ESSENTIAL SHOPPING

ESSENTIAL BEAUTY SHOPPING

Hello again guys! I hope you all are doing well :)

Following my last visit back home, my priorities have changed. (Whisper... I'm determined to finish my house in the Philippines) and I need a substantial amount of dosh therefore, I'll have to earn more and spend less. Yes, you've heard it right... Gracie is thinking sensibly these days and taking on what I'd call a more mature responsibilities. Let's face it, I'm not a spring chicken and will need to start thinking about my future ;)

However, just because I have to save for a project does not mean I have to let myself go. No no no no! I still make sure that I have enough to get my beauty essential but this time, instead of going mad on shopping, I'm trying to be clever this time. Yep... beauty on a budget to the strictist meaning.

Anyway, I thought I'd share you guy a few things that I have bought recently (well, since I came back from my holiday in the Philippines).

ESTEE LAUDER: GIFT TIME!!!

As I was running out of my Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum, I thought, I wonder around town the next day I came back from holiday and found out that House of Fraser was doing Estee Lauder Gift Time. What an opportunity? so I grabbed a couple of the things that I have ran out.

I am seriously thinking or reviewing these products but at the moment, I still have a lot to catch up so maybe later...

Generous gifts

I love this moisturizer! This is the 3rd pot I got free and I use it during the day after applying the perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum. It really is worth grabbing them when they have gifts on offer as it saves me a few pennies. As I do not use all the gifts, I save some of them and give them away to my family and friends everytime i visit home. What a great idea!

ESSENTIAL BEAUTY SHOPPING...

As I was running out of my body moisturizer, I thought I nip down Boots and found out that they were doing 3 for 2 offer so I thought I'd grab a few things as well. I also took that shopping trip as an opportunity to try new products to see how they are.

NEW PRODUCTS I'VE TRIED:

Neutrogena Wave

I've seen some rants on this product and I've decided to go with the flow and so far... I'm loving it!

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara

I saw this being advertised on TV and decided to give it a go. My verdict so far? I'm loving it! Probably the best Mascara I've tried so far. Now, that is a surprise!

L'Oreal Vitalift Rejuvenating Cleansing Smoothing toner

I'd love to review this in the future. This seem to be promising product for those who are keen to delay skin ageing. It's too soon for me to review this product as I've only used it for about a couple of days. However, at the moment, I'm loving it!

Does this product tick all the boxes it promised? There is a great potential!

Don't you just love trying new products specially when they give us positive result? Well, I do! What about you... have you tried any new product you would like to share? I'd love to hear from you!

TTFN!!!

SUMMER HOLIDAY

SUMMER HOLIDAY

Hello Everyone!!! I hope you all are doing well.

I do apologize for my long absence. I've been extremely busy with loads of stuff but now I'm back and it really is a great feeling. Gosh! I missed blogging so much (and part of it was guilt as well ;)).

Gosh, I miss you all guys... I missed reading your blogs but hopefully, things will get better this time and I'd be able to cope with my schedules better to spend more time on myself (and that includes blogging ;)).

Anyway... I've been on a 3 weeks holiday with my son and bf in the Philippines and it has been great! I've had the chance to meet new friends and visit a few places but most of all... being able to spend time with my family specially the kids.

Going home to family on a holiday in my situation is not all about having a constant blast throughout, it's also an opportunity to address some domestic issues which I won't get into details otherwise this post will turn into a mellow dramatic one hahaha! Anyway, I'll only share you the happy part of it so no worries hahaha!

You know what? I don't know when and how to start as we've done quite a few things... Oh right... I'll tell you about it in chronological order... So, here it goes...

MEETING FELLOW BLOGGERS:

I eventually got the chance to meet Jheng, Nikki and Shen (and of course Jinxbea, but I'll get into more details about it later in this post).

Meeting Jheng, Nikki and Shen have been great! We've arranged to meet Nikki and Shen in Robinson's Place whilst I was having my manicure and pedicure with my bf at Ricky Reyes' Salon, then we ate at Dencio's then stopped for coffee to meet with Jheng. It was a lovely meeting and I've really enjoyed the whole thing. I wish we had all night and all week hahaha! I've always had the feeling that these 3 girls were fabulous and I wasn't disappointed because they were just the funniest and craziest bunch you could ever spend time with. We had a great laugh! Nikki and I have always picked on each other even before we met and it didn't stop then. It was crazy and I'd never forget the whole experience. I got presents from the girls as well and it really was very sweet of them. We planned of meeting again during my last week in Manila before flying back to the UK but unfortunately, we were not able to. Hopefully, next time. Will they be my new good friends for life? I hope so :)

INTRODUCING, TWO PRINCESSES OF MY LIFE:

As my holiday back home is always dominated by spending time with my family, I thought I'd share you the two daughters I've never had... My lovelies... meet Liberty Grace (I call her Bechay)... my now 5 months old niece... and Alleana Grace a.k.a. Yanny... my 4 year old niece. She was only 3 months old the last time I visited the Philippines.

Liberty Grace a.k.a. Bechay

Alleana Grace a.k.a. Yanny

PLACES WE VISITED:

Although I planned to post our holiday event in chronological order, unfortunately, I couldn't edit this post and everytime I try, I keep losing photos so there you go :( Sorry guys!

INTRAMUROS:

My bf has been interested about visiting Intramuros for its historical significance and so we did. As we entered the gate of Fort Santiago, we were approached by a tour guide who offered his service for 1,000 PHP fees. As it was also my first time in the place although I attended Lyceum Univeristy some years ago, I just have never had any chance of exploring the area. Anyway, we took George's (the tour guide) offer and off we went. I don't think it was a great idea that we went for it because we barely understood what he was on about but we felt rude having him repeat everything he said so we just smiled. We then went back to places we went through the tour when George eventually left us. In the middle of the tour I just felt like giving him the money and get off the carriage hahahaha!

Neil with one of the guards. In this building, George played piano and sang a song (quite badly hahaha!) I hope he does not see this blog.

Neil with Douglas McArthur

JOSE RIZAL SHRINE, CALAMBA, LAGUNA

My bf has also been interested about the Philippine National Hero, Jose Rizal that we went to see the place. This was also an opportunity to meet up with another blogger, Jinxbea and her family.

Jinxbea's kids and Sam

A play house where Jose Rizal and his sisters played as children.

The house where Jose Rizal was born and raised. I would have loved to see what it was like before it was restored.

Sam with my sister, ate Glean

Jinxbea and I

Sam with the statue of Jose Rizal as a boy

Jinxbea's little boy, LA

LA... A very obedient boy indeed when I asked him to do the Japorm pose for me hahaha!

LEYTE SAMAR BEACH RESORT:

We went to the beach resort whilst we were in the province with my 2 high schoold friends.

My high school friends, Aileen and Eunice May

SAN JUANICO BRIDGE:

MALL OF ASIA... Apparently the current largest shopping mall in Asia

Wanting to enjoy the beautiful sunset in Manila Bay, we ended up in Mall of Asia.

TAGAYTAY:

Meeting with Jinxbea and her family was as opportunity not only to visit the Jose Rizal Shrine but also to visit Tagaytay. We ended up the trip at Alabang shopping mall.

That was our summer holiday and now I'm back to work... back to reality hahaha!

Till next time guys!!! I've got loads of catching up to do...