"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
-Unknown

Tuesday 15 October 2013

I Got A Surprise for Mom's Birthday + Her Thoughts on the Pampering Gift Set

It's not really a good idea to let my Mom wait until her birthday to open her present. Once she finds out that she has presents, she opens it and there goes your pretty wrapping paper.

Originally, I bought her an October BDJ Box and hoped to get a bouquet of pink roses to go with it. But since I already scouted the contents of this month's BDJ Box, I decided to give her this one instead.She isn't really a fan of makeup, but this pampering box just hit the right spot and she is happy.

I got this really pretty ONE Naturales Forget Me Not gift box from Granton World for only Php 560. I paid with Paypal on a Monday and it arrived on a Saturday. It's my first time to shop in the said site and for every purchase, my account gains rewards. As for this first purchase, I got credited 1100 points already which I could exchange for future rewards items in the site. Not bad. Not bad at all.


You can tell why my Mom is really happy with this surprise. It's organic and has four pampering products inside. She really liked the box that is a cross between a crate for fresh produce and a cigar box. It's cute alright! Looking at it, one can get the feeling that there is an assortment of fresh goodies inside. 


Well, at least it's something similar to fresh produce. The labels on these cuties can testify! 
   


A closer look, here's something new that I am glad to have discovered today: Sweeten My Skin After Shower Skin Conditioner Bar. Instead of sticky lotion, all you have to do is use this. It smells of shea butter and the scent is really mild and refreshing. It's great for getting ready in the mornings. 


The body soap is really sweet smelling. No wonder because it's made of sweet honey. It's also said to be safe for sensitive skin. Mom doesn't have sensitive skin, but at least it won't cause her skin problems. At first whiff, she already told me she's afraid to use it because it might use it up in no time!


And to complete the box, there's body butter in Shea My Body and a body scrub in Citrus Peel. I took a peak before giving this to my Mom and it smells so darn goooooood. It's thick as far as creamy is concerned! As for the body scrub, the scrub makes use of sugar, so one would know that it makes use of organic and premium ingredients, but it's too runny and spills all over the place. It has a sharp, citrusy scent to it. 


I wish I could include a smiling photo of my Mom with her present but she is too shy. But it works for me that I went with my gut and switched presents instead. Mom is happy. =)

Sunday 13 October 2013

I Should Be Doing Something Else Right Now...

Do you ever get that feeling that you know you should be doing something else completely different and yet, you still go for the not so important tasks on your list? That's what I am feeling today. I can't divulge much details right now. But I can't seem to shake off this guilty feeling that I should be.... just... out there....

Here is the classic example of Monday Blues right here. Yep. Just that. You have witnessed it already.

I guess it's because  I have had expectations over the weekend and I was met with disappointments instead.

Well, at least, I have a mini haul from Sample Room to cheer me up. I have to thank my brother for picking this up in town for me. He is the sweetest baby brother! He is the only one who can pick up my packages (because he drives a car and I don't...)



This is what I got from Sample Room last week. I think I'm one of the last persons to chase after the Charm Powder Brush because it was such a hot item! And of course, OraCare mouth rinse. I am not a stranger to OraCare, in fact I have high praises for this brand. But I will provide the details later, ayt?

Just in case you missed it over the weekend, I have an October giveaway which is open internationally. You can also follow me in my networks:

Saturday 12 October 2013

Cheerful After Gray Skies

Last week was a mixture of ups and downs for me. But at least I already got to launch my October giveaway here. It's really getting busier and busier at work and more deadlines are creeping up, but that simply means we are gearing towards bigger things. Personally, I like to see developments in a company. I'm the kind of person who can be a sadist and a workaholic sometimes. (That's just a quick warning...) 

 So, let me get this out for a quick second. You know I have been thinking of a quick post about introducing basic words in my local dialect and I'm already listing them down. I could start with 10-15 words or phrases then eventually introduce sentences that are used in daily conversation.

San San's Gray Skies is a part of the nail polish haul I took home last weekend. You can tell that San San is beginning to be my go-to for long lasting nail color. I hope the other brand does not feel insecure about that.


This nail color from San San is called Gray Skies. For only Php37 or less than a dollar, one can get a smooth nail color that, when topped with a good top coat, can last for a full week! I think it's a really pretty color that can neutralize the loud colors.

As you know, I am a part of a conservative work environment and it's not always a good idea to flaunt loud nail color. I used this on a Friday casual day nail color as shown below, with the pastel pink on the fourth finger on my left hand. But for the weekend, it could be a breath of fresh air to wear under blue skies. Having gray skies and gray nails can be repetitious, not to mention boring.




Have a good Sunday and watch out for my series on basic Chavacano words and phrases. It will be fun! =)

Friday 11 October 2013

Raisie Speaks October Giveaway

I guess today is one of those days when I would just want to catch my breath. There is so much going on in my life, and it's leaving me really confused. But I do believe that the month of October holds a lot of hope. For one, every October, people here in Zamboanga City honor The Lady of the Pilar and visit her shrine. Pilgrims come to visit from all parts of the country and all walks of life.

For many years, La Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar is believed to be responsible for many unexplained miracles, protecting the people and sometimes residents report to seeing her on the shores of the beach. One simply needs to ask the long-time residents for these stories.

Another thing about October is that it is my grandmother and mother's birthdays. Fun month, right?

So on to the loot. Earlier I asked the members of my Facebook page to choose between a beauty loot or fashion loot. It was a close call and so, I will unveil the beauty loot!


I've packed it neatly in a box which I have recycled. You can see that I included 3S False Lashes, Carbtrim sachets, Physiogel Intensive Cream, OraCare in Merrymint, OMG in First Date, plus Chic 2 Way Nail Design Pen. But that is not all, I also have a surprise for the lucky winner that will be revealed later. Hint, do you like accessories? =) 


To make it more fun, I am going to make this an international giveaway since we have international friends frequenting my blog these days. This will serve as a warm up for the upcoming anniversary next month. There are a lot of exciting things happening these days and I would really like to say thank you to each and every one of you who keep supporting my blog, my crazy writing, my thoughts, everything. 

Just a quick note, I am the sole sponsor of this month's giveaway and acquired these items with my own budget. It's my way of saying thanks... =) 

So before I get mushy-mushy, be sure to enter your correct and valid details below



Tuesday 8 October 2013

It Sure Is Peachy Keen.... Product Spotlight on San San Nail Polish in Raspberry Peach

Here is a personal observation...

Every time I visit the HBC store in town, I gravitate straight towards the nail polish section. Sure, I'm not going to be the first person to say that there are so many interesting and colorful products in line, but I guess that's just the effect San San nail polishes have on me ever since I tried Touch of Tan.


One of the colors that I got from my latest weekend haul is San San's Raspberry Peach. It's a deeper version of Perfectly Pink. It is one of those frosty shades with minuscule glitters that look a bit too dark when already applied on medium skin tone. I was thinking that I could get something a little appropriate for work and not gain too much attention on my hands. However, I find it to be nice when worn outdoors on vacation mode, so it's still a keeper somehow. (I have problems letting go of nail polishes that I come in contact with...)

I am kind of in the middle with this shade. Though I think this would be great for those who like frosty, peach-pink shades. But for a conservative working environment, I would prefer something a little lighter and not too frosty, I would lean towards something that is "barely there". I think Bobbie's Fave Bikini would be a good match but my bottle has already dried up and I don't really like the consistency after a few uses, it tends to be sticky.


One thing great about Raspberry Peach is that it requires only a couple of coats to get the color right and it's quick drying. I also really adore that it does not chip nor crack, that's one really good payoff with San San and its nail polishes. Now this got me curious as to what the other shades for the holiday collection would be.. 


 What are your favorite San San nail polish shades? What shades would you like to try?

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