Animetric's World

Dove Real Beauty Basics is here!

2012-01-27T20:23:00.005+08:00

Before anything else, let me just share with you that for some reason, my skin started being overly dry this January. Anything I use on my face stings and there are times I even experienced a bit of chapping and peeling. It doesn't help that most of my skin care products are formulated for oily/combination skin which has always been the norm for me. I've since switched to Dove Beauty Moisture Facial Cleanser for normal to dry skin and I'm seeing some improvement. Anyhow, I'll talk about my stash of Dove products in detail on another post. For now, I'd like to tell you about Dove Real Beauty Basics. :)

Dove Real Beauty Basics is Dove Philippines' beauty and lifestyle blog. You know how Dove always promotes real beauty as opposed to the "ideal" as set by society and stereotypes, right? Dove Real Beauty Basics is an online extension of that philosophy, tackling real concerns of real people -- anything you want to know about skin, hair, nutrition, fitness... it's all covered by Dove Real Beauty Basics.

Browsing through the site, an article about how to use curling/straightening irons caught my attention. I rely on rebonding to keep my hair manageable but I can't do it too often. After a couple of months I usually have unsightly roots showing and so I use a blower and a straightening iron to fix the problem. Then there was this one time I tried styling my daughter's hair for a party with a curling iron and failed miserably -- no curls! Hahaha. So yes, this primer on using hair styling irons has been very relevant and useful to me. :)

You can access Dove Real Beauty Basics by logging on to http://www.dove.ph and clicking on the real beauty basics tab on the upper right hand corner. The site's cover page currently features Dove's hair care line which has finally reached Philippine shores! I actually bought something like P1k worth of Dove hair care products from the supermarket last weekend, haha! I'm just so happy they're finally available locally because I used to horde these products from Hong Kong.

Anyhow, check out Dove Real Beauty Basics. It's a treasure trove of practical information you can use to enhance your daily beauty routine. :)

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Kuretake at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center

2012-01-26T22:30:00.001+08:00

We found ourselves in Kuretake at the Power Plant Mall one Sunday afternoon. I was able to buy a lovely P995 crimson-colored top from ZARA sale before we decided to break for lunch. All the restaurants were jam-packed.

I've never seen Kuretake this full!

We ended up sitting at the bar area since there were no tables available.

The bar area was where the Japanese chef prepared the sashimi and sushi. He would wash his hands countless times while doing so too, a good indication of the restaurant's hygiene.

We were served cold house tea (Mugicha or Barley Tea), a small plate of sweet and crunchy dilis, and a cold towel as we were placing our order.

Hubby decided to have Oyako Ju (P310, pictured above) -- thinly sliced chicken, vegetables, and egg on rice. It was a pretty generous serving and he liked it a lot.

Both our orders came with a bowl of miso soup.

I opted for the Gyu Don Set (P500). Aside from the miso soup it came with pickles...

...and a beef bowl (gyu means beef in Japanese) with some stray strands of sukiyaki noodles. I don't know if this is normal but it was frantic at Kuretake that day. I didn't mind though because it all tasted good on top of the piping hot steamed Japanese rice.

My Gyu Don Set also came with a small plate of mixed tempura -- two big prawns and veggies (specifically okra and squash). The crispy batter was done perfectly... loved it!

We both got complimentary dessert consisting of fresh fruits after our meal.

Kuretake serves delicious and authentic Japanese food but the price is a notch higher compared to other Japanese restaurants. They make up for it with larger than average servings though. Service was extremely slow that Sunday since there were so many people. It took around 45 minutes for our food to come out and they weren't in order. Miso soup was actually served last because they had run out and I had to repeatedly ask for my pickles. Still, Kuretake is one of our preferred dining places in Power Plant Mall.

Kuretake

G/F Power Plant Mall

Rockwell Drive cor. Estrella St.,
Makati City
898-0509

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Baby Company Grand Baby Fair Year 2!

2012-01-26T07:30:00.000+08:00

Are you a mom or a mom-to-be? This is your chance to get up to 70% off on selected items from leading children's brands. With over 100 exhibitors, there's bound to be something for every mom!

From January 27 -29, 2012, Baby Company will be holding its 2nd annual Grand Baby Fair at the SM Megatrade Halls 2 & 3 of the SM Megamall from 10am onwards. Apart from the chance to grab good deals on infant and children's items, there will be celebrity moms (the list includes Tintin Bersola-Babao, Christine Jacob-Sandejas, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, and lots more!) and interesting activities like parlor games, product sampling, workshops, raffles, and talks during the fair.

What's more, you get a Swag Bag for a single receipt purchase of at least P2,000. I'm sure you're wondering what's in the Swag Bag and if it's worth it...

Here's a sneak peek at what's inside the Swag Bag:

Playtex pacifier, breast milk bag + clips, nipples
Pampers diaper sample pack
Mimiflo hangers
Johnson's Baby Milk Bath
Johnson's Baby Cologne
Johnson's Pure Essentials Soap
Enfant baby soap
Chicco pacifiers
Farlin cotton swabs
Farlin nipple
Avent resealable breast milk storage cup
St. Patrick bib
Pigeon breast pads
Lactacyd sample sachets + rubber ducky
Baby Looney Tunes Fingertip Toothbrush with Tongue Cleaner
Cetaphil sample sachet
face towel
ballpens

I was told that this is just the partial swag bag that had been assembled as of press time. There could be some additions and/or variations come event day itself. It's pretty useful if you have babies or toddlers and if you're on the family way. :)

So there you go, do drop by the Baby Company Grand Baby Fair this coming weekend!

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Pinkbox for baby, Pinkbox for mommy!

2012-01-25T15:30:00.000+08:00

Well, not baby exactly... my little girl is 7 years old but you know how daughters will always be baby girls in their mommy's eyes. Anyway... I admit I spend a lot on hair accessories for my little girl. She actually has more than I do since she likes to keep her hair long and I can't let her go to school looking disheveled! When I'm abroad I always keep an eye out for more unique designs -- I still remember getting her tamagotchi (yes, the virtual pet!) ponytail holders when I went to Japan.

I've always known Pink Box as a children's brand endorsed by Carmina Villaroel's daughter Cassie and I've actually visited their mall outlets in the past. I was pretty excited when I got the invite for the Pink Box Tea Party which would also launch accessories for us mommies. I was just getting settled in my seat when we were handed welcome gifts consisting of a colored rubber bands and a pair of silver hoop earrings. I've been looking for silver hoop earrings for a while now so it couldn't be more timely. :)

It was a very intimate affair. There were lots of girl talk among fellow bloggers while munching on cute and tasty nibbles like these mini vegetable sandwiches. We also had yummy pizza, pasta, and French macarons! :D

The owner of Pinkbox, Nelly See, talked about how the business sprung from her frustrations as a mom ten years ago. She just couldn't find nice accessories for her daughters -- the good ones were branded and overly expensive. The cheap ones were of low quality. Most of the designs being sold were of Disney characters as well and Nelly wanted something different! She went to China and had a look at what was available. She imported accessories and started selling to family and friends. Soon, she had enough volume to have her own designs. Pinkbox now has 27 company-owned stores and numerous franchisees all over the country.

We were all asked to come dressed in pink, and for good reason -- the best dressed blogger gets a special gift from Pinkbox! Fashion blogger Vern Enciso bagged it with this Alice in Wonderland tea party-inspired look.

Since the Chinese New Year was coming up at the time of the event we all got to take home a beautifully wrapped box of tikoy.

We also got to pick our own Pinkbox loot at the event. I got these colored ponytail holders and clips for my little girl.

These colored bands are my favorite. They come in a pack of five and cost only P49.75.

They're very versatile, secure, and easy to remove. No snagging or tugging, it just slips off the hair.

Pinkbox clips are cute too! My daughter actually used these to school the very next day. :D

I grabbed some accessories for myself as well. The silver hairband costs P219.75 just to give you an idea.

Pinkbox accessories are not limited to hair ornaments, they now also have fashionable earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.

I love these silver hoops!

The bracelet set I picked fits me perfectly too!

You'll be in for a real treat the next time you stop by a Pinkbox outlet since you can now shop for yourself and your little girl at the same time! :D

For a complete list of Pinkbox outlets, log on to http://www.pinkbox.com.ph or visit Pinkbox's official FB page at http://www.facebook.com/Pinkboxaccessories.

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SumoSam Gilmore at Greenhills Town Center on Granada St.

2012-01-24T08:15:00.000+08:00

I attended the grand opening of SumoSam at Greenhills Town Center along Granada St. last Saturday. I was surprised to find out that it was actually franchised by one of my high school classmates!

I didn't know SumoSam had a mascot, haha!

Tables were already set when I got to the restaurant.

Big bento boxes were placed in front of each diner.

I opened it and saw a complete meal! This is actually the Samurai's Choice Bento (P488) which you can order only from SumoSam Gilmore.

The Samurai's Choice bento box contains Tuna and Salmon Sashimi with Kani (crab) sticks, sweet and crunchy dilis appetizer...

...steamed rice garnished with black sesame seeds...

...beef misono with yasai itame (sauteed vegetables)...

...chicken teriyaki, dory teppan, and bean sprouts... whew! There's so much food all in just one bento box. It's guaranteed to wipe out all your hunger pangs. I couldn't finish it, I think I can share a Samurai's Choice bento with my 7-year old daughter and just order some extra rice for her.

After our filling meal, cupcakes were served. These aren't part of SumoSam's menu, they were ordered especially for the occasion. :)

SumoSam president Marvin Agustin dropped by during lunch in order to welcome us and answer a few questions. I asked him how his Japanese restaurants are different from each other -- after all, aside from SumoSam he has John & Yoko and Mr. Kurosawa. Marvin told us that SumoSam is more of Japanese-American, John & Yoko cosmopolitan Japanese, and Mr. Kurosawa Japanese-European.

We had a photo opp with Marvin as well. He actually did a sushi demo later in the afternoon but I couldn't stick around to see it.

There are 5 kinds of Yokozuna Bentos and they are available only at SumoSam Gilmore from 11am to 2pm. We were served Samurai's Choice which is the most expensive one.

If you visit SumoSam Gilmore this month, you will also be given a red lucky packet for the Chinese New Year. The packet contains 12 coupons which you can use from January to December 2012. For every P1,000 purchase you get the freebie of the month:

January 2012 - Free Fortune Cookies
February 2012 - Free Tempura Banana Split
March 2012 - Free Best of Both Worlds (dessert)
April 2012 - Free Thirst Quenchers
May 2012 - Free Thirst Quenchers
June 2012 - Free Dory Teppan Bento
July 2012 - Free Dory Teppan Bento
August 2012 - Free Dessert
Septmber 2012 - Free Dessert
October 2012 - Free Beer
November 2012 - Free Halloween Loot Bag
December 2012 - Free Dory Teppan Bento

SumoSam
Greenhills Town Center

#2 Granada St., Bgy. Valencia, Quezon City

729-6292 / 895-7532

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Gluta-C Intense Whitening -- putting the products to the test!

2012-01-23T10:47:00.010+08:00

I was invited for an evening of fun and pampering at Freyja Day and Nail Spa last December 2011 by Gluta-C, a local skin whitening brand endorsed by the now super fair-skinned actress Jodi Sta. Maria. I've seen Jodi during her pre-Gluta-C days and I can assure you that she's not what you'd call maputi (white). Not dark, but definitely not maputi.

Now if Jodi's Gluta-C promo materials are any indication of the current state of her skin tone, you can now describe her as maputi. Of course, I have yet to see her in person again because I know too well how lighting and make-up can make anyone come off as maputi.

Anyhow, back to the Gluta-C event. Fashion stylist Alyanna Martinez gave a brief talk on personal style, giving us tips on how to highlight our best features. She's living proof that you don't have to be model-skinny to look good. It's all about working with what you have -- wearing clothes that fit properly, accessorizing, choosing the right footwear... of course, being at your best includes having flawless skin!

After Alyanna's talk we were given a brief product orientation and some of us got treated to a Gluta-C Facial. We couldn't all do it at the same time so I chose to go ahead with the Vanna Goddess Whitening Hand and Foot Spa.

The treatment involved pampering my feet and hands.

I'll blog about this treatment in detail on a separate post as we're here to talk about Gluta-C.

All I can say for now is my hands and feet got a real treat!

Gluta-C has a complete line of skin care products formulated to whiten, nourish, and protect your skin from the sun. All the products use Glutathione and Vitamin C as the main ingredients. There's soap, toner spritz, day cream, body moisturizer, and night serum.

For this post, I decided to give the Gluta-C Intensive Whitening Body Moisturizer a test run. My skin has been very dry ever since 2012 started and regular sunblock isn't cutting it. I need something that will protect me from the sun AND moisturize my skin at the same time.

Upon opening the bottle, a light and refreshing citrus scent greeted me.

Gluta-C Intensive Whitening Body Moisturizer is heavier than regular lotion, notice how it doesn't run after dispensing from the bottle.

It looks thick and creamy but it actually spreads easily and absorbs quickly. A few moments after massaging it into your skin it's completely gone with not even a hint of greasiness. Your skin also feels soft and smooth right after application. I really like the light, fresh-smelling citrus scent. It has SPF 25 so it's good for daily use. I don't recommend this for serious extended sun exposure like going to the beach or engaging in water sports (you will need something waterproof/sweatproof with a higher SPF for those activities) -- but this is sufficient for your daily traverse like driving/commuting to work.

A 125ml bottle of Gluta-C Intense costs P164.75. It's available at leading drugstores and department stores nationwide.

I went swimming a lot last December and so I've darkened quite a bit from my original skin color. The watch mark on my wrist proves it. I'm putting Gluta-C Intense Whitening products (soap, moisturizer, and the night serum) to the test by using them on my arms to see if they can whiten enough to even out my skin tone. I guess I'll see if it's effective after a few weeks? :)

Have you tried Gluta-C? How did it work for you?

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Forest House in Baguio City!

2012-01-22T00:00:00.001+08:00

Since it's a long weekend, I've decided to blog about this place we visited during one such long weekend last November 2011 -- Forest House in Baguio City.

Forest House is a Bed and Breakfast, a restaurant, and a bar of sorts all at the same time. When we visited, the place was jam-packed even if we had reservations so we could only stay on the second floor. Thus we couldn't watch the live band that was playing on the ground floor. They set up a long table for us since we were a big group.

It was nearly the holiday season at the time so the whole place was decked out in Christmas-themed decor.

We were served plates of this complimentary appetizer which I can only describe as a small, crisp flatbread. It was nice to munch on as it was not greasy and it had a clean taste.

I ordered Sesame Crusted Fish Fillet (P245, pictured above) which was marked as one of Forest House's recommended specials on the menu. Pan-seared cream dory fish fillet is crusted with black sesame seeds and topped with mango salsa. It's served with mashed potato and a tortilla chip on the side. Sounds nice, looks nice, but unfortunately it's a bland dish that made me realize cream dory can never be satisfying no matter how you cook it.

Hubby decided to get Forest House Wine Sauced Chicken (P245, pictured above). It's also marked as a recommended Forest House special. It's served with your choice of either steamed rice or mashed potatoes with fresh vegetables on the side. I liked this better than what I ordered. The rich and creamy wine sauce is very flavorful and it's good to eat with steamed rice.

Our son opted for Fettuccine Carbonara (P230, pictured above) which he finished to the last noodle. The white cream sauce had smoked ham and mushrooms, plus it was topped with bacon bits.

Meanwhile our daughter chose English Fish and Chips with Tartar Sauce (P275, pictured above). It's crunchy outside and soft inside, served with potato wedges. Our little girl liked it.

After dinner we decided to check out the unoccupied rooms that are also located in the second floor dining area. This one is called Keanu's room. It's good for two people. It costs anywhere from P2,750 to P3,700 a night depending on when you stay.

This bathroom belongs to Kahlil's room which is good for 2 adults and 1 child. It has a queen-sized bed and a foldable sofa bed which can fit one child. It's markedly more expensive at P3,450 to P4,700 depending on when you stay.

We saw around three rooms and all of them have quaint, country-themed interiors that match the rest of the place.

Forest House is worth visiting if only for taking in the charming country-style ambiance. Food is so-so (average taste + small serving portions), service is really slow (either that or it's because they were full that night) -- our orders took nearly an hour to materialize. The rooms, while pretty to look at, are located right next to the dining area so I can just imagine the noise. I don't like the idea of leaving the room and being met by a hall full of diners too.

Forest House Bed & Breakfast
16 Loakan Rd., Baguio City

+63 74 4470459

http://www.foresthousebedandbreakfast.com

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Dambana ng Kagitingan on Mt. Samat, Bataan

2012-01-19T23:16:00.010+08:00

Our family went on a long drive to Bataan with friends over the December holidays last year. We wanted to go somewhere different, not the usual weekend family haunts like Ocean Adventure or Zoobic. We decided to go up to Mt. Samat in Bataan and visit Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), a memorial to both Filipino and American soldiers during World War II.

The road up Mt. Samat is long and winding. There are steep turns and a lot of climbing, so good driving skills and a reliable vehicle with sufficient power are a must.

Upon arriving at the gate, you will be charged a minimal entrance fee... something like P10 for students, P20 for adults, and P30 for foreigners. A large cannon greeted us the moment we got down from the car.

You climb the stairs in order to gain access to the memorial.

It actually reminded me somewhat of the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial in Taipei, Taiwan... minus the uniformed guards who stood like statues.

The open air marble structure is bright and spacious. A part of Philippine history is chronicled on its walls.

It's really just a rectangular open space with a story to tell but it's nice to hang out because it's so well-lit and breezy. The marble is literally cool too, some of the kids would actually sit on the floor.

Aside from these writings covering the wall, there's also a map which illustrates the historic battles that took place in World War II. Couldn't get a good photo of the map because it was encased in glass and the reflection ruins the view.

There are some weapons on display outdoors.

Our ultimate goal was to visit the memorial cross on top of the mountain. You will have to drive up some more to reach it.

So we drove and went to see the cross up close. You can go inside it and take the elevator to the top for P10 per person.

We paid and rode the elevator to the top. There are viewing decks where you can sit and take photos. It's quite windy here. We all loved the cool mountain air!

This is the view from the top of the cross.

Our kids enjoyed our visit to Dambana ng Kagitingan on Mt. Samat. I think it's a good alternative to the usual theme parks and zoos. This place is something my kids would read about in their civics / social studies text books so they were pretty pleased when they saw it with their own eyes.

Dambana ng Kagitingan is about a 2-hour drive from Manila. There are some stalls which sell hot dogs and drinks but there's no serious dining facility there. Toilets are not so nice plus you have to pay P10 per use. Still, I maintain that it is worth a visit. We found it quite enriching. :)

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Parian Spirit Professional Make-Up Brush Cleaner

2012-01-19T12:00:00.006+08:00

I got a sample bottle of Parian Spirit Professional Make-Up Brush Cleaner and a sachet of the wipe version to review late last year. Prior to these products, I had been using Sephora Collection Daily Brush Cleaner, Brush Cleansing Wipes, and Purifying Brush Shampoo to clean and disinfect my make-up brushes. I'm very particular about this because I don't want to break out from using dirty brushes on my face. O_o

I was shocked at how big the bottle was.

I decided to try the wipe first since it was more convenient to do so.

I took out one of my over-used concealer brushes and wiped the bristles with the Parian Spirit Professional Make-Up Brush Cleaner Wipe. It costs P40 per sachet.

I liked the wipe because:

It's not overly wet.
Your brush dries quickly after wiping.
The towelette is very durable. It doesn't tear or break down in any way.
It's very easy to use, just wipe the make-up away from the brush!
It has a pleasant citrus scent. I can't tell if it's lemon or orange, haha.

My brush is spic and span after wiping!

Next I tried the bottled form of the Parian Spirit Professional Make-Up Brush Cleaner.

You pour some in a glass container and dip your brushes in the solution and swirl it around till all the make-up comes off.

So that's what I did. I was amazed at how gobs of concealer, corrector, and foundation seemed to melt away from the bristles of my Sephora Concealer Brush.

So I took all my small brushes and dipped them all in the solution. I did swirl them against the bottom and sides of the glass one by one though.

The solution turned gray. All the eyeshadow, eyeliner (gel type!), and other gunk came off in a jiffy. I could actually see the make-up particles in the liquid.

I prepared paper towels to wipe and dry the brushes with. Each one was perfectly clean! Very impressive! :D

So here's the Charm Pro concealer brush I used to makeover someone for a party before cleaning. It's got well... concealer all over it.

This is the same brush after a dip in the Parian Spirit Make-Up Brush Cleaner. Notice how shiny and clean the bristles are... good as new!

If you clean your brushes with the bottled solution, they will be a bit damp afterwards. They dry a lot more quickly though as compared to using shampoo. A 475ml bottle like the one I have here costs P800. There are smaller sized bottles though.

What I liked about the Parian Spirit Professional Make-Up Brush Cleaner:

You can finish cleaning several brushes a lot more quickly as compared to shampooing or spraying since you can dip them all together at once.
Brushes dry much faster as compared to using water to clean them.
There's that pleasant citrus scent again.

Downsides:

You can use up a bottle fast if you wear make-up a lot and clean your brushes regularly.
The whole room ends up smelling like lemons and oranges. The scent doesn't go away too, unless you dispose of the paper towels and wipes outside. This can be either good or bad.

You can purchase Parian Spirit Professional Make-Up Brush Cleaner products at:

Nippon Esthetic (official Philippine distributor) - http://www.nipponesthetic.com/catalogue/
Suesh - http://suesh.multiply.com
Suesh Studio
34 Wilson St., Greenhills, San Juan
806-8013
Media Makeup Exchange
G/F Unit 102 Evekal Bldg.,
Arnaiz Ave., Makati City
0917-3470950

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Longganisa Sorpresa on United St., Mandaluyong City!

2012-01-18T13:00:00.006+08:00

Hubby and I had lunch at Longganisa Sorpresa in Mandaluyong with The Club as suggested by Frannywanny yesterday noon. To my foreign readers, longganisa is Filipino sausage.

Located along United St., it's that red and yellow building above.

Upon being seated, I noticed a rectangular basket holding five bottles of vinegar. You can choose which one (or two, three, four, five!) you want for dipping.

There's Sinamak, Pinakurat, Tuba, Paombong, and Sukang Iloko.

I opted for Sukang Iloko upon Irene's recommendation. It's darker in color compared to the rest but it has a light, slightly sweet taste.

Hubby and I both ordered Longganisa Sorpresa's standard meal, Long-si-log, which consists of fried egg, garlic rice, your choice of longganisa, and a glass of iced tea for P99. I opted for Vigan longganisa and my meal included three pieces. There are about a dozen different types of longganisa you can choose from.

Vigan Longganisa had a very garlicky taste which I liked. It's also quite lean and meaty -- no telltale fatty bits or tough pieces of tendon/ligaments (litid) so it's all good. :)

Then I ordered extra longganisa because I wanted to try a different variant. For P35, I got three pieces of Lucban longganisa. It was more peppery in terms of flavor. Like Vigan Longganisa, it was lean and meaty. Overall, I was happy with both my choices.

Meanwhile, hubby picked Cabanatuan longganisa to go with his Long-si-log.

Unlike my picks, Cabanatuan longganisa was bigger (hence only two pieces) and it had a toasted sweet flavor. Hubby was happy with it though as he prefers longganisa that's on the sweet side.

Longganisa Sorpresa is a nice lunch place if you're working in the vicinity of Pioneer St., United St., etc. Meals are affordable and they also have other menu items like longganisa sisig and other non-sausage viands. It's located right across D'Ace Plaza which houses my favorite milk tea place, Share Tea! We actually crossed over to have a drink after our meal.

Longganisa Sorpresa

United St. (across D'Ace Plaza)

Mandaluyong City

http://www.longganisasorpresa.com

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Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000

2012-01-17T10:00:00.003+08:00

A review unit of the much coveted Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 spent the holidays with me last December 2011. It was really the perfect time because a lot of people in my immediate vicinity were interested in the unit. In fact, my sister-in-law actually ended up buying one after playing around a bit with it!

Okay, so size-wise here's how the Samsung Galaxy Note's 5.3" screen compares to my Samsung Galaxy S2's 4.3" screen. It looks kind of like a big brother. XD

Yes, you can hold it in one hand, albeit it's noticeably wider than a regular phone. You can pretty much forget about one-handed navigation (like texting while driving, which you really shouldn't be doing in the first place!!!) so I guess for the general public welfare it's for the better. Safer streets right?

For the screen size, it's still pretty slim.

It comes with an S Pen (advanced smart pen) which you can use to write, draw, or even vandalize existing photos. :p

It's basically a stylus.

I used the S Pen for the Samsung Galaxy Note's built-in S Memo application.

The S Memo is a very versatile app. You can choose your "paper" or background, your pen (you can use a brush, pencil, highlighter, or technical pen)... even the ink color and point thickness. You can insert photos from your cam, your phone's memory, or the web.

For me, it's really a fun app more than anything. I guess people in the creative field will have a more productive time with it, haha!

Maybe even business people will have a field day with it too. (Disclaimer: I did not draw the above, it's one of the samples pre-installed in the phone!)

You can even have one entire screen dedicated to your calendar. This pretty much eliminates the need for a notebook type planner.

Due to its large screen size, reading newspapers and magazines from online / digital sources is made very convenient.

Playing games is now a lot more fun and immersive too!

It's like carrying a pocket-sized LCD TV since you can watch streaming videos and stuff.

Samsung Galaxy Note's 8MP rear (main) cam comes with a flash. The front cam is 2MP.

It can actually take decent photos. If all factors are optimized, great photos.

This is the actual photo I took with the Samsung Galaxy Note. Considering it's indoors at night under fluorescent lighting, I'd say it's not bad at all.

Other features:

16GB internal memory
1.4GHz dual core processor
1080p full HD video recording and playback
Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS
HD Super Amoled screen (bright even at the dimmest setting!)

My hubby commented that if you're a guy who keeps his cellphone inside his pocket it could be tough lugging this around. It's admittedly more convenient for us ladies with handbags. The Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 is what happens when your cellphone and tablet PC get married and have a kid. It can do everything both gadgets can do and even a bit more.

The Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 retails for P34,995.

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My Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair experience + giveaway (Week 1)

2012-01-16T09:30:00.002+08:00

I'm not getting any younger. In fact, I'm getting closer and closer to 40 years of age with each passing year. That said, I really invest a lot on anti-aging products that can help me maintain a youthful look. My daily day and night regimen consists not only of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, I also use anti-aging serum, eye cream, and sunscreen. You don't get to my age wrinkle-free without quality skin care products.

Estee Lauder Philippines sent over a bottle of their most advanced anti-aging serum, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, to try for the next 4 weeks. Inspired by groundbreaking DNA research, it has been proven effective for all ethnicities (Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian, African American).

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex does the following:

Repairs past visible damage (from aging, environmental stress, etc.)
Prevents future damage
Provides continuous hydration

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair promises smoother, more luminous, and even-toned skin for that youthful glow. The good news is, they sent over not just one but two (2) bottles of this miracle serum so I can share with a blog reader! I'll get to the mechanics in a bit. :)

I tried the product for the first time last night in place of my usual anti-aging serum (I always have several on hand, haha... that's just how paranoid I am when it comes to my skin!).

The bottle comes with a dropper for more hygienic dispensing. This way, the remaining product inside the bottle won't get contaminated.

I put a drop on my fingertip. The serum is clear and fragrance-free. Estee Lauder's official website recommends the following steps which for their signature Nightly Ritual:

Apply 5 drops of Advanced Night Repair-one on each fingertip.
Touch fingertips of both hands together.
Massage serum over face and neck, starting at the center, outward.

I used the serum for the first time last night and here are some of my initial observations:

It glides on smoothly so there's no sticky feeling.
It's absorbed into the skin fairly quickly.
There's really no scent! If you have a moisturizer from a different brand there'll be no olfactory conflict.
My face felt exceptionally moisturized when I woke up in the morning.

A 1.7ml bottle of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex costs P4,800. It's available from Estee Lauder counters in Rustan's Department Stores and Marionnaud in SM Mall of Asia.

I will continue to chronicle my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair experience over the next four weeks, so stay tuned! Of course, there's something in it for my dear readers and fellow Estee Lauder fans as well.

Want to look younger on your next birthday? Tell me why on my post this coming February 1, 2012. Now's your chance to think of a really good answer because the person with the best answer will get to take home a 1.7ml bottle of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex worth P4,800! I'll ship to anywhere in the Philippines too so all Philippine residents can join! If you have questions about this upcoming giveaway, do feel free to post them in the comments section below.

UPDATE: Just got word that the official contest start date has been moved to... today! So if you already have an answer for the contest question, I'll need you to do the following to join:

If you have Facebook, like Estee Lauder Philippines and Animetric's World.
Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter.

Click on the Share button on top of this post. On the blank box above the title of the blog post, tag Animetric's World and post "Animetric's World is giving away a bottle of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair worth P4,800! Join now!".

To tag, type in the “@” symbol then follow it with the word “Animetric” This will prompt a drop-down menu box which will present you “Animetric's World”. Click that and you should see “Animetric's World” become a blue link. After completing the sentence, click Share. Make sure your profile is set to everyone or else your entry won't appear on my FB page.

Twitter entries must use this format: @animetric is giving away Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair worth P4,800! (+ contest url)
Answer the question "Why do you want to look younger on your next birthday?" by posting on the comments section below along with your name, email, and url of your FB or Twitter share.
Best answer wins. Deadline for entries is February 13, 2012. All Philippine residents can join, I will ship the prize to wherever you are in the country.

Aside from the bottle of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, I will raffle off something special to everyone who comments on this post! I will announce what it is on my Facebook Page. ^_-

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Start the year with YUMMY Magazine!

2012-01-15T21:52:00.003+08:00

I just got the January-February 2012 issue of Yummy Magazine a few days ago and well... I'm so happy with it! So many easy recipes to follow so we can revitalize our house menu! I'm useless in the kitchen so I usually pass on the magazine to our cook so she can whip up awesome dishes and I can just buy ingredients from any local supermarket! :D

Yummy Magazine has some great new offerings starting this year:

Guest Chef - Each month YUMMY will feature a noteworthy personality and let readers get to know his/her cooking style.
Yummy Likes! - YUMMY editors share their picks, such as favorite food, drink, and restaurants.
Everyday Recipes - This section has been given an upgrade and now has baon ideas using five ingredients only for more ease, speed, and convenience!

The March 2012 issue will mark YUMMY's fifth year in circulation, thus a new look will be unveiled.

Can't get enough of YUMMY? Drop by http://www.yummy.ph! It's updated everyday. :)

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Hill Station Tapas Bar and Restaurant in Baguio City!

2012-01-15T00:30:00.001+08:00

The best meal we had when we went to Baguio last November 2011 was definitely at Hill Station. It's actually the sister restaurant of Mario's in Metro Manila.

Large open windows greeted us when we went to the dining area. It was about 1pm and the place was well-lit by natural light from outside.

We were given complimentary bread baskets with olive oil and crushed nuts for dipping. The bread was very soft, light, and tasty -- we all couldn't get enough! :D

We shared some appetizers with the group starting with Spinach Artichoke Dip. I loved the cheesy dip and the bread especially since I was soooo hungry already. Seriously though I'd like it just as much even if I weren't famished.

Our friends ordered Caesar Salad (P260, pictured above). Although I didn't eat, I saw that it was prepared the same way as Mario's so I'm certain it's delicious.

Tex-Mex Fries was a big hit with everyone, especially the kids. Fried potato wedges are topped with ground beef in tomato sauce and cheese. I didn't get the price but it's definitely below P200.

Our son opted for a Cheeseburger (P195, pictured above). It was served with kamote (sweet potato) fries on the side.

Our daughter ordered Fish Fillet with Buttered Crumbs (P320, pictured above). Like the Cheeseburger, it was served with sweet potato fries. She finished the fish but didn't care for the fries, saying she preferred "normal" fries.

I chose Moroccan Spiced Baby Back Ribs (P395, pictured above). The meat was fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce had a slight curry flavor. Pretty good! :D

Hubby ordered Fish Fillet with Five Spice Chile (P340, pictured above) which he rather enjoyed. It was served with rice and vegetables.

To cap off our meal, we had Milk Chocolate Tart which was Hill Stations latest dessert offering. I don't remember how much it costs because it wasn't on the menu but I think it's somewhere in the range P120 to P160. It's rich without being overly sweet, really divine! :D

With good food and excellent service, Hill Station is a must-visit if ever you find yourself in Baguio. :)

Hill Station Tapas Bar and Restaurant

Casa Vallejo, Upper Session Road, Baguio City

http://hillstationbaguio.com/

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Microsoft Windows is our family's OS for all seasons!

2012-01-13T10:00:00.002+08:00

It's no big secret that computers are indispensable to our family. My husband watches over their business' offsite factory via internet cameras. We manage the inventory and collectibles using a local network that's rooted in a Windows Server. We use Microsoft Office programs like MS Word and MS Excel for most tasks in the office. They're so user-friendly I don't even need to spend time training our staff to get things done with them.

Meanwhile, I'm online most hours of the day due to my blogging, freelance writing, and other internet projects. My son who's a fifth grader also can't be without a computer because he actually has school assignments and projects that need to be done with a computer. Once he was tasked to do a demonstration video about fractions for math. We recorded the video using a digicam and used Windows Movie Maker to edit and add a few simple effects. He got a good grade for it too. :)

But our computer use isn't limited to work. Since my mom is based in the US, we keep in touch through Skype internet video calls and chat. We're lucky if we're able to see each other once a year and so we really can't be without a computer and internet connection.

Microsoft Windows is so intuitive and easy to use that even my 7-year old daughter can easily start up the PC and use it to call grandma. :D

Then there are games. When my kids were toddlers I remember teaching them letters, numbers, colors, and shapes through educational PC games. My kids and I love playing computer games and to date there are still more games compatible with Microsoft Windows. I like trying out all sorts of new software too and there are a lot more choices available for the PC. Thus it's a no-brainer as to why we've never switched operating systems through the years.

Ever since I started to become active online back in 1998, I've been using Microsoft Windows as my operating system. I would use Notepad to code raw html and turn them into web pages. I used to be a big Sailormoon fan and anime addict so that screenshot you see above is from one of the sites I created using just Notepad and a graphic manipulation software.

My husband and I agree that these days it's essential to be computer literate and so we encourage our kids to learn how to manipulate computers at a young age. It's equally important to use genuine software to operate your PCs with. Our choice has always been Windows.

*This is a sponsored post for Microsoft Philippines. All opinions, experiences, and views expressed herein are entirely mine.

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Quezo de Bola Cheesecake from Indulgence by Irene

2012-01-13T07:00:00.004+08:00

One of the yummiest things we got over the holidays was Quezo de Bola Cheesecake from Indulgence by Irene.

We got a cute 4.5-inch cheesecake in a simple gold and white box.

It's the perfect single serve size to cap off a meal.

It's very easy to unbox. In fact you can eat it right away even without utensils. :D

I sliced a portion to try. I was amazed at how superbly cheesy it was. The mixture of cream cheese and quezo de bola (edam cheese) is nothing short of perfect. My hubby, son, and I couldn't get enough. Cheesecake isn't something I normally crave for but this is different! You really must try to believe. I don't exaggerate when I say this is the stuff dreams are made of because I actually have a friend who dreams of this cheesecake!

A 4.5-inch Quezo de Bola Cheesecake costs P200 while a 9-inch one costs P900. Believe me, it's worth the price because this is the absolute real deal -- no fillers and extenders like unflavored gelatin, just honest-to-goodness creamy cheese heaven on a chewy buttery graham crust. No scrimping on ingredients, you get the worth of every cent you pay for.

To quote my hubby, "They don't make 'em like this anymore!".

For inquiries and orders, call or text 0922-8303900 / 0917-6225800. Orders can be picked up from Ortigas and meet-ups can be arranged in Magallanes. Check out Indulgence by Irene on Facebook.

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BlackBerry 7 OS + 5 new BB smartphones!

2012-01-12T13:20:00.002+08:00

I attended the BlackBerry 7 launch held at The Establishment last January 10, 2012. It's officially my first event for this year! Loved that it was pretty intimate since I'm not really a fan of big crowds. I must really be getting old. :p

Had my photo taken by the photo wall upon entering. OT but yey I'm wearing my favorite accessory -- a necklace I got from The Little Things She Needs. Looking at this photo I realize that I am in dire need of a hair cut... and that I must continue my quest to lose weight this 2012.

The event was hosted by Rovilson Fernandez. I'm a fan from his Amazing Race Asia days with Marc Nelson. Marc and Rovi are hands down my most favorite team ever!!!

Anyhow, Francois Mahieu, Senior Director for Product Management of Blackberry Asia Pacific introduced the five new BlackBerry Smartphone models.

Then the five new models were unveiled starting with the BlackBerry Bold 9790.

Touchscreen + QWERTY keypad
1 GHz processor, 768 MB RAM, 8GB onboard memory
5MP camera with flash
VGA video recording
NFC enabled
SRP: P22,890

BlackBerry Curve 9380

All touch display
5 MP camera with flash
VGA video recording
NFC enabled
SRP: P16,990

BlackBerry Torch 9810

Full touchscreen + slideout QWERTY keypad
1 GHz processor + 8GB onboard memory
5MP camera with flash
HD video recording at 720p
SRP: P28,590

Blackberry Torch 9860

Largest BlackBerry touchscreen to date
5MP camera with flash
HD video recording at 720p
1.2 GHz processor, 768MB RAM, 4GB onboard memory
SRP: P24,690

BlackBerry Bold 9900

BlackBerry's flagship model is now available in Pure White
Thinnest BlackBerry smartphone yet
1.2 GHz processor, 768 MB RAM, 8GB onboard memory
Touchscreen + QWERTY keypad
5MP camera with flash
HD video recording at 720p
NFC enabled
SRP: P31,690

These phones will be available in the Philippines on January 13, 2012!

Then he took us through the new Blackberry 7 OS which the five phones are running. So what's new?

BlackBerry 7 features Liquid Graphics technology. That said, BB will have stunning graphics, more fluid animations, and faster response times in terms of visuals.
Fast BlackBerry browser for more efficient web browsing.
Augmented Reality (kind of like a souped up FourSquare but involving your BBM friends)
Near Field Communications (NFC) which turns your BB into a bluetooth radio (I think) so you can communicate with fellow NFC devices nearby.
HD video recording in 720p
Voice-activated universal search using speech-to-text translation
Pre-installed apps and services like BBM, Documents to Go, BlackBerry Protect, etc.

The Establishment was packed with media guests.

Days before the event we were asked a survey question: "How do you think BlackBerry can help you jumpstart 2012?". The most creative answer would get a special surprise. Anyhow, I submitted the following 15 minutes before the deadline:

How Blackberry can help jumpstart my 2012

By Rowena Wendy Lei

A Blackberry is what I need to meet

Deadlines that I normally can’t beat

BBM will help me stay connected and in touch

With editors, interviewees, contributors, and such

I’ll never be bored, I’ll never be idle

With incredible data plans that are worth my while

Blackberry App World makes things more fun

I can download everything I want under the sun

With a BB in hand I’ll jumpstart my year

And I’ll do it grinning from ear to ear!

I composed the above rhyme in approximately 15 minutes. I was expecting that they'd simply give a BlackBerry smartphone to whoever had the most creative answer because they did something like that last year. They flashed the winning answer that BlackBerry Asia Pacific had selected on the screen and it was mine!

But no, I was really floored because Francois Mahieu said that I would also get a BlackBerry Playbook to bridge the BB smartphone with. So I took home a BlackBerry Torch 9860 and a BlackBerry Playbook 32GB that day. And yes, just as I said, I'm grinning from ear to ear!!!

Thank you BlackBerry! <3

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Win a trip for 2 to Boracay from Aria Cucina Italiana!

2012-01-11T23:29:00.005+08:00

Okay. There's a very big chance that you've already eaten at Aria during your Boracay trip. I've been to Boracay a grand total of two times and the second time I was holed up on a separate island known as Shangri-la Boracay. So no, I've never dined at Aria... but I've heard nothing but raves from my friends who have. The good news is, Aria Cucina Italiana is opening a branch here in Manila!

Aria Cucina Italiana is opening its doors in Manila (specifically Bonifacio High Street) on January 28, 2012. What's more, they're giving away an all-expense paid trip to Boracay for two (2) plus Aria GCs via the Aria Cucina Italiana Facebook Page.

Mechanics:

Like the Aria Cucina Italiana Facebook Page
Answer the promo question "Tell us why you need to know the secret to Aria's famous pizza" at the FB Page.

That's it! It's so easy!!! Summer is coming up so I'm sure many of you would like a free Boracay trip.

Just look at that yummy looking pizza (no, I did not take that photo... haha!). I sure want to try it so I will probably be heading on over to Bonifacio High Street after Aria opens if only for that slice of pizza! I'll be sure to blog about it too. :D

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Tamagoya Noodle House in Antipolo, Rizal

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000+08:00

We embarked on a long drive to Antipolo one Sunday evening to try out an authentic Japanese-owned ramen place that we had been hearing much about -- Tamagoya Noodle House. The sign outside the restaurant says Home Grown Taste From Hokkaido and that was enough to get me excited.

The restaurant's look is very Japanese. I mean, ramen places in Japan actually do look like this. They're just as small too.

We ordered Karaage (P148, pictured above) which is Japanese Fried Chicken. It's kind of like chicken lollipop except without the bone. It was quite soft to the bite and well, kind of slippery inside. The breading also had a slight ginger flavor. It's served with a lemon wedge and a side salad of shredded lettuce with Japanese mayonnaise and sesame dressing. Not bad, but I don't particularly like slippery chicken. I finished the salad though.

We also had Yaki Gyoza (P98 for 6 pcs, pictured above), which is Japanese pan-fried dumpling that is typically filled with pork and leeks. It's actually quite popular here in the Philippines as almost all Japanese restaurants have it on the menu. This one tastes exactly like what we had in Japan. Crisp and toasted outside, juicy inside. Delicious!

I ordered Miso Ramen (P158, pictured above) for myself. I was surprised at the large serving portion. It's noodles in soybean paste-based soup topped with a perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg, a sheet of nori (seaweed), sweet corn kernels, and leeks. The soup had a smooth, clean taste and you can tell it's free from MSG and artificial flavorings BUT it's a bit on the bland side. Still, to be getting a home-cooked meal for that uber cheap price makes it a pretty good deal.

Hubby had Chuka Soba (P148, pictured above). It's Tamagoya Noodle House's version of the Shoyu Ramen (soy-sauce based noodles). Like my bowl of ramen it had leeks, seaweed, and a perfectly cooked hard-boiled egg -- no corn though, but a veggie I couldn't identify and patterned fish cake. It also had some pieces of thinly sliced pork. Hubby had the same opinion -- smooth, natural, and on the bland side.

Tamagoya Noodle House has some nice home-cooked offerings and really affordable prices. Unfortunately, it's not good enough to merit more future trips from us since it's so far from where we live. If you do find yourself hungry in the area, it's worth checking out though. Personally, I like the noodles better at Ukokkei Ramen Ron and Ramen Bar but this is half the price of those two places.

Tamagoya Noodle House is closed on Mondays. Restaurant hours are from 11am - 2pm and 5pm - 9pm.

Tamagoya Noodle House

#2 Soliven Ave., Mayamot,

Antipolo, Rizal

861-8631

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Answer Animetric's World Readers Survey 2012 and win prizes!

2012-01-10T20:30:00.006+08:00

Hi everyone! Since it's 2012 and it's going to be my third year in the blogosphere, I thought I'd conduct a simple survey to get to know YOU! Instead of the usual commenter of the month, I'll be replacing it with this giveaway for January.

One lucky respondent will get all the above stuff and I'll ship to anywhere in the Philippines! Prize pack will include the following ten (10) items:

Sooo Pinoy T-Shirt designed by Team Manila (XL)
Hair brush
Compact mirror
Nivea Fruity Shine in Pink Guava
Artistry Hydrating Foundation in Vanilla
Girlstuff Nail Polish in Scarlet
For Me Magnolia Body Spray
Jap-OK! GC for free 2-hour karaoke session + free dish
Rexona Crystal Roll-On Deodorant
Freestyle Ballers Slap Watch

Just email your answers to the following questions to animetric(at)gmail.com together with your name and age:

Are you within Metro Manila or outside Metro Manila?
Do you have kids? (I have the impression that most of my readers are moms!)
What would you like to see more of on my blog?

Then, share via Facebook or Twitter! Just post the URL of your Facebook or Twitter share of this survey + giveaway on the comments section below. Click the share button above for FB. For Twitter, just tweet about this survey + giveaway and include the url of this post. Do include your name in your comment so I can check. You have till the end of January 2012. My real life friends and family members are disqualified from this giveaway because I already know you! :p

That's it! This is just a prelude to my upcoming 3rd blog anniversary giveaway this February. :D

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The Face Shop Stylist Silky Hair Color Cream in Orange Brown

2012-01-09T21:30:00.003+08:00

I asked Mrs. Martinez to get me some Orange Brown hair color during her recent trip to Korea. Saw her FB status update about getting one and I immediately told her I wanted one too! I have a lot of telltale white strands of hair so I color on a regular basis.

Uncolored, my hair is a really deep dark black. A stylist once told me (I think it was either Nikki Bacay or Alex Carbonell) that my natural hair color posed a harsh contrast against my very light-toned face. Imagine something along the lines of Morticia Addams. That said, it can be quite hard to lighten my uber dark hair... which is why I was so impressed with Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring.

The Face Shop Stylist Silky Hair Color costs about P180 when bought in Korea. The kit is very straightforward. It comes with:

Plastic cape and gloves
Tube of hair color
Bottle of developer
Korean instruction pamphlet

That's it! No special shampoo or conditioner, no English instructions. Luckily I've self-colored my hair enough with a variety of home coloring kits so I knew exactly what to do.

First you take the tube of color and unscrew the cap.

You puncture the tube with the back of the cap.

Then you empty the tube's content into the bottle with white liquid developer.

I squeezed the tube as flat as I could so I could get as much color as I could into the bottle.

Afterwards you close the bottle and shake until the color and the developer mix thoroughly.

It turns into this orangey brown color and the bottle feels warm!

These are the plastic cape and gloves.

I squeezed out the bottle's content through my hair and combed through. Then I let it sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, I shampooed and conditioned my hair. This is what my hair looked like when I got out of the shower.

I used a hair dryer to dry my hair. I could see the orange brown color appearing more brightly as my hair got dryer.

Does this cover white strands? Yes it does. It coats them and turns them into a light golden color.

This is what my hair looked like while it was drying inside my bathroom under fluorescent lights.

This is my hair when completely dry. Fluorescent bathroom lights don't do the color justice, haha! I just used Sunsilk shampoo and Creamsilk conditioner and my hair was in good condition... not dried out or rough.

This is my hair under the sunlight... well not directly as I was inside the car. I think it's the lightest it has ever gotten -- and all because of a P180 Korean home coloring kit! Not bad if I say so myself. :)

What I like about The Face Shop Stylist Silky Hair Color Cream:

It's relatively easy to prepare and use. Well, Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring is a lot easier to use because it's trickier to work this thick lotion-like mixture through the hair compared to mousse.
It's super cheap and it delivers what it promises.
Its lightening power is awesome!
No strong chemical scent.
No stinging sensation in the event it touches your scalp.

Downsides:

They don't sell it in The Face Shop stores here.
I found it a tad more drying compared to Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring.
It's hard to distribute evenly through the hair, you'll need an assistant to do so. I did it by myself so my hair color is far from perfect.

If only local The Face Shop stores would start carrying this line! I think the product has a lot of potential. My next goal is to try Etude House Bubble Hair Coloring in Sweet Orange. It's quite hard to find because it's always out of stock... :/

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Segara Villas at Subic Bay

2012-01-09T13:00:00.001+08:00

What's a Christmas vacation without going out of town? It's quite rare for my hubby and I to have extended breaks and December is one of those times that we can take off with the kids.

We decided to book an overnight stay at Segara Villas at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone last December 30, 2011. We went on a day trip to Bataan with friends and this was where we were going to crash for the night. Since we made reservations kind of late, we had no choice but to get a Junior Villa for P8,030 net for one night. Regular rooms which they refer to as suites are normally available for P6,000+.

After checking in at the reception area, we made our way to our villa. We followed the covered walks until we got there.

It was called Negara. It looked like a bungalow.

I was surprised by what greeted me when I opened the door -- a luxurious-looking California King sized bed with lots of pillows! The bed is very comfy, they say they use 600-thread count linens. It's good the bed is big enough for two adults and two kids.

We had our own spacious living room which had two (2) complimentary bottles of mineral water. Shortly after we arrived we were served welcome drinks which consisted of four glasses of apple and mango juices. Some moments later, we also got a couple of egg tarts as our complimentary snack.

Check out the exotic room decor! Several books are also available in the room for your reading pleasure.

The bathroom is pretty big too.

It's equipped with all the toiletries you might need during your stay -- soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes, combs, cotton buds, etc. There's a hair dryer provided too!

There's ample cabinet space with bedroom slippers and bathrobes. You can use the digital safe to store your valuables.

The pool area is lovely!

There's a kiddie pool and an adult pool plus recliners with umbrellas around.

Did I mention it's an infinity pool?

For what we paid we also got:

Complimentary buffet breakfast for two (typical fare like garlic rice, tapa, tocino, ham, corned beef, eggs, cereal, bread, brewed coffee, etc.)
15-minute welcome massage for two (room service!)
Free high-speed wifi internet -- our villa had its own router and it was clocking in 3MBps!
Free access to their DVD and board game library
37" LCD Flatscreen TV with cable service
Complimentary afternoon and midnight snacks

The service during our stay was excellent too. The staff members were all courteous and efficient. If you're looking to spend the weekend in Subic Bay, I highly recommend Segara Villas for a totally relaxing and first class experience. The location is very convenient as well since it's near a lot of duty-free shops, outlet stores, and restaurants. :)

Segara Villas

Waterfront Road,

Subic Bay Freeport Zone

http://www.segaravillassubic.com

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PJs Sleepwear because I love pajamas...

2012-01-08T22:27:00.005+08:00

I was invited to check out PJs Sleepwear in Shangri-la Mall last November 2011. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it due to some last minute schedule changes on my end. Still, they sent me a couple of sample pajama sets for my daughter and I to try. :D

This is the PJs Sleepwear store at Shangri-la Mall. I borrowed the photo from mymomfriday.

My daughter got a pink pajama set with bunnies, hearts, flowers, and the Eiffel Tower. It's cute! It reminds me of the Carter's pajama sets I'd buy for her from Costco in the US.

She's a size 6. Kiddie pajama set prices start at P495.

...and this is my sleepy daughter in her comfy PJs!

I got the same pink bunny-hearts-Eiffel Tower-flowers printed pajama set, except that mine came with a button down top instead of a T-shirt. This kind of set costs P850.

Like I said... pink bunny, hearts, flowers, and the Eiffel Tower!

I was really surprised when I wore my PJs to sleep. They're so soft, cool, and comfy! I'll definitely go back and get more pairs. I'm a pajama person after all. I don't like nightgowns and those irritating silk and lace type sleepwear are the worst. Give me soft cotton pajamas any day! :p

What I like about PJs Sleepwear:

The designs are cute.
The fabric is high quality. It feels soft and smooth when worn so it's perfect for relaxation and a good night's sleep. It's also thicker than the usual fabrics tiangge pajamas are made of so I'm sure these will last a long time.
There's a wide range of sizes and styles for women and children.

Downside? These are definitely pricier than your typical sleepwear... but hey, you really get what you pay for!

PJs Sleepwear stores can be found in  Shangri-la Mall, Trinoma,  SM Clark in Pampanga, Marquee Mall in Pampanga, Abreeza Mall in Davao, Limketkai Mall in Cagayan De Oro , and all branches of Rustan's Department Store.

Check out PJs Sleepwear on Facebook for more information.

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Charlie's Grind & Grill in Kapitolyo, Pasig City

2012-01-07T10:00:00.000+08:00

Had dinner at Charlie's Grind & Grill one weekend evening with the kids in tow. It's one of the more popular Buffalo Wings places here in the metro so I had to find out what the hype was about. Even if I'm not fond of chicken, I ordered a basket of wings.

I had half a dozen Hot Buffalo Wings (P180, pictured above). The wings are meaty and huge. They also had just the right level of spicy-ness -- not too hot. The Buffalo Wings are served with sticks of celery, radish, and carrots with a small container filled with bleu cheese dip. The chicken remains crisp even when covered in sauce, which is just the way I like it. Pretty good!

We also had a serving of Cheese Fries (P120, pictured above) which the kids couldn't get enough of.

If you don't like spicy food, you can opt for Honey Dijon Buffalo Wings which are on the sweet side. A dozen (pictured above) costs P330 and it's served with a separate basket of vegetable sticks and bleu cheese dip.

Our son had Charlie's Sliders, three mini burgers that are just perfect for kids. I forgot how much it costs but I'm sure it's P100+. :)

My hubby opted for Black Angus Burger with Fresh Fries (P195). I find the price very reasonable for the size and quality of this dish. If I didn't order wings I probably would order this.

Affordable and tasty, I can understand why Charlie's Grind & Grill is packed full of people most of the time. The Pasig branch we dined at has some sort of car wash/detailing service built in so it's kind of cramped out front when there are a lot of customers having their car serviced (not necessarily eating). If this isn't your kind of scene you can visit their branch along Ortigas Avenue.

Charlie's Grind & Grill

16 East Kapitolyo Drive,
Pasig City
501-0137

Charlie's Grind & Grill
G/F Ronac Center,
Ortigas Ave., San Juan City
477-5021

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Skin Food Peach Sake Silky Finish Powder

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000+08:00

I bought Skin Food Peach Sake Silky Finish Powder some time late last year but haven't gotten around to reviewing it till now. I told the saleslady I had oily skin and I wanted powder that would help me control the oil.

She recommended Skin Food Peach Sake Silky Finish Powder. I was immediately enamored with the very cute container. I had a chance to try the tester in the store and I was quite impressed so I decided to purchase it.

The powder comes with a soft puff for application.

It's sealed when you first open it but the light fragrant scent of fresh peaches wafts out of the container. It actually smells yummy, like peach candy!

The powder is very, very fine. It's white but it goes on colorless. I initially put some on the back of my hand using the store's tester and it was amazingly light and silky. The skin on my hand was transformed -- it was brighter and smoother upon application. Needless to say I was immediately sold!

I don't really like using the puff that comes with the powder though since it's not very efficient in distributing the product evenly all over my face. I prefer applying it with a kabuki brush like the Charm Essentials Retractable Kabuki Brush that I'm using in the photo above.

I like the bright, flawless finish this powder gives my face. In the photo above I just washed my face with Pond's Clear Balance Facial Wash and put on four products in the order I enumerate them below:

Olay Total Effects Day Cream SPF 15
Skin Food Peach Sake Silky Finish Powder
Shu Uemura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil in Hard 9 Walnut Brown
Nivea Fruity Shine in Pomegranate

What I like about Skin Food Peach Sake Silky Finish Powder:

It's colorless so you don't have to worry about base matching with your skin tone.
It can be used to set your make-up.
You can also use it without make-up.
It makes your skin look bright and luminous.
It makes skin feel smooth as silk.
It has decent oil control properties.
It has a light fresh and fragrant scent, none of that make-up smell.

Downside? The price! It costs P1,350 per container. I'm certain it will last a long time though because you only need a little powder to get great results.

Check out http://eng.theskinfood.com/skinfood/store.asp?cid=6 for a complete listing of Skin Food stores in the Philippines. I bought this product at the SM Megamall store.

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