A Photo A Week: Guyabano

The skin may not be flawless but they taste good (at least for me)

Ever since we learned about my mother’s medical diagnosis, we started to switch our lifestyle to join her into her quest for a healthy one. We rarely eat pork and beef nowadays and instead focus on eating greens and fish. For snacks, I encouraged her to eat fruits and wheat bread instead of white bread and other sugary snacks.

There are some fruits and vegetables said to help fight cancer and one of those is guyabano (soursop). The fruit's effect on cancer hasn't been proven by experts and we are certain that this fruit alone cannot topple cancer but any little thing that is said to help is worth a try, right? After all, there is nothing to lose when this fruit is eaten regularly.

I took the picture during the first time we have gathered so many guyabanos. We used to have only one or two at home since we can rarely find them these days and gathering this much is surely an amazing feat. It surely lifted our spirit (my mother’s particularly) for a few seconds. If only one guyabano equals one day of her life, I absolutely will go through any length to gather enough to extend her life for another 10 to 20 years.

Review: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector

I don’t wear makeup everyday not because I don’t want to but because I do not have the time to put it on. With one full time and one part time job, running at least twice a week and the desire to get the much-needed sleep, who has time to devote 30 minutes or so for makeup session? I cannot even update this blog as often as I wanted due to lack of time.

I am used to be a pressed powder and foundation girl rather than full-blown makeup. But one day, I realized that I need to add a concealer to my low maintenance routine because the pimple scars are too much for me to bear. :D Recently, I got a new concealer from a friend who sells makeup. Actually, it’s not just a concealer but a concealer and highlighter in one product - the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector. It’s my first concealer from Maybelline that is why I’m quite excited to give this a try.

I have been using this product for around a month already and below is my take on its performance.

A Photo A Week: Weekend at Igang

Coral Cave (Photo Credit: KC)

It’s been weeks since my last post and ages since my last A Photo a Week series. Aside from my regular 9 – 6 work, a part-time job and staying fit, this is what keeps me busy. No, not photography! I've been busy with beach trips. I've been to two different beaches two weekends in a row and pretty sure my beach escapades will not end anytime soon considering the weather in the Philippines right now.

So just last weekend, we spent a night in one of the beaches in Guimaras. It’s my second time to be there and the place keeps on getting better - when it comes to its infrastructure that is. There is already concrete pavement/pathway leading to various areas and facilities and some stony path along the beach has been cemented to smoothen the edges and provide easy access for those who are willing to enjoy the bluish green water. Some overly altered, though for safety reasons, doesn't look natural anymore. I wish weeds and other plants will start to grow around these areas to bring back that all-natural appearance once again.

Getting to the place is not difficult. Once you reach the Jordan wharf, you can ask the tourism officer assigned along the arrival area for tips and direction. They will even refer you to tourism accredited jeepneys/transport operators for hassle-free transaction.

Review: St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub

From the day I learned about organic skin care products, I became a convert. I try as much as possible to buy and use organic products only such as soap, toner, lip balm and others from small entrepreneurs. But I admit not all organic products work for me. I once had a bad experience with organic soap but that didn’t discourage me from using such products.

When my L’Oreal Hydrafresh Anti-shine facial wash is about to run out, I decided to look for a new facial cleanser and I found this St. Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub. I have used a couple other variants before this and the results are so - so. Despite that, I had high hopes with this variant because of its green tea and salicylic acid content plus its claim as acne treatment.

Like most St. Ives facial scrub, this one comes in a white tube with flip top cap. The scrub itself is light green and the green beads are finer compared to other St. Ives scrub I have tried before. I initially used this once a day (every morning and L’Oreal Hydrafresh Anti-shine at night) but when later used it twice a day when my L’Oreal facial wash ran out. I have been using this for more than a month already and below is my review (first post using my new review format).

New Review Format

While doing a product review recently, I suddenly feel the need for some changes. Knowing that the previous format gives vague information and is less organized, I decided that change in review format is in order. Instead of the previous format:

Product Description
Ingredients
What I like about the product
What I do not like about the product
Will I repurchase
Rating

I decided to change it to:

Product Description
Conclusion:
    Packaging
    Effectiveness
    Staying Power (might be using on cosmetics only)
    Scent
    Ingredients
    Price
    Availability
Rating:
    Packaging
    Effectiveness
    Staying Power (might be using on cosmetics only)
    Scent
    Ingredients
    Price
    Availability
Overall Rating
Will I repurchase

I am hoping that with this new format, I’ll be able to organize my thoughts well and make the pros and cons clear. So from now on, you will be seeing this new format until I decide for another revamp. Happy reading!

March Finds

Long weekend is over and it’s the time of the month again for my monthly finds. I only got a few items because of self-imposed ban but nevertheless, I am not embarrassed to show you my humble post. :D

1. Jergens Soothing Aloe Relief
I was supposed to get the St. Ives lotion (different variant from the one I got a few months ago) but this got my attention. I love its clean scent and I can’t wait to blog about it in the following days.

2. L’Oreal Smooth Intense Caring Shampoo and Conditioner (not in the picture)
I love getting freebies so when I saw that the shampoo comes with a free conditioner, I opted for this. I have been looking for a new HG shampoo for a couple of months now thus my willingness to give this a try.

3. Victoria’s Secret Hydrating Body Lotion
There are certain Victoria’s Secret scents I love but this one is new to me. This was given by a relative from the US and I have been taking it with me due to its handy size.

4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector
Concealer and highlighter in one. I only wanted to buy a concealer but this is the only concealer available from a friend who sells branded makeup so I settled for this. Anyway, I haven’t had a highlighter before so this is something new to me. :))

Hopefully I can review these products sooner than usual. But first I need to be in the mood to write. :D