A blink and a sigh, and we have barely two months before a completely new decade descends upon us. If you're in the market for your 2020 planner, may I suggest that you check out Crazy About Paper for Viviamo's lineup of planners for every planner personality? In this post I'll give a flip through of the Belle de Jour 2020 Power Planner. This year's theme is "The Universe is in Me".
I chose the Leather edition and had it customized for an additional fee of Php 50.00. I prefer this year's softbound Leather version because it's more lightweight as compared to last year's.
It's a hard pill to swallow, but I feel like I am wasting most of my days mindlessly going through the motions, looking forward to the next thing to look forward to. I need to live more purposefully and with intention. As the great Stacie Orrico once sang, "There's gotta be more to life [than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me]." And I know I can't expect to find these in a planner, but I hope going deep into my own thoughts, reflecting, and writing them down may help me manifest my wishes and dreams to the Universe, that She may help me achieve them. It's a great coincidence I guess that this year's theme of BDJ Power Planner aligns with my heart's whisper.
On to the flip through?
As always, owner's contact info on the first inside cover page.
I love this manifesto, and it reminded me of a book I got a couple of years ago, Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe by Yumi Sakugawa. I think I need to delve into that book again.
There is value in putting pen to paper, so I am excited to fill out this space for my 2020 Goals. It's also interesting to see what the Krissyfied Solar System will look like after I have tracked my day-to-day moods using different colored pencils.
My Dream Board for my Belle de Jour 2019 Power Planner was filled with nice photos, affirmations, and stickers symbolizing things I wanted to achieve this year and I was able to succeed in getting most of them. I have less than two months to attain the rest, but I am not being too hard on myself in that I won't lose sleep in case I don't get them. ;)
More space for more reflections. I think I'm going to fill these up with my favorite quotes I recently added to my Notes.
I think I'll actually take a stab at filling out my Ikigai for this year.
Every other page in this planner is pretty straightforward, but this section actually left me feeling confused. What am I supposed to do with a law of attraction schedule, and must this schedule be so rigid?
I like jotting down things I am grateful for every day, but I guess I will reserve the Big Things for this section.
More blank space to write on.
I used to write letters to my future self every New Year's Eve and schedule it to be sent out on the following year's New Year's Eve. The company hosting these letters has already folded, but here's a little blast from the past from my email inbox. This letter was written on December 31, 2013, and I received it on December 31, 2014.
Letters to future selves are fun. I think I will convince J to make a time capsule with me. Aside from a photo from the year we make the time capsule and letters to our future selves, I wonder what else we can put in it. A McDo French Fry?
Manual menstrual trackers are not really helpful to me because I use the Clue app for this already, so I'm not sure if I should just cover it with printed paper for more writing space or just leave it as it is.
Monthly View. I understand the colors are more muted to give a watercolor wash effect (that I loved as I love watercolors!) but I hope they're not that muted because I still want to see color. I veered away from BDJ Power Planners a few years back because I didn't like how saccharine and ~cluttered the pages have become so last year's was definitely an improvement. I wish the washes on this year's pages could have been at least a tad darker.
Nevertheless, as you can see below, the monthly dividers are perfection.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!!!
If you used a BDJ Planner this year, this Zappar logo may be familiar to you. It offers more value to the BDJ Power Planners as you just have to use the Zappar app to scan this and the page becomes more interactive! I tried to run the app but was advised it's not available yet, so I will try again come 2020.
Weekly View. It's a little better than the Monthly View, but the watercolor wash could've been a little darker just to provide more contrast.
OF COURSE I had to what the April monthly cover looks like because it's my birth month, and it's a curly girl with books! Just put glasses on her and IT ME!
Aside from the two gold-colored ribbons to mark pages, the BDJ 2020 Power Planner also comes with a magnetic bookmark that's also in theme.
More blank pages for Notes.
Bills Tracker that I need to remember to fill out.
And Cash Flow Tracker that I also need to remember to fill out. J uses a Google Sheet and it has been pretty effective for him in helping him manage and remember where his money goes. I tried to do the same along with several other apps but I always forget to note my expenses down. I should include it in my To Do List every day!
What makes BDJ Power Planners more special are the Perks of a Bella Lifestyle Card and coupons! I always enjoy whipping out my Card to get discounts from partner stores, and I'm excited to do the same next year! For a complete list of this year's accompanying coupons, check out Helen's blog post!
The Belle de Jour 2020 Power Planner also comes in Classic, Limited, and Discbound Editions. Check them out together with Viviamo's other planners in Crazy About Paper and choose how you'll write your 2020. They also make excellent gifts to friends and loved ones. ;)
My Belle de Jour 2020 Power Planner in Leather will be my main planner for 2020, while the 2020 Essentials Planner will serve as my journal. New blank slate, new decade, new possibilities!
I chose the Leather edition and had it customized for an additional fee of Php 50.00. I prefer this year's softbound Leather version because it's more lightweight as compared to last year's.
It's a hard pill to swallow, but I feel like I am wasting most of my days mindlessly going through the motions, looking forward to the next thing to look forward to. I need to live more purposefully and with intention. As the great Stacie Orrico once sang, "There's gotta be more to life [than chasing down every temporary high to satisfy me]." And I know I can't expect to find these in a planner, but I hope going deep into my own thoughts, reflecting, and writing them down may help me manifest my wishes and dreams to the Universe, that She may help me achieve them. It's a great coincidence I guess that this year's theme of BDJ Power Planner aligns with my heart's whisper.
On to the flip through?
As always, owner's contact info on the first inside cover page.
I love this manifesto, and it reminded me of a book I got a couple of years ago, Your Illustrated Guide to Becoming One with the Universe by Yumi Sakugawa. I think I need to delve into that book again.
There is value in putting pen to paper, so I am excited to fill out this space for my 2020 Goals. It's also interesting to see what the Krissyfied Solar System will look like after I have tracked my day-to-day moods using different colored pencils.
My Dream Board for my Belle de Jour 2019 Power Planner was filled with nice photos, affirmations, and stickers symbolizing things I wanted to achieve this year and I was able to succeed in getting most of them. I have less than two months to attain the rest, but I am not being too hard on myself in that I won't lose sleep in case I don't get them. ;)
More space for more reflections. I think I'm going to fill these up with my favorite quotes I recently added to my Notes.
I think I'll actually take a stab at filling out my Ikigai for this year.
Every other page in this planner is pretty straightforward, but this section actually left me feeling confused. What am I supposed to do with a law of attraction schedule, and must this schedule be so rigid?
I like jotting down things I am grateful for every day, but I guess I will reserve the Big Things for this section.
More blank space to write on.
I used to write letters to my future self every New Year's Eve and schedule it to be sent out on the following year's New Year's Eve. The company hosting these letters has already folded, but here's a little blast from the past from my email inbox. This letter was written on December 31, 2013, and I received it on December 31, 2014.
Hello.I wish I could remember what I wrote for myself for the following year, but oh well. It didn't happen until later, but I am happy to report to you, past self, that I have indeed let go of bad relationships, and am currently in a relationship where I am loved, secure, and cared for. The Fun. concert didn't happen, but Nate Ruess more than made up for it when he visited Manila for his Grand Romantic tour.
I hope you are safe, loved, healthy, and secure.
I hope that throughout the year, you have: learned how to stick to your guns, let go of bad relationships, learned new things, and get to know this evolving version of yourself much better.
I hope by now you've heard news of Fun. visiting the country for a concert.
Cheers to more experiences!
Be calm.
I love you.
Letters to future selves are fun. I think I will convince J to make a time capsule with me. Aside from a photo from the year we make the time capsule and letters to our future selves, I wonder what else we can put in it. A McDo French Fry?
Manual menstrual trackers are not really helpful to me because I use the Clue app for this already, so I'm not sure if I should just cover it with printed paper for more writing space or just leave it as it is.
Monthly View. I understand the colors are more muted to give a watercolor wash effect (that I loved as I love watercolors!) but I hope they're not that muted because I still want to see color. I veered away from BDJ Power Planners a few years back because I didn't like how saccharine and ~cluttered the pages have become so last year's was definitely an improvement. I wish the washes on this year's pages could have been at least a tad darker.
Nevertheless, as you can see below, the monthly dividers are perfection.
IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL!!!
If you used a BDJ Planner this year, this Zappar logo may be familiar to you. It offers more value to the BDJ Power Planners as you just have to use the Zappar app to scan this and the page becomes more interactive! I tried to run the app but was advised it's not available yet, so I will try again come 2020.
Weekly View. It's a little better than the Monthly View, but the watercolor wash could've been a little darker just to provide more contrast.
OF COURSE I had to what the April monthly cover looks like because it's my birth month, and it's a curly girl with books! Just put glasses on her and IT ME!
Aside from the two gold-colored ribbons to mark pages, the BDJ 2020 Power Planner also comes with a magnetic bookmark that's also in theme.
More blank pages for Notes.
Bills Tracker that I need to remember to fill out.
And Cash Flow Tracker that I also need to remember to fill out. J uses a Google Sheet and it has been pretty effective for him in helping him manage and remember where his money goes. I tried to do the same along with several other apps but I always forget to note my expenses down. I should include it in my To Do List every day!
What makes BDJ Power Planners more special are the Perks of a Bella Lifestyle Card and coupons! I always enjoy whipping out my Card to get discounts from partner stores, and I'm excited to do the same next year! For a complete list of this year's accompanying coupons, check out Helen's blog post!
The Belle de Jour 2020 Power Planner also comes in Classic, Limited, and Discbound Editions. Check them out together with Viviamo's other planners in Crazy About Paper and choose how you'll write your 2020. They also make excellent gifts to friends and loved ones. ;)
My Belle de Jour 2020 Power Planner in Leather will be my main planner for 2020, while the 2020 Essentials Planner will serve as my journal. New blank slate, new decade, new possibilities!
Last Wednesday night, Carly Rae Jepsen blessed us with her presence at the Manila leg of the Dedicated Tour.
I burst into tears the moment she showed up at the stage and sang the first few bars of No Drug Like Me.
It was an explosion of energy and magic and colors and great music, with Queen Carly belting out song after song without any breaks in between!
I was worried about the venue being too small at first, but I soon found out it was just perfect because it felt like an intimate party where everyone was connected through our common love for Carly and her music.
My only complaint is that it was too short, and that my body hurt after because I was dancing and screaming and singing out loud too much, but I don't think that's Carly's fault, heh.
I loved her rainbow dress and I'm going to have one made, I'm just thinking of the perfect occasion to wear it to.
My boyfriend enjoyed the concert, too, but he was complaining about being deaf in one ear because I was screaming too loudly.
Shoutout to the girl who offered to take our photo because it was a struggle to take a selfie with the huge standee. :)
Definitely one of the best memories I will cherish forever. Thank you, Carly Rae Jepsen!
It's probably the combination of late nights in the office, unhealthy choices, the changing of the weather, and skin care fatigue, but my skin has been looking dull lately and I've even started seeing tiny bumps on my forehead and cheeks. I remembered BEACHBORN Witch Hazel Wash working so well for me in the past so I contacted my friend Sarah to order a bottle and then some. What do you know, she lovingly sent me a box filled with my BEACHBORN skin care favorites and even some new goodies to try.
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| I spy with my little eye my favorite BEACHBORN Witch Hazel Wash and Healing Toner! |
Full disclosure: the brand's founder Sarah and I have been friends since the early days of my blog. I first learned about her dreams for BEACHBORN shortly after she launched their first product, the Sea Salt Spray, during a work trip in Boracay four years ago. I am SO PROUD of her because in that short span of time, Sarah was able to grow her brand exponentially and I am excited to see it grow more!
Here's a rundown of the contents of the box and quick reviews.
I already lost track of how many bottles of this I have gone through so it's a good thing they now offer a 250 mL refill variant of this! It cleanses my skin without leaving it dry, and you can also use it as a feminine wash! No need to lug a separate bottle when traveling!
It has only been less than a week since I changed my skin care routine but my skin feels soft and looks youthful again, without the nasty bumps! I am so glad to find a new routine that works, and I'm also happy to support a brand that is locally made, all-natural, cruelty-free, with no parabens nor artificial fragrance!
Sarah said she has more products in the pipeline and I am looking forward to testing them out as well!
Visit BEACHBORN on their official website and check them out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also purchase their products from their kiosk at the 5th level of Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.
Here's a rundown of the contents of the box and quick reviews.
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| BEACHBORN Witch Hazel Wash |
A soothing non-soap cleanser that effectively removes dirt, excess oil and impurities without drying skin.
Crafted with Pure Witch Hazel which has been proven to shrink pores, control acne, reduce inflammations, prevent ingrown hairs, soothe hemorrhoids and heal rashes.
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| Two pumps of the BEACHBORN Witch Hazel Wash |
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| BEACHBORN Healing Toner |
ALCOHOL FREE AND MADE WITH PURE WITCH HAZEL, ALOE VERA GEL, LAVENDER, CHAMOMILE AND SEAWEED EXTRACT!I spray it on my face after cleansing then use a facial cotton pad. It can also be used as a facial mist to refresh throughout the day but I haven't used it for that function yet. I should get a smaller bottle so it's more handy. My Mom also likes using this!
This clarifying toner fights off acne, shrinks pores, moisturizes, firms skin and gets rid of impurities for an over-all healthy glow!
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| BEACHBORN Witch Hazel Extract |
A potent extract that has the ability to dry up pimples overnight! An ancient native American remedy that's a must have in every modern home.It was my first time to use this the other night and OMG THIS IS A MIRACLE PRODUCT! I am kicking myself because I don't have before and after photos but I put a couple of drops of this on a zit at the side of my face and some insect bites on my arms and they were COMPLETELY GONE the next day! I swear by this product and have started recommending this to my friends and officemates!
Effective spot treatment for acne and clogged hair follicles. Soothes swollen veins, bites, rashes, as well as minor cuts and bruises.
Apply as an after shave or post treatment for hot wax hair removal to relieve skin inflammation.
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| BEACHBORN Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Serum |
Experience softer, smoother + dewy skin within minutes of applying this miracle serum. HA can absorb up to 1000x its weight in water but we decided to add some vitamin B5 to our formula to boost hydration even more!I apply this on my face and neck after cleansing and toning. I like that it's not too runny nor thick unlike the Vitamin C serum I tried before. It gets absorbed by my skin easily and it doesn't feel greasy at all!
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| BEACHBORN Balancing Anti-Blemish Face Cream |
An instant glow isn't impossible with the latest addition to our witch hazel skincare line. Notice the difference immediately as you slather on this luxurious cream made with organic matcha to brighten and even out skin tone, witch hazel to tighten pores and control acne, rose water to reduce oil production and revitalise skin.I am not a huge fan of green tea scent in general but this one is just right. I apply this after the serum is completely absorbed by my skin, and I like that it doesn't feel oily nor greasy.
Our special lightweight formula melts like magic when applied to the skin leaving a youthful, dewy glow.
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| One pump each of the Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Serum and Balancing Anti-Blemish Face Cream |
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| BEACHBORN Pink Clay Mask |
A purifying and detoxifying mask that works deep within the pores to remove dirt, toxins and excess oil.I may be biased because of the color but I love this! It's not too harsh for my skin and is not too difficult to rinse out unlike other clay masks. It's the perfect treat to cap off a long and busy day.
Has a mildly cooling effect upon application.
Instantly brightens complexion! Also tightens pores, evens out discoloration and controls excess sebum with continued use.
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| Me with the Pink Clay Mask on |
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| Immediately after rinsing out the mask |
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| The morning after |
Sarah said she has more products in the pipeline and I am looking forward to testing them out as well!
Visit BEACHBORN on their official website and check them out on Facebook and Instagram. You can also purchase their products from their kiosk at the 5th level of Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall.
Disclosure: My friend Sarah who owns the brand gave me these products as a gift but I was not required to nor compensated for this post. Read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.
Hello, folks! If you have been hankering for a book to read and you're looking to laugh, cry, gush, and fall in love, then have I got the book for you: Raya & Grayson's Guide to Saving the World by Catherine Dellosa. It's short and compelling enough that you can read it in one sitting, funny in all the right places, charming and relatable, and tear-inducing without being too sappy.
I feel like if I were part of their universe, I would have totally fit right in and in fact Raya and Grayson feel like my long-lost friends; I would've been a lurker at their online forum who is also a regular customer at Cowls at the Door, Please, the comic book shop Raya works in. I would've bumped into them at Cons. I would've been one of the many who saw Raya's inadvertent confessions and cheered them on from the safety of my keyboard.
Look, I don't want to reveal too many details because you deserve to read it with fresh eyes, in the same way that I didn't pay special attention to the content warnings so one of the twists surprised me. (That's not an invitation to go read the content warnings again, mind you.)
I loved this quote mostly because I related so much:
Don't mind us, we're just a couple of NPCs in Raya and Grayson's world.
But enough about inserting myself in what was supposedly a book review. If it wasn't clear before, I loved this book and if I could hire someone to write my and J's love story, then it would be Catherine Dellosa.
Can I also say that it's so refreshing to read about people celebrating their fandoms and not being mocked for it. I've had my fair share of this when I was a little younger because I am very excitable when it comes to things I like and I refuse to apologize for it. It's great that being a geek is considered cool now and we have a lot of businesses investing in hosting different types of Cons.
If there's anything that I had a little bit of a problem suspending my disbelief for, it's that a college student can own a comic book shop located inside a mall. Rent for even a kiosk at a mall can rack up to hundred thousands of pesos, and their store is even big enough to host events! I mean, not to say it is impossible, but it could be difficult and very expensive. That, and how there's no other staff aside from the owner Grace and Raya. What if they both need to be somewhere else? What if it's just Grace or Raya there and she need to pee?
That aside, I hope you can let Raya and Grayson into your bookshelves and/ or Kindle Libraries. The ebook is available on Amazon, while you can get physical copies of the book from #romanceclass, or you may contact the author directly on Twitter or Instagram.
One more thing! If you would like to read more romances written by Filipino authors, definitely check out the #romanceclass community! Feels Fest 2019 is happening next week, October 5, and we're having a Slumber Party! Listen to live readings, interact with romance authors and fellow readers, and purchase your next great read/s! Register here. I will be there and I would love to meet you!
“If I don’t break your heart, the world is going to end.”Content warnings for readers include grief, off-page death of a parent, accidental death of young person told in flashback, cancer, illness of elderly person, characters kissing and considering having sex.
When Grayson posts about his girlfriend breaking up with him with that line in an anonymous “Breakup Confessions” thread, Raya recognizes the references and knows that it’s him.
Raya has been dealing with a deeply personal loss, with only her comic books to give her quiet comfort. But thanks to her forum-lurking, she now knows that the guy she’s been crushing on for years is single again. What’s that called, when she might actually have a chance with him but senior high school just ended and they’re heading off on separate paths forever and ever? It’s called a long shot. Right. Only heroes take a risk with those odds and still win.
But when Grayson walks into the hobby shop she works for and asks Raya for a comic book recommendation, Raya realizes that superheroes can come in all shapes and sizes. And as they bond over the summer on all things caped and geeky, Raya discovers that maybe—just maybe—she deserves a chance at a super-powered love story of her own.
I feel like if I were part of their universe, I would have totally fit right in and in fact Raya and Grayson feel like my long-lost friends; I would've been a lurker at their online forum who is also a regular customer at Cowls at the Door, Please, the comic book shop Raya works in. I would've bumped into them at Cons. I would've been one of the many who saw Raya's inadvertent confessions and cheered them on from the safety of my keyboard.
Look, I don't want to reveal too many details because you deserve to read it with fresh eyes, in the same way that I didn't pay special attention to the content warnings so one of the twists surprised me. (That's not an invitation to go read the content warnings again, mind you.)
I loved this quote mostly because I related so much:
"There's nothing more exhilarating than having your significant other share the same weird interests with you, and when you find someone like that, well... he's a keeper."My boyfriend got a long and cheesy text message from myself after I read that line, heh.
Don't mind us, we're just a couple of NPCs in Raya and Grayson's world.
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| ToyCon 2016 |
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| AsiaPOP Comicon 2016 |
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| Oreo's Spider-Man: Far From Home Event, 2019 |
Can I also say that it's so refreshing to read about people celebrating their fandoms and not being mocked for it. I've had my fair share of this when I was a little younger because I am very excitable when it comes to things I like and I refuse to apologize for it. It's great that being a geek is considered cool now and we have a lot of businesses investing in hosting different types of Cons.
If there's anything that I had a little bit of a problem suspending my disbelief for, it's that a college student can own a comic book shop located inside a mall. Rent for even a kiosk at a mall can rack up to hundred thousands of pesos, and their store is even big enough to host events! I mean, not to say it is impossible, but it could be difficult and very expensive. That, and how there's no other staff aside from the owner Grace and Raya. What if they both need to be somewhere else? What if it's just Grace or Raya there and she need to pee?
That aside, I hope you can let Raya and Grayson into your bookshelves and/ or Kindle Libraries. The ebook is available on Amazon, while you can get physical copies of the book from #romanceclass, or you may contact the author directly on Twitter or Instagram.
One more thing! If you would like to read more romances written by Filipino authors, definitely check out the #romanceclass community! Feels Fest 2019 is happening next week, October 5, and we're having a Slumber Party! Listen to live readings, interact with romance authors and fellow readers, and purchase your next great read/s! Register here. I will be there and I would love to meet you!
I can survive with just groomed eyebrows, face powder, and lipstick combo any other day, but for special occasions I do like experimenting with more creative makeup looks.
For Batman Day 2019 I decided on a bold lip and lots of glow.
Here are the products I used:
Face
Revlon PhotoReady Primer
L'Oréal Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in Radiant Beige
Ellana Minerals Sheer Velvet Matte Powder
Eyes
Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Precise Shaping Pencil in Deep Brown
Essence I Love Colour Intensifying Eyeshadow Base
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk
BYS Bananarama On-The-Go Eyeshadow Palette
Maybelline Hyper Impact Liner
Maybelline Total Temptation Waterproof Mascara
Cheeks
Ellana Minerals Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm Stain in Mimosa
Ellana Minerals Loose Multipurpose Pigments in Shine
Lips
Burt's Bees Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm
Only the ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* glowiest golden glow *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ for my favorite Caped Crusader.
And you guys, I'd like to thank my lucky stars as I really hit the jackpot with this set of products because save for one Stunna touchup after lunch, my makeup did not budge at all! I really need to hit my blogging stride again because I'd like to post more makeup reviews here.
This is what I looked like hours later, while waiting for our xiao long bao to be served.
My makeup survived hours of going around the huge Fully Booked store in Bonifacio High Street, movie screenings, and walking around BGC lugging heavy bags to take photos of my boyfriend J in Batman Beyond cosplay.
Did you know that the first time we met, one of the first things we found out we had in common is that we're both BatFans? Look how spiffy he looks here. ^_^ Batman Beyond suit from Spandex Hero Philippines! Contact the Page if you're still looking for your Halloween costume!
Because it's Batman Day, all Batman titles and graphic novels are being sold at 20% off. I made a bee line for the Sandman volumes and got these:
This morning, while checking Facebook, this appeared on my Memories:
I wore the same lip color last year and even got the prequel and first volume of Sandman! I also have the same arm candy with me but he wasn't wearing a costume then, heh.
Cheers to spending more Batman Days with my favorite BatFan, and cheers to posting more makeup looks here!
Did you know that the first time we met, one of the first things we found out we had in common is that we're both BatFans? Look how spiffy he looks here. ^_^ Batman Beyond suit from Spandex Hero Philippines! Contact the Page if you're still looking for your Halloween costume!
Because it's Batman Day, all Batman titles and graphic novels are being sold at 20% off. I made a bee line for the Sandman volumes and got these:
This morning, while checking Facebook, this appeared on my Memories:
I wore the same lip color last year and even got the prequel and first volume of Sandman! I also have the same arm candy with me but he wasn't wearing a costume then, heh.
Cheers to spending more Batman Days with my favorite BatFan, and cheers to posting more makeup looks here!
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