January 2013 Favorites: Beauty and Random Stuff

January is over and you know what that means. It's time to round-up all of my favorites whether its beauty, fashion or any other random stuff. So lets begin...

Beauty

ELF Blush and Bronzer Duo

Swatched

I was a bit lazy this January, it seems that I was always rushing and I don't have enough time to get ready in the morning. When that happens, I could not be bothered to faff around with different eye shadows.  I just need to add some color to my face to not look like a zombie and head out of the door.

This duo was what saved me in those times. I use the bronzer as all over the lid wash of color and contour, then I apply some eye liner and mascara, light dusting of blush, and finally a bright lipstick.

MakeupbyToni Blending Brush

This brush is perfect for concealer application under the eyes and over spots.

Fashion

Mango colored jeans

Gadgets

Kindle Fire HD ("Kay")

Whenever I got nothing to do, I'm always on my kindle reading or surfing the web. I'll be bored to death without it. I'm still finishing up the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.

Ipod Nano 6th Gen ("Irene") with Lunatik LYNK

I always listen to my Ipod when I'm riding transportation, waiting for someone or just shopping around alone. It entertains me and it's so convenient now that I can wear it as now wrist watch. My favorite music at the moment is Rhianna's Diamond.

Movie

Silver linings Playbook. A sweet but sad story about bi-polar lovers, starring my favorite actress Jeniffer Lawrence. When I saw this movie, I said to myself, wow that girl can sure act. I love her!

OOTDs January 2013

Outfit of the days for the occasional days that I don't wear my office uniform.

White Camisole from Bangkok (old)  *  WAGW (What a Girl Wants) Blazer  *  Mango Corduroy Pants

    Looks like I'm wearing a denim vest from the back, but I'm not, its part of the blazer. 

Black beanie from SM  * Terranova Cardigan * Mango pants * Satchel bag from Pry's partynails  *  Fioni shoes 

Terranova Hooded cardigan * Black Camisole from Bangkok (Old)  *  Thrifted necklace 

Fioni Floral shoes

 (Old) Collared top * Mango skinny jeans * Centropel Shoes  

Can you tell that I love Mango Jeans? I went crazy over Mango's end of season sale because the fit of Mango clothes is just perfect for my body type. Until next time... bye! 

January 2013 in Pictures

Fair warning, picture heavy post :)

My favorite playmate. He never leaves my side when he visits.

Green Hat by What a Girl Wants

First ever shopping date with office friends. So much fun! 

Lunch at Golden Ajirang (Korean restaurant) and desserts at White Hat. Enjoying good food with good friends.

Finally got my hands on Makebytoni flat top brush plus a free duo fiber dome shaped blending brush.

Having our fast food fix at McDonald's after a busy workday.

 So tired after all that playing. He was in such a deep sleep he did not notice that I took this photo of him. I'm having major lash envy! >_<

Quality time with my guy!

Having a duel.

 My vitamins and medication, it's a good thing they look so cute!

Got this watch for free thanks to my BDO Credit Card Perks.

Friday dinner at TGIF Centrio Mall

 I'm getting hungry again. Salivating!

Meet my friend Reggie

Friends and travel buddies... (Left to Right) Joerome and Chaky. 

We looked so stuffed after eating all those delicious food that Reggie's mom cooked.

 Doing accounting to keep my finances in line.

 So until next time... bye! 

January 2013 Empties, Will I repurchase?

Here are some of the products that I've used up. There were a bunch more but I've took out those that I've already included in prior empties post.

 Revlon Quick Dry Top Coat - fairly decent top coat. I've already repurchased it since I haven't found a top coat that is better than Revlon's. It makes your nail color look even more vibrant and it helps prevent it from chipping. 

Revlon Color Stay Foundation - my trusted foundation. I've repurchased it countless of times and I will continue to purchase it since I know it really works well.

 St Ives body lotion - this product is okay but I found that this does not last on me. I moisturize in the morning and by lunch my skin feels and looks dry. Maybe this product will work for those people who does not have very dry skin like I do,  but as for me I will not be repurchasing this product.

 Olay night cream - this is a very standard night cream. The product feels good when you apply it and it does help hydrate my skin. I also like that it is reasonable priced and it has a nice fresh scent that helps soothe me before I go to bed. I will be repurchasing this product after I ran out of my other moisturizers.

The Body Shop Body Butter - Hands down the best body butter I've tried. It's so moisturizing that it will last you the whole day. I only apply in the morning and when I touch my skin at night it still feels smooth, soft and supple. I highly recommend the body butters from the body shop and I suggest go have a look around and smell the different scents because they have a lot of body butter selections. I personally love the Shea butter one because I find that the other scents are too strong for me but nevertheless the body butters are really good.

Maybelline Blush in "precious pink" - This product smashed but I'm still using it all up. No point in wasting product. It has a nice corally pink shade which looks nice on any skin tone but the one thing I dislike about it is that it has noticeable gold sparkle or shimmer that enhances my already shiny face. I will not be repurchasing this just because I prefer matte blushes.

L.A. Girl Pro concealer - my all time favorite concealer. See concealer smackdown for detailed review on this product. 

Maybelline Babylips lip balm - It's a pretty standard lip balm which I definitely like and will repurchase.

Maybelline Magnum Volume Express Mascara (Waterproof) - I love waterproof mascara but the wand on this mascara makes it hard to apply. It makes my lashes looks clumpy and spider legs like. I like the formula but I don't like the wand.

Baby Wipes for removing makeup. I'm not picky with what kind of baby wipes I use, so I'll buy whatever baby wipe that is available. I figured that if it is good enough to wipe a baby's bum then it's safe enough to use on my face.hehe

What I've been up to lately...

Me, Mia, Kaycee, and Winston having lunch @ Ajirang Korean Restuarant

What have I been up to lately? Hmmm...

Well 2013 started on a sad note with the passing of my grandfather. We were pretty torn-up about it but I choose to believe that he is in a happy place now and that I should not mourn for his passing but celebrate his life instead. My grandfather passed away on January 3rd and we had his funeral on January 7th, the whole family and relatives gathered to say our last goodbye. 

After I got back from the funeral, I was then literally buried with work. There was a mountain of year -end reports waiting for me on my desk. Work kept me busy for the most part of January.  Meanwhile, me and the other young new employees at my office started going out together after work for dinner or coffee to get to know each other and talk about work. Surprisingly we really get along well. We went on some major shopping spree and I bought a lot of clothes particularly outerwear. I don't think I'm gonna do a fashion haul but I'm gonna put an annotation on the pictures if I happen to post it in one of my blog post.

For the time that I have nothing important to do, I find myself hooked watching Korean Dramas and reading Shoujo mangas. I've finished watching Faith and City Hunter within the span of two weeks because I happen to like the main actor Lee Min ho. I've also read so many Shoujo Mangas that I lost track already, but most of them are still ongoing.

So there... I just want to make this update that I'm still here and I hope that I can do more blog posts when things have calmed down a bit within the next couple of days.

The Liebster Blog Award!

I was nominated by the lovely Ashley from Cup of Ash Tea for the Liebster Blog Award and at first I was confused to what the award is. I've searched for the origin of the Award but I came across countless of versions that I finally decided to let it be. Basically, it is a unique way to showcase bloggers with few followers.  There rules have changed as time goes by, so I'll just modify mine a bit.

Here are the rules:

• Choose bloggers with less than 200 followers to nominate for the Award.
• Show your appreciation to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back.
• Post the award on your blog and list the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites

Added rules: Getting to know you

• Answer the questions from the blogger who nominated you.
• You must make up new questions for your nominated bloggers.

So here are the questions that Ashley asked me:

1) What is the best book you've read recently?

I don't think that I've read a book that I could say that it is my favorite, but as of now I'm really enjoying reading the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.

2) What are your three favorite online shopping websites?

 I love to shop at Ebay, Dinodirect and Various sellers on Facebook.

3) How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa Claus?

When I was in primary school. One Christmas eve I pretended to fall asleep and I saw my parents putting presents under the tree. 

4) What did you laugh about today?

This joke on facebook about a Chinese doctor asked if swimming helps you loose weight, he replied: "If it helps you loose weight then explain whale to me." lol

5)  If you had to live in a decade other than the current one, which would you choose?

 I would like to live in the decade after my lifetime because I want to know if the cars by then already flies.

6) Are you left-handed or right-handed?

Right Handed

7) If you could travel anywhere and money was no option, where would you go?

Paris, London, LA, New York and Japan.

8) What's your favorite thing about blogging?

I can look back on my past post and reminisce.

9) If you had to choose one food to eat the rest of your life, what would you pick?

Egg. I love eggs.hehe

10) What was your favorite toy when you were a child?

Plastic phone, I use to pretend I was a spy and I was talking to someone important over the phone.

11) Tell me something that you like about yourself. (:

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm wrong. 

I'm nominating:

Beatrice Anne @ herartisticsoul.blogspot.com

Diwata Luna @ theclothesmuse.blogspot.com
Kat Tavares@ mynameskat.blogspot.com

Here are my questions:

1. What's your favorite food?
2. Who is your favorite cartoon or anime character?
3. If you are a superhero what superpower will you have?
4. Are you a heels or flats girl?
5. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
6. Who is your favorite blogger?
7. What are you looking forward in the year 2013?

That's it! Pass it along!

Hello! Let Me Introduce Myself

I am a bookworm and somewhat of a beauty and fashion enthusiast. I made this blog to document my travels, experiences and the things that interests me. This blog would serve as my journal that would chronicle everything that I have experienced especially the things that makes me happy. 

Graduated in 2006 with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and I'm a Certified Public Accountant. I'm a full time banker but, I do take some time off to do the things I enjoy. I like reading books, traveling, shopping, trying out new things and meeting genuine and friendly people. 

Hello everyone!

DISCLAIMER:

1. All reviews on makeups, skin care products, and other products are based on the writer's experience. Whatever works for the writer, may not work for you. Please exercise discretion. 

2. All sponsored product/s reviews and adverts shall be determined by the writer. Rest assured, all reviews will not be influenced by the brand/establishment/company.

DISCLOSURE:

1. This blog accepts different forms of advertisements and compensations.

2. The author is open to product/brand collaborations and campaigns.

BLOG RULE:

Mean and negative comments will not be tolerated in this blog. This is to ensure a harmonious environment for the readers, and to nurture positive relationships. Nobody wants a Debbie Downer right?

CONTACT ME:

If you're a blogger, company or an entrepreneur, and you'd like to send me products for review/feature, or you want to advertise, please email your proposal/s to cbrejas@gmail.com, or if you just want to give me some lovin' feel free to email me as well. 

I cannot guarantee that I will post about every item I am sent, but I can guarantee that it will always be a 110% honest review. I will however, send you an email to explain why I can't feature your product on my blog. 

2012 Year End Sales Haul

Okay, I know that one of my New Year Resolution for 2013 is to go on a spending ban on beauty products but I bought these items over the last 2 weeks of the month of December so were still good. ;p 

I picked a couple of items from ELF. I got this Duo Cream eyeshadow in Berry Mix to serve makeup base for those neutral smokey eye looks. I also picked up this Elf face powder in Soft Beige as blot powder because I tend to get oily throughout the day.

 I then went to Etude House to purchase this Skin Malgem Toner. I specifically went there for this toner because I read reviews that this helps in minimizing pores and lessening acne scars, so I'm really excited to try this out. I also picked up an Etude House angled blending brush becuase the brush set I had was a bit lacking on blending brush and this one was thick and soft, just perfect for blending in the crease. I got the moistful sheet mask as a gift from purchase because my total purchase was over P500.

 I had to repuchase my revlon colorstay liquid foundation becuase I ran out of it and so far this foundation has been my go to foundation for years now.

Also picked up this medicine dispenser for my daily meds and compact puff becuase my other one was a bit tattered and dirty.

 I was pleasantly surprised that the Watson's in Centrio Mall carry Shawill products and Shawill makes makeup brushes that are reasonably priced and of great quality. I picked-up a couple, an angled blush brush and foundation brush, its great becuase I can use them alternately with my other brushes and I don't have to worry about running out of clean brushes because I have back-ups. I also got an Elf powder or complection brush for applying my loose setting powder. 

I also got another bottle of Revlon Top Quik Dry Top Coat becuase I just recently ran out of it. This top coat is great, it makes my nail polish more vibrant and it protects the polish from chipping.

I was not able to resist picking up this Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek "Cherry Maccaroon" blush. First of all, the packaging is absolutely adorable. Who could walk away from this product, I saw it there and I just had to have it.  The blush itself is beautiful, it's a corally pink with a hint of gold shimmer and it just gives you the most beautiful glow. I will however say that you need to use a light hand in applying because it can look a bit clown-like if its overdone.

Well, that's all for my haul and now I'm officially on my beauty spending ban. There may be some hauls here and there but most of it, if not all will be product repurchase.  

Tag 2013: You're It

Tag from Elleandblair.com 

1. What was the most exciting thing that happened to you in 2012? 

I think travelling to Bangkok Thailand with my friends was the most exciting thing that happened to me in 2012. We had such a great time exploring Bangkok and this was the first time that I get to travel with my girlfriends. Check out our adventure and Bangkok haul.

2. What was your favorite blogpost you posted this year? Why?

My favorite blogpost would be the August travels . The pictures from my trips with friends and co-workers were compiled into three separate videos. 

3. Best Blogpost of 2012? 

I love reading fashion blogs and I can't pick one as my favorite blogspot but my favotire blogger which I have a girl crush on is Camille. 

4. What was your favorite new product in 2012? 

Favorite new product would be the Revlon Kissable Balm Stain. Its a great and fuss free product. I could just slap it on like a regular lip balm then I'm good for the day. 

5. What new thing are you glad you tried in 2012? 

New thing? Hmmm... I tried eating authentic  Korean Food for the first time and now I'm addicted to it. If you like spicy food then you better try Korean food.

6. What's the most important lesson you learned in 2012? 

Well, I've learned to become more open to things and to not automatically reject things before I've tried it.  The only thing constant in this world is Change, I use to hate unfamilliar things because I like to have my routine and control. But in the past year I've learned to a become a little bit flexible. I've learned to not mind the small stuff and look at the big picture and to be less of a control freak and just be open to all the posibilies and oppurtunities. It is more fun that way!

7. What was the best movie of 2012?

Best Movie? That's dificult, hmmmm If I had to pick one, I'll go for "The Avengers" I really enjoyed that movie.

8. Best song? 

I'm a K-pop fan and the song that I literally had on repeat for a couple of months is "Haru-Haru" by Bigbang. 

9. Best TV show? 

I don't really keep up with TV shows becuase I'm always on youtube watching videos and reading manga.

10. What one product do you hope someone releases in 2013?

I wish that someone would release a full coverage foundation formulated for oily skin that would stay all day and will not budge or transfer. I love giving people hugs but I'm always afraid that my foundation would transfer on to their clothes. A product like that would be awesome.

Now its your turn to share. 
Tag! Your It