Weekend Food Tripping at: RSM Tagaytay City

Hey everyone! :) How are you today? Another post for food!!!! Warning, if you are into Filipino dishes and you are hungry, sorry Come back later! LOL

Me and my colleagues went to Tagaytay City, home for the world's smallest volcano Taal Volcano a couple of weeks ago. I should have posted this weekend food tripping earlier but I had to crop pictures and I have to get all these files from our company computer. But it's better late than never :)

Oh yeah, we also call this our very own team building but we went to Tagaytay because our colleague from Shanghai came over for a vacation, so we all act as tour guides and of course, let her taste what Filipino dishes really are :D

We took her to RSM Lutong Bahay, Lutong Bahay means Home Cooked meals.

The restaurant is wonderful because you have a lovely view of the volcano, you've got singers roaming around from table to table singing songs you can even request for.

Here's a shot of all of us
FULL and happy!

Let's rewind
before we left the restaurant
we started with

the menu

It was hard choice for all of us
our visitor is not a beef eater
I am allergic to chicken and shrimps LOL
you figure it out!
But RSM still has a lot of food choices

Pork Sisig

Sisig is made from chopped parts of a pig's head —
ears, snout, the brain, etc.
(are you grossed out? lol sorry)



Tawili Fish

A tiny fish found only at the Taal Lake



Ginataang Gulay
Veggies with Coconut Milk sauce



Baked Cheese Tahong
(Mussels)



Grilled Squid



Their famous
BULALO

Bulalo is a popular Filipino beef soup including the bone marrow
(sorry I'm not into bulalo but looks like most of them are)



Garlic Rice

if you are vacationing in the Philippines
you have to order Garlic Rice
I am not a rice eater
but I'll definitely go for at least half a cup!



Fresh Buko Juice



Mango Shake

EEeekkk, my fave!



Happy Campers!


**Our visitor is Echo, the lady beside me who gave me rabbit ears LOL

And photos won't be complete
without me and the hubby
Lovely Taal Volcano as background

It's just an hour and a half to two hours ride,
but it's a wonderful resting place outside of the bustling city!
I've been here so many times
but the place never ceases to amaze me :)
Keep smilin'!
Stay happy! :)


HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY EVERYONE!!!!

Askmewhats Reviews: MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

I remembered those times, when I passed by a MAC store, took one good look at the price of their brushes and went "Tsk! Overprice!" I swore to myself that I am not going to purchase a single MAC brush because I can survive without them!

That's why my first pricey brush is from The Smashbox.

Then my collection of brushes grew bigger and bigger, and I still told myself I am NOT going to purchase MAC brushes ever.

I FAILED! I am a total failure! My first MAC brush is the MAC187/Duo Fiber brush! Because I try to tell myself there is NO DUPE for it! LOL (you gals clearly know there are dupes out there)

And the list goes longer, I am giving myself more and more excuses to purchase more MAC brushes. THIS HAS TO STOP! lol

Here's a MAC Brush
Worth purchasing
MAC239

MAC 239 says ---

Soft and dense to shade or blend eye shadow or emollient-based products. This brush has a tapered, rounded edge with smooth, firm, fine fibers. It can be used to build intense color on the eyelid. M·A·C professional brushes are hand-sculpted and assembled using the finest quality materials. They feature birch, linden and ramin wood handles, nickel-plated brass ferrules.

Length: 17 cm

Askmewhats says ---

Pros

• no shedding, I've washed mine more than 5 times
• grabs the right amount of e/s and pigments
  
• not harsh on the eyes
• no flyaways
• size is perfect for my lids
• soft, does not hurt the eyes
  

Cons

• quite pricey
  
• the MAC logo and brush number is gone! :(
  

Overall

I've been wanting this brush together with MAC's 242 forever, the reason why I kept stopping myself from purchasing because how many eyeshadow brushes can you see available??? Too many right? I've bought different brands of shader brush like this but NOTHING compares to MAC's 239 (in my opinion). Maybe I didn't look further, but of all the brushes I own that's similar to this, the difference between MAC's and other brands is that the bristles are stiff enough but not harsh or hurtful to the eyes and it makes it easier to control the way you apply e/s or pigments.

I include this brush to "must have MAC brushes".
(trust me, I don't own a lot, so I make sure to purchase what's really worth it!)

Tips

• pat on e/s instead during application if you use this brush
• maximize the use of this brush by using one side per color
• wash your brushes with care
  

Will I repurchase?

If I get super rich! lol But for now, I'll hold onto this baby!

Where did I purchase and how much?

Local MAC stores for Php1,450 or Php1,490 (approx $30.50)

A closer look to MAC 239

Side ways

I love!
Do you own MAC's 239?
If not, what's the best dupe for MAC239 for you?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Version: "Summerified!"

Thank you everyone for the appreciation of my simple nail art :) My dear readers made me go on, inspires me to create more! :) Thank you!

This post is for Yumeko, girl! I know you've been waiting for matching nails and makeup!!! Finally!!!! Hope you like my version of "Summerified"!!!!

Here's my final version!

And this is what I did
to achieve this look!

Prior to make-up application
Primed my lids with CS White Gel Liner
to make the e/s stick and more vibrant

Step 1:

With a smaller crease brush, apply matte orange e/s on the outer V, blending inward. I am using AREZIA palette, my first palette I bought from Strawberrynet (not good quality e/s so skip this lol)

Step 2:

Using MAC242 or any flat shader brush stiff enough for pigments, pat on Tangerine Pearl Mica from Coastal Scents on the crease area going a bit beyond, reaching close to the Orange color on Step 1.

Step 3:

Pat on NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Gold on the center of the lids.

At this point, everything looks separated and harsh. Time to use a blending brush to blend all the colors together, if pigments are falling out, re-apply those pigments til you are happy :)

Optional:

You can deepen the outer V with a matte grayish brown e/s, I used MAC's Coquette.

Step 4:

Line your uppler lashline with CS Gel Liner in Deep Plum, your desired thickness.

Step 5:

On the lower lashline, line the bottom part with Fashion 21's Lagoon eyeshadow Stick, line CS Gel Liner Deep Plum over it to create colorful looks.

Did you know that?
The eyeliners represent the colorful rhinestones I've used on my nails

Here's how they look like
all together!





I added some "oomph" on my summer look!
Applied "natural" falsies
with Ardell Lash Grip Eyelash Adhesive



Put on P&J Curly Mascara in Black
to combine the natural lashes
and falsies together



I think I am loving this falsies!



What's on the rest of my face?



Joppa Foundation iN Medium Light #2
this shade is a bit dark on me now
but PERFECT for summer

For my Cheeks



P&J face Color
using Thevi's Dome Brush

For the lips



Bath & Body Gold lip gloss

on top of Kiehl's Lip Balm no. 1

I use only gloss to create a very simple shimmery lips, it's summer time anyways, no need for super dark lips! :) And the eye make up is bold enough so I'll go for subtle lips

Yumeko!!!! I hope you like this!
My hard work is covered with my
darn hands! :P

Hope you enjoyed this!
I had fun creating this look! :)
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: "Summer Time" Nails

Aruba...Jamaica...Ooohh I want to take you to Bermuda, Bahamas...
Come on pretty mama!

Yup, for all you oldies out there! You know that I'm singing the BeachBoys song!!! KOKOMO!

I totally feel summer time!!! And I want to share summertime nails!!! I think a lot of my readers enjoy "gradient" nails as I got a couple of requests over email to do this! Thanks for the request and thanks for liking my hardwork. I know it's not perfect but the hardwork really shows right? :D

Here's my final
"Summer Time" Nails

Step 1:

Apply 2 coats of The Face Shop's BR802 nail polish (or any polish color you want). Let dry.

Step 2:

Create a thick French Tip using my SanSan Orange polish.

Step 3:

While wet, use any "liquid-y" base coat (I use Caronia's) to spread the orange polish color.

Step 4:

You can stop on the above step. But since this is Gradient Nails and I like the colors of summer, I use a yellow polish (from my 2 way nail art pen) and apply another French Tip on top of the orange polish.

Step 5:

Spread the yellow color with the base coat again. Does not have to be perfect.

Step 6:

Drop 4 big dots, creating a flower coming out from the sides, so the petals does not have to be complete.

Step 7:

Using my favorite needle method, spread the dot to make it tear drop shape.

Step 8:

Attach colorful rhinestones to make your nail art colorful!

Step 9:

I love gliters, so I used Elianto's Glitter polish on top of the nail art. Before application, make sure nail art is dry.

Step 10:

Protect your nail design by topping it with your favorite Top Coat. My favorite is still TFS Top Coat.

Final NOTW
Nails of the Week :D

Philippine Holidays starting today til Sunday. Some readers are asking what my plans are! I'm actually not going anywhere! We may, or may not. But this is a perfect time for me to really rest and enjoy quality time with the family and friends (that includes YOU). Yes I'll keep on blogging if I've got nowhere to go, you, my dear, are stuck with me! *evil laugh*

Have a wonderful day!!
Stay Happy!

Askmewhats Reviews: Ecotools Mineral Brush Set

Great day everyone!!!
Today is a humpy Wednesday and also last day of work for the week! Yes, it's the Lenten season, I know a lot of you have to work on holidays (I know how that feels), but cheer up! It won't be long and weekend is crawling around the corner! :)

Today is another review day!!! Everyone's probably raving about the brush sets from Ecotools and I really took time getting to know each one of them before I go on with a review. Do I like them? Are they worth it? Read on please....

Here's the pretty packaging
I love that it's resealable, can reuse!

Aren't they pretty?

Ecotools Mineral Brush Set says ---
* Five piece set
* Handles are made from fast-growing sustainable Bamboo
* Super-soft brush hairs are made of Taklon and are 100% cruelty free
* The sleek ferrules are made from recycled aluminum
* Natural... See more »

• 4 high-quality brushes inside a natural cotton & hemp linen bag
• Soft, cruelty-free bristles
• Natural & recycled materials
  

This earth-friendly brush set is packed with the 4 high-quality brushes you need to look beautiful. And, it shows respect for the planet:

• Bamboo handle has a low impact on the earth’s resources as it is a highly sustainable plant.
• Synthetic taklon bristles are 100% cruelty free.
• Sleek ferrule is made from recycled aluminum.
• Cosmetic case is made from natural cotton and hemp

Askmewhats says ---

Mineral Powder Brush

(length: 5 inches)

Pros

• when washed: No bleeding and shedding
• hair is dense
  

• the size of the brush is perfect for my face, great to apply Mineral foundation and even non-mineral foundation all over the face

• dual purpose: Can also be used to apply blushes
  

Cons

• none

Concealer Brush

(length: 4.5 inches)

Pros

• no bleeding and shedding
  
• very dense, perfect to apply concealer
• if eyes space is big, can also be used as eyeshadow brush
• after washing, no flyaways

Cons

• none

Eye Shading Brush
(length: 4.5 inches)

Pros

• no bleeding or hair fall
• works great as highlighter brush
• very soft

Cons

• because of it's size and fluffiness, I find it hard to use this as a blending brush for my eyes, tends to remove all the hardwork I've done for my eye makeup

Baby Kabuki
(length: 2 inches)

Pros

• no bleeding, shed's a hair or two on first wash
  
• size is perfect to carry along
• hair is soft

Cons

• too soft, no control on the hair
• if you are looking for medium to heavy coverage, this is not a kabuki brush for you
  

Overall

The star brushes in this set is the Mineral Powder Brush and Concealer brush. The other 2 is just "ok". The hemp pouch is good too, but you cannot store your brushes straight, you have to put the brushes in diagonal, which is weird! But since it's free, what more can I ask for? lol

For the price, I am impressed with the quality of the brushes. This is not the best brush set around but not bad at all! I know this has been tagged as Mineral Brush Set but this set works even to non-mineral makeup user. I love that this set is handy. It would be perfect if they included an eyeshadow brush in this set. :D Well, am I asking too much? lol

Handy Dandy!

Tips

Mineral Powder Brush

• use this to apply mineral foundation all over face in a circular, buffing motion.
• can also use this to apply powdered blushes
  

Concealer Brush

• you can use this for both cream, liquid concealer , to conceal blemishes and under eye circles
• this brush can also be used to apply eyeshadows or pigments if you have larger eye space
  

Eye Shading Brush (looks like blending brush)

• used to blend eyeshadow to remove harsh lines
• can also use this to apply shimmer powders areas you want to enhance (cheekbones, nose bridge, browbone, temple, etc...)

Baby Kabuki

• can be used to apply blush
• this brush can be used to apply setting powder
• you can use this brush to apply mineral foundation or regular foundation if you want light coverage
• if you want heavier coverage, squeeze the brushes closely together during application
  

Will I repurchase?

Not this set, but for other Ecotools brushes, yes.....

Where did I purchase and how much?

At the Makeup Mix Shop for $11.75 (approx Php576.00) <-- sad to say out of stock already

Do you own a brush set?
What's your "must bring" brush set when you travel?
Let me know!
Stay happy!