Burning My Eyes On: My Sister's Keeper

     I've always wanted to watch the movie but never got the chance. Nonetheless, I guess this is a good time to read the book. I'm not yet halfway on reading it but I am enjoying it so far. I could relate very well with the character of Anna. I know her feelings by heart. We may not be in the exact same situation but I understand her belief on her position in her family. And with this in mind, it is somewhat an eye-opener for me to read about the feelings of other characters in the story. So far, what I could say about the book is that it will make you feel a roller coaster of emotions. On this page you will sympathize with one character, on the next page, with another character. Nonetheless, you would know that all characters are longing for love and hope.
     This story is a breather from chick flicks and hardcore romance novels. The book does not make me feel giddy like Edward Cullen does but I know this will make me cry. I am currently in a want-to-but-don't-want-to-finish-it phase. But for now, I'll go back to my reading. =)
     Ta-ta, Ladies! =)
PS.
If you have read the book or seen the movie, feel free to share how you felt about it. Just please..please..don't spoil the story for me just yet. Thanks!!

Looklet: The Digital "Paper" Doll

     If you were born in the same era as I was, then you would have, at least, tried playing with paper dolls. I remember buying several of those cheap but totally cute paper dolls, ranging from random girl images to popular cartoon/anime characters, at the convenience store. After that, I would go home,  then slowly and carefully detach the dolls and the dresses from the cardboard and finally play with dolls by mixing and matching outfits with each other.

     Thanks to my facebook contacts, I learned about Looklet and oh boy, did this site help me burn time earlier this year when I have just graduated from college and was still looking for work. Looklet works pretty much like how young girls played with Barbie but much MUCH BETTER. (even if I just contented myself with brushing Barbie's hair and then putting her back inside her box.)  The site is really classy and attractive. The website also chooses a "Look for the Day" and such. I've never been chosen, though. hehe. If you're a perfectionist like me, it would take time for you to finish one look. I think I may have spent an hour or so finishing just one look. Moreover, staying in this site is like online shopping, just that you can't buy what's there. Nonetheless, the site posts real branded apparel that would make you want to look for the particular piece you're eye-ing. I bet the owners of this site are really gaining a lot from the brands they have in the site.

     Here are sample photos from my account, Andalasia. I did not put any watermarks on it anymore since my account name is there and the photo is pretty much from Looklet. 


The first look is a night-time look. I really love the whole outfit, not because I was the one who made the look, but because this is something I would really wear. I love every piece in this outfit, I wish I could really wear this. And LOOK AT THOSE SHOES! I really love those YSL shoes! Aren't they pretty? n_n


     This second look have received the most "likes" in all my outfits. Though it is such a humble number, it just goes to show that some other people also like what I did. I really love the necklace, the bag (And of course, the shopping bags!) and the SHOES!!!  I always end up wanting to match either these shoes or the YSL heels in every outfit I do.

     Now that I have a job, I rarely open my looklet account anymore. Not because I do not like it, but because I do not want to do a mediocre outfit. I am sure, though, that once I get the time, I will add more outfits to my account. I guess this site is the poor girl's dream "come true" in such a way. Poor meaning, I-have-spent-all-my-money-to-other-more-important-needs-and-I-should-be-in-a-"no-buy-mode"-right now-poor. So if you would like to restrain yourself from online shopping, I guess this site is a good place to burn the time. Just don't be tempted to go and scour the internet if you find an item you would totally die for. haha! Or if you would like to take your mind off work or something bothersome, Looklet will totally take your thoughts out of it, for sure.

     So, girls, unleash that fashionista in you and play designer in your own digital boutique with Looklet! You can find the site at www.looklet.com.

     Until here, for now.
     Ta-ta, Ladies! n_n

Review: Ms. Polly's Chocolate Cake

     Last Friday, I had this very strong craving for cake. I initially wanted a strawberry cheesecake but one of my bosses shared over lunch that the cafe in our building is selling Ms. Polly's Cakes and that their chocolate cake is a must-taste. So I googled Ms. Polly's Cakes and indeed, the most raved cake is their chocolate cake. So I went down for merienda to get myself the famed chocolate cake of Ms. Polly.

               


     Priced at 65 pesos per slice (about $1.30), at least at the cafe in our building, Ms. Polly's Chocolate Cake looks like a normal chocolate cake at first look. It has chocolate icing on top and in the middle of it. As you can see, I was not able to take a picture without first trying it out. haha! (Yes, I posted the large photo so you can look at it closely...and crave!)

     I liked the cake! I do not like super sweet cakes and this one really fits the bill. The chocolate icing was not too sweet and the cake itself was so moist and light. It was baked just right, not too tough or too soft.  It was not overpowering as compared to Red Ribbon's "a million chocolates in one cake". And because this cake is such a no-brainer when it comes to eating it, I bet I would not be able to resist it if one whole cake would be presented in front of me. 

     I can not decide yet if I prefer this cake over Chocolat's Death by Tablea but I would gladly eat both if I have the chance. But this cake's chocolate-y yet not throat-threatening sweetness is enough to make me want to have it again. and again. and again! If there's one thing I did not like about Ms. Polly's Chocolate Cake, it would be because this one slice did not seem to be enough! I finished the slice so fast that I totally wanted another! haha! 

     I would try their cheesecake next time. (And I'll stop myself from getting this cake also while I am at it. haha.)

You can check out Ms. Polly's cakes at www.mspollyscakes.multiply.com  or at these addresses;

FLAGSHIP STORE
4th Floor
Robinson's Galleria, Ortigas.
T: 703 50 58

COMMISSARY
Milan Street, Merville Park
Paranaque
T: 02 824 7612
T: 02 401 4588
F: 02 828 8400

     I've also read online that their cakes are available in some gas stations around the Metro. Even for just this cake, Ms. Polly's is really worth checking out. Can't wait to try their other decadent cakes! 

     Ta-ta Ladies! =)

Review: Charm Kabuki and Duo Fiber Brush

I was able to avail of Charm's sale of it's old brushes last April. This was to give way to their new line of brushes coming out. I got the Duo Fiber Brush and the Kabuki Brush as my choice for the freebie. As always,
the package I bought from Sophie of Beauty and Minerals was neatly and carefully packed. I really like sellers who see to it that their packages are safe for shipping.

1. Charm Duo Fiber Brush

                       

     This brush is really soft and dense. It is not poke-y at all. I've tried using this with liquid foundation but I think I haven't mastered the art of stippling yet. hehe. It bled on the first and second time I washed it but it bleeds less now. I'm not too keen about the pink handle but I can live with it. Nonetheless, I really like the cute logo of Charm brushes. =) 

More pictures:

             
  
     See how dense the brush is? This is truly a gem! I prefer to use it for my blushes since I have shifted to mineral makeup. Though I will still use this on the rare time I will use liquid foundation. (I have to practice my stippling! hehe)

             
     
     For comparison, here are photos side by side with my Sigma Stippling brush. The Sigma brush is denser than the Charm brush but I can understand that. The Sigma brush is bigger and longer than the Charm. But hey! You can see that the Charm Duo Fiber brush hairs are shaped well enough to perform well. It is more "focused". It fits the apples of my cheeks for a very good blush application. 

2. Charm Kabuki 

                                    
   
                    

     This brush looks really cute. I'm not a fan of pink but the hot pink bristles will really get your attention. I use this brush for touch-ups with Ellana's Sheer Velvet or Finishing Powder. I would not use it for buffing my mineral makeup because it's poke-y. The bristles are soft on my hands but not so much on my face. There is a new version of this kabuki, the Charm Luxe Kabuki. I heard from Girltalk that it is really soft. I would like to try that to compare it with this since I think it is really a better version of this kabuki. Nonetheless, with this being a "freebie" (it is the -take one- from the promo), I can find a good use for it.

So that's my first review for this blog. Hope somebody gets a good use for this! Ta-ta, Ladies! =)