In roughly 2 weeks time, I’m officially a year old mom (more here). A mama dog, that is. I can’t believe it’s been a year since I met this heartbreaker who’s wept (more like squeaked actually) with me during my roughest times.

12 May 2012

good girl waiting for her treat
29 April 2013

Her first vet assumed she’s 2-3 weeks old when I took her in so we marked her birthday to be the same date as Gov’s. Over spaghetti, chicken and what seemed like an overflow of cakes, we celebrated their joint birthdays earlier today. :)

Make a wish my love!

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I have a slightly TMI confession. Disclaimer: some of you might be jealous, maybe even hate me for this. *grins*

You see I have very fine body hair. By very fine I mean I only have to wax my legs twice a year (thrice if I wear jeans at least 4x a week, which hasn’t really been the case since graduating from college) and do the needful grooming on my pits (hot wax) every 7-10 weeks. Exag, I know! Apart from very fine regrowth, the hair also grows back too damn slow. It sure saves me a lot of time and money but like every woman, I still find fault in it. Never contented, I want to banish my body hair away for life. The problem is, I can’t commit to a diode (aka. pain-free) laser treatment program because I find it so expensive for something *I think* I won’t get to enjoy immediate results.

That was until Liz introduced Wink Laser & Wax Studio to me.

I first chanced on Wink through Divasoria’s blog and I thought it’s very modern and impecably neat. When Liz invited me to try out the pain-free laser hair removal treatment, I immediately gave it a go. In all honesty, I only said yes because when I saw the machine they use, it’s the Alma Lasers Soprano Accord — the same machine used on my upper lips in a more expensive clinic.

Before I take you through my experience, let me take you to a quick tour around WINK Laser & Wax Studio.

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This April, K-Palette brings us 5 star products that are guaranteed to outlast the humidity we’re experiencing.

K-Palette 1 Day Lash Perm Volume Curl Mascara &  1 Day Lash Perm Mascara

The first item in this series is the K-Palette 1 Day Lash Perm Volume Curl Mascara (Waterproof and in Black, Php 895). Comparing it with my 1 Day Lash Perm Mascara, the first thing I noticed is the tube itself. It’s fatter than my “clean lashes” mascara (review here). The brush is also different, allowing me to pump up LOTS of volume into my lashes. It also gives me that nicely defined lash band so this easily makes it to my “office makeup must-haves”.

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L’Oreal Shine Caresse in FAYE
blown out, much less red and more orange in person

Just last Monday, I IG-shared this photo with a caption: “Best #beautybox discovery: L’Oreal Shine Caresse in FAYE from #BDJbox. So light yet pigmented!” Interestingly, when I used it again today, it lost a LOT of brownie points. :( How? Read on below.

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The night crawler in me should be sleeping and not daydreaming of truffle fries and burger this very moment. I made the HUGE mistake of picking up a call half asleep (ugh Globe!) and now I can’t hit the sack back because for some reason, this photo appeared on my home screen:

Truffle Parmesan Fries

Meet BurgerBar’s Truffle Parmesan Fries. I’d like to call this the “truffle connection” between myself, Sophie, Fran, Nikki and Shen. I’ve definitely had better versions in Singapore and Japan but it is what it is — hot and freshly cooked french fries doused in parmesan cheese and some truffle oil. It’s literally my kind of heaven and hell.

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Every day I plan how I will thread through my 12hour work/play day before hitting the sack. Prepping to me is just as important as getting a good night’s sleep reason why if I can breeze through the former, I’d rather sleep some more. :) I think to me, the biggest challenge morning after morning is perfecting my complexion. Brightening, tanning, depending on the season puts some toll on the whole morning ritual because I have to choose a specific primer if my skin looks funny, good or has broken out. Ahhh…the pains of being a woman!

When Max Factor asked me to try the new Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation (Php 925), I immediately said yes considering it’s made for us busy belles. It’s supposed to be your primer, foundation and concealer all in one bottle.

Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3in1 Foundation in BRONZE

Max Factor introduces its latest foundation innovation and first ever 3-in-1 product: Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation, which combines three professional make-up tools in one bottle: a built-in primer to hold, SPF foundation and a concealer to correct. Three professional make-up tools blended to perfection to deliver a high coverage, matte finish – to give you the confidence to carry off an all day, any statement look.

The unique new foundation was developed for women who want their foundation to easily deliver a lasting professional finish and which diminishes the need for imperfection touch-ups and the undesirable midday shine. Max Factor Facefinity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation answers the needs of these women by providing a long lasting finish through its clever, long-lasting ‘hold, correct and finish’ technology.

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I got the best and most unexpected compliment 2 weeks ago. As most of you know by now, I’m very much into the outdoors, sports and working in the kitchen. I firmly shook a business acquaintance’s hand and she exclaimed “WOW your hand’s so soft! Like a baby’s!”. After my cheeks flushed, I thanked my lucky stars and at the same time, made a mental note to enumerate for you the things I use on a daily basis to keep my grippers soft and smooth. If you’ve been perpetually battling dry hands (or at least obsessed to keep them soft), do try these products on your next trip to the mall, they’ve worked wonders for me. :)

Though not pictured, I never run out of these Human Nature sanitizers plus of all things — Doctor J Isopropyl Alcohol 70% Solution. The latter’s a recommendation from my mom some 10+ years ago. Whenever we’re in Facial Care Centre, she’d always tell me how bango their alcohol is. She wanted it so bad so she asked what they’re using and they said Doctor J. Unfortunately, it’s not available in SM supermarkets and Cash and Carry so whenever I’m in a Robinson’s grocery, I buy at least 5 big bottles. Hoarder much?

Given the opportunity (or when my dad finally wins the lotto, whichever comes first), I will work in a kitchen for the rest of my life. The caveat? I have to clean up for myself and I most dishwashing liquids are SO drying. Siraan pa ng manicure! Until I was gifted this dishwashing liquid from Droplets of Nature, my go to cleanser is Joy (economical!). This concentrated dishwashing liquid works for me because 1) I don’t eat grease laden food (it cleanses well but not well enough to get rid of heavy oil and sauces) and 2) it doesn’t make my hands itch or overly dry after washing the dishes.

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