lizzbuenaventura .com

JFDI Bootcamp! + My Travel Makeup Kit (Guerlain, MAC, Shiseido, and more!)

2012-02-11T12:45:00.000+08:00

Hello, ladies!

Despite promises otherwise, it's been far too long since my last update. (This post will hopefully spark at least weekly updates from me.) It's been a crazy past few months, as I left my job as Human Nature's lead designer to fly off to Singapore with Josh and two other team members to participate in the JFDI Bootcamp.

The JFDI Bootcamp is a Startup Accelerator, which means that they help you get your grain of an idea to investor-ready in 100 days. Our idea is HobbyMash, an app dedicated to helping lovely ladies (and those pesky men, too! ;)) connect with others who share their interest.

This is a link to our Facebook page for now, but do check it out

when the app itself is up? I'll post a heads-up when it's ready

for some lovely test subjects, hehe.

It's a tough environment, and we spend a lot of sleepless nights working our butts off. Not to mention the fact that there are like only two other women in this entire bootcamp-- there's no one I can talk to about makeup, haha!

On the beauty side, I've had to pare down my collection to the barest essentials. It's depressing because I had to leave all my MAC single eyeshadows behind (I didn't have time to depot them and I didn't have a palette anyways). Here's what I brought with me:

1) 88 Eyeshadow Palette - I never appreciated this palette until I actually had to take an extended trip somewhere, and when it came to choosing between my trayful of MAC single eyeshadows and this slim case, the 88 palette pretty much beat everyone else out. (You can get this palette from Coastal Scents plus a myriad of other copycat brands.)

2) Human Nature's Powder Foundation in Sand Dollar - this has been my Go To mineral powder since we released it last year, and the only bad thing about it is that I go through them so quickly. They also expire a lot faster than regular makeup because it's organic, so I never bothered to stockpile it. I totally forgot to buy a couple of backups to bring with me, so when I run out, I'll switch to:

3) Ellana's loose mineral foundation concealer & foundation in Macchiato- This was my favourite thing to use before Human Nature released the pressed type, and I still think the powder performs better in terms of coverage. Unfortunately, it's in loose form so it's quite messy to use, and it's not something you can tote in your kit unless you've brought your giant kabuki brush along with it.

4) Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powers in Shade 3- This was ridiculously expensive and I could've bought 5 regular bronzers for the cost of this one, but I have to admit, it DOES last long. Since I have dark skin, I use bronzing powders in lieu of blushes, and I usually hit pan after around two months of continuous use. However, Guerlain's Terracotta is so incredibly pigmented that just the barest sweep of it across your cheekbones is guaranteed to last you all day. I was kicking myself for impulse buying this a few months ago, but I think it's actually a pretty good buy, now.

5) Shiseido Maquillage Pre-Makeup Smooth Fix - I hardly ever used primers in Manila, but my long hours coupled with the ridiculously oppressive heat here ensures that primers are an absolute MUST. Shiseido has amazing products if you're prepared to pay for them, and this is no different. I was lucky enough to get this from my mum, but I think it's around $40. (Pricy for a measly 30ml, but it does work...)

6) MAC Matte Lipstick in Taupe - I can't extoll the virtues of MAC lipsticks more, but suffice to say that this is ridiculously awesome. It lasts longer than any other lipstick I've tried, has a great finish, and is just WONDERFUL. I've got a small collection of six MAC lipsticks in various shades (brought them all with me, though didn't snap a picture), and none of them have let me down yet! I was a huge fan of cheaper lippies before, but I can honestly say that once I started buying the high-end stuff, I've never gone back. I can't afford to get as many shades as I used to, but in all honesty, how many lipsticks does a girl need? I think that building a small base collection of shades that you will always use is way better than having thirty lipsticks in shades that you will hardly ever touch.

I also brought along a few other key items that are unpictured, but these are the basics of what I use every day. (I don't use mascara too often-- it's only for special days.)

What about you, ladies? What brands make it into your travel kits? :)

Hello, Ladies! + Hair Story!!

2011-12-08T16:37:00.000+08:00

So many things have happened this past year that I can barely believe my last entry was over six months ago! I haven't had much time to keep up with my blogging or my beauty routines, (shortly after my last blog entry, I switched to MAC and haven't explored many other brands beyond that), but it seems that my hair is the one thing I won't stop experimenting with.

If you all remember, my last entry pretty much had my crazy hair looking like this: Assymetrical and BLUE. (I don't regret turning blue, but I'm glad it was only semi-permanent.)

After this, I felt a bit tired of how it looked and wanted a HUGE change. The blue had faded into a dull green (take note for those who plan to use Manic Panic), and I knew I needed to change it. But you all know how much how boring I find black hair, so I decided to chop it all off and then maybe go back to blond.

I did a shorter asymmetrical cut first, to see how it framed my face. I liked it well enough, but my hair was so fried that I couldn't really color it again. I'm mildly amused at how insane my hair looks with all the different colors. I would have loved this back in college.

After it grew out enough to color, I decided to go shorter and redder, pixie-style. I really liked how it looked, and was intending on keeping it this way for a while:

However, Josh proposed on my birthday in the middle of this year and we set a concrete date for 2012. I realized that I really didn't want to immortalize short hair on my wedding day, so I've been growing it ever since. Now, my hair is a strange shade of copper, and it's almost chin length and wavy (my natural hair).

I suspect I'll be changing it again to a more conventional hair style before the year is out, as I've got some rather exciting adventures on the horizon. I'll certainly miss working in the cosmetics/beauty industry, but hopefully good things are coming. :)

Stay beautiful, ladies~!

The Love Minerals Beauty Bar Launch: A.K.A. Why I Love My Job

2011-03-23T12:06:00.002+08:00

I have to admit that working at the break-neck pace of the Beauty Industry is very taxing. Between designing the packaging to making the catalog and the website, my job at Human Nature/Love Minerals has been tough with a capital T. Even my blog has suffered because I haven't had time to sit down and eat lately, much less spend an hour or so pounding out a blog entry.

But really, when days like this come around, I have to say that all the blood, sweat and tears is so very, very worth it.

Love Minerals Hydrating Lipsticks: Passion Fruit Packaging

Purchase here.

Love Minerals will be available at Beauty Bar very, very soon, and I feel like this is the best sort of validation I could ever get as a packaging designer. I've loved Beauty Bar since I was a vain little college kid, and to have Love Minerals-- a purely Filipino brand-- right up there with all the big brands, makes me really, really happy.

Love Minerals Eyeshadow Palette: Sweet Innocence
Purchase here.

When I conceptualized this design, I wanted something that would stand up next to Burt's Bees and the Balm but at the same time not look too quirky next to high end stuff like Paul & Joe and (god help me) Guerlain. Without going into detail, when you make packaging, you have to consider dreary things like pricing, turn around times, and what local manufacturers are capable of doing.

The road to getting to this point was long and difficult, as I'm sure early purchasers of our initial gold line will attest (the gold, while beautiful, rubbed off when jerked around in kikay kits). Not so with the material used in the Passion Fruit line, so you can rest assured that aside from looking pretty, the packaging also holds up to getting toted around wherever you go. :D

Earth Angel. My favourite shade!

I hope all my readers and beauty blogger friends give our Passionfruit line a try... I've been using the lipsticks for a while now, and Earth Angel looks absolutely fantastic on morena skintones.

Swatches and looks to follow, as I'm still waiting for my complimentary eyeshadow and lipstick to arrive, haha! ;D Stay beautiful, ladies~!

Hair Story: Mad About Blue!

2011-03-14T09:00:00.000+08:00

I have to admit, this is probably the weirdest hair color I've ever had. My never-ending quest to try out new styles has reached it's crazy best (currently, anyway, as I'm certain I'll try to top this in the future) with blue, blue hair!

Manic Panic: Shocking Blue (Amplified formula)
Available at funkystreaks.multiply.com for Php1,150

My last experience with Manic Panic was trying to dye my hair Cotton Candy pink, and it did absolutely nothing to my pale blond hair. Unfortunate, since I was rather hoping I'd get the lovely shade of pink hair that crazy anime characters usually have. :P (For those of you who've never heard of the brand before, MP boasts vegetable dye that doesn't damage your hair upon application. It also doesn't last that long, but hey, you can't have everything.) In any case, when my original try didn't do anything, I turned to HBC's chemical-goodness-- cellophane in Plum. And boy, did that work.

For my latest color change, I'd actually intended to buy from HBC again. But they were out of most colors of cellophane at their Eastwood branch and I really didn't want to risk a permanent dye on my already damaged hair. So I went back to Funky Streaks on Multiply, tried to pick a color that ran darker (this dyes better, IMHO), and sent in my order.

One day later, my kit arrived. I chose to purchase the amplified formula because it boasted longer-lasting color, and I crossed my fingers and got to work. Or rather, my boy and I got to work. XD The last time I attempted temporary color on my own, I ended up having patchy spots, so I begged Josh to help me with the back of my head and he agreed. (Yes, I've got the best guy ever. :D)

If you want to color your hair, I'd definitely recommend getting a friend to help out. It's almost impossible to get it right by yourself, and it'll just end up frustrating you once it comes out with uneven colors.

I left the dye on for an hour and a half under a shower cap, periodically heating it up with a blow dryer. The color came out rather perfectly IMHO, as it covered all my blond bits whilst still keeping my black streak visible (it doesn't cover black). Under sunlight, it's a rich, sexy blue. When I turn my head, it turns turquoise. Whenever I wake up and see bright blue strands, a grin spreads across my face. It's such a fun, happy color, and I'm super glad I decided to go with this shade!

I'd originally intended to keep my blond-hair-with-black-streaks a bit longer, but it didn't look so good unless I flat-ironed my hair. And with hair as beat-up as mine, I couldn't afford to apply heat to it that often. With my blue hair, I can keep it curly and loose and it pretty much behaves as my original black hair did. I swear it got thicker after I applied the dye!

If anyone's interested in trying out Manic Panic dyes, you can check out Funky Streaks over here: http://funkystreaks.multiply.com. I bought my jar of amplified cream for Php1,150. Pretty pricey, but definitely worth it if you can't find the color you want from HBC (their cellophane is 2x the size and only costs Php400).

Here's wishing you all a bright, happy Monday! Stay beautiful, ladies~!

Battle of the Lip Stains: Styli-Style, E.L.F., and Revlon Reviews

2011-03-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

For someone who constantly says that I prefer lipsticks to lipstains, I own quite a lot of the latter. I've been collecting stains of the Korean variety for quite a while now, and I've loved everything from TonyMoly to Etude House's offerings. Lately, however, I've been starting to expand my lipstain collection with products from Western companies. Korean lipstains only come in two colors-- pink and red-- and both shades are often far too bright for my morena skintone.

With the arrival of Revlon's Just Bitten lip stains, I began to wonder if I was indeed missing out by skipping their products. They were offering quit an array of colors, and I decided to keep an eye out for it whenever I went to the mall. As luck would have it, however, I didn't chance upon any Revlon counters for several weeks, and I ended up trying Styli-Style (from Beauty Bar, Eastwood), and E.L.F. (from Watsons, Eastwood).

I was pleasantly surprised with both brands, and by the time I found myself in a Watsons that carried Revlon, I was a firm believer in the beauty of lip stains. While Korean lipstains are pretty much the same consistency regardless of brand, I was a bit surprised at how different the formulations of ELF, Styli-Style and Revlon were.

For a full breakdown of the pros, cons, and my final verdict on each brand, read on!

ELF, Styli-Style, and Revlon!

Styli-Style Lip stain- As a big fan of their semi-permanent eyeliners, I didn't hesitate to shell out the Php550+ for a tube of their stain. I tried out the brown one first, and though it didn't look like much when swatched on my hand, I was surprised at how great it looked on my mouth. I have lip lines that color tends to sink into, and this formula managed to evenly color my lips. It didn't sneak into the crevices and cake into disgusting lines, and I was incredibly pleased at how well the color suited my skintone. It was also buildable, and easily went several shades darker upon several applications. (You should wait a bit for it to dry before swiping again if you want it really dark.)

I loved this product so much that I went back for a tube of the pink variety, and this was surprisingly pretty on my lips. I expected it to be a bit fluorescent (ala Korean stuff), but it came on as the prettiest pink flush. If you're interested in producing a "no make-up" look, this is the stain for you. With one pass it looks like your lips are healthily flushed, and if you want a deeper, sexier pink, you can just layer it on!

Pros: Affordable, buildable, not as drying as most stains
Cons: None for the colors I have, but I wish they had a darker, blood-red shade.
STAY-NABILITY: 4 out of 5 stars. This won't come off if you talk, kiss, or eat dry food, but it will start to fade once you drink or eat an actual meal.

E.L.F. Lip Stain- I'd never bought an E.L.F. product before, but I'd had such a good experience with my Styli-Style stains that I was constantly on the lookout for more shades. I came across this when I was buying goodies at Watson's, and I was immediately attracted to its (approx) Php250 price tag. I snapped up the red immediately, and was surprised at how thick and creamy the formula was upon application. It dried up seconds later, however, and provided the most budge-proof, matte stain that I'd ever had. This stain comes with a gloss side, and boy howdy, do you ever need it.

My lips hurt from being so dry without the gloss layered on top of it, and the formula made my lips tingle upon application (not in a good way). Unlike Styli-Style, the formula of this product is very opaque. It's very close to the pigmentation of a lipstick, but it has the staying power of a stain. It was the color that attracted me to it in the first place, and I was definitely a believer after using it for a few weeks. I went back for the other two available colors soon after. Birthday suit wasn't very suited to my skintone (think Lady Gaga lips), but Fashionista was quite nice. Red Carpet is still my favourite, though, and if you want to try this brand out, I'd definitely recommend that shade.

Pros: VERY Affordable, really opaque color, comes with gloss
Cons: Dries lips like crazy
STAY-NABILITY: 5 out of 5 stars IF you use it without gloss-- it really is budge-proof if you don't mix anything with it. It drops down to 3 out of 5 stars if you use the gloss on top of it, however, as the sticky mix ends up with the staying power of an expensive lipstick.

Swatches for Styli-Style and E.L.F.

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm and Stain - Instead of a gloss, this stain comes packaged with a shiny balm on the other end. The applicator is a marker type (like Styli-Style), and the shade I got, Midnight, was a deep, lovely plum. Unfortunately, that's where the good stuff ends.

As a much-blogged about product, I had high hopes for Just Bitten. When I finally found a Revlon counter that sold it, they only had this one shade left. I didn't mind so much because it was a lovely dark color and I was looking for something like it, so it really wasn't a bad buy at Php595. HOWEVER, no matter how cheap something is, it will never be a good buy if the product amplifies your lip flakes, sticks in the creases, and applies unevenly. I exfoliate my lips just like any gal, but the sheer number of steps that you have to take to make this product work for you is insane (exfoliate, moisturize, apply balm, apply stain, apply balm again... ugh.).

I think that Revlon knew this was a terrible formulation when they shipped it, because they had the foresight to include the balm. It's kind of like saying, hey, we know our product sinks into creases and amplifies all the imperfection on your lips. Have some lip balm, because the only way this product will work is if your lips are flipping perfect. :P

I highly recommend steering clear of this cruddy product, or at least until they reformulate. The consistency is pretty much the same as Styli-Style's (sheer at first, but buildable to a nice, deep hue), but it doesn't glide, blend, or moisturize your lips at all.

Pros: comes with a balm (that doesn't retract, whut), nice shade variety
Cons: Applies terribly, dries like nobody's business (and this is even when you wear it with the balm!!)
STAY-NABILITY: 3 out of 5 stars. It stays on for a bit, but when it fades, it fades terribly.

------------------
All in all, I'd definitely recommend picking up some Styli-Style stains if you're interested in a milder, nude finish. If you want a loud, opaque stain, go for E.L.F. If you have perfect lips that are line and flake-free 24/7... try Revlon, lol.

Stay beautiful, ladies~!

GIVEAWAY "Why I Love My Guy": First Wave Winners Announced!!

2011-03-08T21:44:00.003+08:00

Jaz snags the random raffle prize for her entry "It's Rolly's Birthday!" and Zashi snags my top pick for her clever poem over at ZashiArts. Ladies, I've sent you confirmation emails, so please make sure you send me your info as soon as possible.

Free diamond peels for our two lucky winners! :D

As for the rest of my readers, don't despair! Your entries all still have four more chances to win awesome HBC prizes! The contest is still open to new entries, so be sure to join now! :D

A Summer Of Maxis: My Favourite Long Dresses

2011-03-02T08:00:00.008+08:00

With the arrival of summer and the inevitable heat wave, I've decided to keep my wardrobe simple and sweet. Maxi dresses look good on practically everyone, and whether you're tall or short, stick thin or curvy, there's definitely a maxi dress for you! I've taken to wearing my maxi dresses with a bolero or a shawl for now, as February is still a bit too breezy for backless pieces. My tan is back with a vengeance (it's what I get for walking around without an umbrella), and I can't wait for summer to arrive completely!

Here are some of my favourite pieces from my maxi dress collection:

HAZE (Eastwood Mall); P750

My new favourite! I bought this at 50% off at HAZE in Eastwood Mall just last weekend. The cut, cloth, and pattern are just To-Die-For. I'm 5"4 and wearing 4" platforms with it, and it makes me look ridiculously tall. I love it!

HAZE (Eastwood Mall); P750

I scored this dress at the same sale at HAZE, and I've got to say that they were absolutely wonderful buys. When worn without heels, they drag on the ground, so it's actually a bit longer than the previous dress. Definitely can't wear it with flat sandals, but its vertical pattern really elongates the figure. I'd recommend looking for a pattern like this if you're on the curvy side.

Estrellas Accessories

I purchased this dress from Estrellas Accessories on multiply ages ago, and I've only just gotten around to wearing it again. I love how vintage it looks-- everything from the low waist to the pattern makes it look so old school. I'd recommend this cut for ladies with a bit of tummy; it's great at hiding it. ;)

It's a pity that they don't sell a lot of clothes at Estrellas anymore, but if you're in the mood for some fashion accessories, you might want to check out their site.

Details (PowerPlant Mall)

This TDF piece came from Details. I don't actually remember how much it was, but I think it was in the P2,000 range. My gorgeous aunt got it for me when we went shopping with my mum a few weeks ago, and I really, really love the venus-cut and bold pattern. I'd recommend this dress for the taller ladies out there, as the mid-ankle length might make short girls look even shorter.

Cache Cache (Eastwood Mall); P2,000 (approx)

This was the first maxi dress I bought after a fairly long drought, and I bought it during the Christmas season of 2010. I wore it during many nights out with my family, and I had such a fabulous time wearing it. The pattern was so cheerful that it made me feel instantly festive. I'd recommend this type of cut for girls who aren't very curvy (but want to be!). The cut makes you look bustier than usual. ;)

Forever 21 (Megamall); P500 (approx)

Definitely the best bargain of the lot, this cost me a mere P500 during the Forever21 sale earlier this year. I also got it during the Buy 1, Take 1 sale, which also got me a gorgeous top to boot! I love this dress because it's simple but sexy, and it's made of this light, cottony fabric that is a breeze to wear. This is one of my all-time favourite casual dresses, and if I'd known I was going to wear it this often, I'd have bought two of the same kind, haha. This cut will suit practically any figure, as the upper area isn't too sexy and you can wear it with a wide belt to give it extra "oomph".

For laid-back glam and a breezy summer, you can't go wrong with a closetful of Maxis! :D Stay beautiful, ladies~!

GIVEAWAY "Why I Love My Guy": Diamond Peel Sessions, Giftpacks, and More!

2011-03-01T00:08:00.003+08:00

February is the month of hearts, and I'm sure all you ladies had wonderful Valentine's Day dates with your honies. As we bid February a hearty goodbye, let's celebrate the beginning of several AWESOME giveaways from HBC! I'm giving away several prize packs over the next few weeks, and all you have to do is answer the question: "Why do you love your guy?"

Prize Pack 1!
Five free diamond peel sessions each to two lucky winners!

Prize Pack 2!

P500 worth of HBC best-selling items each to two lucky winners!

Prize Pack 3!
P1,000 worth of HBC Gift Certificates each to two lucky winners!

To join, you must:
1) Write a post about why he/she loves his/ her guy (this can be your boyfriend, hubby, dad, brother, son, or guy friend). Post length must be 50-100 words and MUST link back to this page so other people can join, too. :D
2) Follow "I Draw For A Living"! (via google connect!) ;)
3) “Like” the HBC Fan page on Facebook
4) Drop a comment with your name, email address and link to your blog entry.
*This contest is open to Philippine residents only.

That's it! Easy, eh?

This contest runs from today until the respective draws on March 7 (prize pack 1), March 28 (prize pack 2), and April 28 (prize pack 3), so get cracking and start writing! I will be picking TWO winners on March 7, TWO winners on March 28, and TWO winners on April 28. All you have to do is enter once and you'll get 6 chances to win!

During each cycle, I will be choosing one winner at RANDOM and one winner through judging. (Hint: I love romantic entries! ;D) HBC is where I get my hair products, so I'm sure you'll enjoy these lovely treats!

Good luck and Stay beautiful, ladies~!

SanSan Review: Mousse Foundation and Blush

2011-02-11T09:00:00.005+08:00

I've always been a fan of HBC's hair products, but I've been lukewarm about their in-house makeup brands. I rather liked the texture of their matte Age Defense lipsticks, but the Coral Collection pieces that I tried out weren't very friendly to morena skin. (Ladies with my yellow/tan skintone are far better off with browns and golds rather than pinks and oranges.)

Anyway, you can imagine how pleased I was when I discovered that their mousse foundation (P150) and blush (P120) came in tan-friendly hues, and that the formulation was every bit as good as Maybelline's.

Both the natural and beige mousse foundations were too light for me when applied (this is an interesting thing to note since it looked like my match jar-wise was the Natural shade), but Olive worked out well after it was actually applied.

The blushes were both matte, and I found that the mocha suited me more. Pinks usually look better when you've got a dewy glow going on, but the mocha managed pretty good contouring. (My skin actually isn't this pale in real life-- it's what I get for using the sun as my natural light source).

All in all, I found that the San San mousse products were quite affordable and performed similarly to other mousse brands. The mousse format's biggest failing is that it doesn't spread as easily as liquids or powders do, but if you have the patience to dab (not smear) it on, you'll end up with good coverage and a matte complexion.

I personally used my olive foundation as a concealer (dabbed it with my pinky on a particular nasty pimple), and it managed to conceal it rather well. Setting the mousse with your powder of choice will also make it last longer. Blending the mousse blush is a bit of a problem if you've set your mousse foundation with a powder finish, so I'd advise putting on your mousse foundation first, following it up with your mousse blush, and then finishing off with a light dusting of translucent powder to set everything afterwards.

San San products may be purchased wherever HBC stores are found. For a full list of HBC branches, click here. Stay beautiful, ladies~!

My Very Villainess Hair Story; Black Streaks On Blond!

2011-02-09T09:00:00.002+08:00

My last post regarding my hair was dyeing it plum and then having it cut into an asymmetrical curly monstrosity. Since the plum dye was cellophane, it actually faded back to blond over time, and I decided that I wanted to keep my shade when it started peeking through once more.

I'd gotten about four inches of roots showing by the time I ended up in the salon again, and this time I told my hair technician to just match the roots to the same shade of blond I had on the rest of my head. I spent most of December and January as a blond again, but in early February I could no long ignore those terrible black roots that were making themselves obvious once more!

From blond curls to two-toned waves

Thus, I decided that instead of running from the black, I'd try to somehow match it with the rest of my head. Two toned hair has been all the rage recently, and rather than go for the crazier tiger-striped looks, I decided to try out a single streak of black to somehow balance the roots that were showing once more. I also had it done along with my regular trim (to keep my asymmetrical cut as clean as possible), and I think it came out rather nicely.

My first thought when I saw myself in the mirror was that I looked quite villainess-y (yes, I know that's not a real word). My second thought was that I'd never had hair this cool before, and my third thought was that this was probably the coolest hair I'd ever had. It remains to be seen what the more conservative members of society will have to say about my latest crazy hairstyle, but here's hoping I can get away with it... ;)

Stay beautiful, ladies~!

KKCenterHK Eyelashes Review: Peacock Feathers and Falsies!

2011-02-07T13:00:00.001+08:00

Falsies = instant drama!

If you're after lush lashes but don't want to commit to semi-permanent extensions or lash serums, false lashes are the product for you. You can go as simple or as diva-liscious as you want, and at the end of the day you can easily take them off. I personally only wear lashes for special occasions, and when KKCenterHK offered to send me my pick of lashes from their store, I immediately chose their crazier offerings. Theatrically long and lush black lashes were amongst my chosen pieces, as well as a box of under-eye lashes to complete the look.

Gotta love KKCenterHK!

Each box of non-fancy lashes costs about $10 each, and considering you can reuse each pair several times before throwing out, 10 pairs will last you a long time!

The fancy lashes cost a tiny bit more, with the blue feathered lashes and the peacock lashes costing $1.99 each. For such gorgeous, unique pieces, I consider them totally worth the price.

KKCenterHK contacted me late last December, and I received my items about 3 weeks later via standard airmail. Customs didn't charge me a thing (probably because the total cost of the items were so low), and I got my package of lashes with no trouble. Their online store accepts both credit card and paypal, so shopping with them should be a cinch.

Wearing false lashes on both top and bottom.

And how do the actual lashes hold up in comparison to other brands? I'm pleased to report that they came out really well. :) The lashes themselves were quite sturdy and after I trimmed them to my size, they fit quite well and didn't give me any trouble. The lashes I chose were a bit on the heavy side, but given their pure lushness, that was totally to be expected.

The only complaint I have is that they didn't come with glue, but it didn't matter so much because I had plenty of leftover lash glue on hand. (If you buy lashes from KKCenterHK and find that you don't have any leftover glue from other sets, I suggest buying some from your local Beauty Bar or SM beauty counter. KKCenterHK also sells their own lash glue; prices range from $9 to $11.)

KKCenterHK is based in HongKong, but their products come from Korea and Japan. I was particularly happy with the bottom lashes I used, as they didn't fall apart as I put them on (sparsely haired lashes usually feel flimsy during handling). Interested readers can check out their store here. They've got everything from lashes to wigs to makeup-- everything a girl could want! ;)

Stay beautiful, ladies~!

How To: Make Your Own Mineral Eyeshadow Palette With Custom Colors

2011-01-25T08:00:00.004+08:00

I used to be a huge fan of mineral eyeshadows, but I found the process of using the sifter jars and the inevitable fallout of the loose powder made them more trouble than they were worth. I still love how pigmented everything is, but it's just too much of a hassle if you're late for work or rushing to get to a meeting.

Palettes, on the other hand, are incredibly easy to use. They're so convenient because you can see all your colors laid out in front of you, and you can easily pick and choose at a glance.

My ellana minerals stash

There have been plenty of youtube tutorials about how to press your own palettes from loose minerals, and they all say that shimmer eyeshadow + rubbing alcohol will pretty much do the trick. This process won't work on matte shadows, though, so be sure to only use the sparkly stuff. (I tried it on some of my matte stuff and it turned into sludge. It also ended up cracking after it dried.)

As my Ellana minerals eyeshadow stash had gone too long without use, I decided to make my own palette so that I could use them more often. I was also intrigued at the prospect of being able to customize my colors for once, and I thoroughly enjoyed mixing and matching pigments.

To do this project, you will need: loose shimmer mineral eyeshadows, pans, a toothpick, and a palette case.

I found that the cap of the smallest size sifter jar makes an excellent pan, and it's great way to recycle your soon-to-be-empty shadow pots! If you're mixing a large amount, you can also use the body instead of the cap.

To fill a cap, you will need two jars of ellana minerals eyeshadow (each jar contains 0.7g). I just mixed two pots together, but you can mix up more colors in smaller quantities to make the necessary 1.4g.

STEP 1: Pick your colors. I chose this gorgeous gold shimmer and this lovely forest green shimmer because I was hoping for shadows that changed color depending on which way you turned. (I didn't end up with that per se, though the resulting gold with a hint of green was really pretty).

STEP 2: Tip one of the colors into the container with the other color. Mix well with your toothpick.

STEP 3: After you've finished mixing the powder, carefully move it into your intended final container (in this case, the cap).

STEP 4: Add alcohol (I used Isopropyl Alcohol, 70% solution) and mix well with your toothpick. Be sure to add the alcohol a few drops at a time, making sure to smooth out the clumps when mixing. The wetter it is, the longer it takes to dry, but it will also make the surface smoother and less lumpy.

STEP 5: When your eyeshadow looks like this, leave it out to set overnight. If it still smells strongly of alcohol the day after, leave it alone for an extra day. Make sure you keep it uncovered so that the alcohol evaporates properly.

STEP 6 (optional): Arrange your new shadows in a tin, pencil box, or any flat container.

Wet pans out to dry.

STEP 7: Place double-sided sticky tape on the backs of each pan to affix to your tin.

The final product!

STEP 8: ENJOY!!

All in all, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this project. I loved mixing my eyeshadow colors and I loved how I ended up with a bunch of unique shades. I finished up my pool of mineral makeup, but if I ever get a hankering to make more custom shades, I'm definitely going to do this again.

I've been using my new palette for over a month now, and I've experienced no problems with them. You can hold them upside down and the powder won't fall out, and the fact that it's in palette form makes it easier to use. And the best part of all is that it still retains the incredible pigmentation that made me love mineral eyeshadows in the first place!

Ayala Triangle Gardens: The Latest Hot Spot

2011-01-22T10:00:00.000+08:00

It seems that there's a new foodie hotspot cropping up every week, but Ayala Triangle Gardens offers a little something extra to go with your food-- an excellent view. Nestled along Ayala Avenue, dining at any one of the dozen restaurants found at the Triangle Gardens will give one an eyeful of lush green scenery and kids at play.

Josh and I went to the gardens on a Sunday, and it was full of families, kids, and even a wedding entourage or two. (Yes, it's so scenic that people actually get married here). The area didn't feel as big as the Fort, but it was definitely a breath of fresh air amidst the urban jungle.

Featuring several scrumptious restaurants, a cafe, and a frozen yogurt parlor, there's really not much more one could want from this oasis. (For specific restaurant reviews, you can check out my entry over at YesNoMeh.)

You can find the Ayala Triangle Gardens between Pasao De Roxas and Ayala Avenue. For more information, check out their website at: http://ayalatrianglegardens.com/

Green Hornet: Mischief, Mayhem, and Movie Magic!

2011-01-20T19:39:00.001+08:00

As a true blue fan of superhero movies, it would've been difficult for me not to like the Green Hornet. It was funny, crazy, violent, and Seth Rogen was an absolute riot. It's certainly not the best hero flick I've seen but it's definitely the funniest, and I'm glad that it strayed from the Hollywood habit of making hero flicks grittier and more depressing with each incarnation.

My, but Seth Rogen cleans up nicely! ;)

It was an absolute treat to watch it over at Glorietta with Josh and my fellow bloggers yesterday, and the event was celebrated with green masks and green donuts from Krispy Kreme. The donut itself tasted a bit like toothpaste, but it a good way. (I didn't even know that was possible!)

As the movie was filled with one implausible scene from the next, I was surprised to find out that the unsinkable Myth Busters had actually tackled their stunts and came out with their very own Green Hornet special. For those of you unfamiliar with dynamic duo, they tackle urban myths and attempt to debunk them by actually carrying them out. (i.e. They proved that if your car falls into a lake, using your keys to break the window will NOT work. In fact, neither will your cellphone, steel-toed boots, or anything else you may have lying around your car. If your car falls into a lake, you're pretty much dead unless you have a hammer or a center-punch.)

In any case, if you've seen the movie and are dying to know if it is indeed possible to cut a car in half using an elevator or exploding a tractor using bombs inside a buried car AND still getting out alive, the Myth Buster's Green Hornet special is for you!

Interested readers can catch it on January 28 at 8:00pm on the Discovery Channel!
For my in-depth movie review, check out my entry over at YesNoMeh.com!

Welcome 2011, Goodbye 2010! - Back From Holiday Hiatus

2011-01-08T13:30:00.000+08:00

My family at Christmas, Makati Shangri-La

I didn't even realize that I'd gone on Holiday Hiatus until my entire vacation leave passed by without a single blog entry. I guess I really must have needed the break, haha! I hope all my lovely readers had a wonderful vacation... over the two week leave I took, I came to the realization that I didn't spend nearly enough time with my family during the work year. It was such a blessing to be able to just be with them over Christmas and New Year's, and having my mother back after her 2-year exchange professor stint in South Korea was wonderful.

This was the dress that I wore during our dinner on Christmas eve. It was one of the pieces that ForMe graciously provided, and I was absolutely floored at how beautiful the fit was and how gorgeous the cloth felt against my skin. If you buy nothing else at ForMe, but this. It's a perfect celebration dress, and you'll feel like the prettiest girl in the room!

On Christmas day, my parents and Josh and I drove to my aunt's farm in Tagaytay. She stayed with her daughter in Zurich over the holidays, so she had us house sit for a few days. My brother didn't join us because he had already booked a trip with his girlfriend elsewhere, but we met up with him again on the 31st.

Mother and Child in the gardens

Being a consummate art lover, my aunt had gorgeous sculptures and a plethora of paintings on the property. Even the interiors of the houses had murals and paintings worked directly onto the walls. It was a wonderful experience for me to be there, and I'm really happy that she let us stay. It was such an inspiring place for artists!

Painted leaves in the dining room

I also discovered that Tagaytay doesn't have much in the way of malls, but it does has an incredibly large thrifting center. This was seriously the cleanest, largest thrifting area I'd ever seen! Because of the cold weather, the clothing didn't smell bad and the racks of clothing were decently spaced and hangered. I only bought a few select pieces, but they all turned out to be great quality. It's way better than Baguio's cramped clothing quarters or Metro Manila's humid stores.

All in all, my stay in Tagaytay was one of the most relaxing vacations I've ever been on. There was one point when I slept for 12 and half hours straight! Josh claims it was pretty much a record for me. XD

Hopefully we'll get to go back again someday. We didn't do much in the way of sight-seeing because it was incredibly crowded and traffic was everywhere, but perhaps we can go back during off-peak season...

We went back to Makati Shangri-La for New Year's Eve dinner, though this time we ended up checking in overnight. My parents' house is in a particularly fireworks-happy neighborhood, so they wanted to avoid the smoke. My brother and I stayed as well so could all be together during the holiday, though we had originally wanted to check out what was happening in Eastwood. Oh well, there's always next year! :)

Shangri-La was beautiful but incredibly over-priced, and I was very surprised that they were charging a horrendously high entrance fee (Php6,000+ per person!) for their countdown. (They had bundled it with live entertainment + buffet at the lobby lounge). Their other restaurants had similar buffets but no band or a countdown, so we ended up going to one of those instead. It was a bit disappointing because all the other hotels we'd stayed in at New Year's in the past would open their rooftops to all hotel guests for the countdown at no extra charge.

I wore a lot of red for New Year's because I wanted to welcome 2011 with festive colors. The dress is a lovely maxi from Cache Cache (my first ever!), and it was very, very nice. Comfortable enough for New Year's feast and yet cut well enough to keep you feeling sexy after a two hour dinner. Lol!

I welcome 2011 with open arms and a hopeful spirit. Miracles can happen this year! Stay beautiful, ladies~!

Smart C: An All Natural Health Drink!

2011-01-08T08:00:00.000+08:00

For the health-conscious makeup maven, natural ingredients are always a factor when choosing between mineral makeup and chemical cosmetics, between organic lipbalms and your regular balms. But as important as it is to watch what you put on your skin, it's likewise important to watch what you eat and drink. I'm not a fan of vegetables and I don't think I'll ever be a vegetarian, but lately I've been watching my intake of processed food and drinks. Practically everything nowadays has carcinogens, and it's no wonder that so much of the populace is affected by cancer!

When a box of Smart C+ arrived on my doorstep for review, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it has no preservatives, zero artificial flavoring, and zero artificial sweeteners! The taste is a bit too sweet for my liking, but it sure beats those juice packs I used to love when I was a kid.

For mums who pack a lunch for their kids everyday, I highly recommend this. Smart C+ comes in three flavors-- Lemon Squeeze, Orange Crush, and Pomelo Grapefruit. My favourite was the Lemon Squeeze variety, though Josh preferred Pomelo.

The taste of Lemon Squeeze isn't as tart or citrusy as fresh-squeezed lemonade, and it feels as if the sourness was toned down for a broader appeal. Sometimes I'm in the mood for the sharp bite of lemonade, but in general I prefer this type of taste. Pomelo Grapefruit has even less bite that the Lemon, so if you're not a fan of grapefrfuits (like me), you needn't be scared to try this out. Orange Crush has the same orange taste as most other orange juices on the market, with the distinct difference that it has a whopping 500mg of vitamin C (as do the other two types).

For adults with a sweet tooth, it's a match made in heaven, though I'd advise girls who watch their calorie intake (like me), to only drink half a bottle at a time. It's 200 calories if you drink the entire bottle, which is a whopping chunk of your 1,500 calorie per day allotment (100 calories per serving, 2 servings per bottle). I find that diluting half a bottle lessens the sweetness to a tolerable level, and you're still getting the wonderful vitamin C that comes with each bottle. I'll definitely be repurchasing Lemon Squeeze when I've run out-- it's going to be quite a thirst-quencher come summer! :)

You can read more about Smart C+ over here and here.

Stay beautiful and healthy, ladies~!

30 Days Of ForMe: OMG, Jeans!!

2010-12-22T08:00:00.002+08:00

As a rule, I don't wear jeans unless I'm in a hurry and/or don't care when I'm going, so I have to admit that I wasn't looking forward to styling the jeans I got from ForMe. Of course, it's been proven quite often before that the universe loves to prove me wrong, so I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that these jeans fit me quite well.

ForMe actually has a variety of figure-flattering jeans-- they have everything from straight cuts to jeggings, and they cater to every body type. The jeans I have on are quite a snug fit, and while slightly uncomfortable, you have to admit that they make my thighs look leaner than usual. My body type is a triangle, which means I'm more bottom-heavy while my upper body is slimmer, and I always have to take "slimming" my legs into account.

Darker bottoms are generally figure-flattering to most women, though, so when in doubt, try to go for slim lines and dark colors when choosing your jeans.

The shoes I paired with this outfit are from Bleach Catastrophe; more expensive that my usual budget for shoes and an incredibly pain to wear. (The peep toes are incredibly uncomfortable.) Ah, how I suffer for the love of my shoes! XD

Interested readers can purchase these jeans for approximately P1,100 at ForMe branches across the country. You can check out their website here: http://www.forme.com.ph
*These jeans were sponsored by ForMe as part of their 30 Day challenge. All opinions are entirely my own.

Pudding: Because Breed Isn't Everything

2010-12-21T08:00:00.000+08:00

I met Pudding a few weeks ago on a cold November night. He was sitting outside the Eastwood Apple store, shivering and huddled against the brick wall for warmth. He was so small that I didn't even see him, and when Josh pointed him out, my heart went out to him. We stood there for five minutes, debating on whether or not to bring him home.

Ladies, meet Pudding.

Josh pointed out that he may be sick (he was), have fleas (he did), or be dangerous (he wasn't). I pointed out that I'd rescued a handful of kittens during my teenaged years only to have my mum turn them out after feeding them (my dad was allergic), and that one of the perks of living on your own was getting to have all the pets you wanted.

We actually walked away no less than three times before I threw my hands up and said that if the kitten died tomorrow, it'd be my fault, and before I knew it, I had a kitten in a shoebox and no idea what to do with him. We ended up bringing him to the pet store, but the vet was on vacation and wouldn't be able to check him out until the week after. We went back home and after feeding him some Whiskas junior (he ate a whole pack in minutes), we put him down for the night and hoped he'd be okay.

Being a dog person, I didn't really know much about cats. I read up on them and bought him a few necessaries, (a sack of litter and some food and vitamins), but to be honest I fully intended to give him to the PAWS shelter. He pooped everywhere, meowed constantly, and I honestly don't know how I managed to last the week.

Life began to get easier after our first week together, when I realized that the best place for his litter was far, far away from his bed, and that the box should be nice and big. After that, he finally began to poop where he was supposed to poop, and I was no longer cleaning it off my balcony floor.

During Pudding's first visit to the vet, we discovered he had worms and fleas and promptly had to cure him of both. I also found out that he was a boy (much to my disappointment, haha), and Josh and I became mum and dad to a rascally little cat. :)

He's been with me almost a month now, and needless to say, I decided to keep him. I actually had the chance to give him to an office worker who was a great guy and wanted a cat badly, but on the day I was supposed to give him away, I realized I couldn't do it. I'd grown too fond of my little baby-- he follows me around and climbs Josh's pant legs, purrs and meows and is ironically quite clumsy for a cat!

We went to Tiendesitas last weekend to look for a scratching post, and after many hours of searching the many, many stalls, we found a place that was selling little habitats for cats. I thought it was absolutely awesome, and I couldn't resist buying one because it was on sale. XD

As I was hauling the thing away, the owner asked me what breed of cat I had. I said that I had a stray cat, and he made an offhand remark about how my buying that habitat was like buying a Rolls Royce for a hobo. I suppose he was trying to be funny, but I honestly think that my little Pudding is worth a dozen of those haughty Persians in his store. :P

Just a month ago, I'd never have picked a stray over a pure breed, but with Pudding in my life, I've turned into a believer in nature versus nurture. People have said that Pudding was lucky I was around to find him, but I think it's the other way around. I've had dogs before, but I always had my family and our housekeeper doing most of the work. I guess I'm finally learning some responsibility, haha.

As of today, Pudding has cleverly learned to climb up to the second floor of his habitat. I think it'll be a while yet before he's brave (and big enough) for the third floor, but I'll be sure to document it when he does. :D

Stay beautiful, ladies~!

30 Days of ForMe: Purple Watercolor Party

2010-12-20T13:00:00.001+08:00

Purple is among my favourite colors, and I'm absolutely in love with watercolor prints. There's something so free and pretty about them, and I always feel extra artsy whenever I wear them. (I really must get around to painting my own dresses one of these days!)

This ForMe dress is made of the softest, most comfortable, slightly-stretchy cloth that feels both lightweight and extra breezy. It's one of the few dresses that I have that look fantastic but are so comfortable that you could actually sleep in them (I kid you not-- this cloth would not be out of place on pajamas).

I accentuated my waist with a wide leather belt (yes, it happens to be a staple of my closet), and some comfortable low-heel step-ins.

Check out this gorgeous design up close!

I think that the best part of this dress is that it's an affordable Php900+. I've got plenty of dresses that cost less than a thousand, and short of thrifted pieces, none of them look this good! What an absolute dream dress. :D

Interested readers can purchase this lovely top at ForMe branches across the country. You can check out their website here: http://www.forme.com.ph

Wedding Attire: R.A.F. Saves The Day

2010-12-17T08:00:00.002+08:00

Josh and I had to attend a wedding last Sunday, and on Saturday night I had absolutely nothing to wear. All my formal clothes are in black and/or white, and as the invitation explicitly stated that women were not to wear those colors, I was stumped. We'd had the invite for months already so I'd had no excuse to not have a dress prepared, but suffice to say that I'd been very busy with work, my mum, and blogging.

So it happened that we were running around Eastwood on Saturday night, mere hours before we were supposed to attend the wedding. Josh and I had promised to help my parents with something on Sunday morning, so Saturday night was literally my only time to shop. I'd gone to all the usual places at Eastwood Mall-- BAYO, Style Lab, F&H, etc.-- with nothing formal enough (or affordable enough) to show for my efforts. It wasn't until we came to R.A.F.: Plains & Prints that I knew my search was over.

R.A.F is the formal wear store of Plains & Prints, and I was able to peruse racks and racks of wedding-appropriate dresses. Of course, the dresses I was really attracted to were all in black, but in the end I was able to find a darling blue green dress in shiny material that was absolutely perfect.

Accessorizing this dress with a black flower belt and black heels was a snap; pearls and a gold rose clutch finished the look. The best part was that the dress was only P1,450-- even the saleslady couldn't believe that it was so cheap! :D Perfect for weddings and formal parties, I'm so glad I found this dress. Now I have a staple wedding attendee dress that I can run to whenever we get an invite.

Josh and I on the day itself. My go-to face for formal affairs is a neutral eye and a bold red lip-- don't forget to slather on the lipliner to make sure your lip color lasts throughout the whole thing!

Josh fulfilling his role as best man. Doesn't the happy couple look adorable? :D

All in all, I was really happy with my purchase. I wasn't able to take a picture of the back, but it was cut so low that it showed all four characters of my tattoo. A bit of subtle sexiness that added a really nice touch to an otherwise simple dress.

I do hope that all my readers (and all the lovely December brides out there) have a lovely Christmas season.
Stay beautiful, ladies!

30 Days Of ForMe: Anything But A Worker Bee

2010-12-15T08:00:00.046+08:00

Truth be told, I actually had quite a difficult time styling this top. The style hides your waist so it's designed for a heavier midsection, but it made me look a bit like a ruler. I played around with it and something clicked when I slipped on one of my favourite leather belts...

Hooray, I have a waist again.

I matched it with a pair of shoes that I haven't worn because of their ridiculous heel (I know I shouldn't have bought them if I wasn't going to wear them, but I swear they're practically a work of art). Aquas and primary blues don't really go together, but for some reason I thought it looked all right in this case.

The necklace was practically a no-brainer. My mum gave it to me when we picked her up from the airport last weekend and I wore it immediately. I adore it.

Crazy shoes and a loud bangle. Those seem to be staples of my wardrobe, and I love wearing them as high as they'll go on my arm.

All in all, I found this top a challenge to style on myself. It wasn't really made for my figure, but I did love the color and wanted to tackle the problem. I'd advise girls who are top-heavy to try this blouse out! It really does hide all your upper half's flaws, hehe. (Though I'm unfortunately more bottom heavy; it didn't really do much for me).

Interested readers can purchase this lovely top at ForMe branches across the country. You can check out their website here: http://www.forme.com.ph
*This top was sponsored by ForMe as part of their 30 Day challenge. All opinions are entirely my own.

A Girl, A Bag, And The Circus

2010-12-14T08:00:00.000+08:00

Living in Eastwood has its perks, and some of them are being able to go on aimless walks, window-shopping, and sitting on park benches whilst NOT smoking but still being decidedly emo. (Yes, I miss smoking with all the passion of the seven seas.)

As Christmas is bazaar season, a small but interesting bunch of shops have put up stalls in CityWalk and I've taken great pleasure in browsing their wares. I've walked past one stall in particular three times in the past week, and I've always, always looked at the same thing. A soft, faux leather portfolio with a lovely circus print covering its gorgeous exterior. It was love at first sight, let me tell you, and the only thing that stopped me from buying it is that: 1) I don't need a portfolio, and 2) It was P3,700. A pretty hefty price tag for a bazaar, I know, but the brandless bag had captivated my heart.

The owner of the stall, a lovely woman named Jeri, furnished her shoppe from purchases from all over the world, and the bag I was eying had actually come from Korea (oh, the irony). Still, as much as I loved the portfolio, I couldn't justify the cost because I just didn't have a use for it. Had it been a purse, I'd have reconsidered, but I kept going back knowing that I wouldn't be buying it. Window shopping at its worst.

Peanut Butter and Jeri's stall.

The third time I went back, I noticed that there was a white variant that was much smaller than the folio. It was an overlarge purse size, but when I picked it up I realized it weighed a ton. It was also P3,500. :( Despondent, I looked around the stall and my eyes came to rest on, believe it or not, a chain bag version of the exact leather folio I'd been ogling! This had a bunch of trimmings and amazing detail, and I realized on the spot that I HAD to have it. The price was P2,580-- more than I'd normally pay for a bag, but given its unique design, I was willing to shell out. I asked Jeri for the last price, prepared to cough up but hoping to haggle a bit, when she told me that it was actually reserved. Well. No wonder it was put away in the corner. :(

Apparently, someone had come the night before and begged her to reserve it for him until 8:00 pm that day. It was already 7:15 pm, and she said that she'd give it to me if he ended up not showing up. He didn't leave a downpayment or anything, just really begged her to keep it (he wanted it as a gift for his wife), and she was nice enough to hold it.

Of course, it didn't seem that way to me because I really, really wanted that bag. Still, I manned up and walked around a bit, trying to kill some time. It was maybe quarter to 8 when I went back and asked if I could get the bag already since it looked like the guy was going to be a no show, but Jeri stalwartly wanted to wait until 8:05. I tried desperately not to roll my eyes, but obediently waited by her store for the next twenty minutes.

Predictable, the guy was a no show. (I don't know who this bogus jerk is, but I swear to god, I will kick his ass for making me waste 45 minutes for no reason). Jeri was nice enough to give me Php180 off for being so game about waiting, and finally, finally, the bag was MINE.

Mine, at last.

You know that feeling you get when you beat someone at a bidding war on Ebay? Well this was a hundred times better than that feeling. I've been wanting a Sonovi bag for over a year but have been too cheap to shell out for it, and now I have something even better and at a fraction of the price! (Sonovi's known for whimsical prints on gorgeous leather bags; I was drooling over the displays when I was in Seoul earlier this year).

I've never really cared about brands so I don't care if this is a Sonovi knock-off or what, but all I know is that I've got a gorgeous chain bag with a fricking circus on it. I''m having a really tough December so this may seem like a really dumb thing to be so happy about, but I have to say that this bag is pretty much my dream bag come to life. Happy, happiness. :D

For interested readers, Jeri also has a multiply store over at http://peanutbutterandjeri.multiply.com/. She sells clothes, shoes, and bags from all over the world, so I do recommend giving it a look. :)

Stay beautiful, ladies~!

30 Days Of ForMe: Artist Extraordinaire

2010-12-12T15:00:00.002+08:00

Out of all the outfits I've styled so far, this feels the closest to my personal style. I find most pants very ordinary so I almost always wear skirts and dresses, but for harem pants I make an exception. This is the type of outfit I'd wear if I was planning on hanging around a coffee shop all day-- casual, comfortable, but styled with hints of brass and killer shoes.

This top is actually quite long, and it hugs your curves while simultaneously giving you plenty of room to hide your trouble spots. I don't know how they managed it, but it's just one of those pieces that accentuates all the right stuff and hides all the bad. The ruffled sleeves are absolutely gorgeous.

As I add another versatile top to my wardrobe, I am once again pleasantly surprised by how well ForMe clothes fit my shape. I spent the better part of the day at one of their stores last weekend, and I realized how much better their clothes looked when worn rather than on the rack. This is probably just as well, since I'd much rather have clothes that looked good on me rather than on a hanger. :)

Necklace reads: The Will To Do, The Soul To Dare

Style Tips:
1) Wearing necklaces of varying lengths will instantly make a plain top more interesting.
2) You don't necessarily have to wear booties with tights or long pants-- try matching your favourite pair with some knee-length bottoms to mix it up!

This top is priced at P398 and can be purchased at ForMe branches across the country. You can check out their website here: http://www.forme.com.ph
*This top was sponsored by ForMe as part of their 30 Day challenge. All opinions are entirely my own.

30 Days Of ForMe: The Lady Is A Punk

2010-12-09T18:30:00.002+08:00

I have to admit, I never really caught on to the liquid leggings fad because I never thought I'd find a pair that fit my thighs. I thought that celebrities who wore them looked absolutely great, though, and whilst browsing ebay a couple of weeks back, I stumbled across a pair that had my measurements (and never you mind what those are).

This ForMe look revolves around an ultra soft, comfy gray tee with pearls and roses stitched asymmetrically onto the right chest. It seemed like a no-brainer to pair such a sweet design with jeans or a skirt, so I wanted to shake things up a bit with the outfit I built around it.

As I was looking through my closet, my previously unworn liquid leggings seemed to call out to me. I slipped them on, threw on a statement belt and some peeptoes, and voila. Day three was complete.

There are many things that I like about ForMe, and the most important characteristic that all their clothing has addressed is comfort. I love beautiful things, and I love comfort almost as much. Put those two things together and I'm in heaven.

I really love this shirt because it's got a million possible combinations, each of them unique. You can dress it down, dress it up, and punkify, prettify, or simplify. Gotta love a versatile piece, and it's incredibly affordable to boot.

Interested readers can check out the ForMe website here: http://www.forme.com.ph
*This top was sponsored by ForMe as part of their 30 Day challenge. All opinions are entirely my own.

ENSEMBLES: 20% OFF On the Louis Claparols Holiday Collection

2010-12-09T11:30:00.000+08:00

Ensembles Exclusive Treat to ALL ACCESS Card Holders!

Another exclusive offer to ALL ACCESS CARD Holders!

DRESS UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Enjoy 20%OFF on Ensembles by Louis Claparols Holiday Collection, this weekend only December 10-12! Perfect to stock up on new dresses that never go out of style!

Get to know more about the All Access Card. Read here.