Weekend Food Tripping at: Orchard Road Megamall

You think I'm in Singapore?  I wish! 

A restaurant here in Manila was named after the famous shopping, entertainment and food road in Singapore called Orchard Road.  The restaurant offers Singaporean dishes most Singapore travelers missed after a trip!

What's interesting with the restaurant is that they showcase different dishes and you can visibly see them cook while you choose your meal!

The place is quite huge and there's a lot of tables and chairs for friends, families and of course sweethearts! 

Sweet and Sour Pork, Fried Egg and Rice

Php150.00 (approx $3.26)

As simple as stated, sweet and sour pork with rice included is a sunny side up fried egg (which we requested).  Nothing spectacular.  Just like regular sweet and sour pork we tried!

Char Kway Teow

Php150.00 (approx $3.26)

Not bad!  I actually like noodles a lot and this one came in with the nice texture and mix of peanut, meat and vegetables.

I haven't tried authentic Singaporean dishes, but I am confident that I know what's good and what's bad for my taste buds!  I may be deaf at times but nothing can cheat my taste buds.  I haven't tried a lot of dishes from Orchard Road restaurant but I can say, the food they offer are quite ordinary and you can even do most of them at home.  They are a nice, quick restaurant for hungry shoppers inside the mall, but if you're looking for authentic Singaporean dishes, there are a lot of options out there.

Here's a tip for first time Orchard Road customers. (Menu photo courtesy of clickthecity.com)

1. Get a slip available in the restaurant that looks like the photos below.
2. Walk around the open kitchen and note down the dishes you would like to order
3. Mark your order slip
4. Give your order slip to the cashier for payment
5. A number will be given to you and you go around choose your best table.
6. Food will be served and enjoy!

Note: Photos can be clicked to enlarge for better viewing

SM Megamall
3rd Level, Bldg. A, SM Megamall
Edsa cor. Julia Vargas Ave.
Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
Philippines

Singapore dish lovers out there, any Singaporean dishes AMW should try?
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Happy weekend food tripping!

AMW Reviews: Parian Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner

I have been using my Homemade brush cleaner for the longest time.  But when I am doing makeup professionally, I actually use a more professional cleaner because I find my home made cleaner does not dry up as fast as I wanted to and when I'm in a hurry, I don't have the luxury of time to spritz several times and wipe and re-wipe a couple of times.

When I visited Studio SNR for the 2nd Dollface Personal Makeup Workshop, I've met the owner Sydney Go and she introduced to me a couple of professional tools from Brush Cleaner, makeup sponges, cotton cloth, mascara wands, lip gloss applicator and a whole lot more!  The products showed to me are definitely an "OC" heaven!  It was the right choice to test the Parian Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner as it has been raved even by our international beauty bloggers!

Parian Spirit Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner says ---

Parian Spirit is made from citrus sprits and food grade solvent, giving it powerful cleaning properties that cut through oil-based makeup and adhesives but remains gentle to natural hair bristles.  

Parian Spirit reconditions and returns the bristles to their natural sheen and luster, leaving a pleasant citrus aroma.  After extensive antibacterial lab tests, it was found that Parian Spirit had the strongest disinfecting proprerties among all the leading makeup brush cleaners.

Parian Spirit is also good for cleaning makeup off clothes, wigs, false eyelashes and false facial hair.

AMW says ---

Pros

• cleanses brush really well
• dries up super fast, the fastest drying brush cleaner I've tried to date
• scent is bearable and quite nice for me!
  
• the packaging with spray is perfect for on-the-go brush cleaning
• a little spritz goes a long way
• one 60ml bottle can last approximately 4-6 months
• no allergies or skin irritations from using the brush cleansed by Parian Brush Cleaner
  

Cons

• has a tiny hint of oily residue on the bristles
• a bit pricey as compared to other brush cleansers
• strong citrus smell may not be ok to some people
  

Overall

I am seriously impressed with how quick the makeup was transferred from brush to the cloth or paper towel.  I like how quick it dries up and it can make me work faster on my makeup gigs!  Though the product is a bit pricey, I find that spritzing this once or twice is enough for a regular eye makeup brush and 4-5 spritz on face brushes and it works ok.  No allergies on my skin after using the brush spritzed by this product.

Tips

• though you always spritz your brush with brush cleaner, never replace it with weekly deep cleaning
• try not to spray much of this product near the ferrule or the "glue" that holds the brushes together, as brushes may get ruined after excess exposure to this brush cleaner
• make sure it's tightly closed to prevent product from evaporating
• store in cool dry place 
• instead of wiping the brush on a paper towel (bad for the environment), try to purchase an inexpensive towel to wipe the brushes and have the towel washed after brush cleaning to help save environment
• be careful not to smash the brush onto the towel, just gently wipe back and forth until the pigments are transferred to the towel.
• do not spritz this in an enclosed room
• inflammable, be careful
• share shipping cost with a friend!
  

Will I repurchase?
Yes, for in between gigs.

Where to purchase and how much?
At Suesh for Php340.00 (approx $7.40) for 60ml with spray

Here's a visual on how I clean my brush 

with Parian Professional Makeup Brush Cleaner

Note: All my brushes have been deep cleansed, but there are some hardheaded residues or stain from my Charm Travel Crease Brush.  Let's give this a try and see if I can get something out from this!

1. Spritz Parian Brush Cleaner directly onto the bristles (not the ferrule) approximately twice 

2. Gently rub the brush back and forth on a paper towel or cleansing cloth

3. Continue the step until all the pigments have been transferred from bristles to cloth.

4. You can reshape your brush if you won't use it anymore or you can instantly use it as the bristles are already dry and clean!

Is this considered an expensive brush cleaner for you?
How do you clean your brushes in between application? 
Do you even clean your brushes? *raises eyebrow*

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
It's Friday!!!!

An Update: The Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Diaries Challenge (Days 3-4)

Okay, so you read about "The Challenge" I've accepted to try on the new Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate.  There are 7 habits to healthy sleeping that I've followed and so far, I've been a good girl!  I may lack an hour of sleep on the first day, but the rest of the days?  I've been sleeping soundly for 7 hours or even more!  Especially last night as I wasn't feeling too well!

Though its still too early for a detailed review, this post is just an update on how my day 3 and 4 went. 

• First 2 nights, I have this weird oily feel that I get from using this concentrate, day 3 and 4 is a bit easier as I lessen the drops from 3 to 2 drops for my entire face.
• Woke up with no skin irritations nor breakouts
• In the morning, skin feels and looks the same but found my skin is definitely more moisturized and I can even skip moisturizer

Here's a sample of my skin right after Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate Application

See the shine and "oily" look?  It doesn't feel heavy though

I'll give you more updates for the coming days!  Please stay tune as I'll be giving away a full size bottle of this to ONE lucky local reader!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
I'm getting ready to catch my zzz's soon!

AMW Reviews: Mineral Flowers Facial Wash Water of Almond Blossom and Mud

When it comes to skincare products, I don't jump around like I do with makeup!  I finish most of the products that work for me before I use a new one.  I do take care of my skin and I don't want to test on different products in a short period of time.  When I finally finished my Cellnique Seaweed Cleansing Gel (which really worked for me by the way), I took a look at my stash and found myself getting excited to try on something close to natural as well.  Who could say no to Minerals?

Mineral Flowers Facial Wash Water of Almond Blossom and Mud says ---

Mineral Flowers was with Almond Blossion is 100 percent natural blend of concentrated mineral water from the Dead Sea with 26 Minerals and trace elements, Dead Sea Mud, a natural skin regenerator and lifter.  Almond Blossom that contains Vitamin E, known as powerful anti-oxidants, beeswax, a natural emulsifier and skin healer and organize pomegranate juice.

Excellent for dry skin.
Proudly made in Israel.

AMW says ---

Pros

• scent is really mild and smells really good
• a little amount lathers up really well
• very light and mild on skin
• skin feels moisturized and soft after washing
• no allergies or skin irritations
• inexpensive as compared to other skincare brands that has mineral water
• has different variants for different skin type
• wonderful packaging!
• added benefits of having natural dead sea water included in the ingredients which feels very light on skin and has a lot of extra minerals to boost the skin

Cons

• heavy makeup user: Not enough to remove all traces of makeup

Overall

I am actually loving this!  Been using this product for almost a month now and I found my skin looking and feeling healthy even at times I forget to tone or moisturize my face.  Price is not bad at all as compared to other competing brands!

Tips

• for heavy makeup user: remove all traces of makeup with your favorite makeup remover prior to washing your face with this facial wash
• Choose the variant that's right for your skin type (Almond Blossom for dry skin, Camomille for Sensitive Skin, Rose and Geranium for Normal to Combination Skin)
• if you have oily skin?  You're under the normal to combination skin as the people from Mineral Flowers consider the oil skinned individuals under combination
• lather up the product on both hands and make it foam up a bit and gently massage it all over your face including neck area
• be careful not to get this product get into your eyes.  If you did, wash it gently with warm water
• if the product does not work for you, share this to a friend or sell this to someone who's interested at a lower price, at least you don't waste your money!

Will I repurchase?

Too early to tell but for now, I'm ok with repurchasing, product is really mild on me.

Where to purchase and how much?

Php430.00 (approx $9.30) available at Watson's as well as Beauty by SM in Megamall, Mall of Asia, Makati, Cubao and North Edsa

I have used their hand cream and now their facial wash and both products gave me a wonderful experience.  I am very happy with the brand and I'm open to try their other products for sure!  

Have you tried products with Dead Sea Minerals? 
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Reports: Fashion's Finest, Beauty's Best

When I was growing up, I was a Pond's White Beauty user and I was able to inspire my sister to use the same.  We would share the same tube and she actually liked it so much she uses it until this very moment.  Though I've grown to change moisturizer because of the current needs of my skin, Pond's will always have a special place in my heart.  That's why when I was invited for the Fashion's Finest, Beauty's Best event, I can't say no...

My dearest Pond's has grown its collection and I'm glad to see the familiar light pink and white packaging!

Eight icons in the fashion and beauty industry were selected as muses for this collaboration.  Photos of these lovely ladies were showcased at Red Restaurant, Makati Shangri-La Hotel last June 29th.  Read on to know more about these ladies who possesses the beauty and fashion principles that Pond's and Plains & Prints would like to portray.

The effervescent beauty top model turned Project Runway Philippine judge and now Global PR Manager for Pond's, Apples Aberin knows her fashion and beauty being in the same business.

Sultry Siren Kelly Misa's youthful beauty and classic charm has been captivating many being a model and now as one of the hosts for a TV program.

Ageless Beauty is the best phrase to describe Patty Betita, who always exudes simple sophistication as a model, mother and personality development expert.

The Pond's Ambassador Rissa Mananquil who turned from columnist to model and full-time mom has always been known for her effortless elegance and innate intelligence.

The chameleon, Bianca Valerio - name it and she can deliver - from modeling, styling, and now a make-up artist, she is definitely the expert for everything in fashion and beauty.

A prominent face in Manila's fashion and social circuit Mai Kafman also known for her store Karma is a bag and interior designer who has perfected multi-tasking with all these professions and adding to this is her favorite job - being a mother to Alexa and wife to David.

The Real Estate Goddess Divine Lee is the epitome of style and substance who juggles her personal and career life always in haute fashion.

As one of the faces of Plains and Prints, Celine Lopez has been named most stylish in the society for her classic yet eclectic fashion sense.

Several bloggers were also invited to grace this event.  Attending events are really wonderful seeing familiar faces and meeting new people!

Mr. and Mrs. Kikay Exchange!  Gary and Jill!  Gary has been sweet in taking photos of the bloggers and I can't help but want to get a shot of him and his wifey!

Kristine and Liz

Kristine is the young writer from Candy Blush whom I met for the second time around.  Liz has always been a darling and we always share quick chat on every event!  She's such a sweetie to always say "hi".

Jane and Rowena

It was great meeting Jane for the first time, I can't believe this lady writes a food blog and maintain such gorgeous physique!  I've seen Rowena a couple of times recently on events and she's wearing a nice red head band which works well with the event's motif!

Jheng and Shen

Jheng though busy from work managed to look gorgeous and crazy at the same time *peace* with Shen on her side busy with her drinks in her gorgeous red dress and red lips!

Sophie

I fondly call her my "shobe" or little sister.  I haven't seen her for quite some time and it was such a pleasant surprise to see her sporting a new hairstyle and gorgeous outfit! *whistles*

Lace

I've met Lace a couple of times and seen her during her pregnancy days and look at her post pregnancy body now!!!!  So proud that this mommy blogger still manages to juggle time for events and take care of her new born baby!

First time to meet Trixie *waves hi* and photo together with Shen :)

What a small world!  Bumped into my first makeup teacher Ms. Cherry Pacheco! 

You can check out the Pond's Plains and Prints Collection by smiling and clicking HERE

A nice day cream and night cream from Pond's 

Pond's Flawless White and Pond's Age Miracle

This set goes to my mom-in-law and I'll definitely interview her for reviews :)
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!