Tuesday, August 31, 2010

What's on Prince Charles' dresser?

Getting the seal of approval from any consumer is a hard feat, but receiving the “Royal Warrant” from any member of the British royal family is an even harder task to achieve.


royal warrant


Apparently, English bath and home brand Crabtree & Evelyn is one of the few companies that were appointed. Awarded by His Royal Highness (HRH) the Prince of Wales last January 2007, Crabtree & Evelyn continues to provide the British royal family luxury bath and home care products that even us, common folks, can enjoy.


Here are some of its products with the “Royal Warrant”:
nomad soap
Nomad Moisturising Soap is a purely vegetable soap that has antioxidant Vitamin E. Its ginger/bamboo aroma will set your man in a relaxing mood.

Indian hicks body wash
India Hicks Island Night Creamy Body Wash has moisturizing mango and coconut oils, with a scent that will surely transport you to sexy, summer beach nights.

indian hicks soap
India Hicks Island Living Spider Lily Natural Triple-Milled Soaps has mango and avocado butter, botanical oils such as grapeseed, sweet almond, olive and coconut, to keep your skin ultra-moisturized.


* Crabtree & Evelyn is located at SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza mall, Greenbelt 1, TriNoma and Alabang Town Center.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Metro—first in iPad

Metro Magazine, the premier fashion magazine in the Philippines from ABS CBN Publishing, marks another first as it launches its iPad edition earlier this month. It is the first Philippine magazine available on the iPad.

Metro Ipad Media Conference-Geolette Esguerra (Features Editor, Metro), Ernie Lopez (Head, ABS-CBN Publishing), Cathy Bustos-Guevara ( Business Manager, Metro)
Metro's Features Editor Geolette Esguerra, ABS-CBN Publishing's President Ernie Lopez 
and Metro's Business Manager Cathy Bustos-Guevarra

The Metro iPad edition is also loaded with special features including behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the shoots, celebrity interviews and testimonials – that are not available in the magazine version.  It takes advantage of the iPad’s ease of use and excellent screen resolution to enhance the reader’s Metro experience. To get a copy of Metro on the iPad, just log on to iTunes, go to the App Store and search for Metro Magazine.

Currently a free download, the Metro iPad edition features this month’s Celebrity issue which highlights 19 of the biggest stars of today. Gracing the cover are the most beautiful actresses in the country – Kim Chiu, Kristine Hermosa, Angelica Panganiban and Bea Alonzo, to name a few. On the inside pages are the most in-demand leading men and gorgeous hunks in cinema today. Extras on this month’s Metro App include interviews with the celebrities, past Metro covers featuring Star Magic artists and work by top photographer Mark Nicdao, style tips and much more. 

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Super Steal Skinnies

Let me share with you my super fab find of the week.  Actually, this pair of skinny jeans is the best deal I've every purchased in a looooong time.  Check out the price:

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For P485.50, you get a pair of these ultra-stretch and figure-hugging skinnies. They come in three styles: all black, all dark blue, and dark blue with khaki stitching. And you know how it goes at Forever 21, stocks run out fast... so better head out to SM Megamall and get yourself a pair ;)

Monday, August 23, 2010

More Shoes!!!

Went around SM Megamall, and found these by accident. Can you guess what store this is? :)
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I surrendered, and got myself these slouchy leather boots for only P2,500—at 50% off!
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Aren't they a steal?  
I like the "corset" back detail, sexy 5-inch heels, and the fact that they're platforms! And they are super comfy, too! Visit Aldo shops, and you might just find more good buys like mine. Don't forget to share them with me when you can :) Good luck!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Nail Sanctuary

I hardly attend events now, due to my work schedule.  So, I was pretty elated to find out that I get to go this time—at Nail-a-holics in SM MOA :)
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I'm loving the theme of the nail salon:
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It feels like I'm at a relaxing beach house. You gotta love the uniform of the nail technicians, too! ;)
Met some familiar faces like
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Shen of Shen's Addiction
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She picked these yummy colors and had each shade painted on each nail. Visit her blog soon to check out the results :)
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... and Earth of Earthlingorgeous and Lace of Style and Relax. Earth is wearing a Forever 21 top (naks!) and Lace doesn't look like she just gave birth two months ago—wow!

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I had my manipedi a few days ago, so I just opted to try their Paraffin Wax treatment on both my hands and feet.  
I needed those badly to take away all the stress!

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Sally was so nice. She made sure that I can "take the heat" ;) The massage was also wonderful.

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After the treatment, I went around to check out the place. This is the view going up...
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This is the view from the top, where they have a private room for 6 pax.
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Don't you just love the beach setting? :)
Here's a copy of their menu. Click on the image to enlarge:
Reasonably-priced with unique services like algae and seaweed wraps that I will try on my next visit, nail-a-holics is truly a sanctuary for you and your tired hands and feet.



Nail-a-holics is located in major malls in Metro Manila and Luzon -
SM Mall Of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Bacoor, SM Sta.Rosa, SM Muntinlupa, SM Sucat, SM Las Pinas, SM Tarlac, Robinsons Metro East, The Eastwood Excelsior, Cash & Carry Makati,  Marquee Mall Angeles Pampanga.  Soon to open –SM San Pablo, SM Calamba, SM Pampanga, SM Clark, SM Taytay, Robinsons Galleria.  Visit their website for more details, www.nailaholics.com. Also find them on Facebook (Nailaholics Nail Salon and Spa) and Twitter (nailaholicslove).

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Vote and Win

Help Quirks and get to win as well!







Be a Quirks Buyer! We want the public to help us decide what particular style of glass tag to carry this Christmas. This is a new product that we will be offering.  All a person has to do is visit this link (a photo on our FB page) and vote by commenting on what glass tag style they prefer. The winning item will be the one that we will order/stock on for this Christmas.  Then, from those who comment, we will choose 1 lucky person who will receive the winning product. 

Good luck ;)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Counter Intelligence

Don’t we all love looking for fabulous finds? The ones that are of good quality and are affordably-priced? Two shops that I frequently score amazing products from are Watsons Personal Care Stores and Beauty by SM Department Stores, and they just brought in a few more beauty goodies. Check these new additions:


hydrating_facial_cream
For men, Watsons Men introduces two lines to cater to two skin types: normal and oily. Packaged in sleek matte black with pops of aqua blue and neon green, this is a sophisticated grooming line. Each range comes with four products that consist of wash, toner, scrub and cream, with the cream being my favorite from the lot. It comes with a pump for easy usage, and it’s also mess-free—perfect for men who want to keep everything simple and fast.


NG Body Scrub
Seems like everyone’s becoming more eco-conscious, and these two stores join this category by offering eco-certified products that are free of paraben, mineral oil, and alcohol ingredients. Their bottles and packaging are also recyclable and reusable, with the line working closely with Bantay Kalikasan in protecting the La Mesa forest reserve. My favorite from the lot is the Sunflower Soothing Sugared Body Scrub, as I’ve been searching for Sunflower-scented products. I fell in love with the smell after I had my massage at Sonya’s Garden in Tagaytay.


Pure Beauty Group Shot
Koreans and Japanese have been known to have super smooth and clear skin, which is why we gravitate towards skincare products that have a connection to these. Pure Beauty is the newest member at Watsons Your Personal Beauty Store. Made in Korea, and dermatologically-tested, Pure Beauty has detoxifying, neutralizing, energizing, and brightening effects that give you radiant skin results. A powerful yet gentle combination of relaxing ingredients such as lavender, bergamot, freesia, peppermint, rosemary, patented Greenol Oriental Herb Complex, and pomegranate works on reversing the signs of aging.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Bag It: Works of Art

I have a soft spot for entrepreneurs who support local artisans. They keep our culture alive, and instill in the younger generation a strong sense of Filipino pride. One such enterprise is the handcrafted and handpainted wooden bags by Vera Coulture.


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Founded only March of this year, and opened shop last June, Vera Coulture is the brainchild of Rhona Sabado-Vera Cruz and Rachel Marcial Donaire, businesswoman and wife of the number four pound for pound boxer in the world, Nonito Donaire Jr. The two met through Rhona’s old college friend, Miguel Pacio. Barely half a year old, Vera Coulture has been aggressively penetrating the global market in countries such as the US, UK, Asia, and the Middle East.


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I was immediately drawn to its designs, which feature classic styles and even quirky ones for the young set. But what makes these covetable is that each design is very limited, as Vera Coulture produces one, or, at the most, two, of each. Other superb qualities include the bags being scratch-resistant, and roomy enough to put a lot of your essentials in.

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I suggest you visit the store to check out the very limited collection that will surely last you for a lifetime. Carried as a clutch, or as a sling bag, these versatile natural bags will surely add a dash of fun to any of your outfits.


*Vera Coulture is located at Unit C, Ground Floor, 39th St., North Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Friday, August 13, 2010

True Beauty





Have you used Dove? :)
WhiteBeautyBar100g_3742 copy


And are you ready to take on their 7-day no mirror challenge?  These ladies did!
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All four ladies (Lexi Schulze, Raya Mananquil, Erin Campos and Mel Lozano) didn't look at the mirror, and used Dove to wash their faces (morning and night) for 7 days straight.  All admitted to having a hard time, as they covered all their mirrors with scarves just to avoid temptation.  But all agreed that they felt a difference with regards to their skin: softer, smoother, and more radiant.

That's because Dove’s unique formulation contains ¼ hydrating milk that gives skin the moisture boost it needs to stay young and fresh.  Unlike ordinary soaps, Dove does not strip the skin of its natural oils, keeping it supple and more able to withstand the ill-effects of stress and the environment.  No special tricks or high-tech hype, as Dove soap stays true to its simple promise of healthy, moisturized skin that brings out your natural, radiant beauty. 
 
While we watched the videos of the ladies, media peeps like ABS-CBN Publishing's Ianne Evangelista and Inquirer 2BU's Pam Pastor couldn't help but notice these cute li'l Dove soaps.  
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Apparently, they're used for sampling. Cute, don't you think?  Too bad they don't sell these, so a bunch of us took home a few each for our own personal use :)
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To read about my personal review of Dove, click on this link :D

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Vanity Packs

Playfully sexy is what comes to mind when you see the fun makeup packaging by The Balm. Fifties, poster-inspired illustrations, complemented with witty product and tag lines, will most likely catch your attention as they did mine. But that’s just icing on the cake, since The Balm products are quite known for delivering wonderful results, too.

Among its many products, I recommend you check out two of its latest multi-functional makeup. From the “Boy Series” line comes shadow/blush compacts in glowing pink shades. Its fine-graded powder helps achieve smooth application, covering an even texture that’s natural-looking. 

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Choose from Down Boy (paisley pink for everyday wear) 

tb1a
and Cabana Boy (dusty rose with warm undertones for the bronze babies).

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Another must-try is the Mary-Lou Manizer (“luminer” when pronounced). It’s an all-around highlighter, eyeshadow and all-over shimmer that uses the ingredient mica to diffuse light to give skin a softer appearance that’s applicable for your lids and cheeks, too. Women with small eyes like mine should try dabbing a little on the inner corners to give the illusion of bigger eyes. Women who need a little definition on the nose can swipe a little of it also on the bridge. But, if these are still too technical for you, the easiest and foolproof way to use this wonder powder is to apply it on the lids for a subtly sexy and clean look.


*The Balm is available in selected Beauty Bar outlets.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Drink Up, Skin!

Seems like fashion isn’t the only field joining the eco-friendly movement, beauty is also left and right with claims of being organic. The trouble is, upon further inspection , I usually find myself doubting the authenticity of these supposedly environmentally sound concoctions.

Just because there’s an ingredient that’s natural doesn’t mean the product is organic. You have to consider the other ingredients found in the product. This is what Karen Behnke discovered when she was on the look out for healthy, personal care products during her first pregnancy.

This led to the birth of the beauty brand Juice Beauty, its products of which have over 100 USDA certified organic powerful ingredients into a 100 percent certified organic juice base. Hence, the name “juice.” This is unlike its counterparts that dilute their products’ organic content.

To add to this, Juice Beauty strives to use only the most natural organic ingredients and supports organic farming, solar manufacturing, and the recycled paper business. Plus, all of its formulations are without parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylenes, glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances.


Before you head out to Beauty Bar outlets, you might want to check out what’s on my shopping list:

jb1
Green Apple Peel, P2,450, is the bestseller to date. It recently received an award for its patent, and has been featured extensively in media. All these got me curious to try this facial cream that promises facial spa results.

JB2
Don’t you just hate pimple scars? The Blemish Clearing Serum, P1,675, is composed of a powerful hydroxyl-acid complex that works on lightening dark spots.

JB3
This three-step bodycare kit is a great set to have. Maintain smooth and glowing skin with the Green Apple Body Brilliance collection, P3,200, with its exfoliator, cleanser, and moisturizer.

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Exposure to pollutants and being in an air-conditioned room all day can cause our skin to dry and lose its radiance. Having a Hydrating Mist, P1,375, would help me battle against lackluster skin with nutrients such as rosehip and grapeseed oils.


*Juice is available in most Beauty Bar outlets.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Lilac Laces

Pardon the posts on shoes this whole week, but I just can't seem to get enough of them :D  Remember my post on flats?  Well, I couldn't resist visiting Sebago in Megamall this week to check out their boat shoes.  
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There really is something sexy about ladies wearing menswear-inspired items, don't you agree?  Aside from sneakers which is already common, oxfords and boat shoes/topsiders are quite a hit for both the male and female markets.   

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I saw these ones on their window display. I asked the sales associate what their bestsellers are, and she said it's their pink and dark blue ones.
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This shade of blue is cool on the eyes :)
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These textured combinations give neutrals a modern look.
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Although I have a preference for colors, I decided on getting a neutral-colored pair 
since I can inject color by getting customized laces for an additional P400 :)
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Those are for the ladies, while these below are for men.
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Can you guess which pair I got? :)
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I picked a pair of lilac laces, and asked the sales associate to change them for me :)
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They used a different type of needle to be able to go inside the holes of the shoe. I asked the sales associate if we can go back and have it changed again to a different lace—free of charge? And she said yes, so that's very good news!
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Tada, my new girly boat shoes! Can't wait to road test them this weekend ;)

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Booty Wedges

Were you able to drop by the bazaar at Rockwell tent over the weekend? :)
I did! And among the many fresh designer entrepreneurs I met at the bazaar, Nicole Puentevella of Soule Phenomenon stood out the most.
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Love her hair and edgy style. Seems she's not afraid to stand out, a girl after my own heart ;) Here's a close-up shot of her shoes—platform wedges!
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Jeffrey Campbell shoes are the source of Nicole's inspiration, producing these lovely platform wedges that every Pinay (more so the petite ones) dreams of. She makes only a limited number of pairs per style, and they're quite affordable with prices that start from P3,500. To find out what I bought from her lot, click on this link.

*You can get in touch with Nicole via her multiply site and her mobile number: 0922-8547210.

Monday, August 2, 2010

The Flat Line

High heels will always be close to my heart, but we need to give our legs and feet a rest.  When I know I’ll be running around the whole day, I take into consideration some stylish flats to keep me on the go.  Here are what’s on my list:
Lacoste sola
Lacoste stays true to its classic cuts with its latest offerings from the Sola collection. A textured combination of leather and suede, with earth-toned hues, is on-trend for the cool season ahead.  Take your pick from the round-toe loafers (Silesia) and sleek rubber shoe style (Orsola).
simple bio
For those who wish to take a step further in saving our planet, try Simple Shoes’ Bio D-Kay rubber sneaks for casual weekends. Featuring eco-certified leather uppers and certified organic cotton laces, this pair even has a bio-degradeable midsole and outsole, with recycled and natural rubber, too!  What more can you ask for? Its comfy sole is great accompaniment when you’re up for some brisk walking around the village.
Sebago
And, for the men in your life, I found this retro pair that they will surely love. Sebago reintroduces its Trend Docksides that come in three- and four-color combinations. Two of which have an extra dose of black patent leather combo that gives a modern twist to this classic style. Additional good news: only 24 pairs are available across these three styles.  How’s that for being limited?
Ginga
Lastly, take care of your feet by wearing flip-flops when you can. I change from high heels to these flip-flops when I drive to give my feet some rest, and to avoid getting dirt and scuffs on my pretty heels.  I’ve found an affordable pair of them that’s made from Brazil called Ginga. Changing to these soft flats is always a welcome treat for a hard day’s walk.

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