Samgyup with the fam with our new portable stove

I have always wanted to treat my parents to samgyup but we could never find a weekend that's not too crowded and ma-traffic. My parents are always wary of going out and as much as possible would rather dine in at home than expose themselves to the horrible Metro Manila traffic, and also people lol. And then I got a portable stove and an outdoor table and the first thing I thought was finally, we can eat samgyup at home!

It was a fine Sunday afternoon when we gathered at my parent's roofdeck. Jeckie and I brought meat for grilling. And to complete the samgyup kit we also came with some kimchi, minced garlic, and of course a bunch of lettuce!

Setting up the portable stove was very easy. It comes in a cute carrying case and also includes an English manual so you won't get lost. You may get this Gem portable stove from True Value. Don't forget to also purchase a butane gas!

Just place the butane gas in place, aligning the notch collar on the index arm. Our butane can is too big so we can't close the cover but that's fine! Press down the black lever to lock the cartridge in place. When it's firmly set turn the ignition knob all the way down to Max, then turn it a bit more till you hear a click. The burner should ignite automatically.

Didn't think it was so easy to set up your own samgyup at home if you have a portable stove with you!
 

Get the stove along with this Lifetime table that's adjustable and extremely portable and you've got yourself an easy to setup dining set that you can take with you anywhere you want. It fits just right at the trunk of our car and even the backseat. This portable Lifetime table is also available at True Value. I couldn't be happier about this table cos it's so multipurpose and compact, I can use it to work and just stow it away when not needed.

Needless to say we had loads of fun eating together this way. It was a welcome change dining in an indoor-outdoor space under the bright sun in a cool afternoon. It was worth hauling a bunch of things up two flights of stairs haha!

Already excited for our next picnic!

5 tips on choosing the best shapewear this 2021

Shapewear works by improving your figure to make it look more presentable. They're undergarments that compresses, firms, and lifts certain body parts so they appear seamless. With a variety of options, it could be challenging to choose one.  Luckily, you're at the right place. Here are five important tips you should know in getting the best waist trainer belt, body shaper, or undergarment that is suitable for you.

1. Know your size and stick to it

Shapewear comes in different sizes. If you're ordering online. it's important to note what your waist, bust, and hip sizes are to get the perfect shapewear.  If you have time, try on some pieces from a physical store to identify your size. That way you have reference for future purchase.

Once you know your size, by all means stick to it. While it's tempting to size down to get a firmer, perhaps slimmer look, you only risk appearing bigger because of unwanted bulges. It's also generally uncomfortable wearing something smaller. So yes, identify what size you're comfortable with and let the shapewear do its magic.

2. Know your body shape

The key to enhancing your shape is to identify what your body figure is. There are several ways to identify your shape just by looking at your figure in front of a mirror. There are shapes based on fruits: apple, pear, cherry, banana. There are also shapes based on geometry like rectangle, triangle, inverted triangle, and hourglass. Knowing your shape will help you choose the correct structure for your slimming bodysuit.

3. Identify your target areas

What do you want to hide or enhance? Is it your waist, your buttocks, your legs, or your overall body? Whatever your target area is, there is a specific shapewear for that. Check out this FeelinGirl Review to know your options. If you want smooth lines on the upper body, you can go for a torso shapewear. If you want to lift your buttocks or abdomen, you can go for shaper panties. If you want to shape your waist, you can opt for active shapewear like a waist trainer that you can use during workout.

4. Consider your outer wear

Shapewears are designed to complement specific sets of clothing. For instance you don't want to wear a waist trainer underneath a body fitting gown because it's thick and hot. For daily use, go for something seamless and comfortable so you can go about your day with ease. Always take into account what you're wearing outside of your shapewear so you can plan your outfit better.

5. Choose the right fabric

Comfort is very important when donning a shapewear. Most bodysuits are made of nylon and spandex material, which tend to be hot and uncomfortable. It's good for cold weather to keep you warm, but it's not exactly comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Fortunately, modern clothing technology has allowed manufacturers to create shapewear that are thin, light, and breathable. For a more comfortable experience, feel the garment and choose shapewears made of cotton-blend and lighter materials.

5 Baby gifts you'll love from Lovingly Signed

Personalized baby items are the best as it adds sincerity and warmth to any gift. If you're looking for baby items to give to one of your friends, or if you yourself is looking to getting cute baby items for your own little one, then you have to check out Lovingly Signed. Lovingly Signed is a unique online shop that specializes in personalized baby gifts. Just wandering at their website will make you all warm and fuzzy. The clean layout, the color palette and easy navigation all work to make your stay on their online abode a welcoming one.

If you want to get ideas on the perfect items to get, read on!

Luxury Towelling Robe

Towel robes are a baby essential you'll come to value more as time goes by. Unlike clothing items that can be outgrown so fast, robes may be used for more than a year. Have it embroidered with the baby's name and let Lovingly Signed do all the work. They'll package it in a luxurious box and get it delivered for free (Singapore only). Rest assured your package will arrive safe and sound right at your doorstep.

Knit Blanket

Blankets are yet another of those baby essentials you shouldn't miss. And having it personalized with your cutie pie's name is definitely a great touch. The high quality, 100% cotton knit blankets comes in different pastel colors like baby pink, powder blue, silver grey, and plain white. Your baby will definitely sleep soundly wrapped in this soft, cottony, warm, and fully breathable blanket.

Gift boxes

If you're looking for something more exquisite, a luxury gift box containing a cute plush toy would make a wonderful gift. Lovingly Signed gift sets come in different themes. You can get a rabbit, unicorn, bear, or a piglet plush, along with either a bath set, towel set, blanket, or snuggle set. The cute packaging, and carefully curated items inside a the lovely box will surely elicit a gleeful squeal from your little one.

Personalized Toy Storage

Organizing your kid's toys can be made of nightmares to a lot of parents. If you've got more than 1 kid around, it gets even messier and harder to deal with. A personalized toy hamper from Lovingly Signed will take care of your storage issues for you with style. With the toy baskets embroidered with your kid's name, it would be easy to sort items. And because the baskets look super cute, they won't be an eyesore to your home!

Baby Books

Aside from baby clothes, books are also nice items to give babies. Lovingly Signed offers cute and educational books that your children will surely love exploring. The books are adorably pretty, with elements your baby would love to play around with like furry tails, textured pages, and beautiful illustrations.

These are just some of the things you'll love at Lovingly Signed. All of their products are made from the finest quality, and the packages are arranged beautifully. They offer free shipping for Singapore addresses and their products are also affordable. Do check them out and let me know what you think!

All photos are taken from Lovingly Signed website.

3 Halloween costume ideas you'll love

Halloween is just around the corner and you bet, everyone's all about looking for the right costume. Aside from dressing up your home to look lit and up for the season with cute decor and tapestries (click here), you also want to dress the part and be strut the best costume in town. Here are 3 halloween costume ideas you'll love!
Be a pretty witch

A witch costume is one of the most popular choices out there. It's timeless and classic and overall speaks halloween on every angle. Get this dress from DRESSLILY if you want to look pretty and elegant with powerful spells to cast!

Be a superhero

Superheroes will never be out of tune when it comes to dressing up for halloween. Everybody's got a favorite, so it's just a matter who wears it best. Be creative when choosing your costume. Get your family's participation in it, better yet, why not dress up to be a superhero family. Try The Incredibles, or Justice League!

Be a monster

Nope, not the real bad ones who cast evil vibes all over. Some people like to play it safe by looking pretty and glam this halloween, but some want to dress the part of being scary and be a monster on that special day. There are a lot of scary costumes you could consider. You can be either a zombie, a scary nun, or an alien ala predator. It takes a lot of effort to acquire realistic costume and prosthetic but it's every worth the scream you'll get once you start knocking on your neighbors doors!

3 Dresses you should have in your closet

It was too late when I realized that dresses are one of the most practical things you can have in your closet. They're easy to wear, and give out an instant complete look. For the longest time I avoided wearing dresses because I have ugly legs and I'm too ashamed to bare them. But heck, I realized that nobody really cares about my dark and unshaven legs so I gave in and tried wearing dresses more often.

If you wanted to try wearing dresses too, here are the top 3 dresses you should have in your closet. Read on to see more details:

Black dress

Having a black dress is a basic thing in your closet. It's simple and elegant and you can wear it anywhere. Check out this black dress from ROSEGAL.
Cocktail dress

This one's a bit formal, but every girl should be able to pull one when she needs 'em. A cocktail dress is good for a lot of semi-formal events. Say a romantic date night or a wedding. And if you're familiar with wrap-around dresses like those? You should definitely get one! Check out this cute wrap dress from Rosegal!

Floral dress

Here's another cute dress that you should have. Floral printed dresses, or just any printed dress is a complete outfit in itself. You don't have to worry about lacking an earring or a bracelet, because this dress is already good in itself. Just carry a simple bag and simple shoes and you're good to go on your next event!

4 tips to getting the best car insurance provider in the Philippines

Photo from Pixabay

Getting a car insurance in the Philippines is imperative for every car owner. In fact it's mandatory by law for vehicle owners to secure a CTPL insurance as a prerequisite to LTO motor vehicle registation. There's no denying the benefits of having one though. Car insurance helps offset a huge amount of damages whenever an incident occurs. Depends on the coverage of your policy, you may get benefits for accident and death, get legal fee provisions, get repair coverage, and many more additional add-ons.

But where do you begin? Here are 4 tips you may find helpful in getting a car insurance policy in the Philippines.

1. Get a reputable provider

A good way to look for reputable providers is to really just ask around. There are tons of non-life insurance companies in the Philippines and some of the most popular ones are Asian Life, Malayan Insurance, FPG, and BPI/MS.

A reputable provider is one that has a good track record in handling applications and processing claims. This means whatever you apply for with them is delivered on time and with minimal hassles.

2. Compare with other providers

I found that the easiest way to shop and look around for insurance companies is to go online and request for a free quote. Sites like MoneyMax.ph and eCompareMo.com offer real-time car insurance quotes from different providers that would help you decide which one to get. It's also a good way for you to get savings of up to ₱10,000 depending on your car model. Getting a quote is easy. All you have to do is go to the website and fill out a form describing your car and current insurance company. You'll be asked for your vehicle brand, the year, model, and series, as well as the region and city where your car is registered. And that's it, in just seconds you'll be greeted with a page filled with a list of insurance companies that could cater to your needs.

3. Learn how to process claims

Should you get into an unfortunate incident, it's important for you to know how to go about processing an insurance claim. The easier, the better. Some insurance companies may appear more strict than others, but basically the official documents you would need to file a claim are as follows:

1. Police Report or a Notarized Affidavit
2. Driver's License with Official Receipt (photocopies)
3. Your vehicle's LTO OR CR
4. Photos/videos of the damage/s to the car with the LTO plates of the vehicle

Make sure to always have the number of your agent or insurance provider handy because they should know about any incident immediately.

4. Look for reviews and feedback

Aside from getting competitive quotes online, it also helps to look for reviews and feedback from actual customers. From the list of providers you got from your online search, try to narrow down your list based on price point and amount of coverage, then dig deeper into these companies by looking for customer feedback online. To help, join local car groups in Facebook or online forums.

It's bad enough that you got into an accident, but to be faced with a lengthy claims process because of a lack of system adds more frustration to your situation. Get a can insurance provider that really cares about its clients and wouldn't make it so hard for you to have your car repaired or checked.

My Prima Sassy Belle Haul and Review

Hey guys! Sharing with you my first impressions of some of Prima Sassy Belle's bestselling beauty products, plus one of their slimming beverages. If you know me, you know that I suck at routines, and that no matter how hard I try to stick to one I always end up abandoning it somehow, specially if it gets in the way of me going to bed immediately when I get home. 

But here we go again, sampling products to consider adding to my irregular beauty regimen!

Prima Sassy Belle is a fairly new direct selling company that offers beauty and wellness products. They were established on September 2016 and has since grown to having over a hundred retailers all over the country. They're a hundred percent Filipino owned and they take pride in producing high quality products that are FDA approved and Halal certified (among other certs), guaranteeing that their items are 100% safe to use.

That said, let's get on to the review! We'll focus on 3 of their products, the 3R Set, Sheer-C Serum, and Curvetrim juice. Let's go!

Prima 3R Set

₱ 710

The 3R Set consists of a Kojic soap, cleansing toner, night cream, and whitening cream. 3R stands for Refresh, Restore, and Rejuvenate and it claims to help improve the condition of your skin upon regular use.

The Kojic soap acts as your cleanser. I personally love the scent, it's super mild and smells like it could really clean. And unlike other kojic soaps I've tried, this doesn't dry too much that it stings. I was surprised at how pink this soap is. Nagsusumigaw sya mga besh haha. 

The cleansing toner, sadly, is something that I would replace with other toners. Yung milder. It smells like your regular toner, like Eskinol ganon, and it stings. I have some breakout on my face and putting an alcohol-based toner on it isn't really advisable so I'd skip this. 

Depends on the time of the day you are to use either the night cream or the whitening dream, funny how it wasn't labeled a day cream haha.

The night cream is lightweight and lotiony, and a little goes a long way. This acts as your moisturizer after putting the toner on. The whitening cream on the hand is thicker and whiter and leaves a light cast on your face that you need to blend well with your other makeup if you intend to go out. It acts as a sunscreen to help protect your face from harmful UV rays.

There's much to improve in terms of packaging and overall branding. Everything came in plastic and the lids on the creams kindof don't shut properly.

Sheer-C Serum

₱ 340

Sheer-C serum comes in a small push button dropper bottle that's really cute! The serum smells like orange zest and helps to retexturize and smoothen the skin. I like how it smells and how it's not too oily on the face. My only issue is that it dries sticky so it feels weird on the face hehe.

Curvetrim Juice

₱ 260

Oh this was such a delight! This slimming juice is filled with key ingredients designed to help us feel fuller between meals. There's garcinia cambogia, green tea, spirulina, l-carnitine, grapeseed, gluta, and collagen. It also has kalamansi, blueberry, green tea, and grapeseed, making for such a unique flavor. 

Dissolve a sachet in 120ml cold water and enjoy. It tastes like strawberry kalamansi juice which is oddly refreshing as we've never tried that combo before. As for the slimming effects, I can't really say because we downed 4 sachets in a pitcher of cold water while feasting on chips. What a cheat haha.

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Aaaand that's it! For orders you may reach them on their Facebook page or Instagram.

3 tips to maintaining your motorcycle

Motorcyles are increasingly becoming a popular mode of transportation for many. Thanks to the harrowingly distressing traffic situation in most metros, motorbikes have become a sound solution to getting from point A to point B without sitting in traffic for hours. If you own a bike, no doubt you need to take proper care of it so it always delivers. Here are 3 motorcycle maintenance tips you should know about: 1. Check your tires

Make it a habit to always inspect your bike before each ride. Make sure both tires are properly inflated to avoid excess heat coming from the rubber. Your tire's tread is also an important part to check. If the tread looks worn out below the wear bars and if the rubber looks smooth, it's probably time to replace your tires. You can check cheap motorcycle tires on BikeBandit.com. Or if you want to something different, ATV mud tires may just be right for you.

2. Check the chains

The motorcycle chain powers a lot of important systems in your motorcycle. By keeping it properly maintained, you are ensuring your travels are safe and your bike is under optimal condition. Have it cleaned and lubricated regularly to avoid rusting and breaking. Majority of the lube should be sprayed on th chain's inside to avoid fling. A broken chain could damage your engine and make you susceptible to accidents especially if it happened to break on the road. When a chain snaps it could get caught in the rear wheel, causing you to be stranded on an emergency.

3. Check the brakes

Faulty brakes are a leading cause of motorcycle accidents. Regularly clean your brakes to ensure they deliver the correct braking power when you need it. Use a proper brake cleaner to help remove dust on the discs and also lubricate the braking system. Routine brake maintainance certainly a dirty job but the consequences are grave if you decide to skip it.

There are many benefits to riding a motocycle. Compared to a car, it's actually easier to maintain. You can park it easily as well and you can go and stop anywhere you want. It's very flexible in traffic and looks very cool.

5 Ways to Finally Break Your Alcohol Addiction

Photo from Pixabay

When you hear the word alcohol, you might think about ‘good time’, ‘friends’, and ‘party’. Well, alcohol is not really a terrible thing, it’s just how most people take it. The real problem is, alcohol is the main culprit why people are losing self-control. A lot of road accidents are triggered by drivers who are influenced by alcohol. If you think that you are one of those people who are addicted to alcohol, and want to break free from it, you’ve come to the right place. Before I proceed to explaining how you can control your drinking, you need to know why you need to get motivated to start doing it.

• If you are bearing a child, you can prevent damage to your baby in your womb when you stop drinking. Alcohol is the worse enemy of that little thing inside your womb. 
• It can prevent further damage to your health. According to study, as many people know it, alcohol is the main culprit of liver damage. You don’t want to spend the rest of your lives visiting a doctor, do you? 
• It prevents family problem and other relationship concerns. Why is it so? Once you are influenced by alcohol, you are usually out of control of your emotions, especially your anger. We hear lots of quarrel from our neighbors, and the most probably reason is that the one is under the influence of alcohol. 
• You can prevent from acquiring legal problems due to drinking alcohol. How do alcohol drinking damage your reputation? For example, let’s say you came from a party, and drank just few shots. You drive your way back home, and you bump into a man who suddenly cross the road. Even though the problem is not with you, you will be the one to be blamed especially if you are positive in alcohol test. 
• You can become more productive to you work if you control your drinking. Drinking alcohol is also time consuming. Yes, it is true that you also need to have an enjoyable time, but there is appointed time for everything, and being too addicted to alcohol is truly waste of time.

How can you break your alcohol addiction?

1. Know the cause. 
Some people choose alcohol to divert attention from the problem they are experiencing. According to psychologist, most of alcohol addicts have family problem backgrounds, environment influence, and peer pressure. Are you undergoing with such circumstances? You must self-analyze to know the main cause of your actions, so that you are aware of what to avoid and how to do it.

2. Decide of what you must do.
In other words, you should make plans before it gets too late and you become slave of alcohol. But if you think that you are already indulged in alcohol addiction, you should make a move. Do your plans moderately, and not in an instant.

You must be realistic with your plans. The more unrealistic it seems, the more you’ll find it hard to achieve. If you have alcohol addiction for quite long time, you have to reduce your alcohol intake little by little.

For you to achieve the goal of breaking alcohol addiction, you must put your date of when you should achieve it. Write it down in the paper or sticky note, then stick it to the wall or refrigerator where you can easily see it. Let’s say you have three months to achieve it. In the first week of achieving your goal, you can try to control your drinking into 3 times a week. Then, minimize again for another week until you finally get rid of alcohol.

3.Share you plans with others.
Tell it to the people that mostly care about you – your family. Inform that you are planning to break from alcohol addiction, and they can help you to monitor and encourage you from time to time when you seem keeping out the pace of your plans.

4. Do not get downhearted by your relapse. 
There are times that you get relapsed with your plans of not drinking. But do not give up! Just because you failed for certain time, you’ll stop trying. Repeat again and continue the progress you are making.

5. Divert your attention.
You don’t need to drink alcohol just to have a good time. You can enjoy, even without it. Instead of focusing your mind with the alcohol, why don’t you spend the time with your friends, family, and kids? There are lots of things to do than drinking. Doing outdoor activities can help you to divert your attention and make you feel that drinking isn’t the only way to have fun.

Think of the good reasons why you need to stop your alcohol addiction. Get motivated, and visit a doctor if necessary. Do not give up, and all your sacrifices will reap its fruits.

Choosing the right hairstyle for your engagement shoot

Need ideas on how to wear your hair during your engagement shoot? Take a look at the following considerations to help you narrow down your choices.

Your theme

One of our prenup shots by Dave Sarabia

Engagement shoots can go from relaxed casual to full-on dramatic, depending on the couple's taste. If your shoot will be more on the casual side, then you can try light and flowy curls like these. It gives you a refreshing look without looking unnatural. Because you'll be putting on makeup that will highlight your features, it's important to use hairstyles that helps reveal your face.

Your venue

16 Inch 7 pcs Clip In Body Wave Brazilian Human Hair Extensions (#2 Dark Brown)

If you're working on an outdoor venue, pick a hairstyle that's easy to manage and retouch. Go easy on the mousse and let your hair get into a natural mess every once in a while. It helps paint a nice picture and makes your shoot look very natural and relaxed. For indoor shoots, work closely with your theme to ensure your outfits and hair match. Styling a picture perfect engagement is a combination of proper clothes, great hair and makeup, and of course a good photographer!

You natural features

18 Inch Micro Loop Body Wave Human Hair Extensions (#60 Ash Blonde) 50g

Always consider your face when choosing a hairstyle. As mentioned, choose a hairstyle that will open up your features and complement your face. Knowing the shape of your face helps. Long curls work well with round faces. Medium length hair with soft waves are great for heart shaped faces. Long hair with fringes is a good match for girls with long faces. Search for inspiration and get crazy with your options! :)

3 Tips on choosing your wedding rings

Our wedding rings <3

Caught up in your wedding planning? Don't forget about your rings! You may get overwhelmed by all the major things that's gonna eat up your budget for your big day, but don't neglect your wedding rings. It may be literally the smallest part of your wedding, but it signifies something much bigger than your big day. It's a symbol of your love for each other, a reminder that you guys are starting a new life together. It's one of the few things that's gonna be left with you after your wedding, after the guests have left and the decors have been taken off.

Not sure where to start? Check out the following tips on choosing your weddings rings

Shop early

Wedding rings are usually expensive. On the average you can get a pair of pretty gold bands for around $500 to $1000. Take note that gold's market value fluctuates depending on the season, and so does other metals and gemstones. So if you must shop for it, do it now. Set up a budget and stick to it.

Buy as a couple

3pcs natural green peridot engagement ring,solid 14k white gold wedding ring,marquise promise ring,pave set

Wedding rings come in different shapes and sizes, and the price will depend on a lot of things -- the materials used, the metal, gemstones, cut, shape, etc. Your wedding rings should be something both of you agree on. It's unlike other parts of your wedding where it's enough to have one of you decide. You will wear your rings everyday, so it's important that you love how it looks and you mutually agreed on the design. It's not required to have matching rings, but most couples prefer to have partner bands as it symbolizes their unity. If you guys have really different tastes, there's always a max to mix and match. You like gold but he likes platinum? Why not a braided style intertwining the two metals? Research on different styles and learn that even the most opposite of personalities can agree on a design.

Consider your lifestyle

2pcs 7mm Round Peridot Wedding Ring Set 14K Yellow Gold Milgrain Diamond Matching Band Full Eternity Ring

It pays to get rings that won't get in the way of your daily activities. Who needs a big chunk of sparkling diamond when it's gonna end up ripping off your surgical gloves when you're working in the operating room? Your rings are going to be part of your daily life so consider something that would complement your lifestyle. Choose comfortable rings if you have an active lifestyle because you're gonna have to get used to wearing it everyday.

Happy shopping!

Top 5 make-up trends this 2017

Honestly, I'm becoming more and more interested in make-up lately. My stack is still pretty basic though, but for someone who's not a beauty enthusiast I'm surprised quite a lot of trends caught me this year!

Here's 5 of the top beauty trends owning the internet this 2017:

Photo from Unsplash

1. "No-makeup" makeup

Nude's still in. Girls want to look as bare as possible by putting as much as possible on their faces. Guilty as charged here! Neutral palettes and flesh-toned lipsticks are still so popular today, and for good reason. Nude makeup gives you a fresh and glowing finish that looks natural. Like you didn't even try (even if you sat two hours at the vanity). Don't we all want to look effortlessly beautiful?  No wonder Urban Decay's NAKED palette is such a huge success.

2. Bright and daring makeup

As much as nude makeup is in, this year is also the year where wild and extreme colors rose to popularity. Glittery lip gloss and neon eyeshadows, despite what people think, is more of a statement than a preference. Take California based Lime Crime Cosmetics, a line of vegan and cruelty-free makeup. Its creator, Doe Deere, takes pride in producing high quality and highly pigmented makeup fit for everyone who takes self-expression unapologetically.

3. Microbladed brows

Or at least, full looking and defined brows. Gone were the days when thin arched brows were lit. Right now, people are investing in all sorts of products to achieve more natural-looking brows. Even brow products are evolving. There are feather brow pens, 3-in-1 sculpting pencils, and even brow fibers now, can you believe it?

Microbladed brows, however, offer a more permanent and natural-looking solution so those who want to stick to this trend - which I presume will stay for another three years or so. It's a type of cosmetic tatooing involving an ultra thin and wispy blade that certified specialists use to manually draw hair on your skin. You know what, I'm actually saving up for this. 

4. Unique makeup brushes

Because regular makeup brushes are so effective, somebody decided it's time to reinvent them for more profit.  Beauty blenders, silicon sponges, paddle brushes are all the hype this year. I'm 110% skeptic at first, but in fairness, they're all the rave online. So I had to try them right? I personally have a beauty blender and I don't use it anymore haha. I have a couple of paddle brushes too and can I just say that they're cute and fluffy and feels super good on the skin. Other than that I'm good with my regular brush set! Haha

5. Excessive contouring

Not the most well-received trend, but still a very popular one at that. It's a complicated trick that's originally made for red carpet celebrities because it was meant for HD cameras and harsh lighting. How it suddenly gained mainstream popularity, I have no idea. Now, a highlighter, a contour powder, and tons of concealer are part of every girl's make-up kit, and Instagram has become their version of a red carpet.

Out of the 5 I didn't get particularly obsessed with bright makeup and contouring -- mostly because 1) contouring is hard and 2) I'm not too confident about sparkly things on my face! But for the rest, I was so in. I told you, I have paddle brushes and a beauty blender. I'm getting my brows microbladed one day. And the no-makeup makeup look is my daily game.

What beauty trends are you following this year?

Finding the Best Wedding Gown Silhouette for your Body Shape

When I started wedding gown hunting, I pinned a lot of styles and inspirations from Pinterest, Google, and even online shops like Chic Mall. The result is a board overflowing with all my dream dresses. It was randomly arranged, no specific cut, theme, or fabric in mind. I just pinned those I thought would look good on me, or so I thought.

When the real hunt began, I became more and more disappointed with my choices. Everything I thought was pretty looked hideous with my body. 

This would be easier if I had booked a designer for my gown, but since I'm a budgetarian bride and is keen on saving money by renting or buying RTW instead, I had to do my own research.

So here are the most common body types and the corresponding styles that would flatter such figures. Let's start with mine!

1. Hourglass

LELZ. I'd like to think I'm the fat version of the hour-glass, 'cos according to my BCA (Body Composition Analysis), all my fats are distributed equally to all my limbs. This body type has a balanced top and bottom half, and a defined waist. A-Line gowns would work well on this body shape, it's narrow at the top and extends out to an A shape, hence the name.

Source: http://www.chicmall.de/long-evening-dresses-c128486/

It's flattering on almost any shape type making it the popular silhouette of choice.

2. Pear

Source: 21zero.com, casarurallietor.com

Like the fruit itself, the bottom half is bigger than the top half. And because your hips are wider than your shoulders, ball gown skirts work best with this body type as it hides your hips and focuses on your top.

3. Apple

Full breasts, rounder hips and butt, and a bit of a tummy - if this is you then you've got an apple shaped body.

hochzeitsfeier schulterfreien weißen chic & moderne reißverschluss fallen bis sommer, bodenlangen kleid

This body type works best with empire cuts as it emphasizes your bust and cuts your waist. A-Lines would work well on you too!

4. Inverted Triangle

The ideal shape for me only because I think they look sporty and fit! If your bottom half is smaller than your top, have little definition on the waist and hips, and have a straight and squared shoulder line - this could be you! My tip? Get a mermaid dress!

Mermaid gowns fit snugly to your body, highlighting your curves perfectly. It's fit on the waist and flares below the hips or down the knee, giving it a fish tail effect.

5. Rectangle

If you think that you don't have a lot of curves, have no defined waist, with your hips and shoulders approximately of the same width, then you most likely fall in this category. 

Source: dresses-for-wedding.com, groupdress.com

For rectangle shaped bodies, it's advisable to wear sheath type dresses. They're designed to fit close to the shape of your body. It's simple, comfortable to wear, and very easy to move around in, unlike other gowns with tons of layers!

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If you're still unsure, don't be afraid to go out and try a lot of dress types and see what flatters you most. The most important thing is that you're happy with gown and comfortable too! Happy preps!

My 4 Dream Wedding Hairstyles

I got one of my good friends to be my hair and make-up artist for my wedding and we're both excited to plan for my look! I haven't really checked at the different hairstyles I could possibly wear but in my head I want something neat and clean. It's also because I wanted a lot of options for my hair that I'm growing it long. Right now it's dangling a few inches below the shoulder but here's to hoping it'll grow longer and more beautiful in time!

Here are a couple of styles I've searched around the web that I definitely want to wear on my big day:

1. Clean and neat up-do

Coupled with a pretty hairpiece, this definitely looks clean and elegant! I don't mind getting hair extensions just to achieve those clean buns. :D

2. Loose curls

Cheap African American wigs and discount wigs for women

Maybe good for a second look, after the ceremony. I've always dreamed of having long, flowy, and seemingly natural curls for an everyday look, but I'm not too keen on maintaining something like that so maybe I could indulge on one for my big day! I found these styles over at Cocowig.com, it's an online shop for high quality wigs and they have a vast collection of styles to choose from! I don't really suggest getting a wig for your wedding (lol, why not), but it's a pinterest of sorts for hairstyles with its huge gallery of inspriation. Check it out!

3. Short beach waves

12 Inches Wavy 120% Lace Front Cap Human Hair

Well, we're not holding a beach wedding but it's gonna me a very simple ceremony so I guess this casual look would be good too! This style is made from curling your hair then messing it up a bit. It's pretty doable for me as long as I don't mess with the curling iron haha.

4. Messy but classy up-do

I'm torn between getting a neat or messy updo. This one looks so chic, I'm just not sure if it will sit well with the shape of my face, or if it's gonna be flying all over during photo ops haha. This remains a strong option for me though!

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It's always so fun looking at inspiration over the web, if only my pinterest boards would magically turn into reality without me having to worry about the nitty-gritties, what a relief would that be for brides-to-be. How about you, what's your dream wedding hairstyle? :)

If the gown fits

Venue, catering, photo and video: check! According to our spreadsheet the next big thing we have to focus on is the bridal gown. And it's by far the most frustrating leg of our wedding planning (at least on my part). While my biggest concern with most suppliers is whether we can afford them or not, in the case of a wedding gown, it's not just about the money, it has to fit me well too! That explains my love-hate relationship with gown hunting. I love going to the mall, looking at clothes, and trying them on, but getting the damn zipper to run all the way up is always a struggle.

I admit I underestimated this part, thinking I'm not getting anything fancy anyway and would even consider renting one. I failed to think that with my size (large), and my budget (10k), the closest I'm getting to the gown of my dreams is a blank infinity dress with a curtain for a train.

Applying what I learned from @thesoshalnetwork hahaha Kurtina Couture! Infinity gown + "curtrain". Lelz #pweddinggown #gown #infinity #charot #curtain #couture #nobudget #weddingsph #weddingdress #wedding

A post shared by Yan Birog (@yanbirog) on Feb 8, 2017 at 7:29pm PST

The twin panel of that curtain makes for a primary veil too.

So while I'm nowhere near finalizing where and how to get my gown, let me flood you with my wedding gown pegs for now!

1. Soft and dreamy

Source: madamebridal.com

This gown is so dreamy except that I'd have the neckline straight across instead of a v-neck. Love the skirt and the sweep length!

2. Less (details) = more (savings)

Wedding dresses Australia and cheap wedding dresses online 

I love scouting for inspiration at Pinterest, it's quite a heaven for me! But you'll never get around to costing until you inquire with a designer on how much your preferred style would cost, that or you may look at online shops like Amodabridal.com.au to give you an idea on how much to shell out for your dress.

Looking around I've come to realize that if you want to score a really cheap gown, you'd have to let go of intricate beadworks, customized lace details, and elaborate appliques. Basically, everything that will entail more labor. This is when styling and fabric matching goes critical.

The gowns above are proof that it's not all about details! :D

3. All eyes on me

This is probably the grandest I could see myself wearing on my wedding day. And it's got everything I want in a gown! Off the shoulder, straight across, A-line skirting, and soft layers! Haaaaay!

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There you have it! The gown hunt is still on, I'm basically just waiting for myself to slim down some more before I could confidently walk into department stores again haha.

My 5 Dream Fitness Equipment

You know how lazy I am when it comes to working out. I'm that fitness enthusiast who isn't fit at all. I've tried a lot things, gyms, bootcamp, zumba, yoga. I've hoarded a lot of exercise videos, from Just Dance to just about everything Les Mills offered, and still here I am, overweight and in need of constant goading.

It doesn't help that we have an entire floor in our house filled with gym equipment. We have a manual treadmill, 2 stationary bikes, an exercise ball, an ab rocket, a couple of other ab contraption thingies, an ab belt, weights, a Ceragem bed massager, a chair massager, a foot massager, oh boy, that crazy fit vibrating plates, etc. Now that I think of it, we have a lot! So what gives? Why am I not going upstairs sweating my life away? Because I'm too lazy and the things we have, they're all outdated. Our equipment are super old and while they're all still functioning, it doesn't motivate me enough.

If I had unlimited funds for a fitness station upgrade, I'd get the following:

1. Motorized Treadmill

Source: lifefitness.com

I was once so excited about training for a marathon that I actually looked into updating our manual treadmill into an automatic one complete with an LCD screen and all those other fancy buttons so I could practice at home. But lo and behold, my preferred one from Life Fitness cost over ₱100,000 lol

2. Pull up bar

This isn't such a big investment but it baffles me where in the house I could put one. I want to get something like this

Source: gymstrength.net

but I'm not sure where I can hang the damn thing without breaking away a doorway's structure lol

3. Trampoline

Oh boy, I've never tried a trampoline before, not even in an enclosed one filled with balls where kids love to play. The tramp is pretty simple, all you have to do is jump to your heart's content. But there's something so exciting about being propelled upwards and mastering a graceful fall that makes me want to get one!

But then I wouldn't know where to put it, the only open space we have large enough for a trampoline is on our roof deck but I sure didn't want to risk falling 10m down a patch of weed.

Nonetheless here's a great info guide from Trampolinea for you in case you want to get one!

4. Punching Bag

Source: clubsolutionsmagazine.com

Aha! On the same ground with a pull up bar, my preferred one is a hanging one but again, I don't know where to put it and how to install one. I asked my dad once about it but there's really no way to hang it on the rooftop because the ceiling there is too high. Hay.

Still, if only to get one, I can settle with a standing one like this

Source: dragonsports.eu

5. Sauna Room

Oh not those portable things with my head sticking out like this

Source: bluewaveproducts.com

We already have that and it looks awkward, funny, and I get lazy just thinking about setting it up haha. How did she even reach the magazine? Anyway. Instead, I want something like this!

Source: monalisa-bathtub.en.made-in-china.com

Super cool, feels like a real sauna, and of course it's over a hundred thousand bucks lol. This is one of those lazy equipment I'd like to have cos I literally just have to sit inside and sweat away.

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So I guess that's it! While I'll keep on dreaming for my own sauna room, trampoline, and a high-end motorized treadmill, I guess I could manage to get a standing punching bag!

How about you? What's your dream home fitness equipment? :D