It all started two Sundays ago. My boyfriend and I chanced upon Re-Ment miniature toys when we went to his toy haunts in Greenhills, and I waxed on and on about my toys when I was young — my play kitchen sets, my Barbie dolls, my miniature doll houses — every thing I lost when we lost our house to a big fire back in 2001. Jeremiah suggested we build my collection again, and to start with a Barbie doll.

We stayed far too long at the Barbie section at Toy Kingdom with me ooh-ing and aah-ing at everything I saw and him documenting my reactions, but I couldn't decide what to get. He suggested I get a Made to Move Barbie because it's fully articulated and I could play with different poses, but I was hesitant because I thought its clothes were too "simple". I finally yielded, but asked to take a look at the Disney Princess dolls first to look at Jasmine.

That's when I saw them.

In one seemingly forgotten corner of the store, the Ever After High dolls were just there, and it was like they were waiting just for me. I shrieked because, hello, how could I not? They were sons and daughters of fairy tale characters with beautiful hair and fabulous accessories?? They're perfect!

Apparently it's a show on Netflix that I added on my list a while ago but forgot about. We spent a longer time there because I just couldn't choose, until I finally decided on Kitty Cheshire (daughter of the Cheshire Cat) and Featherly (a Forest Pixie)!

Less than two weeks later, and here we are. I've already devoted a huge chunk of time watching the show, reading about these characters, visiting toy stores, and talking my boyfriend's ears off about them. If you haven't yet, I suggest that you watch the show because it's HEXCELLENT and SPELLTACULAR! It's funny without being corny/ cheesy and the characterization and dialogues are fantastical and wonderful!

I'm sad that I'm already at the last chapter of the series, and I'm crossing my fingers that Mattel produces more episodes. Until then, I've set my heart to collecting Madeline Hatter (middle name: Xylophone) dolls because she's my favorite forever after!

Notice my puffy eyes? I burst into tears after seeing all these beautiful Madeline Hatter dolls!

I love Maddie because she's kooky with a good heart. She and her lines are just so amusing that I found myself drawn to her character from the start! After weighing all my options and considering my budget, I ended up with this:

EXTRA TALL MADELINE HATTER!

I was so confused as to why she is the only one with an extra tall version, and I learned why in the Way Too Wonderland chapter.

Cheers to five years!

Hello, friend. I hope you are well. ♥

Time flies. I celebrated my fifth anniversary with ARC Public Relations yesterday. For an industry that can be fickle, five years is a long time and is already a milestone. To commemmorate this occasion, I got a Pandora Globe Charm to symbolize how big my world has grown since I stepped out if my comfort zone and started anew.

Five years is a speck, really, in the grand scheme of things, but when I think of everything that has happened in this span of time I still get amazed. Five years in this company and I still learn something new every day. Of all the risks I took, this is by far the best.

In other news, we moved to a new office! I miss the open spaces, SM Aura, and cute doggos being walked by their humans in BGC but commuting to and from home is much easier and cheaper now.

The new office is more cramped than the previous one we had but I'm so thankful to be given my own work-space.

I AM VERY BUSY: My ban.do Agenda

How? How could it be August tomorrow already? Before long Christmas songs will be blasting all over the city again, so we have to make sure we're taking the time to pause every once in a while.

Work is more forgiving now that there are more of us in the team. It's still a stressful industry, but I breathe more easily these days. Hah. My free times are dedicated to spending quality time with family, friends, my boyfriend and his family, and my hobbies: reading, watching movies, writing, and journalling. 

My Le Petit Prince Weekly Diary/ Planner Moleskine has served me well but when I saw this particular ban.do Agenda, I KNEW I HAD TO HAVE IT. Yes, the intensity was real.

It has a matte laminated hard cover in PINK with holographic letters. How can I say no to that?? I couldn't, and I didn't, and now I have it. It's perfect. ♥

we’re gonna let you in on a little secret: the 2017–2018 ban.do agenda is not just your average planner. oh no! it’s also an art gallery, a cheerleader, a top secret document, a personal assistant, and a best friend. this one’s our classic agenda in i am very busy. it’s got handy year, month, and week views, tons of notes pages, color-coded tabs, stickers (a lot), cool art from our cool friends, weekend to-dos, compliments, a neat poster, and just so much more. it’s pretty much the agenda of your dreams. From ban.do's website

It's so pretty I'm heart eyes emoji! If this Agenda's any indication, the rest of 2017 and all of 2018 will be bright and bold and colorful for sure.

And look! Stickers! Two sheets of stickers are included, but because I'm me and I'm sticker-happy, I printed a bunch of planner printables and stickers using my Canon PIXMA E470!

Review: Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

It's National Lipstick Day on my side of the globe but here I am reviewing mascara. LOL.

Ain't nobody got time for mascara if you're like me who wears glasses all the time but I apply it occasionally - when there's a special event or when I'm in the mood just because. The tube I reach out to the most is the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara. I've liked it since the first time I got it last year, and I appreciate that Maybelline sent me a new tube to replenish my stash!

The Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara promises buildable volume and length with each stroke, and I can attest that it makes good on that promise.

They say that aside from the formula of the mascara itself, its effectivity also depends on the brush. I'm not well-versed on the intricacies of mascara brushes, but Lash Sensational's is built with a unique and separating brush that opens up your lashes to reveal layers upon layers.

What I like about the Lash Sensational is that you can layer it on to build as much length and volume as you want to create a lash look fit for any occasion. No need for multiple mascaras that can only deliver either length or volume! Lash Sensational has it all! And the best part? You can say goodbye to clumpy lashes- zero mess, zero clumps guaranteed!

My Avon Panty Store Picks

I love shopping for new underwear. At the risk of being TMI, I prefer matching my undies. There are several other factors to consider, like the material of my outerwear (gotta make sure there are no visible panty lines), occasion (cotton undies for casual days and long haul travels, dainty lace or microfiber for special events), and fit (because who likes wearing ill-fitted underwear, right?)

Underwear shopping can be a very daunting task for some, especially for girls who juggle multiple activities on a day-to-day basis. Going from one shop to another in a frenzy in search of panties for that body fitting dress I'm wearing to a special event happening in less than a week can get crazy, and spending hours looking for panties that I can wear all day long during the summer months or during workout sessions (not that they happen frequently, heh) can get daunting. So I'm thrilled to receive this gift from the Avon Panty Store!

As the no. 1 Intimate Apparel brand, Avon Fashions offers the widest variety of panty collections through the Avon Panty Store. From classic silhouettes made of 100% cotton to nude semi-seamless pieces and fun printed panties, Avon Fashions is making it easier for Filipinas to find all the intimate pieces they need in one place.

Looove these yummy prints and colors! ♥