Currently. 03.20.2017

Weekends are usually cut in two, for chores at home and then spending time unwinding. This is a glimpse of what I do on weekends based on my ever changing moods….

Movies: Moana and Death Note

Moana fills up my dose of adventure and mythical wonder pre-weekend. It’s fun and I like the catchy music. My favourite soundtracks are the Ancestor’s Song and the Shiny because of the beats to them. Well here’s a weekend story. I went to town to have a haircut and my pedicure in the afternoon, thinking that I can catch the weekend screening at 3PM. Turns out, the Beauty and the Beast 3 PM slot was sold out even if they were already showing in three cinemas and so we had to settle for Death Note instead. As for Death Note, it’s not what I was expecting being a fan of the original anime. However, there were twists nearing the end so I’m still pacified.

Food:

•         Double beef burger patty at Pepper Lunch
•          Kani Salad
•          Buko Pie
•          Lengua Estofado
•          Fried Lumpia
•         Spring Rolls

Gardening: Succulents Blooming

This weekend, I was simply staring at my Huernia, urging it to bloom faster. On a Sunny Sunday morning, it did. It’s one of the beautiful and cherished blooms I have.

Music: Joshua Bell

I just can’t stop listening to Joshua Bell on Spotify. From morning, to afternoon and evenings, it’s Joshua Bell’s violin Brahms. But I know after this, I’ll finally go back to Bach again.

Skincare:

Now that summer’s here, I have to stock up on summer skincare routine. My current favourite is Mary Kay’s Botanical Effects Evolution. This skincare routine is easy, simple and the whole set smells like citrusy grapefruit. I adore it. I’ve made a wise decision to stock up on SPF earlier this year and it’s such a smart investment for the summer. Now I’m looking at a hydrating mist for all those summer activities to moisturize the skin and an after sun.

Grateful For:

•  Savings in the bank
•  Potted garden that gives me simple joys every week
• Pocket fragrance
• Gold travel accessories

Random Thoughts and Ideas in My Messy Head

•          Summer travel
•          New things to learn
•          Comfy summer outfits
•          Saving more money
•          Capsule wardrobe
•          Clean room
•          Organize makeup
•          Black pumps for office
•          Galaxy washi
•          Branding for coffee shop 

Do You Love Flash Sales? Baobella Boutique Is Worth Checking Out!

If you're on the lookout for beauty products and would want to save money, a flash sale may be a good idea. But not a lot of online shops offer flash sales and have varied brands. Let me be the one to tell you that's changed. Baobella Boutique is an exclusive beauty flash sale shop featuring amazing discounts of well-loved brands and products. I've seen Clarins, Elizabeth Arden, Rimmel and Ciate. It's like getting your beauty fix for almost 80% off.

If that hasn't caught your interest, Baobella Boutique is giving you a free Maybelline lipstick worth £7.89 on orders over £1, just enter the code FreeMlipstick,  runs until April 30. 



Here are some personal picks from Baobella Boutique. What would you choose from the shop? Head on to the shop and tell me.

 

 

  

Raisie Speaks: 3 Tips To Save Money On Magazine Copies

Here I am again on money saving tips when it comes to reading materials. It just goes to show how much of a cheapskate I am! This time, I am going to help you save money when it comes to buying magazine copies. If you are from Zamboanga, I can mention specific places where you can find bargains. These tips, I have discovered when buying magazines for my Mom. Yes, she does not have patience to read novels with small fonts in print. Our favorites are Real Living, Yummy and Good Housekeeping, yeah, you get the idea…

So are you ready? Let’s start.

1. Buy Back Issues

I do my grocery shopping at Mindpro and every time I pass by the Bloomingdale’s ground floor section, I get to check the magazine stands and look for titles I could bring home especially during the weekends. I look for those that my Mom would also appreciate. We are in the middle of moving furniture at home, so anything related to lifestyle and home is good.

Here is a secret I am sharing with you. You don’t really have to buy the month’s latest issue unless there is content that you really need or are really interested in. The good thing about last month’s unsold issue is that Bloomingdale’s sometimes includes a back issue of another unsold magazine copy and you can get two magazines for the price of one. The next time you pass by to do your grocery shopping, you can do the same practice with the next back issue.

2. Buy A Full Year Subscription 

Okay, there are advantages when you get a full year subscription. I am thinking about getting my Mom a full subscription for her birthday to Real Living because she likes to get ideas for home décor from the articles of said publication.

Full year subscribers usually get priority when the copies are released and you can expect yours at the start of every month, about the same time as the copies hit magazine stands. Another plus about annual subscriptions is that you can save more and not worry for a full year. You will find that picking up separate issues from magazine stands are costlier whereas full subscriptions are already offered at discounted prices. And here is another bonus, if the publication decides to include freebies-yep, you get to have first dibs and not worry about being beaten to by someone else!

  3. (If You Are From Zamboanga) Go To The Sta. Maria-Pasonanca Jeepney Paradahan and Look For That Tambakan ng Mga Magazine Shop in Campaner Street

Now, this place is a go-to when you are conscious about reading material like I am, and if you want to start saving on magazine copies, be my guest. The Tambakan Ng Mga Magazine is not the shop’s name, though when you go looking for it, you can’t miss it. Now this is dumped magazine central-no kidding. You can get magazines at a discount, though there is a catch. If the magazines do come with freebies, most likely someone has already helped him or herself. =)

Whew. Now. That’s. About. It.

How did you find these tips? Are they helpful for you even if you are not from ZC? How do you save money on magazine subscriptions? You can share your thoughts with me in the comments below.

I have two giveaways ongoing which you can join if you are feeling lucky!

Sun Putty Giveaway

August CollaborationGiveaway

Weekend Report

Sabado

Yesterday I was so honoured to introduce to those who were present Atty. Laisa Masuhud-Alamia, our very own Pinay and Proud Ambassador. I admire her so much and it was through her works that I got to know her, prior to actually meeting her in person. So there I was, meeting her for the first time and mingling around in the new Human Nature branch. I have to say I’m glad that HN Zamboanga found a new home which is more accessible to people and the jeepney commuting public, me included.

I picked up some new arrivals in the HN shelves and bought some new products too. I can say I am also mighty excited for new items like the brewed coffee, cheese and Theo and Philo Chocolates which will be making a comeback this season. Oh yes, the haul: HN feminine wash in chamomile, men’s facial wash for the brother, some mandarin shampoo and anti-bacterial soap which I can bring anywhere.

Of course, the rain knew at which moment to heavily pour, so I was stranded and worried in the HN shop and had to wait it out because I was afraid of the laptop getting wet. Luckily I decided to buy my slippers. My old ones burst after a couple years of everyday use, and it was really my favourite because it had the studs on it against the black rubber. I ended up with a teal pair of Havaianas plain. I’m steering away from the jewelled, stud-ly ones now. I really am happy with the quality because it is made of thick rubber and it could last long too. I fit it before heading to pay for them, but somehow I think I could have gotten a smaller size instead. I am a size 35, but the pair said 35-36. When I got home and changed, they looked a little big on my dwarfish feet.

I have been thinking ever since to give it away, I couldn’t possibly return it because I already cut out the tags, and teal is such a favourite colour of mine. But I guess it could do.

So I ended up crashing here and stayed to catch up with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as they met again in Paris in 2004, and all the events that followed in Before Sunset.

I still have a cone of Cornetto Vanilla Ice Cream in the refrigerator, safely hidden away from the little girl’s eyes and reach, because it will ruin her diet. I still have to find the right mood to drown in for the vanilla.

Domingo

And nothing has changed. I had a chat with Ardrin regarding our plans for November. The guy is excited to come home and I am also looking forward to a book he should be bringing. I have to check though if they have a copy for me. Hahaha, my excitement when it comes to books.

Had my nails done in rose, and I am quite content with how it turned out. Here I am, finished with my weekend tasks, happy that at least I am right on track with my savings, I have not gone out to do some compulsive shopping, the weather these couple of days have prevented me to do so. And now, I am stuck here in the dark with no lights.

I have been wanting to get a new top and at least have some alternative jeans but here I am, afraid to spend again because I keep telling myself that I am saving for something more worthwhile. I haven’t even gone near any thrift shops. Yes, I have been looking at online shops, but that is just it. It even makes me scared to spend using the debit card. And so far, I haven’t used it or made any expensive purchases.

Saving is the name of the game, and I think it should stay that way.

Bank is happy.

Conscience is happy.

Contagious Nail Color sans Savings Worries

Piggy smiles after being fed some coins

I think I would have to admit that being a yuppie and saving up is a very difficult situation to be in.

Why?

Let me describe my situation: I long to pursue further studies. I won't say that I was an excellent student. I'm a wise ass student, (unfortunately) and I'm depending on myself to be able to achieve this. I was planning on enrolling next month, and my ambitious goal was to have it this year. But due to some unavoidable circumstances, it's just probably not happening.

I've been saving since last year, and let me tell you, not that you already know it, but our economy is very challenging. I've been supporting my ambition through taking freelance jobs and somehow, for whatever small amount I have saved up, it's still not enough to pay even half a semester. Now I know what it feels like to be a parent.

I've tried saving up as much as I can. I guess I need more patience.

So here I am, and probably will just share some crazy nail colors to lighten up the mood! This is such a crazy thing for me to doing right now, but nail colors like these are just so cheeky and bright, it's a contagious mood lifter!

Looky looky! =p

Pinks for the dainty femme

Some glitters for the posh femme

For the vintagey femme, some purple and lilacs 

Greens for the nature loving femme

Sorbet shades for the playful femme 

Got your eyes on any of these? Hahaha