Gift That Matters with Ogalala

When it comes to gift-giving for kids this holiday season, I go for the easy-yet-meaningful route.  I message the moms and ask what their kids want and what they approve so the gift I will be gifting will Matter to both the recipient and the parents!

Thankfully, Ogalala Concept Store, my favorite kids' store because the toys they offer are perfect for developing young minds.  I have always been a fan of The Learning Journey, National Geographic and wide range of Crayola shades!  I have been a loyal Ogalala shopper even way before I was invited for the launch!

But the launch day was even better, because I ended up shopping for Kyle's classmates and my inaanaks because a lot of their items were on SALE!  (Ahh, I just love that huge RED sign with that 4 -letter word!)

I'm a Disney Minnie Nail Lacquer by Girlstuff Ambassador!

When you were asked by a Nail Polish brand you've been using for almost a decade to be their ambassador for one of their biggest collaboration ever, you can't help but nod and pinch yourself internally.  It is a dream come true for me!

If you check out my Nail Art Tutorials, you will see GirlStuff "used and abused" so many times in most of my nail art because for so many reason - pigmented shades, fashionable and up-to-date shades, free from harmful chemicals like Formaldehyde, Toluene, Di-butyl phtalate, Camphor and Formaldehyde Resin.  And who says you have to sacrifice quality for safety?  With Girlstuff, each polish has long wear and no-streak formulation which I love through the years! 

And if you think you need better reasons to trust Girlstuff, well, Girlstuff has been chosen as the first ever Philippine Brand of Nail Polish to carry Minnie Mouse by Disney!

And that calls for a celebration with a Launch of MINNIE MOUSE LACQUER COLLECTION BY GIRLSTUFF. 

The Collection includes 10 Minnie Mouse inspired shades!

Popsicle-feel On My Lips

Even before I attended the Holiday Collection and Christmas party or AGC (the company who distributes Etude House locally), I already visited my favorite Etude House store at Lucky Chinatown Mall and grabbed a couple of these Etude House Dear Darling Water Tints just because they look so cute!

I actually ended up buying 2 sets each shade (1 for review and 1 for gifting) because they are extremely affordable (Php200+ a pop) and packaged really prettily so I an easily get away making my teenager recipients happy and my wallet happy too!  (Gosh!  I hope they are not reading this post!  But it's the thought that counts guys!)

I easily picked randomly 4 shades because they look cute on packaging!  Housed in a popsicle-like packaging, the similarities between these Dear Darling Water Tints and a real-life popsicle does not end there!

Dear Darling Tint Cute Packging

Php298.00

They look like gifts even without wrapper!

I am actually planning to hunt on the rest of the shades and complete them just because they look soooooo adorable!

Pixi Skintreats Rose Caviar Essence Review

Surprise surprise!  As you probably expected to have a lip product reviewed on a Monday, I'm moving it a bit on latter part of the week because I have been so busy last week testing out new products at the same time attending meetings, events and parties here and there I wasn't able to take photos for you!  

So today, on a Monday, I am still sharing a pick-me-upper I get to try in the name of PIXI!

Pixi may be known for their makeup line but they do have a couple of bestselling skincare products --- ONE BIG EXAMPLE is the success of the Pixi Glow Tonic!

Under the Pixi Skin Treats Skincare Collection, I got my hands (literally) on the Rose Caviar Essence.

Pixi Skintreats Rose Caviar Essence Says ---

• Encapsulated flower oils suspended in this weightless serum-essence melt onto the skin delivering fresh botanicals to hydrate and restore skin’s brightness for optimum radiance• Formulated with antioxidant rich natural oils, this formula will soften, refine and tone• For all skin types• Not tested on animals• Paraben free

Weekend Food Trip at: Tien Ma's

The first time I visited Tien Ma's at Banawe branch was last year when Keith was hospitalized!  I went for takeout and got everything that was recommended by the waitress and everything tastes wonderful! 

After that first time order, we've decided to go back to the said restaurant a couple of times and tried their other dishes!  I'm glad their food choices expanded and they even offer Truffled Xiao Long Bao!

Black Mushroom with Truffle Oil Xiao Long Bao

Php240.00

Not bad price for 8pcs of Xiao Long Bao.  You really get a hint of Truffle upon each bite!  The skin of the Xiao Long Bao is soft and smooth and you get a good amount of "soup" inside.

Deep Fried Stinky Tofu

Php199.00

I've had Stinky Tofu in Shanghai once and I realized it wasn't the authentic one so I wanted to give Stinky Tofu another try here in Manila and the experience was unforgettable!

Taking a bite at Tien Ma's Stinky Tofu takes a lot of strength because you can literally smell it from afar and taking a bite won't change the fact that it is indeed extremely STINKY!  I call this dish "acquired taste".  You either love it so much or hate it a lot!  

You wanted to know how I feel about this dish?  We had a good laugh because a lot of expletives were blurted out while chewing this Stinky Tofu dish!

If you're adventurous, I dare you to give this a try and let me know how you like/hate it.