Early mornings with him = simple joys

Ever since my boyfriend got his bike fixed, we spontaneously instated a routine where we would go biking and walking together early mornings. At about 5:00 am, he rides his bike to our house and then we would walk uphill to a shrine/worship place/church (I'm talking about the Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague). Inside the shrine's compound there's a garden (Catalina Garden) where we usually play frisbee or have a picnic. We also enjoy the cool morning breeze, the lush green grass and the sounds of birds and critters as they greet the morning and sunshine. Sometimes we would just sit and talk about things, his head resting on my lap.  I did mention that this garden is situated on a hilltop right? I'm blessed that I get to enjoy this beautiful scenery with the person I love ♥

taking silly pictures

i didn't wash my face when we headed out XD

inside the shrine. This is definitely one of the most beautiful and serene places in the city.

When it's time for us to go home, I usually ride at the back of his bike. Actually I stand on the bars that are protruding on the side of the bike's rear dropout. The ride downhill? one word = exhilarating :D 

I really love these times with my boyfriend. We really enjoy each other's company and be overwhelmed with our surroundings. It's life's simple blessings and joys that I'm sure I'll be sharing with my kids in the future (hopefully ♥)

Sushi, Gummy Bears and Bad Mascara

Last Saturday my brother just made another batch of his sumptuous sushi platter c: He has really perfected the maki. Now I can't distinguish the difference regarding the taste between the ones prepared in the restaurants and the ones he makes.

  

I especially like the egg roles. Perfectly shaped and sweet to the taste. He used to receive orders for Christmas. Maybe you'd like to contact him? (just joking! c:, but seriously ;)

Next topic: I just found a brilliant way how not to get bored when studying. Good thing my classmate found this on 9gag. This is perfect when studying our Philosophy subject because it makes me sleepy faster than a sleeping pill. (I'm not kidding. Just 5 minutes reading the articles I start to yawn and fall asleep )

I'm not much of a gummybears fan. I just like the color. Better replace it with chocolate chips c:

Lastly, I just had to write a review about this mascara I bought from Ever Bilena (Im doing this for the sake of those who are planning to buy or those who will impulsively buy this).

Ever Bilena Thicklash Mascara

(the name already faded)

As what my post title states, THIS IS A BAD MASCARA. I usually notice when I put this on I get headaches and just this morning I felt kind of a sinusitis reaction. I just shrugged it off because it does its job of covering my lashes. But seeing how it physiologically affects me, it had me worrying. I thought it was just me who experiences these reactions but this article really hits the spot. Also, when I look at my eyes closely in the mirror, its already red! xc very very very bad. I tried to read the ingredients but it has also faded, though I can still see the word PARABEN (lots of it). Paraben is a big no-no for the criteria when I choose my makeup.

After all this rant, why the heck did I buy this?Well, in my previous post which I talked about my makeup haul for the fine dining event in my school, I picked this out because it was cheap (P75.00) and I was already running low on my budget. I just needed something to cover my lashes as the eyeshadow particles were really obvious on my lashes. 

The things I learned from this experience: NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR HEALTH FOR SOMETHING CHEAP. ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT ON YOURSELF (be it makeup, lotion, soap etc.) always read the ingredients and dont get carried away by the price.

If someone from Ever Bilena will read this, don't take this against you. Take this as a constructive criticism so that you may improve your products. Think about the health of your costumers and not just the price.

So bye-bye Ever Bilena mascara...I'm throwing you to the bin. I think this is the last straw for me when it comes to makeup with synthetic ingredients. I will now only buy ORGANIC makeup.

And in case you will make the mistake of choosing MINERAL instead of ORGANIC, read this article to find out the difference between the two. 

just a brief rundown between the two:

Organic, as is used when referring to food or products such as organic mascara can only refer to plant ingredients, because it is really a way of farming.

Minerals, on the other hand are not plants. They are simply naturally occurring solids.

So when it comes to mineral makeup, you are not looking for organic. You can’t organically farm minerals. They are a given from earth’s geological processes.

from: http://organic-mascara.blogspot.com/

And I suggest you also read "Why you should look for organic mascara". or better yet, read the whole blog: http://organic-mascara.blogspot.com/ .I say: ORGANIC IS ALWAYS THE BEST c:

now I'm on the hunt for an organic mascara available here ♥

------------------

note:

"There are many minerals that are considered safe, therefore if you see them included in your organic mascara you don’t need to be concerned. Which is not to say that all mineral makeup brands are created equal. Many add the same synthetic preservatives, colors and fragrances that make people turn away from traditional makeup in the first place." from: http://organic-mascara.blogspot.com/

La Natural Makeup

I've been browsing (while procrastinating) on the right eyeliner that I can use everyday. But somehow my boyfriend doesn't like me wearing too much makeup (heck, he doesn't even want me to wear makeup at all). So I'm calming myself down and talking some sense in to me to forego the eyeliner (I'm not much of fan anyway because of my experience with the elf eyeliner pen). So I looked for a makeup tutorial about easy and no-makeup makeup (I'll be successful if my boyfriend doesn't notice XD)
I was overjoyed when I found this Fresh 5 Minute Makeup by the ever-famous Michelle Phan 

It's perfect and really easy for an everyday look. She looks so pretty and effortless, which I like very much. No eyeliners in this baby c:

In this tutorial she only mentioned putting (and doing) the following:

1.sunscreen

2.concealer to hide dark circles under the eyes

3. face powder

4. redefine the brows (my mom, brother and boyfriend commented how thin my eyebrows have gone. and because of that, I am convinced that I have to buy an eyebrow shadow (Nichido eyebrow liner duo kit tops my priorityASAP list)

5. curl the lashes and add mascara (she gave out a tip:use a card and hold it against your lids so that your lashes will get an even coating)

6.blush

7. and lastly, put lipstick!

and that's it!its just that easy to get the polished and natural look. I think this kind of makeup enhances your look instead of drowning your face with color. I absolutely love it!♥

Renewed DIY Inspiration

I say renewed because I forgot how much I fell in love with DIYs and clothes revamps. I've been browsing on easy sewing projects that I might do (and some not-so-easy-intermediate-projects) and I can't wait to try it myself. I can really see myself doing this full time (okay maybe not full time but a big part of my daily activities). And maybe I can save (and make) a little money on the side with the revamps that I just discovered.

I LOVE this simple high-waist dress tutorial by talk2thetrees. I have seen this one before and been meaning to try it but I usually find myself a.)with no money to buy on some fabric b.)I dont have a stashed supply of different colored threads c.)I have no time to make it because Im so stuffed with school work. Yeah I gave out a lot of reasons but once school is out of the way I PROMISE I will do this c:

how cute is this dress from howjoyjul.com? I couldn't believe this one was upcycled! Once my sewing skills will improve I will definitely try this one.

 This goddess-like maxi dress is just gorgeous! Here's the tutorial by sewpetitegal.

Here's a fun and easy tunic dress tutorial by sewcountrychick. I remember seeing a similar dress in our advertising client's boutique. Just the right fabric will make this dress really pretty and dainty c:

This wrap-belt tutorial is also a must try!I find sewing belts really easy and I think I can do this one with my current sewing skill level XD

here's a little outfit inspiration to get yourself feeling giddy c:

I still have a long way to go, sadly. I really want to take a basic course on sewing (which I hopefully and finally take once school and graduation is over). Sometimes when I'm reading tutorials I would just sit there and go "what the heck is she saying?!" I couldn't understand the sewing terminologies XD it kind of sounds like a math equation. Sew it on this part, right side facing here wrong side facing there.....it gets confusing!But  I will patiently sort things out and get the hang of it. Nothing is an easy ride if you want to perfectly do something right? ♥

(I don't own any of the photos in this post. They belong to their respective owners)

Loving Leftover Cuties

I was walking around the mall yesterday and heard "Places to Go" by Leftover Cuties. Back then I didn't know they sang it. I could only think that the song was really familiar because it was used as the background music for F21's Close Up makeup tutorial videos. I just had to know who sang it!

"Leftover Cuties doll up vintage jazz-pop for the speakeasies of 2011, and in their hand's it's easy to hear why this sound never goes old...just add scotch and a cigar."- Buzzlands LA


I love how they arrange songs that really makes you feel that you're back in the 60s, it's late in the afternoon and your driving back home after a day at the beach (you get the picture).

Their songs are like the ones you would normally hear coming out of a jukebox c:. I love how sultry the singer's voice is (Shirli McAllen). Another awesome music to be added on my Itunes ♥

Sea Nymphs

I was browsing through my classmate's facebook and good thing she had a copy of our sea nymph-themed photoshoot. The photoshoot was for the elimination round of Foto Modelo Ateneo 2.  It was taken last July 31 (so long ago). I remember being under the blazing sun and it was so hot I could barely keep my eyes open. There were a lot of photographers who joined the elimination round, and at the end only 10 were chosen to proceed to the contest proper. When I still had the copy of the whole entries, it was really hard to pick out the best of the bunch. 

Anywhoo, here's some of the pictures from the photoshoot :D

blog revamp

...okaaayy so not totally a revamp but I changed my blog's name (I know I've been doing that many times already). I wanted it to be blossomrain but someone already took it (arrgghh!). 
I just noticed theat my blossomdolll had three Ls in it :l so I have to change it again D: This time I just want something with my name in it.. :) anyway..I retained the floral-theme because I love it and it feels so dainty :)

Some people will try to impress you with their degrees. Some people will try to give you advice about things they haven’t done or even tried. Beware of that advice. Real education comes only from applying knowledge. You don’t really know something until you are living the result of that knowledge.

Easy DIY Banana Face Mask

Today I decided to give myself some pampering because it was such a lazy day. The weather these past few days really makes me sleepy, which is good because I get to relax and stock on some sleep before the onslaught of the second semester of school will come. Anyway, after doing my nails I prepared my favorite super easy banana face mask. It's just made up of two ingredients which I'm pretty sure you can find in your kitchen :D

For this really super easy banana face mask you'll only need:

♥ a banana 

♥ a teaspoon of brown sugar

♥ Before anything else, I eat some of the banana (using the whole banana is too much to put on my face) and leave only 1/8 of it. 

♥ Next I mash the banana until it comes to a puree'- like consistency, or some sort of creamy-texture

♥ Then I put the brown sugar and mix mix mix c: Let the brown sugar melt so it mixes with the mashed banana evenly

(before I mixed it)

Before I put this on my face I usually wash and use a facial scrub and prepare some hot water for a facial steam. My family usually gets weirded- out when they see my have my facial steam because I just sit in the kitchen and have my towel covering me. They think I'm doing some sort of a cult XD hahaha...I usually drink tea first and tear open the tea bag and put it on my facial steam. I sit for 5 minutes and let the steam relax me.

Then, after the facial steam, I finally put it on my face. After that, I get a quick nap (maybe about 10 minutes) with the face mask still on. I'm just careful not to turn to the sides and mess up the sheets c:

When I wake up the face mask usually dries up on my face, which I think is good c: I use warm water to wash the face mask away. I'm always surprised by how smooth and soft my face gets every time I do this. I know my skin is thanking me for the natural treat it just got c:

Did you know that bananas are packed with:

Vitamin C: Bananas are a good source of vitamin C. An average size banana have about 10mg of vitamin C. The antioxidant property of vitamin C protects our skin from free radicals. These free radicals cause premature aging of the skin. In addition, vitamin C is essential for the production of collagen fibers, which are main structural component of the skin. So eat bananas and other fruits to get enough vitamin C.

Vitamin B6: Bananas contain large amount of vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, which is a part of B complex. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin and healthy hair.

Manganese: Significant amounts of manganese is present in banana. Manganese is an essential mineral that have good antioxidant property. Eating bananas will boost manganese level in the body. In addition, bananas contain zinc and other minerals also.

Water: Like other fruits, banana contain lots of water (75% water by weight). Eating bananas will hydrate your skin and prevent it from drying.

(from: http://newkiddy.blogspot.com/2011/10/bananas-good-for-skin.html)

I highly recommend that you try this cheap-but-oh-so-good face mask and give your skin a treat that it deserves. ♥

Makeup Haul 2 and review

So last October 14 was our wedding- themed fine dining event. I was torn apart between going to the salon to have my hair and make-up done or if I should just buy some make up and do it on my own. I was asking my classmates what would they choose, and one suggested that its better to just buy your own makeup. At least after the event you get to keep it and you're assured that you're the only one who used it (yes I'm very reluctant with having my face dabbed on some makeup and brushes that a lot of faces have already used it). Judging from this post, the buy-your-own-makeup side won :D

Here's what I bought just the day before the event:

Marionnaud 5 piece travel brush set

e.l.f tone correcting concealer

e.l.f. waterproof eyeliner pen

NYX soft matte lip cream in Amsterdam

I was really surprised by how these brushes were really soft. I bought them at Watsons for P285.00 (original price is at P299.00 something-I'm not sure), I got a 5% discount because SM Lanang Premiere just opened (hurray for unexpected discounts c: ). The set comes with:

 blush/ powder brush

foundation brush

eyeshadow brush (the one with the plastic cap)

 eyeshadow applicator 

a brow brush and tiny comb-thingy

Originally, I was planning to buy a wider- range set of brushes but then I thought that I won't be needing a professional-level brush set. The travel brush is enough for me as it is easy to carry around and convenient for emergency touch-ups. 

The things I hate about it are: the eyeshadow brush applicator. I wished they just removed the thing because it's useless since there is an eyeshadow brush already. It would be better if they replaced it with an eyeliner brush. And woe for the con of travel brushes. You're stuck with a limited number of brushes (in this case only 2 brushes) if you're doing you're eyeshadow with multiple color palette. The foundation brush is fairly useless because its too tiny to do any decent cover-up, so i just use it as another eyeshadow brush.

♥  rating = 3 out of 5

At the time of the event I had a lot of breakouts because of all the sleepless nights doing our thesis. My face and hair finally gave in to the stress and I had a lot of red bumps on my cheeks and my hair wasn't that soft and shiny. Anywhoo, I HAD to buy a concealer to hide all the red pumps and pimples. The e.l.f. tone correcting concealer did the job well and the saleslady was kind enough to pick the right color for my skintone. I bought it for P129.00 at SM Department Store.

♥ rating  = 4 out of 5

Hmmmmm...this is my very first eyeliner and I was deciding to go for the pot-and-brush liquid eyeliner or the eyeliner pen. I thought that the eyeliner pen was easier to apply. I was soooo wrong and I kind of regretted that I chose this over the pot-and-brush liquid eyeliner. It was difficult to apply, came out too thick and did not came out clean. But then again I'm not an expert in applying eyeliner so maybe that was a factor. I applied this on my lids after I dis my eyeshadow and it was really hard to make a perfect line. The tip of the brush would get clogged by the eyeshadow powder and the "ink" would stop midway when I was doing the line. After I'll dispose this I won't buy this anymore. I'll choose a more natural- looking eyeliner that doesn't come in a pen-  form.

I also bought this at SM Department store at P129.00, together with the tone concealer

♥ rating: 1 out of 5

I bought this for P250.00 at Rainbow Project in Gaisano Mall of Davao :) I've wanted to buy this lip cream for so long because this was what my classmate put on me when I asked her to do my makeup for my glampic for the yearbook. I love this because of the color :D Although it does make my lips dry. What I do is put on my Human ♥ Nature Lip balm before putting this on, sort of like a protective layer. I spread the cream using my pinky fingers and I usually dab the remaining product on my cheeks for an easy blush :D I just put on a little bit, making it look more of a lipstain than achieving the matte- effect

♥ rating = 4 out of 5, minus 1 from the perfect score for making my lips dry XD

how the NYX lip cream looks on me. My boyfriend at that time was doing his Field Study reflection. He was already getting bored XD

So that's it for my makeup reviews! :D I really hope I can get some good stuff for my next haul. ♥

Vintage Treasure Trove

For our Advertising Class we are tasked to look for a client who would allow us to promote their brand and product. My group chose H Out of Date, a vintage apparel store. I really love calling it a treasure trove because of all the beautiful vintage dresses, everything's a catch! Everything is so dainty but can still be casually worn for everyday. For me, just matching it with the right pair of shoes and accessories and you can wear it from daytime and go on ahead to a night out to parties and dates.

I was the one taking the shots for the photoshoot and this was my favorite among them

I love how my classmate looks so elegant in this picture. And my Audrey Hepburn book suggests that she is indeed an elegant lady :D

Other pictures from the shoot

The prices for the apparel range from as low as Php100 to Php600, very affordable!

Visit H Out Of Date's boutique at Polo Street, Obrero, Davao City, just beside Starr.

Also, check out their Facebook, Tumblr, Blogspot  and check out more of their beautiful dresses! :D

halfway there

Gosh when was the last time I posted here? There was a time I have completely forgotten about my blog, with all the school work drowning me. Now that the major work's been done and all that's left are exams, I can't wait for the semestral break to come :D (of course I'll still be busy doing my thesis with my groupmates :c )

We had our thesis defense last Oct. 5 Friday. There were still a lot of things to be done and there were many errors in the format, but we just went for it and hoped for the best. Our thesis proposal got approved thankfully, with the panel commending our work. :D it felt really great to be appreciated with all the hard work, sleepless nights and skipped meals :D

Now that the thesis proposal is out of the way the one problem I'm really bothered right now is what to wear for our fine dining event. The theme that was chosen was a photograph-memories wedding theme. Personally I'm strongly against the theme because we are expected to dress up like brides on that night. I hate it because I really consider that moment to be really special and should only happen ones in a girl's life. It shouldn't be taken trivially :c 

I only have a little time left to find a dress and I don't want to spend that much because I usually just end up using the clothes I wear to events only once. But anywhoo, I would love to go to the party in a dress like Audrey Heburn's in Funny Face.

i'm thinking of just going casual, not the all-bride get-up. I'll save that for my special day. 

Anyway, just 5 more months left till graduation day! :D I'm ssoooooo half way there and I can't wait till the day comes when I can finally grasp that hard earned diploma! c: