Teejay Ukay-Ukay

It had been a very long time since I last visited an ukay-ukay store. I guess that was a decade ago in Baguio. I don't like the idea of buying second hand clothes. Plus scouring through tons of items in a hot dusty and dirty place.

Last Tuesday I went to Robinson's Mall in Imus and decided to check on Teejay's Ukay-ukay store out of curiosity. Lo, and behold I got so excited to see a lot of not-your-usual dresses, jackets and pants. I came out with four items on hand and promised myself that I would check out the store again or look out for other ukay stores in Cubao or Quezon City.

Anyway, here are what I bought so far. All tops cost 125 each, while the jacket at 250. I was able to haggle but only got 60 pesos discount on the total. I think it is still a bit expensive since some stores give 60-100 for tops.

I had them washed in hot water to kill the bacteria and remove the germs.

My next mission is to score a designer dress, bags and a cool pair of boots.

Taking The First Steps

Since I was a kid DIY paper dolls and dressing them up have been my favorite play time. Together with my sisters and cousins we would cut cardboards and papers to create our own dolls. Dressing them in our own definition of fashion and style. We would then line them up as just like in a beauty pageant. 

In my elementary years I moved from paper dolls to paintings, sketching and crafts. Homeworks have never been a problem to me when it involved arts and the hands.

As years went on and priorities have changed, I realized that I have lost my talent in the arts. I lost my confidence in that field and left my right side of the brain stagnant.

Then, decades and decades after, here I am. In a place I am so excited about! In my mid-30s I am a student again. An enrollee of Fashion Institute of The Philippines - Makati. I am taking up all the Basic Courses and intend to finish up to graduation day. The graduation will have you showcasing your collection in a fashion show. Woah! Exciting and scary!

Basic Pattern Making

My Basic Pattern Making Classmates and Instructor - Oz Go (brother of Rachel Ann Go!)

I can say that the teachers are competent and are very good in their own right. I appreciate the style of teaching where you do more hands-on than theory. 

My only concern is that one room is shared with several classes. It can go up to four classes which sometimes becomes a bit noisy. Add to that the forever playing of Anything Could Happen song by Ellie Goulding. But, I guess it's just a way to lighten up the class.

This is totally new to me. I hope to endure this and succeed in this path.

Wish me luck!!

The USANA Experience

I am a food-supplementhorse, if ever there's a term. I am always on the look out on different food supplements or multivitamins. From local herbal products to imported and more expensive ones, I have taken them. I have also tried synthetic and natural supplements. Finally, after the countless Mercury Drugs, Guardian and Watson's visit I have found the food supplements that suit me well and my hubby.

The different processes our food have to undergo before it reaches our tables have considerably reduced its natural nutrients. Not to mention the fast-paced life that we normally are in, we tend to take food that are also fast and easy to eat or worse skipping a meal. These have caused us not to get the vitamins and minerals that we actually need. Food or dietary supplements play a major role to augment this. USANA, I believe is able to provide this and more.

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USANA Health Sciences provides US-FDA approved and GMP certified food supplements and skin-friendly beauty products. After taking it for a month I have felt the difference compared to the other products I have tried. I took the Essentials, this is a pair of bottles of Mega-antioxidant and Multi-vitamins; Proflavanol C-100, pure quality grape seed extract; BiOmega, high-quality pure fish oil, CoQuinone, a CoQ10 optimizer for the cardiovascular system and Nutrimeal, a food replacement for weight management.

I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy the following improvements in my health:

1. The one thing that elated me most is that I gained 1kg! After five years this the only time I was able to gain a kilo! This, after taking two packs of Nutrimeal. I took this after meal. The taste is good and loved the strawberry flavor more than the chocolate.

2. Miraculously I didn't experience any dysmenorrhea which I always suffer when the red flag is on.

3. No migraine at all. If ever there's a day, it's more of a light headedness that goes away after a few hours.

4. I used to experience sudden, fast and painful heart beat. I guess this comes with the hormones but, while taking USANA I don't think I've had it since.

5. Hubby and I were able to sleep well and wake up refreshed. Although, on our first week of taking it we can't seem to sleep right away and our minds are so awake but, on the second week, sleeping never felt this good.

6. I got lesser pimples during my PMS days.

7. No more heavy feeling on the chest for hubby.

8. He felt more energized. We actually made a test. He didn't take USANA for a day and replaced it with Blackmores multi-vitamins and he felt the difference. He felt more tired that day with Blackmores.

9. We hadn't had any colds even though we sometimes get rained out.

10. Then recently, hubby suffered from dengue. I made sure that he's able to take USANA on the dot and religiously. After 5 days his dengue is gone. The lowest platelet count he got was 167 and this just happened once. Platelet count on a healthy person is above 200. By the way, when you're suspicious that someone has dengue never give him/her Ibuprofen just Paracetamol. Ibuprofen may cause bleeding faster which dengue patients are prone.

We are happy with our new partner in health and we hope that you would be able to try it, too.


*Please consult your physician before taking any supplements specially when you are pregnant.

Where Have I Been?!

Well, I honestly don't know. For a time I kind of wanted to be on my own. Well, not that I haven't been alone in the house while hubby is out to work. I felt that I want to keep things for myself for a while. Well, I guess, humans are really social beings so I am back here in the world wide web to connect not just with you, but, also with myself. Writing has been a way for me to talk to me. I, also, think that blogging makes you want to be intentional in being happy so that you can write wonderful memories which you would go back to when you don't feel like going out of your bed.

Anyways, these are the things that happened (which I currently remember) to me while I'm on hiatus.

1. I have become a grandmother! From my niece of course! Who would have thought at my age!

2. I.AM.A.CANDY.CRUSH.ADDICT and I need help! Gosh! I can't get over this game. This is by far the longest online game I have been into.  

3. I gained 1.7kg for the first time for the past 5 years! That for me is an achievement. 

4. Hubby and I had a three-week vacation back home which extended to four due to dengue.

5. The husband overcame dengue in just 5 days. Thank God!

6. I discovered a great supplement which helped me in #3 and #5, USANA. An amazing FDA and pharmaceutical food supplement that has better absorption and efficacy than others.

7. Hubby and I had setbacks that strengthened our faith to each other and to God's wonderful plans.

8. Our Australian Permanent Resident visa application is currently being processed by the immigration department. Hoping all things will go well.

9. My parents and sister joined me here in Singapore for 11 days! It was pure fun!

10. Hubby and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary without so much funfare. Just dinner and some blings for me. 

How about you? Did you ever felt the need to take a break from blogging?

The Continuous Search for Falling Hair Refief

Have you had those after bath moments when you see your floor sink full of hair clumping together? Eekky, isn't it?! 

Falling hair can be worrisome for both women and men. Losing 50 to 120 hairs a day is normal but once you can see your scalp through your hair then that's the time when it gets to be a concern.

Hubby and I have this problem which started to be a concern last year. By just running his hand through his hair we can see several strands on his fingers. After every bath I would see lots of hair on the sink and while combing my hair. I believe stress is the main culprit for hubby and for me, PCOS.

So we've tried several ways to alleviate this problem. From diet by reducing chilli and eating lots of high in omega 3 fatty acids foods. To putting VCO with Rosemary leaves to our scalps and even hair grower treatment like NovuHair.

This is the one endorsed by Fanny Serrano and have testimonials that it did not only reduce falling hair but helped hair regrowth. It has natural ingredients such as ginseng, rosemary, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass and others. The caveat is, it has different types of parabens and polysorbate which were said to cause or aggravate cancer especially breast tumors. These are also linked to affect the sperm negatively and hormonal abnormalities in men.

So, we stopped using it. We then resorted to shampoos.

Ilog Maria Honey Propolis Shampoo

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It has all the natural ingredients of honey and propolis grown in Ilog Maria's own farm. It doesn't give a rich lather but you can feel how clean your hair is after rinsing with it. The aromatherapy essential oils leave a cool minty sensation on your scalp. Taking a bath has never been this delightful with Ilog Maria shampoo. Sadly, it didn't help our problem. I still get a lot of hair fall.

Human Heart Nature Strengthening Shampoo

This pearly white shampoo is an all natural product that boasts with zero SLS and SLES that can be toxic to our bodies. It is sweet smelling and gives just a small amount of lather. It is best to follow it with a conditioner otherwise you'll end-up with a stiff and rough hair. While others have all praises for this product this didn't prevent our thinning hair and caused some dandruff here and there. I guess this doesn't suit my scalp.

Now, I am going to try this: Snoe Hair Heroes Damage Recovery Cream Shampoo

My friend had me try this when we were in South Korea. And, with just three days of trying I noticed that it minimized my hair fall. It didn't give a rich lather, which is natural for products without SLS and SLES.

I chance upon SNOE kiosk at Festival Mall in Alabang and bought myself Recovery Cream Shampoo (P399.00/bot at 250ml) and Intense Argan Oil (P499/bot at 250ml). Intense Argan is a five-in-one conditioner that can be used a cleansing conditioner, conditioner, deep treatment mask, de-tangler, leave-on treatment and Hero Sulfates. I just have to check if this will totally stop the hair loss and won't cause any dandruff or itching.

With a hefty price compared to a regular shampoo, I hope this is all worth it and would end my search for that effective falling hair treatment.

Have you tried this product? What can you say?

Hongik Area: Trick Eye Museum

When I said I'd go back to South Korea I never thought I'd go back so soon. I am just so glad my husband is so kind that he allowed me to go to Korea with my two girlfriends, my ex-roommates. It wasn't all the places I have been to last time. I had also my firsts at my second affair with South Korea! 

My friends booked us 8 days of trip. We spent 5 days in Seoul and the rest in Jeju Island. Yup! Jeju!! Which I'll be sharing later.

We spent a whole day in Hongik area. First stop is The Trick Eye Museum. This is just near the exit 9 of Hongdae Station. The place is not along the main road so you really have to keep your eye on the small signage of the museum.

The Trick Eye (or Art) Museum is a gallery of paintings that uses trompe l'oeil technique which creates illusion in flat surfaces. This allows an interactive experience with the characters and the visitors. Everybody would surely enjoy this place no matter how little art inclinations you have. The paintings are changed every few months.

The small English sign of the museum.

 

We really enjoyed this place and consumed a lot of space in our SD cards. It brought out the playful and silly side of us!

 

Japanese Book

Hubby and I often would check out bookstores even without any agenda to buy a book or supplies. We just include it as part of our route whenever we visit a mall.

Something new caught my attention when we dropped by Kinokuniya. I thought these are just your ordinary books:

But, once you look closer you'll see that inside are bags with a picture of what you're to expect.

And, this is what I bought:

Look what's inside!

I got an agnes b. tote bag (made of flour sack?). At a price of S$36, uhmmm... I don't think it is worth it. The fabric is soft and the size is a bit small for me. Then again, this is agnes b. so we're paying for the brand.