Dress Me Up Buttercup

This rainy season could really dampen one’s mood! Better cheer yourself up with this easy-peasy brownie in a mug recipe I found online. :)

Have a fabulous (and hopefully sunny) Wednesday, buttercups! 

I normally skip facial creams because I’m lazy like that. But when iWhite Korea recently sent me their Skin Whitening Vita Facial Cream, naturally I have to give it a road (err, face) test. So, what is this, you ask?

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Last Saturday was quite an experience for me! I was invited to be part of the Dress Me Up Fashion Bloggers Event by Araneta Center. I don’t claim to be a hardcore fashion blogger nor am I a fashion stylist. But I always wonder how it’s like to be one. It’s actually my third time to be invited for this event but I had to decline in the past. Now on its third installment, finally my schedule was free! Yay! Sharing with you a few behind the scene photos I took…

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Still got no gift for pops? No time or plain lazy to brave the malls in this rainy weather? If you’re stuck in a rut thinking of gift ideas for Father’s Day, let me share you my top picks! Luckily, there’s an online shop called LAZADA to save us! I was browsing their men’s clothing pages (because really, a nice fitting shirt would already make my simple dad happy) and then found some other nice items he would love too!

Wanna know why I like LAZADA? It offers free shipping and cash on delivery payment options! Now that’s hassle free shopping for everyone! 

I badly needed a New Girl marathon! I haven’t watched the latest episodes yet! Anyway, I really love Zooey Deschanel’s character, Jess Day in that series. She’s awkwardly funny, sweet and adorkable! I also like her laid back outfits (usually dress + flats). An entire website called What Would Zooey Deschanel Wear? documents mostly what she wore to the show. 

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For years, Coca-Cola has etched an indelible mark in showcasing magnificent levels of creative surprises. This year isn’t going to be any different. Just when you thought that you’ve seen it all, the brand that we have come to love is brewing up another amazing surprise. Starting yesterday, June 5, red Mystery Crates were seen across different locations of your loved malls.

In partnership with the Ayala Malls, these giant crates were scattered among some of the hottest hangouts in Manila including TriNoma, Market! Market! and Glorietta. It just goes to show that our favorite beverage has yet again concocted another surprise and it is up for you to find out the big, new treat. What may seem as a mirage is actually a 72-hour countdown to its grand reveal on Saturday at 2PM for yet another innovation from a brand committed to share happiness to every Filipino. 

A hundred years and counting and Coca-Cola still has that unbeatable fizz that dominated the market. From households to offices and schools, Coca-Cola is an irreplaceable partner for every barkada hangout, for every delicious meal, and for every simple moment to share happiness with each other. But for something new and out-of-the-box, this summer is a notch higher for Coca-Cola as it unleashes a surprise only Coca-Cola can do.

Keep an eye out for that timer, for when the seconds drop to zero and the crates simultaneously open in the three malls, happiness is a word that would only describe a spectacle sure to make history. 

Care to give a guess as to what’s inside the crates? Like facebook.com/CocaCola, facebook.com/PresidentForHappiness and Follow @Coke_HappyPrez with hashtag #itona to let us know! Drop by on Saturday and see what the buzz is all about. Ito na!

There’s a new chicken place in town called HOLDAK! It originated all the way from Busan, South Korea, and has branches across overseas countries like China and Japan. And now, here in the Philippines! 

Holdak specializes in authentic Korean styled fried chicken. They use boneless chicken thighs and you can choose from their four signature sauces — Yang Nyam, Spicy Yang Nyam, Jack Daniels or Padak. The photo above shows the key ingredient in each sauce.  

Yang Nyam is the original recipe. It has the combination of sweet, salty and sour flavors playing in your tongue at first bite. The sesame seeds contributed to its crunchiness as well. 

Spicy Yang-Nyam is the hotter brother of Yang-Nyam, and by hotter I mean it’s much spicier. It’s generously topped with lots of chili. This is easily my favorite because I love spicy food!  

Padak has this tasty and zesty Asian flavor. It has a strong and distinct taste probably due to the freshly sliced spring onions on top. This is my second favorite among the four. 

And lastly, they have this Jack Daniels signature sauce. For the alcoholics, don’t be disappointed but this has no trace of the actual Jack Daniels drink. It’s light and sweet though. And the caramelized onions taste so heavenly. 

Other food in their menu includes this Salad topped with Korean/Japanese mayo. I like that it’s thinly sliced so it’s much easier to eat. 

The Curry Fries is seasoned with curry powder and garnished with chopped parsley. I think this was the first time I encountered curry-flavored fries, and well I like it! The spicy aroma makes this side dish all the more appealing and appetizing (at least for me).

They also have Ramen and Cheese Ramen if you want something to warm you up. The Cheese Ramen has a thicker consistency and richer/spicier taste compared to the original Ramen. 

And for desserts, Korean icecream Melona is available. I don’t normally eat icecream but just to cleanse my palate from all those flavors, I tried the melon one. 

Here are some of the people behind Holdak Philippines Inc. with the President Carl Tan in the middle. Special thanks to the Marketing Manager Ro Tan (not in the photo) for inviting me to the bloggers launch!

Overall, I’m quite surprised at how the chicken fillet maintains its crispiness, crunchiness and juiciness despite being drenched in their signature sauces. That’s one thing I look for when trying chicken — the crunchiness factor. I absolutely love Holdak already cos it passed my expectation! And quite coincidentally Holdak means “to fall deeply and madly in love with chicken.” Sweet!

Please refer to the menu of Holdak above for the prices and details.

Holdak is located at G/F Mezza Residences, Araneta Ave., corner Aurora Blvd. 
For deliveries, call: 354-21-95
Like Holdak in Facebook and Follow them on Instagram (@HoldakPH) for updates

Did you ever find yourself exclaiming “Ayy meron pala ako nito?” or “I haven’t used this for ages!!!” when going through your makeup stash? I know I did. I have this  ELF Waterproof Eyeliner Pen (in 7310 Teal) and Nichido Color Intense Eye Pencil (in 05 Vivid Turquoise) for a few months now and they’re both craving for some action already! Sooo, here ya go! 

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Hey guys! It’s time to announce the three lucky winners of iWhite Korea whitening packs! Check the rafflecopter widget to see if you’ve been picked! 

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Let’s welcome the month of June with a new blog giveaway! Yay! I’m always thankful for the opportunities and collaborations with brands, shops, etc. that keep on pouring. For this one, Yani of Yaniness.com asked me to partner with DressMeUpButtercup for this giveaway. This is my first time collaborating with a fellow blogger for a giveaway, so I’m very excited! Btw, for those who do not know, Yani also do hosting and modeling aside from blogging. Check out her blog to get to know this pretty lady more! :)  

Anyway, for this giveaway we decided to pitch in prizes we think our readers will love. Yani chose Mary Kay lip primer and Smashbox lip gloss. 

I chose this summer chunky necklace from Buttercup Accessories and Face Shop’s shimmery eyeshadow. 

One lucky winner will be picked and get these fab prizes! To join, simply follow the mechanics in the Rafflecopter widget below. 

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Happening this June 1, Saturday at the SMX Convention Center. See you there! :)

It’s CBTL’s Open House this coming Sunday, June 2! Visit any of their branches* from 10am to 11:30am for their special treat! Two new Tea Latte flavors to try — Anniversary Blend Tea Latte and Scottish Breakfast Tea Latte. 

*except University Mall and 3rd Floor, SSI Building

Who would normally use tomato sauce for Sinigang, right? Raise of hands and feet if you do! I’m sure none of you have tried that (yet!). Surprisingly, I tasted it and wow masarap pala! If not for the Del Monte Kitchenomics Red Movement press launch I was invited to recently, I never would have tried it! I must say it was such a daring move for Del Monte to transform traditional dishes to modern food fare. But it works! 

Chef Dino Ferrari did a cooking demo of the Del Monte Red Sinigang. Basically the difference is that instead of using fresh tomatoes you use tomato sauce for this one. The sweet-sour notes give the sinigang more dimension to the taste and flavor. It also gives a more appetizing color to your sinigang. To learn how to do this, click here for the recipe.

Then the ever lovely host Bianca Valerio introduced to us the three chefs from the esteemed LJC Group of Restaurants (behind successful restos such as Abe, Cafe Adriatico and Cafe Havana). They prepared for us Red Rice, Red Adobo, and Korean Red Squid! Of course, all dishes has to be red! The tomato sauce contributed to its thick consistency and richer flavors. 

If you’re looking for some kitchen adventure, why not put a red twist to the following classic dishes? 

Red Embutido *click here for recipe*

Red Bulalo *click here for recipe*

Red Pesang Bangus *click here for recipe*

Tell me which of these dishes will you recreate! For more recipes, check www.delmonte.ph/kitchenomics/recipe. Now go and paint your dishes red with Del Monte Tomato Sauce! Happy cooking! 

Photo credit: Last three photos are from the official Red Movement press launch CD

I know a lot of women who can only dream of longer, thicker and fuller lashes because theirs are close to non-existence. Thankfully, my lashes aren’t  exactly short nor sparse. But when I first heard that a product called Sophia Eyelash Enhancer could really lengthen and volumize lashes, I said what the heck, what could I lose in trying, right? In the back of my mind I thought if it works, then good for me; if not, then it’s okay also cos I’m pretty satisfied with my lashes already. I got my Sophia at a pretty good deal over at SALADBOX back in December of last year *click here for the unboxing*. You simply apply it like liquid eyeliner on the roots of your lashes once every night, for about 16 weeks.

And as promised, here are before and after photos. I didn’t use lash curler and mascara in any of these shots. 

Sorry for the sucky iPhone photos, but HOLY COW! My lashes did become fuller and thicker… and more curled! As for the length, it’s not really noticeable in the photo, but yes my lashes became longer, too. At first I was skeptical if this would work, but here I am, a living proof that it’s effective! And here’s a back story, tiny lashes also grew on my inner tear duct! I should have been more careful pala not to apply in areas you don’t want lashes to grow, because believe me it will grow on those areas if you don’t wipe it off. But that problem was solved with the help of a tweezer and some plucking *yeooowch huhu*. 

Photo above taken just today. Can you see my lower lashes? That used to be super short (and actually my problem area), but now… WOOOW! Also now I can skip curling my lashes and applying mascara cos my bare lashes can stand alone. If you think about it, it saves me time so I could do other makeup routine. Besides, I read somewhere that applying mascara everyday could actually lead to hair fall… yikes! Probably if you don’t remove it gently? And please don’t rub your eyes, your delicate lashes could also fall! 

What are your thoughts on this Sophia Eyelash Enhancer? Do your lashes need some saving? Are eyelash extension and falsies your besties? Do try this amazing all-natural enhancer and grow your lashes naturally and permanently! 

PRICE: Php899 (Summer Promo until May 31, 2013) / Regular SRP of Php2750
WHERE TO BUY: Virginia Olsen

Sinful afternoon merienda earlier at the office! Oreos + Speculoos Cookie Butter. Ohlala, heaven in my mouth. :D

Have you tried this Cookie Butter? So many friends and local celebrities were tweeting and posting Instagram photos of this jar! The curious cat in me decided to give it a try last week. I thought it would taste just like peanut butter, but WRONG! Tasted even better! 

PRICE: Php450
WHERE TO BUY: Choc Full of Nuts Foodshop
2nd Level, Unit 39, Shoppesville, Greenhills Shopping Center, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills
Also available online (thru Facebook and Instagram sellers)

3-hour straight dance marathon party? Sounds FUN! The Zumba Fitness Party will be held this May 26 @ Track 30th, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, from 5 pm to 8pm. Only Php350 to join (inclusive of a Zumbathon kit) and registration starts at 2pm.

Part of the proceeds of the event will be given to ICANSERVE Foundation to provide adequate support for their projects and services such as breast cancer early detection and awareness clinics and campaigns and in the aid and recovery of breast cancer patients and survivors.

Unlimited pizza, anyone? Mark all Tuesdays in your calendar starting May 21 until June and head on to Papa John’s, pronto! 

For more details, check Papa John’s on Facebook.

I just simply adore the wit, style and character of Larissa from the TV series The Carrie Diaires. She puts some ooomph to the show, to say the least! I also like her adventurous sense of style — print on print, neon, chunky necklace, etc! 

I decided to put some Larissa vibe on for today’s work ootd. HAHA next time na yung colorful neon effect baka ‘di na ako papasukin sa office! I kid! :P

“I don’t just thrive in chaos, I love it.” - Larissa

Channeling my inner macho self. Lols. 

*sorry for the lack of updates here, been busy with… life in general. Hihi <3