When an invite like this comes:

you know the event's going to be extra-special!

A couple of weeks ago I attended a lovely dinner hosted by Neutrogena for the launch of a new formula for their Hydro Boost line. The place looked magnificent,

the "experiments" were all fun to do, and I had a really great time!

I loved that the event was interactive - instead of just showing us slideshows and graphs of the different studies they did, we were able to experience the effects of using Neutrogena as compared to the leading brand. Here are the experiments we did:

Apply Hydro Boost Water Gel and Brand X on each cheek. Compare the feel of each brand against your partner's cheek. Feel the difference!

Verdict: Helga and I didn't want to mess up our make-up (haha) so we used the back of our hands instead. Brand X felt sticky and greasy and not at all ideal for romantic cheek-to-cheek moments with your guy.

Apply Hydro Boost Water Gel on the back of one hand and Brand X on the other. Then, attach small styrofoam ball on each. See in which moisturizer the balls will stick like glue!

Verdict: You can see that no styro balls stuck at Kira's hand with the Hydro Boost Water Gel, while a LOT of balls stuck at her hand with the Brand X. It just shows that the Water Gel is quickly absorbed by the skin upon contact.

Apply Hydro Boost Water Gel and Brand X on oil control film. Compare the difference of oil left behind after a few minutes.

Verdict: The films containing Brand X were visibly still oily while those with Hydro Boost Water Gel had very little oil left.

Apply Hydro Boost Water Gel on the skin. Apply make-up after two minutes. Do the same with Brand X.

Verdict: If you look at Kira's hands, the area with Brand X is streaky. This is because it hasn't been absorbed fully by the skin yet so if you use it, you would still need to wait for around 15 minutes before applying make-up. As for Hydro Boost Water Gel, there will be no need to wait that long because it is easily absorbed by the skin. Perfect for the busy career women who are always on the go!

And because I've seen [and felt] it with my own eyes [and skin], I therefore conclude that the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel is much better than the leading brand. It is lighter, less greasy, absorbed by the skin more easily, and hydrates the skin more effectively. It even smells better!

I've been using these since I got them at the first week of the month and I'm loving them so far. I will post a more comprehensive and in-depth review of these products soon so watch out for that. All I can say at the moment is that my skin missed them after I wasn't able to take them with me when I stayed at my parents' house last weekend that I could almost hear my skin breathe a sigh of relief when I finally got to apply it again.

Big thanks to Neutrogena and Czar for having us!

Nostalgia : (n) a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.

Maybe it's because a lot of changes have been happening around me lately, maybe it's because time seems to go by so fast, or maybe I'm just getting tired of [supposedly] being an adult - but I just can't help wishing I could go back in time. Back when the most enjoyable thing to do was using the landline to call my friends even when I was with them in school for almost the whole day while the TV is tuned in to MTV Asia. Back when MTV shows quality shows like Celebrity Death Match and Daria. Back when alternative bands ruled the airwaves. Back when the Spice Girls were still together. Back when Britney first stole my heart with her naughty girl school uniform.

How I long for those days. But I'm here, stuck in a 26 year old body, with a job that admittedly pays well, at the same time paying taxes that line our government officials' pockets. No matter what I do, I can't go back anymore. Unlike Jenna Rink who wished to be thirty, flirty, and thriving but woke up 13 again after learning her lesson, this is my reality. There's nothing I can do except slap on some moisturizer and suck it in.

That said, I can also slap on some moisturizer, suck it in, apply some makeup, put a pretty dress on, and party!!!

FLIQUE magazine will be launched at a party in Opus Bar and Restaurant in Resorts World later, and they are throwing a party! The best part about it? There will be a 90s theme! Everyone's invited to come in attires inspired by 90s TEEN FLIQUE! I can't wait to hear and dance to my favorite songs from way back!

This might just be the thing that can shake me out of this rut. I am so excited! Will I see you there?

A year ago, I raved about the indie film Senior Year and how it touched my heart and made me look back on my high school days and see how much I've grown since. Produced by The Digitank Studios, Inc., the film is a glimpse into the lives of ten high school students as they struggle through the final months before their  graduation. It is a story about high school life, chasing dreams, and coming of age. It endeavors to depict high school as essentially when ambition and dreams come into fruition. It is when childish ways are thrown out in exchange of seeds of maturity, the beginning of adulthood and the start of a bumpy ride towards the "real world". The film also tackles the bittersweet travails of interesting teen personalities, inevitable complexities involving teachers and students and how their senior year turned around as they head through life's unknown destination. It's a really good movie and I recommend that you watch it. It also earned a lot of positive reviews from critics and was even endorsed by the Department of Education. Read my review [and see 16 year old me] here. I was even contacted by Miss Nissa of Digitank because she read my review.

I honestly think everyone can relate to the story and the characters. Here is what the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Film Development Council of the Philippines have to say after they graded the movie an A:

There are the usual nerds and wannabes, the usual bullies and their victims and the latter’s defenders. They are not portrayed as obligatory stereotypes though and this is what makes the seniors in the film interesting and endearing. Their back/home stories also vividly show the milieu the seniors are forced to sink or  swim in. There are the heartbreaks from teen-age break-ups, college rejections and intrams defeats and there are also successful physical and emotional makeovers. There are teachers who inspire and challenge and there are classmates who support and encourage but sometimes infuriate and meddle. The kids may not be as attractive or as airbrushed as the Glee cheerleaders; they are just the pimply, gangly and giddy teen-agers in the real world.

It's always fun going to events with my blogger-friends, yes, but personally I prefer "just because" bonding moments with them (i.e. getting together and hanging out even when there are no events). Last Sunday I wrote about being sad that the two days-two nights trip to Baguio we've planned has been cancelled because of the weather, but we still made plans to see one another and just chill.

Last Sunday after work, dressed in my pink coat and wellies and armed with an umbrella, I went to Eastwood where I met up with Aisa, Mich and Ana. After catching up over milk tea, we had dinner at Italianni's. Food was good, but expensive heh.

It was after dinner that the real fun began ~

Videoke at Red Box Please don't think it's our fault when the weather got worse that night ;p Read Ana's post here.

The four of us paid P499 each for the 7PM - 12MN block plus two drinks. We actually got in at 8:30 already, so we made sure we still got our money's worth by singing as many songs as we can! How did we accomplish this? By singing up until the chorus only haha.

After our mini-concert, we went to 7-11 for some hotdogs and hot chocolate ♥ We then went to Aisa and Mich's apartment to sleep over since Ana and I live far.

And look, Aisa gave me two pairs of boots! They didn't make a dent on her HUGE shoe collection so don't worry hehe. You should see her house! She has racks and racks and racksss of shoes!

We were still talking by half-past two, and then I drifted off to la la land. I woke up at around 9AM, and then we went to Hypermarket in our house clothes so we can grab brunch. Ana and I were still too lazy to go home so after showering, we went to Megamall for more food!

I enjoyed my Chicken Katsu from Yabu, as always :) So yummy!!

We then went to Giordano so Aisa can do a quick pull-out, and guess who we saw? My boothmate Reg! I got so happy when I saw her go out of the dressing room LOL. She went with us to Red Mango where we indulged on my favorite fro-yo!

Guess who got the biggest serving?

ME! I got a Large bowl of Yuzu Lemon Swirl topped with Mandarin oranges, pineapples, and dezato mochi balls.

Happy girls :)

Thanks girls! I can't believe we spent almost 24 hours with one another because I swear the hours flew by so fast. I needed this break, the calm before the storm. I feel blessed to be your friend, and I am looking forward to more bonding moments with you ♥

You may notice some of my posts have lost the comments *sad face* This is because I am chronically dissatisfied with my blog's layout and I always feel the need to change things here and there. The comments are not yet done importing from Intense Debate to Disqus and hopefully when it's all done then they will appear again. If not, well, at least I have back-ups of all of them in my email inbox. By the way, what do you think of the new look? I need and want your feedback :) Thank you so much!

PS: Bonding over desserts is always fun, yes? How does a bowl of yummy fro-yo and a healthy sharing of stories and ideas sound to you? If you will be available on July 7 and you'd like to swap stories with me and other awesome people, please join my Red Mango giveaway by going here.

Some Instagram photos were borrowed from Ana.

Someone once said, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." And that's what I'm trying to do.

I was feeling pretty bummed last night because my parents didn't allow me to go to an out-of-town trip to Baguio with my fabulous blogger-friends when I have been living semi-independently (I still go home to my parents' on my rest days) for about three years now. I know, right? It was very frustrating and disappointing, especially when I have been preparing for it for days now and have even packed my jackets and sweaters for the two days-and-two nights trip. Either way, the trip has now been cancelled because of the weather. Parents do know best, after all. I guess it's okay, because my friends made other plans to still have fun, while still remaining in Manila. I'm still here at work, but I'm so excited to see them later!

The day looks gloomy and gray, but I refuse to be affected. Here's what I am wearing today.

Pink coat | Denim short dress - Tinsley | Wellies - bought from Reg during BU3

Scarf used as headband - Accessorize

Happy, lazy Saturday everyone! I would love nothing more but to sleep in, but sadly I'm here in the office, working. After my shift later I'll go to Malinta to visit my aunt and cousins. I'm so excited to see Baby Gab again. How are you spending your Saturday?

Anyway I just wanted to share that I am FINALLY using my Ray-Ban tortoise shell glasses that I got from the SM Accessories PRIVADO sale I went to late last year. A little side-story: I need to wear my glasses/ contacts all the time because aside from nearsightedness, I am also suffering from astigmatism. Even when I'm in the shower I make sure it is always within reach. About two weeks ago, while taking a shower at my parents' house, our help's son got it from the table, played with it, and destroyed(!!!) it! I, umm, threw a fit because I don't have a spare and my contacts are in my apartment. My mom did her best to repair it (mothers are the best) but it wouldn't be the same again. It was kind of a blessing in disguise as I have had that pair for more than two years now. Also, when I went to the optometrist to have the Ray-Ban graded, he told me my right eye's myopia improved a bit. I didn't even know that was possible, so yay!

A little tip for girls like me who also wear glasses: make sure you put a happy color on your lips! You see, glasses tend to take over our face so a happy color emphasizes that pretty smile a bit ♥

My current favorites are MAC Pink Nouveau, Revlon Colorburst in Fuchsia, and Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie.

I would love to write more tips but my lunchbreak's over so I have to head back to my desk now. I'll probably update this post soon. It's already the 16th today. Counting down the days until the end of June ;) It's always nice to have something to look forward to.