My hours and days have blurred and blended into one another and I have lost count of time. I check my calendar frequently though because my birthday is approaching and I need to make birthday plans. The perfect idea came to me today, and the only challenge is making people go because it falls on a work-day. Nonetheless I will be happy even if only a few people end up making it. 

CURRENTLY

READING

Nothing. I need to look for my next book to read.

LISTENING TO

The news. I'd rather use earphones and listen to music because watching and hearing the news is heartbreaking, but I guess it's better to be armed with knowledge about what's happening around us.

SMELLING

Lavender and mint. Everything in my bathroom is either lavender- or mint-scented, or both. I love it.


Here are my newest orders from Human Nature, and the new Human Nature Volcanic Cooling Body Scrub is an instant favorite.

WEARING

Pajamas all day, every day.

THINKING

Of more ways to jazz up my birthday celebration. For my 28th birthday I had a How I Met Your Mother-themed party which will be difficult to top, but the goal is not to top that anyway, but to make it another memorable party that will be a beautiful story someday.

FEELING

Equal parts anxious and excited for the future.

LOVING

Miniatures! Most of the stuff I ordered online have arrived, and they're darlings.


I'm done with all the pieces of furniture of this diorama, I just need to finish sewing the pillows and cutting out the framed photos and books.


Is that the most adorable sewing kit you've ever seen or what?


The rest of my new Barbie accessory pack. ♡

WANTING

I don't know. My boyfriend asked me what I want for my birthday, but I couldn't give an answer. I just want my little party to be fun for everyone who will be able to go.

NEEDING

Time to slow down. I just realized I have one month and nine days left for this vacation! I need to learn how to knit and crochet before then!

WISHING

That you are taking care of your heart.

Thank you for reading. ♡

It took a while before I got a new doll, and this one is pretty special. ♥ I wanted to post her in time for Barbie's birthday but I only got my hands on her this weekend, so here she is. She has a Made to Move body but what makes her extra-special for me is that she is my first Curvy Barbie!

Ladies and gents, the new Barbie Made to Move Dancer!


I almost gave up on getting one because I didn't think she would be released here in the Philippines. As far as I knew she was only available in Australia, and even a quick search on Amazon didn't give me results. Imagine my surprise when my doll collector friend Wawie posted about her, and kindly offered to get one for me as I am still on bed rest following my operation. As luck would have it, my boyfriend J's sister, Courtney, was en route to Uptown Mall where there's a Toys "R" Us, and so as per J's request got me the last remaining doll on stock! Yay!


Special thanks to Richwell for distributing this doll locally!

I unboxed her as soon as I got her.


The first thing I noticed as soon as I held her in my hands is how hefty she is. Unlike my other Barbie Made to Move dolls and regular Barbies, she feels really solid and doesn't seem fragile at all, and so I wasn't worried about mishandling her.


I love her skin tone and her fiery pink hair with orange highlights!




Because she is a Dancer, there's a boombox included in the box with her. Unfortunately the phone in the boombox is just a sticker and cannot be removed, hee. To match her Dancer street style, she wears a cropped shirt with a black tube top underneath (plus points for two separate pieces of clothing!) and a pair of acid-washed denim jeans. She is also wearing a pair of teal sneakers that match the loudness of her hair. I love it!

I wanted to see if a regular Barbie's dress will fit her but all my dolls, dolls' clothes and shoes, and other accoutrements are in my boyfriend's house. Fortunately I had a package delivered here from the House of Malibu online shop so I was able to change my Curvy Barbie's clothes.


The front says this pencil cut dress fits, albeit a little snug. She also looks fierce in heels!


But the back tells a different story. Yikes. I could barely close the Velcro.


Still, I like this dress on her and I think it suits her and her personality.


She's seen here wearing a pair of eyeglasses and clutching an iPhone that came from another Barbie accessory pack, also purchased last week from Toys "R" Us by my boyfriend while chatting with me about my top picks. (I love how supportive he is of my hobbies. ♥)


The Barbie Made to Move Dancer has light gray eyes, dark gray eyebrows, and a bubblegum pink lipstick. She's really pretty. I named her Jessica.

I asked J to bring my Barbie Made to Move Skateboarder when he came over on Saturday with my Barbie Made to Move Dancer, as I thought it would be fun to take photos of them together.



Sandy and Jessica are instant BFFs!

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two Barbie Made to Move bodies:


Look at Jessica's booty! I am so excited for Mattel to release more body types under the Barbie Made to Move line!

I grew up surrounded by blond Barbies, and I remember wondering if I could ever be as beautiful as my dolls. Barbie with her thin waist, perfect smile, and long legs was always the star of the story lines I wrote in my head, and they were always stories of frivolous wealth and glamour because that was the world I imagined her to represent. I don't think my self-esteem was affected by this and it's not like I needed a doll to validate how I view myself, but now that I visit toy stores and see Barbie dolls from different races sporting differing skin tones, hair colors, and outfits that veer away from the standard pink clothing I was used to, I feel giddy because here, here are dolls that look like me. I am as beautiful as Barbie.

33 months of being enamored with you.

♡

Yesterday marked the second week since I had my operation, and I "celebrated" by opening another investment account.

I was supposed to just open a new savings account but an info-graphic on BPI's counter enticed me. One of the tellers gave me and my Aunt Jean more details and so I happily opened a BPI-PHILAM insurance-investment account. I wish I started a long time ago, but it's good that I'm doing it now rather than later.

We had to ride a tricycle and walk a bit to go to the bank and back home but I felt too tired and my wounds hurt after. I was advised that even if the wounds have healed outside, my insides are still healing and I should continue resting until it heals completely. That means I had to beg off my engagements this weekend: Project Vanity's 10th Anniversary Event on Saturday and the BDJ Women's Summit 2018: Women Redefined on Sunday. :(

BUT you do have the chance to go to the BDJ Women's Summit to be held at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura this Sunday because I am giving away five pairs of free passes to the event!


A huge chunk of the work that the Belle de Jour team does is geared towards building a community of empowered women. As part of this support system, they regularly hold women empowerment events. This year they aim to inspire, empower, and equip more Filipinas, especially millennials, with empowering messages on how they can find one’s true self and lead an authentic life.

In celebration of Women’s Month 2018, they are holding the 3rd BDJ Women’s Summit, Women Redefined. Scheduled for March 11th, Sunday, in Samsung Hall, SM Aura from 9AM to 6PM, their Women Redefined Summit has the tentative line-up of speakers and plenary sessions:

• Opening Speaker: Maria Ressa
• Transformative Females: Finding One’s Identity and Discovering One’s Passion (Abby Asistio and Blu Pingoy)
• Extraordinary Females: Overcoming One’s Circumstances and Maximizing One’s Blessings (Jover Laurio and Rachel de Villa)
• Resourceful Females: Paving One’s Path and Sustaining One’s Success (Kathleen Yu and Audrey Tangonan)
• Closing Keynote Speaker: Kris Aquino

They will also partner with NGOs and Women's Advocacy Groups to educate Filipinas on feasible solutions for issues faced by underprivileged women who don’t have access to informative talks. This summit will be attended by at least 500 individuals who are goal-oriented and ready to make a difference.

Do you want to go? It's so simple! If you want to win a pair of passes for you and a friend (and a pair of Summit Kits to go with it), just tell me why you want to go by leaving a comment on this blog post, or by tweeting me, or by letting me know on Instagram, or by sending me a message on my blog's Facebook Page. I will choose five people on Friday morning! I really wish I can join you but I have to heal first. Good luck and have loads of fun on my behalf!

CURRENTLY

READING

Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians. I know I know, I'm late to the party, but what a fun read!

LISTENING TO

Remember Me. Congratulations on winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song!

WEARING

Pajamas, all day every day.

THINKING

Of more ways to earn more money. Rebecca Bloomwood (of the Confessions of a Shopaholic fame) said it's either you spend less or earn more. Clearly I can't spend less what with all the dolls and books I need to buy, so I need to earn more.

FEELING

A serious case of FOMO. Resting is good but I kinda miss the daily grind, but I know I have to cherish this long vacation because it will be over soon.

LOVING

My boyfriend. Seriously. I just want to say I really appreciate him for all that he does and I can't be prouder and more blessed that he's my man.

WANTING

To heal soon so I can at least leave the house.

NEEDING

To think of birthday plans. I am turning 32 in less than a month! EEEEP!

WISHING

That I heal completely, without any complications. Going to the hospital is scary, and I don't want another reason to go.

Aaand that's it! Don't forget to join my contest for the BDJ Women's Summit passes! Thank you for reading! ♡

I am sure you have noticed how hot and humid it has been lately. To think summer isn't officially here yet! I don't sweat much but I find myself sweating more than I did before, and I don't even leave the house these days!

It's still difficult for me to move around as my wounds are still healing, my abdomen muscles are still soft, and my core is still weak. Showering is still a challenge, but with the heat I just can't not do it every day. Add to that the fact that our house is currently undergoing construction and there's dust everywhere. Showering is a MUST.

These days, one of the products I am thankful for is the Moringa-O2 2-in-1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner.


I got a free sample from Sample Room. I loved the Moringa-O2 Malunggay Herbal Moisturizing Lotion I also discovered through Sample Room so I was pretty excited to receive this one. Isn't it amazing to be introduced to new brands and potential HG products by getting samples for free? If you're not part of it yet, sign up now to Sample Room to get what I mean!

Anyway, the Moringa-O2 2-in-1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner is said to be a safe and effective herbal anti-dandruff shampoo and conditioner that promises to cleanse your scalp and moisturize your hair at the same time. It consists of Malunggay, Olive Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Argan Oil that work together to provide gentle and no-fuss solutions to cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping off its essential oils.


It is also infused with Rosebay extract that decreases sebum production on the scalp while reducing the appearance of adherent and non-adherent flakes. Aside from that, it also provides a soothing anti-inflammatory action, making Moringa-O2 2-in-1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner a lighter and milder alternative compared to leading anti-dandruff brands in the market.


It's translucent blue-green with a thin but not too runny consistency. The scent alone is enough to relax me. My favorite thing about it is that it feels so mild on my scalp; it gives a minty feeling without feeling too harsh nor does it sting my scalp!

Having been born with naturally thick and unruly hair that seems to have a life of its own, I am a total conditioner addict. I have shampooed every other day and conditioned my hair every day without fail since I was in high school, but to test the Moringa-O2 2-in-1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner's claims on moisturization, I decided to make do without my conditioner when I first tried this.

And here you go.


Is that a good hair day or what?

I still rely on my conditioner due to force of habit but it's good to know that I can rely on good ol' Moringa-O2 2-in-1 Herbal Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner alone during times I don't have conditioner on hand or in case I travel and refuse to wear more toiletries than necessary.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for me), I don't suffer from dandruff problems so I really can't comment on its efficacy on removing and preventing flakes, but I can attest to its cleansing properties as my hair really smells and feels clean after every shower. 

I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! And for only Php 199.75 for a 200ml bottle or P99.75 for a 75 ml bottle it's very affordable, too! Keep your eyes (and Facebook feeds) open, too, because the product is currently out of stock in Sample Room but you might get lucky and get a free sample when they restock!

I repeat, if you haven't registered with Sample Room yet, do it now so you can start grabbing and testing samples for free! Who knows, your new can't-live-without-this product might be just a free sample away!