A DAY WITH MAITA AND KAJO

I just got back from Bukidnon with a few friends. While we were there, Kajo and I bought a few goodies to take home for Maita. Today, we met her for lunch at Il Terrazzo Tomas Morato, Quezon City so we can give our pasalubong to her.

Il Terrazzo is a convenient place for the three of us to meet since it’s halfway from our houses. I’m also curious to see this place since I haven’t been there in a long time.

To my surprise, a lot of things really changed. Nevertheless,  I am delighted by these changes. First of all, Banapple moved to a bigger location just beside their old store. The place has more tables now and is less cramped. In fact, they even have a private room available for events. So cool! Second, Il Terrazzo has Gong Cha and Bon Chon on the same floor.

The three of us had lunch at Banapple. I was planning to take home some Banoffee Pie after but Maita told us that she’ll take us to another dessert place instead.

After a few chit-chats and empty plates, we went to the dessert place Maita recommended. It’s just across Il Terrazzo, beside Belo Medical Group and Army Navy. The name of the restaurant is Fleur de Lys. I have seen this place a few times but I never got a chance to try it.

The restaurant has two floors. The first floor is a small area allotted for their counter/cashier.

The second floor has wider space full of tables for their customers. The place is cozy and well lighten. The stairs is a bit steep though.

As for the desserts, Maita chose The Next Best Thing (Warm Chocolate Cake w/ Caramel Sauce & Vanilla Ice Cream, P128 mini) and Best Kept C-cret (Caramel Chocolate & Yema Cream on Soft Chiffon Cake, P115 slice).

Next Best Thing

Best Kept C-cret

They are so yummy! It’s not your piece of cake available at your nearest coffee shop. It’s the best slice of a not-so-common cake. I was really happy that Maita took me here with Kajo.

Around two in the afternoon, the three of us parted ways.

Before going home, I still went to Rustan’s Supermarket to buy some toiletries and afterwards went to the nail salon for a much needed mani & ped.

I was feeling adventurous today so I wanted to try a new nail salon. Upon Maita’s recommendation, I tried Spa 101. Maita is a Timog branch client, but since I live near Banawe, I availed their services in their Banawe branch. For P450, I got the Tickle My Fancy Package which include manicure, pedicure and footspa. I also availed their eyebrow threading for P150. I did enjoy my stay there. I guess it’s another nail salon on my top list.

NAIL CONCEPT PANAY AVENUE

I love going to the nail salon on my free time. It’s a way of pampering myself after a stressful day. So one afternoon, I went to Nail Concept for pedicure and footspa. The place is a bit far from home but relatively near my brother’s office. Despite the location, I was lured into availing their service because of the vibe of the place.

First thing I have to commend is that they have free parking space allotted for their customers. For those ladies bringing a car, parking space is really an essential factor.

Upon entering, the staff would greet you with a smile while handing out their list of services. I do appreciate their hospitality! In other nail salons I’ve been to, the staffs never put up even the slightest grin which made me feel they were not happy to be at my service. Good thing in this nail salon, you will be definitely greeted with a smile.

The place is spacious so one can really relax while availing their services. The place is not cramped with too many people as well. They have a collection of premium polishes from OPI, Sally Hansen, Kleancolor and The Face Shop, which is arranged by color and by shelf. Unlike other nail salon, they don’t charge extra for using premium polishes. In short, you can use whatever color and brand you like for your nails.

I’m satisfied with their service. The nail technician really did a great job for my pedicure. As for the foot spa, the service was okay. Well just don’t expect a lot of foot exfoliating in the process.

I don’t remember the prices of their services but it’s definitely cheaper than Dashing Diva, Beauty & Butter and The Nail Spa. They also offer discounted rates at group buying sites occasionally.

I would definitely visit again!

Location: Nail Concept Unit A1-80 Panay Commercial Complex, Panay cor. Timog ave., Q.C.For reservations, please contact: Phone #: 02 351 1395

THINGS I’M LOVING RIGHT NOW

Shopping is my favorite past time! For the past months I have been raving a couple of stuffs that I wanted to share.

You might want to try it because I can assure you, you will love it!

1. Hua Mulan Combs – Their combs are made from 100% natural materials such as wood, ox or goat horns. It also prevents falling hair, white hair, split ends, dandruff, and relieves migraine and headaches.

2. VMV Hypoallergenics, Blemish Buster Facial – I get breakouts after facial so I just rely on deep exfoliating products for my blackheads and whiteheads. After reading good reviews from their products and services, I tried their facial hoping I won’t get any pimples after. I was pleased with their service but what really made me more happy is that I didn’t get any breakouts!

3. Gong Cha Winter Melon Milk Tea – This brand is not new to milk tea addicts. I first tried Gong Cha during their soft opening. I was disappointed of their Milk Tea w/ Pearl because it’s too sweet despite ordering it with less sugar. The second time, I ordered Chocolate Milk tea. It was another fail simply because I did not like the taste. On my third attempt, I tried their Gong Cha Winter Melon Milk Tea. After one gulp, I became a fan! It’s the best Winter Melon Milk Tea I have ever tasted.

4. Yves Rocher – It was actually mom who got all curious at this store. I have seen this store in passing but I have never entered it on the notion that I can’t afford their products. To my surprise, their prices were affordable! Well not exactly affordable to Philippines standards, but affordable in the sense that it’s cheaper than any other European skincare and cosmetic brand. On my first visit, I was able to buy three products for P995. Aside from cosmetics, the place also has a wide variety of skincare products. It’s much like The Body Shop but only cheaper, and less common.

5. Holly’s Coffee, Iced Vanilla Latte –  Their coffee is new to my taste buds. So if I’m bored having a coffee at my next door Starbucks or CBTL, I go here for a drink.

6. Muji – This Japanese brand offers a lot of COOL stuff. It is also a haven for OC freaks like me. The prices are a bit steep though. Nevertheless, I like their travel organizers and pens.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

MAC Viva Glam Nicki is not yet sold in the Philippines so I got this item online (carefreeshopper.multiply.com) and I am so excited to use it!!!

Raw photo of MAC Viva Glam Nicki: bright yellow pink (satin)

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil

Two of the most popular items of Shu Uemura, a Japanese cosmetics brand, would have to be their eyelash curler and cleansing oils. I never tried their eyelash curler but my friend attested that they are really amazing.

The Product

Anyway, my post is all about their cleansing oils which I am raving right now. I’ve been using this item for weeks and I am loving every drop of it.

It was my mom who first bought a 100ml cleansing beauty oil premium a/o advance formula (green) at Duty Free Philippines last year. She told me to use it as it can wipe of make-up easily. I did not try it since I was happy using my other make-up removing products. There was one time though, my waterproof mascara won’t come off so I had to use this product.

Alas, it really does work like magic! Not only did the waterproof mascara dissolve, it also wiped off other make-up residue from my skin. I really can tell, because my face was glowing after using it. The only downside is that I don’t like the feel of it as I put it in my face. The viscosity of the liquid feels like I’m putting cooking oil in my face.

Thereafter, I bought my own 100ml of Shu Uemura fresh pore clarifying gentle cleansing oil (pink). I prefer this one as it is more lightweight and focused on pore clarifying. It clears my open pores better and it doesn’t have the funky feeling of putting cooking oil in my face. This is the right cleansing oil for me. I love it!

Usage

1. Use 3-4 pumps of cleansing oil on dry hands
2. Spread gently and thoroughly over dry face (with makeup on)
3. Add a few drops of lukewarm water to face to emulsify. The will then turn to milky white
4. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water

Price

Both cleansing oils are bought from Duty Free Philippines for $26 each. I haven’t checked how much are these at retail stores in Manila but I’m sure it’s more expensive.

MY HAIR IS BACK IN BROWN BLACK

I decided to go to Tony & Jackey (Amoranto Branch) to get a trim and treatment. They have this P1000 promo package for haircut and keratin treatment for any hair length, which I think is not a bad price.

Well, that was originally the plan. However, I asked my stylist if I can have a color, and she said YES after checking my hair condition. This 2011, I did a lot of hair changes such as coloring, then permanent blowdry (which lasted only for 2 months), then coloring again, and finally a soft rebond. I did take care of my hair by applying DIY keratin treatment twice a week. So I guess the keratin paid off since I can have a color despite the numerous changes I did to my hair.

So then, the idea of a haircut and keratin treatment was out. Instead, I availed their L’oreal hair color in black brown for P3000. I know the price is kinda steep. You can avail same L’oreal hair color in a cheaper price at other salons. But I what the heck, I’m already here, so let’s get it over with.

You see, I’ve been wanting to dye my hair for almost a month now. I just need a go signal from a hair expert if I could do it. My ash brown hair has already faded, so in short, I have black, brown, silver and white hair all over. It’s so messy! Other people would say my hair color is still okay, but being an OC person, I wanted to fix it.

Generally I would have chosen a lighter shade but my stylist told me that it can’t cover silver/white hair. So I chose black brown in order to cover my white strands and at the same time conceal my remaining ash colored hair.

And thus, I did it!