Ciara : Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

Behold my latest scent addiction – Chanel Chance Eau Tendre. It was given as a gift a to me last month and I told myself that I will only use it on “special occasions”. But it was love at first whiff, so I’ve been using it every other day. I can’t even begin to describe how it smells, thanks to Google --  “An unexpected mingling of grapefruit and quince meets the crispness of fresh green notes, while a trace of Jasmine Absolute lingers in the air. Gently warmed by a sheer veil of White Musk, at once, innocent and seductive”

The only downer is that the scent fades easily. That or maybe I’m already immune to the scent barely noticing its still there since I only put on perfume in the morning and I don’t reapply in between.

Lena: Kung Fu Panda 2

Anything is possible when you have inner peace...

 

 

DreamWorks works it magic again! :)

A totally fun and heart-warming movie.

I so love Po! A must see

Can't wait for the third installment.Yihaa!

Lena : Conquering Calaguas

It was said that Philippines is home to hundreds (even thousands) of fine and pristine beaches. Boracay has been very popular when it comes to such topic, yet somewhere in Bicol Region, hush-hush of an uprising popularity of this virgin and unscathed island is being heard. So, when it’s time to do the yearly ritual (with my FnF friends) and being the adventurer that I am, there’s no better way to experience “the Calaguas Way” but during the scorching summer heat. =)

Several travel agencies have been accepting booking trips to Calaguas Island. Each one of them offers almost the same basic trip inclusions (transpo+food+accom+sidetrips). The only significant difference was the trip fee per pax. We opted to go for Hullaballoo team’s 2d/1n package.

We took the one way trip since we’re spending an over night stay in CWC right after our Calaguas trip. Naga’s (CWC) a mere 2-hour ride from Vinzon’s Port (Calaguas’ Jump-off point).

The 2-hour banca ride to Calaguas Island from its jump-off point (Vinzon’s Port) was a bit of an experience. The Pacific Ocean roughed us up a bit, plus, there’s no denying the sun’s heat. I think I came out tanner (effortlessly, haha!) upon arriving in the island. The banca’s roof didn’t do much of its work. Guess, reflection is to blame!

I must say that the place was really serene. The beach and the island itself was a wow! The sand was very fine, maybe that’s the reason why it’s said to rival Boracay’s powdery white sand (my vote still goes to Boracay’s sand =) though). The only minor setback I can think of was the lack of natural trees along the camping site. There were makeshift shades but additional tree shades would have been very nice and helpful to lessen the burning heat.

Also, for those of you who are not so into camping and nature. I’m just so happy to tell that there is a not-grandeur-but-acceptable restroom in the island. =)

The fees collected for the Calaguas adventure are really fair enough. We don’t have to rent our own banca to Calaguas (4-6k for a 6-8pax), to bring our own camping equipment, food/water. All we have to do is to bring ourselves and our beach and camping wardrobes *wink*. Plus, the Bagasbas Surfing sidetrip was a total fun, especially if you’re a surfer at heart.

http://melvicbrinas.multiply.com
http://melvicbrinas.com

Our package:

 1,800php (2d/1n) + 600php one way ticket to Daet (via Amihan or Superlines)

Package Inclusion:
* boat transfers
* tent accommodation at Calaguas Island
* all camp meals 
* life jackets (MARINA APPROVED)
* environmental fees

Below is the itinerary I’ve made for our Calaguas-CWC trip.

Friday Night (April 29)

08:00PM- Bus Station

08:30PM- ETD- Manila-Daet

Saturday (April 30)

 07:00AM - ETA Daet/ Breakfast (own pax Account, not included)
 08:00AM - ETD for Calaguas Island (tentative) or side trip macolabo island
 10:00AM - ETA Calaguas Island/ set camp explore
 12:00 NN- Lunch
 01:00PM - Siesta/ swimming/ explore/ picture happy campers
 06:00PM - Dinner
 07:00PM - Socials
 10:00PM - Lights out

Sunday (May 01)

 06:00AM - Wakeup call
 07:00AM - Breakfast
 09:00AM - Break Camp
 10:00AM - ETD Calaguas - Daet
 12:00NN - ETD Daet
 01:00PM - Late Lunch 
 02:00PM - Surfing Bagasbas 

 03:00PM – ETD Bagasbas ( since may CWC sidetrip tayo) 

 05:00PM – ETA CWC 

 07:00PM - Dinner 

 08:00PM - Socials 

Monday (May 02)

 06:00AM - Wakeup call
 07:00AM – Breakfast

 08:00AM – PhotoShoot, Lago Del Rey, Wakeboard

 12:00NN - Lunch

 01:00PM – Checkout

 02:00PM – Explore NAGA, Pasalubong

 04:00PM -  Early Dinner 

 05:00PM – ETD NAGA to Manila

 01:00AM – ETA Manila

**Meet the FnF! :)

Ciara : Baby Bliss Ionic Hair Brush

I saw it in Carrefour's catalogue and did my research on the effects of ionic hair brushes. Turns out that when we brush our hair, positive ions make our hair frizzy due to the friction. Negative ions are being released by the brush to give us good hair days ;)

I got it yesterday for AED 99 and carelessly I picked up a package of AA batteries. When I got home I found out it requires AAA batteries! Patience was not really a virtue for me during that time so I called a nearby convenience store to deliver at home.

Although it never really did an overnight miracle to my severely damaged hair, it got a little tamed after brushing. This morning I also used it after blow drying and I liked the results. The only downside is it is battery operated.

Ciara : The Body Shop Rainforest Radiance Shampoo and Conditioner

I have yet to find the perfect shampoo and conditioner for my severely damaged hair. I bought this out of curiosity and because it smells very nice (must be the Bilberry).. I'm a sucker for nice advertisements and Berry based scents.

At first usage, it didn't lather up the way normal shampoos do and it left my hair limp after rinsing. After three weeks, I tried it again combining it with my daily conditioner the results were not bad, okay. But I guess after finishing the rest of the little bottles left I won't be buying it again.

Oh wow! I got a free wide toothed comb by the way :D

Ciara : Why I love Bioderma

Bioderma is a French brand for skin care. They have product lines for sensitive, oily, combination and damaged skin. It was first introduced to me by my dermatologist when I had an acne outbreak when I moved to Dubai. I was prescribed the oily skin range since the doctor suspected that this was the reason of my pimple dilemma. Ok, actually it wasn't not that bad. I get a zit or two during "that time" of the month. But if its more than that, I get really alarmed. This brand never failed me, I've tried all sorts of facial care from the cheap to the a-little-bit pricey ones. I still and always come back to Bioderma.

I'm currently using the facial wash and mattifying moisturiser. I got it for AED 80.00 and AED 79.00 respectively with 20% discount (please do the math!) because of Dubai Shopping Festival. It did wonders to my skin in a week. Now the only problem that I have to deal with is the pimple scar I had on the side of my nose. Sorry, no pictures of before and after. I don't want to ruin appetites ;)



I have a list of the must try brands like Mario Badescu, Murad and Obagi but they're not available here. Now I just remember there is an Obagi store in Dubai Mall. Must pay them a visit. Mean time, this brand really suits me.

Lena : Up, up and Away! (Hot Air Balloon Festival 2011)

The annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta marked it's 16th celebration in Clark, Pampanga.

According to the Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) organizers crowds were expected to increase compared to last year's outcome. Overflowing hotel guests were expected to be booked due to the ongoing ad exposure and other media frenzy that the event has gained during the years.

Clark Freeport Zone became the home of this spectacular international aviation sport event mainly due to its vast area and facilities. Also, the said venue offers a wide array of high-end hotels and leisure establishments that provides options to both local and international spectators.

 
Off to get some adventure, me and my office colleagues strutted our way to Clark. We decided to catch the morning balloon flight which is set to take off at dawn (5:30am).

The whole day event program is fun-packed (managed to get this via their website).

It’s a must to leave early, since parking area may get crowded and we might end up the-ones-who’s-parked-so-far! =) Plus, somebody told me (a friend who went to the previous festival) that the probability of all balloons successfully taking their flight is higher during the morning compared to the evening (there’s 2 scheduled flight, 5:30am and 5:45pm).

We hired a private van for the day, left Sucat at around 3:30am and arrived at Clark at around 5:30am. You can just imagine the number of people that time. Who could have thought that it’ll be jam-packed! But don’t you worry. The place was cool and still offered a lot of place to run, jump, smile, and even free-wheel. J

Entrance Fee/Pax : 150Php

Meanwhile, if you’re planning to stay for the whole day event take note to bring the ff:

- a mat or any picnic style cloth to sit on (no available chairs)

- a tent, if you feel like dozing-off privately

- a packed-food for the whole day (no corkage) ; yet millions of food kiosks can still be found inside

- water

- a kite to fly (there’s a kite flying event, cool!)

Our group decided to skip some events and be back on the Hot Air Night Glow instead.

We then turned the wheel towards Subic Treetop Adventure at around 11am. It’s a helluva fun! A must-try! Good thing, we managed to glimpse some night glow events back in Clark at around 7pm, packed our way to eat and went back to the busy city of Paranaque.

Treetop Adventure details to follow on my next blog! =)