Election frenzy

You just know the election is coming up when you see entrepreneurs capitalizing on anything campaign related. First there was 7 eleven with their election cups, and now this:


It's a little ridiculous but I have to admit, it is cute! Totally eye-catching, I find myself wanting to drop by NBS to check these babies up close. lol!

Waddya think of these girls? cute or pa-cute?

Orange you glad you sanitized?

The first time I saw someone put alcohol in a spray bottle, I found it really amusing. I thought it was a funky idea co'z it made it a little bit more "posh". Well, apparently I wasn't the only one amused by it co'z on my next trip to the grocery, I found spray bottles of alcohol! (sorry can't remember the brand) ...but that's not what I am so excited to tell you about! I'm here to share with you the funkiest hand sanitizer spray I found in a recent "mini mart" trip:

Ta-dah! Introducing, MWAH! Hand Sanitizer spray in Orange Juice scent! I'm telling you, when I saw this little baby, my eyes grew wide in glee! I was so excited! Well, well, well, this baby didn't disappoint! It smells soooooo good! It doesn't kid when it says it has orange juice scent. It really does smell like orange juice!

I am so in love with it, especially since I like the smell of oranges and this one takes me back to my elementary days sipping Zesto Orange. lol!

I showed my cousin this the moment I got it and she says there are other variants. She claims her classmate uses one in Melon scent. Oooooh! I would love to get a hold of that too! SRSLY, I think I've found my perfect disinfecting tool right here! woot, woot! :)

Wallet damage: 48php at 7/11 (I think this is cheaper at some other store)

Have you tasted this? Kitkat Cookies and Cream

For some weird reason, I found myself craving chocolates only to remember I had some Kit Kats in the fridge. I grabbed the Cookies and Cream flavored one just because it's the one I haven't tasted yet.

The verdict? Heavenly!

I tell you guys, it's everything good and yummy! Cookies and Cream chocolate is great on its own but add to that the trademark Kit Kat chocolate covered wafers and what do you have? Pure delight!

You have HAVE to taste this for yourself! Yum-O!

*For some weird reason, I deleted the picture I took of it. Thank you to chocablog.com for the pic! :)*

Starbucks Planner 2010

It's kinda crazy because I don't use planners all that much anymore but I still tried my best to get an SB planner. I guess I only collected the stickers and tried to get a free planner from Starbucks because it has become a tradition for me. Last year when I initially saw the 2009 planner, I felt a bit disappointed with it because `09 planner and I, we weren't made for each other. Although I loved 09's appearance, our hearts and minds didn't click. He had style but he had no substance! But oddly enough, I say the opposite to the 2010 Starbucks planner.

Alright, at first it was also a bit hard to accept that he's no longer my fine choco-err..-coffee man, he's now black and white! okay, maybe he's SB's tribute to MJ but..*sigh* At least with oh-nine, we were given options regarding color - black, blue and red.

This year, it's the same monochromatic scheme. The only thing that differs is..come on, look harder...the images used for the cover. Also, I'm kinda doubting he'd remain b n' w for a long time..especially since the usual collectors of these planners are coffee enthusiasts... who love to drink their coffee ALL THE TIME...who'd probably spill some of their beloved coffee one time or the other on their precious planners. Yikes for the 2010's new texture. tsktsk.

One of the three available designs

What I love about 10 though, is SUBSTANCE. I love how no fuzz his layout is. I love that they didn't opt to allot lots of pages for silly stuff after the month's border..

2010 starts with Dec.2009 and ends with Jan 2011

I love how 10 allows me to doodle on him wherever I want to. I'm not constricted with boxes for "Most Important Tasks" or "Accomplish this"..10 just shows how much he is for my expression of my creative side! He'd rather see me use big red permanent markers for my most important task for the day and use sequins to do a border.

Also, he's so thoughtful that he secretly left me a stash of coupons I could claim from any Starbucks branch for certain periods within 2010. Lastly, he made an effort and assured that I wouldn't have a hard time looking for the page I'm in by attaching a page marker with a faux coffee bean attached to it. *swoon*

Beancurd (Bean and freebee card)

Well, are you hooked or what? Ain't he the sweetest? :p

Are you ready for your 2010 plans?

So, have you already chosen which famous planner you'd like to get for yourself, your friends, and loved one/s this Christmas? Well, here's a quick glimpse of the following planners we'll do 'reviews' on.

A little discussion on the side, though (but still about planners, of course;) )...if you're the type who hates notebook planners or if you're super OC that you want a desk planner aside from your notebook planner (both of which you religiously update) then look at what I found in the ever visible National Bookstore! Yup, I found really cute and funkily designed desk planners that are oh-so-affordable! I used to look at desk planners, when I was younger, but the ones with the doggie designs or must-see-places-in-Rome designs have been rather expensive. I'm excited to use this because

1. it offers easier writing (especially when I'm in a hurry)

2. it gives you a better view of your week and month with just one page

3. the boxes are still big enough to write lots of stuff on

4. I get to have a new calendar layout every month!

Excited much? Check back to see if the posts on the planners are up and readable already, ayt? Ayt! ;)

Make your make-up kit a treasure chest.

Recently, I've been very interested about make-up. I've been researching online, asking experts about which beauty products they'd recommend, and trying products out.  Of course we all want to invest on products that are fit for us (skin type, skin tone, weather, and occasion). We want to look good wearing it...we want it to enhance our features. That is why the list we came up with contains products that most people approve of. The products suit almost all, if not all, Filipina women (or warm skin-toned women for that matter). So, are you ready for the list that would make putting on the 'no-make-up' make-up on yourself a breeze? Read on, loves!

1. Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free Face (Pressed) Powder (around P200)

I've seen lots of people retouching with this, and I found out that this product was particularly made for Asians. The shades I've seen so far are Fair, Natural and Honey. What's great about this product is that it is fragrance-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic which means it won't clog our pores! But girls with sensitive skin such as I, please do be careful. After several uses, this made my face itch a bit.

2.Mac Spice Lipliner (around P650-800)

Most people love to use lipstick without knowing the importance of a lip liner. Lip liners prevent the lipstick from bleeding. It could also be used in the place of lipsticks. If you want a color which matches almost all shades of lipstick, then opt for Mac's Spice.

3.  Smashbox Brushes

I know that it's more affordable to buy brush kits but I just love these individual professional brushes. The Smashbox brushes are made of really soft sable hair (which is a higher quality than goat hair). The red handles also make it much more eye-catching. However, Smashbox does not have the brush I'm currently raving/loving...the stippling brush. No worries though, their powder brush and eyeshadow brushes are must-buys! Hehe. The powder brush sells for P2250, while the bullet (eyeshadow crease) brush goes for P1750.

4. Nars Orgasm Blush (P1350)

Since I was in High School, I've loved blush products the most. Blush ons (cheek stains to be more exact) made me feel that I look 'complete'. So, it was natural for me to choose to splurge on a blush (but in powder form now) before anything else. The Orgasm Nars blush is also recommended by most make-up artists because it suits most Asian women. Not only that, it also just looks natural (as if you've just seen your crush!). It's funny that they gave that name for their most popular color. Most people comment that it must be THAT good to be named as such!

5. Shu Uemura Curlash (P1000)

I've never heard of anyone who dislikes this particular eyelash curler. Make-up artists swear by it. We actually compared various eyelash curler brands and found the wonderful difference of Shu Uemura's. Its design and curve assures that it will get the most eyelashes (even those that are hard to reach) curled perfectly...that is if you know how to use a curlash. 

6. Primer

We all know about foundations as our make-up base but most of us have never heard of eye/face primers. Primers are applied before foundations. It acts as a barrier for your skin. It prevents your skin from absorbing the make-up thus stopping it and not letting it clog your pores. It also prevents making your skin produce more oil, so this is THE product for oily/combination skinned girls.

Also, I've been sorta anti make-up before because every time I use make-up (even if it's applied in well-known salons), I get oily afterwards and sometimes I get pimple breakouts! But when I learned about primers and started using one (I'm using Napoleon primer which costs around P1800), my skin doesn't easily get irritated anymore! I've proven this because the one time that I forgot to put primer first, after a few minutes my face was already itching (and yeah, that's when I remembered that I forgot to put primer on)! 

There you go! To end this post, we leave you with a few more tips, girls! (a)It is doubly important to take very good care of your skin..don't forget to CLEANSE, TONE and MOISTURIZE (but analyze your skin type first. 'kay?)! This is important because good skin makes make-up application so much more easier and faster. (b)Don't be shy to test the products first before purchasing! This is also necessary so that you'll know if you are allergic to the product or if it makes you oily. (c)Don't forget to take good care of your brushes and your make-up so that it'd live a longer life. If you're unsure how to properly clean them, search for it or message us, we'll be glad to help :)

Tah-tah! Happy make-up hunting!

Just what a Toner should be..

I confess...I haven't been taking care of my skin until recently. What do I mean? Well, I didn't use facial cleanser regularly, I didn't use toner at all, and I didn't use moisturizer at all either. That was until I learned about the importance of good skin care.

It is true that if you have normal, oily or combination skin, you should use a toner. But, stop using it if it makes your face feel dry, tight or if you feel some stinging. I actually tried using a toner before (one prescribed to me by a dermatologist) but it made my face feel tight and dry. I didn't like how it felt so eventually, I stopped using it without knowing then that the reactions I got were signs to discontinue the use. Lucky for me I stopped because if I hadn't it could've caused my skin to get dry and flaky. 

Toners (as well as facial cleansers) shouldn't feel like you're using alcohol. It should not sting, dry your skin or even make your face feel tight like you've gotten a mini face lift. Toners are supposed to condition your skin by evening out your skin tone, close your pores (cleansers open your pores and clean it) and further clean your face. It was such a pleasant surprise when my make-up artist mentor/friend introduced me to the...

DICKINSON'S WITCH HAZEL TONER. 

Here are some of the pros and cons of this product: (+)Just 12% alcohol content, unlike commercial brands which has high alcohol content thus very drying! (+)Really affordable! 55php for the small bottle, less than 300php for the medium sized bottle. (-)Smells a bit funky. It smells like burning dried leaves at a backyard bonfire. (+)But in time you'd get used to it and you'd sorta get addicted to it in the sense that you're looking forward to applying it again. (-)It is only available at Healthy Options.

P.S. If you can't seem to get used to the scent, try looking for a different brand of toner which is made of Witch Hazel, Rose Petal or of Cucumber. These three natural ingredients are good at toning the skin without drying it.

How about you, do you use toners? If yes, what do you use and how does it feel when you apply it on your face?

RiRi in Vogue Italia

September is my most awaited month in Magazine calendar. Why? Co'z it's the Fashion Issue! Well, in traditional Vogue fashion, let me show you one of the fiercest covers featuring the good girl gone bad, Rihanna!

She graces the cover of Italian Vogue for their September 2009 issue. This is so modelesque! Very, very Vogue indeed!

Here are some more scans from the magazine:

.

This last one has got the press buzzing!--and why wouldn't they? It's controversial! It's fierce! It's haute couture meets editorial in a very classy way!

The pictures are amazing! And one thing I noticed is that Rihanna can actually model! If you didn't know she was a singer, she could very well pass as a supermodel! Incredible issue! I love it!

I know this is close to impossible, but do you guys think Vogue Italia is available in Manila?

photo credit: thehollywoodgossip.com

Color me happy!

I like to believe I'm an artist. I just like doing stuff with my hands and that includes sketching and drawing. But I also have to admit, I'm not great. I draw pretty much like a kid-- meaning, I can't do complicated stuff or images that come close to reality. Mine are always "cartoon-y".

Well, I've recently been sending designs over to a friend for her business. She liked the first batch I made for her and so she's asking me to do another batch. So sure, why not! Drawing is easy but the one thing that I really hate is transferring the sketches to the PC and making them into more professional stills by tracing over them with the brush tool. Ugh!

Blame my new character's curly hair but I just couldn't begin to imagine me slaving over each of those curls with my mouse. Goodness! Can you? Just the thought of it makes me nauseous. Well because of it, I found myself in an impromptu trip to the mall to finally get myself my very own drawing tablet :)

Thanks to my dearest friends who were online on Facebook and whose advice I gladly took, I got myself the perfect Tablet!

Say hello to my newest graphics buddy, ...err--Tablet! (haha, I don't really name my stuff except for my car, Soi)

My friends said I should get WaCom but because it Genius was waaaaay cheaper, I couldn't resist. The money I saved, I spent on new clothes. hehe :P

You should also notice how it's indicated on the box that it's a Graphics Tablet. See these tablets have all these fancy words on them which I have no idea what they mean so I just gravitated towards the one which practically screamed at me saying it's the one for drawing! (there's this one that's supposed to be perfect for signatures.err?)

Another dilemma I had was what size to get. I didn't know if it was too small or it was just right. However a friend said that a 4x6 tablet would be perfect co'z it's harder to draw on a bigger one. Well, after testing it, I say she's absolutely right! You don't really need much hand room co'z one thing I learned is that you should actually zoom your image to 200% if you want it to look perfect. So you see, you'd only be making a few strokes per area. A 4x6 tablet would be enough for that :)

I am obviously very excited about it! Here's a short message I made! I am still in awe at the fact that I can actually show you all my handwriting! Surreal!

The drawing tablet is amazing! It's one of the best purchases I've made my entire life! Totally worth every cent!

Wallet damage: 2500php (mind you, this is cheap already!--cheapest actually)

Eco find at SM

It's been a while since I visited SM Department store. Not that I don't like going there, but I've just been shopping elsewhere these past few months. Well, the other day, I had to kill time while waiting for my mom so I found myself checking the racks at SM and look what I found!

What are those? Reusable shopping bags!

It was like gravity pulling me. I couldn't resist! I think I even got too excited about it co'z two sales ladies immediately approached me to "advertise" the goods. Well girls, no need to do that! I'm already sold!

There are a lot of designs and bag styles but the Eureka moment for me was finding this one particular style!

Wait for it...

Unfolding.... Tada!

Isn't it adorable? I particularly like this style because it is shaped like a real plastic bag. I like it because it actually looks like a grocery bag but cooler. I'm sure people would wonder where you got your "funky" plastic. :P Besides, it looks a lot like my favorite Baggus, only cheaper!

See?

The only downside to it is that it's a little too small. You can't pile in a lot of junk in it so it's not very practical for bulk shopping. However, because it is very small and folds back into a little pouch, it makes for a GREAT emergency bag.

Wallet damage: 99.00 php

UAAP Style!

It's UAAP season once again and for most it only means one thing: ONE BIG FIGHT! Haha! Kidding! :P

I've only been to one UAAP game and ironically, it was between UP and Ateneo. We were for there for S' Atenean friend but of course, we couldn't turn our back on our alma mater so we came in both school's color: VIOLET! Get it? Maroon+Blue = Violet :)

It was one of the funnest basketball experiences I've ever had although I have to admit, I was really torn which team to root for. Haha :) I sorely wish I was just a die hard UAAP fan and could come in my own school's colors without feeling awkward or embarassed by it-- and I reaaaaally wished I saw this a year before, that would have probably prompted me to go to more games!

Introducing, the coolest in UAAP Fashion: Jersey Dresses!

Wear your School's colors loud and proud by sporting these ultra sporty and chic Jersey Dresses!

Go traditional with a sleeveless dress or go modern with an off-shoulder style:

The choice is yours! You can customize all you want! Just get a design, choose a number, add your name and voila! Perfection :)

Isn't it exciting? It's so adorably cute! You have to get your hands on this! Even if you don't actually go to game, this makes for a great souvenir!

For all the details, check them out here

Phil Fashion Week Update

Yey! Look what came in our mails..

Yes, we got our Philippine Fashion Week invites for the Premier D set (May 29, 9.30pm). Woot woot! Can't wait to dress up and attend. Guess, we'll just be seeing you there.

The newest ipod

I thought this isn't out in the Philippine market yet, but it is! Maybe they weren't as 'all out' with presenting this as the Nano-chromatic. So, we'd like to take the opportunity to present the newest addition to the ipod family to you..

GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE NEWEST GENERATION OF THE  I-POD SHUFFLE!

There are several differences (or improvements, depending on your perception) with the new shuffle and the old one. The most noticeable change is its shape. Next is where the controls are. Now, the controls are located on the right earbud's cord. It still has the clip but it is now made of stainless steel. The best change of all is this, the new shuffle now talks! Yes, you read that right, it talks! Since there's no screen for you to read what song is playing and since the shuffle targets the physically active ones, the new shuffle now has a 'talking option' which tells you what song you're about to listen to. It can also tell you who sang the song, and what playlist it's playing for you.

This new ipod is now the most handy of them all. Even if it still has 4GB memory, it's made  more affordable by Apple. I checked iStudio the other day, and if I remember it correctly, it's around P4,000. So what are you waiting for, go get one! :)

The Clear Shoebox Project

I'm getting addicted to shoes. I don't know if it comes with age but somehow I'm taking a liking for glorious ultra mod shoes. So I'm slowly saying goodbye to flipflops, rubber shoes and casual sandals. It's all about the glamorous pairs for me right now!

Well, while I was feasting my eyes on glorious shoe sites online, I chanced upon something wonderful! No--they're not shoes. But right now, I think they're soooo much better!

Introducing, my favorite fashion find of 2009 (so far):

THE CLEAR SHOEBOX!

You know how we always try to organize our shoes but can't find the best way? Some even label their shoe boxes or put pictures of the shoes on the sides. But it still doesn't work! It's still so hard to look for that particular pair especially when you're in a rush! Also, putting your shoes back in their right boxes takes a LOT of time. In my case, they don't even go back to their right boxes anymore. hehe :P But since I'm turning a new leaf and getting more posh, sophisticated shoes, I can't go on my habit of not putting them in boxes lest I want them to get damaged. So you just know how happy I am when I found these perfect clear shoe boxes!

The coolest thing about these shoe boxes is that they're stackable and you can stack up to ten boxes without them losing their shape! I just totally love them!

So I contacted the ones selling these here in Manila and found out that each box costs only 75php each! You can even get them for 70php for bulk orders. Wow. I tell you, I totally fell in love with these when I saw them. Soooo perfect!

You can contact them through:
The Clear Shoebox Project
E-mail: csbp@rocketmail.com
Contact number: 09178811610
or visit: http://clearshoeboxproject.multiply.com/

Raid the closets

As the year opened, we at PK listed the up and coming trends this `09. One of the styles I was most excited about was the tailored pieces. I've been looking at tailored jackets since forever (haha, not. more like since the last quarter of last year) but I can't seem to find the perfect one because what was more rampant during those months were graphic jackets.

I've been seeing in magazines that you should try to check the wardrobe of your brothers/mothers/fathers or even grandmothers for key fashion pieces. Last night, I finally gave my mom's (and dad's) wardrobe a look and boy, was I pleasantly surprised. It was in there that I found the perfect blazer jacket! However, here's my main dillema: my mom's clothes are too big on me. I checked the tag on the blazer and I saw that it was from Black Shop. Fortunately for me, they have a great customer assistance system. They would gladly alter pieces you bought from them, no matter how long ago you bought it from 'em! When I visited their store today, I chanced upon 2 more blazer jackets (cropped jackets, that is!) that fit me so well. I tried to search online to give you a clue of how blazer jackets in Black Shop look. I was able to find some in Topshop's site (only, they call it casual jackets) instead.

You wanna know what my next key item to purchase is once I claim my altered pieces from Black Shop? Leather jackets ;)

Now, that's just one piece of clothing..don't you wonder what else I saw when I kept looking? Just keep reading PK, then and wait for my next post ;) Til my next 'raid'!