Lose Weight Fast with HCG

That is what the HCG diet promises. Is that really possible? I thought. Many people want to shed the pounds fast without exercising or invasive procedures that cost a lot of moolah and pain. I know that I do. So, when I read about taking HCG drops under the tongue instead of injecting it, which I am scared of, I couldn't believe my eyes. And, it is said to cost less than the painful (at least, for me) injections. It should be combined with a low-calorie diet, however. Like drinks with L-carnitine that are said to promote weight loss, they should be coupled with proper diet and exercise. The HCG itself does not cause one to lose weight, but it modifies one's eating behavior. The low-calorie diet program provided will help maintain the ideal weight. Sounds promising, yes? Will you purchase the homeopathic drops plus its diet program, or not?

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of HCG. All opinions are 100% mine.

To Me From Me (I'm a Sole Sister)

How narcissistic, right?
Well, I bought myself a gift for Christmas 2010. It was a pair of flats. It was something I promised myself I would have. It was the second item I bought online, but it was the first I purchased for myself. I joined Sole Sister's Christmas promo and got the pair for 649 Php instead of the ordinary price which is 795 Php. I had the shoes shipped to me so there is a courier charge of 90 Php.

I love purple (violet, lavender)! I know it is kind of hard to pair it with the right clothes, but the style nowadays is anything goes. I first wore it to my daughter's Christmas program last December 18.

It was a comfy pair albeit a bit too big for me, just a tiny bit. The sides were not snug against my feet, but the good thing was that they don't easily slip off while I was walking, unlike others I have tried that made me have difficulty getting around. I didn't need to put in-soles just to make it the perfect size for me. If I get a size lower, it might be too tight. I just might be a half size, again. I was sure my feet got bigger when I gave birth to my first child. I was assuming it got even bigger after having my second child. I guess I was wrong.
Anyway, over all, I like it. Maybe next time I'll get one of Sole Sister's garterized designs. Also, I am eyeing one of their bags. My first pick is this:

Next choice is this:

I didn't want the purple one because I think it's too "matchy-matchy". Hehe! What do you think?

After 5 Months...

Remember this giveaway? I'm happy to say that I won it. It took me so long to post about it!

Last month, I had my toenails done using one of the nail polishes from the loot. I didn't go to a salon, this was done by someone who used to do my MIL's pedicure and was referred to me. It's done here at home. Next time, when I get the chance to visit a salon, I'll have the manicurist use the nail art sticker. :-)

Candy-colored toes

I am loving this cute notepad!

My daughter likes the stickers. They are so adorable!

Human Nature 100% Natural Strengthening Shampoo

Does your scalp itch? Do you have dandruff? Have you tried different brands of anti-dandruff shampoo but cannot seem to find which one works best? Then you are like me. I tried several commercial anti-dandruff shampoo brands but I always find myself having the need to switch.

But, the reason I decided to try Human Nature's Strengthening Shampoo is because one of my friends said that it's effective in controlling hairfall. Yes, I also have hairfall. But this time I was shedding more because I just gave birth last July, and doctors say that the mommy's hair will normally fall out excessively after childbirth. Even if it's a normal occurence, I still feel it's crazy and quite annoying - hair everywhere! On my plate, on my kids, on the bed and in Caleb's crib, the drain in the shower area especially, on the hairbrush and on the floor are where my hair can be found. After a week's use, it looks like my hairfall became less, although not a very dramatic change as it takes time. But, hey, it works!

I tried the peppermint scent, so cool on the scalp!

Even though it's not an anti-dandruff shampoo, this Strengthening Shampoo also did the job of one. In my opinion, it's because the shampoo is all natural and leaves no dandruff-causing residue on my scalp. And because it's all natural, my scalp doesn't get irritated, unlike the effect of shampoos filled with harmful chemicals. I am going to try the cucumber or rosemary scent next, for a silky smooth finish. :-)

Please visit my Human Heart Nature shop.

A Jolly June-July Giveaway from Lizz

Lizz is hosting another lovely giveaway for June-July. She has already set up her shop of delightful Korean beauty products called the Krazy/Beautiful store. One product that interests me is the Hyalin's Beauty Insurance BB Cream, she has a great review on that one, and since my skin is also oily/combination like hers, I'd take her word on it. Another product I'd like to try is the TONYMOLY Gel Liner Pots, which I hope comes with its own brush. I think the light colored ones have the brush. I will have to save up for those luxuries. :-) Below are the goodies that she is giving away. Aren't they sweet?

1) Eight (8) full-sized Candy*Shop nail polishes (various colors)


2) 1 TonyMoly travel-sized BB Cream

3) 1 Holika Holika Garden Recipe travel-sized Body Wash

4) 1 Organic Farm full-sized Lip Gloss

5) 1 Flory Ann full-sized Lip Gloss

6) 1 Skin Food Omija Whitening Gift Set

7) 2 Innis Free Green Tea Seed Serum

8) 1 InnisFree Green Tea Gift Set (contains serum and lotion)

9) 2 Sticker Sets

10) 1 Nail Art Sticker Set

11) 1 Skin79 Hydro Repairing Mask Sheet

12) 1 *adorable* Kapibarasan Notepad

Orchid Eyes?

One of the things I like about not having a 20/20 vision is the need to wear contact lenses. I have the chance to choose a colored pair just for vanity's sake. The last color I had was, I think, coffee brown or something to that effect. But it had expired, so I needed a new pair. I am glad that this time, my preferred color was available. I thought I needed a check up but one of the eye doctors there said that it was not possible to have my prescription changed since I am pregnant and it wouldn't be accurate. So I just stuck to the old one in the record, and got my new pair of contact lenses.

Here's how it looks on me, I am loving my orchid eyes! That's the name of the color, BTW.

So, I guess, LASIK is far from my mind right now, budget-wise and accuracy-wise. I have to save up for my childbirth, I might be having a C-section and it is more costly than a normal one. Then it will take about three months for my eyes to 'stabilize', according to the eye doctor. But looking at the hassle of wearing contact lenses and replacing them once every few months or every year, it is quite an attractive option. Reading the article "A Lighter, Defter Touch" brought to us by USAEyes, with the website USAEyes.org, it is encouraging to know that eye surgery is undergoing refinement over the years and the procedure is being made safer and more accurate. Still, I need to consider it very well, it is, after all, surgery and my eyes seem fine as of the moment. I just have to take care of them, like not tiring them out and keeping them protected and clean.

Mahvelous May Giveaway

I find myself looking forward to this month's giveaway on Lizz's blog. Below is the loot just for Philippine residents:

1) Three bottles of Johnson & Johnson Body Care products: UV Lotion, Daily Calming Lotion, and Lasting Moisture Body Lotion-- all are full sized (200ml!)

2) GlutaMAX Lightening Lotion
3) Two boxes of GlutaMAX Glutathione whitening tablets
4) Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (in blackest black)
5) Rimmel Volume Boost Lipgloss in Innocent (my fav shade!)
6) Four mini lipglosses from Four East (red, brown, light pink, and gold)
7) Five mini nail polished from Four East (in various shades)

We'll probably be experiencing rain in June, so this is a lovely way to cap off the summer, isn't it? One of my favorite activities this summer was going swimming with my daughter Elle. She really enjoyed it! One of my favorite events is my birthday last April. I loved the food and gifts!

For The Ladies

Do you want to win this lovely package?

 

These are the products you could win over at Lizz's site. There she writes about make-up, fashion, reviews skin care products and more. I am one of those people who do not have the slightest idea which make-up suits my particular skin type. But, I do know that I need to put moisturizer on my face and neck, especially when I am going out. One that has an SPF factor or UV protection. The product that I am using now is Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 anti-ageing cream with a touch of foundation, SPF 15. I love this and I think it will be a staple in my beauty regimen (if it exists).

Reasons why I can't live without it:

• It has SPF
• It provides a some coverage for my freckles and blemishes
• It is light and not greasy
• It makes my skin appear soft

Hair And Now

It is summertime here in the country and one of the ways to keep cool is to sport short hairstyles. I, for one, had my locks chopped off last January in preparation for the heat, for my pregnancy (some say long hair competes with nutrients that are intended for the baby), for my dad's wig and for a change. Right now, I have shoulder-length layered hair with occasionally side-swept bangs (some say bangs make a woman look younger). I do not normally like bangs because I imagine it would cause my forehead to be peppered with pimples. Also, one time my mom cut them a tad too short, I didn't know how to hide them, and it took forever to grow them back. In spite of that, I decided to give them one more shot and live with it when it's not very nice. Surprisingly, they kind of flattered me, well, sometimes. One of my brothers even said the style suits me, that I look pretty. Awww!

I am not someone who is very adventurous with her hair styles, and also my hair color remains natural. I just had highlights once. And late last year, I decided to have my hair permed. Just big waves near the bottom, and not very kinky like some black hairstyles. What I want from my stylists is that my hair could be tied up when needed and that even if I forgot to comb or brush it, it will still look OK. Do you think that's a tall order? 

When I am about to give birth, my hair would have grown longer again. I need to have it cut yet again, because according to our elders, after the delivery of baby, I am not supposed to bathe for a month! Since I am residing in a tropical country, my scalp would itch like crazy. So short hair is still advisable. I wonder how else could short hair be styled?

Please click the images for links to the sources.

Skin Musings

In my opinion, when a woman becomes a housewife and a stay-at-home mommy, caring for her own skin is not really part of her priority. That is what's happening to me lately, especially these last 2 weeks when our helper went on vacation and I had to do most of the household chores. Frequent washing of dishes and cleaning materials made my fingertips so dry and cracked. There are so many flaws in my facial and body skin that I wouldn't be surprised if the Academy of Dermatology will come knocking on my door one of these days. 

I think I would need more than an ordinary facial and body scrub to clear my skin. I have these freckles and I wonder if they are sun spots or age spots, and if they need laser sun spots treatment? I can't even differentiate white heads/black heads from acne, so I also wouldn't know if a laser acne treatment would do me any good.  Laser Hair Removal Los Angeles is one thing I was considering many years before. I'd like to have unwanted hair removed, plus it's tedious to pluck hair off underarms every now and then, they still grow back so fast.

Although I can truly feel the effects of the aging process, I don't think I would need a Los Angeles Botox Treatment yet. Maybe a lot of smiling, plenty of water, less anger and worry will help. Oh, and some moisturizers on the face and neck, too!

Sometimes when I complain about my skin, my hubby would say that I am vain. But I know it is important, especially for a woman, to care for the skin. I wouldn't want to look older than him, now, would I?

Note To Self

Since I have limited movements after my operation, I admit I have been lax in my beauty regimen. My skin has been experiencing dry spells lately, especially now that the cool weather is kicking in. I really need to do my favorite ritual as soon as the pain and discomfort are gone. Thanks to a reminder (also a blog contest) from YesNoMeh - a review blog by Josh, my high school classmate and his girlfriend Lizz.

What is my favorite beauty ritual then?

After taking a shower, I put slather on facial moisturizer, most preferably with SPF (I am so liking Olay Total Effects with a touch of foundation SPF 15 at the moment as it makes my face look smoother), if I am going out, and an ordinary moisturizer before bedtime. I plan to switch to a night cream when this moisturizer is all used up. I then apply lotion all over my body, I prefer ones with SPF or UV ray blocker. That's it! It's not much of a beauty ritual, I know, but it makes me feel more of a lady.

Of course I did not skip grooming altogether. I could cut the nails on my hand. It was hard for me to bend down and cut my toenails, so I had a foot spa with a pedicure last Saturday with my friend. It was nice, and since I was already there, I decided to add some color to my toenails, a light shade of purple. I am still deciding what to do with my long permed hair, so I put off cutting it for now. Grooming is quite necessary for a civilized and clean person. If one is unkempt and has long nails, he/she is more prone to attract germs and has the chance to ingest them or pass them on to his/her loved ones. I wouldn't want that to happen!

Heart's Day Wish

Valentine's day is already on its way.
May bouquets of flowers become ours.
Each chocolate would never be late.
A necklace to make the heart race.
Even a ring to make the heart sing.

If you cannot afford the ones above
Then offer the one below with love.



















A flatter tummy to a yummy mommy!

"You can't face your problem...

...if the problem is your face." -Now where did I hear that? I forgot, maybe from some comedy show, or a friend's quip. Do you agree with the saying? He he!


Last Thursday, one of my colleagues and I went to Trinoma to have a facial. First, we had a dinner of sizzling fish fillets with rice and some veggies. Then we decided to grab a dessert of fruits in crepes with an ice cream scoop. Yum! After that, we proceeded to F. Flawless to have our facials, but were turned down because "we cannot be accommodated as they were fully booked". We didn't buy that. The only people who were at the waiting area were a guy, seemingly waiting for a patient inside, and one of their therapists. The door to the treatment room opened and we saw that there were many vacant beds. We cooked up some reasons why we were turned down:

• We didn't have records there
• They were choosy, and maybe thought we couldn't pay
  
• Closing time is near, and they didn't want to stay later than usual

So, we went to the concierge to inquire other facial salons in the mall. We ended up at Dermstrata. I would like to commend them for accommodating us on such short notice and answering our questions regarding their services. The price of their facial was more reasonable than that of the former, plus their place and the facilities look more sophisticated. There were individual rooms, a room for two and for four. They even have Shiatsu or Swedish massage. I had the Placenta/Collagen Facial Treatment with eye treatment and additional collagen infusion at a fee, supposedly to fight the aging process. They were thorough in cleansing and the "dirt" that was removed from my face was a little overwhelming (they show patients how much they got). I couldn't remember the last time I had a facial. Now, my face feels as smooth as a baby's behind, well, almost! It was refreshing. The therapist was courteous and her hands were light, it didn't hurt that much when she was removing my blackheads and whiteheads, etc. The staff did the whole drill and didn't hurry us out even when it's past their closing time already. They also have other services that I want to try, like the said massage, painless hair removal, underarm whitening, body scrub, Thermasculpt (to lose 2 inches off the waist, I think. Yay to being slimmer instantly), foot spa, etc. Ooh! It would be so nice to get pampered.

I would definitely go back when it's time to have a facial again. And I might have the moolah to try the other treatments, too!

Give Me A Li'l Love

I haven't started on my Christmas shopping yet, I haven't even started listing down the people I will give gifts to, and what to get them. I'm just lazy like that! But, I have had the time to shop for:
1. A concealer from Body Shop for my freckles
2. A lipstick from Maybelline for events or parties, and
3. A pair of sandals from SO! F. A. B. (don't ask me, I don't know what that stands for either),

last month, which are my early gifts to myself.

Good news, Bad news

Firstly, the good news.

After years of its disappearance from the Philippine market, this brand of hair care has recently made a comeback with greater variety and packaged in funkier bottles. As I have raved about its awesomeness and ranted about its seemingly passing out of existence here, the country (or is it just me?) would be glad to find Herbal Essences gracing the supermarkets again. It offers choices for the buyers, too! Do you want your conditioner to be separate? You could opt for the 2-in-1 too, if you're on a budget, like me. Is your hair colored? Is it limp or too frizzy? Is it dry? Or ridden with dandruff? They have shampoos for each of those categories. Personally, I am torn between the one for flakes and the hydrating one. I can't wait to try it out!

Now, for the bad news.

I read this news on Tara's blog. Her name is Sheila Kathleen McBroom, a blogger from Anchorage, Alaska and Tara's friend, and she's been missing since Oct. 27 until now. Although she's continents away from me and I had only come to know her blog through Tara's, I feel concerned because both of us are a part of the blogosphere, so we're connected somehow. Her family is of course worried sick, her eldest daughter even wrote an entry on her blog, asking for any information. The most recent news update can be read here. I just feel the need to disseminate this. I hope to God she will be found soon!

Beauty and (subtle) Madness

Make-up was once my friend, when I was 6 years old. I went to my mama's dresser and painted my eyelids blue and my lips red, then went down to the dining area for my birthday celebration, where a picture of me was taken with my Cinderella themed birthday cake. I used to love Disney's Cinderella before Beauty and the Beast came.
I dare not post THAT picture of me here!
But after that, we've drifted apart. Especially since my pores got as big as manholes, I was afraid pressed powder/foundation/blush-on would clog them right up, then I'll have zits and pimples for a face. Also, I know for a fact that lipsticks make the lips lose their natural blush of red or pink, so I just use lip glosses, once in a while.
For many years, no real communication happened between us, just a few Hi's and hello's when I sang at a musical play, went to the prom and became a bridesmaid twice. Rix even liked me without it. We were re-acquainted on my wedding day, though, but that was it.
Or so I thought.
Age is now catching up on me. After I gave birth, once non-existent freckles popped out and were noticeable that even a male friend commented upon them. *sigh* I am badly in need of a major cover-up, yet I am so clueless with this make-up business. Should I use a whitening cream to "erase" these freckles, if possible? Is concealer enough, or would I still need a gel foundation? Someone once told me that after using concealer, put on face powder so the face would have a uniform color. Yeah, I know, obviously my skin tone and pigmentation seem uneven. Boo!
But, I still do not want to use lipstick. Lip gloss is just fine for me, like for my friend Meg.
Oh, and my hair is drier now. Does it come with age, too? I used to use this great and awesome shampoo from Clairol called the Herbal Essences. It made my hair so soft and fragrant. I simply loved it! I don't know why, but it was pulled off our country's market. Such a shame! Can someone send me a lifetime supply of it? Pretty please?But, that was in high school or college, when I was still young. My hair could be naturally soft at that time... Could be...
Anyhow, I saw it once in S&R (sells imported goodies). I promised myself I will purchase it once my current shampoo is finished. But I couldn't resist! The last time I went to S&R, I prepared to take it off the rack, and then... "Nooooooooo!" IT'S NOT SHAMPOO! IT'S BODY WASH! The floor beneath me swayed and my surroundings became a blur. I was crestfallen beyond belief!
OK, I exaggerate, but still...!
*sigh*
I will include that in my Christmas wish list that I will mail to Santa (or benevolent people in North America/Europe/Australasia/Middle East/China or Japan) sometime this month.

Defying Age

There are so many products out there that claim they could erase wrinkles, tighten skin, lighten complexion and whiten dark spots. All these are a part of the woman's aging process. 3 years to go and then I'll be 30 years old. How time flies! I could feel the gravity of age pulling at me. Sagging this and that, wrinkles and freckles, and drier hair. I am not very vain and I don't follow a strict beauty regimen, but I have a few products that I often use, that could hide a few flaws (I hope!).

1. Facial wash this is a staple. I chose one that is hypo-allergenic, non-comedogenic, dermatological tested and it has NMF (natural moisturizing factor), all of which are important for healthy skin - smooth and supple.
2. Toner for after washing. It deeply cleans and tightens pores. Cool on the skin. It has naturally derived aloe and chamomile to prevent over-drying.
3. Moisturizer or day cream or face lotion. Better if it has SPF to prevent damage from harmful ultraviolet rays. One of them has whitening properties to lighten dark spots, and is vitamin E enriched. This helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I like the light and non-greasy feature. Don't forget to apply liberally on the neck because the neck also displays one's age.
4. Night cream nourishes the face overnight when the skin is at rest. This is also to help smooth out wrinkles as it is made from goat's milk.
5. Eye cream reduces the puffiness and the look of bags around the eye area. It also smooths out minor wrinkles. It says it shrinks the capillary walls, I don't understand the benefit of that.
6. Lotions enhance the elasticity of skin, have UV protection, prevent stretchmarks and have whitening properties.