AMW Reports: Estee Lauder Re-Nutritiv Launch

Before the year ends, our dear friends from Estee Lauder invited some of their VIP clients and their media friends for an exclusive dinner to celebrate the premier of New. Re-nutritiv --- Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Creme.

Estee Lauder Research has been coming up with better products to help Repair, Recharge and Restore skin's energized, radiant appearance.

• Repair with phormidium Persicinum - also known as "Rock of Life" Algae, it has survived and thrived for over 3 billion years and and its precious fossils are found in Shark Bay Australia, South Africa's Umbilo River and in the Red Sea.  Now Estee Lauder Research has discovered a state-of-the-art, sustainable way to cultivate this extraordinary algae.
• Recharge with EGT - this amino acid, a supercharged anti-oxidant, is one of the building blocks of life.  It recharges skin's energy helping skin build its natural reserves of vitality and protection. 
• Restore with Laminaria Digitate Extract - also known as Silketare, this extract is created through a patented process and comes from an incomparable sea plant that can only be harvested a few months a year. Estee Lauder Scientists discovered that Silketare helps boost SIRT-3, a "longevity gene" which plays a vital role in skin cell's mitochondrial function.  In simpler terms, it help skint o restore its own natural ability to produce youthful energy!

I was lucky enough to experience it personally as a Beauty Advisor showed me how it was meant to be applied!  I was right in front of a very hi-tech skin care regimen.

The packaging comes with a golden spoon to help grab product hygienically!  Not a lot is needed for the whole face and neck.  As soon as the product was massaged onto my hands!  I felt how the product gets absorbed into my skin immediately leaving my hand very soft and smooth!

I was told that the long term effect is even more impressive, using the product regularly helps revitalize skin to make it look more alive, youthful  and dramatically lifted! 

The Re-Nutriv Ultimate Life Age-Correcting Creme is part of the Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Collection, which was launched on Estee Lauder counters locally last November 2010.

Suggested Retail Prices:
Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Creme Php13,500.00 (approx $307.00)
Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Serum Php12,500.00 (approx $285.00)
Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Eye Creme Php5,900.00 (approx $135.00)

The prices mentioned left my mouth wide open!  I know, it is too much for a skincare line right?  Well, I feel the same as you, but seeing the number of loyal clients invited in the said event and how much they gushed on the Estee Lauder skin care products they have been using for years, well, people have their own choices to spend or not to spend!  I guess these loyal clients chose to spend more on skin care because they found these products to work for them!

There's a secret that was whispered on my ear during the event, Estee Lauder products can be purchased using your credit card for 6 months or 12 months to pay with 0% interest!  Oh, the joy of using credit cards!

Here's a photo after the dinner with Estee Lauder Philippines' Liz Pe Aguirre (middle) with fellow beauty bloggers!

My a dear friend, who looks sexy even after giving birth, Frances, Editor-in-Chief of OK! Magazine Philippines and a blogger! 

For now, I choose not to spend too much on skincare as whatever I am using now still works for me, but I can't vouch that I won't be spending much on skincare line when the time comes my skin is turning wrinkly and signs of aging are pushing in!  :)

To the rest of the youngsters, start caring for your skin as early as NOW! :)

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Thank you Mary Kay Philippines

Isn't it sweet when you came back from work and you get a very nice package that you weren't expecting?  It happened to me a day before Christmas!  I got a nice package from Mary Kay Philippines with a box of Truffles chocolates (which I wasn't able to take photos because it's inside our tummy in less than 10 seconds)  *lol*

According to Mary Kay Eau de Parfums:

The message in this bottle is all about relationships and celebrating them with a gift that turns a moment into a memory. This feel-good fruity floriental fragrance also features a keepsake heart charm that can be removed and added to jewelry and unique packaging that allows you to handwrite a note inside.

True enough, it warms my heart to receive such wonderfully packaged product that has the 3 letter words "Thinking Of You", it means how much a person has taken their time to really write down a note on the box cover and it was such a nice feeling to know how people knew I love fragrances!

A girl can't have too much fragrances! 

The 1fl oz bottled Eau de Parfum has a hint of fruity and floral scent!  Just right for day time working girl like myself!  Its scent lasts more than half the day and re-spritzing is no problem at all with this cute tiny bottle with a nice charm attached to it!

The Mary Kay Thinking of You Eau de Parfum will be available locally on February 2011 for Php2,100 (approx $48.00).  Just in time for Valentine's Day!  Yup, the Happy Hearts Day is near!!! So is my birthday ! Uh-oh! *laughs*

Another great addition to my "can be easily tote along inside my bag" scent!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

(Product sent as gift by company.  The author is not affiliated with the company)

AMW Reviews: Tears Line & Mode Autobrow

Hi everyone!  How was Christmas Day?  Got any gifts you've been dreaming off?  Well, I had a wonderful Christmas Day as I spent it with both families!  Went on a short day trip at Tagaytay for some R&R with my family because my brother came back for vacation and I am sure his tummy is craving for his favorite Bulalo!  Though traffic was crazy, everything went well and I was able to spend quality time with my husband's family for dinner!  It was a busy day but it was definitely a day filled with love, laughter and of course....food!

Though I may sound like I'm on vacation mode, well, this blog isn't resting!  There are a couple of reviews I want to share to everyone!  Especially to a lot of my readers who emailed me telling me they will be off to Korea next year!  *jealous mode*  Most questions I've asked?  "What to buy in Korea?" 

A LOT!  But let me start one product at a time and I have to justify why it's "a must buy", right?  First things first, this brand is definitely new to a lot of you!  The brand sounds weird actually but to my dear Philippine readers, you'll be proud how this brand name came about....

Stairway to Heaven star Kwon Sang Woo has been a spokesperson  for other cosmetics brand for more than 5 years (author inserts: The Face Shop) and he found this industry to be a charm!  He then prepared for his own cosmetics business and got involved personally with brand planning and product development! 

Here's the wonderful part about why he named the cosmetics brand Tears....

An interview taken from Koreanclicks.com

"Back in Philippines, when I was doing the promotion of my Korean TV drama ‘Stairway to Heaven’, fans called me ‘Mr Tears’ where I feel it a good sense of language.”

Now that you've got a bit of insight on the cosmetic brand, let me proceed with the first Tears product I will be reviewing, I actually bought this at Tears, Myeong Dong branch which is the first branch opened!

Tears Line & Mode Autobrow

Tears Line & Mode Autobrow says ---

Sorry, I can't seem to find their website, maybe they have one in Korean version.

AMW says ---

Pros

• Sealed upon purchase to assure freshness of product

• Available in at least 3-4 shades (base on my bad memory)
• Very inexpensive!
• No need to sharpen!
• Build in eyebrow brush which is very useful!
• Lasts quite some time!
• Can be easily shared to others as you can easily spritz the tip with makeup remover for hygiene purposes.
• Can be easily removed with makeup remover

Cons

• Not widely available! :(

Overall

I won't say this is the BEST eyeliner to date because I still have a lot of other Korean branded eyebrow pencils (The Face Shop, Missha, etc...)  Will do reviews on them one by one then probably will come back and choose the best.

For its price though, it is indeed the most inexpensive and wonderful eyebrow pencil I've owned!

Tips

• Draw with light hand motion

• Choose the eyebrow pencil shade that's a bit close to your hair color, I chose mine BR02 which is the lightest because I have light colored hair!

• If you think you've drawn a bit too much or too dark, no need to remove it with makeup remover, brush gently with the brush that comes with the eyebrow pencil!

• Find your shade, try on testers before you purchase, do not depend on "guessing" and ask your friends to hoard for you!
• If you are like me who knows the right eyebrow pencil shade, you can ask your friends who plan to travel to Korea to purchase for you!!!
• Do not forget to include the eyebrow area in wiping off makeup at night!

Will I repurchase?
YES!  I actually purchased 3 because I tried this brow pencil on spot and love it!  I feel bad that I did not purchase more though!

To whom do I recommend this to?
Anyone who likes eyebrow pencils and wants the natural looking brows that doesn't break the bank!

Where to purchase and how much?
At Myeong-Dong, Seoul Korea for KRW4,000 which is approximately Php100.00/$2.25.

Tears Line & Mode Autobrow in BR02

Product used a couple of times so the eyeliner side is not perfect!

Eyebrow Brush that comes with the pencil is really soft and easy to use!

Tears BR02 Swatched on hand 

Similar to my Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pencil No. 2

Before and after of eyebrows

So far, this is my favorite eyebrow pencil that I reach out for on a daily basis!
Such a great alternative for my Paul & Joe Eyebrow Pencil!
What's your favorite inexpensive Eyebrow Pencil?

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: C2 Classic Cuisine

I've known C2 because I've dined in there several times with my family!  The restaurant for me is focused on gatherings as the restaurant is usually spacious!  When I learned C2 is part of the Manila's Signature Dishes 2010, I thought it was a bingo as it was near my place, can you imagine the look of shock when I saw the branch?  It's at Katipunan and seriously, I've been there once or twice in my entire life!  

Late Tuesday night, it started to rain and of course, it was right, we got lost!  But after arriving at the restaurant, this greeted us...

I would like the say, it is worth the travel. C2 at Cravings Center Katipunan opened its doors October 2004.  They pride that most of their dishes are in huge servings because they target groups particularly families!  I am right when I started to earn my own money and take my family there! 

Thanks to Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) I was able to taste dishes I've never tried before! 

I wasn't able to meet the Chef Oliver Gascon but thanks to the Restaurant Manager Mr. Alvan for taking the time to talk to us and explained to us more about C2.  The concept of C2 is redefining classic Filipino dishes.  They pride in giving customers a taste of Filipino cooking with a twist of modern cooking! 

I agree with their concept because I can always taste sinigang in different restaurants or even make my own sinigang at home and they would taste approximately similar in several ways!  At C2, you get surprised on how different a simple Filipino dish could get!

Crispy Ribs Sinigang

(Tamarind Soup Base)

The Crispy Ribs Sinigang is hailed the restaurant's bestseller!  It looks and tastes different like most sinigang I've tasted! The crispy ribs served separately are a great idea as you can taste the crunchiness of the ribs as you drink the sour soup!  The ribs are served quite huge!

Adobong Sitaw

I actually cannot tell it's Adobo!  It is really unique in many ways!  The sauce has coconut milk on it and I would say it tastes closer to "Pinakbet" rather than adobo!  The crunchy pork is the same texture of the crispy ribs!  Definitely felt guilty while I eat this but still, there are vegetables in it!  I can still call this "half healthy"!  *laughs*

Dory Escabeche

My mom and dad who are health conscious would always go for fish!  That's why I am not surprised when I was told this dish is famous with health-conscious customers!  I am really enjoying this dish as I love fish and I love the sauce that comes with it!  When C2 said most of their dishes are combined with foreign style of cooking, I agree with them, particularly in this dish because it tastes like Chinese and Filipino dish combined in one!  The freshness of Dory mixed with slight sweet and a tinge of sour sauce go very well with rice!

 

Well, most dishes above goes so well with rice!  The Garlic Rice is a staple for rice and non-rice lovers like me!  A must to try when you visit C2 Classic Cuisine because a meal is not complete without rice!

Pastilla Panna Cotta

Because Panna Cotta is foreign to most Filipino Restaurants, the innovative Chefs of C2 have decided to mix foreign with local!  The Panna Cotta served is sweeter and creamier than other Panna Cottas available in the market.  That's why they call it Pastillas!  Pastillas are well known Filipino sweets in which the main ingredients are powdered milk and condensed milk! 

 

The restaurant is hidden in multiple restaurants at the Katipunan area.  It looks really small outside but once you get in, you don't feel suffocated at all as the bright looking walls with the huge, clean kitchen makes it pleasing to the eyes!  I love the salad bar!

I have to admit though, after all the wonderful dishes above, and great company with Food Bloggers!  I gave up and bought a piece of Twix Cheesecake!  Sorry, I wasn't able to take a shot of it as I downed it with Mr. AMW on our long way back home!

When you plan to visit C2 Classic Cuisine at Katipunan branch, be prepared of the tiny parking space, but the restaurant offers Valet service!  Servers are quite prompt with their service and WIFI service is also available!

C2 Classic Cuisine

Cravings Center 

287 Katipunan Avenue,

Loyola Heights, Quezon City Philippines

Tel nos: (632) 426-6681 to 89

Operating Hours: 7:00am to 11:00pm Daily

Though I may not return to this restaurant not because I am not happy with the food and service but it is because of the location, I am not worrying because C2 Classic Cuisine is widely scattered around the Metro!  C2 Midtown branch, I will be back!!!

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!

Unilever Foodsolutions (UFS), being the preferred foodservice business partners among restaurateurs, felt the need to acknowledge notable restaurants who are developing Manila as a culinary city.  They have partnerered with select restaurants within the metropolis in coming up with signature dishes.  UFS has synergized with these restaurants, both through dish development and promotion campaign for these signature dishes, in achieving one common goal: coming up with a different culinary experiences that provide value for money and culinary memories for diners.

If you're a restaurateur (or an aspiring one) and in need of help in coming with your signature dish, call (632) 588-8855 or email at foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com.

Manila's Signature Dishes 2010: Bordeaux

I haven't been much around Fort, Taguig area because, well, I haven't been out too much!  *laughs*  I know it's the "it" place and my bestfriend actually lives the area and seriously?  I should go out more often because I am missing out a lot!  

On that fateful day I chose to visit Bordeaux Bar, it was that day that has the worst traffic ever!  It took us 3 hours to arrive the said destination but all the hunger, the stress were gone when we went inside the Bar.

Relaxing is even an understatement, the place gave me a feel of Paris

Before I visited the Bar, I did my own research and learned that Bordeaux is a new wine bar that serves exclusive French Wines.  The establishment carries close to 100 different wine labels from 15 major French wine regions.  I wouldn't be surprised if French wine lovers would call this their "Kingdom of Happiness"!

Bordeaux is the youngest restaurant out of the 16 restaurants for Manila's Signature Dishes 2010.  It officially opened February of 2010.  I was able to have a good dinner conversation with one of the partner, Mr. Enrique De Castro, young, dynamic guy who has the passion for food just like my passion for Make-up!

For Manila's Signature Dishes 2010, Edward Narvaez chose the dishes to be part of the set as they are the fast-moving and best selling dish in Bordeaux to date!  I was advised that the whole menu will be reconstructed soon and they will be retaining the dishes mentioned in this post because they are what the customers are going back for! 

Gambas ala Rochelle

An appetizer worth ordering!  You do know I'm allergic to shrimps right?  And it was quite easy for me to give shrimp dishes a miss but the moment it was served, my sense of smell went a bit crazy and I pop on an anti-histamine and dug in!  This dish was seriously tasty and can I brag?  My home-made Gambas tastes a bit close to this!  This one is obviously better though!  *laughs*

The real Gambas ala Rochelle is actually served with pasta, but our main dish is quite heavy so the owners decided to leave Gambas the way it should be!  Just shrimps and loads of olive oil, garlic and a lot of 'secret' spices!

Boeuf Bourguignon

When Edward Narvaez traveled in France and tasted this typical French Food, he got back in Manila and cooked it right away and it was a hit to everyone!  They call this the Filipino's Adobo.  It was a funny story about 2 French guys complimenting this dish saying how it tastes exactly like their grandmothers' cooking.  I told Enrique how it sounds like "Ratatouille" over and over again! :)

Both Mr. AMW and myself was in awe at first bite, I love the combination of the tastiness of the beef with the pesto pasta!  Who would have thought it'll go well together?  I've always thought these types of flavorful dishes would only go well with rice, I guess I am too Filipino when it comes to eating!  Think French Nikki, Think French! :)

Panna Cotta

I have to compliment the Chef of the night for such lovely presentation!  The nest-like sugar crisp is the smartest innovation to make simple Panna Cottas look like a dessert worth including in hotel menus!  The hint of strawberry and chocolate syrup with a good serving of cream on top of the Panna Cotta may add inches on my waist but it also added a huge smile on my face!  Best eaten chilled in my opinion!

Bordeaux Bar may be hidden around the area of Fort, Taguig but it's a place worth visiting especially on days you would want to have good food together with your wine!  I will come back not because of the wine (sorry to all wine lovers out there) because I am not a fan of drinking but I will definitely come back for its wonderful food!  Seldom can we find bars that serve good alcoholic beverages at the same time, great tasting food of 5-star quality!

Bordeaux Bar

Unit F, Bellagio II
Rizal Drive, Corner Burgos Circle, 

Fort Global City, Taguig, Philippines

Tel. no: (632) 403-6554

The area has ample parking space, it was a Taguig Holiday that day when we visited the area so the place isn't as jam-packed as regular days, but I can see the waiters are quite attentive and there are several wine aficionados enjoying the good ambiance.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

Unilever Foodsolutions (UFS), being the preferred foodservice business partners among restaurateurs, felt the need to acknowledge notable restaurants who are developing Manila as a culinary city.  They have partnerered with select restaurants within the metropolis in coming up with signature dishes.  UFS has synergized with these restaurants, both through dish development and promotion campaign for these signature dishes, in achieving one common goal: coming up with a different culinary experiences that provide value for money and culinary memories for diners.  
 
If you're a restaurateur (or an aspiring one) and in need of help in coming with your signature dish, call (632) 588-8855 or email at foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com.