Vanity Kit

Every girl needs a vanity kit: that tiny little purse to keep some cosmetics and other toiletries for personal grooming. Call it beauty bag, kikay kit or powder bag, it is all we need to look and feel fresh while on the go.


Take a peek at my new pink powder bag. Here are the items that I have inside.

-red comb
-Max Factor Lash Lift Mascara
-Pond's whitening cream and pearl cream
-hair clamp from What Women Want
-Maybelline press powder
-Maybelline lip gloss
-Holy Seat


I bought this really cute vanity kit from a nearby mall. It was actually love at first sight. The combination of pink and the animal print is just so cute, so I purchased two of them. One for me.. and one for you!


Enter for a chance to win this pink vanity bag together with two of my favorite Pond's products: facial cream and facial foam.


This giveaway is open internationally. Just leave a comment on this post sharing something about the beauty product that you can't live without.


Don't forget to follow this blog in case you're not a follower yet. Being a follower makes your comment a valid entry.


Not a Blogger? No Open ID but wants to join? Simply repost the url of this giveaway through your facebook account, then tag me or send me a facebook message, so I can validate your entry.


Deadline to enter is Friday, July 16. The winner will be chosen through random.org and announced the next day here on this very same post.


The winner will be given only 72 hours or 3 days to respond or else I'll have to pick another winner.

Sorry, time is up girls! I got excited, so I am already posting the winner today. Congratulations LAV!








Edited: July 16, 2010
Note: This is not a sponsored giveaway.

Cheap Hair Rebonding at Victor Ortega Salon & Spa

After some research and recommendation from friends, I finally visited the Victor Ortega Salon & Spa along Boni Avenue yesterday. I arrived there around 9 o'clock with a ten minute jeepney ride from EDSA. The salon opens at 8 AM, so half of the ground floor salon was already crowded when I came.
I was interviewed, asked to fill out some sort of customer profile, then led to the other side of the salon which (was empty) by senior stylist Arman, a.k.a. Amanda, and junior stylist Odie. I told the stylist that I just washed my hair so they skipped the washing and started applying straightening cream.

Forty-five minutes passed. My hair was washed again, dried, and ironed. My crowning glory started to look nice but the process was not over yet. They applied another cream (I forgot the name of that cream), waited for another 45 minutes, washed my hair, then applied with the hot oil formula. After the hot oil, there went the washing and drying again, then trimming, and ironing for final styling.





Well, in a total of 4 hours, under Amanda and Odie's care, my then unmanageable hair became soft and straight. No more frizz and dull feeling. I so looove it! Another thing I was happy about was my bill. Guess what? I only paid P1500. That's P1000 for the rebond & P500 for the treatment. So so happy!!

Most of the people in that salon/spa seem all nice. Some of them are a little quiet, some are hilarious and friendly, others are.. uhmmm.. okay. Nothing to complain nor rant about which means, I am definitely going back.

Interested to get hair rebonding and other treatments in a much cheaper price? Contact Victor Ortega Salon & Spa.

Boni Branch: 531-9350 or 535-1696
Kalentong Branch: 387-3006





NOTE: This post was originally published in my old blog, utotmopink.com, dated Sept. 24, 2009.

Bb. Pilipinas 2009 Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Bb. Pilipinas 2009! My bet did not get the ultimate title but she made it to the final three so.




Here are the Bb. Pilipinas 2009 winners from left to right, Bb. Pilipinas-International, Candidate #20, Melody Gersbach, Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Candidate #15 - Pamela Bianca Manalo, and Bb. Pilipinas-World, Candidate #17, Marie-Ann Umali.




Melody Gersbach




Melody Gersbach




Pamela Bianca Manalo




Pamela Bianca Manalo




Marie Ann Umali




Marie Ann Umali




Richell Angalot aka Rich Asuncion


1st Runner-Up - Candidate #3 - Richell Angalot
2nd Runner-Up - Candidate #11 - Regina Hahn (not in the picture)

Best in Long Gown Candidate #17 - Marie-Ann Umali
Best in Swimwear Candidate #15 - Pamela Bianca Manalo
Miss Photogenic Candidate #17 - Marie Anne Umali
Miss Friendship Candidate #4 - Gizelle Jasmin Rivamonte
Best in Talent Candidate #3 - Richell Angalot

Candidates included in the Top Ten are:
Candidate #11 - Regina Hahn
Candidate #23 - Barbara Salvador
Candidate #9 - April Love Jordan
Candidate #22 - Priscilla Mae Honorio
Candidate #5 - Diana Arevalo
Candidate #20 - Melody Gersbach
Candidate #3 - Richell Angalot
Candidate #17 - Marie-Ann Umali
Candidate #1 - Vanessa Johnson
Candidate #15 - Pamela Bianca Manalo




NOTE: This post was originally published in my old blog, utotmopink.com, dated March 8, 2009.

Choosing a Wedding Theme and Motif

To be a June bride is one of my dreams though I didn't think of a beach wedding or even a destination wedding. All I wanted is to say "I DO" on my birthday. Seeing the reality of that dream is really wonderful. Just wonderful. So today, I am sharing some things about my wedding.






My chosen color motif is gold, yellow, and ivory. Whatever shade of those three colors will do. In my color palette, I can see yellow gold, metallic gold, lemon yellow, tangerine yellow, ivory, cream, and a lot more.

My chosen theme is a simple tropical beach wedding. It will be held in my province in Romblon, so imagine a small crowd composed with my family, some relatives and friends in a wedding hall by the beach. Hopefully, it won't rain a lot (please). You know in the Philippines, when you think of June you think of back-to-school, and at the same time, you think of rains. Well, showers are okay but heavy rains is totally not good.

Anyway, I will be marching in a gown made by Arleen Sipat of Salsa Trends. It is a one-shoulder or asymmetrical grecian gown in ivory color with a gold belt as accessory. Matching the belt is a pair of gold sandals.

The groom will be wearing a traditional barong tagalog which is similar to a guayabera or the Mexican wedding shirt. Matching the barong are khaki trousers and brown beach sandals.

I don't have pictures of wedding stuff we already have and prepared, but I think, the photo above represents them well. The grecian dress, the yellow arch, the gold rings, gold sandals, etc.

Every day becomes busier than the other. Just wanted to share some thoughts here. I will miss blogging the next two weeks but will probably blog a little more before going to my hometown.







NOTE: This post was originally published in my old blog, utotmopink.com, dated June 4, 2009.

Why take vitamins?

There are various kinds of vitamins and dietary supplements these days. Just visit a nearby drugstore and the pharmacists might suggest you more than a dozen of over the counter pills and tablets to choose from.




People from infant to old age take vitamins to help them boost their immune system. Babies and young children usually take Vitamin C and Vitamin D. Men and women of middle age take Vitamin E and Calcium. On the other hand, the older generation usually take Vitamin B complex.


Personally, I don't like taking pills and capsules unless required by my doctor for medication. I believe that nothing beats the natural way of staying healthy, so instead of taking vitamins or food supplements, I want to try my best in following this guide which I created for the purpose of healthy living.




The 7 Habits to a Healthy Life


1. Eat right. A very good meal should always include a slice of fruit, fiber, colorful vegetables like yellow squash, orange like carrots and tomatoes, and greens like malunggay or ampalaya and the like. Less oil, less meat. Lastly, avoid too much sugar and salt.


2. Drink plenty of water. Take maximum of 12 glasses of water a day to be able to get rid of toxins and help the blood transport nutrients.


3. Sleep well. Spend at least 8 hours a day of sleeping. Take afternoon naps if possible.


4. Exercise. Do some stretching or crunches in the morning at least 30 minutes a day. No time to exercise? Walk briskly. Use the stairs instead of the elevator.


5. Avoid bad habits. No alcohol. No caffeine. No smoking. No drugs.


6. De-stress. Enjoy life and be happy. Schedule a trip to the spa with a friend or a weekend getaway with the whole family. No budget? Then just sit down and relax at home while sipping a cup of hot chocolate or reading a favorite book.


7. Visit your doctor for a yearly check up. Staying healthy is very important esp. if you have a spouse and kids to look after.