Have I ever told you how this blog came to be? I know I must have, but let me go Ted Mosby on you and tell the story again for good measure. ｡◕‿◕｡

It was the year 2008. I was happy publishing my day-to-day activities and thoughts through my Multiply journal. It was also around the same time I started getting interested with makeup (late bloomer, I know) and wanting to learn how to do my own. Aside from my Allure magazines, my resource were local and international beauty blogs, majority of which were hosted by Blogger. That's when I decided to create one. Good decision, too, seeing as how Multiply folded late last year. When you think about it, krissyfied.com has a very simple origin story, really.

Going back to the point of this post, I got interested with makeup around the same time mineral makeup was getting traction in the local beauty scene. When Ellana Minerals emerged, a lot of beauty bloggers raved about it that I just had to see what the fuss was about. Since I was living in an apartment in Quezon City during that time, it was not difficult for me to visit their then office and show room.

Needless to say, those raves were not unwarranted. Check out my first post about Ellana Minerals from 2009. I quote, "As all other mineral makeup brands, Ellana's products are non-toxic, hypoallergenic and non-comodegenic, but what really sold me to try them is that it is a local brand. I am happy that more Pinoy entrepreneurs are breaking boundaries and carving their own niche in the market. Best of all, their products are really affordable!" Over several visits, I was able to build quite a big collection of their products, from makeup to brushes. I even used to sell these to my former officemates! Some of my favorites were the Premium Blend Foundation, Silk Glow Illuminating Mineral Finishing Powder, Liquid Lip Color, and Powder Blushes.

Ellana Minerals Sheer Natural Mineral Powder Blushes in Happiness and Lust
One of my favorite things about mineral makeup is that unlike regular makeup, it doesn't expire!

Throwback alert!
My 23 year old self enjoying poreless perfection with
Ellana Minerals Premium Blend Foundation in Cafe Mocha
I never had problem skin but I relied on this product on days I wanted to look insta-pretty.

A little-more-glam-than-usual look using the same foundation
This is a candid shot from a little shoot my friend and I made years ago.

As I moved apartments, I lost most of my Ellana Minerals makeup except for the brushes and blushes. Life happened and I lost touch with the brand as well even though I have always wondered what happened to it. I couldn't tell you how excited I got when I received an email from Liz of Project Vanity inviting me to its relaunch!

The new packaging features art by Soleil Ignacio. The team behind Ellana Minerals says their vision for the brand is that it is for modern goddesses. Sophisticated, smart, and confident, she knows what her assets are and knows how to enhance them. Liz says it best here. Please do check out Kira's post about the event here as well. It felt so nice to be surrounded by pretty things. (✿´‿`)

The whole look reminds me of these yummy cupcakes I got the other night ❤ 

Ellana Minerals may have reinvented its look, but it essentially remains the same product we knew and love. I am so glad it's back, with even more products to add to my growing personal beauty arsenal! I have drafted looks featuring the products I received as press gifts, kindly watch out for them. *wink*

This is a sample look I made using just five products, three of which are from Ellana Minerals! True to its Poreless Perfection promise and very easy to do, too.

Do you have an Ellana Minerals story? Do share!

Ellana Minerals is now available in The Ramp TriNoma, EDSA Shangri-La, and Glorietta. You may also purchase online here. For more information, please check out the following:

Official website | Facebook Page | Twitter | Instagram

My first Chucks

Yesterday I went to Glorietta 2 with my friends/ officemates Rica and Far for the Converse Weatherized Collection Look challenge. See our official entry here! Before I worked in PR, it was my big dream to work in magazine publishing. Even though I wasn't able to follow that path, I'm still glad that thanks to the many tools readily available to us now, we can easily make a fashion editorial fit for a magazine! I found it challenging to come up with a creative concept for the shoot since I am such a girly girl, but we managed to pull through! It's always great to think out of the box. Thanks to Rica for helping me style and to Far for modelling for me. You ladies are awesome!

We don't really celebrate Thanksgiving here in the Philippines but it is a good time as any to say how thankful I am for these two ladies. I love our dynamics in and outside the office and going to work wouldn't be half as fun without them there.

After the shoot and a quick lunch, we went back to the store to check out the stuff. It is very rare to hear the words "Krissy" and "sneakers" in one sentence, but even though they're not usually the types of shoes I would normally browse through in the shops more, I still had a grand time ogling at the many designs available. Here are just some that I really liked:

Can you guess what I got? Hint: it's still pretty girly!

Anyway, can I just say how awesome it is to have my first pair of Chucks? As I said, I never thought I'd want one, but how could I not after seeing them pimped in two videos of my favorite band in the world?



Always a fangirl ♥

Here's what I got:

It's black with metallic-colored threads that change colors where light hits it. LOVE!

I wore it for the first time today -

- and I loved that I didn't have to deviate from my usual style!

It even matched my new cat bag from Meream! (The cat bag is handmade and costs P250 ONLY. Visit Meream's shop to get one!) So many possible outfit combinations with my new sneakers. I just know I will be getting a LOT of wear out of these. Thank you, Converse!

By the way, for those scouring malls for Christmas gifts, you might want to drop by Converse and take your pick from their expansive collection of bags and caps.

Heralded as a must-have item for the season, a Converse bag is sure to delight any receiver for its superb reliability, trendy design and recognizable street cred. From barrel bags to messenger bags to backpacks to rucksacks, Converse has a bag for each type of personality. Students may be drawn to Converse Classic Backpack Book Bag for its eye-popping color; office workers may find an ally in the Flap Reporter Heritage Messenger Bag as the perfect container for the ever-thinning laptops and tablets; artists may fall in love with the Converse Heritage Rucksack Canvas for its streamlined, minimalist look; while gym-goers and athletes may soften at the sight of Graphic Barrel Bag for its roomy interior. Each style also comes in a variety of sizes, prints, colors and fabrics, which is a plus for those who are in the look-out for a more personalized feel. 

Converse sneakers and accessories are available in leading department stores and Converse shop. You also should drop by their flagship store in Glorietta 2. It's where we did our shoot. ;)

Who wears Converse?

Someone who takes risks

pushes boundaries

defies conventions and breaks stereotypes

who's not afraid to BE.

The Converse Weatherized Collection is perfect for individuals who are not afraid to make the most out of life. Where water stains are haute couture and splashes of mud are a badge of honor, that's exactly where they'll be. The only existence is one on the edge.

Visit Converse's official website and Facebook Page and check out the new Weatherized Collection at Converse branches nationwide.

This is my official entry to the Converse Weatherized Collection Look Challenge. 
Model: Farhannah Burgos | Assistant stylist: Erica Sanidad

Casual cat. Or dog. Or bear.

It was a very casual workday for me today with no client meetings nor events planned so I opted to keep it simple and ultra-comfy. Yep, so casual that I wore my most worn jeans, a simple tank top, and sneakers.

Would you believe that I've had this top since I was in high school, and the jeans since I was in college? For reference, I graduated on March 2007. Although of course, I've "grown" a little since then, so these clothes fit me a little more snugly now thus the need to roll my jeans up. ｡^‿^｡

Years of having this top and I still haven't figured out whether the face on it belongs to a cat, a dog, or a bear. I've always thought it's a cat's face, but now I'm not so sure.

Also, can I just say how happy I am that our office is located right across Ayala Triangle Gardens? You just can't beat the view. Whenever my officemates Rica, Far, and I need a little creativity boost, we just cross the street and take outfit shots feast our eyes on the lush green grass while getting coffee or gelato from one of the many restaurants lined there.

Ayala Triangle Gardens has become a little more special now as the Lights and Sound show have officially started. You should come catch it while it's ongoing!

And that concludes my quick holler for today. Hope you're all having a great week so far!

Walking dessert buffet

Today I attended an event held at the Vanilla Cupcake Bakery in Glorietta 3. It was my first time to go there but from what I've seen, it was the perfect place for my "dessert dress".

Dress - Maru | Heels - Vida

Vanilla Cupcake Bakery is so pretty I could live there! Or at least play pretend house, LOL. As you know, I am such a girly girl when it comes to dressing up. When I saw this dress in a bazaar a couple of months ago, I just knew that I had to have it! The prints on the dress include cake, cupcakes, doughnuts, macarons, milk and cookies, pancakes, and even Nutella. Looks good enough to eat! A walking dessert buffet, indeed. (´▽`ʃƪ)♡ I love the overall light pink and mint color scheme, too.

On my face:

Ellana Minerals Let's Make It Last Makeup Primer

Ellana Minerals Caramel Latte Loose Mineral Powder Foundation

Ellana Minerals Amethyst Lip and Cheek Gel

On my eyes:

Sleek Au Naturel Eye Shadow Palette

Revlon CustomEyes Mascara

On my lips:

OFRA Lipstick #205

I kept my makeup simple and low-key and let my lips do the {pink} talking. Please expect a review of the makeup products I used as well as they are regular staples in my makeup bag and I'd like to share how great they are. (^_−)☆

A little sidenote:
This Popcorn bag belongs to Bestie. I've been wanting this bag for two weeks now because it's a perfect fit for my movie-lover self! Adding this to my wishlist hee. 

I apologize for making you hungry. You are not alone as I am now craving for a glass of warm milk and cookies myself. ｢(ﾟﾍﾟ)

Special thanks to Sarah for taking my photos ❤

A stroll along Stockton Row

With just exactly a [gasp!] month left before Christmas, I'm sure you've already started writing down both your wish list and your Christmas gift shopping list. I know I have. (^_−) Now if you're either a free-spirited, gypsy-type kind of girl or you have a sister or friend who fits the bill, you can cross this gift off your list because I am introducing you to Stockton Row.

From Stockton Row's Facebook Page

Tough but delicate, subtle but bold ─ she is a beguiling creature, most alluring when she tries not at all. She will win you over in a whim with her charisma and her unawareness of the lasting effect she leaves on you. With a strong sense of adventure, she is always jetting off to a destination, fearless and without a care in the world.

She is an otherworldly beauty, a presence to behold. 

A Stockton Row girl.

Founded just this year, Stockton Row is an accessories brand that offers well-designed and handcrafted pieces that are largely influenced by travel and distinct cultures around the world. You know that my personal style is very girly girl, but I really liked Stockton Row because the accessories are very sophisticated. I also like the way classic and modern elements are successfully fused together to.

My boss Jenny co-owns the brand and she let me choose one as an advanced Christmas gift. I pored over the lookbook several times but I kept on coming back to this:

Dahab
from the Weaves of Cairo collection

It's a hand and middle finger hand accessory made with chain and suede. I don't know about you but it reminded me of that scene in Aladdin where Jasmine was imprisoned by Jafar in an hourglass ha ha. I've always wanted a bracelet that looks like this so this is really special.

Sikang
from the Iron of Guinyin collection

Surprise, surprise! Jenny gave me another piece and I love it just as much as my Dahab. It's a key pendant on a thin chain with a coin pendant at the end of the lock. It's understated yet very classy.

Stockton Row's website is not completely operational yet but you may visit their Facebook Page and follow them on Instagram to see the rest of their many pretty pieces. If you want me to share the lookbook with you, just leave a comment with your email address and I can email it to you. They will also have their first selling event in Fort this weekend wherein benefits from the sale will go to the Philippine Red Cross! Please see the photo below for more details.

Meanwhile, you may get your Stockton Row fix by visiting Cura V in Powerplant Mall, Rockwell or by shopping online via Seek the Uniq, Vito Studio, and AVA. For inquiries, you may also send an email to stocktonrow[at]gmail[dot]com.

Did you like my Stockton Row pieces? Which one do you prefer?

Disclosure: My Stockton Row accessories were given to me by my boss Jenny as a gift but all opinions are my own.

Krissy cooks: Magic Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Cups

You already know about the cooking "challenge" that Maggi Philippines asked me to do. In my previous post, I told you about how my friends and I made Magic Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna as our main dish.

For our appetizer, we made Magic Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Cups. You can check out the recipe here.

We did a major mistake here as the recipe asked for the Nestle Cream to be beaten with the eggs, butter, and Magic Sarap. We neglected to add the Nestle Cream, though, but we managed to work around it.

Make sure to line your muffin pan with oil before putting the wonton wrapper so that they won't stick.

Mmmm bacon.

Pour about one teaspoon each of bacon, quick-melt cheese, and cheddar cheese into each wonton basket.

Closer look

Aaand this is where we messed up.

Good thing there are still two eggs left so we beat them with the Nestle Cream and added it into the mix.

Bake in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the egg mixture is set. Let rest for another 15 minutes.

Fresh from the oven!
Mmm I love melted cheese.

My Magic Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Cup

The verdict? I thought it was a tad too salty, but it's nothing that cannot be fixed for the next time I try to make it. This is very easy to make, the ingredients are easy to find, and it's a great appetizer to serve in house parties, get-togethers, or even when you're just hanging out with your friends!

Maggi Philippines has an extensive and expansive collection of Maggi Magic Recipe Cards where you can choose dishes to prepare for your family and friends, check them out here! I must say that they are all very easy to follow, so much so that even I with Kitchen Know-how Level : Noob was able to understand what needed to be done. Granted that we messed it up with the Nestle Cream thingie, but that was a clear oversight in our part. Good thing we were still able to work around it and our Magic Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Cups still turned out okay!

Special thanks to my friends: to Anne and Chad for lending me their kitchen and to Eric and Erica for helping me with kitchen duties. 'Til our next kitchen adventure(s)! (^_−)☆

Disclosure: This is not a paid post. Maggi sent me a gift pack containing their many different products but the money for the ingredients came from my and my friends' pockets.

Krissy cooks: Magic Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

In my previous post, I told you about how I was contacted by Maggi Philippines to "challenge" me to cook. Me being me, there was nothing else to do but say yes (and pray to high heavens that I don't mess it up). Thankfully, I had friends who made sure I didn't mess it up d(-_^) 

For our main dish, let me share with you how we made a Magic Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna by following the Magic Recipe Card found here. Check out the recipe to see the exact measurements of ingredients.

Multi-tasking: precooking lasagna noodles and while boiling spinach

Add the spinach to the drained cottage cheese after squeezing it dry.

Add one sachet of Maggi Magic Sarap. Mix well.

Set the bowl aside and get to work on your mushroom mixture.

Heat olive oil and saute onions and garlic until fragrant, after which you can add the mushrooms. After cooking for about five minutes, add the spaghetti sauce and dried herbs. 

Season with Maggi Magic Sarap and pepper and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Now you're almost done!

Spread about two tablespoons of the spaghetti sauce mixture on the bottom of your baking dish.

Lay your lasagna noodles on top.

Add your cottage cheese/ spinach layer.

Repeat for the next two layers, and then top with grated quick melting cheese.

Bake in a pre-heated oven until cheese is melted or is golden brown. In our case, we were toooo hungry we didn't even care ٩(^ᴗ^)۶ 

Here are photos of the finished product. I understand that the photos don't look too appetizing - forgive my camera for that. I can attest though that for a first timer, our Magic Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna was done perfectly! The lasagna was al dente, the mushroom/ spaghetti sauce mixture was tasty, and the cottage cheese/ spinach layer added a nice texture to it. I honestly thought cooking is too exhausting (LOL, I seriously appreciated my mom and grandmothers a lot more after this), but I would love to make this again for my family!

This doesn't have meat so it's a healthy alternative to try! Perfect to prepare and serve to your vegetarian friends and family members, too.

Next time I'd also like to try this Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna recipe. Yep, apparently I enjoyed this enough that I am looking forward to another shot at it LOL. My next post will describe how me made our own Magic Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Cups!

Disclosure: This is not a paid post. Maggi sent me a gift pack containing their many different products but the money for the ingredients came from my and my friends' pockets.