My Beauty Regimen Products and Olay Anti-Ageing 'Night' Cream

This is not a product review as I just bought this yesterday. But with Olay as the brand, you wouldn't doubt its quality and question its effectivity. I use different brand of beauty products as I don't stick to only one brand because I'm more particular to a certain product's effect on my skin and of course its affordability. I use Biore (the blue colored container) as my facial/daily moisturizer and sunscreen and Pond's facial wash and toner (the pink one). Now, if I want to splurge a bit on beauty products, I would buy The Body Shop's seaweed toner. It doesn't make my skin that oily. For face and body sunscreen, I love Daylong. It doesn't make my skin heavy and greasy. I should've posted photos pala of the products I use in regular basis. Maybe next time if I happen to snap photos of them.

Anyway, one particular beauty product that I've been wanting to buy is a night cream. I haven't tried using it pa because for one it's a bit expensive. And I believe during sleep or at night, our skin renews or rejuvenates more faster that's why it's more effective to put night creams to help boost healthy looking skin. 

To my delight, I read somewhere that Olay will be having a Buy-1-Take-1 promo (27-30 November 2015 or until supplies last) of their night cream. Oh how my heart sang!

Bought this at Watson's. 

Good thing that I knew of this promo because when I asked the Sales attendant, she said that the promo was over. But I said, the promo is until today (which was yesterday by the way). Then she validated it in their cash register. Alleluia! It's still in promo. I'm happy that I was lucky to have availed this because I read in some sites that in Manila at Watsons it's always out of stock even if you visit their other branches. Some even commented maybe they are just holding it up and sell again when the regular price is back.

At Php789.00 for two, not at all bad. I got a huge savings instead! Before, I wasn't mindful of buying and using beauty products. Good thing my mother is very much particular of using and applying skin products on herself that's why I was also enticed to do the same (but not as solid as my mama). I just use the basic stuff: cleanse (Pond's facial wash, the red one), tone (Pond's, the pink one/The Body Shop's seaweed toner), moisturize and use sunblock for protection (Biore Milk, the blue container/ Daylong). You may notice that I don't have Olay products in my basic regimen that's because it's a bit expensive for my budget. But given if I have extra money to buy their products, I wouldn't have second thoughts buying them.

In my 30's, I value the importance of taking care of my skin. I don't have a flawless and healthy skin that's why I have to make extra effort in taking good care of it. Good thing I am not a heavy user of make-up as I just groom my eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil and a lipstick. I don't even use face powder as Biore (my facial/daily moisturizer and sunscreen) gives my face a matte finish already and doesn't make my face shiny at all. That's my everyday make-up. Now if I want to further it more, I curl my eyelashes and put blush on. That's the farthest I can make for myself.

How about you? What's your daily beauty regimen and beauty products that you use? Share it too.

Women Can't Have Enough…

I finish the title phrase by saying shoes and shopping! I'm sure the rest of the women couldn't agree more should I say. Some women would add up clothes, bags, make-up in the long list of can't-have-enoughs. But I prefer shoes more, apart from home and kitchen furnishings and kid's stuff.

Last night, I took the opportunity to go "malling" in Abreeza while the hubby have something important meetings to attend nearby. And since I want to spend for myself muna because  it's my birthday naman, I took off finding a pair of ballet shoes that I've been wanting to buy. Ako naman talaga si Ballet/Flat shoe girl. Since I become a mom, this is my go-to shoe whether for causal or office attire. It's just comfortable and I can move with ease.  

Aldo has an ongoing sale on selected shoes and accessories.
I got mine at Php800.00 (Regular priced at Php 1,595.00). 

Payless also has an on going sale: Buy 2 (regular priced item) and get
Php500.00 off on the total amount.
(with a minimum purchase of Php1,000.00)

I love my haul from Aldo. I'm looking for a black shoe that would not look too casual when I use it for office. I was already eyeing this about 2 weeks na. I like it because it's the jelly type good for rainy days. I won't worry that much when it'll be soak in water because it won't destroy the texture of the shoe that much. Easy to clean too. It's pointy toe design makes it more formal even if it's not heeled. Not to mention the comfort it brings to my feet!

The second (and third) find I scored are these casual flats from Payless. From the original price at Php695.00, I got this two items for only Php890.00. 

I'm suppose to buy the red one but I love the redness more of Celine and the effect of the color on my feet. That is about Php899.00. I was thinking of buying it, but again guilt sinks in. Too much! Maghunos dili naman. If it's meant for me, I definitely will have it in the right time. 

So that's my shoe shopping spree! I hope you like my new purchases as much as I do. 

Around the World with these Things

Now, I understand how it feels not to be connected. One week without/limited internet access is like being sent to outer space and have no/limited contact with the real world. But thank Heavens for the free 30MB connection of Sun. I can browse and check my FB and IG page yet very limited. But it's better than no connection at all.


Okay back to the real topic. Last night, I went with hubby to buy piping materials to replace our leaking toilet sink at Wilcon Builder's Depot. While browsing the lanes/racks, my eyes directed me to this corner and with such delight, I couldn't help but take photos instantly. I don't know if it's not allowed but I snapped anyway. Thankfully, nobody called my attention. So here are the things I saw and would love to have for my home decor.

Aren't they glorious? Anything related to Europe are my 'in' -style now.

How do you call this cases? I love these for storage.
The small ones are around Php600.00 and the bigger cases
is about Php900.00++

The one with the British flag design is like a book.
But ones you open it, you may store stuff like cards/letters or
jewelries (sans division).

London's Tower Bridge.
Not exactly the way it looked minus the British flag at the center.

This really caught my attention. I love these beautiful storage chests.
I've been looking around for something like this and put it in our living room.
I like it as a side or center table. This cost around Php2,000.00.

That's all folks! Did you enjoy my new discoveries? I still want the storage chest but I'm afraid my toddlers would write anything on it. You should see our walls full of pencil scribbles. That's why I couldn't buy anything yet to further beautify our inside. It might cost me a lot. 

SM Kid's Sale Loot

I am always on a look out for sale items from SM Department store especially in the kids section. I dunno know why I don't go directly in the ladies department. Maybe and like all mothers out there the mother in us always rules and comes first! And I find their kids stuff really cute especially for the girls. #mamawonders #motheratheart Don't you think?


Just this Monday, I went to SM City Davao to check on sale items for my 4 year old daughter who I brought along with me. I really love the selection of kids clothing from SM. As in everything whether it's a sale item or not. When it's a sale item naman, I find it still very okay and no flaws like what we are always used to. You know, some minor or invisible defects or stain. Usually their items on sale are last sizes or pieces that they want to dispose already. Since I am already eyeing to get a blue and green colored blouses for her, check out what I got from the sale items...

Note: I really love the Just Tees collection for girls. It's hip, trendy and very fashionista!

1) This shirt is on sale already @ Php125.00. But since they have
ongoing sales, this I got for Php100.00 na lang. Happy mama lang ang peg ko!

2) It's not in my plan to get this dark peach statement shirt.
But I like the caption. Perfect for my daughter!
I got this on sale for around Php160.00. 

3) Still on high from our London trip, I got this for her.
Since there's no red bus design available, I settled for this blue one.
Still on sale @ around Php160.00.
(They have a San Francisco design in pink.
But it's too big already for her at size 14.)

Notice I haven't found a green blouse? Well, a second trip to SM calls for that, yahoo! They have a mall wide sale at the end of April in time for Labor Day (May 1). I only spent less than Php500.00 for all 3 items. Super not bad! Hurry and check out stuff not only for your kids but for you and your home as well. #ilovesm #iheartsm

London Diaries 2014 (Part 2): Charity Shops & Tea Cups

For all of you who are not familiar with this, London has several charity shops that sells second hand and even brand new stuff that owners didn't use even once. You won't miss a shop since every area in London has two or more. Some of the charity shops where we frequent to are Salvation Army, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Princess Alice Hospice Shops, Oxfam to name a few. They are called as such because the proceeds goes to the needy. Each charity shop has its respective recipients depending on their cause. They are legal entities operating in the country. While for us here, we can equate it to the thrift shops or "ukay-ukay" being the seller that benefits. It's not more on the cause anymore… hehehe. 

Being a thrifty-natured one, we always end up entering into these shops because we can buy items priced from £1 or even less and at the same time helped in their cause in our own little way. So imagine my happiness when I bought Aldo wedge shoes about £7, a Zara belt for only £2, a Havaianas slippers for my daughter for the same price as my Zara belt. There's also this one charity shop where I forgot the name, I saw and bought a brand new (tag still attached) Levi's 501 jeans in black (but unfortunately didn't fit me but I gave it to my mother) that cost me only £4. That's less than Php300.00. It's such a steal! But so much of my random steal finds (to which I plan to make a separate post), here's to one of a charity shop find (or was it a car boot sale find?) that is actually given to me by my ever generous and sweet SIL. Since they moved out to UK na and now based in the US, she gave these pretty tea cups with saucers perfect for tea break and matching plate for a dessert to pair with it.

I was actually inspired to write this post because of Ms. Ellen of PseudoShrink. Hers is a brand new elegant royalty tea cup talaga. But in my mind, hindi naman lalayo din kung ano yung meron ako. Hi Ms. Ellen! If you happen to come across this post of mine, here's my share of tea cups din! Toast to our tea cups, hihihi… Parang sorority sisters lang ang peg. "Would you like a cup'a (of) tea?"

It is already a habit for English people to have tea breaks or drink tea. Whittard of Chelsea is a famous brand that sells premium teas and drinks that is renowned worldwide and dates back in 1880's. I had the chance to visit their store and taste their selection of tea and chocolate. I must say that it really satisfied my taste buds more so to my palate. See their various products here.

This one is my pasalubong for my boss. He like it!

This first set of tea cup I got is more on a Chinese-y inspired design because of the blue and white color combination. Owning something like this inspires me to get fit. Why? Because ang sarap uminom ng tea pag ganito ka elegant and kaganda ng craftsmanship ng tasa. Diba? Not to mention tea  has a lot of healthy benefits. Inom lang ng inom.

And when we say royalty and elegance, Europe and the Great Britain automatically pops in our mind. The following two sets of tea cups I own now says more of that. Ala Greta Baretto diba? 

Part of our London trip last October of 2014, we went to museums and visited castles and palaces where the kings and queens have lived. In there, they displayed various kitchen utensils and dinnerwares they used. It is very amazing to see such fine porcelain wares. Talagang royal highness ang dating lang.

These three are sitting prettily on my cupboard and never used any of it. I love staring at them. But just this morning I thought of using the blue one first for my tea breaks here in the office. It's not only inspiring but it teaches (forces) me to drink tea for health reasons. ;-))

How lovely! Common expression of typical English people when they appreciate things. Couple that with a very warm and welcoming smile and politeness that makes me a happy tourist in London. 

Onitsuka Tiger: Behind the Fever

No! I do not mean the kind of sickness but a brand of footwear. Based on history, it started out making basketball shoes and is a registered trademark of Asics Corporation which I'm familiar with. Oh, well! I am not really a sneaker/rubber shoe fan though having one or two to own is enough to sport a casual and comfort feel and look. I do not have any idea when it comes to rubber shoes and sneakers except for those well-known brands like Nike, Addidas, Fila, Tretorn, Chucks from Converse to name a few. And with this particular Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger, I would never knew about it until our recent trip to London late of last year that my in-laws introduced it to us this cool brand of shoe. To think that its already making waves here in the Philippines with celebrities already wearing it. Why I didn't know?

My one and only pair of Onitsuka Tiger. Let me tour you to every part of the shoe...

I love the color of my Onitsuka. It's very 'London' where I actually bought this.
Like the colors of the British flag.

A closer look of its design. It's their signature style.
Pardon for the stain. How do I actually get rid off that stain?
Anyone? Please share...

The bottom sole.

The insole.

I'm so lucky to have bought a pair for around P1,300.00 Philippine peso. Wonder why it's so cheap? Because I bought it in one of the outlet stores located in Great Britain particularly in Ashford. If only I had the extra money, I would have brought two more for me and hoarded for my family. To think that the local price for that would cost around 5,000.00 - 6,000.00 pesos. Even if I sell it double the price here, it's still way cheaper. Don't you think?

The feel? Very comfortable and easy to walk in. With the color design that I chose, it can perfectly fit to any wardrobe color of my choice. But even if I knew about it, I might have difficulty owning one because of my personal reason: not practical spending for thousands of bucks. Browsing over to their website wants me to own one again. 

Owning a #CathKidston: The loooong wait is over!

Bringing London's Cath Kidston here in the Philippines is one brilliant idea. I couldn't contain my giddy and excitement when I first saw and read it at Ms. Daphne and then at Ms. Leah's blog when its first store in the Philippines opened to the public on December 6 in Manila at Bonifacio Global area in Taguig.


About 3 to 4 years ago, my SIL brought me my first Cath Kidston bag. That time, I never had any idea of the brand name when in fact it's been in the business since 1993 but only in London. Since then, I've been hearing and reading articles from lifestyle and mommy bloggers and later on became one of my favorite items too. Funny thing is one time, when I happen to visit a Divisoria-like store here in Davao City, I saw Cath Kidston-inspired merchandise (of course not the authentic ones)! So it really is popular already here.


Our recent trip to London a month ago (see link here), gave me an idea of how popular and a staple to every Londoner Cath Kidston bags are in particular. Visiting their shops there makes me feel like a child, drooling and envying every item they have in store. Not only I am wishing to get myself to have one but also for my little girls. But it all fade away after the generous SIL I have gave me this as the latest design Cath Kidston has released in the market. 

The London bus design of bag and a card/paper bill holder.
The newest design they introduced in the market.

How it looks in the inside of the card/paper bill holder.

The bag. You can snap it or not on the sides.

Unlike the regular inside or back zip pockets,
for this design it is located in front.  

See how roomy this bag is.

I also own a booklet of labels and stickers to which my SIL also gave me in summer this year. I use this when I send gifts in any occasion.

What I love about Cath Kidston bag in particular aside from the design and style, durability and versatility, is its texture. The bags that I own are made of water-proof materials that when it rains or accidentally something spills on it, I can just easily wipe it and not afraid of getting it stained or ruined. 

So to all Cath Kidston fanatics out there, I feel for you. A look of their trademark design alone can give thrill and chills to ones spine. It's something only a girl can understand. Looking forward to my next Cath Kidston possession. Anyway, it's Christmas!

My Manila Diaries

Recently, just a few days ago, I was in the metro with hubby. And because I am not allowed to divulge anything (reserve for a separate post) and because it was just a quick visit, my photos will speak for my presence there with just a handful of evidence whilst in the place. I love Manila for some reasons: 1) there are a lot of places to see, experience and enjoy, 2) malls, shopping and a lot of sales going on, 3) food discoveries which are endless and 4) the vibe is always alive and up, on the go and updated. However, I don't see myself residing there because I want a laid back life and it's too chaotic for my preferred lifestyle. #justsaying But nevertheless, Manila is such a wonderful place to go, to be seen and experience. 

On board here. Always on time and most of the times ahead of time.
I am afraid of heights. Cebu Pacific arrives 10 minutes ahead of its time of arrival 
(as far as my experience is concerned). It lessens 10 minutes of my fear at that.

Taken when the in-flight voice recorder announces our arrival in Manila.
Plane is descending towards the runway. I took this to show my kids and housemates
what's it like when you are on top and inside the plane.

Took a cab towards the left to our place for one night.

After checking in, we headed to Makati area, particularly the Glorietta/ Greenbelt/ Landmark/ Rustan's, all found in one area which is really confusing when you are not familiar with the place. After we took our power lunch which is way past 2 in the afternoon, we stroll around like we are in a maze! As we found our way to Landmark which makes my heart skipped faster because of all those red letter SALE hanging everywhere, here's what I ended up buying. Kid's stuff! #motheratheart

These clothes are all on sale and for everything, I just paid less than 700.00pesos. It's almost closing time and as a result, I ended up panicked buying and I just grabbed everything and whatever my eyes crushes on.

To cap the night, we had coffee. I told hubby we eat at food shops where we can 't
find in Davao City. So far we managed it. Headed to our place past 11pm.

The next day was the real reason why we where there.
We were more than an hour ahead of our appointed time
and decided to eat breakfast in the vicinity to save time.
This budget-friendly breakfast meal is only 89.00pesos with a huge amount of serving (well, more than enough for my appetite, hehehe…).
It taste good too. Who says food in Manila is very expensive?
I don't think not all.

We took our lunch here.
It's at Greenbelt/Glorietta (not sure what building we were in).
Food and serving is alright and huge.
We were quite satisfied enough to fill our stomachs. 

And because hubby was craving for more, quite unusual for him, we ended up eating here less than an hour only after our lunch. And because, I wanted something sweet, I bought this yummy sans rival at only 60.00 paired with my hubby's cappuccino.
Such a sweet delight before heading to NAIA Terminal 3 for our return flight
back to Davao City.

Thank you Manila!