Something New: What AMW is Using at the Moment

I want to thank everyone for the birthday greetings!  Nothing feels better than having friends near and far sending you well wishes on your birthday!  A huge thank you and cyber hugs!!!

Happy first day of March!  Summer officially starts down here, the weather is scorching hot!  What a girl to do?  Remain positive and always keep it cool!  We can still remain beautiful on hot days like these! :)

I have so many requests for certain product reviews!  I'd love to give way to everyone but sad to say, there are a lot of product requests that I don't own and a lot of them I haven't used!  I may purchase them in the future but for now, I'll give everyone a sneak peek on what I'm trying out at the moment!  Expect more in depth reviews on these products coming up! :)

L'Oreal Paris Renewal Lash Serum

I am very excited to try this because the first and only lash serum I've tried is from Ardell.  The Ardell Brow and Lash Accelerator works but of course, I wanted to test other products out there especially from a world famous brand like L'Oreal!  I've started to use this so please do not hold your breathe :)

 

ELF Eyelid Primer

Sad to say, this isn't available locally yet, I purchased this online via Makeup Mix Shop!  I've read mixed reviews on this, I heard it doesn't even work on colder weather, so I'm not even expecting this to work really well!  We'll see how this fairs on our tropical island! 

  

ELF Cream Eyeliner in Coffee

I did mention I have enough gel liners to last a lifetime!  But when ELF came up with cream eyeliner, I seriously thought of this as an intriguing product.  One factor that led me to keep this is because of it's squarish packaging!  Tastefully packaged!  Enough product to last another decade!  

  

The Body Shop Kiss of Colour Cheek Blush

I've recently attended an event from The Body Shop.  They launched the Spring Trend Makeup for Year 2010.  And the product that really caught my attention is the Kiss of Colour Cheek Blush available Vibrant Rose and Golden Coral!  I've chosen Vibrant Rose as I'm into pinks recently!  This reminded me of Korean blush stamps!  So cute!

  

The Body Shop Lip and Cheek Stain

I am not a "stain" user, I think they have a tendency to dry up pretty quickly on both cheeks and lips which makes it even harder for me to "maneuver" especially for dry skin and lips like myself!  But this has been around forever and I've seen girls raving about this!  I've even tried to purchase this 2 years ago when they were on sale!  Now, I finally own this...is this going to disappoint me?  or wow me?  Do check back for reviews! :)

  

L'Oreal Elseve Smooth-Intense Shampoo and Conditioner

After Shiseido Aquair's "hey ma!  I've got snowflakes on my head" experience, this is the perfect time to test on other shampoos and conditioners! I've used several variants of L'Oreal Elseve Masques and they all work well for me!  So I'll give the Shampoo and Conditioner pair a try! 

  

Cellnique Paramedical 

After I finished my Clinique's 3-Step SkinCare system.  I put it on hiatus and tried on another brand that targeted my dry skin!  Cellnique, I've used this for more than 2 weeks and will be doing an in-depth review soon!  Anyone can shop online as they provide free shipping on all orders anywhere in the world via DHL. 

I am curently using these products as a morning and night regimen:

• Seaweed Cleansing Gel
• Intensive Hydrating Complex
• Vital Cellular Repair Masque
• Skin Action Gel Plus
• Total DayTime Protection 30 (sample size)

I'll add up to what I'm using as days go on :)  I will do more in depth reviews on them too but I have to take time :)

Have a wonderful start of the week!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy! :)

 

Weekend Food Tripping at: Emerald Garden + 31st Birthday

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday to me...

Happy Birthday dear oldie...

Happy Birthday NIKKI!

It actually rhymes!  I thought the 30th birthday would be THE BLAST and the rest will be celebrated like a normal boring individual!  Life definitely starts at ... of course, I am the writer here so you have to bear with me.... THIRTY ++++++ !!!  *hahaha*

I've had the longest birthday celebration ever!  It started last week and it will probably end early March!  I am loving the food tripping, the party and of course, the meet ups with friends!  Of course, I'll put in some quality time with the hubby!  It wasn't even my birthdate when we've decided to dine in the exact restaurant we got engaged on July 7, 2007!  Emerald Garden.

Eventhough it's for my advance birthday celebration, I'd like to celebrate it quietly with food I love!  So be ready to be  bored and hungry at the same time!

Corn with Quail Eggs Soup

Small order and this is good for 4-5 people!
Love the sweet tasting soup that's warm for the tummy!  

I like this that this tastes authentic, not the ready made corn soup type!

  

Fish with Tofu 

What's the best way to celebrate a nice dinner with my favorite combination?
This Fish with Tofu combination adds up different kinds of mushrooms! 

I love mushrooms too!

  

Peking Duck on Lettuce Wrap

I've always tried the Shredded Pork with Lettuce Wrap.

I am not a fan of duck but for the sake of "new taste", I've given this a chance

and I did not regret it!  Its something new, taste is just right!  Do not forget to ask for the sauce!

 

And what's dining in a Chinese Retaurant without trying their house tea?
The restaurant serves Jasmine Green Tea!  

Emerald Garden

1170 Roxas Blvd. Ermita, Manila

Tel no: (632) 523-8515 

Huge parking space, service is great!  Restaurant accepts cash and credit card payments, NO Service Charge! :)

Here's a peek on how my Birthday celebration went...

Went for a quiet dinner with  my family 

because my brother will go back to China 

My colleagues created a Mardis Gras theme birthday party for me :)

I really enjoyed my birthday celebration!
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and greetings :)
Love ya!

And I have 2 more birthday parties to attend to, tonight and next weekend!!!  I love it!!!  Feels like a celebrity..where are the paparazzis???? :)  *humming Lady Gaga song* 

Have a wonderful weekend!
Big welcome to March!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Something New: Sweet Contemplation Jewelry + HUGE Thanks

Saturday is sleep in day but this is going to be quite a busy weekend!  I'm not complaining though as things are starting to look up this year, *crosses finger* Power of positivity! (Right Shen? hahaha).

Early this month, I received a gift card from my dearest friend, imagine my excitement when I was given the chance to pick my own gift at Sweet Contemplation Accessories.  My dearest friend Christine Wang is the owner and designer of all the pieces you see on her site.  She offers beautifully customized hand-crafted jewelry from earrings, bracelets, necklaces, watches and bridal jewelries!

I had a hard time choosing but I finally came up with 2 bracelets that is so ME!!! After a couple of weeks!  I got it!!!

I felt giddiness all over again, like my 18th birthday *winks*

 

A regular bracelet and a watch bracelet that screams NIKKI!  I made the right decision.  It isn't difficult to choose my favorite piece as photos are clear and taken as is!  

  

Flower Power Bracelet 

•  Silver-plated brass, nickel free
• Byzantine chainmaille, enitirely handcrafted
• Length: 17.7cm (adjustable, you can shorten or lengthen)

 

Up close on the intricate flower :)

  

 Starry Starry Night Watch 

• Sterling silver
• Czech and glass beads
• Length: 17.4cm (adjustable, can shorten/lengthen)

  

Lovely detail, love the mini heart that says..

"Made With Love" 

 

Tine, such a sweetheart, also sent me a birthday gift!  She added a lovely necklace called Snowflake!  The design and color is perfect!!!  I love it!  Thank you!

  

And you think I'm done?  I thought so too!  Well, I'm not!  Another sister Prettybeautiful sent me this early!  It's another bracelet with lovely charms!  In my initial "N" and cute charms that represents the "girl" in me! 

I guess this year started with "bracelet bang!" :)

 

I am really into accessories/jewelries!  If you didn't know that, now you do! :)  This is the perfect timing for me to celebrate my birthday showing off my lovely gifts from friends!  Don't think I'm weird if I'm waving my hands showing off these bracelets!  I'm just a proud momma!

Are you into jewelries too?
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Nail Art Tutorial: "Celebration" Nails

Happy Friday!!! Thank goodness it's Friday!!!  How's the week treating you?  Mine isn't bad at all as this is my birthday week!  As I get older, birthday celebrations are getting a bit longer!  With different group of friends and colleagues, I definitely have more chance to food trip and celebrate with them!  Aaaahhh the sweet life with food! 

Let me share to you my "Celebration" Nails.  I call this a celebration nails because you can do this to celebrate any special occasions!  In my case, it's my birthday celebration nails!  I wanted it quite easy to do, not too flashy, yet it screams "Happiness"!!!

This is a toned down version of last week's nail art tutorial!  I am loving it so much I have to do a second round.

Here's my final nail art for the week

Step 1:

Apply your choice of basecoat prior to nail polish application.  Let dry.  I use a pale pink polish from The Face Shop in PK104.  Apply 2 coats and let dry.

 

Step 2:

Create a French Tip using matte white polish.  I am using Elianto's white polish.  

 

Step 3:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco in Red, create a think line between the white French tip and the base color.  Continue with thin, feathery strokes, going to the direction your hand is comfortable with.

 

Step 4:

Using L.A. Colors Art Deco in Black, create the same strokes in between the red lines.

 

Step 5:

Proceed with white feather lines, using L.A. Colors Art Deco in White,  if you have a  couple more colors.  Your choice of color combination!

 

Step 6:

Apply Elianto's glittery polish or any brand on top of the nail art once dry.  

 

Step 7:
Protect your nail art with your favorite top coat.

It's really simple to do this nail art, if you don't have L.A. Colors Art Deco polish, you can purchase thin brush at local bookstores and create thin lines with it!  

Enjoy!

 

Hope you like it!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

I Wonder: "Have Your Forced Yourself to Finish a Product Because of its Price?"

Happy Thursday!  How's the week treating you?  Mine was still busy but at least, I get to relax a bit in between and meet up with lovely friends! 

As a beauty products writer and reviewer, I've tested so many products from head to toe!  There may be some products that are given by companies for reviews but most of the time, I purchase my own products using my very much hard earned money. 

Which led me to an "I Wonder" question for the week...

"Have you forced yourself to finish a product 

     because of it's price?"

I did and I still am!  When I went to Shanghai for vacation 2 years ago, I purchased Tsubaki's Shampoo and Conditioner.  The pair works really well for the first few months but I got bad case of dandruff mid-bottle!  I still finish it up!

And you think I learned my lesson.

When my brother came back for vacation last year, I requested him to help me purchase Shiseido's Aquair shampoo and conditioner because of the raves I've read online.  The dearest brother gifted me this and I knew it's almost the same price as Tsubaki's.  First few weeks, was love!  But after a month or so, dandruffs are starting to rear its ugly head again!  And you know what?  I am still using this because of the price and I feel guilty because my brother spent a lot for this.

So, AMW thought of a solution and so far, it's working.  I use this set alternately with Head & Shoulders!  No more dandruff and no more itchiness! *sigh*

Most of the time, I am not at all patient in finding solutions for products that do not work.  In this case, if the price is high, I will definitely find ways to make it work! 

Click comment and I'd love to hear your story!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!