3 Gift Shopping Survival Tips for the Lazy and the Busy

It's the time of the year again where singing and dancing is mandatory, where breaking the diet is forgivable and shopping gifts for each and every person you know is an accomplishment.

But what if you're busy or just plain lazy (or both!) to series of gift shopping?  Well, here are my three for you.

ONE:  Online Shops are your Bestfriends
If you don't want to hassle yourself in getting out of bed and going the the mall or shops, then online shopping is definitely for you.  Your shopping dilemma will put to an end with just a click away.

I'm one of the lazy and busy peeps out there who almost always rely on online shopping just because I don't want to get out of the house and to commute and walk to different shops looking for something that might not be available in stores.  I'm careful though as to where I order and just trusted virtual shops.

I go to Bonmarche for makeup from the western countries, Sae Sil Parknshop (facebook based) and Behappywithme (ebay based) for korean skincare and makeup (I always order from these two especially when it's sale in Korea, the prices drops drastically)  and in Zalora. Actually, Zalora is my latest addiction because of the cash on delivery (I don't have to line in banks, hooray!!!) and probably because of the app -I already ordered 3 times through the app and every transaction went well.  Yesterday I ordered the "exchange gift" my officemate requested and was actually tempted to buy gifts to myself (they have promotions and sales because it's 12.12) but I have to finalize my wishlist first.  You can download the ZALORA mobile app here.

I sometimes try my luck with other Ebay online shops but aside from Bhappywithme, my other transactions are painful.

TWO:  Be an Early Potato
One thing I learned from someone's(close to me) ex who worked at a department store is that they change the tag of the items for sale around an hour before closing time a day before a huge sale.  If that is not true anymore now, then be extra early on the first day of the sale.  You will avoid the long lines to the cashier and fitting room plus the salespersons are still energized to assist you.

Most of the time I also take advantage of special sales and additional percentage off to my purchases a mall offers to early shoppers.  SM Department Stores sometimes give additional 10% to 20% discount to their SM advantage card holders  if they shop an hour earlier than the regular mall hours.

THREE:  Have a Master Plan
Always have a list of things to buy and where to buy them.  I don't mind people telling me that I'm so old school for having a list on hand - it's effective to get the job done and I save time.

Now the list should include every detail possible like the color, size, where the shop is located and even the back-up item to be gifted if the first option is not available.  This way, you won't spend your whole day pondering and going back and forth to shops.

Set a definite date to do all your shopping so your mind and body is prepared.  Also, make sure that your cards are perfectly working and you have enough cash on hand.

It's also nice to bring some snacks (and water, stay hydrated) so you can nibble on something when hungry~it's rare to find a resto/food store that is not packed with hungry shoppers.

I hope these three tips helps.  But if everything fails, always remember that a sincere greeting with a smile or a warm hug are great gift options.

Binge Online Shopping

In order to keep my sanity and fight boredom, I kept on visiting online shops.  There's Sephora who always fill my high end make-up and skincare fantasy that youtubers rave about.  There's Luxola for mostly brushes and sleek blushes.  And then there's Zalora which; thankfully, is in the Philippines so I've been browsing their site for the whole week because of the sales and the discount that the company I work for have for its employees (thank's company, I hope you raise my salary so I can have all the items that are stuck in my favorites) so might as well share them to you.

I've been into clothes and shoes lately, I'm blaming Claire Marshall, Jen Im and the The Line Up for this.  My style is more on the basic, structured, comfortable, almost minimal and with a splash of tomboy~ish look.

White Boyfriend Blouse
A white button down is a staple in every wardrobe.  You can dress it upor down. Wear it on it's own or jazz it with some accessories.  Layering them with blazers, cardigan and jackets will also make the simple white interesting and not boring~a white button is the perfect canvas for a chic and versatile outfit.
Bomber Jacket
It's a bomber jacket which is usually associated with something sporty but this printed jacket can also be worn in a formal way.  I picture wearing this when I'm in a mood for something girly yet I still wanted to have that tomboyish vibe.
Pineapple Print Tee
Don't laugh but this tee is from the men's section.  I don't know why but I'm more attracted to the prints in men's tee (I have a couple of them) ~they have more variety of prints like pineapples :)

Again don't laugh but my first ever pair of jeans is from the men's section.  I have a weird body structure that most girl's jeans/pants won't fit me that's is why when I shop I always look at the men's section (sorry guy's) though a lot of people look at me quizzically but hey, they fit me well- not too body hugging, have the right straight cut that I want, no whatever flower or jewel stuff and most importantly, they are comfortable.

Visit Zalora to browse for more perfect fit jeans here.  Don't worry ladies, they also have the perfect jeans for you (*whispers* some of them are on sale).  Here are some of the jeans that I like very much.

Accumulated Stuff. Guilty, this is a Haul Post

For the past few months I've been good in keeping myself away from ordering and shopping cosmetics (though I keep on buying clothes to replace my old ones and succulents).  From now on, I'll tell myself that it's not yet my schedule to haul or shop instead of shopping ban which is less harsher to the ears which makes me think that I'm not restricting myself but more like I have more time to think and research the things that I like to have/buy.

Weather is gloomy which I like but not my photos because it makes them blurry.  Whatever, here's my recent accumulated things.

Ecotools Fresh and Flawless Complexion Brush Set
Lucky me, I guess immediately who my secret santa is and immediately told her that I don't want things that I can't use.  I initially wanted a book but saw this set from Bon Marche and commanded (I'm horrible, I know) her to order this instead because I need some brushes.

Sunkissed Duo Eyeshadows
I'm not familiar with the brand and I'm not sure where my sister got these but heck they are free.  I have one before; which I dropped and tried to put them together using the techniques I found in youtube but didn't work (oh youtube, your a mess), and it has a good quality and color and hopefully these two are good two.

Ellana Mineral Blush
My sister got this for free when she ordered a lot of Ellana stuff online and gave it to me because it's more suitable for the color of my skin.  Hooray for sister and freebies!

IOPE Air Cushion XP C21
I'm familiar with this brand since it keeps on appearing whenever I search for best skincare product in Korea back in the middle of the year and have been recently popular because of the the bb cushion which Michelle Phan mentioned in one of her videos.  Air cushion have been all over the net and seeing Pony using it so effortlessly, I decided to get the refill.  I didn't bother to get the container to save some money, thanks to behappywith me for the hassle free transaction.  Oh I also got a spare sponge for 50 pesos.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter
I got this for free when I bought a Revlon hair color.  I have no choice, it's free so I have to keep it hehehe.

Burt's Bees Lip Crayon  Hawaiian Smolder
My sister gave me one of her balm stain (Revlon Just Bitten Kissable to be specific) and I like it so I ordered something similar...but different lip crayon.  This one is more on the mauve side.

Human Heart Nature Night Cream and Overnight Elixir
Human Heart Nature had a great promo on the Overnight Elixir (reduced price and I got a 50ml sunflower oil) and because I'm not contented with just one I figured why not buy some other cheap stuff like the night cream and the massage oil (which is in the next photo).

IOPE Essential Tone and Wrinkle Care Eye Cream
This is the only cheap eye cream that i can find in the net that seems to work well.  Thanks again to behappywithme, I'm guessing she some memebox full of IOPE stuff and selling the items in her shop separately which is perfect for me!  I'm trying to resist to order the ampoule.

Biore Aqua Sunscreen Essence???
Forgot the exact name but this is one of the products that appeared when I search for a sunblock/sun cream that is popular in Japan and ask my sister to ask one of her officemate to buy it for me in Japan.  Banzai to travelers!

Konjac Cleansing Sponge
I keep on purchasing konjac sponge from The Landmark because they work and they are cheap, I just hope that the makers won't raise the price now that there are many youtubers raving about these sponges.

Human Heart Nature Rejuvenating Massage Oil
I'm now an oil convert because it moisturizes my skin without being to heavy and sweaty unlike lotions.  But I just don't use whatever kinds of oil...I go for something that is light like dry oil or those with coconut oil as a base.  This one though has sunflower oil and though sunflower oil is great for the skin I find the smell annoying not just on my skin but on my clothes as well because it linger even after wash which leads me to buy the next item.

Zenutrients Anti Cellulite Oil
Didn't buy this because of the Anti Cellulite part (it sound gimmicky to me) but because of the relaxing smell and feel it gave me when I used it last year so I got another bottle.  The other massage oil from Zenutrients are good to, so far my favorite is the eucalyptus and green tea.

Human Nature Hydrating Creamy Wash
Gooey but definitely hydrating and cheaper than most of of the facial wash I used.  I'm not a fan of it's scent but it works like Physiogel and Cetaphil.

I also bought this Winter Wonderland Spray from ZenZest as recommended by my sister.  Abusing the broque shoes that I got from Payless and surprisingly, I bought a necklace from H&M which surprisingly again, I'm wearing on a weekly basis.  I'm not an accessory person but probably because I'm revolving around plain looking shirt, now look into the the accessory section of shops.

I wanted to add some of the tops that I got that looks really nice, but I don't know how to present them here (the last time I did it was a disaster).

Shop wisely.  Enjoy!

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May 2014 Haul: Basics

Whenever Watsons go on sale, I go a little cray because I can get the chance to get basic stuff at a discount even if the discount is just 10% to 20% off.  I also took advantage of The Body Shop's buy 1 get 1 promo and got body butters and bb cream.  Then got a pair of shoes from divi and a sunglasses from a mall back in my province.

I'm going back to baby friendly body cleansers because my skin gone really sensitive lately.  Got lured with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser's buy 1 get 1 free promo but I have to use it before September 2014.  I guess I can't go wrong with Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing Body Wash because Dove was always recommended by my doctor when I was still a kid and Johnson & Johnson's Baby Bath.

For hair, I just got some conditioners and a hair treatment.  Herbal Essences Hello Hydration seems nice and since I love the hair treatment, I also got the Naturals by Watsons Olive Conditioner as a backup.  I'm making my own hair treatment now but when lazy days strikes, I'll just use HairFix Hair Treatment Deep Repair which has Argan Oil and Aloe Vera (seems like every drugstore stuff now claims to have argan oil).

Thanks to The Body Shop's anniversary sale I finally got the Chocomania body butter which I got at 40% off plus I also use my points from my card so I almost got it for free.  My sister and I take advantage of the buy 1 get 1 promo on the Olive body butter and the All-In-One BB cream (almost or all their make-up we're on sale and got tempted to get some eyeshadows).  The red box is a freebie, all thanks to the nice SA for reminding me.

Lastly a pair of shoes from the infamous Divisoria which is only $7 hehehe and a sunglasses which I like very much (surprisingly! I am not a fan of sunglasses before) and the price my goodness is $1.50 and I saw the same one in the mall here in Manila for $7 (I guess the case cost $5.50?).

Very basic and I hope I buy much much less next month.

Till then, Arya

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Bonding. Shopping. What???

So I'm supposed to write about my usual monthly stuff but I kinda umm...not remember what I composed in my head while riding the LRT (it's a train) last July 31, uggghh signs of aging.  Another sign of aging that runs in our family is shopping.  My siblings and I bond by eating either at a restaurant/fast food chain or in our backyard.  When I was in college here in Manila, the siblings I lived with would say "come on let's go to the mall" and the major thinking that we do is where to eat and not the stuff that we would buy.  Fast forward to 2013, my sister (the one that I also lived in when I was in college together with 2 of my brothers, I hope you still follow this short snippet of my life because I know I'm not good story teller) and I would go to the nearest mall to look for bargains.  My sister is a bargain hunter and I; on the other hand, is a great good inspector of damages so we kind of make great combo.

Okay so we haven't bought anything from Penshoppe but this is worth mentioning.  I saw this well made military jacket (I am kinda known in our department for having great cardigans and jackets) with a 50% off price tag.  It was the one that I've been looking for all my life.  It was perfect!  Well except for the size because it's a tiny bit smaller to me.  Unfortunately, it's the last piece so with a bitter and sour face I handed it to my sister and she like it too.  Fortunately, it's also too small for her bwahahahaha.  So there we left Penshoppe empty handed and off we go to Bayo.

my sister's finds, they look plain but they really look good when worn

Ahhhh, Bayo.  My sister knows me well because I always buy tops in Bayo when it's 50% off sale and so she knows that I can't resist not to buy.  As always, I picked stuff that are safe (neutral colors, plain cuts and style) and well remembering my past purchases, I also now considered the price (back then I just picked clothes that I like without looking at the price tag as long that a 50% off tag are on them and leaving the shop spending a lot because the ones I picked are too pricey).  Another unfortunate thing happen, the sizes (for the tops that I picked) in Bayo changed and I can't fit in a medium to large size anymore.  And that's my sister cue to enter the scene again.  She's a fashionista by heart, so she rummaged the racks again to see stuff for me.  She picked two, wore the first one that shows my shoulders (she always bug me to change my style to something a bit lively and fun) and said directly to her with a mean look that I hate it and would never ever ever forever  ever wear it.  Moving on to the next which is more of my style but with a mint green and orange/red color combo (not the usual colors of my tops).  It looks good on me and the cuff is so cute so I bought it immediately (but then again it's pricier than the ones that my sister got, ughhhhh).

and mine :) rebbit???  ahahaha

Oxygen is a brand that what we sisters is loving lately.  I hate the prints on women's tees so I always look in the men's section and the sizes in Oxygen fits me well so I got the makulit looking tee with animal hand gestures (I don't know how to call it).  It's not on sale but I like it very much (it reminds me of the the top that I saw from Forever21 with cross prints, by the time I'm ready to buy it's nowhere to be found).  And the skirt (top of the picture) is an evidence of my sister being a bargain hunter, she got it at 70% off and is way cheaper than any skirt with same quality and design in tiangges.

thanks Sample Room
o-ha with matching kiss mark pa

Oh I also got my package from Sample Room which is by the way getting better and better especially the delivery.  I got a lipstick for my sister, it looks red in the photo but it's actually in matte pinkish~etchos, I don't know what exact color it is.  And also got some Watsons shampoo, I'm slowly switching my hair products (cheaper but I do hope they work good).

hmmm switch?

Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Online Shopping with Zalora

One of the online stores that I regularly visit here in the Philippines is ZALORA as they have tons of wonderful stuff plus there are new additions in their shop everyday.  I just subscribe in their newsletter and as a reward I got a discount coupon and got excited to use it.

Here are some pieces that catches my attention.  Hope you don't mind me sharing it =)

Very much like the denim shirt with the studs below it's so me.  And the printed blazer are so fun to look at but since I work in a corporate world of course a simple black jacket should always be present in my closet.  You can check these denim  shirts and blazers in 1/2/3/4

Vila Studdy Denim Shirt
Cloe Edit Studded Chambray Blouse
Something Borrowed Elana Printed Blazer
Get Loud Short Trench Coat

 I don't know why I'm attracted to pants or leggings with prints nowadays though I do not have the courage to wear them.  Here are some of what I like which you can find here 1/2/3

Collective.com Ingrid printed leggings
Collective.com Kaela floral pants
Cloe Edit Houndstooth pants

 So instead of  prints I go for plain, usually black.  But it's summer and spring in other countries so why not add color to the wardrobe? 1/2/3/4

BNY Colored Pants
BNY Colored Skinny Maxilow Pants
Collective.com Karolina cotton jeggings
Collective.com kandice pants

 I love love love brogue shoes specially in vibrant colors like red and yellow but for versatility, I always go with black or brown.  The shoes below from Kickers are perfect for me and they are on sale!  Look into these brogue shoes here: 1/2

Jona in brown and red by Kickers

bag from Rags2Riches Pierre Large

In the end, I think I would go with this outfit combination.  Not really a fan of pink but I think the pinkish pants would go well with the denim studded shirt and brown shoes plus a really nice satchel  to complete the look.  Weird style?

And for my face I want something really simple: just a bb cream to cover some bemishes, a little flush on my cheeks, and a healthy glossy looking lips would do.  Can you believe that the Lioele bb cream is only P50?  Well it's in a sample size but if you are into trying out different bb creams then sample sizes are perfect.  You can check these cosmetics here: 1/2/3

Lioele Beyond Solution BB Cream
V&M Naturals Mineral Blush Romantic Flush
Wet n Wild Glassy Gloss Lip Gel

I grabbed all the photos by the way from http://www.zalora.com.ph.
Thanks for reading. Till then. Bye!

Random Pics and Favorites

First Shopping:  I bought 3 tops from Forever 21 two of which are on sale and Nature Republic (Philippines) masks and aloe stuff since they mark down their prices this February.  And oh it's almost a year since I had my GEX500 camera but it's only now that I discovered that it has a fish eye effect.  Three first picture have the said effect.

I'm still hiding so I can't show you the entirety of the tops

I just love the details of my tops from Forever 21:  the beige one has the perfect combination of femininity and masculinity because of the black circle synthetic leathers that are attached in the shoulders and the blue one has the versatility feature that can be worn in a formal or dress down way.  For those who will shop for sale in Forever 21 in North Edsa ask first for the sale items because not all items that are on the sale area are on sale some are just..lost!  The tags also have codes like mine have 231 scribbles on the tag.  The SAs don't know the meaning so ask in the cashier area.

love the new packaging of the masks

this is the freebie that  I got , I gave it to my niece since she likes it

As for Nature Republic, yep they finally mark down their prices like around 20%.  I hope it's forever since the original mark up is 100% when compared to Korea.  Some items are on 50% sale too.  Ask for the new prices with the SAs since the tag on the shelves are the old ones.

Next Fooooooooooooooood.

Hansel Premium Cheese Sandwich

I love cheese.  Although I don't know the types of cheese I can say that I love cheese.  Some find this cookie sandwich filled with cheese weird but I just can't help munching it especially when paired with tea.

Tetley English Breakfast

Already tried green tea, white tea, black tea, earl gray tea. teas with mint, teas with peppermint, with lemon, ginseng, caramel and with flowery taste and milk teas.  Now it's time for english breakfast.  Love it!

Red Sky and everything else.

And I will be leaving you with red sky, planners and a cute mirror that I will give to someone.

Sunset from my window

planners from coffee shops

cute pocket mirror

  Happy Sunday!

Thanks for reading.  Till then.  Bye!

Sale! Sale! Sale!

Who don't want sale?  Not me!  Even a not so girly girl like me want to buy some bargains especially on sweldo day (payday; which by Filipino tradition, a mall or two is on sale).  So here's what I got this weekend  (with the nearby mall):

I got a little disappointed with Watson's mask.  I thought it's on a buy 1 take 1 promo (the poster in it's shelf say so) but the lousy and exaggerated cashier said it's not.  Good thing the Beauty Buffet mask is (surprise surprise) on sale. P59 for two.

You might already know Vitamin C but how about Co Q10?  It's my first time to hear it and the label says it helps to firm skin and reduce fine lines (I'm getting older so I need this).

I read blogs about this scrub.  Aside from it's effectiveness, it's also budget friendly they say.  P70 for 135g? Why not!

My niece bought the Garnier Brightening Eye Roll-on and it comes with this (for free I guess).  I think she don't need this and so I just asked for it (I beg twice before she give-in).

2 of my shoes broke-down this July including my attention grabber yellow shoes :( .  So I need a replacement even if I didn't set aside a budget.  So Fab! is may wallet's savior.  I got this simple and modest pair for P399. 

Thanks for Reading! till then.  Bye!