Speed Dating! (Delayed Post)

I have to admit that I do get all warm and fuzzy during special occasions--especially on Valentine's day. Many might shrug it off and say that it's a freakin commercial holiday (an excuse to sell overpriced flowers and kill each other with diabetes-inducing sweets) but I really don't mind. It's the perfect excuse to smother people with love and happy thoughts!

Throwing surprises for people gives me a different kind of high. It's my own brand of heroine! Haha.

Because S has been so busy making other people happy and spreading smiles everywhere, it was my turn to shower her with love.

‎"Dates may come and go but I'll always be your valentine" 
A box of Cloud 9 in the morning  + happiness = an Instax-worthy moment. :)

I also put together a breakfast love package for Mr. P (photos have to be extracted from the sister's laptop) that consists of his favorite things: a box of blueberry Dutch Mill yogurt drink, a sinful sandwich with choco-banana spread, and an irresistible red velvet cupcake from Sonja's! I also popped in a little good morning note and a fuzzy Instax photo of my early-morning self. haha.

My teammate Tonie, who's been feeling blue lately for the lack of a proper Valentine to call her own-- was part of my "spread the love" project. I made her a sandwich much like what I made Mr. P and she was beaming from ear to ear, smothering me with hugs and squeals of excitement. Hooray!

Throughout the day, I also posted cheesy posts on my family's wall. I'm sure my teenage brothers cringed with embarrassment because of Ate's declaration of love-- but hey, one of them "liked" it anyway.

Before Valentines, my guy teammates have been so busy discussing "surprises" for their girls. I know the old adage "it is better to give than to receive" is always true-- but a sappy part of myself has also been yearning for that fuzzy v-day feeling (because I'm idealistic like that). Haha. I've been so bummed the past week thinking that Mr. P didn't have anything in store for me (he's not an avid fan of the commercial holiday nor is he one to give flowers). I was set on hating him that day but much to my surprise-- great things come to those who wait! Despite him having to work late that day, he surprised me with an early dinner invite and *drumroll* 3 long-stemmed roses. Haha.

Malt Milk Shake, Hungarians with shoestring onions, and Funny Bed Fellows: steak slivers on fries

First customers to write on their glass doodle wall! :)

I'm allergic to pollen but what the heck, flowers really make a girl feel special!

I ran off to another dinner date when Mr. P turned Cinderella on me-- except that his "curfew" wasn't at midnight but at 8:00 P.M. Had a few bites of mojos and pizza with my surrogate family and had a blast talking about how our days went.

Love is definitely sweeter when shared to others. <3

Skin & Soul Food

The other day while I was at the Assumption HS college fair, I was caught by surprise when an old lady (about late 60s) approached me in the middle of my haggardo versoza booth setup...

OL (old lady): "Ay! How nice naman your skin! What do you use for your face"

Me: *awkward smile* "Thank you ma'am! It's nothing really. I just use Celeteque."

OL: "Reeeeally? Everything? Like moisturizer?"

Me: "I use their facial wash and toner. Then Olay moisturizer lang"

OL: "So nice talaga your skin! Sige sige iha i'll go ahead muna okay?"

Me: "Okay ma'am. Thank you."

Anoraw??? Haha. That moment humaba talaga ng hair ko! From Assumption HS in San Lorenzo, umabot ata sa St. Mary's School in CDO (my high school alma matter). Grabehhhh. I swear, pinag-GM ko talaga sa friends ko both in high school and college!

That's how amazed I was by OL's comment. Me? Maganda ang skin? Kamown!


The past years I've looked really haggard-- both because of the nature of my work and lack of attention to skin issues. I'm not big on makeup. I only apply the basics-- powder, blush, and gloss. But on most days I feel better off not wearing any at all. My skin is really sensitive so it's not really make-up friendly. I have to be really picky when it comes to products I use on my face.


I think that ever since I started sticking to a basic beauty (chos) regimen, & my skin has been clearer and more noticeable. My friend J is one who always tells me that I look good and my skin looks better!

The secret to better skin is actually very easy. Most of the beauty blogs and magazines I read have told me three important things: CLEANSE. TONE. MOISTURIZE. That's really all there is to it!

I can't sleep at night without washing my face. Even when I was piss-drunk in college, I'd make it a point to get to the nearest sink and wash my face with soap & water. O diba?

There are three things I can't NOT before a day ends: 1) Take a bath (and of course wash my face in the process) 2) Brush my teeth, and 3) Drink water before going to bed

But really, clean skin makes me feel so much better!

As I intended this to be my first "beauty post" here are my no-so-secret facial weapons:

1) Celeteque Facial Wash. What I enjoy about this product is that it's really gentle on the skin. It's an effective facial cleanser that takes out all the dust and grime accumulated from a day in the dirty metro without drying your skin.  

2) Celeteque Alcohol-Free Toner. I'm fortunate enough to be the type who doesn't have big pimples-- but I always get a patch of those annoying buggers on my forehead and cheeks. Ever since I used this toner, the little show-stoppers have been to shy to make an appearance. This product really helps lift of the excess dirt and keep my face pimple-free!

3) Olay Active Hydrating Fluid - Original. This baby has been a staple in our family! My Mamita, mom, aunt, and both my sister & I use this. There's no moisturizer like it! Though it may be a bit creamier than other moisturizers, Olay leaves your skin supple and smooth-- surprisingly without leaving weight! It seeps right into your skin and makes your skin feel super fresh! Thanks to my Dad for keeping us stocked! 

4) Zen Zest Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil is known to be have natural antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial components. It is also used as an effective remedy for skin ailments such as infections, insect bites, spots, and burns, and even acne! I use apply a layer of tea tree oil on affected areas before going to sleep and so far, I'm really satisfied with how my pimples dry up in an instant! Unlike other pimple-fighting creams I've tried, this one does the trick better-- and the best part about it? It's organic! But word of caution, tea tree oil has a really sharp smell and leaves your skin with a bit of a stinging sensation when applied. Leave it on while you sleep and in the morning, your skin woes are remedied.

Aside of course from stuffing my face with fruits and vegetables &  keeping hydrated (I can consume LITERS of water a day!), the "glow" on my face can be attributed to the fact that I recently extinguished the stress bunnies harassing me-- leaving me with a less haggard look.

Ever since I started being more positive about things (yes napaka new age--but it's true though) I really felt a different confidence in me. I feel lighter, sunnier, and ready to take on any challenge! When you find a reason to be happy-- it radiates inside out. 

So aside from washing your face and sticking to the routine, try and smile more and think about what makes you happy each day!