Weekend Getaway with Neutrogena

All eight of us were pretty excited to spend a day at Nurture Spa Village last Saturday. It was the perfect opportunity to relax, and re-energize with my fellow Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs)—that’s what we’re called ☺

If our first session last two Saturdays ago was about blocking and preventing bad vibes from resurfacing (vis-à-vis blocking and preventing skin pigmentation), then the second session was all about applying the other six Fine Fairness benefits of protect, shield, restore, renew, calm and lighten. Read on to find out how Neutrogena fulfills all 8 of their promises for a lighter YOU:


Despite waking up at 5AM that day, I didn’t forget to apply my Neutrogena Fine Fairness morning regimen, which was capped off with the line’s UV Brightening Moisture SPF50+. It’s actually one of the three new products in the line that contains the much-loved Helioplex found in the brand’s sun block products. Helioplex is known for delivering longer protection against the sun’s harmful rays versus your usual sun block lotions.

The Neutrogena Fine Fairness line works on restoring healthy skin by blocking free radicals, enhancing surface skin renewal, calming the skin to maintain an even tone, and lightening the skin by providing an immediate whitening effect. As the product line restores, renews, calms and lightens our skin, we were also working on restoring, renewing, calming and lightening our body, mind and spirit with a private yoga session by Joseph de Asis.

I tried yoga a couple of times before, but this was different and special because we did this outdoors—on the green grass with a fantastic view of the clear blue sky. Yoga restored my muscles to its most ideal flexible capabilities. My eyes were either closed or focused on one area that actually gave a meditative and calming effect. This, eventually, lightened our auras and dispositions, which left us with a renewed mind and spirit.

Aside from the yoga session, we were also treated to a solo photo shoot each—all dolled up, thanks to Neutrogena :)  Just as it protects and shields our skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays, the photo shoot gave all of us an extra boost of confidence.  Photographer Pat Mateo did a great job putting everyone at ease; just a few minutes and we all found our perfect shot :D  The shoot definitely made me feel better about myself.  Thereby, protecting and shielding myself from unnecessary influences that might cause me to make a detour.  If you feel great about yourself, then you'll tend to take care of yourself more. And if you do just that, then you're protecting yourself from harm and danger.


Overall, it was a great day to unwind :) All the activities (yoga session, a full body massage, and a photo shoot) helped me find my center and my true life goals. Clearing my mind has guided me back to where I should be, as I protect and shield myself for unnecessary influences that might cause me to make a detour.


So, thank you, Neutrogena, for the experience. Not only am I refreshed and ready for the year ahead, I am also on the way to having a radiant face for 2011. Cheers!


*Find out what Neutrogena Fine Fairness line has in store for you, and get to know the other brand ambassadors by visiting the Neutrogena Philippines Facebook Page.  Their "Our Start The Year Light" contest also begins today! Get those photos ready because they're giving away the entire Fine Fairness Range to the first 50 people who post photo replies to Task # 1! 

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 ;)

Want a pair of FitFlops?

Summer = more skin to show off. Work on achieving those sexy gams with FitFlops. Not only do they help you with your posture, they give you a good workout while you walk. Yes, just by walking with them.

For those who already tried/own a pair, and want more... you can join the contest below. Prizes include another pair of FitFlop, Hedgren journal and a makeover photo shoot. Read on to find out how you can join.

FitFlop salutes all the women who excel in their respective fields. That's why on our next PR campaign, we want YOU to be part of it. Yes, YOU!

To join:
1. Upload your best photo wearing FitFlop here on our facebook wall.
2. Indicate your age, location and profession.
3. In 150 words or less, let us know how much you love FitFlop and why we should choose you.
4. Only 1 entry per person is allowed.

Top 5 entries win. All 5 women will receive a pair of FitFlop's limited edition "WALKSTAR III Snakeskin" each (worth P4,490), a special journal from Hedgren, and shall be invited to FitFlop's head office in Malate, Manila* for a make over and photo shoot! Schedule of shoot will announced after the contest.

*For winning entries outside Metro Manila, FitFlop Philippines will shoulder the air fare.

Please note that by joining, you must agree that you are giving FitFlop Philippines full right to use your entry and photos relative to the contest for advertising purposes such as (but not limited to) posters, press releases and Ad materials.

Good luck and looking forward to receive your entries! :)

Contest duration: April 5 to 18, 2010. Winners will be announced April 21, 2010.

Travel Looks + Contest

Everyone's planning a trip. If not this Holy Week, it's probably soon :) So, to get you in the mood for some serious packing and planning, here are some of the images from L'Oreal Professionnel's latest look book.

Don't you just love the how it's styled? The layout, the photos, the model, the clothes, and of course, the hair!

Get more inspirations in L'Oreal Professionnel's latest lookbook, by joining this contest by hairinmanila

They are giving away 3 of these special books. :D

Deadline of entries is until April 3, 2010.

Good luck and have a blessed holy week, everyone :D

See you all next week!

... and the WINNERS are...

Based on the sequential number of entries (with date stamp):

1. Jenny Joy Ong

2. Kumiko Mae L. Yasuda

3. Hedley Chua

4. Grace Umali

5. May Ann Saturno

6. Carla Gonzalez

7. Stonibert Lim

8. Dianne Chrisdelle Lu

9. Alona Banlos

10. Denise Lu

11. Carina Gue

12. Rowena Wendy Lei

13. Jay-L

14. Jamie Tan

15. Mary Anne Co

16. Rosa Ferrer

17. Shirley Co

18. Danessa Lu

19. Elisa Co

20. Teresita Lim

21. Deanina Lu

22. Jane Jimenez

23. Joel Angot

24. Paulina Gue

25. Paul Jefferson Gue

26. Jason Gue

I have randomly picked FOUR numbers, with the help of random.org

Here are the winners:

17. Shirley Co + special gift

2. Kumiko Mae Yasuda + special gift

20. Teresita Lim + special gift (to be confirmed)

6. Carla Gonzalez

Congratulations, ladies! I will be sending an e-mail regarding pick-up of your ENJOY KITS worth P1,595. I have set aside three beauty goodies for Shirley, Kumiko and Teresita, and will be sending a photo of the prizes for Shirley (first) to pick, then Kumiko, then Teresita.

Thank you so much for joining my little contest. It's great to hear your thoughts. Rest assured that I will try to put a little of everything you've requested in my future posts. Watch out for more contests as well ;)

In the meantime, I got this text last weekend from one of the prettiest and stylish Marketing/PR moguls, Carmina Sanchez, who happens to own this hip clothing brand Poivre:

POIVRE at The Ramp, Glorieta, welcomes summer with neutrals, polka dots and flirty cuts. Check out our first batch of deliveries this week. All dresses from 999-1899 only! Limited stocks per style so hurry and get your hands on the hottest stuff this weekend! Perfect for the hot days and breezy nights ahead :)

Wanna Watch Owl City?

Owl City will be here on March 14 at the SMX Convention Center, and you can WIN 3 tickets for the show! Here's how:

Just send a video of you singing the chorus of the song "Fireflies," and e-mail the video link together with your name, address, birthday and mobile number to velvet@abs-cbn.com

Deadline of entries is on March 12, 3 p.m. For more details, please check http://www.velvetchannel.multiply.com

Enjoy Kits—Up for Grabs!

As promised, I am giving away FOUR (4) Enjoy Kits. Here's how to join:

1. Only one entry is allowed per person.

2. I will pick the winners with the use of random.org; the first four names will be the winners.

3. Winners should be able to pick up the prize—I live in Metro Manila. I still haven't found a place nearby where I can have them delivered :( sorry...

4. Contest starts now (Feb. 22, 12 m.n.) and ends Friday, February 26, 2010—11:59 p.m.

5. Winners will be announced next Monday, March 1, 2010

6. Simply leave a comment under this post with the following:

a. full name

b. e-mail address (I don't want you to put in your mobile/landline numbers for privacy reasons, right?)

c. what do you like about this blog?

d. what do you want to see/read more of?

e. where was this picture (below) taken? *hint: I wrote about this a few months ago.

f. for those who can post this contest in their blog OR in their facebook profile page, please include the link in your entry/comment. And if you're one of the four winners, I'll throw in a special prize ;)

*All comments will be visible only after the contest is over, when I've announced the winner :)

Good luck and have a great week, everyone!

Style Kit's First Contest :D

I just love schu's (take note, schu is spelled with a small 's') latest window display at Power Plant mall. They're full of cute cuddly teddy bears :) But that's just icing on the cake. New shoes await inside...

Don't you just love the interiors, and how they've set up the shop? So inviting!

There are soooo many delightful shoes, but I'll focus on the flats for this post :) Oxford shoes and brogues are the latest IT flat footwear to have. How to pull this off? pair them with tailored sexy silhouettes for a feminine touch.

I just had to take a photo of the sole, isn't she cute? These patent loafers come in neutral tones that will go well with just about anything.

Go rocker chic in these studded square-toe leather flats

These canvas models come in cute complementing containers. Plus, the price isn't bad at P999 a pair ;)

The bling-blings are presented with a twist, wrapped in tulle, for the girliest princess.

These suede ankle straps come with a pins

Scribbles make this pair a fun one to wear. I especially love the grey shoe with lime green accents.

Now, this reminds of Louis Vuitton/Murkami's "Eye Love You" collection. Don't you agree?

Now, for the fun part. Thanks to the beautiful, fit, stylish, and sexy lady behind schu, Ms. Ruby Gan is giving away a P500 gift certificate to one lucky lady (or man who will win it for a special someone). Here are the details:

* Participant should have a blogger account. If you do not have one, kindly leave your name (first name and surname), and e-mail address (the one you regularly check) along with the answer to this question: HOW MANY BEARS ARE IN THIS POST?

* You can click on the photos to enlarge, to make counting easier.

* Submission of entries start now, Friday 1 a.m. and ends Saturday 1 a.m.

* The first person to leave a comment with the right answer wins the P500 GC. It's that simple :)

* The winner's name will be posted on Monday. So come back on Monday to find out if you're the lucky one.

* Once confirmed, the winner shall claim the P500GC at the Chocolate schu Bar at Power Plant Mall.

GOOD LUCK and HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE! :D

Comfy footwear for Men

Hubby's pair of Fitflop arrived last week; thanks to Ms. Ginny Guanco of Stratworks for personally delivering them ;)

Of course, hubby tried them on right away to check the sizing. His first reaction was: "I feel so tall." Fitflop has soles that are about an inch thick, so it will take some time for men to get used to wearing them. His second comment when I asked him to walk around so he could have a feel: "They're so soft and comfortable!"

Here's hubby (in his Fitflop), playing with our little bundle of joy, as we waited for our turn at the pedia clinic.

He recently had his ACL and MCL knee surgery a few months back, and we thought of getting him a Fitflop pair to help him recuperate faster. So far, so good. He's taken quite a liking to it. Super soft soles are his pre-requisite, and these are included in his list, next to Crocs and Simple Shoes. For those who don't know what Fitflop can do, here's what I got from their official website:

FitFlop sandals are biomechanically engineered to help tone and tighten your leg muscles while you walk in them. Studies at the Centre for Human Performance at LSBU show that normal walking in FitFlop sandals⁽¹⁾ can help:

- increase leg, calf and gluteal muscle activity,
- improve your posture,
- mimic the gait of barefoot walking but with more muscle load,
- improve muscle tone.

FitFlop sandals wearers have also reported relief from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, chronic back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, RLS (restless leg syndrome), scoliosis and degenerative disc disease.

For those who want to get another pair, Fitflop is giving a few pairs for free! Below are the contest details:

Take a picture of yourself or your feet (if you're too shy) wearing Fitflop, and post it in your facebook account. Don't forget to add Fitflop as your friend first (http://www.facebook.com/fitflop?hiq=fitflop). Once you've posted your photo, tag them and include a short text on why you love wearing them. Best shots WIN A NEW PAIR! WInners will be announced on July 20. So, wear your FitFlop this weekend and start taking photos :)