NAPBAS 2011 Report: KL Day Tour

Wow, the day before Christmas!  Are you excited? 

I will be busy today as I'll be off buying gifts and sending them to my loved ones!  As I keep myself busy outside the road, I will be sharing to you Day 2 of my NAPBAS 2011 experience in Kuala Lumpure, Malaysia.

The night before, we headed to ZOUK for the after-party and we got back to the hotel pretty late so waking up early for breakfast and a day tour was extra difficult but I do not want to miss this!  I may have seen Kuala Lumpur years ago but that doesn't stop me from further discovering the city!

After quick breakfast at the hotel, the NN Philippine team huddled all together to get into 1 bus.  "J" was our tour guide and I like him!  He tells jokes, he knew quite a lot about our culture and...I just like him! :)

The travel from Putrajaya, Marriott Hotel to KL City took approximately an hour and a half so I appreciate it that J was talkative and loves to tell jokes!

First stop, we went to the King's Palace.  

Istana Negara, Malay for National Palace, were the King lives.  We were told that they recently changed a new king (the 14th King).  

 

We were told that the palace was empty when we visited the said place as it was replaced by a new palace as the official residence of the King this year!

The building is right within a compound with variety of plants.

The palace grounds are not open to the public so we were there taking photos outside the Main Palace Entrance.

Regular tourists wouldn't be taking shots of each other while..ahmm..taking shots?  It's unusual tourist behavior but since we're all bloggers, you can find unusual photography behavior here!  *laughs*

Afterwards, we headed back to the bus and hopped on to the next location, Plaza Tugo Negara

Tugu Negara is where you can find the National Monument (Bronze Monument).  The monument commemorates the soldiers who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom during World War II and the Malayan Emergency.

I wasn't able to take a shot of the monument but I Googled it and will share to you a photo from source.

The reason why I researched for this photo and felt inclined to share to you is because Tugu Negara is identified as the largest freestanding bronze sculptures grouping the the WORLD!

You will also see the Cenotaph nearby with the words "To Our Glorious Dead" with the year 1948-1960.  This was first built to remember the heroes who died during the first World War.   It was removed from its former site to this site when the Tugu Negara was being built.

Another eye catching structure is The Central Pavilion.  We weren't able to get inside but its definitely worth to take a shot of it. 

The place is picturesque beautiful and imagine how fashion and non-fashion bloggers enjoy taking a shot in such beautiful scenery!

Since the weather is a bit hot, Hannah went for ice drop and I went for my favorite White Coffee!

We hopped on to the bus again and I finally got the chance to meet my favorite Petronas Twin Tower.  This place is so memorable to me as me and my friends from college visited this place at night and we used our point and shoot camera to take shots!  My friends had to lay down just to take good shots! 

Just for kicks, I want to share to you that the Petronas Twin Towers were once the tallest building in the world until Taipei 101 was completed on the year 2004.  I think the time I visited Kuala Lumpur, Petronas Twin Towers were then, the tallest buildings in the world!

Below the Twin Towers is the Suria KLCC, which is a shopping mall and we had our lunch there at the food court!  Boy! It was jampacked and I even have to buy simple finger-lickin' food just in case I need to eat standing up!

Thank goodness for quick reflexes and probably, kind customers who told us there were 2 free seats for both Angela and myself to enjoy our Kebab.  I had a beef kebab from Kyros Kebab.

After meal plus a lot of chit chatting, we hopped on the bus again to visit the Cocoa Boutique.  There, we tried various chocolates from Almonds to Dark Chocolates to Durian Chocolate and Chili Chocolate! 

After more than half a day of activities, we went back to the hotel to freshen up for the night's activities!  If you don't think our day was packed, I do not know how it's called!  *laughs*

NN Philippines Bus!

We had dinner at the Pavilion and we walked around the mall and even outside the mall.  We were stopping ourselves from shopping as we've got a "set" time to meet inside the bus.

Noted down: Sephora's Location --- I shall return! :P

Made a wish by tossing a coin in this gorgeous piece right outside the Pavilion.
I won't tell you my wish, I may have to kill you if I did!
*exaggerated violent mode*

Yes, it was partying like there's no tomorrow at View Rooftop Bar at G Tower Hotel!  11:00pm is the official Hip-Hop music (according to Patty and myself!) 

Don't ask me what time we got back to the hotel.
Don't ask me how we danced!
I'll keep my mouth...shut!  *laughs*

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Merry Merry Christmas!!!

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX Review

When I visited Korea last year, I remembered seeing a Laneige counter inside a posh-looking department store.  I gave it a skip as I've always thought the prices are way above the roof!  My blogger sister in Malaysia Xin emailed me on my last day in Korea asking me about Laneige prices in Korea and I nearly dashed out of the hotel room to check these out as she told me Laneige Products are good!

I event went around the Duty Free Shops looking for Laneige products but to my dismay, I went home empty handed (not really!) "Laneige" Empty-handed!

Everyone should know, if I need to tell the world a girl crush of mine, it will be and will always be Song Hye Kyo!

Adding the fact that Laneige uses my "girl" crush, I've read raves after raves from fellow beauty bloggers outside the country! 

AMW Bulletin: Ways to Make People Happy!

I know I am!

I am meeting up with the relatives and I have been too busy to even shop for Christmas!  I know some of you may be on the same shoes as I am!  Thanks to companies sending me emails giving me ideas on how to spend your hard earned money to make your love ones happy!

The first time I visited Sasa and Bonjour in Hong Kong, it was "heaven" not for makeup lovers but fragrance enthusiasts like yours truly!  Sniffing various fragrances and spritzing them to test how they work with our body chemistry gives me the natural high!

Thanks to Retail companies who opened Art of Scent, Perfume Express and now FRESH Fragrance Bar.  All three have the same concept, bringing in fragrance loving people into one place for fun fragrance shopping!  

I still haven't visited the store but will definitely drag my lazy bum to Eastwood Libis to shop for fragrance to one of my family member who's into fragrances (aside from myself).  I won't tell who as he/she may be reading this post!  *laughs*

Brands that I am interested in that are available in this gorgeous Boutique --- Christina Aguilera, Dunhill, Swarovski, Thierry Mugler, United Colors of Benetton, Perry Ellis, etc...

Or, if fragrance isn't an option, there's always an easier way by sending your loved ones Gift Cards!  I learned this via my blogger friend and I think it's a great idea!

I'm 100% Chinese and you know how we love our "red envelopes" or "ang pao".  Today's generation, giving out "red envelopes" still excites us but we like to personalize it by showing the recipient how much we thought of them!

The problems with gift cards probably is their lack of variety!  For Gift Card Co., you just pick the card and your loved ones will choose their gift from these categories ----

• Apparel - Nike, Planet Sports, Nautica, The Athlete's Foot
• Food & Beverages - Red Mango, TGIF, Italianni's, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Krazy Garlic, Pig Out, Ma Maison, Bulgogi Brothers, Red Crab Alimango House, Clawdaddy, Crustacia, Sugarhouse
• Recreation - The Spa, Crabtree & Evelyn, Fitness First, Blow Up Babies, Celebrity Nails, Lay Bare Waxing Salon

Feel free to LIKE them on Facebook to get more ideas on the brands and promos!

And, if I may have to add, Christmas isn't Christmas without giving something back!  I wasn't around the country when Typhoon Sendong happened!  I want to thank Patty for sharing this information to us and I want to share it to you!

If you'd like to DONATE here's how:

The Bills Payment facility of Metrobank at any branchDonor fills out two copies of the Payment Slip and indicates the following details:

Company name: Ateneo de Manila University
Subscriber Name: name of donor as will appear in the Ateneo official receipt
Reference Number: DREAM Team
Subscriber number: 002
Mode of payment: Indicate whether cash or check
Amount of payment: indicate Php amount.

Giving checks or cash directly to the Ateneo For checks, pay to the Order of Ateneo de Manila University FAO DReaM Team and addressed to Dr. Edna P. Franco, Vice President for Administration and Planning, Xavier Hall 2F, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108. Please indicate donor's name and address so that an official receipt can be sent to the donor.

For donations in US Dollars, a wire transfer can be made via China Bank with the following details:

Beneficiary Customer: Ateneo de Manila University;
US$ S/A Account No. 101-732651-4
Beneficiary Bank: 803-3278-269; China Banking Corporation; Manila, Philippines;
Swift Address: CHBKPHMM

To deposit directly to Xavier University, you may deposit through their BPI Account:Company name: Xavier University
Account #: 9331-0133-63
Branch: CDO, Divisoria Branch Account

For those who wish to donate in kind, you may bring the following to the Ateneo School of Government at the Socio-Development Complex:
Personal Hygiene pack:
Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, handsantizers,
Footwear
Clothes
Blankets

If I may have to add, Mr. AMW works at Philippine Airlines Office at PNB Building, they are also accepting donations in kind.  If above details are a bit difficult on your part, you can email me and get my mailing address and send your donations (not in cash) to via AMW and Mr. AMW will help me forward it to the PAL office.  I know it's tedious but I'm trying to help in my own ways as well!

Helping is beautiful!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

NAPBAS 2011 Report: Marriott Putrajaya and Awards Night

Happy Humpy Wednesday!
Today, I think I regained a bit of my energy (it doesn't show that I lost some anyways) but in truth, I lack sleep for the past 3 days because we just don't want to miss the fun while we were in Kuala Lumpur!

Let me share to you what happened during my unforgettable trip in Malaysia for the Nuffnang Blog Awards 2011.  

This is the photo after the event, Team Philippines...REPRESENT!!!

I was told we won the most awards!  Four awards for our country, that's a huge accomplishment and I want to congratulate all the nominees for bringing pride to the country!

We met up at Nuffnang Office, Fort around 5:30am.  The ride going to Clark, Pampanga Airport took us around an hour and a half.  Once we arrived the Clark Airport, everyone get to know each other while waiting at the check-in counter.  I'm grateful my college friend was there, we had a Pre-Christmas Reunion party the night before she wasn't able to attend due to work, so it felt like a continuation of the Christmas get-together that morning.

*thanks Gail for helping me out with money changing! :) 

Once we arrived at the LCCT Terminal, a bus was waiting for us and we were also guided by a tour guide named "Handsome" --- he told us that okay?  *laughs* Well, I can't seem to remember his real name so I'll go for his nickname!

Time check --- 4:30pm.  It has been a very long travel time, and it took as around another hour to get into the Marriott, Putrajaya. 

We didn't have much time to really go around the hotel to take photos as we were told we need to be ready by 6:30pm.  Well 6:30pm is the start of the registration and the program proper will start at 8:30pm.  I went into my room, took a couple of shots!

It's a twin sharing room and I'm glad I know my room mate --- Kessa!

The room is quite spacious and we had our own space to pull out our night outfit and start getting ready!

I may have to add, the bathroom is quite spacious, I wasn't able to take a shot of it but there's a bath tub on the other side.  The mirror is huge so both Kessa and I can get ready here and we may even invite 5 more friends!  *laughs*

The comfortable bed and super soft pillows!  I regret I didn't sleep much in the bed as we've been going around the place and sleep isn't part of our itinerary!  *lol*

Kessa's bed on the left, mind on the right!  No point in telling you as they both look exactly the same!  *crazy*

The table were both Kessa and myself fix our hair!  Kessa did her makeup here and I did mine near the door!  Thank goodness for full length mirror!

After doing her own hair and makeup, here's my dear room mate Kessa, gorgeous right?  *whispers* I know the secret to her gorgeous looking hair! 

Funny thing, I was able to do both my hair and makeup in a flash and was able to help out 2 Nuffies with their makeup as well!  *waves to Trixie and Thei*  I hope the girls enjoyed the simple looks I've done for them.

Our same floor roomies Patty and Angela came to the room and we had this shot taken when we were finally done! 

We finally arrived the Grand Ballroom and we registered and took just a couple of shots and we were called in to sit at our designated table as the Blog Awards will start anything soon!

I'm on table 25 and we're sharing a bit with our fellow Nuffies from Singapore!  For team Philippines, I was seated next to ---

Kessa

 and Angela

Right across, it was a first for me 

to meet Cebu based blogger Kaith!

Second time to meet Tracy

Also my second time to meet 

the Kikay Runner Noelle

And the girl with megawatts smile

Patty

Of course, yours truly!

If you wonder how I did my makeup, it was a smokey makeup using my Laura Mercier quad with hues of blue.  I also used the 3S Pre-glued lashes in Adorable (it stayed thewhole night til late partying at ZOUK)

For the cheeks, I used the Benefit Cha Cha Tint (in which I was able make Angela want it too!) *evil laugh*  Orange lips (but none left on photo after dinner) from Revlon.

I know most of you probably knew who were the winners for each categories by now as I posted this quite late!  For those who doesn't know ----

Best Lifestyle Blog - Jenni Epperson (Philippines)
Best Travel Blog - Nina Fuentes (Philippines)
Best Geek Blog - Geekout (Philippines)
Hidden Gem - Googley Gooeys (Philippines) 

Best Original Blog Design - Eat Show and Tell (Australia)
Best Parenting Blog - Childhood101 (Australia)

Best Photography Blog - Photoblog  (Hong Kong)


Best Entertainment Blog - Beautiful Nara (Malaysia)
Best Micro Blog - Kenny Sia (Malaysia) 
Best Fashion Blog - Cheesie (Malaysia)

Best Food Blog - Lady Iron Chef (Singapore)
Most Influential Blog and Region’s Best Blog - Xiaxue (Singapore)

I'll continue to talk about my mini adventure once in awhile for now, I hope you like my mini report!  I want to thank Nuffnang for the invite and to the Nuffnang PH team for inviting me as their guest!  I will definitely treasure this event and will talk about this to my grandchildren's children!  *lol*

Seriously, blogging is something I've been doing for the past 4 years and it helped me stay sane amidst the crazy challenges that goes along, when I walked down the red carpet that night, it gave me the feeling of pride..proud that bloggers are now recognized for their tiny voice in the cyber world!

Are you a reader of any of the readers above?

Can you let me know any blogs you think that should be "up" there? :D

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

AMW Reviews: K-Palette 24H Real Lasting Eyebrow Liners

Hi everyone!  I'm back in Manila!  I'm dead tired, sleepy but I have a huge smile on my face!  Thank you again Nuffnang PH for the invite and the blog awards was a huge success!  I'll tell you more about it once I sorted out photos! :)

Today, I will continue my K-Palette brand review, this time on their 1 Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyebrow Liners.  

01 Natural Brown

The difference with the eyerliner and eyebrow packaging is the color

of the name printed, eyebrow liners have it in gold.

Same micro fibre brush as the eyeliner

 

Works in all angle

02 Greyish Brown

Black Packaging with Gold Letterings

Looking closely, you'll see a space

where product automatically comes out

Being perfectly sharp is not a requirement

but it doesn't hurt that it has fine tipped brush

K-Palette 24H Real Lasting Eyebrow Liner says ---

• Liquid eyebrow liner that has the right amount of translucence such that the color is deep enough to conceal sparse areas but not too dark that it gives a severe looking one.
• Smudge proof and water resistant.
• Won Singapore Women’s Weekly Best Beauty Buys
• 2011- Best Brow Filler
• Can be easily washed off with soap and water. No eye make up remover needed!
• Suitable for novices and professionals
• Lasts upto 4 to 6 months of daily use
• Horray to perfect eyebrows the whole day.

Colors: 01 Natural Brown and 02 Greyish Brown

Ingredients:

AMW says ---

Pros

• Wonderful packaging that includes clear, English instructions.

• Manufactured date clearly printed.  Good job!

• No clicking or twisting for product to come out.
• Each time you brush, the color comes out very light and natural. 
• Mimics the color of your brow color.
• You can easily change the shape of your brows.
• Can easily fill in gaps.
• Lasts the whole day!
• I tried wiping it off really hard but it didn't disappear.

• Never look overly done.
• Can be removed easily at the end of the day with regular makeup remover.

Cons

• A bit tricky for first time users.

Overall
This is a perfect tool to fill in gaps and re-create the shape of your brows.

Tips

• Please try to match the color of your hair with your brows.  Doesn't have to be perfectly the same shade but at least "thisclose". 
• Black hair can go for 02 Greyish Brown.  Brown colored hair goes for 01 Natural Brown.
• Practice strokes on your hand before you proceed to your real brows.
• Always start by filling in gaps first before you start re-shaping your brows.
• If you have dark brows with light brown hair --- tip: Use 01 Natural Brown shade, then tint the color of your brows with brow tint that matches your hair color.  
• Do not forget to wipe the eyebrow liners at the end of the day with a cotton pad with makeup remover.
• Shake before use.
• Try to wipe off the brush with a makeup cleaning pad after use or when you use this on other people.
• Practice drawing with the pointed tip pointing towards the brows and use short strokes to mimic natural hairs.

Will I repurchase?
Yes.  This goes straight for my clients.  My brows are quite full to begin with so I like using this to fill in a gap on my left eyebrow.

To whom do I recommend this to?


Anyone with thin, sparse brows.

Where to purchase and how much?

Retails for Php895.00 (approx $20.35) in Beauty Bar branches in Greenbelt 5, Rockwell, Mall Of Asia, Trinoma, Podium, Galleria, Shangri-La, Eastwood, Gateway, Alabang Town Center and Midtown.

A sample swatch on how light it looks

top: 01 Natural Brown - perfect for light colored hair

bottom: 02 Greyish Brown - perfect for dark colored hair

01 Natural Brown

It make look weird as my natural brow hair is greyish brown but this pen works well on my light brown hair.  I need to use a brow tint to lighten up the color of my brows.

02 Greyish Brown

This matches the natural color of my brows perfectly!  Checkout the gap that I have and see how it was filled in naturally.

Do you have gaps between your brows?
Would you give brow liners a try?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Product sent for review.  Reviews are 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)