Nikki for NN : My Nuffnang Story

Back before the blogging days, I used to like learning about other culture via Yahoo Chat (Lame, I know!) but I do randomly chat with people and get to know how their lives are on other parts of the world!  

Fast forward....

Blogging started!  I was blogging for a good 2+ years when someone from Nuffnang contacted me and asked me to join their community!  To be honest, I wasn't into that idea (that time) in joining a community as I thought someone's going to "manage" or "sabotage" my blog!  (Okay, that's an overly negative term but you get the drift! hahaha)

Fast Fast Forward....

I'm with Nuffnang for a year and a half and I've got no complaints and it's the best decision of my life!

Let me tell you why!

Attending Beyond Blogging, Philippine Blog Awards 2010 was fun with fellow Nuffnangers!

 

Really getting to know Nuffnang Philippines' Country manager Carlos Palma wasn't a difficult thing!  Imagine, this photo was taken on our second meeting (after the Pizza Hut Lechon Pizza lunch) and look how easily acquainted we are of each other!  *laughs*

Because of Nuffnang, my love for food multiplied to gazillion times when they invited me to be part of Manila's Signature Dishes 2010 campaign.   There, I was able to hop on different restaurants around the metro and dip my fingers on wonderful dishes created by the wonderful minds of our local chefs!

Aside from that, the bonus of them all, is the fact that I was able to meet to Food Bloggers and that broadened up my horizon and I got to meet not only people from the Beauty world but also fellow bloggers who are passionate about food as much as I'm passionate about makeup!

Yes dearies, I tried them all + MORE!

Aside from that, I also get to be invited to events.

I attended the Neutrogena's Start the year Light Event wherein I was able to support fellow Nuffnangers who are Brand Ambassadors!  *waving hi to Phoebe, Hannah, Earth, Jane and Patty*

Let's not forget the special screening of various movies and I don't need to line up because I get special passes for being a Nuffnang member!

X-Men

Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon

 Then our first out-of-town trip as a Family! 

The Nuffamily Day!

A well-planned event that shows how much Nuffnang love their members!  We were all given the chance to take with us our friends or family or loved ones to eat, play and chat on a nice weekend at Tagaytay!

If not because of the Nuffamily Day, I haven't tried Lantern Lifting until this very moment! 

The highlight of the year!  I was given the Blogger of the Month spot last August!  (article HERE)  And if that's not already the best thing that happened to me this year?

My dream to be a part (yes, even a tiny part) of a radio show came true!  I used to stalk visit Radio Stations and get amazed with how DJ's talk with all the energy in front of an inanimate object --- THE MIC!

So, this is how it felt like to be on radio together with Nuffnang Australia Team at The Wake Up Show with DJ Vince and Tracy

*shouts* WICKED!!!!

Nuffnang knows my love for coffee so I was invited to Blenz Coffee at The Fort last weekend to enjoy different cups of coffee plus pastries as we learned Latte Art!

I don't see Nuffnang as "just a venue to get invites or freebies" but I look at Nuffnang as a family, my extended family, who gives me the sense of belongingness.  Though I'm just an ant in this entire blogging industry, I was given a fair share of load to carry and make a huge difference in my own talent and special ways!

Yes, Nuffnang can see your talent and they'll help you enhance that!  Much more that I can't even imagine!

It is this very moment that I am thanking the Lord for continuously giving me the support system and channel  I need to be able to voice out my thoughts in cyber world!

Photo taken during a quick visit at the Nuffnang Office 

To sum up all the wonderful experiences here at Nuffnang Philippines and MORE....

Nuffnang  is holding a Regional Blog Awards and it's in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

"Come 16 December 2011, 500 bloggers from around the Asia-Pacific region will flock to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011 in Putrajaya Marriott. The Awards aims to not only honour the region's best bloggers, but also to bring together blogger communities from across Asia-Pacific. The Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards is brought to you by Volkswagen Malaysia and Putrajaya Marriott."

I can't even imagine the things Nuffnang can do to top their own fun-filled moments!  This proves that people working behind the Nuffnang team are always seeking fresh ideas just to make the members feel welcome!  

Oh, before I forget, YOU can win exclusive invites by smiling and clicking HERE.

Thank you Nuffnang Philippines and I can't wait to meet fellow Nuffnang members!

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Version: Daytime makeup for the PowerPuff Girl

The title probably made you go "EH?" but I have a reason for such title! 

A reader once emailed me and asked me for help on makeup for puffy eyes!  Okay, am I being asked because I have puffy eyes?  *raises one eyebrow*  

Fine!  It's true! I do have puffy eyes on random days and I do have clients with puffy eyes too!  (Ttrying to include everyone here, I'm not alone on this okay?) *laughs*

*Grumpy Mode over*

I finally had the chance to create AMW way!  Please bear in mind there are a lot more ways to do this!  At the end of the day, practice makes perfect!  Try as many color combinations and techniques

AMW Diagram

I used the Clinique Lid Smoothie Anti-oxidant 8-hour eye colour in Pinko Biloba all  over the lids.

Step 1:

Apply a shimmery pinkish eyeshadow all over lids.  I am using Pink Chiffon Shimmer Wash eyeshadow from Bobbi Brown's Pretty Palette.  

I usually steer away from shimmery shades as it can enhance eye puffiness, try to be careful by applying only a tiny amount to create a subtle shimmer underneath.

Step 2:

Taking out my Human Nature Mineral Eyeshadow Enchanted Evening palette, I applied the silvery-gray eyeshadow on the crease area going a bit beyond.  Add the shadow as needed and blend the harsh edges with a fluffy blending brush.  I am using a Vegan Blending Brush from Charm.

Step 3:

With a pencil brush, I grabbed a good amount of matte black eyeshadow from Sleek applying carefully only on the crease area.

With the same fluffy blending brush on Step2, blend to blur out edges blending the silver gray eyeshadow and the matte black eyeshadow.

Step 4:
Time for eye lining, I whipped out my ELF Cream Eyeliner in Black and lined my eyes carefully.

Step 5:
Since everything is turning out a bit too dark for a daytime look, I used a nice Teal Colored Fluidliner pencil from Inuovi.  (thanks a dear angel for gifting me this, I love this so much!)

Curl your lashes and apply a good amount of mascara.

I used Revlon's CustomEyes Mascara in Black

My Finish Look

Dark dark colored eyeshadow on the crease area decreases the look of puffiness  The bright colored liner is an added plus to focus on the bright liner instead of the puffy eyes!

What's on the rest of my face?

For the Face:

Mary Kay TimeWise Luminous-Wear Liquid Foundation in Beige

Set with L'Oreal White Perfect Pearl in Golden Ivory

For the Cheeks

Shu Uemura x Wong Kar Wai 

in Pleasure Rose

For the Lips:

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in Pink Flush

Revlon Colorburst in Pink Ice

The makeup focuses on the eyes and left 

with an ice-y pink cheeks and lips

Okay, you may expect something more like drawing myself into a Powerpuff girl character!  *laughs*
Of course not!  Halloween is over :)
Hope you enjoyed this simple AMW Version!

Have a great day!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Crumpler Gives: The Carrot, Noose and Limpet --- CLOSED!!!

Dear Philippine Readers:
I have good news for all of you!  I am one happy angel to help Crumpler give out their 3 cute products called The Carrot, Noose and Limpet!

What the heck are these cartoon-sounding characters?

Well, they're definitely not from Cartoon-land but they are our friends from Crumpler!

Crumpler Philippines is giving away all 3 wonderful products to ONE lucky AMW Reader! :)

You're still clueless what you're going to win right?  Here you go...read further and see if you're interested to join!

The Carrot

Php950.00 (approx $21.60)

"Pens… pencils… highlighters… markers… at the stationery shop they all look so neat and well behaved. Take them home, or anywhere else, and they instantly start going AWOL. So take control. Show them who’s boss. Zip them into a Crumpler Carrot pencil case."  --- Crumpler

With its huge wide mouth, feel free to put important stuff for you inside as the Carrot's interior lining and its expeterior are made from water resistant materials.  You can clip this to your bag with a key ring to your bag!

 The Carrot is available in 3 cute colors!

Okay, they do look like cartoon characters! :)

 **photo from Crumpler

In my case, I will definitely put my makeup inside, eyeliners, brow pencils and lip pencils etc..! 

The Noose

 Php850.00 (approx $19.32)

"Don't like neck straps? Looking for something compact? Prefer to shoot from the knee? Whatever the reason The Noose will keep your camera firmly attached to your wrist, offering unsurpassed security, without cutting off the circulation.
Constructed from ultra-strong polypropylene webbing and neoprene for soft moulded comfort, the Noose has got you covered whatever camera you tote. It even has a pocket for a spare memory card." --- Crumpler

The cushioning is definitely comfortable to carry around your expensive gadgets!  You can easily strap them on your Digicam or SLR cameras and you're sure you have them safe on your hands!

**photo from Crumpler

The Limpet

Php750.00 (approx $17.00)

 

"Aquatic gastropod mollusk? Think again. Colorful and hard wearing The Limpet is our take our on the humble luggage tag. Bright in color, bright in personality, your trip to the carousel just got a whole lot easier.  The perfect blend of polyurethane, polypropylene webbing and ripstop nylon ensures, much like its sea born counterpart, this bulletproof tag ain't budging. " --- Crumpler

 I can't believe a limpet can be made with super strength!  But this is definitely not your ordinary bag tag!  The winner will know how durable this is!

Are you ready to join?  Kindly read mechanics carefully:

• Comment in this blog post only ONCE including your name and email address.
• Tell me: "What's the first thing that came into your mind when you read the title of this post?"
• Contest starts TODAY ends November 20, 2011.
• ONE Winner will win all three items via Fruit Machine.
• Winner will be emailed and products will be sent via courier.
• SMILE and pray you get to be the winner! :D

All products mentioned above are available at Crumpler Bonifacio Highstreet, Crumpler SM Megamall & Crumpler Trinoma.

Goodluck!
Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reports: A Visit at Skechers Store Glorietta 5

I have a new pair of shoes...AGAIN!

Comfort --- I have to say it again and again, is very important for me aside from being aesthetically pretty.  I haven't been shopping much on shoes as seldom can we find good, comfortable ones that last until the recent years!

Remember my 2008 post on my first Skechers sandals?  It was pricey but worth every single cent as it has been around 3 years and I am still using it and it's still looking good as new!  (Note: I do take care of them, storing them well after every use.)

2 weeks ago, I visited Glorietta 5 and visited the Skechers store.

Various sneakers and running shoes for the ladies!  Check out the gorgeous color combination! 

For the guys! I see a lot of blacks combined with unique color combination!  People do not have reasons not to look good during workouts!

Espadrilles in various prints!

I actually saw a couple of pairs that would look great on Mr. AMW!  He doesn't want to admit it but I'm sure these pairs would look great on him!

Skechers Men's Boat Shoes

The simple gray and black combination gives a classic look!

The stitching gives a very unique taste to Boat Shoes.

Before I left the store, something caught my attention!  Skechers came up with the Skechers Shapeups!  I actually own a FitFlops and I'd love to see if there's any difference/similarities between the 2.  *took a mental note* NEXT TIME!

"Summer Madness" 

Php2,695.00 (approx $62.67)

Pricey at first glance but I have full faith in Skechers, the first pair lasted me almost 4 years (and counting).

"Summer Madness" has this very unique "burnt orange" shade. 

Around 3 inches high but surprisingly comfortable!

The color works perfectly with my nail art design!
*just sayin'* lol

The ultimate test for its' comfort!  I wore this early morning for a makeup gig, went straight to BGC and walked the whole High Street from end to end going to Serendra for Lunch!  Walked back to a parking lot and went straight to Blenz Coffee for Latte Art at 31st street.  The point of the story, I survived the day!

Night time at High Street Parking Lot!  I can still smile!  My legs and feet are okay!

What's your most comfortable 3-inches pair at the moment?
Share to me as I'd love to get taller from time to time! :P

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Blenz Coffee: Nail Artist Tried Latte Art

Blenz Coffee, you'd think this is a new coffee shop but it has been around for years!  The first time I had my fair share of Blenz Coffee experience was 8 years ago, I was working in Shenzhen, China then and meeting up with fellow teachers and students in a coffee shop was our past time!  There were only 2 international coffee shop brands then --- Starbucks Coffee and Blenz Coffee.  We would always choose for the latter because Starbucks is always packed!  It was a good decision though as the coffee served are always good and the spacious interior is an absolute PLUS!

When I learned from Trixie that Blenz Coffee is available in the Philippines, I am very happy and excited to give the shop a visit!

It wasn't a launch or opening at that time but Nuffnang Philippines was kind enough to invite a few bloggers just to chill on a Saturday afternoon.  I just came from a makeup gig so I'm in dire need of coffee!