Dinner at Bonchon Chicken & Californiaberry

My sister who does not like fried chicken was raving about Bonchon Chicken for the longest time. Since today is a holiday, she and I went to SM Megamall to go shopping and eat out. She told me that the skin of Bonchon's chicken was the nothing like what we have tasted before and that it was the best! At first, I cringed at the thought of eating chicken wings (my hatest part of the chicken) and its skin (I remove the crispylicious skin every time I eat fried chicken). Well, she had to let me taste it so we went to Bonchon Chicken in SM Memagall at around 5PM. The place is always packed considering it's not dinner time yet.

Here's what we ordered:

Bonchon Chicken Wings Small (6 pcs.) (P185.00)

To my pleasant surprise, this basket came with 3 wings and 3 drumsticks. I love chicken drumsticks! I have to agree with her, the chicken skin was sooo delicious! It made up for the lack of flavor of the chicken meat. I think I could finish this basket whole. Okay, maybe 5 pieces. :D

White Rice (P15.00 each)

Their rice serving is small. Tiny tiny rice, which is why we ordered 3.

After dinner, we went to Californiaberry for dessert. We ordered 2 small cups of blueberry yogurt sans toppings. I find that toppings somehow mess with the flavor of the yogurt and we want to enjoy its tangy goodness on its own. Blueberry flavored yogurt tastes so good!

Small Blueberry Yogurt (P65.00)

The long weekend flew by so fast, but it was well spent! :)

How did your long weekend go?

Love,
Helen

Etude House Happy Tea Time Lemon Tea Cleansing Foam

One well-loved item in my past Etude House haul is the Happy Tea Time Lemon Tea Cleansing Foam. I was quite hesitant to get this due to its big size. I was thinking what if it did not work for me, then it would be a waste. I wished they had samples for this, but there was none so I got it anyway since it's so cheap (at only P148.00 for a 150ml tube). It took me a long time to review this one because it's a skin care product and I have yet to see the results from long-term use. I have been using this twice a day for one month now and there's still a lot of product in it. Talk about value for money!

About Etude House Happy Tea Time Lemon Tea Cleansing Foam:

Supplies abundant foam and refreshing tea scent to cleanse and nourish complexion.

[Directions] Wet face and dispense small amount onto hands. Lather and apply foam to face, gently massaging entire area. Wash and rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Vol. 150ml (5.07 fl.oz)

What I Love About It:

• I love its cute, bright yellow packaging.
• Manufacturing date is printed on top of the tube.
• The product is sealed.

• It smells so fresh and good! I am in love with its lemon scent - very refreshing!
• The cleanser has a thick, creamy consistency, so a little goes a long way. A little bit of product (less than a pea-sized amount) produces enough lather for my entire face.

See the creamy consistency? I put too much product on my hand! Less than a pea-sized amount is already enough for the entire face.

• It cleans my face well (removes all traces of dirt and oiliness).
• It does not leave my oily face dry and tight after washing.
• If you wear heavy makeup, this alone might not be enough though. Try using the Happy Tea Time Cleansing Cream prior to this facial wash.
• I had no allergic reactions to this cleanser despite it being scented.
• It's so cheap, everyone can get it.
• This cleanser will last for months even if you use it twice a day.
  
• THE MAIN REASON WHY I LOVE THIS CLEANSER: It lessened my small pimples/whiteheads all over my cheeks. I've had them for months and no other cleanser helped. When I began using this cleanser, my skin condition improved. Now it feels smoother and looks healthier.

There is nothing that I don't like about it. :)

Would I repurchase? Of course!
Price: P148.00 for 150ml
Available at Etude House stores and department store kiosks nationwide.

What's your current facial wash? And if you have tried the Happy Tea Time Cleansing Foam, which one did you use?

Love,
Helen

Sunday Brunch at King Chef

I woke up at 6:30AM on a Sunday. My body clock loves doing that to me even if I have no work today. Papa and Mama wanted to have dimsum for breakfast, and they made me tag along since I seldom wake up this early.

We went to King Chef in Banawe. It's Papa and Mama's favorite restaurant; they serve the best dimsum! We got there around 7:30AM, just in time for their promo rate. Dimsum for only P48!

King Chef Promo Hours

Here's what we ordered:

Steamed Seafood Bundle (regular price: P95.00, promo price: P48.00)

Pork Siomai (regular price: P75.00, promo price: P48.00)

Hakaw (Shrimp Dumpling) (regular price: P90.00, promo price: P48.00)

Special Bird's Eye Dumpling (regular price: P90.00, promo price: P48.00)

Misua Co (P95.00)

Pumpkin Congee (P95.00)

Everything was delicious, and I am certainly coming back! :)

Love,
Helen

TGIF Mini Haul

Happy long weekend, everyone! Before I go to sleep and wake up and go to work again tomorrow (now where's the long weekend?), here's a quick post.

Today I went to Alabang Town Center for work. I felt as if I were going on a field trip because it's so far! I live way up in the North. I really like the cool breeze in the South. The air is cleaner and cooler, roads are more spacious, and somehow, I forgot that our country is overpopulated.

And now, for the haul:

Giga Insect Repellant Spray (P185.00)
Glitter Cream Bath in Vanilla (P35.00)
Lipsmacker in Cotton Candy (P80.00)

I got the Giga Baby Insect Repellant Spray when I was passing by Sesou Nature Source's stall. I liked this scent the most because it's lighter compared to other insect repellant sprays. And it's even safe to use on babies! This one is actually mine since mosquitoes bite me everywhere I go. I feel like a mosquito magnet, but I hope they won't come near me anymore when I use this. I'm planning to get several bottles for my baby niece, little sister, and my friend tomorrow. No to dengue!


This might be corny, but when I was a kid, I dreamed of owning a Lip Smacker lip balm. After 22 years, I now have one. Hahaha! I've seen lots being sold online at about P150.00 a pop (not including shipping yet), and I won't buy it for P200.00! Too expensive. I got this from Sleepcare. Who would have thought they had Lip Smacker there? And it's just P80.00. I still can't believe it's so cheap, and I can't wait to use it! I hope it smells super sweet like real cotton candy. I'll post a review once I use it.


This shimmery vanilla bath gel, I really didn't need, but I got sold by its packaging. I almost don't want to use it because it won't look cute anymore when it's empty. This will come in handy since it's travel-sized.

On my way home, I passed by Landmark Trinoma and said hi to my favorite BAs from the Maybelline counter. They're really the friendliest BAs I have met, and even if there is a sale in Maybelline SM North EDSA, I'd still buy from their Landmark Trinoma counter. It's the shopping experience that makes me come back again and again, because the quality in Maybelline's products are already a given. I got surprised because my favorite BA gave me these BB Cream sachet samples! I'll share this with my friends so they too could try the BB Cream (and I'll tell them to get it from the Landmark Trinoma counter!). :D


That's about it! Have a happy weekend! :)

Love,
Helen

Solo Features Kenkoy + Online Model Search

Last year, Solo launched their first ever Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia featuring Larry Alcara's Slice of Life, which was a big hit as people, young and old alike, took a trip down memory lane to relive their childhood days looking for the iconic face of Larry Alcala in a Sunday magazine. How cool it was to own a shirt wherein you could look and find Larry Alcala in it!

This year, they're doing it again! Due to popular demand, Solo will be launching their second installment of the well-loved Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia Series, featuring no less than the greatest work of the Father of Philippine Cartoons, Tony Velasquez's KENKOY. This new collection will be launched on September 1, 2011. I am truly glad to celebrate and re-introduce to today's youth our very talented local artists.

Long before artistas were in the limelight, there was already Francisco Harabas, a Philippine pop icon better known as Kenkoy. This unique character's fashion sense was heavily influenced by Western culture with his hair slicked back and him all decked in suspenders, charol shoes, and baggy pants. Kenkoy became a hit and gained huge following due to his wit, humor, antics, colonial way of thinking, and carabao-English. Considered as the most successful and most influencial comic strip in the Philippines, Kenkoy was soon adapted to movies and a musical act.

Solo's latest collection features Kenkoy comic strips on trendy silhouettes and fabrics with different treatments such as foil printing, emrboidery, embossed printing, flocking, high density printing, and washed effect.

How about a sneak peek of their new collection?

I liked their accessories the most. Stainless necklaces and cute watches, anyone? These are bound to make a statement on your outfit!

His&Hers Bar Necklaces (P495.00 big, P445.00 small)

Heart Necklaces (P495.00 each)

Watch (P695.00)

Watch (P695.00)

His&Hers graphic tees with Kenkoy comic strips printed on it. Definitely a conversation piece. Get one set for you and your beau!

His&Hers White Striped Graphic Tee (P695.00, men)

His&Hers White Striped Graphic Tee (P595.00, ladies)

Here's more!

For Her:

Ladies Woven Cropped Top (P1,195.00)

Ladies Cropped Graphic Tee (P545.00)

Ladies Mid Waist Shorts Fatigue Double Buttons (P995.00)

For Him:

Men's Long Sleeve Shirt with Embroidery (P1,695.00)

Men's Washed Threefourths Sleeve with Print (P1,595.00)

Men's Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt (P1,695.00)

Men's Printed Tappered Shorts (P1,295.00)

Together with Solo's launch for their Pinoy Cartoonist Memorabilia featuring Kenkoy is the Solo Online Model Search. They're looking for the newest faces of Solo to be revealed in 2012! All you have to do is take a creative shot of yourself wearing any apparel from the Kenkoy collection, so make sure you get your hands on your favorite piece ASAP. Check out the model search website for the complete mechanics.

Special prizes also await the early birds who join the model search. Invite your family and friends to register at the contest site and submit entries or just vote for their pick. Prizes await lucky voters, too! 3 voters per month (from September to November) stand a chance on winning Solo GCs. Now that's sweet!

For more information about the model search, visit Solo’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages. You may be the next face of Solo!

Love,

Helen

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner

Happy Monday, everyone! I'm trying to be happy on a Monday. Haha. Today, I'm going to review Maybelline's Gel Liner in Black. I chose black because it was more dramatic than brown. It was my younger sister who introduced this product to me; I used to just use pencil eyeliners before. I thought that gel liners would be complicated to apply, but it turned out to be quite easy.

About Maybelline's Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner:

Smudge-proof and waterproof gel liner for a bold line that lasts for 24 hours.

This gel liner comes with a free brush. The brush is fine but firm, and it works excellently! The brush I got did not come with a proper cap (it was just a small cylinder plastic tube) and I lost it.

At first, I thought that the jar was so small, but a little goes a long way with this product. This would last you for months (or even years) depending on usage. Just remember to replace the cap tightly after use so the formula won't dry up.

Before, I would just use pencil eyeliners since they're the easiest to use, and no matter how they claim it to be smudge-proof/water-proof, they would smudge on me at all time because of my mini-crease. My heavy, hooded eyelids would somewhat "eat up" my crease and so any type of eyeliner I apply would smudge.

I like this gel liner's consistency. It is very buildable, and you can either make your look simple and clean with a faint line along your upper lashline, or make it look more dramatic by doing the cat's eyes look.

An attempt to create the winged eyeliner. I shall practice more.

This was the hooded eyelids + mini crease I was telling you about. I find it hard to apply eye makeup because of this. Makeup tips from you are welcome. :P Somehow, this black gel liner made my eyes look more alive.

What I Love About It:

• It comes with a free brush that actually works!
• It stays on longer than pencil eyeliners do.
• Depending on the application, you can get a subtle or smoldering look with this gel liner.
• On cool weather, this can last the whole day with super minimal smudging.
• I only use cold cream to remove this, and it easily comes off. No need to buy a separate eye-makeup remover for this.

What I Don't Like About It:

• On hot and humid days, this eyeliner smudges on me. Sometimes, I go home to find my eyeliner turned into messy eyeshadow. :|
• This gel liner won't last for 24 hours.
• I don't recommend using this on your waterline. It might break down due to the moisture and the dried up gel liner might get into your eyes. Use a waterproof pencil eyeliner for the waterline instead.
• For some, this might look too harsh when used on the lower lashline.

Shades: Black and Brown

Would I repurchase? No.

Price: P449.00

Available at all leading department stores nationwide.

What eyeliner are you currently using?

Love,

Helen

Maybelline Fruity Jelly Lip Gloss

I remember going through the lip gloss phase when I was in high school. I would save up part of my allowance to buy lip gloss because I read in magazines that it can brighten up your face in an instant (and it does). Even if I am into lipstick now, I still use lip gloss once in a while when I want to achieve a natural makeup look or when I'm topping it off on my lipstick. I have 2 overused tubes of Maybelline Fruity Jelly Lip Gloss which I am suddenly inspired to review. It has been with me for a long time already so it's half-empty. I'd like to think it's half-empty so I would have an excuse to get another tube of lippie! Hehe.

About Maybelline Fruity Jelly Lip Gloss:

Perfect dewy lip gloss filled with Vitamin E and real fruit extracts for moisturized shiny yummy lips.

(L-R) Wild Cherry, Watermelon Red

Wild Cherry looks so orange on the tube, but it's so pretty when worn. It has tiny gold shimmers, but they're so small that you'd hardly notice, see, and feel it on your lips (unlike those chunky glitters in other lip glosses). I thought that I would like Watermelon Red more on first impression because I love red lippies, but this one just goes on clear on your lips and does not add any reddish tint to your lips.

Swatch of Wild Cherry and Watermelon Red

What I noticed from Wild Cherry is that it turns pink on me! One time I wore it in the office, and after a few hours, when I looked at the mirror, my lips were so pink! When I removed my makeup with cold cream at the end of the day, I removed this lip gloss, and the stain on the piece of cotton I used was bright pink. This does not happen to me when I use Watermelon Red.

I rubbed in the swatch above and let it set for about 10 minutes. Wild Cherry turned into a pinkish tint, while Watermelon Red was almost clear.

Swatch of Wild Cherry

What I Love About It:

• I love the tube packaging. Very sanitary!
• The slanted, plastic applicator makes it easy to apply.
• After days of using lipstick, this lip gloss was a refreshing break for my lips. I used this for a day, and instantly noticed that my lips felt softer and more moisturized. No need for lip balm.
• It has Vitamin E.
• The different shades of lip gloss from the Fruity Jelly range give different types of finishes. Some are just plain glossy, while others have a pearl finish.
• I personally like Wild Cherry because it "adjusts" to a lovely pink tint for me.
• It's a steal at P99.00!

What I Don't Like About It:

• All shades of this line have a lemon scent which I'm not so fond of. Wild Cherry smells like lemon. Watermelon Red smells like lemon. I wish they smelled according to the shade name.
• Since it's a lip gloss, it is bound to be sticky no matter how they claim it as "non-sticky". When the wind blows my hair to my face, my hair still sticks to my lips when I have this (or any) lip gloss on.

If you're looking for a lip gloss, try this one! No need to splurge for expensive lip gloss, since the expensive ones and the cheap ones almost have the same formula and look the same when worn.

Would I repurchase: No. I still have LOTS of lip gloss to finish. :)
Price: P99.00
Available in leading department stores, drug stores, and supermarkets nationwide. (It's that accessible!)

Love,
Helen

Fanny Serrano Eyelash Curler

Happy weekend, everyone! I'm all smiles today since it's a rest day for me. I was looking at my kikay kit and thinking of what to write today, until I saw and remembered my all-time favorite eyelash curler from Fanny Serrano! I've had it for years and it's still good as new (except for the silicon pads that I have to replace when it gets worn out).


Fanny Serrano has 2 types of eyelash curlers, the slim one and the regular one. My sister has the slim one, but I prefer the regular version because I find it easier to use.

Why I Love It:

• It curls all my lashes without pinching my eyelids.
• It is inexpensive, but it lasts for years.
• The silicon pad does not easily wear out, but when it does, you can get refills that are sold in packs of 3 (at a very cheap price).
• Many say it's a dupe for Shu Uemura's Eyelash Curler.
• Another thing, but I don't know if it's just me, but I never got a sty from this eyelash curler even if I've had this with me since college. Back then in high school, I've tried other eyelash curlers and even if I sanitize them with alcohol, I still get those nasty eye pimples. Oh my super sensitive eyes.

Wide awake! Sometimes I like using my eyelash curler better than mascara, since I could always "retouch" my lashes by curling them again in the middle of the day (which I can't do when mascara weighs my lashes down midday).

Wish I woke up to lashes like these. They're still short, but at least they're now standing.

If you're asking would I repurchase, by all means, YES! The only question is when I will repurchase, since it's still good as new! :)

Price: P175.00 for the eyelash curler, P45.00 for the refills (pack of 3)
Available in Fanny Serrano counters nationwide. Click here for the list of stores.

Love,
Helen

Turning 22

Last week I celebrated my birthday. I treated myself to a 2-day leave from work (even if it meant I won't get paid for 2 days). I think that companies MUST provide their employees with a birthday leave, since no one would want to get stressed on their birthday. For my pre-birthday celebration, my friend went on leave, too! He met me outside my workplace (the day before my 2 day vacation) and gave me this!

Thanks for the flowers! :)

We were looking for a restaurant we haven't tried together yet, so we chose Super Bowl of China. I ordered the same stuff my boss and I did way back because we found it good.

The Eat-All-You-Can Kropek

Yang Chow Fried Rice 
Golden Shanghai Chicken (with separate sauce, just the way I like it) 

The food that day were so-so. Nothing really special with the food, but good company made my day. On the actual day of my birthday, I spent the day with my dearest friend, La Reina! We have been close friends since high school and nothing's changed since then, even though we don't see each other all the time. Don't you just love friends like that? We both went to SM Manila to window shop and have lunch. We ate at Max's Restaurant, which by the way had great service.

Couch seats. Yey!

Yummy Platter Meals for the both of us

I was able to finish this all. Well, except for the caramel bar because I was too full already!

When I got home, my Papa and Mama surprised me with this! Of course I was expecting a cake from them, I just did not know which cake they would get me. It's a Coffee Crunch Cake from Red Ribbon. Papa is fond of buying cakes from Red Ribbon. My sister also got a Red Ribbon cake on her birthday. Only, he forgot to let them write the dedication and ask for a candle! LOL. My sister lighted a match and asked me to blow it ASAP for my birthday wish.

Thank you, Papa and Mama! :)

Last weekend, I met up with my college friends for a post-birthday dinner. (Since when did my birthday become a weeklong celebration?) We have this "Saturday Club" where we meet up every Saturday and just eat, eat, and eat!

With Jef and Paolo 

We had a Transformers Bucket Meal in KFC Trinoma. We still haven't gotten over that movie! XD The Optimus Primer tumbler is mine. I got 2 raffle stubs for buying the bucket meal, and maybe I could win the 8-ft tall statue of Optimus Prime that I saw in SM Mall of Asia. (Where I will put the statue if I win, I do not know! Haha!)

Transformers Bucket Meal

My friends gave me a super lovely cake, too! I hesitated when I had to finally slice it. It's a choco-banana cake from Dezaato Pan.

Thanks for the cake, Jef and Paolo!

There goes my birthday week! I'm finally 22, but I don't feel any different.

Love,
Helen