_5611683288314806272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnJti2_Oc4F_Arf1-aZrqFLgihp73RKXYq4hlLo8Doo6PT1mrEvznpp5KsQqhxEudaS2ALGkrgEG-dL6JJKlnhNsjA4SdSbT2fVBkNfUyKSWQMlOveuHYa8vHuRpljzBRov68aegwsuiU/s320/29472671_10215366877387938_5611683288314806272_n.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">organic eggs. happy chickens make happy eggs</td></tr>
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I prefer organic eggs from cage-free chickens. Have you seen commercial chicken coops? The chickens are enclosed in small cages with very little space to move and are just made to lay eggs. Such a stressful environment! When I found out that they throw baby chicks in the shredder when they do not meet the standards, I do not want to buy from commercial big farms anymore at the thought of these poor babies! I prefer happy chickens for happy, nutrient-loaded eggs raised in small farms. I buy my eggs from <a href="http://www.downtoearth.ph/">Down To Earth</a> where native chickens enjoy the sunshine and their lives free from hormones and antibiotics.<br />
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<br />
<b>Good-Quality Meats</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdWShqFHltu/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdWShqFHltu/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Make this year a year of healthy meat! Happy New Year! #downtoearthph #downtoearth #realfoodrealfarmers #grassfedbeef #healthymeat #healthylifestyle #keto #ketodiet #ketolife #ketomeals #proudlylocal #supportlocalfarmers #farmtotable #slowmeat #philippines</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/downtoearthph/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> DownToEarth</a> (@downtoearthph) on <time datetime="2017-12-31T01:31:51+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 30, 2017 at 5:31pm PST</time></div>
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I love Down To Earth because their livestock and poultry are raised humanely and are fed the food they should eat. Beef are grass-fed. I buy their ground beef for my ragu. I don't smell any distinct raw meat smell and I don't need a lot of salt to season my ground beef. I haven't tried their steaks but I bet I would love the steak from grass-fed cows. Aside from high-quality meats, I also buy omega-3 rich salmon and seafood.<br />
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<br />
<b>Bananas</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7JppE9uMs33m9xWRQ9IrBCaSeISbtTwJCjrAHa1l5eLgbAJTkSVGSp8t4r1MyZp_hBhlxNbZRoYL-jl3C8FRBguqac9P3aoo4CSleNzVwKSHr8H5CI18sUVUg9nXS_1kjwt2ZkfCtrab/s1600/fruits-grocery-bananas-market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7JppE9uMs33m9xWRQ9IrBCaSeISbtTwJCjrAHa1l5eLgbAJTkSVGSp8t4r1MyZp_hBhlxNbZRoYL-jl3C8FRBguqac9P3aoo4CSleNzVwKSHr8H5CI18sUVUg9nXS_1kjwt2ZkfCtrab/s320/fruits-grocery-bananas-market.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bananas are a staple in a fit person's diet. Notice some gyms always have bananas in stock? They're pretty convenient. No need for knives before eating. Freeze bananas and they make excellent smoothies or vegan "nice" cream. Are your bananas getting old already? Make banana bread!<br />
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<br />
<b>VCO and Olive Oils</b><br />
<br />
These are oils that I can't live without... literally! I use VCO to cook and bake (I get something neutral-tasting but somehow, the coconut-y summery taste enhances the flavor of certain dishes). Olive oils are what make my pastas, pita breads, foccacia breads, and stews so awesome. I use regular olive oil for cooking and EVOO to make salads, spreads, raw sauces like pesto sauces, and my hummus. Contrary to some beliefs, I'm not afraid of fat. Just like everything, just not have too much of it.<br />
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<br />
<b>Leafy Greens and Vegetables (lots of them!)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTT85SpHIMGjQdrJnoYDGdsctPLjRDpqzVdfasD0Q5xqFSn6mTY2Wz54rvEhRHWSO2OvBEWtgbnPhJ963ihfBwlBgJHeoxSL3KywPPcuA11p901P57T702Xb-HiehI0pFjnhdGPgOhrp84/s1600/20170621_135207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTT85SpHIMGjQdrJnoYDGdsctPLjRDpqzVdfasD0Q5xqFSn6mTY2Wz54rvEhRHWSO2OvBEWtgbnPhJ963ihfBwlBgJHeoxSL3KywPPcuA11p901P57T702Xb-HiehI0pFjnhdGPgOhrp84/s320/20170621_135207.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eat a rainbow - with lots of plant-based nutrients</td></tr>
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Aside from salads, I sneak in leafy greens in smoothies (great way to use this when they're getting a bit mushy). I also stir-fry kale or spinach and make this a siding for my salmon and brown rice meal. Always find ways to add veggies to your diet. They make life awesome, and your poop trips so much easier.<br />
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<b>Lemon</b><br />
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Lemon adds a tangy flavor to most dishes. Make fresh lemonade during the summer or have a warm cup of lemon water in the morning to jump start your metabolism. Lemon is one staple ingredient when I make hummus for that tangy, citrusy lift in flavor.<br />
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<br />
<b>Nuts</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ttongf16XB63q8DS4o9zeCxpOTxVW4tHyIIKUYHPy3ioPCEyKZJXJ6gAH9xYPA-3OQd58PfBHwwuCJzUc2L3tVzg2eYJ_Lu07g1NtF_u3S6rxKo4mRpQAmAzQlGrtarZ6kk7ow7poReD/s1600/20170128_121102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ttongf16XB63q8DS4o9zeCxpOTxVW4tHyIIKUYHPy3ioPCEyKZJXJ6gAH9xYPA-3OQd58PfBHwwuCJzUc2L3tVzg2eYJ_Lu07g1NtF_u3S6rxKo4mRpQAmAzQlGrtarZ6kk7ow7poReD/s320/20170128_121102.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">packaged nuts and dried fruit from Salcedo Market</td></tr>
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For the house, I usually have pecans, walnuts, almonds, and cashews. You can add nuts to granola or cereal or you can make your own nut milks. Add some crunch to your salads with chopped cashews and kung pao chicken. Nuts can be used also to make energy balls, homemade nut butters, or if you want, homemade nut (vegan) cheeses.<br />
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<br />
<b>Frozen Berries</b><br />
<br />
When not in season, I get my strawberries frozen, which are excellent for smoothies, overnight oats, or puddings. Since blueberries are not available locally and the fresh ones can get really expensive, I buy frozen blueberries for my blueberry pancakes or smoothies.<br />
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<br />
<b>Chia seeds</b><br />
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These fun little things are excellent plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. I use these as topping for my granola yogurt parfait, <i>champorado</i>, overnight oats, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and even make dessert with them. When they expand, they form a gelatinous coating just like <i>sago</i>.<br />
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<br />
<b>White Vinegar</b><br />
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Aside from making a mean, flavorful <i>adobo</i>, I use white vinegar to make buttermilk for pancakes and waffles for happy, carby, cheat day treats. White vinegar has also awesome uses not just for cooking. Use this in washing strawberries to prevent them from being moldy and yucky or use white vinegar to remove soap scum, clean your fridge, clean your coffee maker and diffuser, make DIY natural house cleaners, and neutralize pet odors. It's practically an all-around kitchen-to-home solution!<br />
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Hopefully a little shift and changes here and there can get you happy and healthy eating. In a few weeks of putting good stuff, you would definitely notice a change in your energy and maybe you may feel better in getting yourself started for the day.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image Sources:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Bananas and Grocery </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">pexels.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Meats</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Down To Earth https://www.instagram.com/downtoearthph/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<u><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Store Directory:</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Down To Earth</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Makati Curb Holdings, No. 7433 Ground Floor, Unit J, Yakal St., San Antonio Village, Makati City; </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.downtoearth.ph/; instagram.com/downtoearthph</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Salcedo Saturday Market</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jaime Velasquez St., Tordesillas St., Salcedo Village</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Saturdays 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-89960932063495437582018-03-05T17:30:00.000+08:002018-03-20T00:26:49.317+08:00Powerful and ProudHave you ever found yourself in a situation when you were at the beach or at the pool minding your own business, reading a good book and enjoying a few minutes to yourself in that cute little bikini you've been dying to wear as soon as you bought it because you looked great when you tried it. All of a sudden, you see some perv staring at you in a creepy way obviously ogling at you and then from a happy summery afternoon, you feel super violated and feel you want to cover up for the rest of your life? Then you start blaming yourself and when you tell others about it, rather than get support, people would further on blame you saying "<i>naka </i>bikini<i> ka naman kasi e</i>" (Uhmm, you were at the pool. What are you supposed to be wearing? A ski outfit?)<br />
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Something similar happened to my friend a few days back, while she was out by the pool in one of her trips. She initially posted the creepy encounter in her Instagram stories but thought of making it a post that would not be removed after 24 hours. Here it is below:
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1twwsBJYn/" data-instgrm-version="8" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf1twwsBJYn/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Half naked, yet still not asking for it 💕💪🏾 __ Figured that this post should be up on my feed where it wont’t disappear. Coincidentally, March is also International Women’s Month. So if you missed my IG stories yesterday, let me fill you in. __ I was at the pool by myself at the hotel I’m staying at here in Jakarta, when this creep stepped out of his room. Walked up to the edge of the pool and unashamedly ogled at me. He was sitting there for I don’t know how long before I took notice. When he realized that my attention was on him, he transferred and hid behind the bushes, and continued to watch me, like a complete and utter perv. __ I could let this go. Like how all of us girls are told to do so. Making excuses for when men behave disgustingly at our expense. “He just looked at you, it was nothing. You should be flattered”, “People get catcalled all the time, it’s normal.”, “Some people have had it worse, you are overreacting.” and the most glorious one of them all “That’s just how men are. Accept it.” To all of this I indignantly say — HELL. NO. __ So, like a true millennial hehe I stuck a camera up his face and took his photos until he retreated his disgusting self back into his room. Sent his face over to the hotel manager. Reported, and now posting everywhere. Why am I so rilled up over this? Why haven’t I stopped talking about it? Because I am sick of it, and the only way that we can even begin put a stop to this is to be brave, call it out and speak. I refuse to stay a victim. For all the days of my life I will fight. I will shame. I will call out disgusting behavior. Not just for myself but for all the women who have to go through this on a daily basis. It is NEVER okay, and IT IS A BIG DEAL. __ Fully clothed or fully naked. If we’re not asking for it, WE’RE NOT ASKING FOR IT! Plain and simple. __ #InternationalWomensMonth</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kayleenortiz/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Kayleen Ortiz</a> (@kayleenortiz) on <time datetime="2018-03-02T23:29:05+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 2, 2018 at 3:29pm PST</time></div>
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I give one million applauses to <a href="http://www.kayleenortiz.com/">Kayleen</a> for taking action against the creep by reporting him to the hotel manager as well as to speak up about it where she can be heard. Instead of cowering in shame and fear, here she is speaking out loud, calling out disgusting behavior for all women out there in a bikini, not asking for it but being the strong woman that she is and looking awesome while at it. This girl is physically strong because she can do 100 pushups, look graceful in lifting herself as well as a fully-grown adult, and teach a number of pole classes and still not die. By speaking up and not taking any crap, she is also strong deep inside, and encourages strength in and out of the gym situation. She handled it with so much class too!<br />
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This shaming and victim-blaming isn't just the amount fabric cover our skin. It can be our life choices, the sport we choose, the way we wear our hair, the amount of makeup we have on our face, even the food we eat! Heck even speaking our mind gets us in trouble! I've heard these lines so many times spoken by gosh, so many people to so many girls in a whole lot of variables.<br />
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"<i>Makibagay ka dahil babae ka</i>."<br />
"<i>Di ka ba pinapagalitan sa pagpopole dancing mo</i>?"<br />
"I like your top kaso I'm too fat/my boyfriend won't let me wear that"<br />
"Straighten your hair, you look like a cheap girl"<br />
"I want to color my hair blue but my boyfriend won't let me."<br />
"Why can't you dress like *insert It Girl's name here*? She dresses like a proper lady."<br />
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If 2004 me would cower in polos and jeans and spend thousands on rebonding and be that cookie-cutter kind of girl to please others, covering up and feeling ashamed whenever I'm sunning out in a two-piece, I don't think my inner and true self would be happy. I am not It Girl in crisp white t-shirts, dark shoulder length hair in a ponytail, and ballet flats or black pumps. That would be trying to be someone you are not. We see what that could lead to, right? This 2018 self would say f*ck it, do what makes you happy (as long as you are not committing a crime. hihi).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQr0uHzNpRWn0lGgjTqPjssnOJfqFYQyEsRnFkhq2KuxgRNLqveO1C5wMBa8Cn_6405OXPcFP8BRahLF3VlPaSnJJ2C6LOXizBsG9z_evma3TOeJZg1gVHjNxPRfQ-LQlya2iuJp3pLCF/s1600/28783439_10215233646857258_3105169266614206464_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQr0uHzNpRWn0lGgjTqPjssnOJfqFYQyEsRnFkhq2KuxgRNLqveO1C5wMBa8Cn_6405OXPcFP8BRahLF3VlPaSnJJ2C6LOXizBsG9z_evma3TOeJZg1gVHjNxPRfQ-LQlya2iuJp3pLCF/s320/28783439_10215233646857258_3105169266614206464_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also a bikini not because I am asking for it, because I am having a wonderful time in the beach.<br />
And I do not want bad tan lines and I am not afraid of the sun. </td></tr>
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If we just shut up, cover up, grin and bear it and accept the shame the disgusting practice will not stop. More boys will catcall and ogle because of the "boys will be boys mentality". Women will get abused by horrible partners because of the "<i>babae ka. asawa ka. tiisin mo kasi wala ka na makukuhang iba</i>" mentality.<br />
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I echo that the we must be brave, and not think twice to call out and speak. We must not be a victim. No matter what we wear or not wear - if we are not asking for it, we are definitely not asking for it.<br />
<br />
Want to dye your hair pink because you've always wanted to? Go!<br />
Want to take pole dancing or heels class because you want a fun workout that does not feel like a workout? Go and sign up for a class, and no, it is not to entice anyone when you post a video. You post a video because you did the class!<br />
Do a full brazilian wax because why not? Yes!<br />
Wear your hot pants in this hot tropical country that it's summer? Many girls will do so to!<br />
Speak up to that lady forcing you to get married because you are already in your 30's and your eggs are ageing? You are the boss of your own body! Go!<br />
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Miss Socialite is Miss Socialite. You are you. Not her. No need to copy her clothes or hairstyle if it's not your style. Even if you have the same features. You do not have the same taste or personality.<br />
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Feed your heart. Do what makes you comfortable and happy. Be brave. Be strong. Life is too short to be a shadow of who you once were or live in what-if's. Be powerful and for every step forward you do, be proud about it.<br />
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Powerful and Proud. Not only is it in the number of push-ups we do or how long can we survive a plank challenge, but how brave we are to stand up for ourselves and encourage every other woman to do the same.<br />
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We can do it. I'm with you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-19270353752318912762018-01-06T18:03:00.003+08:002018-01-06T18:03:36.275+08:00Update On My No-Buy BanHello and Happy New Year all! Here's to more good vibes, good healh, and happiness. Ironically, I'm nursing a mild viral cold now (There must be a bug going on), so with this occasion forcing myself to go into a yin state, I thought I'd check up on myself two months post declaring my <a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2017/10/why-i-put-myself-in-no-buy-makeup.html">No-Buy Makeup Challenge</a>. I haven't done any impulse or panic buys or unecessary makeup shopping or hoarding for myself in two months and I am happy to tell you that I didn't go into chills, have my body split into two or foam at the mouth when I see a new collection on display. Nothing. I'm alive you guys and if you set yourself in this challenge as a 2018 New Year Resolution, I, along with many others in the challenge are living proof to tell you that yes, it's possible.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still human two months after not buying any makeup!<br />
Photo by Alfred Mendoza</td></tr>
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So how was it during Christmas shopping when you see all the Holiday collections popping up? How was able to resist to buy? Well, sometimes, I noticed that I usually buy out of curiosity. So what I did, I satisfied my curiosity by swatching. When I swatch the product, I get to experience it if it's nice on me. Better yet, I also get to realize that I may have a similar (or an exact dupe) shade in my kit. Then I walk away. If ever that I still want to buy, I gave it usually as a gift. I did that once though and gave a lip kit for my friend as a gift. Buying makeup as a gift is still allowed as well as buying to replenish what you super ran out of. Actually, with most of my gifts, I settled for DIY and followed my own advice.<br />
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Remember what I said about having a support or a buddy to check on you? Well it really helped. Azaza added me in a Facebook group where girls all over the world participate in a panning challenge, where they would pan out products. These girls are based all over the world and I get to see their emptied out and panned out makeup and skincare products for the month and their list of already panned-out products from their kit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9jQCgtg9P7bm99pLG_RuPW-7p_aYxdQnSJvVxcxkEMvnv2-mQq7jdHEuXIH65wlyNt9I-m_443wSBe2OTr6I6k2x2rixpRHdpqlwo8fW7fI4P6aXx4EnlSIHiR2Gg73nZuPQYU8ZudxC/s1600/26551591_10214726017446840_1101599634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9jQCgtg9P7bm99pLG_RuPW-7p_aYxdQnSJvVxcxkEMvnv2-mQq7jdHEuXIH65wlyNt9I-m_443wSBe2OTr6I6k2x2rixpRHdpqlwo8fW7fI4P6aXx4EnlSIHiR2Gg73nZuPQYU8ZudxC/s320/26551591_10214726017446840_1101599634_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cream makeup hitting pan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirOGLdfMRCniVxZlJmUukKm4chlYY-ZDoQJjqlB04Lg-eS76LRLvhO6S4LZmKUHQzeGyOpxbv4cgnLVlBhNA9pgZel7hZwiaeWB9QdMNHVM7mWBkBdV9Ip0fjFZq0h6epzY5mgA_d1Ram/s1600/26553059_10214726017046830_1338733511_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirOGLdfMRCniVxZlJmUukKm4chlYY-ZDoQJjqlB04Lg-eS76LRLvhO6S4LZmKUHQzeGyOpxbv4cgnLVlBhNA9pgZel7hZwiaeWB9QdMNHVM7mWBkBdV9Ip0fjFZq0h6epzY5mgA_d1Ram/s320/26553059_10214726017046830_1338733511_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hit pan with the Cream in my lorac Pro palette.<br />
Seeing a hint of pan in my base color</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU3tMiHBJj199gxZoJN4E1shWhyHNu9s8UuhGSa-vfQD1y9_pTxn3JPC1kZXgbZT8aG23hDchdtUHoKVOJ-zTp1mIZD6DbX16JP8U-FAS-9uCxNNqgf4me1o0ko56X8pwdaySHFKkROsY/s1600/26553076_10214726017366838_1673384562_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU3tMiHBJj199gxZoJN4E1shWhyHNu9s8UuhGSa-vfQD1y9_pTxn3JPC1kZXgbZT8aG23hDchdtUHoKVOJ-zTp1mIZD6DbX16JP8U-FAS-9uCxNNqgf4me1o0ko56X8pwdaySHFKkROsY/s320/26553076_10214726017366838_1673384562_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panned-out contours and blushes</td></tr>
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When one girl is having shopping withdrawals, there was a batallion of encouragement and support to stay strong. I posted a couple of photos of my panned-out powder and blush products and I'm actually getting more likes there than a twisty, splitty yoga photo or an adorable photo of my cat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIeiXgKsiz2fn-mvEh2enDpRiq4um5UJmKmQckb2ryRqkes4faPUfGxh7nypgli1CgX3dgmDA_4jSouh4iRr3MgAmnUyMRQEp1VRnmjj9ITWbOYVUArDW-cRep9tXCafDNrCinJgns5S2/s1600/26694001_10214726017326837_1344864174_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIeiXgKsiz2fn-mvEh2enDpRiq4um5UJmKmQckb2ryRqkes4faPUfGxh7nypgli1CgX3dgmDA_4jSouh4iRr3MgAmnUyMRQEp1VRnmjj9ITWbOYVUArDW-cRep9tXCafDNrCinJgns5S2/s320/26694001_10214726017326837_1344864174_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">brow products were the easiest to pan out</td></tr>
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I also noticed my makeup habits - that lately, I go by my brow products very fast. Maybe because #kilayislife. I've practically squeezed out my Make Up For Ever Aqua Brow colors and finished up a K-palette eyebrow pencil. I'm almost done with another eyebrow pen and this along with lash glue was my only repurchase for self. Maybe I ought to do more eye makeup just to pan out the shadow palettes and assign lip colors for everyday to pan out several other lippies.<br />
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Joining that group also got me more tips so that I can lessen my makeup spending.<br />
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1. Unsubscribe. Sometimes, email notifications of stores can be tempting. If you're the type who would want to rush and order the newest product when you see it pop in your mailing list, best to unsubscribe from several email notifications first until your stash significantly reduces. You can re-add yourself to the mailing list back when your goal has completed.<br />
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2. Have a theme per month. This will help in your project panning. For people who wear makeup everyday because of work or hey, because we just like to (nothing wrong with that), gather a few products and place it on a small (or smaller) makeup pouch you have on hand and have this on your dresser. Your objective is to pan them out for the month.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcW9csul1xR/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Rocker chic smokey for the YogaHive Denim and White Christmas Party.</a></div>
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bambikitty/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> bambi kitty 🐱🐯</a> (@bambikitty) on <time datetime="2017-12-06T11:15:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 6, 2017 at 3:15am PST</time></div>
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3. Find other places to hang out aside from the mall. I try not to spend a lot of time in the malls during Holidays unless errands. I took up coloring so I don't stay bored during idle times, attended classes, focused on meal prepping (helps control Holiday bingeing too). If you find yourself bored at home, whip out your makeup kit and create a look.<br />
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4. Find ways to maximize your palette - I panned out Shadowplay from my<a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2016/01/review-kat-von-d-shade-light-contour.html"> Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour palette</a> while the other shades were barely used. Azaza taught me how to maximize the palette on how other shades can be used to contour other areas (I used to always rely on Shadowplay entirely), create dimension in contour, or act as an eyeshadow. I swear, now I don't need to buy more matte browns! There was even a girl in the Project Panning group page that used old eyeshadow palettes as paints and created artwork! To each her own I guess.<br />
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Actually, blogging about this puts me back on track. Maybe I can wear just a tad more makeup on some days or when I have time, create quick looks I can do to maximize things even more. I can even do a theme lipstick for the week or month. Since ultraviolet is the color for 2018, I can gather purple makeup that I should use for the first two months or something.<br />
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Are you also in the panning or no-buy challenge for 2018? If you've done this last year, how's your progress going? Let me know too in the comments below.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-88431099219223535062017-11-23T23:28:00.001+08:002017-11-23T23:28:50.041+08:00Alternative Clutter-Free Christmas Cheer IdeasChristmas time has come again and malls are getting really crowded and so are bazaars for some Christmas shopping. Most of the time, we find ourselves getting knick-knacks which end up unused even up to the end of next year. However, if you still want to give something, here are a few ideas to show that you care that will not end up catching dust or regifted like the fruitcake from last Christmas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf_VBixCCK7xsdvAYFCUNmaWy3Ov3RBcy_pII07669Ny-Vv5DvUHG7yE6xVRx8-Jv2uYOPeKXZx1n-w8RETDtmQEacC33DSk1dIcUULzvbMonxa9dV8R4GlY6AlMsf4uLDeJssHsHGR8e/s1600/pexels-photo-360624.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDf_VBixCCK7xsdvAYFCUNmaWy3Ov3RBcy_pII07669Ny-Vv5DvUHG7yE6xVRx8-Jv2uYOPeKXZx1n-w8RETDtmQEacC33DSk1dIcUULzvbMonxa9dV8R4GlY6AlMsf4uLDeJssHsHGR8e/s320/pexels-photo-360624.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Homemade Food</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr1H9ZWNGA1t7dJ2hZiG9AEE8nOKRqPawDNdgkDyuscgo1jAC9_EXuipWCls3khfXAvstssNkP-iJiDxo8kfV0irv-OMPDTyZOxbllbGDlYMFK6UkYwbk4JtdqpThBbg91JbuklfRtLoC/s1600/4485_1168764302057_611601_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="604" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdr1H9ZWNGA1t7dJ2hZiG9AEE8nOKRqPawDNdgkDyuscgo1jAC9_EXuipWCls3khfXAvstssNkP-iJiDxo8kfV0irv-OMPDTyZOxbllbGDlYMFK6UkYwbk4JtdqpThBbg91JbuklfRtLoC/s320/4485_1168764302057_611601_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used to make these cookies and give them as gifts</td></tr>
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If you're a whiz in the kitchen, use your kitchen skills to whip up something yummy. It doesn't have to be limited to just breads, cookies, and cakes. You can make granola and put them in tiny mason jars and give as gifts. Pasta sauces, hummus, dips, homemade butters and pates also make great gifts. I've just joined pinterest and there are so many food gift ideas. The nice thing about food gifts is that they can be shared, spreading the love and joy to more people.<br />
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<b>Services</b><br />
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If you're a makeup artist, you can offer your makeup service for your <i>balikbayan </i>tita spending the Holidays here in the Philippines when she attends her high school or college reunion. Not only will she look so gorgeous, but she will have a gift that won't take extra space in her luggage when she comes home. Pro photographers can also give their nieces and nephews a photo session or give their super close friend or relative's baby a newborn photoshoot (it's the perfect gift for the family too). You can offer also to teach your younger cousin a new skill or craft or how to master a dish. There are so many (non-material) ways to show you care.<br />
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<b>Watch a show</b><br />
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Instead of toys which are only good for a few months before catching dust at the back of the toy closet, treat the kids to something new like watching shows based on their favorite cartoons and fairy tales. Ballet Manila would be having their world premiere of Snow White this weekend and will have shows running on November 25, November 26, December 2, and December 3 all at 6 pm. This will also feature familiar tunes with that feel-good reminiscing feeling adults and children will all like. You can check our their suprise performance at Glorietta in the video below for a preview.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBalletManilaOfficial%2Fvideos%2F10155982577784874%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe>
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<b>Host/Organize a Meal</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybuK8Ias_Cro-dMAU6RzcbJpKpUj2FPdM42Xo-k0Tah0FtcgahhGIyHMNklo6z8iA5HavdM3I6pO0aB0J7Hd3hVnSmCUJQkUN9LhyphenhyphenuVduygLSPbQgr_HIiCfyFZHDF0EukJL1T-qj0x57/s1600/23622017_10214325636317562_7788989249584258051_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="788" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybuK8Ias_Cro-dMAU6RzcbJpKpUj2FPdM42Xo-k0Tah0FtcgahhGIyHMNklo6z8iA5HavdM3I6pO0aB0J7Hd3hVnSmCUJQkUN9LhyphenhyphenuVduygLSPbQgr_HIiCfyFZHDF0EukJL1T-qj0x57/s320/23622017_10214325636317562_7788989249584258051_n.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fresh pasta will be part of an annual dinner with friends<br />I did say that this will take my entire morning and day so I had someone make the sauce</td></tr>
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Sometimes, a quiet meal with a few close friends is what we need instead of a Christmas party with loud music and different versions of Despacito playing in the background where you could hardly hear each other. Gather a few of your friends and just have a quiet, intimate dinner where each of you bring a dish (you can even have a theme say Japanese, vegan/vegetarian, Asian, etc) instead of fighting for a seat at a mall restaurant. Come in comfy clothes, enjoy great food, fun stories, and have a merry time with less stress, gifts not necessary.<br />
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<b>Spread Good Vibes</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh-LPLJpsKOviyBNw976tpCbdWtNi7oENuVliamQl42LGGr6FUhBWa7AgUY5IFsBOvlDoEu-U5zya41w7sEykZand5yDWWWK4IylbxSWgQ-vuUqE6BCA1wOgHhKhsbFLC5pO_vBnGszI7/s1600/21192918_10213699061253577_4971104084567948900_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwh-LPLJpsKOviyBNw976tpCbdWtNi7oENuVliamQl42LGGr6FUhBWa7AgUY5IFsBOvlDoEu-U5zya41w7sEykZand5yDWWWK4IylbxSWgQ-vuUqE6BCA1wOgHhKhsbFLC5pO_vBnGszI7/s320/21192918_10213699061253577_4971104084567948900_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extending Christmas cheer not just to humans but four-legged friends:<br />Feeding the stray kitties at BGC</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Be the friend who is there to calm that friend of yours already stressed reviewing for a big exam. Feed a stray animal. Help someone cross the street or offer your seat at the bus or train. Drive for your friend who has a lot of errands and wouldn't want to commute from one location to the other with the rush hour. Not really a gift gift, but it spreads good cheer too.<br />
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Let's spend the Holidays worry-free, stress-free, and clutter free!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image directory:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">gift photo: Pexels.com</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-61597557148443661272017-11-09T19:23:00.000+08:002017-11-09T19:23:18.704+08:00No 'Poo Hair CareMy hair and scalp went haywire and this was due to an overabundance of chemical buildup on my scalp from chemical treatments, residues, as well as dirt and sweat. Aside from dry, parchy hair, my scalp was in an embarassing state of flaking and I would see some red, irritated patches. It would also itch and sometimes, I would see rough eczema patches on my left ear and my neck. I planned to color my hair for the Holidays but with my hair in this situation, hair color might make it worse. So just like being supersaturated with the toxicity of social media that we unfollow, my hair had to go on forced detox.<br />
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This detox didn't mean that I should stop washing my hair because that would be gross. So what to use to clean my hair? DIY 'poo-free shampoo, meaning a shampoo that's free of sulfates, silicones, and all these chemicals my hair is already <i>quota na</i> with. You can make your own shampoo with a few things. Some of them can even be found in your own kitchen such as apple cider vinegar, olive oil, VCO, water (distilled), baking soda, lemon juice, etc. As natural as it can get with ingredients that are easily pronounced and uncomplicated.<br />
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For my DIY chemical-free shampoo, I googled recipes with ingredients that are not hard to find. I found a recipe that uses castile soap. Since castile soap would be too harsh for my colored hair, I found another soap/shampoo base alternative - Coconut Oil soap, which I purchased from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naoe.ph/">Naoe</a>, a local online shop that sells raw materials to make your own DIY home and body care products. Coconut oil soap can both be used as soap/shower gel and shampoo. The ingredients for this soap base are just water, coconut oil, and vegetable glycerin.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqZUW4xPq61kbOOHlCvhQySPEKOFEhlbyzynSpl7pCgPtyLZo9bheztYCxf5QgaE7hqtdjlJGAU1QbnWaAZf4iHnGtSpKaGSQr37Ht0ZnmBt4Z_DAO1Zyvz_mYOYlSNG5FxOQUgE-NSfk/s1600/23476101_10214247867973402_1810918988_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqZUW4xPq61kbOOHlCvhQySPEKOFEhlbyzynSpl7pCgPtyLZo9bheztYCxf5QgaE7hqtdjlJGAU1QbnWaAZf4iHnGtSpKaGSQr37Ht0ZnmBt4Z_DAO1Zyvz_mYOYlSNG5FxOQUgE-NSfk/s320/23476101_10214247867973402_1810918988_n.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naoe essential oils for my DIY products, prouldy local</td></tr>
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To make my no 'poo shampoo smell better, I use essential oils, which made my hair product (and other things I can make on my own) smell better and more spa-like Even before essential oils became a thing, I've been using them just in my air purifier or burning them in my oil burner (I got one as a wedding favor from a wedding that I did many years ago). It was mostly for aromatherapy really but I didn't know these oils had awesome uses aside from smelling good. Naoe also has essential oils (starting at Php 180) but you can also purchase essential oils from <a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-visit-to-ilog-maria-honeybee-farm.html">Ilog Maria</a>, which is also the same that they use to make their soaps.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiKHsUPjdC8214ydqsThlAMEruE7XXJNFnXE8KXncF1-Z4J2PeeVWI6sHcqTruPmO0pcvLrBa6_sag2VDuSC-iNNchYhB_5QECNonw6-v_86hIKuZDkX2eNcNetJovtIvm2RXBz3OMCit/s1600/23435364_10214247868173407_366245251_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="923" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiKHsUPjdC8214ydqsThlAMEruE7XXJNFnXE8KXncF1-Z4J2PeeVWI6sHcqTruPmO0pcvLrBa6_sag2VDuSC-iNNchYhB_5QECNonw6-v_86hIKuZDkX2eNcNetJovtIvm2RXBz3OMCit/s320/23435364_10214247868173407_366245251_n.jpg" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DIY shower gel ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The procedure to make this is simple. All I had to do was combine coconut oil soap base, almond oil (or jojoba oil) for moisture, lemon EO, rosemary EO, and peppermint EO (peppermint feels so good and soothing on my scalp. Not to mention I smell like a Christmas candy cane after). Topped this with distilled water and gave it a good shake and I'm ready with my shampoo. I sometimes follow up with an ACV rinse (a 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and distilled water) to balance the pH of my scalp. If there's no ACV, a squeeze of lemon or juice from two calamansi would do the trick just fine. I actually prefer the latter because the ACV smell still lingers even though very mildly.<br />
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We can purchase bottles to store our DIY care from <a href="http://www.beabi.com.ph/">Beabi</a>, True Value, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oilifestyle/">The Oil Lifestyle</a>. The Oil Lifestyle also has mini funnels (Php 18 for a pack of 2) if you would want to make small batches of these products. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU9SHzzIzw3e2pPlMjXUgeIsb-7ldQV8A04b8txauTjwFUNfzifbWsBa7yR-hGV5Zj3RDQWbEelumrqqWott82F7Cd2naTZReeCDZ9kXHk4Gt11PP3SEccFriuWhmsVJfAAqg2vthY4xF/s1600/23476126_10214247868453414_1427607260_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsU9SHzzIzw3e2pPlMjXUgeIsb-7ldQV8A04b8txauTjwFUNfzifbWsBa7yR-hGV5Zj3RDQWbEelumrqqWott82F7Cd2naTZReeCDZ9kXHk4Gt11PP3SEccFriuWhmsVJfAAqg2vthY4xF/s320/23476126_10214247868453414_1427607260_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going hipster with pastel labels</td></tr>
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A little over a week into this and I've noticed that my scalp does not itch even if I didn't wash it in the morning. There's no more eczema on my hairline and ear and the flakes slowly disappeared as the days went on. My hair doesn't have that gross "hasn't been washed" smell or feel. I do not itch after a workout, even a sweaty Corewell session. Also, less hairfall when I brush or blow dry my hair.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYfsZUoq1c1v7zNBGoCWO4PvuQNuDY0lJ2JppjtOsPDmGJMvqr4iS9gQ66ZzztQkJDF8BdIKfsYyjwIjvfodaEZAWbAm8RjqbU3CuwTYKBN8Oq1UDHs6av67Jltk65vpo4Pg56swCHugo/s1600/23476179_10214247869253434_133767655_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYfsZUoq1c1v7zNBGoCWO4PvuQNuDY0lJ2JppjtOsPDmGJMvqr4iS9gQ66ZzztQkJDF8BdIKfsYyjwIjvfodaEZAWbAm8RjqbU3CuwTYKBN8Oq1UDHs6av67Jltk65vpo4Pg56swCHugo/s320/23476179_10214247869253434_133767655_n.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a literal I-woke-up-like-this look daily</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's one con to this DIY product though: How my hair feels. It may smell really great and my scalp and ears are so behaved but my hair was in a state of stickiness. I thought I totally murdered my hair at the expense of my scalp but when I googled about it, it was actually a period of my hair detoxing and going through a withdrawal phase from all the chemicals it has been used to -all the silicon coatings, the chemical buildup, and my scalp producing more sebum than it should thinking my hair is so dry. It does go away though.<br />
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To make me look less like Professor Snape, I periodically brush my hair to redistribute the oils so they don't get stuck at the roots. This made my hair look smoother and shinier instead of <i>taong grasa</i> waves. Blowdrying in a cool setting also helps it "set" better after a shower. If I still look horrible, I just tie my hair and no one notices my roots.<br />
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I didn't have that "detox" period on my skin though as my skin loved the DIY shower gel. It was great for a nighttime bath since I scented it with lavender, ylang ylang, and frankincense. My hair rebelled though when I used it as a shampoo but this is my chemical-dependent hair still undergoing a detox.<br />
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The fun part though was making other things from the raw materials. I made my own linen spray when I ran out of linen spray (a mix of witch hazel, lavender, and distilled water) which also served as a dusting spray and since these are so mild ingredients, I used them also to tame my greasy hair.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0r9RWsgiyoUEVIdpfaTyeoi-TFskVDRKosGkE6msJmp1HzZ7ZjZjbYjdO8XrnWZH50w3drQQFJJxcCmMkcByRCFBDZdO09YA3lvZMkhOZQoGbcLqH5ZLd4rOYlg2nYeJCQHb-fbhs6-Y/s1600/23415915_10214247868013403_69099179_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0r9RWsgiyoUEVIdpfaTyeoi-TFskVDRKosGkE6msJmp1HzZ7ZjZjbYjdO8XrnWZH50w3drQQFJJxcCmMkcByRCFBDZdO09YA3lvZMkhOZQoGbcLqH5ZLd4rOYlg2nYeJCQHb-fbhs6-Y/s320/23415915_10214247868013403_69099179_n.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A DIY spray for home and even hair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also noticed that my hands do not crack as much with these DIY home care products or do my nails break like crazy from harsh chemicals (I do wear gloves just in case). Since I have pets, I steer clear of EOs that are not good for pets and give a good rinsing on surfaces and keep my materials away from them. I also make sure that I do not use phototoxic oils on surfaces that would be exposed to sunlight. Caution should always be exercised and if an oil is not safe due to allergies or whatever, it's best to stop using it.<br />
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I do would like to continue using DIY skin and home care, even the DIY shampoo. The shampoo though isn't for me to do so forever, but I can use it on the occasion that I would want to go on a detox. I can continue on using my DIY home care, knowing that linen and dusting sprays can cost so much money when I can make something on my own. I should also remember to make small batches since these, being freshly made in my own kitchen usually do not last longer in storage than commercial products. I can try mixing different blends too, to match my mood. Any blends for me to try out?<br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><u>Store Directory</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beabi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">www.beabi.com.ph; facebook.com/ilovebeabi; instagram.com/ilovebeabi</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ilog Maria</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">www.ilogmaria.com; </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Naoe</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">available at Retail lab Glorietta and Ayala at the 30th and The Park, Shangri-La Plaza</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">www.naoe.ph; facebook.com/naoe.ph; instagram.com/naoe.ph</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Oil Lifestyle</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">facebook.com/oilifestyle; instagram.com/oilifestyle/</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-49167358287949042222017-11-02T17:25:00.000+08:002017-11-02T17:25:04.720+08:00Back To School for HalloweenEven if I've been experimenting so much with special effects makeup in my makeup posts, I never really went to school for it, for the reason that it was more of something that I just want to do for myself and most of what I do is usually beauty and bridal. It was a very expensive course too to take on its own so I figured out I'd wait it out first and put my money on other things. However, when the time and opportunity came for me to attend a Basic Special Effects workshop at the Center for Aesthetic Studies last month, I decided to go and grab this time. Although I'm not doing makeup as much as I did before, I still couldn't say no to this seasonal skill. My heart, after all, beats for special effects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsTPT4-pio8VxmsQsoFdjr-qL2_jy8zgId6bP3N9DPFZsVNRCu4Gkcu31D_nMyFtGROiuZPS0TQx4BCreFkiA7T_8ctB9NZ0nl1dIk2rMpKpWFXgXUAidDIOd2UGpkV-T9NP8mss9kpMr/s1600/22279890_10154979720407129_1348088185373694079_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsTPT4-pio8VxmsQsoFdjr-qL2_jy8zgId6bP3N9DPFZsVNRCu4Gkcu31D_nMyFtGROiuZPS0TQx4BCreFkiA7T_8ctB9NZ0nl1dIk2rMpKpWFXgXUAidDIOd2UGpkV-T9NP8mss9kpMr/s320/22279890_10154979720407129_1348088185373694079_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Literally I stepped into this school 10 years ago when I first had my very basic makeup training. Right now, it's in a different location.<br />
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Back then, the Center for Aesthetic Studies (or CAS) used to be in Jupiter Street and I used to walk from de la Costa to Jupiter with my makeup bag to get to class. Now, it's located along Gamboa Street in Legaspi Village on the other side of Makati, a walking distance away from Greenbelt 1.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyx3y4bdtXUhMV-8los7TbT1d9TBbX-RFe5pchw1B8oNCHOLF0iZW0fKj4hLMNVtbpKbuRWNBiqU8UuPAMg93YWMsSIFHjIdS8UvPNNUuf6Iecb0NPoq-IXqHx87QwAZCAGRYo4j2jmQn/s1600/22752276_10214110897149217_1640410488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyx3y4bdtXUhMV-8los7TbT1d9TBbX-RFe5pchw1B8oNCHOLF0iZW0fKj4hLMNVtbpKbuRWNBiqU8UuPAMg93YWMsSIFHjIdS8UvPNNUuf6Iecb0NPoq-IXqHx87QwAZCAGRYo4j2jmQn/s320/22752276_10214110897149217_1640410488_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We now have director's chairs! I recall the time I would hoard monoblock chairs to stack them together so I have a relatively high chair.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxALQW_LgZSSz7e3v2sa2nprgktsJflmXDzknTVctrtyClrWXxsu12H1tCDwKSPEtvc-CHRUhCb8G7Co63puJshuQSsP1i-_jXbGXfd2JvhuuN2PTNL2fxt5y3f659-kBQ2Ltf6PVPT3u/s1600/22752815_10214110898509251_824540587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxALQW_LgZSSz7e3v2sa2nprgktsJflmXDzknTVctrtyClrWXxsu12H1tCDwKSPEtvc-CHRUhCb8G7Co63puJshuQSsP1i-_jXbGXfd2JvhuuN2PTNL2fxt5y3f659-kBQ2Ltf6PVPT3u/s320/22752815_10214110898509251_824540587_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BYS Philippines has a special FX line to cater to your Halloween looks</td></tr>
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We just had to bring our brushes and some other tools which fit a way smaller and lighter makeup bag. Makeup products were provided by the school with their partner brand, BYS Cosmetics, even for their special effects line. Yes! BYS also has a special effects line now!<br />
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Thanks to my student/friend Moe who agreed to be my practice model for the day despite the fact he had little sleep the night before. This is his photo before the crazies happened.<br />
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We started out with an introduction to special effects. We would learn ageing, bruises, cuts, lacerations, and burns. Already with the outline and my heart was pumping like doing cardio. Making stuff like these is so much fun. Also, we would be doing the other end. If in beauty makeup we hide flaws, here, we enhance flaws and make flaws. It's like my mind did an inversion.<br />
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For every segment, there would be a demo. Here is Teacher Bo giving a demo on the model. He has worked in countless TV productions and horror films (including the iconic horror movie series Shake Rattle and Roll). He even has a page in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2148206/">IMDb</a>! Yes, being the nerd that I am, I actually researched this. Teacher Bo has been my forever teacher in CAS since he was my teacher in basic makeup before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY8NWcq4JAw2ir1E69mG-d1rfUBKCZuQaUMbmbrhnfWi2SJEKJaMPVQ8zzeYDi3805E2O15bRiDVYyOYBOY6_Tpxe728EcAxQt729XWUHHlFRlamaOaWTDUTvkPvIejencyqeqsw3EXWy/s1600/22711510_10214110898429249_1664781267_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRY8NWcq4JAw2ir1E69mG-d1rfUBKCZuQaUMbmbrhnfWi2SJEKJaMPVQ8zzeYDi3805E2O15bRiDVYyOYBOY6_Tpxe728EcAxQt729XWUHHlFRlamaOaWTDUTvkPvIejencyqeqsw3EXWy/s320/22711510_10214110898429249_1664781267_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ageing using cream/powder shading, stippling, liquid latex, and white greasepaint.</td></tr>
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One important tip I learned from him is less is more. It's better to layer on products and blend it evenly to make things look more realistic. This holds especially true in bruises where it's not supposed to be one mask of purple paint but there should be a gradation of colors and the skin underneath should show through. I also learned that it's not just showering a fake would with red makeup and fake blood. There's a bit of other colors thrown in as well. If you get a real bruise, take a good look at it and see the different colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrpO03yVW2tOIDkO7jvLazBuI5DgF03GiuRfD9GVk6NbBR4pkbcWJH9bSV88dA8692jyFCkG9bPsIGzj1RHVlGpqnG5NSYPJNwRbpNtUm217FOO68vAvrPYLtG42rOvqfdBFnh7bo8SE4/s1600/22773248_10214110897429224_758976971_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrpO03yVW2tOIDkO7jvLazBuI5DgF03GiuRfD9GVk6NbBR4pkbcWJH9bSV88dA8692jyFCkG9bPsIGzj1RHVlGpqnG5NSYPJNwRbpNtUm217FOO68vAvrPYLtG42rOvqfdBFnh7bo8SE4/s320/22773248_10214110897429224_758976971_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose laceration created with scar wax</td></tr>
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Scar wax was a tricky thing to work with especially with spirit gum. This gets really sticky sometimes.<br />
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In special effects, we use old brushes and paint brushes (yes, the ones we buy at National Bookstore). This also puts to good use our powder brushes and other brushes that have seen better days. The sponges we use in beauty makeup can still be put to good use. Just give them a good wash and use them to apply liquid latex or tear them to create texture. We can even use old mascara wands to create texture or brush color on brows and mustaches or so on. This is a good take on upcycling and lessen the turnaround time for a lot of sponges and brushes to be thrown out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk8Ogl1zzC2ek4KR9oBLoYbNW4kuNG8QeFmrhiJoEFRPWJ3grXEVn2k0Eoiw20PJM_Xio7wCbSP0v-xE0HXlfordJ3zEc5WM0ml4fYqGk2MfbUmE1YV3FzkdpGvZcSY9ZHnnFNfJHtULN/s1600/22752016_10214110899229269_301805883_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk8Ogl1zzC2ek4KR9oBLoYbNW4kuNG8QeFmrhiJoEFRPWJ3grXEVn2k0Eoiw20PJM_Xio7wCbSP0v-xE0HXlfordJ3zEc5WM0ml4fYqGk2MfbUmE1YV3FzkdpGvZcSY9ZHnnFNfJHtULN/s320/22752016_10214110899229269_301805883_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blisters and third-degree burn</td></tr>
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I had the most fun in creating burns because it involves layering of products. If you are not that squeamish, you can search actual photos of burns and wounds to make your work more realistic. If you're like me who's a bit squeamish, just type "special fx burn makeup". The search engine will give you graphic images, but at least you know that these were made by other makeup artists using fx makeup and not medical cases, so less chances for the stomach to turn.<br />
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I must admit that doing special effects was longer than doing beauty makeup. I usually do like a full glam makeup in 20-30 minutes (excluding hair). However, for special effects, it usually takes me an hour or more. Sometimes it takes even two hours depending on the concept. I do love it still because of the challenge and also, each look has a story. Like for a burn, how did the character get burned? What kind of burn? Is it an acid burn like Harvey Dent in Batman or was he burned by an angry mob like Freddy Krueger? If it's a cut, what kind of a cut is it, who or what made it, and so on. There are different kinds of fake blood to use and I already wrote <a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2016/10/know-your-fake-blood.html">ways</a> on how they are used.<br />
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Of course this would not be complete without a photo-op with my teacher!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-UTfyntmDxzQZ7JFj-KSsqgVSXr7l-Y7heuChTxOS0w_mzbed9Lae1dzuvkQ-z3xSNYwM54NiepH3TALhhzyPO3X2OS7m7I1fRtOKnMpR7mu850Sze4cCTGarj6K_qGXaIlm_2qKDaJV/s1600/22711384_10214110898069240_1204372603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-UTfyntmDxzQZ7JFj-KSsqgVSXr7l-Y7heuChTxOS0w_mzbed9Lae1dzuvkQ-z3xSNYwM54NiepH3TALhhzyPO3X2OS7m7I1fRtOKnMpR7mu850Sze4cCTGarj6K_qGXaIlm_2qKDaJV/s320/22711384_10214110898069240_1204372603_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He even gave tips on how we could fine-tune our skills and how to store products, like pre-prepped prosethetic gelatin. He also gave tips on special fx equipment shopping should we start building our kit, like what to look out for, what colors to buy, and so on.<br />
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If not doing special effects makeup for Halloween for movies/tv or for Halloween, there are ways where I can apply this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_DM-QkRxhT4d0rjHIxjJHU8Iid8TctJUMpRCFuTOXC7IaNgpbREToLg8evxInzCaZR1xph60qg6N7mXwcGM-VYctBZs3P6Q9zbq3p1AIlqixUnb-rnayU3wOb4blZwgDr5JJhdWmy5wi/s1600/23163700_10214192572271044_195033662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_DM-QkRxhT4d0rjHIxjJHU8Iid8TctJUMpRCFuTOXC7IaNgpbREToLg8evxInzCaZR1xph60qg6N7mXwcGM-VYctBZs3P6Q9zbq3p1AIlqixUnb-rnayU3wOb4blZwgDr5JJhdWmy5wi/s320/23163700_10214192572271044_195033662_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorify a vintage-themed party with a sexy zombie pinup girl look.</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>Christmas parties. I know of some people who would extend Halloween gore to their themed Christmas parties. I once did a makeup on a friend who went for a drowned zombie look for her under-the-sea themed office Christmas Party. They had a standout zombie with the mermaids and fish.</li>
<li>Prenup shoot - Some couples get creative beyond the usual HH-WW photos by the beach or garden or the staple flower crown smiling photo with a flowy skirt. You can have a Doom, Call of Duty, Walking Dead, or Zombieland - themed prenup shoot. Get your entourage in the fun and transform them to zombies in a zombie apocalypse themed shoot. </li>
<li>Recitals and performances - My brain has gone somersaults with conceptualizing a look with my friend Ronnie during his pole competition looks. Just in case he would have a zombie-themed competition look going, I am fully equipped. </li>
<li>Plays - doing special effects makeup for stage requires a bit more heavy hand and less blending so the look can be seen from afar. Last 2015, I did an ageing look on veteran actor Bembol Roco for his role in the play Arbol de Fuego. He had to look around 20 years older than his actual age.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtySt-00x2IxbIjTUybCUpcxkitnPZGq4vZ8Wj-fCx8xTPNfO6wqVVb5zohFgiTPchYUofkwf_M-DWfHv22ss-4v2APMrp9_gwkJFti0_D07YFvYEvtc2TrN43fLRmQZgqpvwZZshCOo9g/s1600/20150228_135509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtySt-00x2IxbIjTUybCUpcxkitnPZGq4vZ8Wj-fCx8xTPNfO6wqVVb5zohFgiTPchYUofkwf_M-DWfHv22ss-4v2APMrp9_gwkJFti0_D07YFvYEvtc2TrN43fLRmQZgqpvwZZshCOo9g/s320/20150228_135509.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a tad more crude and the lines less natural for stage purposes.</td></tr>
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I have more special effects makeup looks on Instagram. You can search for them via the hashtag #bambidelacruzmakeup on IG. Have fun coz I did!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image Directory</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Center for Aesthetic Studies Facebook page (workshop poster and school demo photo)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">facebook.com/centerforaestheticstudiesph/</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Store Directory:</span></u></b><br />
<b><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></u></b>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">BYS Cosmetics</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">www.bysphilippines.com / facebook.com/BYSPhilippines; instagram.com/bysphilippines</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Center for Aesthetic Studies</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Unit 103 1st Midland Condominium Gamboa St., Legaspi Village, Makati City ; 897-0383 / 897-0307 / 0917-8970383 / 0918-8970383 ; www.cas.com.ph ; facebook.com/centerforaestheticstudies.ph ; instagram.com/centerforaestheticstudies</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-3593505881896804182017-10-23T11:39:00.002+08:002017-10-23T11:39:41.029+08:00Breakfast You Make While You SleepBreakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you skip breakfast, you ruin your entire day. That's why my healthy, homemade breakfasts are a must for me and I wake up extra early to make them. But when I really have no time, overnight oats are my go-to breakfast on mornings when I'm in a rush. You just dunk the ingredients in a mason jar and place these in the ref and in the morning, you have a healthy, delicious meal waiting for you with minimal or no time to prepare.<br />
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This is practically one of the easiest breakfasts to make and there's no culinary skill required. I just need a mason jar, some basic kitchen equipment, and ingredients. I prefer using a wide-mouthed mason jar for this but a regular mason jar works as fine. Just be sure there's a cover.<br />
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For your basic ingredient formula you need:<br />
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1. Rolled oats. Not the instant one and not the steel-cut (that one you use for regular, slow-cooking oatmeal). Use old fashioned rolled oats. Have these with you because these are very versatile.<br />
2. Milk - I use almond milk or soy milk for my milk but if you're not lactose intolerant like I am, then go ahead and use dairy milk. My ratio of rolled oats to milk is 1 part oats to 1 part and some more milk (like 1/3 cup oats to 1/3 cup plus a little less than 1/4 cup milk) , and you will see why.<br />
3. Chia seeds - you can purchase chia seeds at a health food store like Healthy Options, S&R, or The Superfood Grocer. Chia seeds when soaked have this gelatinous coating that give the oats a nice, thick, creamy texture. That is why my ratio of milk is 1 part and then some more, so our chia has enough room to expand. I do this trial and error. If I see my oats look too thick and crowded, I just add a splash or two of liquid and give it a good stir and I'm good to go<br />
4. Yogurt - Yogurt has all these yummy probiotics that are good for you. They also contribute to the creamy consistency. Use coconut yogurt if you're vegan. The best yogurt though to use for me is low fat Greek yogurt because of the protein content (for muscle!). There are also some recipes that use coconut milk or coconut cream instead of Greek Yogurt or a combination of both.<br />
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That's your base. Then you add in sweeteners, spices, toppings, or whatever. Sometimes, fruit is added already during the prep time. For the toppings, I usually place them before I eat them, especially nuts, so they stay crunchy. If I have time, I take photos and upload in Instagram.<br />
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Look online and there are so many recipes of overnight oats to choose from. Even restaurants and health food stores have their own versions<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ0oEokHRDe/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Being b🎃sic never tasted so good🤤Falling🍂 hard for these overnight PUMPKIN oats🙌🏼😍 Practically sprung out of bed this AM I was so excited for breakfast🙈Happy hump day everyone🐪💕 Ingredients📝@siggisdairy yogurt, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree ✨1 banana, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract + Toppings: walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips (I used @enjoylife chocolate chips and walnuts👌🏻) ✖️ #riseandgrind #eatbetter #beyourbest #nutritionbyRD</a></div>
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A post shared by Rebecca Ditkoff, MPH, RD (@thenourishednut) on <time datetime="2017-10-04T10:11:46+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 4, 2017 at 3:11am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ2OrCthXqb/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">This is your friendly reminder to prep your breakfast. This Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats Smoothie Bowl from @miss_whisk is thick and creamy and can be enjoyed hot or cold. It's packed with plant-based protein, and is a nutritious way to start and fuel your day! https://www.instagram.com/miss_whisk/ #recipeoftheday #glutenfree #breakfast #brunch #foodstagram #igfood #oatmeal #overnightoats #vegan #whatveganseat #health #healthyliving #smoothie #pumpkin</a></div>
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A post shared by Bob's Red Mill (@bobsredmill) on <time datetime="2017-10-05T01:08:18+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 4, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVvlNF1lyEW/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">New from The Sunny Side Cafe: Ube Overnight Oats! It's a light, healthy treat with the flavors of the islands. Good morning! #thesunnysidecafe #sunnysidecafe #thesunnysidegroup #filipinofoodmovement #trylocalph #yummyph #pepperph #boracay #boracayrestaurants #boracayeats</a></div>
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A post shared by The Sunny Side Cafe Boracay (@thesunnysideboracay) on <time datetime="2017-06-25T01:04:56+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jun 24, 2017 at 6:04pm PDT</time></div>
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I have here in this post a few overnight oats recipes for you to try so you literally wake up to a yummy, effortless, and healthy breakfast every single day.<br />
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<b><i>Banana Bread Oats</i></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRf3yTTvjOJuRSU98hC2oZFQUXSih7quW-jfpDylUzugNqyspLfzOpdcVCeS7hvhmrCSGOwhOtNxrKPtvcVwuLHJPzjfKs09tBIjAivJ0le9Hy6GCqWgb6jqasm_PUWv-pi4P12Bm2h9y/s1600/22752274_10214110897189218_295546853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRf3yTTvjOJuRSU98hC2oZFQUXSih7quW-jfpDylUzugNqyspLfzOpdcVCeS7hvhmrCSGOwhOtNxrKPtvcVwuLHJPzjfKs09tBIjAivJ0le9Hy6GCqWgb6jqasm_PUWv-pi4P12Bm2h9y/s320/22752274_10214110897189218_295546853_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can make your overnight oats as a snack.<br />If you want nuts, place them in a separate container.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is like a warm hug to wake you up in the morning. Great for pre-workout energy food<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Banana</li>
<li>a sprinkle of cinnamon</li>
<li>a sprinkle of nutmeg</li>
<li>1 tbsp chia seeds</li>
<li>Almond milk/soy milk</li>
<li>maple syrup</li>
<li>sea salt</li>
<li>vanilla</li>
<li>rolled oats</li>
<li>yogurt.</li>
</ul>
Procedure:<br />
<ul>
<li>Place the banana in a blender and blend with soymilk until you get a smooth consistency. Allow the froth to settle a bit.</li>
<li>In a mason jar, dunk the oats, chia, a sprinkle of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt. Mix all the dry ingredients together.</li>
<li>Dunk a big dollop of yogurt, a splash of vanilla, and drizzle with maple syrup. </li>
<li>Add your banana milk. remember the ratio (1 part oats to 1 part and some more milk).</li>
<li>Mix the whole thing up. Close the mason jar and place this in the fridge. Go to bed.</li>
<li>In the morning, get your mason jar and give the contents a good stir. If it's a bit too thick, splash some almond milk until you reach a desired consistency. </li>
<li>Top with some more sliced banana and pecans and cinnamon if you wish and eat with tea.</li>
</ul>
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<b><i>Chocolate Peanut Butter Oats</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89GjgJzTkvDXM4YVd8PEo6gkvDXF-eVNXNvdMVYi33aKQOxvRTHLxVT2P-QWWWOclpSs-t5ao5YHnDvqn2M_3B85KsO0TVfDoCX1tiAoDS8_RMstcQzp4M_WA1l_BvjhtTWmaxnxK35FL/s1600/20376189_10213412843498312_5380918237671225334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89GjgJzTkvDXM4YVd8PEo6gkvDXF-eVNXNvdMVYi33aKQOxvRTHLxVT2P-QWWWOclpSs-t5ao5YHnDvqn2M_3B85KsO0TVfDoCX1tiAoDS8_RMstcQzp4M_WA1l_BvjhtTWmaxnxK35FL/s320/20376189_10213412843498312_5380918237671225334_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Chocolate. Peanut Butter. No explanation needed.<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rolled Oats</li>
<li>Vanilla Yogurt</li>
<li>1 tbsp Chia seeds</li>
<li>Almond milk/soy milk</li>
<li>vanilla</li>
<li>1 tbsp peanut butter</li>
<li>maple syrup or coconut sugar</li>
<li>1 tbsp cocoa powder</li>
</ul>
Procedure:<br />
<ul>
<li>Mix the milk, peanut butter, syrup/sugar, and cocoa powder until you get a chocolate milk like consistency</li>
<li>In a mason jar, combine well the oats and chia seeds.</li>
<li>Pour in the chocolate milk and give it a good stir. sprinkle a bit of seasalt and add a splash of vanilla. Mix Well. Cover your jar and store in fridge. Go to bed and dream pleasant dreams.</li>
<li>Eat as is in the morning or top with desired toppings. I like using banana, nuts (cashews and walnuts), cacao nibs, flax, maca powder, and shredded coconut. </li>
<li>Optional: before eating, I take out the contents out of the mason jar and pulse it on the food processor for like 20 seconds until I get a porridge like consistency, like <i>champorado</i>.</li>
</ul>
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<b><i>Good Morning, Sunshine</i></b><br />
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This one I added a bit of turmeric powder. Don't get scared. The flavor of turmeric blends well with cinnamon. It also has a lot of nutritional benefits and gives your breakfast a sunny yellow color.<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rolled Oats</li>
<li>1 tbsp chia seeds</li>
<li>Soy/Almond Milk</li>
<li>Cinnamon</li>
<li>Turmeric</li>
<li>Vanilla</li>
<li>Maple Syrup or coconut sugar</li>
<li>Yogurt</li>
<li>Dried Blueberries</li>
</ul>
Procedure:<br />
<br />
Dunk them all in a mason jar. Since this is the third recipe, you pretty much know the drill already.<br />
In the morning, eat with nuts, bananas, mangoes, and cacao nibs. Add a dollop of coconut cream and a sprinkle of more coconut sugar for sweetness.<br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Ube Overnight Oats</b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoqmcd0nxYzWsez2U4h_cZWPEkzhLZAGLIOXh4KMwu0_3NUAuifl0FMOe815qAQC-VMwB7gZvWuKWiElFI6P76NN-bUCaQpC9FWgUZFf-eLK953k6kq5wkDin5iwDNn9hzND-TZ3KH2nB/s1600/22773398_10214110886228944_248787658_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoqmcd0nxYzWsez2U4h_cZWPEkzhLZAGLIOXh4KMwu0_3NUAuifl0FMOe815qAQC-VMwB7gZvWuKWiElFI6P76NN-bUCaQpC9FWgUZFf-eLK953k6kq5wkDin5iwDNn9hzND-TZ3KH2nB/s320/22773398_10214110886228944_248787658_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love local and lilac with this sweet treat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you purchased a jar of ube jam from your recent Baguio trip, add a scoop of this to your oats for a pretty, lilac breakfast. If your ube is already sweet, you may skip the sweetener because that and the fruit is gonna make this breakfast so sweet. Since ube is like the new salted caramel or salted egg, I thought if I made ube waffles and ube pancakes, why not make ube overnight oats as well?<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
<ul>
<li>Rolled oats</li>
<li>1 tbsp chia seeds</li>
<li>Soy/Almond/Cashew milk</li>
<li>A scoop of ube jam</li>
<li>Coconut milk/Coconut cream</li>
</ul>
Procedure:<br />
<br />
Place oats and chia in a mason jar and combine well. Add some coconut cream or coconut milk. Coconut cream makes it so much thicker and richer but milk will do fine. Add your ube jam and top with milk. Stir so the ube jam is well distributed onto the mixture. Alternatively, you can blend the ube and the milk in the blender for a more homogenous consistency of ube milk. Stir well and place in the fridge overnight. Top with fruits of the season. #Lovelocal with bananas, mangoes, cashews, and coconut flakes. For added sweetness, sprinkle with coconut sugar.<br />
<br />
Have healthy, happy mornings with your overnight oats! Never skip breakfast and stay healthy!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-89270164480079164092017-10-16T21:51:00.000+08:002017-10-16T21:51:14.315+08:00Why I Put Myself in a No-Buy Makeup Challenge (and tips that can get you started too)There comes a time when I asked myself if I really need that much makeup. Lately, I've been evaluating my rituals and observed that my routine has been simplified singificantly. I'm practically makeup-less most of the time since I spend most of my days teaching or practicing, and I really tend to sweat a lot. I used to surprise people when I appear without makeup. Now, people actually get surprised whenever I wear even just red lipstick.<br />
<br />
Back then, I kept justifying my makeup shopping as being a makeup artist, I need a whole lot because I work on different people with different looks and I need a separate stash for myself, one for clients, and one for practice sessions. Looking now at how my makeup collection has blown up to gigantic proportions that definitely needs intervention, I need to put myself in a makeup shopping ban, which I started at the beginning of the month. It's been a few weeks into this month and it has been quite liberating. Besides, even the busiest pro artists are also trimming down their kits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pLxqBmhoA-3NUPgum_OTPM0A3UaBJff4IVRJaC3Jr-fCW2So9_f-rQ06jyv4pnz_xEcenX9a-RT9ffl2JfjJ9LnkAgDqUZO0o2R2LKNt8CeQ9-Tjh6IF9GMB9OY1pqlIIyoMnpNr1b2r/s1600/makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pLxqBmhoA-3NUPgum_OTPM0A3UaBJff4IVRJaC3Jr-fCW2So9_f-rQ06jyv4pnz_xEcenX9a-RT9ffl2JfjJ9LnkAgDqUZO0o2R2LKNt8CeQ9-Tjh6IF9GMB9OY1pqlIIyoMnpNr1b2r/s320/makeup.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, there is such a thing as too much makeup<br />(Photo by Alfred Mendoza)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This No-Makeup Buying or Makeup Shopping Ban or No-Buy Ban has been going around for quite some time. Some girls I know are on that challenge (like for a year even) and there are some <a href="http://honeygirlsworld.com/makeup-spending-challenge-the-dreaded-no-buy/">girls</a> who even <a href="http://ahintofbeauty.blogspot.com/2016/01/makeup-no-buy-60-day-challenge.html">blogged</a> about their own challenges to motivate them. There are those who even upped the challenge by including a <a href="http://myprojectpan.blogspot.com/p/what-is-project-pan.html">Project Pan challenge</a>, where they not only not buy new makeup but they have to empty out palettes or hit pan before buying anything new. The description of this ban is exactly what the name means: that I do not buy any makeup for a certain period of time (I'm doing a few months. I will see how my life fares after the first month. So far, I'm not foaming at the mouth yet). This, however does not include the makeup I buy for gifts to friends and loved ones or if I need to really replenish something (like I ran out of toner, sunblock, mascara, etc). This also does not include makeup that I receive as presents, presskits, or gifts (but before I get started, I will not ask for makeup as Christmas gift to go around this loophole).<br />
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I admit the first few days was hard especially when there are new collections coming out left and right just in time for the holidays. I actually thought that by the first week I might go into like a shocking withdrawal phase especially when I see all the reviews coming up. However, after getting over the first few days of withdrawal phase, I can now walk at the beauty section of the department store with a straight face and not even care or leave with a bag of purchases. I think back to what a blogger said after her challenge - that she ended up saving a lot of money. And more money in your bank account is a good thing, right?<br />
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So I thought as well, that while I'm in this no-buy challenge, I also learn to maximize what's in my current collection. I throw in a bit of a modified Project Pan challenge. This encourages me to appreciate what I have and challenges me to be more creative with my stuff - learn how to mix, be more resourceful and creative. Oooh now my mind can do somersaults - just like what I do in real life.<br />
<br />
Now how did I survive the first month without foaming at the mouth or breaking into a hysteria everytime I'm in the beauty section of a deparment store? Here are tips that can work:<br />
<br />
<b>Empty out what you don't need</b><br />
<br />
You might have had a clumpy mascara there in your kit, or lipsticks that have turned rancid. Throw out expired items and give away items that are still good but something you don't really need or like or probably just bought out of a whim.<br />
<br />
<b>Have a buddy</b><br />
<br />
My friend Azaza is on a Project Pan challenge. She has a palette of the month where she uses to play around looks. Having a friend who's into this challenge or something similar gets you motivated. Instead of seeing this as a punishment, I'm seeing this as an opportunity to also get creative, exploring colors I don't usually use and looks to do because let's admit, we all have a go-to look.<br />
<br />
<b>Look for Dupes in Your Kit</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes, when a collection comes up, they're actually just recycling old shades and repackaging them in new limited edition packaging. That super duper limited edition lipstick which costs like a week's worth of coffee may have a very similar shade that exists in your kit. Hey, when the color is on your lips, no one would know the brand.<br />
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<b>Stop, Breathe, and Think</b><br />
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Sometimes when we buy, it's usually on an impulse. Think if you really need it or if you're just after the hype. Read reviews or watch vlogs first before buying, even super limited editions. If the product suddenly becomes out of stock because you didn't buy in a heartbeat, it's okay. You will survive without it. At least you are a few hundred (or thousand) bucks richer.<br />
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<b>Have an encouraging goal</b><br />
<br />
Think that for the money you save, you have money to for a trip or for a class you would want to take. I'm telling myself that the money I get to save can be used for future masterclasses, workshops, and teacher training programs. Education is an investment with no expiration date. Remember, you are not doing this to punish yourself.<br />
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<b>Document your progress</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It's like pole dancing where you take photos of your progress. If it helps to blog about it, then go. You can even blog together with your co-shopping ban buddy so you can monitor each other's progress. Post photos of the palettes you used that hit pan or the creative looks you come up with from the palettes. Sometimes when a goal is out there, people are more encouraged to stick to their goals because other people are watching.<br />
<br />
Two weeks into this ban and so far I'm doing great. I'll let you know my progress. If you are in this no-shopping ban too, let me know your tips on how to get going on this challenge.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-90779087412248897322017-10-01T09:46:00.000+08:002017-10-01T09:46:58.912+08:00Boracay After 12 (Years)I don't really get to travel much but when the opportunity beckoned once again, I was like omigod, can we go to Boracay again? The last time I was there was 2005 and I fell in love with it. Much has changed after twelve years from all the photos I see online and I wanted to go back once again.<br />
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When I said I shall be going back, I got asked a lot why I chose Boracay instead of Palawan, Siargao, etc. since Boracay has been so commercialized. I said why not? It has been so long and the last two times I was there (my first was in 2004) I had wonderful memories of the place. It was September anyway, so less of the LABORacay crowd or summer crowd that would cause the extreme introvert that I am to cower in fear. If it was really horrible as it is described now, then at least I can say for myself. If it gets rained on, at least it's still a beach trip, golden tan or no golden tan.<br />
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Back then, PAL would only fly from Manila to Kalibo so from the airport, we would board a van for a 2-hour road trip to Caticlan. PAL now flies straight to Caticlan so that shaves off 2 hours of travel. The Caticlan airport has really improved in their facilities with better lavatories, facilities, air conditioning, and stricter security. They also don't take you directly to the beach front anymore unlike before. First, from the plane, you take a shuttle bus going to the old airport where you claim your baggage. Then, depending on how much you want to spend and how adventurous you are, you can do like a worry-free transpo package to your hotel or take one trike that will take you a 10-minute ride to the Caticlan Jetty Port, take a ferry (or a pump boat) going to Boracay Island then another trike ride going to your hotel. I prefer the ferry especially since I get super seasick and it's more roomy. Now depending where your hotel is, the trike ride from port to hotel varies. If your hotel is in station 3, then it takes a short while. But if your hotel is in station 1, maybe 30 minutes or so, depending on the traffic. The hotel was in station 1. The locals though were very nice and friendly and assured me that despite the slopes, our luggage at the back of the trike was still very much stable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvz_pqitbeFBm8DR6NnDuYc9jHhBRZRHDgsmlVQoOjASmsJqy16mqmZJcTDS0933F721qWJnTf1oY7YB_ASQd3qy1KKCReiT3KCjjD7BjmQSMfhcw7kKzfkfsWY5n0BFDvEhe8Ixf6QIt/s1600/DSCF6188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvz_pqitbeFBm8DR6NnDuYc9jHhBRZRHDgsmlVQoOjASmsJqy16mqmZJcTDS0933F721qWJnTf1oY7YB_ASQd3qy1KKCReiT3KCjjD7BjmQSMfhcw7kKzfkfsWY5n0BFDvEhe8Ixf6QIt/s400/DSCF6188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view that's totally #nofilter and with lighting that's the best IG filter, ever.</td></tr>
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A Boracay September low-peak season is pretty much perfect for the introverted person who wants quiet beaches. If you can spare a few VLs, best go there on weekdays as Stations 2 and 3 can get pretty much crowded on weekends. With regards to rains, it usually rains on early morning but the sun would be so generous enough and shine after. The waters aren't that icy cold. There seemed to be like built-in heaters in the ocean, even on 6 am. Contrary to popular belief, there are no green stuff on the ocean at this time. It's clear and gorgeous. Weeks before, we already checked weather forecasts and thankfully, there were no thunderstorms the time we were there. Thankfully, there are now movements and projects to clean up the beach so it still stays pristine white and the ocean water super clear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm3LH0voGcQBiASqVNuziM_KD4wSB0AkRxiRYaTnf9I8fBNEuf9eGDuHhBWo9AxLIZK0PffAAfdi90NA6fcIXFWysxlITyPqegue-su3efrvCvOTZPD5i6qh7ec8fZyw-f-U14YNI8gCQ/s1600/20170917_115252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm3LH0voGcQBiASqVNuziM_KD4wSB0AkRxiRYaTnf9I8fBNEuf9eGDuHhBWo9AxLIZK0PffAAfdi90NA6fcIXFWysxlITyPqegue-su3efrvCvOTZPD5i6qh7ec8fZyw-f-U14YNI8gCQ/s320/20170917_115252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"<i>See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me.</i>"</td></tr>
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The beauty of the place is that it has the perfect natural lighting with no need for Instagram filters. Most of my photos have no filter or photo editing done. The sand is powdery white and doesn't feel like granite when you walk barefoot but soft and pillowy. During low tide, the shore would be super wide (I would say, wider than EDSA) you can run from your beach bed to the water and you're done for the day's cardio. Whereas some people are annoyed at the existence of commercial areas and buildings, I welcome this commercialization as the perfect mix of urban city life and salty sea air for your dose of #vitaminSEA (think Hawaii or L.A. where a beach is just a <i>tambling</i> away and live your Sweet Valley High dreams of going to the beach every weekend or after school). For people who are more at home with cities and concrete, this is the perfect compromise. The best part I like at how urban this place is is the convenience at the event of an emergency. If ever an accident would happen like allergy attack, asthma attack, or broken bone that may happen, or natural calamity, there is ample cellphone signal and a hospital to rush to. I swear if I were to be an island girl for the rest of my life and choose one island to live, this would be it.<br />
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The restaurants we love are still there. <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurant_Review-g294260-d1147312-Reviews-Manana_Mexican_Cuisine-Boracay_Malay_Aklan_Province_Panay_Island_Visayas.html">Manana</a> is still there to serve yummy Mexican food and margarita in their gigantic glasses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmN9GV6gRH_pCbth2sBUeATd7v1wH0DJNDvDfSsckRjH5uswLW_daXro2DeZQep-YyR6FuzH3AT1UzWmDZf1kmYjo_bg6Z-M4y0j1FpqmEq9_pQEJ3PXoJZlO9bE2PrUx3ZL3w1kzv6IC/s1600/20170918_145024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmN9GV6gRH_pCbth2sBUeATd7v1wH0DJNDvDfSsckRjH5uswLW_daXro2DeZQep-YyR6FuzH3AT1UzWmDZf1kmYjo_bg6Z-M4y0j1FpqmEq9_pQEJ3PXoJZlO9bE2PrUx3ZL3w1kzv6IC/s320/20170918_145024.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mango Margarita virginized</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super yummy enchiladas</td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurant_Review-g294260-d1147276-Reviews-Jonah_s_Fruit_Shake_Snack_Bar-Boracay_Malay_Aklan_Province_Panay_Island_Visayas.html">Jonah's Milkshakes</a> is very near the hotel and still served their yummy milkshakes. This time, they have their own to-go paper cups for those sipping their drinks to-go instead of mineral water bottles (yay for less plastic). Tip too, if you have reusable stainless steel straws, please bring them with you in your checked-in luggage. Let's keep our oceans clean and be kind to the turtles by eliminating the use of plastic straws.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bJzN8A392TAWLR2OSYS3m0CatlpagMMfFkS6Qof6knoywxVVUkm6fySihGpSRGeDODm-_0XE-VpseRIH0Dydo9-izBp-nuGnMmUFvDhUpYmC4n_5enC25GX1DAvuhq1iQBJp1QueEA83/s1600/20170919_141005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1378" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bJzN8A392TAWLR2OSYS3m0CatlpagMMfFkS6Qof6knoywxVVUkm6fySihGpSRGeDODm-_0XE-VpseRIH0Dydo9-izBp-nuGnMmUFvDhUpYmC4n_5enC25GX1DAvuhq1iQBJp1QueEA83/s320/20170919_141005.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonah's Watermelon milkshake. Just watermelon and water.<br />
No Sugar or milk. Super refreshing!<br />
Straw from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GoZeroPH">GozeroPH</a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/TiBrazBoracay">Ti Braz Creperie and French Bistro</a> has you covered with both sweet and savory crepes. On Tuesdays, their crepes are 50% off. So yummy! You can also order smoothie bowls by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fuelboracay">Fuel Bowls</a> for your dose of raw fruit and superfood yumminess.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCTwT4Gr72IPog_bxRogHNQZ39zrETtF0gywFDlMcsXdC_9WyOgafgq6UxQQGYvGYmo1JjctcP2IwJpluihjI7lnsnURBLXZICO3HjSbYx_taTp4iuJbk6KpE4BvUDIsRO2KV-620ogKh/s1600/20170919_145451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCTwT4Gr72IPog_bxRogHNQZ39zrETtF0gywFDlMcsXdC_9WyOgafgq6UxQQGYvGYmo1JjctcP2IwJpluihjI7lnsnURBLXZICO3HjSbYx_taTp4iuJbk6KpE4BvUDIsRO2KV-620ogKh/s320/20170919_145451.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Did you know that I only got to see <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurant_Review-g294260-d1147322-Reviews-Real_Coffee_Tea_Cafe-Boracay_Malay_Aklan_Province_Panay_Island_Visayas.html">Real Coffee and Tea Cafe's</a> Calamansi Muffins now? They are so good and are one of the most perfect breakfasts ever. So good with coffee. Real Coffee and Tea also does not use straws, helping eliminate more plastic waste. They also sell their muffins for Php350 a box of six pieces. Perfect for <i>pasalubong</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWlzdD7UdCk3LH7bCKNOban0EB7p8RU7rYx-Nw3drTjOFACrZ9wExlzLBwXKS9vBzBmo9BQncV9H9x92LRO91iUIyc6ECjl2z5_C-dlaUFHB2r2iap7J9mxszqbnkStdxv7Tds_8dZPf3/s1600/20170919_161728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWlzdD7UdCk3LH7bCKNOban0EB7p8RU7rYx-Nw3drTjOFACrZ9wExlzLBwXKS9vBzBmo9BQncV9H9x92LRO91iUIyc6ECjl2z5_C-dlaUFHB2r2iap7J9mxszqbnkStdxv7Tds_8dZPf3/s320/20170919_161728.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The place has a breezy beach hut vibe where you can people watch while sipping your shake or coffee and eat some muffins.<br />
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Speaking of breakfast, I would have to say that the best place ever to have breakfast there (or any meal) is <a href="http://www.thesunnysideboracay.com/">The Sunny Side Cafe</a> located at Station 3 in Sands hotel. When you get there, the place is like morning every day with its sunny yellow and gray interiors I feel like singing Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles. So pretty!<br />
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You know how much I love real food made from scratch? This restaurant follows that principle. Everything is in-house: bread, ice cream, chorizo burger, bacon, patties, and pancakes, omigod their pancakes!<br />
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These are their ube and cereal milk pancakes. These are just so good and are a mixture of a lot of awesome sweet flavors in your mouth it will bring you happy tears. The Sunny Side also has airconditioning when you want to take a break from the heat and WiFi to Instagram all these food that's gorgeous as it is good enough to eat. I can probably eat all my meals there and then just run around the beach to burn all the calories off.<br />
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Familiar food joints like McDonald's, Starbucks, Shakey's and Jollibee were also seen in the island. I was also able to spot a few MiniStop branches and a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf by the main road. There was even a JT Manukan over there! I'm looking at the existence of these familiar food places as a plus for those travelling on a budget or with kids or <i>yayas </i>not really adventurous to try out food places or eat food very familiar with them. I know I remember when I was a kid I would crave for McDonald's everywhere we went.<br />
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Of course Boracay is more than just a strip of sea and sand. There are also activities to try like paddleboard and parasailing. I'm not much on the water sports since I really want the body and the brain to really chill during these four days and take a short break from training and working out and let some refined carbs in my system. so pretty much I sunned out, happy swam, ate food (all the happy carbs!), and my workout was morning light yoga by the shore and walking along the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUygdrU4dQLqlEmHK81dz9Qxp30OjRQ8-nd_1XjiMQ-LuzuGEIucf087SSpF-1ucGlxaB0-_nX5XogoZc6I3wVKNPQW6J8pXbrcmTn9tM1P6hEYaH3Nq8hOsYE_xxNqO_HDqN37JOImsx/s1600/20170919_170151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUygdrU4dQLqlEmHK81dz9Qxp30OjRQ8-nd_1XjiMQ-LuzuGEIucf087SSpF-1ucGlxaB0-_nX5XogoZc6I3wVKNPQW6J8pXbrcmTn9tM1P6hEYaH3Nq8hOsYE_xxNqO_HDqN37JOImsx/s320/20170919_170151.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will be back, love. That's for sure</td></tr>
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When the 2005 vacation ended, it was a bittersweet one. This one had me the same feeling that I didn't want to leave yet and four days felt really <i>bitin</i>. I know that I will be back once again. I actually liked and welcomed it being commercialized. I appreciate too also the fact that there are now efforts in maintaining the clean shores and water like clean-up runs and prohibiting of bringing back sand and corals back home. I really believe that this will be that perfect balance of island life and city life like I see in these shows like Sweet Valley High or 90210 where they take walks by the shores after a long day. If I get to go there even for work and some time on the sun, I will be happy. Maybe during low-peak season with not much people, yes?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-35514679488922909752017-08-25T20:49:00.005+08:002017-08-25T20:49:46.832+08:00Flights of Fancy: Ballet Manila's 22nd Season LineupOnce upon my childhood dreams, I wanted to be a ballerina. Fast forward now, I live that dream through occasional ballet classes, somewhat ballet moves in pole dancing, practicing my point and splits, and watching a ballet show. Last year, I had the privilege to watch several ballet shows in Ballet Manila's 21st season, <a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2016/07/revenge-of-classics-ballet-manilas-21st.html">Revenge of the Classics</a>, which takes a ballet company's growth up a notch by showcasing an entire season full of classics. This time, Ballet Manila's 22nd performance season, which they named Flights of Fantasy takes you up in the air with popular tales, a timeless classic, and ending the season with love songs that transcends time.<br />
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Ballet Manila brings the gift of dance to everyone, and not just the elite artsy crowd or the dance world. They curate shows that everyone sure would enjoy whether you're a ballet geek (I'm looking at one of my friends right now so to speak), a person who once had or maybe still has #dancerdreams, or the one the two previous drags along to watch a show. When I looked at the lineup of this season, I pretty much blocked like four Saturday nights of my life from this month to February.<br />
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The 22nd season opens with a story reminiscent of a classic Filipino folk tale. We all had to read it at one point in our class and there have been probably several movie and stage adaptations. I'm talking about Ibong Adarna.<br />
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For those who don't know the story, it is a tale of three princes in search of a magical bird whose song can cure their father. The two older brothers, who had some sort of attitude problems fail, but the youngest brother, who has a good heart, succeeds in capturing the very hard-to-get bird with a few tricks learned from a wise old man that he helped. Depending on the adaptation, the story ends with the father being well and the bird becoming an enchanted princess and marrying the youngest or the story continues with a love story somehow intertwined with that.<br />
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From a dance point of view, I'm pretty much excited with the choreography since this involves leaps and jumps and power moves which probably made every rehearsal day for the dancers a major leg day. I'm also wanting to know how this version of our high school Filipino literature assignment would unfold. Also featured in the production is Gia Macuja Atchinson as the singing voice of Ibong Adarna.<br />
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Swan Lake is the classic for this season, and also the first time for me to see it as a full-length ballet production. Swan Lake is familiar to most of us, even if we haven't watched it as a ballet. As kids, we probably watched animated versions of it, dialed down for younger audience, such as Swan Princess or Barbie Swan Lake. As adults, we have probably seen Black Swan with Natalie Portman and probably had a Halloween or Christmas Party photo wearing the Black Swan costume. There's also a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwby0YmAXVc">Jim Carrey SNL spoof</a> of that as well. The story features the original Lev Ivanov choreography with new costumes created by fashion designer Michael Miguel and live accompaniment from the ABS-CBN Philharmonic orchestra.<br />
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Last year during Christmas season, I enjoyed a fairy tale come to life in <a href="http://makeupbybambi.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-night-of-magic-with-cinderella.html">Cinderella</a> featuring familiar songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein version as well as the Disney version. A classic Disney princess comes to life in Snow White. This is the second full-length choreography of Lisa Macuja Elizalde and this is pretty much the show to bring every member of the family to. It's fun, heartwarming, and definitely one we need in life right now. Just like Cinderella, this story is very relateable and brings concepts from Disney and the classic fairy tale read to us from children's books.<br />
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The world needs love and so love and dance come together with the season ender Ballet & Ballads, with classic and popular love songs interpreted through ballet. This would be happening in February 2018, just in time for Valentine's day. Date night for the ballet nerd and the signficant other perhaps?<br />
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I would be watching Ibong Adarna this weekend and pretty much I'm excited with the choreography, costumes, makeup, and how this story would be unfolding to us and which version the story would take. I'm looking forward to leaps and jumps and #splitgoals in life to work on my hanuman more.<br />
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Excited for this season, yet? Come watch a show and bring friends. All shows would be shown at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. You can call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph for tickets.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667365303629165310.post-36172851454786582082017-07-20T17:57:00.000+08:002017-07-20T18:17:05.810+08:00My Superfood Grocer HaulSince I make my own food most of the time, I try to get the most out of what I eat. I let food be my medicine by eating good-quality food. I'm on the lookout for weekend markets that sell local produce at a fraction of the cost, bonus too for organic finds (I'm not super strict on the organic food, but I know and recognize that there are food that as much as possible we get organic such as greens, eggs, etc.). It makes meal prepping so much more fun because I'm working with a rainbow of high-quality ingredients.<br />
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I've been adding superfood to what I make. Superfoods are food that will not turn me to a superhero but it is a fun (marketing) term used to describe food with health benefits that our body needs. I would like to think of it as getting nutrients from other food sources or to up the nutritional value of my food by sneaking in some other food sources. Popular superfood include chia seeds, quinoa, flax, etc. Since most superfoods are plant-based, it makes those with a plant-based diet or those with seafood allergy to still get nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids other than fish or seafood.<br />
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I already have food like chia seeds, flax, and quinoa in my stock so I thought I'd add more to my stash. Doing more research led me to the Superfood Grocer <a href="https://www.thesuperfoodgrocer.com/">website</a>, and I purchased a few products from their list which I would like to show you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superfood staples (L-R): Spirulina, Maca Power, Raw Cacao Nibs, and Chia Seeds</td></tr>
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I purchased these items in separate days, since I purchased them through their dealer stores such as Rustan's Supermarket and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegreencompanyorganic">The Green Company</a>. For this time, I decided to go to the physical stores since I like seeing what I buy. Also, it's like making a little trip and discovering new places too where I can source out materials.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG-I5hlemRIYsGYeEDvNwyZPHkut-WcsqAfNJdGTf7Ga9LVq-LkwDX-PefUxUhgKrP7U1zKsq21UhLgE4xISxWxM1npHuhPTNbwJcGApcf6ZfO4DrLqkqr0z3ZYL_7b2uxUSJ0ucmddbo/s1600/DSCF6167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1222" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYG-I5hlemRIYsGYeEDvNwyZPHkut-WcsqAfNJdGTf7Ga9LVq-LkwDX-PefUxUhgKrP7U1zKsq21UhLgE4xISxWxM1npHuhPTNbwJcGApcf6ZfO4DrLqkqr0z3ZYL_7b2uxUSJ0ucmddbo/s320/DSCF6167.JPG" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chia Seeds, Php350 (1/2 lb) and Php625 (1 lb)</td></tr>
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I really use chia seeds and they are practically in almost all of my breakfasts. Chia contains fiber, protein, and omega-3. They are fun to work with. When you soak them, they form a jelly-like coating that thickens up smoothies.<br />
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWRbn3Ql0h8/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Cheers to the weekend! Here's our favorite Chia Pudding topped with Mango-Banana Nicecream, fresh fruits, and our favorite Raw Cacao Nibs! Healthy, delicious, and refreshing -- plus, it's super easy to make! Have a plant-powered weekend, everyone! For delicious plant-based recipes, head on over to learn.thesuperfoodgrocer.com! 🍃💪💚</a></div>
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A post shared by The Superfood Grocer PH (@thesuperfoodgrocer) on <time datetime="2017-07-08T04:35:23+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 7, 2017 at 9:35pm PDT</time></div>
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Use chia seeds to make coconut-chia pudding. Just add some mangoes and you have a dessert that reminds you of a popular Thai dessert. Added to overnight oats, it gives you that thick, creamy consistency. One bag of chia seeds last really long for me (unless you make chia pudding everytime), since a tablespoon is more than enough for topping for my granola or oatmeal already.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BWOfgDXgMgc/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">How I power up my baon for today ---- add chia seeds to my teatox drink! @thesuperfoodgrocer chia seeds + @bayanibrew combo ftw! - - - - - - - - - - #bayanibrew #farmfreshtea #buylocal #BayaniBrewTeatox #detox #teatox #cleansing #cleansingdrink #allnatural #organicallygrown #organicallyfarmed #healthy #healthydrink #healthylifestyle #fitness #fitfam #fitlife #teamsuperph #thesuperfoodgrocer #plantpowered</a></div>
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A post shared by Jinky Ureta (@fitmomjinky) on <time datetime="2017-07-07T01:11:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 6, 2017 at 6:11pm PDT</time></div>
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You can take a cue from my friend Jinky, where she placed chia seeds on her Bayani Brew drink. It adds an interesting texture and keeps you fuller so you don't go mindlessly snacking throughout the day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvc2sjbCO7jh53TNUc5yRmuhEFQgTALF65b79fOjPoSeN2q1RVCGGNxFot2gkxoBA7xaXHkjgYjttlCfrc8cUiOrH34n3KuD6UdaVFHIeg5aGJrhY1d1mhr2h1ski-hrT3DgVhSY3qTiS/s1600/DSCF6170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1479" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtvc2sjbCO7jh53TNUc5yRmuhEFQgTALF65b79fOjPoSeN2q1RVCGGNxFot2gkxoBA7xaXHkjgYjttlCfrc8cUiOrH34n3KuD6UdaVFHIeg5aGJrhY1d1mhr2h1ski-hrT3DgVhSY3qTiS/s320/DSCF6170.JPG" width="295" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw Cacao Nibs, Php 225 (1/2 lb) and Php 395 (1 lb)</td></tr>
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Cacao nibs are quite interesting because they look and taste like dark chocolate. These bits that look (and taste) like chocolate-covered raisins contain magnesium and manganese as well as iron. They also contain antioxidants that the body needs to fight free radicals.<br />
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Mix these in oatmeal or your granola and yogurt or have a few when you're craving for chocolate. I purchased a small packet of cacao nibs from a different brand a while back, but they were a bit too nutty and bitter for me. This one, since they are coated with raw sugar are a bit yummier and sweeter. You can actually include them in homemade trail mixes you can take when you want a snack wherever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvtwdRcJm-8UPDgZ19UPs20fUnFdqOBjXxL_UoG6-9-pjfdIUKQohaO_I2ZpqGxc2MgkyqV2kJBdh3mPbpvlEcnH5gG9VZSsYw9_Pl368Uow66iXyVr3MmJiJX8_jS6TERi7e2MOxB1Tx/s1600/DSCF6169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1235" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMvtwdRcJm-8UPDgZ19UPs20fUnFdqOBjXxL_UoG6-9-pjfdIUKQohaO_I2ZpqGxc2MgkyqV2kJBdh3mPbpvlEcnH5gG9VZSsYw9_Pl368Uow66iXyVr3MmJiJX8_jS6TERi7e2MOxB1Tx/s320/DSCF6169.JPG" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maca Power, Php 850 (1/2 lb), and Php 1,600 (1 lb)</td></tr>
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I'm actually curious about Maca Power because it practically contains everything I needed in my life right now plus there were so much good reviews about it. Sleep is important. It's the body's natural way of repairing itself. I've actually planned my day and my life that I should get proper amount of sleep every single day. Since working out is practically my job and my life right now, I need faster recovery so I don't run on empty batteries and an injured body. All you need is 1/2 teaspoon blended into your smoothies, juices, oatmeal, etc. It also doesn't interfere with the taste of my smoothies. Actually, with life so busy and running on instant and fast paced and all these Facebook statuses that I read of people running on coffee, 2 hours of sleep and ready to beast mode at work, we should have this all the time. It's been a week of taking my Maca Powder (I add it to my smoothies and oatmeal). I haven't had coffee the entire week and I have this steady energy like I supercharged my fire meridians. I don't have broken sleep (like being interrupted midway). My sleep is steady and I constantly wake up at 5:00 a.m. every single day. It's like being a car getting VIP tune-up service every single time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFATBxEeaodXTMkC45DYisGr4U0gVasA9mTRdrzjKAz4CKOUE8bQjnRg3Hazfcmszk8vzihgPvTPsEqPXV8S6q_ancbgfMeH8oZ4LmN7kp99MoqwMtFKtysdlBtdxOS9V8rQc5KJvTdh-O/s1600/DSCF6168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFATBxEeaodXTMkC45DYisGr4U0gVasA9mTRdrzjKAz4CKOUE8bQjnRg3Hazfcmszk8vzihgPvTPsEqPXV8S6q_ancbgfMeH8oZ4LmN7kp99MoqwMtFKtysdlBtdxOS9V8rQc5KJvTdh-O/s320/DSCF6168.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spirulina, Php 400 (1/4 lb), Php 700 (1/2 lb), and Php 1,300</td></tr>
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What actually got me wanting to purchase a packet of spirulina was because it gives a pretty blue color for my smoothies and colored pasta. This spirulina however, is more a deep blue-green color rather than navy blue. However, even though it didn't color my pasta or smoothie to a blue color, it's still worth it to have some spirulina present. Spirulina in the highest known natural protein source. It has the highest concentration of protein per gram compared to any food on the planet. Any food, yes, that includes protein from animal sources and the yucky monggo. It contains powerful antioxidants, aids in quick recovery and for breastfeeding mommies who are getting <i>umay</i> with eating 25,745 <i>malunggay </i>(moringa) leaves in all forms (including in yucky monggo soup). I have this in smoothies and smoothie bowls. I even made fresh pasta with spirulina.<br />
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I do have to warn you though, that spirulina, since it comes from algae, may have an initial fishy smell. However, those who tasted it says it tastes like seaweed or nori. I'm thinking of adding this to my vegan puttanesca sauce next time as an alternative for anchovies.<br />
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The Superfood Grocer website has the most complete listing of food we could include to stock up our pantries. I'm eyeing on the camu camu berry on my smoothie next time as well as chlorella. They also have starter packs for those who want to get started on including superfood in their system. The website has all their products but if you are like me and like looking at the actual product before buying, they also have <a href="https://www.thesuperfoodgrocer.com/pages/distributor-stores">partner stores</a> listed in their site. The groceries though like Landmark, Rustan's, and Robinsons contain just the quinoa, chia seeds, flax, coconut sugar, and cacao nibs. For the maca power and spirulina, you may have to go to organic food stores. Next time, I shall try ordering online. If you're at a loss on how to incorporate them in food, the website also has (plant-based) <a href="http://learn.thesuperfoodgrocer.com/recipe-index/">recipes</a> for you to try.<br />
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I've got so much ideas now on my smoothie bowls and juices and I always look forward to making breakfast and meals supercharged with superfood. If you have an idea, let me know how to use them.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Store Directory</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Superfood Grocer</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">www.thesuperfoodgrocer.com; facebook.com/TheSuperfoodGrocer; instagram.com/thesuperfoodgrocer</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Green Company</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">San Juan: 17-D DPL Bldg, M. Paterno St., San Juan. (02) 5315201;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">QC: 920 Banawe St. Brgy Manresa, QC (02) 3512982</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pasig: Ground Floor, Ace Plaza Hotel and Suites, United St. cor. Brixton St., Kapitolyo, Pasig (02) 9416165</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">facebook.com/thegreencompanyorganic; instagram.com/thegreencompany</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0