Lacoste Black Iris Large Shopping Bag

It's a long weekend and I'm loving it!  For the past week, my friend and I had been planning on watching The Bourne Legacy.  As we have a half-day work every Saturday, we decided to just do it today.

I arrived early and the mall was not yet open so I decided to have breakfast at Starbucks.  When my friend finally arrived, we headed to the cinema but Bourne Legacy would not be shown until 1:20 PM so we decided to go on a stroll to kill time.

And that's when the impulsive shopper in me gave in (for the nth time!) to my being a bagaholic.  

Here's my new loot, with the picture clearer than the first one as this is taken from the brand's official website.

It's the Black Iris Large Shopping Bag in Light Navy Blue from Lacoste, made of PVC leather and measures 37 x 30 and 5 x 20 centimeter.  

Here's a photo of the entire package that it came in.

I love that I was provided with its own cloth bag (the wrinkled one in the pic) as this comes in handy in storing my new bag.  It protects it too from dust.  

What I love about this bag is that it's the perfect size for traveling.  I can put in here my laptop, camera, makeup kit, jotter and pencil case and still have room to spare for a novel or a quick change of clothes.  It also has two inside pockets and a zip pocket that are great for organizing my stuff.  It is also stain-proof, as its care instructions tag shows.  

Pardon me for posting the above as I often misplace or throw away such tags that once I ended up washing a non-washable pair of shoes as I forgot its care instructions.

I must admit though that I was initially torn between buying this or a Longchamp but then I remember the many imitations of the latter and so I decided against buying it.

I was actually a little guilt stricken when I got home and saw my newly bought bags from my recent trip to the US but when I thought of how big the Black Iris bag is that it can even fit my laptop and other necessities and of how easy it is to maintain as it's stain-proof, I felt better.

Oh well, I guess a lady just can't have enough bags.  Te he.

Making my Feet "Happy"

Wow! I have been so busy with the Yahoo! Philippines Purple Hunt during the past months that most of my blogs from May to July were about it. But now that the said campaign is already finished, I will now start blogging about those that I used to blog about prior to my involvement to the Purple Hunt.

And so today I decided to blog about my beloved Happy Feet sandals. I rarely use sandals that are of the "bakya" type but the moment I saw these lovely pair of sandals with its equally lovely hand-painted designs, I knew I just had to buy it.

A beauty

Aesthetics-wise, each pair of Happy Feet Sandals is a work of art since it is hand-painted thus making each pair unique in itself. It also uses fun designs to express the wearer’s mood or character. I chose the one with a Japanese geisha design because at the time when I bought it, I wanted something that evokes confidence, a unique pair that is a testament to a woman’s charms. LOL.

Proudly Filipino made
But aesthetics alone will not be able to convince me to buy a pair and so I delved deeper into the product and found out that Happy Feet sandals are conceptualized by Filipinos, making it a product that showcases excellent Filipino craftsmanship. They have been around since 1975.

Happy Feet Sandals are also made from natural wood, which has a wax finish that through time and with the natural oils from the wearer’s skin, will give the wood a light sheen.

Cares for the Feet
But the selling pitch of Happy Feet sandals for me is the fact that it does care for the feet. From toe grip to arch support and heel cup, this wooden footwear caresses the vital pressure points of the wearer’s soles, giving her feet a continuous massage. Aside from supporting the arch, ball and heel to take pressure off these vital parts, Happy Feet sandals also alternately stretches and relaxes sole and calf muscles while walking to cool down muscles.

I have been using Happy Feet Sandals for a couple of months now and I can say that it does bring comfort to my feet.

For more information about Happy Feet Sandals, please visit their website at www.happyfeetsandals.com or contact them through (632) 726-5393.

The Body Shop Peach Body Butter & Shower Gel

The Product: Limited Edition The Body Shop Peach Body Butter & Peach Shower Gel

Why I bought it: Mainly because I love it's peach-y fragrance. That and the thought that it would make a thoughtful gift for my mom (there's no occasion and I just felt like giving her something).

The Pros: The scent is authentic peach. Also, I have been a fan of its body butter line since college and thus can attest to how it really cares for one's skin.

The cons: I'm the type of person who usually buys an entire product line (point in case, my Victoria's Secret Pure Seduction Body Mist, Lotion & Shower Gel) thus I find it kind of disappointing that The Body Shop's Peach line doesn't come with a Body Spray (this has always been my issue with The Body Shop as even my favorite Mango Body Butter doesn't come with a fragrance line thus I was forced to partner it with Bath and Body Works Mango Mandarin Spray as its scent comes the closest). Also, it's a limited edition so when you run out of it and would like to buy new supplies, it might not be available in the market.

My Golla Mobile Bag

Last month, I blogged about my new Sony Ericsson W595 mobile phone. As the phone did not come with a casing, I had to look for one for it.

I am admittedly very picky when it comes to buying stuff, especially when it is for something that I consider to be an investment or a necessity. Thus, it took me while to find the perfect casing for my phone.

I chanced upon this adorable Golla Mobile bag in Glorietta and the moment I saw it, I deemed it perfect not just in size but in design as well. It's black so it wouldn't get dirty easily. And despite the serious black color, its flower design gave it a touch of femininity and elegance.

The pink inside lining was also an indicator that it's a femme bag.

Also, aside from the main phone casing, it had two more pockets which was quite handy as in one pocket, I could put the earphones of my mobile phone and on the second pocket, I could put coins or receipts.

By the way, Golla is not just about mobile bags. They also have laptop bags and sleeves that come in funky designs and colors. I'm actually thinking of buying one for Shimmer, my beloved laptop.


For more information about Golla products, you may visit their official website at http://www.golla.fi/.

Pasalubong from Palawan

For those of you who are wondering what to give to friends as pasalubong (keepsakes) from Palawan, you need not worry as virtually all tourist destinations have souvenir shops where you can buy indigenous products like boxes or containers made of rattan, bamboo rain makers, hats, capiz shell products and bags. There are the perennial key chains too, fridge magnets and of course, shirts.

Pearl products are also quite popular and they sell them cheap.

They also sell other jewelry pieces like earrings, necklaces and bracelets made from shells and other semi-precious stones.

For those of you who are into food products as pasalubong, cashew nuts will do but I suggest you buy them at the airport as it's cheaper to buy there. You may also want to buy food products from Baker's Hill. Their hopia and crinkles are very popular among locals and tourists. For details on Baker's Hill and pictures of its products, click HERE.

As for myself, I bought a pair of pearl earrings, crocodile fridge magnets that a friend specifically asked for, a rain maker, cashew nuts as well as various food products from Baker's Hill, paper weights and pens. The irony here though is that I did not buy anything for myself as what I bought were all given to loved ones and friends.

Oh well, I guess the pictures I took as well as the memories I have of the place will suffice as keepsakes of one of my best trips ever!

Shopping at Marithe Francois Girbaud (MFG)

I bought this from Marithe Francois Girbaud last week. It was supposed to be just a window shopping activity as I arrived early for a meet-up with my sister who came here in Manila for business. I thought I was actually being a good girl as while going around Mall of Asia, I stopped myself from buying a pair of jeans as well as a new pair of shoes but the compulsive shopper in me again struck when I saw this wallet.

Oh well, it's cute and I really need a new wallet so I have no regrets (I am actually just trying to justify my current "pagwawaldas" here by engraving in my mind that it's a need). LOL. I do feel a twinge of guilt though as I was supposed to be saving for my Bangkok trip two weeks from now but look what the shopper in me had again bought!

And to make me even guiltier, not only did I buy a new wallet. I also bought a new bag (also from Marithe Francois Girbaud) which I love because of its color as well as its design.

Marithe Francois Girbaud in SM Mall of Asia is located in U121 - 122, G/F, SM City, Bay Boulevard, Pasay City. Email them at contactus@girbaud.com.ph

Sony Ericsson W595

I actually had no plans of buying a new phone. I wanted to since late last year but decided against it as it wasn't practical as I already own two phones - a Sony Ericsson personal phone and a Nokia company phone so I did not see the need to buy a new one. Then my nearly 3 year-old personal phone's scroller got busted. It wasn't doing any scrolling at all so I had no choice but to buy a new one.

So off I went to the mall, without a specific phone model and specs in mind. I was clear about one thing though - the brand has to be Sony Ericsson.

In various shops that I'd been to, the shop attendants showed me different phone models and detailed each of the phone's specs. I explained that I wasn't interested in the specs. Why? Because I don't need music capabilities as I have my iPod Touch for that. Internet connection? Well, the iTouch has that too. And of course, my laptop. As for a camera, I have my trusty Canon digicam.

Then I saw the Sony Ericsson W595 and got smitten. With its blackish-gray color, it looked sleek and dashing but the blue-green color of its keypad and of the trademark W of Sony added a dash of spunk to it. I also liked it at first glance because unlike my previous Sony Ericsson phone, it has no scroller. Relying only on this slide phone's aesthetic appeal and without fully knowing its specs, I bought it.

And I wasn't disappointed.

The moment I got home, I tried its music capability and it was good. I tried using its FM radio too and was surprised to know that it had a built-in speaker. Cool.

Its camera was also of good quality. Below is the picture I took using the phone's 3.2 megapixel camera.

Reading through its manual, I was amazed at its capabilities. I could hardly believe that such a slim and lightweight phone could function as a mobile phone, a camera and a media player. Plus, it has Internet capabilities. For the phone's complete specifications, click HERE.

Ipanema G2B Solar - Black

I love my new pair of Ipanema G2B Solar flip flops! It's very comfortable to wear and since I bought the one in black, it suits anything I wear, be it shorts, jeans and skirts. The stud crystal on each of its strap also added a gloss of elegance to it.

Swatch Irony Flower Box

I recently got my Sick Leave benefit (sick leaves that were not availed and were instead converted to cash) and so I decided to treat myself.

At first I thought I wanted a new pair of rubber shoes. Or a PSP. Maybe a mobile phone. Then I saw the Swatch Shop in Glorietta Makati and again, I gave in to the impulsive shopper in me.

My choice was the Swatch Irony Flower Box. I love the bluish-greenish-silvery color of its dial. The blossoms on its strap also made the wristwatch very feminine and the crystals on it added to its elegance.

The watch is also water-proof and made of stainless steel. Cool.

And it suits most of my corporate get-up too so even if it put a dent on my wallet, it will be worth every penny as I can maximize its use. Also, I trust the quality of Swatch watches. Besides, it comes with a one year international warranty so I can always have it checked anytime, anywhere.

The Swatch Shop in Glorietta is located on the first level, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City. You may contact them through +632 728 95 73.


Visit http://store.swatch.com/ for more information.

Shopping at The Body Shop

I love to shop. And I love shopping for products that nourish my body and skin.

The Body Shop is first on my list basically because they offer products that are really effective. True, their products are sometimes more expensive than other brands but one will get her money's worth because the products really work their wonders. Aside from this, they are also against animal testing. The Body Shop also supports community trade and does its share in protecting our planet.

Last Christmas, the shopper in me just couldn't resist on hoarding some Body Shop essentials.

First buy: The Body Shop Vitamin C Plus Time Release Capsule. I love its packaging, with each capsule looking like a citrus fruit itself because of its orange color and shape. The product is an antioxidant that contains vitamin C to boost radiance and protect the skin from environmental aggressors.


I have been a user of this product for a month now and the effect is pretty obvious. My skin felt soft and supple. One friend even commented on my "youthful glow" and kidded I was in love. LOL.

Next buy: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Deep Cleansing Wipes. The product information in its website says this product minimizes breakouts, tones the skin and unclogs pores with a convenient, one-step wipe that sweeps away make-up, impurities and excess oil.

I admit that I am sometimes too lazy to complete my night regimen, especially when I am dead-tired from work or from a night-out. This product is especially helpful since I need not use a make-up remover anymore, a facial wash, a toner and a moisturizer. In one swipe of The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Deep Cleansing Wipes, my face feels squeaky clean. The downside is that it is kind of expensive (I think nearly Php400 for 25 wipes).

Then this product caught my eye: The Body Shop Of a Man Eau de Toilette and Of a Man Hair & Body Wash. I thought it would be the perfect gift for my favorite younger brother. Both product have a clean, fresh scent that is citrus-y.


I also love its packaging. The saleslady said that if I am to buy each product separately, it will come out more expensive so buying this 2-in product is a great bargain.

I gave this to my brother as a Christmas gift and upon opening it, I asked him how he finds it. He said he loves the scent. I jokingly told him the scent better be good for the price I paid for it. Te he!

Then there's The Body Shop Rich Plum Body Butter which I bought as a gift to my favorite cousin. I have always been a lover of the Body Shop's body butter products, my favorite being The Body Shop Mango Body Butter.





The plum's scent is too strong for me but my cousin loves such scents so I know she'd love this one.

And my best buy for this shopping spree? Makeup of course which in this case comes in the form of eyeshadow.

The Body Shop Sparkle Eye Palette 01 is a luscious palette of golden, green hues with a twist of bronze. Shades include Golden Sand, Canopy Green, Golden Treasure, Jungle Green and Treasure Chest Bronze.

I love its packaging. It's very compact and will thus fit in any of my bags, even in my totes. The cute diamond-like gem and the elastic black band that secures it are also quite eye-catching.

It also has a mirror and a pull-out drawer with an Eye Shadow Blender Brush for easy on-the-go application.

I have been using this product for a month now and my favorite shades are shades of green as they add the most dramatic color to my eyes. Usually, it's canopy green on my brow bone and jungle green for my eyelids. But if I want to create a barely-there look, I just mix the Golden Sand and Golden Treasure shades.

As I have spent Php5,000+ on this shopping spree, the saleslady said I am entitled to a free gift. Thus I got a Body Shop Canvas Bag. Its color is dark brown and it's a great pair for my jeans-tee-and-flip-flops days.

It's pretty spacious too and I find its The Body Shop keychain cute.