I am finally able to buy the Maybelline Clear Smooth all-in-one Shine Free Powder (to go).

I always see this at SM Supermarket counters and never really had the chance to purchase it before because I can't find the shade for me. When I finally find the right shade for me (natural) I immediately buy it (especially it's only Php99.75). Another Maybelline product I recently bought is the Blush Studio Cheeky Glow (fresh coral - Php199.00) and I also have a lip balm which I bought a year back.




I am not really a makeup junkie and in my previous experiences with cosmetics, I only use them when I am in the mood (i.e. once a month or once in every two weeks at most) or during a special event. See how close I am to my makeup stash. That's why I always hesitate buying cosmetics because I'm inconsistent when it comes to using them.

This week I am into the foundation-blush-lip balm combo. Let's see how long I'll be able to keep this up. heehee

Thanks for stopping by! :)

In my previous post, I have written that I have a new food addiction as of the moment. It is an addiction indeed.

Sunday afternoon I made another batch of the choco PB oatmeal recipe I found from the net. This time I made it into squares instead of balls. I did not follow all the ingredients given in the recipe and made my own version.

Chewy Choco Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 1/4 cups Oats (I used Quick cook oats)


Procedure:
In low heat, melt oil and choco chips until smooth. Add peanut butter and honey until fully blended. Remove from heat and add oats. Place in a container lined with wax paper.

The kids already took their share even before I was able to take a photo of it.

She just can't wait. She had 8 squares in just one day. :)

Here's what's left after a day. Wow this is a huge compliment! They LOVE it!

Before Monday ends, it's all gone. :D Thanks for stopping by.

I have never been vain! I am always the low maintenance chick that doesn't care how dry or how oily my skin is. I never mind if my hair is all frizzy or if my black/white heads are showing or if my pores are all enlarged or if my skin tone is uneven. Really, I am a caveman to all this vanity stuff!

This ignorance to vanity roots from my mother's non-interest to cosmetics and all kinds of skin care products. I mean, I have never seen my mother spend hours in the bathroom to apply all sorts of skin care products. And considering that I am the eldest among the girls and there are just two of us girls in a brood of six. So having four boys in the family plus a mother that don't care about skin care what would you expect?

Recently, I am convincing myself to start using cosmetics and at the same time start a skin care regimen. I am not particularly wanting to have a fully made-up face everyday at work but a blusher and lip balm won't hurt. I still want to wear a bare face look but a little color is not that bad. I also feel that practicing to wear make-up will eventually help me get comfortable with cosmetics especially on special occasions.

I am more leaning towards the skin care regimen. I have been researching about facial moisturizers that won't worsen my oily skin and eventually cause breakouts. I feel that my skin is not really that bad but in my age I want to start taking care of it. I understand that not using cosmetics help me maintain a good skin with just random and occasional pimples (mostly during my period and sometimes during an encounter with dust pollutants). I am blessed with a not so problematic skin but since I am slowly aging (yes, I am in my late 20's), I want to take extra steps to keep my skin healthy and still fresh looking.

I am still in search of the perfect skin care product that is effective but won't hurt my budget. I am so interested in Human Heart Nature products since they are all organic/natural and at the same time affordable.

If you have any suggestions, please do inform me through the comments below. I will update soon if I finally find my perfect skin care match!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

I just recently discovered "no bake" cookie recipes that are so easy to make and really tasty.

It is by accident that I stumble upon one "homemade granola bars" recipe on the internet and I just got super addicted. In fact, after a few days of constantly viewing and reviewing the recipe I actually bought the ingredients I need. Impulsive, I know right?

I certainly don't have any talent whatsoever in the kitchen, including baking. So when I read "NO BAKE", I am like 'I AM GOING TO TRRRRYYYY THIIIISSSSS!!!!'

And I did so! And I was lucky not to waste precious ingredients on an uncertain experimental project.

First Try: Not-So-Successful-But-Not-Entirely-Epic-Fail Attempt. It is in some way a success [considering the fact that my "chewy oatmeal bars" did not last long in the fridge--thanks to my kid, aunt and brother who became instant fans!] The ingredients and procedure I used is actually the modified/improvised version of the recipe I found from the internet (more like mash-up of the "Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars" and "Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie" recipe).

Indeed, it was crazy outrageous! But they loved it! And so did I!

(disclaimer: no pics because I was so unsure about the outcome that I totally forgot to document it, tsk tsk)

Second Try: Major Success! Having been able to purchase the exact list of ingredients (minus the ripe banana) I am finally able to make the correct product, Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Balls.



Since I opt not to use the banana, the dough did not hold the way I expected so I made them into truffle-like balls instead of flat cookies. They taste DELISH so what's the diff?

Here's a photo of me grinning at my successful recreation. :)

The second half of our day three in Surigao del Sur. We went to see the famous Tinuy-an Falls (dubbed as the "Philippines' Niagara"). Unfortunately, we did not witness the magnificence of the wide waterfalls but saw the post-Pablo after effects.

The third and final day of our Surigao del Sur adventure. Of course, one would not miss the opportunity to experience the Enchantments of Enchanted River at Hinatuan.

The bumpy ride going to the famous river is bearable because in my guess, the dirt road is recently flattened (probably because they anticipated increased number of tourists coming since it is the summer season).

Our second day in Surigao del Sur is a time to be lazy and laid back. We do not have anything or anywhere in our itinerary because this day, May 2, 2013 is the Fiesta of the town and we are expected to just bum around, eat and drown in booze.

We wake with the sun already up. Our very accommodating hosts told us to visit the Libuacan river only a few kilometers away from their home. They promise we will enjoy bathing in the said river. They even told of folklore stories about the river being so deep that no one has ever reached the bottom.

Funny thing is when we reached the river entrance, we were so disappointed to see there is no water. It looked like "lunangan sa kabaw" (swampy place where the carabao's take dip to fight the heat) because we did not see the river.

But when we get nearer and finally see the river, we are awed at how clean the water is. Trees all around gave perfect shade from the heating sun. Simplicity and beauty!

Crystal clear cold water.

The "bukid life" in action. Looks just like in the Philippine movies.

The sad thing is, we were told that locals wanted to make improvements on the place and they blocked a portion of the river interrupting the natural flow. Rumors from the locals say that the nature is not in favor of the improvements that is why it never progresses.

I hope people learn to value true beauty in front of them and try not to distort it for profit.

Day One of our Surigao del Sur 3-Day Escapade.

We traveled from Davao to Tagbina [where we stayed] for 4 hours straight. After an hour of rest and breakfast, we headed for San Agustin, Davao Del Sur to reach the talked about Britania Islands.

After an hour of constant asking of directions, we reached Britania. (If you have "sea sickness" when traveling, be sure to be ready for lots of "zigzaggy" road turns, the likes of a chicken intestine.)

Some of the many islets in Britania. Such a sight to behold!

Spontaneous out of town trips were not really my kind of thing. I was really more of a "plan-ahead" kind of traveler. However, I could not deny my excitement when a friend convinced me to join him and my siblings for a weekend trip to Cebu. Perhaps it was boredom or probably due to Cebu Pacific's promo fare that I agreed with the idea.

(Great backdrop for picture taking)