Weekend Getaway at: Pico De Loro, Nasugbu Batangas

Happy Sunday AMW Readers!
I want to take this opportunity to greet ALL MOMS HAPPY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  Everyone know how much I love both my moms so I'm celebrating the special day with them through, *ahem* FOOD! :)   

As promised, I will be sharing to you guys my experience staying at the beautiful Pico De Loro Beach and Country Club!  Once I said yes to the invite for Orly's Feel The Vibe Launch, I went to my "Google" friend and searched for the place and photos!  It is one picturesque place worth visiting!  

Upon arriving at the Hamilo Coast, we went straight to Pico Sands Hotel (where we will be staying for the night).  I love the fact that the hotel has a lot of natural light coming in from all sides!  The sunny-vibe is indeed very visible with the help of some greens.

top: bought from Zalora

bottom: G.U. shorts

Ipanema Sandals

Earth is my room mate, once we got in, it was so funny how we went straight to taking photos of the room before fixing ourselves! 

The average room size is about 45 square meters.  We got 2 double beds in our room and the mattress and pillows were very comfortable!  I did not have a hard time dozing off that night!

The "veranda" is one great addition to the room and help makes it even more spacious!  I enjoyed standing out there once in awhile to enjoy the view!  I even had a nice chat with Mr. AMW outside before I went to bed!

The room has a mini fridge with complimentary water, coffee and tea!

The bathroom is quite spacious with another set of complimentary water, toothbrush, body lotion, shower cap, soap, shampoo and conditioner!  Each hotel room has a blow dryer.

Pico Restaurant and Bar is located opposite the hotel entrance also a couple of steps away from the gorgeous pool!   Pico restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine while Pico Bar serves wide range of beverages including its signature fruit juices and Mojito blends.

Our lunch menu

Iced Tea

Cream Soup

Salad with Sesame Dressing

Pork 

It is very convenient to go around the Beach and Country Club, I just tell the guys right outside the hotel to help give shuttle service a call!

 First stop: The Beach Club

This is located near the coastline where Arribada Lounge is located (where Orly's Feel the Vibe Launch happened).  You get to enjoy other facilities like the swimming pool, which was an obvious hit when I was there!

The Beach, I gave a slow "internal whistle" (as I can't whistle at all!  *laughs*) as the sands were fine and clean!  Outdoor recreation activities like kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, fish feeding, trekking, nature biking and ATV are possible!  All you need to do is to talk to the Outdoor Recreation Desk.

We only have a couple of minutes to walk around the beach front as we need to head back for a quick tour around Pico De Loro!  I enjoyed how clean the area was and the sand are very fine.

Even for less than an hour "break", Earth, Trixie and I were able to enjoy and put "lounging" in action! :)

 Second Stop: St. Therese of the Child Jesus Chapel

This chapel can be considered a great wedding destination!  The chapel is made of metal and glass, not too big nor too small, just right for a solemn ceremony!

You also get to see panoramic views of Pico De Loro Cove

The famous "walkway" were most magazine shoots take place!

Third Stop: The Country Club

Whatever recreational activities you can think of, I think they are mostly available in this country club!  I can live in this place forever!!!  *laughs*

Once you enter the complex, you will be greeted with a huge "living room-like" area where you can easily get relaxed.

 Fitness Center

Table Tennis and other racket sports area

Badminton and Tennis Court

Basketball Court

Studio for dancing

Game Room 

for the computer game addicts out there!

Bowling and Billiards Hall

We  headed back at Pico Sands Hotel for dinner and we had Bacon Salad, Fish and Vegetable Tempura and banana cakes!

Early morning, I'm glad Earth invited me for a walk at the beach!  It was a good walk and a nice way to bid goodbye to the gorgeous-looking beach worth re-visiting!

 top: WAGW

pants: Collective.com Marie Lad Pants

shades: Fly

Overall, I had a grand time staying at Hamilo Coast.  Hamilo Coast is actually SM Land's premier coastal development in Nasugbu, Batangas.

How to get to Hamilo Coast?

• By Land: Travel through Tagaytay route going beyond to Nasugbu, Batangas taking approximately 2.5-3 hours.
• By air on a helicopter for 20 minutes from Mall of Asia Complex.
• By Ferry at Mall of Asia Complex to Hamilo Pier in Papaya Cove, Hamilo Coast for 1.5 hours.

Feel free to check out Hamilo Coast's website by smiling and clicking here.

Have you been to Pico De Loro?
Did you enjoyed your stay there?
If you haven't, have you been to Nasugbu Batangas?  Where did you stay?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

AMW Report: Orly's Feel The Vibe Launch at Pico De Loro

Happy Saturday!!!
Last week, I received an invite for an overnight getaway for Orly's Feel The Vibe Launch at Pico De Loro, Batangas.  I immediately wrote out a draft telling the invitee how sad I am I will miss the event!  As you know, I have a day job and leaving a day prior to the weekend is illegal, leaving 2 days prior to the weekend is worth "death penalty"!  *laughs*.  Before clicking "send", I had a quick chat with Mr. AMW then my mom and both of them said the same thing..."Why not?  You deserve the break, you need it!" 

And guess what?  I listened to the 2 important people in my life and I'm glad I did because I was able to relax and rock the neon-colored nails!

**Thanks Trixie Reyna for this shot

Dress: Shannaholic

Rewind to where everything started.....

Everyone met up at SM MOA area and off we went via coaster!  It was a long, bumpy 3-hour ride but we were greeted with friendly staffs at Pico Sands Hotel!  Ooohh, I am dreaming about the "welcome drink", I'm craving for it now!

After lunch (I'll talk more about Pico de Loro and food tomorrow!), we were drove to the Beach Front area for the SPARTY!

Once we were at Arribada Lounge, we were immediately greeted with a huge Orly poster.  

 And the star of the day!  Orly's Feel the Vibe Collection are laid out for us to check them out!

  

"Feel the Vibe" is a collection that showcase six gorgeous electrifying neons!  I may not be a neon-colored outfit wearer but I can always be adventurous on my nails!

Left to right ---

• Melt Your Popsicle (Orange Neon)
• Day Glow (Pearl White Creme)
• Skinny Dip (Azure Neon)
• Glow Stick (Yellow Neon)
• Beach Cruiser (Fuchsia Neon)
• After Party (Midnight Blue Shimmer)

All of the shades were a hit!  This is a limited edition set so if any of the shades above catches your fancy, do get them this month for Php349.75 (approx $8.10) at Purebeauty Store, First Aid Greenbelt, PCX (Rockwell, Ermita, Alabang Town Center), Watsons (Greenbelt 5, Ayala Cebu), Beauty by SM (Makati, Megamall, Fairview), Landmark Trinoma, Beauty Cocktails, Robinsons Department Store Ermita, Robinsons Galleria. 

What I love about Orly polishes are the fact that these are Free of DBP, Formladehyde and Toluene.  They may chip easier than regular polishes but you know you're safe from all the harm chemicals!

Earth, my room mate, smartly swatches the shades before she takes her pick!  Most of us voted for Skinny Dip (Azure Neon) and she listened and rocked the color!

We were divided into 2 batches and I was part of the first and we had our manicures and pedicures done by the wonderful Orly Ladies!

The lounge was air-conditioned and servers served us Iced Tea or Mojitos to hydrate us!  

What did the rest of the ladies do?  Well, they were required to give us massages!  *laughs*  I am just joking!  Patty, whom I got to meet during Nuffnang Bloggers' Award 2011 in Malaysia, goofed around!  I am so happy to see this one happy soul once again! :)

The rest were free to roam around the beach or sit at the 2 table set-up for, yet another, food flooding!  *laughs*  It was only an hour or 2 apart from our lunch!

 But who can resist such food?  I know I can't!  Immediately right after my manicure and pedicure session, I went straight to the table to enjoy my nachos, pizzas and potato balls!

Thanks to Orly's Quick Dry as I survived without any smudges!  The second batch of girls were ready for their own SPARTY!

It was also a wonderful time to catch up and get to know more about each other!

Oh, we were also with a nice gentleman who took photos of us during the event!  We had a solo picture of us with our well-manicured nails!  I believe photos will be uploaded at ORLY PH Facebook page soon!  So watch out for it!

As for me, Earth and Trixie, the Butikis (Lizards) *sorry insider joke* we went straight to the beach and enjoyed the sun!  See how gorgeous Skinny Dip (Azure Neon) on my feet???

As for my hands, I picked Fuchsia Neon and Patty went for the color that spells PATTY!  Yellow Neon!

I want to thank the lovely ladies whom I met during the event! 

We may come from different backgrounds but we all got united with one thing --- Our love for beauty and for things that makes us feel beautiful!   

**photo taken by Orly's photographer

I also would like to thank Sprint Asia Beauty and SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation for the wonderful extended weekend that seldom happens.

 **photo taken by Orly's photographer

Have you had a recent Sparty? 
My last was, ahmmm, my Bridal Shower!  It was 4 years ago!
Have you been to Pico De Loro, Batangas?  If not, well I'll share more about my experience staying there on my next blog post! :)

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!
Happy Weekend!

AMW Reviews: Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies (Waterproof Formula)

Good morning everyone!  The "lazy-to-use mascara who actually needs to use a mascara" girl is finally here to share to you, yet another, mascara review from the brand where my knowledge for mascaras started! 

Maybe she's born with it....maybe it's Maybelline.

I got to chat with Sydney of Studio SnR regarding this mascara and she told me how this product is always flying off-the-shelves!  I have to agree, I have checked random Maybelline counters and either I don't see them or see only a few of them left! 

How good is the Falsies?

Maybelline says ---

This mascara will give you more visible lashes because it fills in the gaps. Unique flexible wand helps to lift and separate lashes to provide the look of more lashes. Patented Spoon brush and Kera-fiber formula instantly build 8x more volume without clumping to complete the false lash look.

AMW says ---

Pros

• The applicator is very easy to use even on short, sparse lashes.
• Color is matte black.
• Formula is not too dry not wet.  Right texture.
• Does not dry out my lashes.  No crunchy lash.
• Defines the lashes.
• Creates length.
• Curl stays the whole day.  Does not weigh down my lashes.
• Waterproof, smudge-free and no flaking.
• Easy to remove with regular eye makeup remover.

Cons

• Clumps a bit.
• Not the false-lash effect as product name.

Overall
This mascara helps define each lashes giving a darker appearance, the curl stays and never weighs the lashes down.  It clumps if applied too much or too quickly.

Tips

• Never rush with this mascara application or else, it will clump.
• Take time to start at the roots and wiggle outwards.

• Mascara clumps?  Brush with a spoolie after mascara application.
• Curl your lashes PRIOR to mascara application.  
• Always remove your mascara well with your choice of eye makeup remover.
• Never share the same mascara wand with others!

Will I repurchase?
No, I will still go for my favorite Volum' Express Magnum Mascara.

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone with full lashes who likes to define it minus the heavy feel.

Where to purchase and how much?
At local Maybelline counters for less than Php500.00.

Product photos and swatches

The curved wand that fits my eye shape perfectly.
The brush itself is flexible.

After curling my lashes with Shiseido's Eyelash Curler, I applied coats after coats of The Falsies and here's the effect.

Have you tried The Falsies?
What's your favorite Maybelline Mascara to date?
Mine is still the Maybelline's Volum' Express Magnum Mascara!  *FTW*!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy

(Product received during an event.  Opinions 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

AMW Reports: Ferretti's New Store

Good morning friends!  I hope you opened up my page in a very good mood!  If not, well. I hope you finish reading this post with a cheerful heart!  My ultimate dream is to be your clown!  *laughs*

A reader once asked me how I store my shoes and wants me to share a photo.  I sat still, in front of the computer, wondering why someone would even be interested!  As you all know, I don't see myself as a shoe collector!  I am a smart shopper, I buy what's needed and throw away what's broken!  ---> that statement sounds odd!  *laughs*

What I meant was, I try to keep my shoe collection minimal, I use whatever I have to its "maximum capacity" then purchase IF needed.  I guess, I was talking about the ME a decade ago!  *hehehe*

When I started working and earning my own money, that's when my shoe collection grows a bit!  My mom used to complain that I have quite a collection!  Look ma!  Aren't you glad I moved out?  :P

Today, I don't claim to have found the best way to store shoes, nor am I claiming what a HUGE shoe collection I got!  And let's not get into the "Eureka Moment: HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR SHOES" post as you won't see it here!   I'm seriously quite embarrassed as the "organized Nikki" you know might fail you! 

*breathes in and out*  Here you go.....

Most of them stored in this wooden shoe cabinet....

Some are stuck inside this hanging shoe organizer.  

Note: The metal shoe rack isn't mind!  It's my Dad-in-law's so I don't feel bad that I have a lot of shoes!  He has MORE!  *lol*

And the rest?  Still inside the shoe box which topples all over EVERY time I plan to "lazily" get to the bottom without touching what's on top! 

Now, you ask me what's my dream "shoe" storage?  Definitely a walk-in shoe closet and the need for it got deeper when I visited Ferretti's newest store which opened just last May 1st at Glorietta 1&2!

Remember my first Ferretti Store visit last year?  (read article HERE)  They transferred and everything looks better!  The store is bigger, brighter and oh-so-girlier!

I went straight to the 2 sides near the door and look what greeted me! The cute Gloria Slip-ons for only Php599.00 (approx $14.00) which keeps haunting me at the Ferretti Facebook Page!  The slip-ons is perfect for summer!

Can you spot the tiny green and red bag at the bottom table?  It is so cute!  But for someone who carries ALMOST EVERYTHING, I can't seem to use it unless I only need to bring my wallet and phone! :P

Next side of the glass door/window, in my mind, I was saying: "Table...I crush you!  Come to momma!" 

As I got further in, I can't believe the store is 2-2.5 times bigger than the old one!  (The way I said it, it seems like I had a measuring tape with me no?  lol)  It hit me that not only did the store got bigger, Ferretti shoes, bags and accessories collection got fatter too! :P 

Flats

Wedges

Pumps

I am so happy that Liz and Nikki were there!  It was a breeze shopping with these 2 as decision-making was easier together with these 2 "Bad influences"!  *laughs* 

Liz showing off the orange "2-in-1" bag which I mentally noted as part of my wishlist.  What caught my attention was the fact that I can easily put my iPad2 and laptop inside because of its' perfect shape!

Nikki modeling another favorite bag of mine!  I "sweetly" forced her to carry this for pictorial purposes!

*whispers* This is just between you and me okay?   But it was a selfish reason of me to have a photo of this bag!  *evil laugh*  (Just joking Nikki, just joking!)

I was also asked to pose right inside the store as Liz and Nikki loved my Ferretti Multicolored Slingback Wedge!  So yeah, we're even!  They just wanted a picture of my shoes, not me! :P
 

top: collective.com (brand not the website)

jeans: Levi's  Curve ID Ankle Skinny Jeans

The problem with store visits?  I left the store carrying 2 new pairs of shoes!  I was supposed to get a pair but what the heck?  I was told Ferretti Shoes are of limited stocks, once you see something you like, better grab them NOW or you'll never see them for the rest of your life!  (Statement obviously not from the company!)  But true enough, I don't see my Ferretti Multicolored Slingback Wedge in BLUE available online or in store anymore!  I'm not sure if they'll have it in the future but I'm glad I got mine as early as 2 months ago and has been receiving compliments each time I wear them! (They may not compliment my face and body but at least they compliment my shoes!  That's good enough!  *pathetic loser* hahaha:)

By the time you're reading this, I'm off to Pico De Loro, Batangas for an overnight event so I do not have the chance to wear my newest pairs of Ferretti shoes as of the moment, I'll share to you once I get the chance! *promise*

Feel free to LIKE Ferretti on Facebook so we'll drool together each time they post a new collection!  

(Sorry if I kept on gushing about the brand, I have to keep it clear that the brand did not pay me to say all these kind words!  I just love how comfortable they are and I have been buying from them multiple times!)

Thanks Liz and Nikki for the company!
Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Nail Art Tutorial: Daisies To Cool Me Down This Summer

In the middle of ANY stressful day, I have this secret that keeps me cheerful and positive!  Yes, I will share it to you today because it works for me and MAY work for you! :)

I like going to Google Images and search for random photos from "Cute Dogs", "Cute Cats", "Cartoons", "Flowers" or simply typing "Funny Photos".  There's one photo that totally brightened my day and I've come to realize I haven't drawn this on my nails!  

**photo from Source

And here's another one that gave me the total inspiration....

**photo from Source