Something New: DKNY Men II EDC

My family is very simple.  None of them are as vain as I am!  *laughs*  My mom and sister is not into cosmetics and they tend to stick to what they love  Unlike the youngest member of the family (me!) who tends to try this and that!  Though I may sound like an adopted member of the family, there's one thing that gives me a hold to be part of the family, our love for Fragance!

August is the birthday month of my dad!  I am definitely on a lookout for daddy-o's birthday gift!  I went to the fragrance section because the last fragrance I gave to my dad was 3-5 years ago!  This year, I said no to diabetes-friendly birthday cakes, cholesterol-loving meals but yes to sweet smelling fragrance that's Fat-Free!

As I was window shopping over the weekend.  Thanks to the "men" roving around the counter asking permission to give me a spritz!  I usually feel awkward and wanting to punch them on the face *laughs* (I am seriously NOT that violent).  I did not entertain that thought this time!  One scent that caught my "nostril's" attention is the 

DKNY MEN II

**photo from DKNY

I was told this is the new Eau de Cologne spray that's a lighter version of the original DKNY Men Fragrance.  This light concentration is said to be ideal for the warm months.  The crystal clear bottle is definitely cool and manly enough to be put on my dad's dresser together with his favorite gel!  My dad definitely will love this as he's a typical DKNY man --- very simple, modern and uncomplicated!  

Available in 2 sizes:
50ml for Php3,100 
100ml for Php4,200
Available at Rustan's Department Stores and selected Watson's Personal Care Stores and Landmark Stores.

Shhhh...my dad doesn't know I blog and he won't know about his "gift" until you tell him!

So please...don't!  *laughs*

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
Make your family members happy too! :)

AMW Reports: "OrganicRituals Spa" Mani and Pedi Experience

Over the weekend, I finally had "ME" time!  Thanks to OrganicRituals Spa for inviting me to experience their Manicure and Pedicure services!  I was longing for it as my nails are wailing for help!  I had my hair done prior to that so why not continue the pampering sessions?  With the traffic and rain, I had to give them a call to apologize as I am super late!  I arrived the place 8:00pm and they close around 9:00pm. 

I am quite amused with the wonderful arrows that guide you to the right place, you won't get lost for sure!

As soon as I got in, the wonderful relaxing  scent greeted me with the huge friendly smiles from the owners Kathy and Nikki. 

The place is simple, ambiance is not over the top but definitely tastefully decorated!  I can definitely sleep here! 

Aromatherapy stuffs decorated for SPA treatment

I got to chitchat with Kathy and I learned that OrganicRituals Spa offers 2 brands of polishes.  One of them is SpaRitual.  We, locally may not heard about this brand but this is quite famous in the West.  SpaRitual are Vegan Nail Lacquers free of DBP, Formaldehyde and Toluene. "I had my nails painted with bright red and left it for a month and there weren't any visible signs of stains or yellowing!" --- according to Nikki from OrganicRituals Spa.

The second brand they use is well known to most of us --- Zoya Polishes.  The brand Zoya is also known for it's natural, organic ingredients which are very friendly to our nails!  I'm in nail polish heaven!  They also offer the new Matte Shades from Zoya.

The "OC AMW" had to check out the stuffs they use.  Definitely a CHECK on cleanliness and hygiene.  I am very particular with the tools used as I've had my fair share of bad experiences on other salons.

Since I got an hour left before closing, I got 2 ladies working on my toenails and fingernails!   I have to say I enjoyed chatting with them.  Having friendly staffs working for you is a big bonus! 

They serve the best tea ever!  This tea was bought from Korea and I had 3 cups of these.  Even the hubby loves this!

The ladies in action

The steps done base on my "bad" memory (laughs)

• spritz my hands with alcohol to disinfect
• massaged my hands and feet a bit with sweet smelling lotion
• trimmed, filed and buffed my nails
• a base coat from Zoya was applied
• applied 2 coats of your preferred polish.  I chose a bright pink shade which I love!
• applied a top coat from ZOYA 
• wiped off extra for that perfect looking nails 
• dropped quick dry

The friendly entrepreneurs of OrganicRituals Spa

Kathy (left) and Nikki (right) are college friends at Assumption College.  Kathy loves SPA while Nikki has her addiction on pampering her nails (no wonder she's got the same name as me!)  Both ladies wanted to open up a business that boils down to their passion, thus having SPA and NAIL services in one place!  Smart idea!

My finished nails done by OrganicRituals Spa using ZOYA polish in Whitney!  

Expect a nail art tutorial inspired by this shade! :)
I love the nail shape by the way!

Rate:
Manicure: Php200.00 (approx $4.35)

Pedicure: Php250.00 (approx $5.45)

SpaRituals additional Php20.00 (approx $0.50)

Prices aren't bad considering the brands and products they use.  I don't mind going back to this place if not because of the location.  I live downtown Manila and they are located at 

Mezzanine Floor

Atlanta Center

31 Annapolis St. Greenhills San Juan

Mondays - Saturdays 11:00am to 9:00pm

Sundays by appointment

Tel. no. : (632) 661-3101

And now, let me leave you with a cute 'artsy' photo from Mr. AMW!  They offer spa package services I believe for occasions like birthdays, bridal showers, corporate parties, etc..

You can checkout their Facebook page

With my positive experience I will definitely visit back once I'm within the area! :)

Happy start of the week everyone!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

"Vitamin E for the Skin?"

"AskMeWhats" as I call this blog, get a lot of queries from readers daily.  I don't mind though, I actually love interacting with readers sharing my thoughts and ideas at the same time, learning a lot from them as well. 

Daily questions and topics were thrown at me even about TVCs!  (TV Commercials).  I got a couple of reader questions asking me if I've tried the new Myra Facial Moisturizer and Hand and Body Lotion because it was endorsed by none other than FHM's Sexiest Woman Ms. Angel Locsin.  I had to search for the commercial on YouTube to watch the said commercial.  Click HERE to watch and click photo below to enlarge.

 **photo taken from website

The well-directed commercial was said to be shot at "The Lakeshore" Mexico, Pampanga - a nice province several hours away from Manila.  The scene wherein actor Mr. Luis Manzano sighs on missing Angel's "healthy, beautiful, youthful-looking skin" is a smart idea!   Can't blame him, her skin is absolutely gorgeous in this commercial!  The direction of this commercial is a very clever as the two endorsers, who used to be "real-life-couple", yearns for each other and coming to terms with the break-up.  (Nikki on gossip mode) *laughs*

Myra has a famous tag line: "Discover Youthful Beauty, inside and out, only with Myra".  You know how yours truly believe in inner beauty.  However, let's face the fact that the environment around us is harsh to our skin, thus outer beauty needs to be taken care off!  By the way, do you still remember Ms. Judy Ann Santos' commercial on Myra400E?

 **photo taken from website

I guess the company has this big campaign on Youthful Beauty IN and OUT.  Inner beauty with Myra400E and Outer beauty with Myra Facial Moisturizer and Hand and Body Lotion.  Am I smart for figuring this out?  I'm not, I just read it somewhere!  *hahaha*

I haven't tried Myra but I'm not foreign on the said Vitamin.  Let me share something...

**photo from source

Years ago, I love working out.  Working out for me is doing 1.5 hours  aerobics  exercise plus an hour of weight training five times a week.  I guess that's where all my energy came from. I was on the roll!  My gym instructor once came up to  me  and advised me to take Vitamin E supplement.  I did  my research and I followed his advise after learning that Vitamin E is vital to protect our cell membranes keeping them healthy.  To make it simpler, Vitamin E can actually help preserve red blood cells in the body.  Higher red blood cell count means more energy and stamina for us to keep on working out thus making us look and feel healthy and young!

With the said benefit I am not surprised when Vitamin E are added to skin care products like lotions and creams because the said ingredient was said to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles thus a good source of anti-aging because of its antioxidant activity!

To answer my reader query.  No, I have not tried the Myra skincare line.  However, it does not hurt to give it a try as early as NOW! 
 

Anyone who have tried the new Myra Facial Moisturizers and Myra Hand and Body Lotion?
Would you care to share to us your experience?
Let's help out our readers!  Thanks in advance!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Weekend Food Tripping at: Nomnomnom Happy Food

(Thanks to Greca's camera for some of the photos)

Happy Sunday friends!  How's weekend treating you?  Mine has been a relaxing one so far.  I had my hair treatment and pedicure, manicure yesterday!  Will definitely report about it soon as I had good experiences on both!

I had a lovely food tripping too!  It was rainy but still, with good company and great food?  What more can we ask for?  It was my first time to dine in this restaurant, the name itself sounds yummy! 

Nomnomnom

Just by the name of this restaurant, I can see myself chowing down on food with this huge NOM NOM NOM sound!  Just like a Japanese Anime!  It was raining when we went to this place!  The place was packed and we had to wait for our tables.  The place is non-air conditioned!  Not sure about their function room though.  This place is small and fits approximately 50 people.  If it's not raining, there are tables and chairs outside the restaurant and you can definitely dine in outside. 

We ordered a pitcher of Iced Tea 

Php120.00 (approx $2.60)

We ordered the regular iced tea which tastes like most iced teas available in most restaurants.  They also offer flavored iced tea though.  Will definitely give the flavored iced tea a try as I will definitely come back!

Lime Chicken with Alfredo Sauce

Php160.00 (approx $3.48)

A good portion of chicken breast marinated with lime and rosemary, drizzled with Alfredo Sauce.  Served withh buttered beans and rice!

Olio and Aglio Pasta

 Php160.00 (approx $3.50)

Chili and garlic pasta with grilled shrimp!  If you're allergic to shrimps like myself, you can order the Chili and Garlic Pasta without Shrimp for Php140.00 (approx $3.00)

Veggie Meat Curry

Php130.00 (approx $2.83)

Curried Veggie Meat with Potatoes and Carrots over a buttered rice crater

Talong and Lasting Love Pizza Log

Php220.00 (approx $4.78)

Grilled eggplant with Kesong Puti on Tomato Sauce.

Very crunchy and worth to share!

Enchilada

Php160.00 (approx $3.48)

They call this the Mexican version of Lasagna.  Made with corned tortilla filled with loads of kangkong and cream cheese.  Serving is quite huge so great for sharing!

The Good Sisig

Php95.00 (approx $2.00)

Instead of the usual fattening ingredients of Sisig, this one is good for the heart.  Fried tofu with green chili and onions served on top rice.  Yummy! 

Nomnomnom

1 Tomas Morato cor. E. Rodriguez Ave. 

Besides Shell Gas Station

Open from 12nn-1am, Tuesdays to Sundays

Service is a bit slow as they cook your order from scratch.  So better dine in here with great friends and companion!  The food is worth the wait and price is definitely not bad!

Note from author: I actually tried their pizza too!  Tastes fabulous!  Will include the photo here as soon as I got it from a friend's camera! :)

Enjoy weekend food tripping!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reads: For the Month of July

Time flew by like a flash and I can't believe July is almost over!  Here's my share of favorite reads for the month of July!  This month's edition is more of, "Nikki is lemming for..." edition.  These beauties posted a couple of stuffs on their blog that stirs up my interest!  Gosh, computer screen shopping time!

Would you believe that Maybelline Volum' Express Cat Eyes Mascara comes in special edition tube?  To all Hello Kitty lovers out there, or even myself who likes HK but not that much.  I am really looking into purchasing this cute tube as I told PB of My Women Stuff how it'll be a nice conversation starter especially for makeup artists like myself!

I have used I Nuovi makeup when I was sent for reviews.  The brand is really nice and I love their products thus I repurchased on my last Hong Kong visit.  After reading I Nuovi Illumina Skin Illuminating Pre-Makeup Base from Connie of Skin Deco, I seriously noted it down on my organizer's "to buy" list just in case....just in case I'll travel to a country that sells I Nuovi cosmetics!

A dear friend Jenn of Lipglosseater is known to be the "Asian Site" to go to for the most recent MAC Collections.  She swatches them and its definitely "window shopping" online!  I don't follow MAC Collections but there's a post on MAC In the Groove Collection Review + Swatches wherein she showed her newly purchased Well Prepared Kit.  I have to get one!!!

Another "must have" for AMW.  Xin of Pretty Beautiful talks about her new organizer she got from her dear friend.  When I saw the photo?  I was salivating like crazy because my old "organizer" needs to be thrown out and I definitely need a new one!  Want to know how it looks like?  Click  Double as Bag Organizer - Roo Avion De Papier.

And my "want" never ends.  Well this time, it's a "need", need this for my makeup clients.  Syen of So Loverly posted her new finds from Daiso.  I call it her Eureka Moment as she found inexpensive oil blotters housed in a very cute packaging (my kind of stuffs).  Head on to Review: Daiso Blotters and holler if we have it down here locally!  I will hoard, don't stop me please!

And let's talk about another base!  Yani of Red Luscious Lips shares her wonderful find when she blogged about Just Trying: Lancome BB Base.  I've seen her photo after using the Lancome’s UV Expert GN-Shield High Potency Active Protection BB Base, I want to head on to Lancome right now and check it out if its available locally!

Happy Reading!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!