Gotta Love: Red Lipsticks

Finding the perfect lip color is like finding your bestfriend (hahaha!).  For me, it came in the color red.  I've been afraid to try bold lip colors so I always bought either pink or brown tones.  I find it ok for me but these shades do not provide the coverage I wanted.  I guess it's because my upper lip is a bit darker than my lower lip.  Gaaah!

So anyway, one afternoon, I find myself staring at Anne Curtis' Instagram account, and I said, hey why not try red?  With the help of my friends on Facebook, almost everybody recommended I get Russian Red from MAC.  After a bit of research and trusting their suggestion I bought one and yes, it was just perfect for me.  Instant love!  The shade provides the coverage I wanted.  And it's matte too, which I really like, so it looks like my natural lip color.

No make up other than Russian Red lipstick selfie at 8 AM.  Eyebags!

For this post, I'm featuring another red color but which I borrowed.  It's my sister's Ronnie Red shade, from the MAC Archie's Collection.  This color is brighter than Russian Red, more fun and flirty, just like it's namesake Veronica. Perfect for casual Fridays in the office.  Totally in love with it too!

Ronnie Red on TGIF!

Russian Red vs Ronnie Red

Russian Red vs Ronnie Red

Now I'm on a hunt for more.  I actually preordered another set from a different brand, but it will be arriving sometime June.  Can't wait but I promise to share it will y'all soon. 

PS: Apologies for the selfies.  Been too lazy to pick up my SLR lately.  Camera phone is much more accessible :P

Yummy for the Tummy: Famous Belgian Waffles

A new food cart franchise has been spurting out like mushrooms in different malls around the metro.  It's called Famous Belgian Waffles; soft, fluffy waffle sandwiches with different fillings to choose from.  I was so excited that we have this now in the country ever since I tried waffle sandwiches in Hong Kong.

What I super love about it is that the waffles are baked fresh, done right in front of you.  And they're very generous with the fillings as well.  Literally, a whole glob of cream cheese in one order!  Yey!

They offer a lot of flavors in different combinations.  Of course, I was psyched to learn they have a peanut butter (my ultimate favorite).  I got the Banana Peanut Butter combination.  Since the waffle is still hot from the waffle maker, the peanut butter will melt a bit, an ooze in every bite.  Yum!

It's also very affordable.  The plain is only 30 pesos each, the most expensive one is only 55 pesos.  It's the perfect partner for movies, or just when you need a quick bite to eat.  It will surely satisfy your comfort food craving.

Gotta Love: Sunflower Beauty Oil by Human Heart Nature

A miracle oil as described by Human Heart Nature, a company known for providing organic products here in the Philippines.  Why "miracle" you might ask?  According to their website, this product provides the following benefits:

1. Softens and lightens underarms
2. Lightens dark under eye circles 
3. Lightens dark spots and pimple marks 
4. Under eye moisturizer 
5. Prevents and diminishes the appearance of stretch marks 
6. Softens feet soles, knees and elbows 
7. Removes stubborn makeup 
8. Overall body moisturizer 
9. Moisturizes dry hair ends 
10. Softens the cuticles 
11. De-frizzes hair 
12. Adds shine to dull hair 
13. Relieves itching and inflammation caused by insect bites 
14. Nourishes and conditions eyelashes 
15. Lightens dark lips 
16. Soothes skin after shaving 
17. Relieves itchy scalp 
18. Soothes skin damaged by sunburn 
19. Smoothens skin from shaving 
20. Helps soothe rashes 
21. Helps heal skin infections 
22. Hydrates dry patches 
23. Helps lighten lesions and scars.

All of these benefits in a single product?  Too good to be true right?  But as I've come to see after weeks of using it almost everyday, I can testify the good effects of this product on me.  I'm a total convert!  I love it!

I stumbled upon this product while looking for a good beauty product to lighten my pimple marks.  A lot of blogs have been talking about it, with high ratings at that so I gave it a try.  Indeed, it helped lighten my dark spots faster!  And  the best part of all, I didn't experience any break out after (except right before my period starts, a regular thing for me) unlike the other commercial beauty products I've tried available in the market.  Even though it's oil, it didn't clog my pores. I use it after my toner at night and I must say, my face looks more radiant in the morning when I wake up.

I also started to use it on my hair to tame and shape my digitally permed hair.  It's non-greasy unlike the previous product I was using.  I also use it as my body moisturizer which is better than lotion as it's more light.  I also had this dry patch of skin at the back of my neck (which I didn't know where I got) and this oil helped a lot to diminish this rough patch.  I will try to use it religiously on my underarms and let's see if it will lighten up.  My first bottle is almost empty and I plan to buy the bigger one, just in time because Human Heart Nature has a promo to celebrate their most successful product.

I'm on a "chemical detox" now and I bought their strengthening shampoo and conditioner recently.  You'll hear from me in a few weeks if this works as well.

Have a nice day everybody! :)

PS: All photos from Human Heart Nature website and Facebook Fan Page

Yummy for the Tummy: Mary Grace Cafe

I may have found a new favorite.  Mary Grace has been known for its cakes and bread, especially the cheese rolls.  But when I decided to try their other food offerings in their cafe, I wasn't disappointed.

Before I dive into the food, let me talk about the place.  I love it's homey ambiance.  The place is full of little trinkets and hand written notes by the customers themselves.  And it smells of freshly baked bread.  It does make you feel like eating at home.

Ok, I cheated a little.  I already ate here twice before posting my blog review.  Thus, the two appetizers I'm featuring here.  I love good bread and both of these come with it.  I can't say which I liked better as both were satisfying and really delicious.

Grilled Kesong Puti

Cheddar Cheese with Tomatoes and Capers

For the main course, I tried their bestseller pasta which is called Smoked Salmon and Cream.  It may be a bit pricey for pasta but you can't put a price on the quality.  The smoky flavor of the fish complemented well with the cream.  I finished my whole bowl by myself.  The second time we ate, we ordered the Classic Carbonara but sorry I was not able to take a picture of it.  Just like the first, it's delicious as well and has this distinct home made feel.

Smoked Salmon and Cream (again, that buttered bread, yummy!)

For the other main course, and which also I ordered the second time around, is from the breakfast menu, Pork Tocino.  It comes with egg, garlic rosemary fried rice, tomato wansoy salsa, green mangoes, and spicy vinegar.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.  I know it looks different from the typical tocino but it sure tastes superb and has become my instant favorite.

Pork Tocino

My friends know that I do not drink milk tea.  But I took a chance with their Wild Raspberry Fruit tea.  And oh my, it's just so refreshing! 

Wild Raspberry Homemade Iced Tea

Of course, no meal is complete without dessert.  I got a slice of their famous Black Velvet cake, very moist chocolate cake layered with cream cheese.  You can't get heaven anywhere else.

I think I have overused the word delicious in this post.  But it's just what I was blurting out the whole time we were eating.  Everything we got, was so satisfying and is worth every penny spent.  This is a good place to bring your family or friends.  I'm sure everybody will have a good time.

Dress Up 46 -- Kourtney

Yes, I am a big Kardashian fan.  More than the clothes, bags, and travels, I totally adore the relationship they have with each other.  But yeah, it's the clothes.  Hahaha!

I tend to gravitate more to Kourtney's fashion sense.  A boho chic, or sometimes, cool-mommy fashion.  Because she is already a mom of two, she always wears comfy clothes like leggings and loose blouses but still looking fab at the same time.

Here's my interpretation of Kourt's fashion.  Hope you like it! :)

PS: Stalker photos taken by my sister :P

Top: Mango Jeans
Leggings: Cotton On
Sandals: Forever 21
Bag: Bagfull Manila
Sunglasses: Fab Kikay