What's for this Weekend?

Hubby and I got invited to try Shangri-la Plaza mall's latest movie offering—in 3D format—last night, with the screening of Alice in Wonderland. Thanks to Tita Joy Buensalido and her staff Maia Melencio for the tickets :D

We got one each of our favorite popcorn flavors: sour cream and cheese :D

We got our goggles at the entrance. Yay, first dibs on the 3D glasses!

I must say, these goggles fit really well on us. No headaches and tightness here!

The last time we watched a 3D movie was Avatar, and I kept taking them off because they hurt.

hubby and me in our new funky 3D goggles

As for the movie... Well, I think Tim Burton can do no wrong. Some of the casts are alumni of Tim Burton films, like Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Both of them portrayed their roles very well, as expected. I also like how they made this movie into a "part two" of the novel. I felt like I was "Alice," as I revisited my childhood memories (of the book and the Disney cartoon movie) with the character.

I tried looking for photos online, but couldn't borrow any, even from imdb.com :( But for those who appreciate visuals and computer graphics, this movie is for you. It was a visual feast, indeed! And I love the "costume" dresses of Alice (actress Mia). If I were to get married all over again, I would have that red dress made into one—in a longer version. Sigh! The other blue dresses were nice as well. You'll know what I am referring to, once you've watched it ;)

For those who haven't seen the trailer, watch this:

I found it adorable that the mall had a tie-up with the FADAL group.

Here are some of the ladies and gents who came in their "Alice in Wonderland costumes":

I just had to take a photo of this bag. He used all his "retazo" and made it into a bag. See that rectangular frame?

It's a solar panel, and he uses it to charge his digital camera. How cool is that? :)

So, this weekend, I suggest you head out to the malls and get yourself tickets to Alice in Wonderland—in 3D and at Shangri-la Plaza Mall, if you can :)

Plus, the weekend isn't complete with these sale alerts:

MYTH at Greenbelt 5 is on sale, starting today—at 50% off!

Another great deal you shouldn't miss!

Got this text from schu's Ruby Gan:

Summer is hotter as schu begins its summer sale! The BOGO (Buy One Get One) Sale is here! Visit schu at Glorietta, TriNoma, Mall of Asia or chocolate schu bar at Power Plant and buy two pairs of shoes or bags or a combinaton thereof for the price of one from March 4 to April 4. See ya!

New Serums to Try

Attended Pond's launch recently, and I was running late :o It was held at Manila Peninsula, and this is what I saw as I entered the Rigodon Ballroom. Everyone was inside already... Yikes!

I was placed upfront, good thing they saved me a seat ;) I shared a table with Philip Cu-unjieng (ex-colleague of mine back in ABS-CBN Publishing) and Noel dela Merced. Don't you just love the table setting? :) I looooove tulips!!!

This was on the menu. Sorry, I had a had time taking photos that time. The pictures didn't come out nice, but their braised beef ribs were really goooood :P

In-demand host Joey Mead was already on the "floor" with this Pond's dude. I didn't catch his name...

Up next was Jacq Yuengtian of Pond's as well. She's my godsister—one of the reasons why I really had to make it to the event ;) Joey Mead is wearing a Kate Torralba X Paperdolls dress, while Jacq is in Francis Libiran.

I couldn't stop looking at her Melissa wedges. Aren't they just lovely? *swoons*

I didn't really get to hear much about the new products of Pond's. I only made it in time for the portion where they invited three couples to share their love stories. After which, everyone was given time for themselves to enjoy the food and the company. I hung out with the group below.
Left to right: Nicole Delos Angeles of Cosmo who is now Beauty Editor-at-Large of OK!, stylist Sidney Yap, Inquirer and Metro's Bianca Consunji, Pond's Jacq, me, Inquirer's Kinny Salas (who was also late—it was Ash Wednesday and she came from mass); Mariel Chua-Jimenez (who recently got married and has a blog), Frances Amper-Sales (who is preggy and also maintains blogs—and i mean, three blogs!) Click on link, link, and this link.

We got to bring home the products that they launched, and everyone took home the tulips (from the table setting)—yipee! Can you guess what's new with Pond's?

They're actually not new, but improved versions of the serums from both lines—flawless white and age miracle. Below is a press release on what these new babies can do for your skin. I've used Pond's before, and am quite happy with the results. They asked me do a blind test, their product versus other luxurious brands... and Pond's really outdid the other creams in terms of delivering radiance and improving elasticity! Read on to find out more about these two new serums:

POND’S UNVEILS ANOTHER BREAKTHROUGH
Get younger looking and flawlessly radiant skin

The dawn of a new beauty revolution has finally arrived. Responding to every girl’s need for a radiant, younger looking skin, beauty expert Pond’s unveils new breakthrough products that are set to change the face of skin care.

After years of extensive scientific study and discovery, Pond’s introduces its latest in revolutionary skin care technology with Pond's Age Miracle Concentrated Resurfacing Serum and Pond's Flawless White Spots Blocking Serum. Created to fight the signs of aging and to help the skin to regain its natural and youthful glow, these latest offerings from Pond’s will help make every lovely lady a head turner.

Concentrated with twenty times more active ingredients than its cream-based product, Pond’s Age Miracle Concentrated Resurfacing Serum contains advanced CLA4 complex that is proven as one of the best anti-aging ingredients available in the market. This powerful ingredient makes skin feel tightened and uplifted as well as diminish skin sagging which are all the foremost complaints of women as they age, making Pond’s Age Miracle Concentrated Resurfacing Serum one of the most popular product in reducing visible signs of aging.

From fine lines to dark spots, Pond’s Institute has responded meticulously leading to the creation of the Pond's Flawless White Spots Blocking Serum. Specially created to help fight skin darkening and spot-inducing agents, this innovative product has improved formulation containing VAO-B3 complex and Glucoside C. This novel formulation of two of the most powerful anti-skin darkening ingredients acts in two ways for improved skin lightening benefit. VAO-B3, Pond’s Institute’s newest Vitamin E complex, helps prevent the dispersion of melanin while Glucoside C continuously releases the active Vitamin C to act as antioxidant and inhibit melanin formation right from the very source. This unique serum also contains Alpha-Lactics, also known as Alpha-Hydroxy Acids, commonly found in most fruits and milk, that work as an exfoliating agent by getting rid of dead skin cells, giving room for the growth of new skin cells, revealing your whiter and more radiant skin underneath.

These new milestones from Pond’s Institute have once again proved the beauty prowess it has fostered through the years. In its never-ending search for that perfect skin product for every Filipina, Pond’s now gives you the Pond’s Age Miracle Concentrated Resurfacing Serum and Pond’s Flawless White Spots Blocking Serum for a skin that’s radiant and young looking.

Year of the Tiger Forecast

I know it's a bit late, but I would just like to share with you what I did for Manila Bulletin for Chinese New Year. The photos below were released last February 14.

Luck Is On Our Side
Arm yourself with Joy Lim’s charms and crystals

RAT

Lucky color: fuchsia, pink

Power bead/s: rose quartz in all shapes, to attract more love into your life.

OX

Lucky color: purple

Power bead/s: people who fall under the rooster sign will keep you safe from harm.

TIGER

Lucky color: purple

Power bead/s: Friends who are born under the rabbit sign, among others, will bring in good tidings.

RABBIT

Lucky color: white

Power bead/s: Wear lots of pechay beads, which symbolize good fortune.

DRAGON

Lucky color: blue

Power bead/s: The holy gourd represents long life and good health.

SNAKE

Lucky color: blue

Power bead/s: Bring with you the three mythical beings that signify long life, fortune, and luck.

HORSE

Lucky color: pink

Power bead/s: Prosperity and infinity knots mean never ending wealth.

GOAT

Lucky color: yellow

Power bead/s: This green Cicada insect is believed to enhance longevity.

MONKEY

Lucky color: yellow

Power bead/s: Legendary creatures such as the pi-yao and the pi-xu protect you from bad luck.

ROOSTER

Lucky color: yellow

Power bead/s: A star to help you achieve your dreams, and the red bead to guide you on how to deal with the obstacles and trials that you'll encounter.

DOG

Lucky color: red

Power bead/s: The sequential numbers 1-6-8 means "one road to success." This will keep you focused on reaching your goals.

PIG

Lucky color: red

Power bead/s: Legendary symbols such as the holy gourd, pi-xu and the Tibetan beads all help to keep you away from misfortune.

Regarding the photos, I didn't want to be too literal with the animal forecast. So I translated the lucky colors into makeup, with the animals signs interpreted by the hairstylists. What do you think? :)

To know more about what the Year of the Tiger will bring for you, click on this link. For consultations, visit Charms & Crystals (main branch) at 22-B Dapitan Street, (near Mayon St.), Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City. Best to call 742-2597 for appointments. For a complete listing of branches, visit Charms and Crystals' website.

Photography by DIX

Makeup by Mikee Raymundo and Ricardo Carlos of M.A.C.
Hairstyle by Helen Egan and Christopher Rodil of L’Oreal Professionnel
Models: Anna Claudia Amado and Ana Claudia Rotile or Mercator Models

Soles for Sale

I've been meaning to check out Shoe Salon for their Ipanema sale, but I only got to go last week.

Some of their flip flops went for as low as P470+!

With such great bargains, I couldn't resist purchasing a pair each for me and hubby.

Would you believe these two pairs only cost us a little over P900? Sweet!

I must admit, it was kinda hard to find styles that are still available in my size.

So, hurry, and head out to the nearest Shoe Salon branch before they're all gone :o

*Shoe Salon has branches in Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place, Glorietta, Alabang Town Center, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Power Plant Mall, The Podium, Festival Supermall, Eastwood City Walk, Gateway Mall, SM Mall of Asia, and TriNoma.

... 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 :)