Earlier today, while I was busy drowning from work, my notifications and feeds exploded because of two things: the StrangeLit launch has been set (partly assisted by yours truly, heh) and will happen very soon (I hope you can come!), AND the StrangeLit bundles have been released in Buqo!

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT: THIS IS NOT A DRILL.

The newest additions to my Buqo library
GLORIOUS

In case you missed it, back in August I joined StrangeLit, a Paranormal/ Paranormal Romance /Urban Fantasy online writing class sponsored by Buqo (who also sponsored our YA class) and spearheaded by Mina Esguerra through Bronze Age Media. At the end of the class, stories with at least 5,000 words would be grouped into bundles and distributed by Buqo. We had mentors Kate Evangelista, Marian Tee, Budjette Tan, and Paolo Chikiamco who shared their knowledge and expertise with us, and the environment was very encouraging and interactive thanks to social media. Track our tweets via the #StrangeLit hashtag!

Are you in Buqo now? Great! Our books should be in the New Releases section, but if you have troubles locating it, you may also search StrangeLit and our bundles will be displayed!

I conquered this challenge, and now they're here!

This is my second book but I am just as thrilled, if not more, because I was able to prove Once Upon a Sticky Note is not a fluke and I can do it again.

For your reference, here are the rest of the bundles:

There will also be a blog tour; I will be posting details about it once I get it, and I hope you guys can join.

I will write a more comprehensive post about Incredible Truths and my story A Sky of Wishes next time, but for tonight I would like to leave you with a book trailer from the incredible Anne Plaza.

Beware the tale that distracts you with the telling -- it's planting a truth in your mind, and you may find yourself believing in the incredible too. Sit back and let it happen while reading.

I will also be sharing more details about the launch party soon, but for now I can announce that it will be held in Recession Coffee by Digital Walker at the 3rd level of Eastwood Mall. I am so excited I just might spontaneously explode!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a LOT of new books to read.

Currently Vol. 39

Along with changes in our office structure came new developments in practices and standard operating procedures. My favorite addition is probably our weekly pow-wow held every Monday where our boss Jenny asks a question that each one of us have to answer. It could be anything — about work, personal goals, career aspirations, et cetera, and it's always fun because we get to learn about our workmates outside of work. It's always a good way to catch up with everyone and ease into another busy week ahead.

Earlier today, our activity included writing a letter to our future selves that we will all open and read come our Christmas party. I do the same every year in that I send an email on Christmas eve that my future self will receive on Christmas eve of the next year, but it was the first time I did it outside the routine I am used to. It was a rude awakening, realizing that the end of the year will come in three months! What could we possibly aspire for and hope to achieve at that timeline, given that our schedules are busy enough as it is?

And then, I am reminded to start small. I've been mulling over the fact that my Currently entries have become an avenue for me to complain about how exhausted I am, about how tiring my work gets, about how I need rest. It gets annoying, yes? So, yes, I will start with improving how I view my week and hopefully it will trickle over other aspects of my life. It's just the 39th entry, anyway. It's not too late to begin, is it?

CURRENTLY VOL. 39

READING
Planet Panic by Pam Pastor. I've taken to buying a lot of anthologies and collections of essays lately because with the very limited time I can devote to books, I've been needing my readings bite-sized.

WRITING
Nothing of note at the moment, but I have two plot bunnies I wish to explore soon.

LISTENING TO
The Eraserheads. There's just something about their music that takes me back to carefree high school days, and since my barkada and I had a mini reunion last night, this just seems appropriate. Their music feels like home.

THINKING
Of things I can possibly do in preparation for the launch of our StrangeLit bundles. I have so many ideas but I need more time to execute them.

FEELING
Thankful. When I complain, I fail to be thankful. I am changing that.

WANTING
More money? Because being thankful doesn't mean I stop recognizing the need for more money, yes? Heh.

NEEDING
To curate my makeup kit and just have stuff in there that I really need and use.

WISHING
For good feedback for my StrangeLit story, A Sky of Wishes. I wrote that in a rush and I wish it doesn't come across.

There. That wasn't so hard, was it? So, yeah. I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and loved. Take care of your hearts. ♥

Estee Lauder x Project Vanity Beauty Workshop

My goal in life is to never be complacent. I'd like to make the most out of this limited time I am given, and so I try to learn and experience as much as I can. 

When Liz invited me to go to her Estee Lauder x Project Vanity Beauty Workshop, I said yes straightaway! Well, right after I cleared my plans for the day, but you get the picture. I took the Personal Makeup module from Maquillage Professionnel two years ago, but of course refreshers are more than welcome.

At the workshop held in her home yesterday, Liz talked about the proper way of washing our face, removing our makeup, day-to-night makeup, eyebrow grooming, and contouring. She also made us try Estee Lauder products and shared quick reviews about them. She was very attentive and hands-on, and I appreciate that she really knows what she's talking about! I do believe Liz is currently the most credible beauty blogger in Manila, and it was a joy seeing her work her magic on us.

I got to be the model for the day!
Thanks for the photo, Pat!

I also finally got to meet her dog Snaps in person!
So adorable!

As mentioned, I already took a Personal Makeup module two years ago, but I still learned a lot from this workshop.

My favorite is that tinge of metallic turquoise. It stayed on all through Collecticon and didn't smudge on me one bit! I think I'll get all colors, heh.
How'd you like my look? I was planning on using Maybelline Velvet Matte Mat 6 on my lips...

... but changed it to Mat 12 instead.

What do you think about this look on me? I liked it, and so did my boyfriend. ^_^ 

I got more than a refresher that day. I learned a lot and met new friends! In case Liz holds this workshop again, I highly recommend that you reserve a slot right away. Incidentally, I learned to paint when I went to Liz's watercolor workshop one year ago today! 

It does not look it, but Sadness is actually very happy with our loot.

Now I want to go through every item in my traincase and get rid of stuff I know I will never use and instead get the products I used during the workshop! Wish me luck!

Do it all with #DoItAllHair care of Pantene Pro-V

I am Krissy.

I am a daughter and a sister.

I am a friend.

I serve as the PR Assistant Manager of a boutique PR agency and deal with clients, bloggers, and press on a daily basis.

I love writing.

I have been a blogger for more than seven years now and have covered a lot of topics for my blog spanning from the mundane to the most personal stuff.

This year, I became an author and published two stories distributed through Buqo.

My second story, A Sky of Wishes, will be out soon. 

I am a voracious book-sniffer (read: wide reader) and avid movie-goer. I love being lost in fiction and demand either a book or a movie on stressful days.

I am a crafter and a painter.

I am happiest when I make.

I am a yogi. I meditate and practice yoga to find my center when my head gets too noisy.

I am a pursuer of passion.

Most days, I even get to be a superhero. Saving the world is not easy but someone's gotta do it, and we're just too happy to take over the job. (^_~)

I do it all with my #DoItAllHair care of Pantene Pro-V Shampoo and Conditioner. 

Aspiring to do it all requires killer chutzpah and confidence. Having great hair means you already won 75% of the battle. I juggle many things and wear many hats — my hair should be the least of my concerns. Thanks to Pantene Pro-V, I don't have to pay it half a mind.

How does Pantene Pro-V do it?

Simple: science. With the help of active ingredients, Pantene Pro-V provides expert but gentle care to our hair by enhancing the protective layer on the hair’s surface and give strength from root to tips. It also gives maximum conditioning and seeks out damaged areas to focus its repair activities without leaving the hair greasy, making it beautiful and healthy from inside-out.

And seriously, have you ever smelled it? Its sweet and floral scent lasts without being too overpowering nor cloying; if only I had long hair that could reach up to my nose I would've sniffed it all day.

Because choosing which lipstick to use for the day gets stressful enough as it is (So many pretty colors to choose from! So many moods to go through the day!) and I don't need to stress over my hair and how I'm taking care of it.

Do it all with #DoItAllHair care of Pantene Pro-V Shampoo and Conditioner and grab your FREE samples from Sample Room now!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. Read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.

The Global Mala Project 2015

If I could, I would practice yoga regularly. As it is, time, location (I live far from the office), and money (membership fees to yoga studios can get really expensive) constraints prevent me from being the head-standing yogi I envisioned myself to be. I make the most out of it by practicing at home when I get the chance.

This coming weekend, the largest unified worldwide yoga event will occur at WhiteSpace Manila on September 26 in line with the United Nation’s Day of Peace and the Fall Equinox for the benefit of Children’s International.

Dedicated to promote peace and positive change through yoga as well as raise social consciousness and funds for noteworthy causes, The Global Mala Project is Teresa Hererra’s annual heart project. Seeking to create a “mala around the earth” (in traditional yoga, a mala is a set of beads, used to focus awareness during meditation), she was inspired by her yoga mentor and the Global Mala Project’s founder Shiva Rea to bring the event to our shores. As a model, environmentalist, and yoga teacher, Teresa shares the vision of her mentor in creating a positive energy through yoga that would pulsate around the world. In the recent months, she has been working closely with event producers and yoga centers around Manila to ensure the success of this event. It is important to note also that all of the event collaborators are doing the work completely pro-bono, to ensure that 100 % of its proceeds go to charity.

Phya, Alex, Earth, and myself during the Global Mala Project press preview held late last month

Yoga is a union of body and mind. When you practice yoga, you put yourself in a state of openness and grace. From this place, mindfulness stems and we make conscious decisions for ourselves and for our world around us. 

While the beads of the mala allow an individual to focus during meditation, it is the hope of the organizers of the Global Mala Project to create a chain of connection and compassion among those who will be a part of it. There is no pre-requisite to begin this practice. Just an open mind and an open heart.

Here is the schedule for that day:

For more information Like Global Mala Project Manila on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.

Parking will be available for the Global Mala Project on September 26, 2015 at the following locations:

Whitespace Manila
2314 Don Chino Roces Avenue Ext. Makati City
Open All-Day
Free Parking

EcoPlaza Building
2305 Don Chino Roces Avenue Ext. Makati City
Open All-Day
Pay Parking: Php 50.00 first 2 hours, Php 25.00 for every succeeding hour

Makati Hope Christian School
2312 Don Chino Roces Avenue Ext. Makati City
Open until 3:30pm only
Pay Parking: Php 50.00

Patti Grandidge-Herrera, Jenny Yrasuegui, Teresa Herrera-Anthony, Xandra Rocha-Araneta, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, Celine Gabriel-Lim, and myself during the Global Mala Project press launch

See you on the mat!

Watsons Triple Bonus Promo

I have a love-hate relationship with Watsons. I love it because of the oodles of stuff I can get at low prices, but I hate it because of the oodles of stuff I can get at low prices! Next to bookstores, it is my favorite store to visit whenever I’m in the mall and I never leave without picking up anything – be it a pack of cotton pads, a new bottle of nail polish, or a new tube of lipstick. I love the extensive range of brands for all price points it carries, as well as the ever reliable Watsons Label that has replaced most of the personal care items I use!

Watsons also regularly holds promos that let you win amazing prices just by shopping there!

For example, did you know that thanks to Watsons Triple Bonus Promo that runs from August 27 until September 27, you can get a chance to win a brand new Apple Watch, coupons, or shopping points just for a minimum spend of P500? Here are the mechanics:

1. Every P500 single receipt purchase from Watsons or The SM Store Beauty Section from Aug. 27 to Sept 27, inclusive of any of the participating brands entitles the customer to join the e-raffle upon registration and texting of entry.
2. Minimum Php 1000 single receipt purchase from Watsons or The SM Store Beauty Section from Aug. 27 to September 27, 2015, inclusive of any of the participating brands also entitles the customer to get P100 cash coupon which can be redeemed at the Watsons and the SM Store Beauty Section Staff. Customer must present the claim stub that is printed together with the Official Receipt to redeem the cash coupon.

You may click here to find out more details on how you can register for this promo. Awesome, yes?

Only a few things make my heart beat faster than awesome shopping deals so I'm sure the Apple Watch I’m wearing in this photo was going crazy tracking my heartbeat the whole time I had it on

I mean, whose heart wouldn’t beat fast at seeing aisles and aisles of great deals and discounts?

And whose heart wouldn’t beat fast at the prospect of cashbacks? It’s like they’re rewarding you as you shop!

It’s awesome to see how far Watsons Switch & Save has come and how many products they have added to their roster ever since they launched it three years ago.

I went crazy with these Watsons Label Mini Wet Wipes. They cost P49 each but a pack of two costs P89 only!

I tried to do the “mature” “adult” thing and buy purely practical stuff only like body lotions, sanitary napkins, oral health products, over-the-counter medicines, and other personal care items…

… but I just couldn't not include pretty little things that make ME happy! Here's my mini Maybelline haul: Velvet Matte lippies by Color Sensational in Mat 11 and Mat 12 (2 for P499), Fashion Brow Duo Pen (P299 only from original price of P399), Color Show Liner in Metallic Turquoise (P199), Fashion Brow 24H Color Matcher in Dark Brown (P249 from original price of P359), and Lip & Eye Makeup Remover (P199)! Shown here with our first glimpse of Veronica Lodge from Archie Comics number 2 because she's fabulous.

I had a great time shopping with my blogger sister Ana!

Now I’m off to join the Triple Bonus Promo because I want to win more shopping gift certificates for when I shop again at Watsons to restock my stash!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. Read my blog’s complete Disclosure Policy here.

Currently Vol. 38

It has been a long day, I haven't recovered from my weekend yet, and I think I need a drink.

Choose your poison:

Great latte from Recession Coffee?

Or perhaps the new Shakey's Mojito?

Hoping I can shake away the sads soon. (Why do I always feel sad whenever I make these Currently entries??)

CURRENTLY VOL. 38

READING
Catch a Falling Star by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo that is a part of my MIBF haul. I know the short stories were written a long time ago but they don't feel dated. Instead, they feel like stories told by my Grandma to me. Related: It's my Grandma Virginia's death anniversary today. Please say a little prayer for her soul. Thank you.

WRITING
A short description of my StrangeLit story.

LISTENING TO
Silence. Usually it's disconcerting to me but tonight it feels comforting somehow.

THINKING
Of so many things.

FEELING
So many things, but mostly sad.

WANTING
Rest, please.

NEEDING
More sleep, and I am going to address that need right after I hit Publish on this post.

WISHING
For a drink. See above.

I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and loved. Take care of your hearts. ♥

My Asia Pop Comicon and Manila International Book Fair weekend

It was an exciting weekend for bibliophiles, geeks, and pop culture fans in Manila as the Asia Pop Comicon and Manila International Book Fair were held in World Trade Center and SMX, respectively! As you can see below, we JUST. COULDN'T. MISS. THEM.

My September 19 hauls from APCC and MIBF:
an illustration of a hedgehog by Regina of the Monster Me booth, a My Neighbor Totoro sticker given by Miah,
Mythspace Mini Design Works, quirky notepads and calendar from Tahanan Books, a Treasury of Philippine Folk Tales,
and Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang Vols. 1 and 2

And because I'm a masochist who loves spending money on books:

My September 20 haul from MIBF:
The Soul Book, The Flying Friar (Patron Saints and their Amazing Lives), The Kitchen when it Sizzles by Chrissie Peria,
Planet Panic by Pam Pastor, and Catch a Falling Star by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo.
I also got a new set of a Treasury of Philippine Folk Tales for Alex and seven ebook bundles for free from Buqo's booth after I donated books for the #ABookforanEbook drive!

My pile of unread books in my room and in my Kindle plus my hauls from yesterday's and today's visits to MIBF are enough to cover me for a loooong while. I'm hoping not to get new books until I finish reading all of them but who am I kidding. My wallet is crying. Also, I am not as limber as I used to be and I am dead sure I will feel the effects of this weekend's excursions until Tuesday (as it felt like we spent the whole weekend falling in line) but I don't care because IT WAS WORTH IT.

Up next: more photos from APCC and MIBF! Looking at them now, I kinda wish I took more photos, heh.

Up early for APCC!
(I joke that he's almost always late for our dates but he beat me to our agreed time for this by a solid 30 minutes. Spell excited.)

Miah X Hulkbuster
You can get a photo op for every purchase of a shirt from Comicave Studios

Listening intently
I believe this was during the Movies, Monsters, Creatures panel with Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr.
In this panel I learned that if your parents don't want you to go after your dreams, you can tell them, "Don't be the kind of parents that don't let their kids go after their dreams." Emotional blackmail is key, folks!

In conversation with Paul Bettany
It was a fun interview to watch and Nikko Ramos asked interesting questions. Almost the entire hall was cheering on him for portraying Vision, but his role that has struck me the most is when he played Silas in Angels and Demons (even though the movie adaptation sucked, heh).

He's a massive Star Wars fan...

... that he even agreed to be interviewed on camera, heh.
I hope his interview gets chosen to be included in the coming movie's promotional materials!

We were already spent come afternoon, but it was thoughtful of him to offer that we go to MIBF after! ♥

It was a decision that I think he regretted in the end, while I was pawing through endless stacks of books. Oops.

My favorite part was probably the exclusive sneak peek to Captain America: Civil War. It was awesome hearing the entire World Trade Center Tent erupting into cheers and applause each time a new character appears! Their collective excitement is contagious! Ahhh so many exciting movies to look forward to!

Thank you for our APCC Day 2 tickets, Sir Genson of Full Circle Communications! I look back at my OJT days fondly because of you guys. ^_^

Today, Miah went back to APCC Day 3 but I did not go with him. Instead I dragged my sister Kyla to my MIBF Day 2!

With my author friends Anne, Six, Racquel, Yeyet, and Buqo's Ariel and Maxin

I dropped by the Buqo booth to drop off my books and got seven ebook bundles for free! I got the four StrangeLit bundles plus the For Love, For Feels, and For the Win JustWritePH bundles!

Look at the quote! It was lifted from my story Once Upon a Sticky Note that you can read when you purchase the Sweet Complications bundle from Buqo!

Sad wallet is sad, but my book-lover's heart is grinning with delight!

Were you able to go to APCC or MIBF or both this weekend? Did you get a lot? [Money] misery loves company so let me know your stories!

PS: I'm not sure if Miah reads my blog. so I'll just put here that my birthday present for him has already arrived. If he reacts, then that means he does. If not, well I might need to get him another present that's not as cool as the one I originally got for him. HAHA.