My Husband, The Gossip Boy

Me: Guess who's coming here?
Peps: Who?
Me: Ed Westwick!
Peps: Who is he?
Me: Chuck Bass!
Peps: Ah! Bibili siya ng mga buildings? Magkakaron na ng Bass Industries dito?
*laughing*

Fan much? There's more...

Me: He'll be the new endorser of... Guess which brand?
Peps: Kamiseta?
Me: Wala naman men's line ang Kamiseta.
Peps: Bench? Ah, alam ko na. For Eleanor Waldorf! Magkakaron na siya ng line dito!


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Combat Aging with Celeteque Advanced

Are you worried of aging skin? We all should be. But exactly how should we take care of our skin?

I was invited to attend a mini-relaunch of the Celeteque Advanced Anti-Aging line last May 11, 2011 and Dr. Nenita Alberto, a well-established dermatologist, talked about the factors that contribute to aging and the preventive measures we must take. I will share the very helpful tips I have gathered from Dr. Alberto in a separate post.

Celeteque has stepped up and entered a whole new ballgame. They started out with their basic moisturizer and toners for sensitive and oily skin. Then came the moisturizer with SPF15. And now a complete line of age-defying skin care for the Philippine market with promises of results in just a few weeks.

Anti-Wrinkle Ultra-Hydrating Cleansing Oil

It is a makeup remover, ultra-hydrating cleanser and anti-wrinkle product in one. With DUAL VITAMIN REGENERATING COMPLEX that increases skin elasticity and moisture content. Firms up, strengthens skin and dramatically reduces fine lines in just 6 weeks.* For best results, use as a leave on before sleeping and wake up with a silky smooth skin.

  
Anti-Wrinkle Facial Moisturizer

Your everyday skin defender has DOUBLE PEPTIDE COMPLEX that works deep within your skin to stimulate collagen formation. It plumps up the skin to lessen fine lines and wrinkles, and renews damaged outer layers of the skin. It is proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in just 6 weeks. *

 

 Anti-Aging Power Serum Concentrated Break Off Capsules

Power serum in a break off capsule with a new dual peptide technology, CYTOSTIMULIN LIPOPEPTIDES, blended with exotic fruit extracts. These ingredients have strong anti-aging and antioxidant properties and work synergistically to help stimulate collagen and elastin production to soften, smoothen, and firm skin, thus reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Clinically proven to dramatically reduce fine lines in 6 weeks and to smoothen skin in as early as 1 week of use.* Simply break off the capsule and apply serum on wrinkle prone areas for anti-wrinkle action and protection against DNA damage.

*Proven and backed up by a double-blind clinical trial conducted among Filipinas. Actual reduction of fine lines and wrinkles may vary.

What's great about Celeteque products is that they are safe to use even on sensitive skin. Their products are non-comedogenic (will not clog pores), hypoallergenic (cause fewer allergic reactions) and fragrance-free (no chemical fragrances added which may cause allergic reaction). The way I see it, if it's safe for sensitive skin, it is probably safe to use on any skin type. Emphasis on probably as we all react differently on different products.

Celeteque Advanced Anti-Aging Trio is available at Watsons.
Anti-Wrinkle Ultra-Hydrating Cleansing Oil - SRP: Php199.00, 50mL / Php369.00, 100mL
Anti-Wrinkle Facial Moisturizer - SRP: Php620.00, 45mL

Anti-Aging Power Serum Concentrated Break Off Capsules - SRP: Php699

Watch Shopping FAIL

Nordstrom is on sale.

I wasn't planning on buying anything but I had to check the sale items. This is what I wanted.

Marc By Marc Jacobs Royale Silicone Strap Watch in Black/Lime

Was: USD175.00 NOW: USD104.90 (40% off)

So I ordered this last night and threw in another watch (see below). I got an email this morning telling me that this got cancelled (while the other is still in process) as they were unable to fulfill my order. Bummer.

I don't want the other watch anymore. 

I went to Nordstrom's Live Chat and asked if I could cancel my order. I was told that my order is too far in the process and they are unable to do so. Since the MBMJ watch is still available online, customer service tried to order it for me again but their system wouldn't let her so that means that it is really out of stock already. Boo! She explained that their system updates availability of items faster than their website does. She offered to help me choose another watch but I only want that watch. 

I asked if I could just return the item. She said "Absolutely!". I asked if I will get refunded for the whole amount I was charged and said the shipping fee isn't refundable but went ahead and manually gave me a refund. I had my order shipped to Johnny Air so I still have to check if they would do the return for me. I explained the situation and said I'll need to contact Johnny Air first and told them I will just contact them again for a shipping refund. She said there's no need to wait.  Their customer service is such a winner! I wish returns here in the Philippines is as easy as how they do it in the US.

So here is the other watch I ordered. I'm not super crazy in love with it but the price is just great.

  

Nixon The Time Teller Watch in Red

Was: USD60.00 NOW: USD35.90 (40% off)

So I really hope Johnny Air would allow me to return the item. It's just a matter of filling up the return form enclosed in the package anyway. I do like the watch but with the sales tax, domestic and internationally shipping fees, I'd probably end up spending more than what this watch originally retailed for. Not worth the efforts of international shipping. And I'm sure it's available here.

I still want the Marc By Marc Jacobs watch though. But I want it for the same sale price. :(

The Sad Shopper, 

Bag Love

My Cambridge Batchel is finally here!!!

 Personalized 14" Multi Coloured Designer Batchel

in Vintage and Navy

I kind of didn't want it anymore. It took so long for it to arrive and I sort of lost my interest over it (I was actually crushing on the green satchel instead). I pre-ordered the bag from Schu last February and it arrived last May 19. I dropped by at their Power Plant store (where I pre-ordered it) the day it arrived but I was a couple of hours early. When I got home, I received a text message informing me that my bag was already available for pick-up. So I had to go back over the weekend to get it. And when I saw it, I just had this ooooooh and aaaaah moment. The bag was gorgeous.

The bag is so sleek and beautiful. And the color combination makes it such a classic piece.

I also had it personalized. I'm sure my kids would also love this when they're all grown up *gasp*!

It is hard to unfasten the bag open though, since it's new. The bag is like a solid mold but the leather will soften over time.

The best part of the bag is I got it at 10% off from Schu. I didn't ask why and I dare not contest their generosity (I think of it as a gift that one should just gladly accept). :) Originally, the bag should have cost me Php8,299.00 but actually only paid Php7,469.10. It came out cheaper than ordering directly from The Cambridge Satchel Co.'s website as this particular batchel retails for GBP113.00 or Php7,903.05 when converted, shipping fee not included. Oh, and embossing is free when you purchase a batchel. That's Php350.00 in savings for each letter!

Not bad for a gorgeous leather bag, right? I got a pretty good deal! :) And I am glad that Schu is right on target with their pricing, with or without the discount (which is quite rare for Philippine retailers/resellers who tend to overprice merchandise). Great job and super thanks for the discount!!! :)

So which Cambridge bag do you own or like? I'm seriously lusting for their green satchel! :)

To view The Cambridge Satchel Co.'s products, click here.

To order, contact Schu or email schushopmanila@gmail.com

Note: A batchel is merely a satchel with the addition of a top handle, to make it easier to move it around.

xoxo

 
 

Landmark Finds

My sister recently started her new job and a week before her first day, she asked me to teach her how to put on makeup. She brought her own makeup kit and I was deeply saddened to find out that she owned just one piece of makeup brush. One piece.

So I gave her suggestions and went makeup shopping as well. And since she was about to celebrate her birthday, I got her a bunch of makeup stuff. Since makeup shopping can be very pricey, I went to Landmark in search for treasure. I got some stuff for her and I got more for myself. Surprise, surprise, right?

Here are the brushes I got:

Left to Right: 168 Angled Contour Brush, Retractable Lip Brush, Smudge Brush &

Angled Contour Brush

Bieber Fever

My daughter watched Justin Bieber's concert here in Manila last May 10, 2011.

I remember she was telling me that she wanted to watch the concert early January. I asked her to choose between the darn concert or a birthday party. My heart sank. She chose the concert. I mean, she's only 8. While I have never been to a real concert until Timbaland's Shock Value II Concert last March 27, 2010. (I went for Justin Timberlake. *cruuuuuuush*) Although I went to both of Chicane's concerts here but I don't really consider them as real concerts since they're an electronic dance music group. So those were more like a party...

Anyhoo, I helped my daughter make a poster for Justin Bieber and I got this cool idea from a cousin who said, "Baka naman may glitters pa yung poster niya ha...". PERFECT! GLITTERS! So a day before the concert, we went to National Bookstore and bought materials. Her poster was simple but SPARKLY!!!

New Product Alert: Sigma Dry'n Shape

A brush holder that dries your brushes (after washing) faster than usual and shapes them at the same time? Cool.

I got an email from Sigma about this new product and I usually ignore promotional emails but I just had to take a look at this.

In their website, it says:

The Dry’n Shape was designed to completely dry and shape your most dense brushes within 4 to 6 hours, guaranteed.

The Dry’n Shape provides the necessary pressure to bristles to quickly and efficiently remove water from every fibre.  The fabric used to shape the bristles was specially engineered to accelerate water evaporation, resulting in a faster drying time for your brushes.

That is really cool!!! However, I have a couple of concerns...

First thought that came to mind, wouldn't that be prone to germs and bacteria? You put in your wet brushes, so there's water build-up (which can become a breeding ground), then there's possible exposure to dust and whatnot...

Secondly, after watching the video, wouldn't the elastic bands (that will firmly hold the bristles and keep their shape) put pressure and cause damage to its base (the part where the hairs are glued together)? I imagine that there is a slight tugging pressure from the elastic bands.
 
Lastly, I have a lot of brushes. Although I don't use them all at once, I find that the Dry'n Shape does not have enough holders/slots for the number of brushes I use when doing makeup on an average.

I still want to try this though. I usually leave my brushes to dry overnight after washing them. It would be great not to have to wait that long and be able to pack away my stuff before hitting the sack. It happened to me, I left my just-cleaned brushes at home when I did a shoot and it was the worst feeling ever. I did have other my other brushes with me but I couldn't stop looking for my favorites.

I can't wait for reviews on this item. Would definitely get one if they're good!

Available at sigmabeauty.com for USD29.00.

xoxo

Cutest Teapot

This is such a cute teapot. It's from Target's Calypso St. Barth for Target Collection. Sadly, it's out of stock. They also had it in coral. They sold for only $12.99 each. Bummer.

But come to think of it, I don't really use a teapot when having tea. I just dump the teabag in my mug. Hmmm... I should get gorgeous mugs then!

xoxo

Eye Candy: ELLE Finds

Eye Candy will be a post of the stuff I like that I see in magazines and would like to share with you guys.

Missoni (heart) Havaianas Espadrilles



I wasn't so excited about the flip-flops. I didn't know there were espadrilles too. This, I super like!!! I checked it out, it retails for $130 but already sold out. Aside from Havaianas' online store, do you know where else these are available (online)?

Urbanears Headphones



I don't think I'd really want headphones. They're just too bulky to carry around. I mean, I'm already carrying a ton of stuff (stuff I don't really use but can't leave home without) in my bag. But the colors are just too cute! I'm having a hard time choosing one, not that I am getting one... You know, just saying... :) Available at urbanoutfitters.com for $60 each.

J Brand Print Ad



Cute outfit! I love it! And I have the perfect hat for this look.

Do you likey likey them too?

xoxo







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Gwen Stefani for ELLE May 2011

Gwen Stefani is so rock 'n' roll and glamorous! Hot momma! I love her!



















Her L'oreal Superior Preference ad...




Gorgeous!!!

Don't you just love her???

xoxo








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Stream Global Services Print Ad & Billboard

Billboard along EDSA Balintawak Southbound

This was one the fastest shoots I've ever done. I love it!!! And the photos are just gorgeous, hats off to the amazing Niccolo Cosme!!!

Photography by THE Niccolo Cosme :)

Makeup by Christine Rojas-Laviña and Paolo Maranan

Hair by Muriel Vega-Perez

xoxo

Game Boys!!!

I did a feature on boys, boys and more boys for Chalk Magazine's April 2011 issue.

It was a fun shoot. Did grooming together with two other makeup artists who were also my good friends. I'm always happy how my works turn out in the pages of Chalk. Here are some behind the scenes photos... We did makeup in this cute little kubo!

Produced by Sara Aunario
Photography Paul del Rosario
Text and Interview Ineth Inolino and Clifford Olanday
Styling Ton Lao
Assisted by Perry Lou Tabora and Lenny Kho
Grooming Christine Rojas-Laviña, Tin Albano and Bobbie Millena
Shot on location at Carolina Bamboo Garden

So who is your favorite Chalk boy? :)

xoxo