charmed life♥

Yes, after all these years I am still into it.  When others have upgraded to digital journaling I stayed with paper.  People may say I am a " lumang tao " (old person, ancient) but I do love jotting notes or writing.  When all of us have been into texting a lot of us have forgotten how to write.  Journaling helped me exercise my hand.. and not forget how to write especially in this era.  I tried to bring back my old penmanship which had changed all these years... because we got used on using keyboards.   As I have shared few years ago (2018) , the  Benefits of having a journal   - I still do have the same reasons, that is why I continue doing it.  It de-stresses me... it also serves as a reminder notebook of the things I need to do and etc. Having a journal is just like have a bestie right in your drawer: where you can share your daily thoughts, challenges, reminders... and others. Through the years, different kind of journals have emerg...

Apple pay is the mobile payment service of Apple... and it has arrived here in the Philippines!  When I was in the US two years ago, they are already using it there.  I remember the first QR that was uploaded in my Apple wallet was my Shell Go+, now I can add my Debit/Credit card.  Now embracing this era as a Gen X. Haven't tried to use it yet but I have already set up and added my Credit Card.  FYI, at this moment not all banks can be added to Apple Pay... maybe soon more and more banks can be added.  I was able to add my China Bank Credit Card . This is how to set up on your iPhone : In your iPhone open the Wallet App . Tap the Plus icon (+) found on the upper right corner of the screen. Select Debit/Credit card and press/tap Continue . Manually or you may place your card near the back of your iPhone to scan it.  (In my case I chose to enter my details manually). Verification process: you may choose either via SMS or Email. - you will receive a one t...

source: Google One the hardest financial milestone is making your first P100,000.00.  Slow progress on the early stages of saving but when you get used to it, you will realize that you should have started it years back.   It will be hard to start especially nowadays when the inflation is high, all the commodities are expensive as well as the utilities.  To achieve this you should be focus on the goal : increase your income, maintain regular savings rate.  (Save now, "Luho" later). source: Google Here are some start up tips: Start an Emergency Fund : I have already discussed this few years ago.  How to start or set it up.   Emergency Fund -What it is or how to set it up?  (click in the link). Pay off high-interest Debt :  Eliminate your debt, this includes your credit card debt.  It's okay to use a credit card, but make sure you pay it all up in full on it's due date so it  will not earn interest. Keep cost of living low :...

I watched this film yesterday... honestly, in order the understand and appreciate the movie, you should have seen the first which was shown 20 years ago. I loved the first one, that is why I am so excited to see the sequel.  Though entertaining, I found it lacks something.. "parang bitin".   This film shows us how print media (hardcopy magazines) is now replaced by digital content .  The shift that has a big impact on people who does not want to embrace change.  It's like vlogging is more popular than blogging .  Personally, I still blog but that does not mean that I am not open to change, but I feel I can express myself more on writing than doing video or reels. source: Google I truly enjoyed the fashion scenes: filming the scenes in the actual fashion week (at the Dolce & Gabbana Milan show) for authenticity. The cameo of Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga .  The OOTD's of Andy - super love!  My fave? - the patchwork maxi dress worn by Anne ...

source: Dreamstime.com Let's review the basic acronyms that we should know.  Recently  I was able to watch one of It's Showtime's - Laro Laro Pick segment and it sad to know that some people are not really familiar with the acronyms we see and hear in our everyday lives.  I remember when I was in high school we are required to memorize the meaning of the department of government acronyms (including it's secretaries).  So let's review... Departments of the Government of the Philippines: DOE - Department of Education DOF - Department of Finance DFA - Department of Foreign Affairs DOJ - Department of Justice DOLE - Department of Labor and Employment DILG - Department of Interior and Local Government DAR - Department of Agrarian Reform DA - Department of Agriculture DBM - Department of Budget and Management DepEd - Department of Education DOE - Department of Energy DENR - Department of Environment and Natural Resources DOH - Department of Health DND - Department of Na...

Hello girlies!  Finally I found a make up primer that suits my skin.  It's the Happy Skin Oil Absorbing Matte Primer .  It's a lightweight gel matte primer, long lasting (almost no retouch), has an all-day mattifying effect so goodbye - oily skin .  According to Happy Skin website: "The Alkaline pH absorbs the excess oils for a fresh balanced complexion.  Mineral Silcate and Caffeine work hand in hand to tighten pores and smoothen skin.  Hyaluronic acid floods skin with plumping and refreshing hydration, while Squalane imparts soothing moisture." Price: P899.00 For best results:   In order not to make your skin too dry because the of it's mattifying effect, I moisturize my face before applying the primer.  Then finish it off with Happy Skin Fresh Morning Dew Micro fine Glow setting spray. Verdict : ♥♥♥♥.5 of ♥♥♥♥♥ Will I recommend this?  Of course I will.. Aside from making your skin smooth and shine-free after it's use.  It's p...

One of the much awaited collaborations this year : Sunnies x Monchhichi !♥  Sunnies is the first local brand that collaborated this monkey plushie. Sassy Girl - The first Pinay Monchhichi source: Sunnies Face For those who are not familiar with Monchhichi: it is a Japanese stuffed monkey which was launched in 1974.  I am one of the super fans of this cutie Monkey when I was in high school, but that time I cannot afford to have one (that time).  Just this year, I asked my friend in Japan to buy me one Monchhichi plushie bag charm (so I have one cutie doll).  That is why when I heard about this collaboration, I am really excited.  Hoping that I could get the Sassy girl key chain.  Waited and watched their TikTok live in order to pre-order their Monchhichi Sassy Girl key chain.  Unfortunately, I was not able to get one.  Maybe because they only drop few number of units per item.  Just like during the Labubu hype, it's hard to score even just ...

For the past months I have been meaning to try this the  Famous Bibingka Galapong of Chef RV .  I am an avid follower of his vlog in YouTube .  I enjoy watching him cook, bake and of course his travel escapades. After a long wait I was able to try his popular delicacy. I am a lover of Filipino kakanins .. As I grew up being with my Lola going to the " palengke " (market) where they have a small store.  I often go to a Putohan as we call it where they sell varieties of kakanin: from bibingka , puto alsa , puto pulo , buchi and etc. So believe me when I say masarap it's truly " Masarap !" (Delicious)   Quality: Very Good.  If you are a follower of Chef RV 's Vlog, he does not want to make something that is tinipid.  He used quality ingredients in making the bibingka.  It's " siksik " (dense).  The amount of toppings is enough to satisfy your pallet. Taste: Not too Sweet, and I liked it. --- It's Super Masarap!♥ Price: It's kinda price...

Mules for replacement I don't know if anyone have already experienced replacing luxury brand items bought from Europe here in the Philippines.  My sister's husband recently bought a pair of Gucci mules in Italy , in her usual size.  Unfortunately the mules was too small it did not fit her.  Our plan was to sell it at a lower price so she can at least buy one here in the Philippines.  I went to Gucci Edsa Shangrila Mall and asked if they have that style in stock so my sister will know how much she we will sell her new mules.   Ms.Kath - Gucci's Sales Associate welcomed me in the store and I told her the story.  She told me that Gucci offers worldwide replacement .  I was surprised and immediately told my sister.  But my sister's mules style is not yet available here in the Philippines.  Since the replacement is only valid for 30 days, Ms Kath told me that she will send the styles that they have through Viber so I can show my sister. Fas...

I am recently in search again for a liquid foundation that will suit my skin.  BLK has phased out their Airy matte liquid foundation .  I truly loved it, that is why it's sad that it was no longer available.  When I went to the BLK shop they offered me the Universal Skin tint sun shield .  The problem with sun screen (all sunscreens I have tried) - small bumps and red rashes develops on my skin.  I have accepted the fact that I cannot use sun screen, maybe I am allergic to one of the ingredients of a sunscreen (any brand).  But I still bought the BLK Universal Skin Tint Sunshield hoping that I will not have allergic reactions.  After using it for a week... my skin started to develop rash, so I stopped using it.  Sad because I am beginning to like the product.  No offense to BLK Cosmetics the product is good but it does not work for me.  (Hoping they will bring back their Airy Matte Liquid foundation).     I remembered th...

Five years already?  That was fast.  I remember when I started with Pag-ibig MP2 back in March 11, 2020.  After my first remittance of P500.00 via Palawan - then pandemic started.  I was not able to continue my monthly remittance because of the lock down.  When it was lifted I resumed my MP2 remittance and decided to increase my remittance to P1,000.00 per month.  At this time GCash has already started accepting MP2 remittance payments so it's very convenient with a P5.00 transaction fee as compared to Palawan's P7.00 per transaction. When your MP2 savings matures, there are two ways to claim it: via Online Claim via Virtual Pag-ibig or Over the Counter Claim .  Since there's Pag-ibig Kiosk near my office, I preferred the OTC Claim.  But if you would like to do an Online Claim you can find the instructions online via Virtual Pag-ibig website. Here are the things I prepared for my Over the Counter Claim: Accomplished Claim Form :  Clic...

Few more weeks before we welcome 2025... Time really flies fast...  I wanted to  share some of my personal "Tita Finds" this year.   Goli Ashwagandha and Magnesium Glycinate - these two products helped me with my sleep problems.  There are also other benefits for taking these supplements.   Ashwagandha - According to webmd.com - it calms the brain, reduce swelling and lower blood pressure.  It also helps in reducing anxiety, insomnia, physical and mental stress.  Magnesium Glycinate - According to healthline.com : Relieves anxiety, improve bone health, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes; and helps prevent migraine headaches. Cortizone - I found this gem on my recent US trip.  This truly helps in relieving  itch from bug/insect bites, rashes and minor skin irritation on which I am really prone.  I hope it will be available here in the Philippines soon. Some By Mi spot / ...

I recently joined a Pop Mart Group (on Facebook ) here in the Philippines and one of my fellow members uploaded a photo of a Labubu x Pronounce Wings of Fortune that she bought from a reseller .  She was asking for help if the Labubu she purchased was authentic.  On my previous blog How to know if your Labubu is authentic , I have already discussed this (for The Monsters Exciting Macaron ), but of course there are a lot of resellers claiming that the items they are selling are original though in reality they are not.   I was lucky enough to get the Labubu x Pronounce Wings of Fortune via Pop Mart's Flagship store on the orange app ( Shopee ) at SRP .  So I was able to answer the question of my fellow member if the Labubu she purchased was authentic.  I will share the photos here so you will have an idea how a Authentic and Fake Wings of Fortune look like. But before that here are some of the things that you need to consider when purchasing from a reseller...

Have you also been bitten by the Labubu bug?  Honestly, before I don't really intend to get one... but the little monster has this charisma that would really get you hooked.  Yes, I have been bitten by the bug.. (*wink!)  Labubu plushie bag charms are sold out at Pop Mart stores all over the world.  I guess it also goes with the "Anik-anik" bag trend.  You can only get these cutesy monsters via resellers - but they are overpriced.  From actual retail price of P900.00 per blind box you can get them at around P2,000.00 and up.   So how can you know if your Labubu doll is original?  Aside from having a mark on their right sole (you have to use a UV light to see the mark) and Pop Mart stamping on the left.  By the way, based on my research fakes also have markings on their soles.  There is another way of knowing if your Labubu is authentic. But before that let me share with you the photos of my first ever Labubu Macaron - Toffee .♥...