Wednesday, November 28, 2018

[EVENT] Christmas Gift Ideas at the 2018 Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone

Only 26 days left until Christmas! 🎄

Every year, you promise yourself you won't wait till the last minute to do your holiday shopping. But once again, Christmas is getting closer and you haven't even started.🤔 Before you enter a crazy shopping frenzy, check out the 2018 Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone. You'll find everything you need with time to spare, and your gifts will be met with beaming faces.


The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) celebrates Christmas by bringing top-of-the-line products to our Filipino friends. The Taiwan Excellence Experiencing Zone will showcase awesome brands and gadgets in time for your Christmas shopping, offering you effortless, first-class shopping for your loved ones.

The event is being held at Glorietta 2-Palm Drive Activity Center in Makati, November 30 - December 2, 2018. It will feature four exciting zones including: ICT and Gaming, Smart Mobility, Smart Home, and Health and Leisure. A total of 38 Taiwanese tech companies will present over 90 premium products. With such variety, you won't run out of gift ideas!

The ICT and Gaming booth will showcase everything from rigs, consoles, mainframes, and accessories, serving to boost businesses and provide entertainment. TAITRA will also display cutting-edge devices from tech giant ASUSTeK Computer Inc., offering the ROG Zephyrus M laptop powered by 8th Generation Intel®, the industry's most advanced processor for computers ensuring fast and seamless laptop performance. In addition, ADATA Technology Co. Ltd. will showcase its HD710 Pro, which takes external hard drive durability to the next level. It's equipped with a triple-layered protective material to ensure it withstands destructive shocks resulting from falling on the floor.

New trends and all-terrain adaptability will take center stage at the smart mobility station. Tern Junni Industries will exhibit military-grade, trailblazing products that are specially designed to conquer rugged conditions, such as the Tern Verge D9. This small-wheeled bike is equipped with a polished quill stem, leather grips, and classic silver crankset that makes it a stylish mobility device. Meanwhile, mall-goers will be able to check out Kymco Philippines Inc.'s Super z 150i's modern dashboard, hooks, and front and rear box compartments.

TAITRA is also redefining the Filipino household through its lineup of Smart Home devices including Tatung Co.'s detachable cook pots, which have ferro-carbon technology that avoids damage from dust, weight, and heat.

Lastly, the Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone will offer its visitors firsthand experience of Taiwan's health and leisure products. Johnson Health Tech. Phil. Inc.'s stylish yet functional treadmills - Citta, Elite, and Elliptical - are thoughtfully designed to provide 19 workout programs that include a half-marathon feature. Additionally, Tokuyo Biotech International Co. Ltd.'s sleek and powerful Fancy 2 massage chairs and Departure International Co. Ltd.'s high-impact resistant and lightweight multipurpose luggage will also be on display.

In parallel to the Experience Zone, the three-day activity will also feature fashion shows, dance performances, and stage games. Upon entry, guests will be given an opportunity to join a raffle as well as receive a shopping pass with discounts from tech brands such as Tern, Johnson, Kingmax, Saeko, and Tatung.

Also, watch out for young artists including Darren Espanto, Julie Ann San Jose, and Inigo Pascual who will join us to entertain our crowds, while performances from chorale groups will welcome the spirit of Christmas.

The Taiwan Excellence Experience Zone will celebrate Christmas and provide consumers with a vast array of devices to give their loved ones. Admission is free. For more information, please visit taiwanexcellence.org, or like our Taiwan Excellence Facebook page.

Love,
Helen

Follow @LUCKYCITRINE on Instagram 💖

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Haul: New Silkygirl Products

Today's haul will be about Silkygirl's new products. I like this Malaysian drugstore cosmetics brand because they're perfect for office girls like me - affordable yet with good quality. Also, they don't test on animals! 🐇

Haul time!

Silkygirl Quick Fix Care Concealer (P329)
in 01 Natural Light and 02 Natural Medium

This pen-type concealer targets dark circles, dark spots, fine lines, and imperfections.

Silkygirl Photosharp Contour & Highlight Stick (P169)
in 01 Natural Light and 02 Natural Medium

I think this is one of the most affordable contour sticks in the market. Maybelline has a similar one priced at P499, which is kinda pricey. If you're starting to experiment with contour and highlight (like me!), this one's a nice product to begin with because it won't hurt your wallet. This product is paraben-free and fragrance-free.

Silkygirl No-Sebum Mineral Powder (P299)

This mineral powder can be used to set makeup, and can also be used as base makeup and eyelid primer.

Silkygirl OMG! Powder Matte Lipcolor (P350)
in 01 Blossom, 02 Mocha, 03 Mulberry, 04 Maroon, 05 Rosewood


Last but not the least are lipsticks - my forever favorite beauty product! The OMG! Powder Matte lipcolor comes in a cute click-to-open case. It's matte with a powder finish, so I'm curious and excited to try this! 💋

Facebook: Silkygirl.Ph
Instagram: Silkygirl Philippines
Silkygirl website (main): http://silkycosmetics.com/

Love,
Helen

Follow @LUCKYCITRINE on Instagram 💄

Monday, November 19, 2018

Review: Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway

I admit to skipping sunscreen and wearing it on and off for the past few months, only because I am scared of experimenting with sunscreen products in general. It's a skincare crime, I know. It's because when a formula doesn't suit me, I itch and break out immediately, and I don't want to risk it. So when I do find a sunscreen that works for me, I stick to it long term. 

Finally, I have found the sunscreen I need: Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway. I've been using it for a month already - no skipping. And I'm happy to report that it works perfectly well for my oily, dehydrated skin in our hot and humid climate.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway SPF 50 PA++++ (P480/55ml)
A lightweight sunscreen that protects the skin from UV rays with a petal-like finish


This Althea exclusive product comes in a simple packaging. When a product is good, you do not really have to be ornate with the decorations. People will buy it because it works. Also, I like that the expiry date is printed both on the box and the base of the tube.


It comes in a pastel pink and white bottle with a slim nozzle for controlled dispensing. Remember to ALWAYS shake the product well before using or else the liquid and micro powders will come out separately. And nope, it's not expired when that happens. It's just made like that.

SWATCHES

No white cast, just glowy skin!

The first thing you will notice with Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway is the strong scent of roses. Think: fresh rose scent and not old lady fragrance. It has Damask rose as its main ingredient and this hydrates the skin deeply and soothes irritations.

Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway has a very fluid, watery texture so there's zero chance of stickiness here. It is very easily absorbed by the skin in just seconds. It makes the skin look brighter in a subtle, healthy way with no need for shimmer and without producing an unsightly white cast. This sunscreen seems to have the perfect balance of sebum control + moisture-filled formula. It has a micro powder system that controls excess sebum (so it's important to shake well before using to mix the ingredients), and it's also able to hydrate the skin all day long.


Since I have oily skin, I just top the Sunaway off with my favorite face powder and I am good to go. Althea has a lovely range of loose powders - the Petal Velvet Powder that comes in 3 shades: 01 Translucent, #23 Warm Beige, and Pink Lavender (a limited edition shade that was released during Althea's 3rd Anniversary). Get 10% off the petal duo when you buy both the Petal Velvet Sunaway and Petal Velvet Powder.


Tip: If you just want to try the Althea Petal Velvet Sunaway (or any Althea exclusive item), you can get FREE SHIPPING with no minimum purchase by using the code: PBSHIP

Love,
Helen

Follow @LUCKYCITRINE on Instagram 😗

Friday, November 16, 2018

A crash course on US dehy + potato recipes to try

When I was younger, I thought that the boxes of instant mashed potatoes in the supermarket were not "real food". They didn't come in the familiar brown peel with hints of soil that needed several rounds of washing before getting clean... so must they have just been processed to taste like potatoes?

But with age comes wisdom and now I know better. You can find REAL potatoes even if you're not in the produce and frozen aisles. I'm not talking about chips, either. I'd like you to meet US dehydrated potatoes (US dehy) - a true blue US product made of premium potatoes.


US dehy are made from potatoes grown and harvested in the US, and processed under stringent standards of the US Department of Agriculture to retain consistency, quality, and ensure food safety. Typically, they are made from creamy white-fleshed Russet potatoes.

When you buy high quality US dehy, you are getting real potatoes, just with the water removed. US dehy products deliver all the flavor, nutrition, and versatility of potatoes in a more lightweight, compact, and convenient package. It's very versatile and easy to work with, making it a healthy option to sate all your potato cravings - from soups and salads to main dishes and desserts!


With US dehy, you can save... 
  • Time - There is no need to wash, peel, and boil them.
  • Storage - Instead of a bulky sack, your kitchen space will be taken up by just a box. It also has a long shelf life, so you can stock it for up to two years.
  • Money - One kilo rehydrates to as much as five kilos, giving you a larger yield for less.


It's easy to rehydrate US dehy and make mashed potato. Recipes with mashed potato using fresh potato can be substituted with mashed potato made from dehydrated potato.

Here’s a simple recipe for mashed potato using US Dehy Standard Flakes.
 
US Dehy Standard Flakes 500     gm
Milk                                  700     ml
Butter                               200     gm (1bar)
Salt                                  16       gm
Water                               2,000  ml
  1. Combine water, salt, and butter.
  2. Heat to a boil, remove from heat.
  3. Add cold milk, gently stir in potato flakes. DO NOT WHIP.
  4. More flakes can be used if a heavier texture is desired.

And if you've done the basic mashed potato and want to level up your potato cooking game, here are some easy recipes to try!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

You can try US dehy for creamier soups, sauces, and stews. Potato chowder, whether with clams or bacon, makes for a great, filling soup on a rainy day.

Carrot "Cake" Potato Performance Muffin

US dehy can also be used in breads, cakes, pastries, and even native delicacies.

Make some potato pancakes or waffles for breakfast, potato croquettes for snacks, shepherd's pie for lunch or dinner, or see how it can enhance local dishes like kaldereta, menudo, humba and afritada.

Tip: Don't get intimidated with introducing US dehy into the family menu. With a little curiosity, you can make great culinary discoveries. See how US dehy can work magic into your next dish. 💡🌟

Interested in US dehy? You can get in touch with the local Potatoes USA-Philippines office at +632.534.8534 and info@synergyasia.biz. Visit the Potato Goodness and Potatoes USA websites for more information on US potatoes or like and follow Potatoes USA-Philippines on Facebook.

Love,
Helen

Follow @LUCKYCITRINE on Instagram 💖