charmed life♥

source: Google For the second time around, Colourpop cosmetics will be releasing it's collaboration with Hello Kitty, but in this collection it includes other Sanrio characters (Little Twin Stars and My Melody). When I have learned about this I got so excited.  Being a Colourpop fan and Hello Kitty/Sanrio of course this made me so giddy.   source: Google The collection was released last December 4 but unfortunately they can't deliver to the Philippines because of license restrictions.  It's sad because I was so excited to purchase some items in this collaboration.  I often purchase Colourpop cosmetics online via their website, that is why I am expecting that I will be able to buy this collection because I missed their previous Hello Kitty collaboration. The Hello Kitty and Friends x Colourpop Collection 2020 consists of the following: Snow Much Fun Palette $16.00  Mini Glitterally Obsessed Quad $20.00 Lux Gloss Kit $27.00 Snowkissed Lip Care Kit $20.00 Pres...

source: Google One of the collaborations I have been waiting for.  This collaboration of Starbucks x Kate Spade was released yesterday December 1, but it was already sold out when I arrived at the nearest Starbucks (from home).  The baristas told me that as early as 7 there are people lining up and waiting for the store to open.  Yes, I admit I am a bit late in learning about this collaboration and second I don't have work that day because it's holiday in the place where I work (so I was too lazy to get up early).   The collection was also available in their official store in Lazada but it's sold out also. :(   source: Google This Collaboration will be available in Asia Pacific countries and features Kate Spade's iconic dots, stripes, cityscapes and curious cats.  Merchandise consists of Stainless steel mug, Stainless steel water bottle, double wall mug, ceramic mug, notebook, small pouch and a tote bag.  source: Starbucks Philippines But onl...

Finally got my hands on this!  The 2021 Starbucks planner in Yellow - the Teavana Youthberry.  The planner is inspired by tea traditions and rituals from many cultures according to Starbucks Philippines.  It's hardcover is covered with yellow PU leather with embossed iconic siren tail in gold.  I really love the planner - it' color and the embossed gold design.  But I hope next time it SB planner will come with a pen again. Here are some of the photos of my Starbucks 2021 planner journey I shared on my Instagram account. I really wanted to collect them all again... I just hope I can do it again... I will share what I will get next. xo, Chiq♥

It's really hard to think of things to share lately, especially during these times when we are not supposed to go out (too much).  I do go out just for work or do some errands, I am still afraid to go malling or go out of town because as we all know "Covid" is still there.  I have an uncle who died few months ago because of Covid that is why we are more paranoid and afraid of going out.  At the same time both of my parents are senior citizens and I live with them.   Covid really changed every thing... as they say we are living in the "new normal" with face masks and face shields.  Though normally I have my sanitizers with me (even before) but now I think I sanitize my hands every 15 minutes or every time I touched something.  As I have told my friends, it's normal to be "maarte" or a little over the top now in terms of health, safety and cleanliness during this time. Mochi at 3 months Anyway, last month we welcomed a new member in our family - Moch...

source: starbucks philippines It's the time of the year again.  And time to collect my little piece of happiness... The Starbucks 2021 Planner together with the Christmas goodies and merchs will be out on SB stores starting November 3, 2020.   I am very excited with the planners of course (collector here from 2007) and with the returning all time fave Christmas / Holiday drink - Peppermint Mocha.  I know we are facing a pandemic... but at least this is one of the things that we can look forward to and make us smile. Follow my Instagram @hellokittychiq to see my planner journey... :)  xo, Chiq♥

source: cucucovers.com So what are card skins? That was also my question also when I came across Cucu Covers card skins.  Card skin is an adhesive you put on to your bank card, beep card, metro pass or any other card - to customize it!  Giving your card it's own personality.  How cool is that?  No more boring cards on your wallet.  What is more exciting about about this card skin is that they have Sanrio designs - Hello Kitty in particular. (*wink) They also have wide range of designs that could fit your personality.  You can also customize your own card skin. :) Card skins are available in 3 variations: ♥ Full cover - $8.00 each source: cucucovers.com ♥ Full cover with window - $8.00 each source: cucucovers.com ♥ Half cover - $6.00 each source: cucucovers.com These card skins are also available in no chip, large (round/square) chip and small (rectangle chip) source: cucucovers.com They also offer bundles at the moment if plan to buy more that one card skin...

Do we really have to wear sunscreen?   Source: Google.com According to my cousin who is a dermatologist - Yes!   Aside from the harmful sun rays, the blue light from our mobile phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers have shown to be the cause of pigmentation and aging.  Don't get me wrong -  sun rays is good for the body its the best natural source of Vitamin D, but we have to protect our skin which is the largest organ in our body. Actually even before my cousin told me this, I am already using moisturizer and foundation with high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) since I use the computer more than 8 hours a day because of work and of course mobile phone because of my online boutique. She also told me that even if I am just at home it is very important to apply sunscreen. We should really start early in protecting our skin especially our face.  When I turned 30 I started using Pond's age miracle day and night cream and facial wash - better to start ...

We often hear this term nowadays.  Do you consider yourself a Tita of Manila?  For my own personal opinion... "Titas of Manila" is the best description for the powerful and independent women of today (the age of the Millennials).  Yes I do consider myself a "Tita" but not yet a Lola.. (hahaha).. I'm in my late 40's but who cares... age is just a number, what's important are your learnings and experiences through the years. Here are some of the things you should know if you are one of us: Clothes - we opt for classic looks... plain top or bottoms.  We are more into classic white, black or dark/navy blue, army green.  But sometimes we also love adding a splash of colors into our outfit but not too loud.  source: Google.com Slip-ons/Slippers - when we reached the 40's mark we tend to experience back pains... (I do experience this too).   I used to wear sky-high heels, stilettos...  now I am more comfortable in wearing flats, sli...

I am so excited to share the new addition to my Hello Kitty collection.  Meet Princess White - Hello Kitty!  She is actually a coin bank made of ceramic with gold plated crown.  This beautiful princess is a collaboration between Hello Kitty and Her Beauty.  It also comes with a small pillow where you can place her on it and an authenticity card. There are actually a lot of cute stuff in the Hello Kitty Princess white collection.  From vases, candleholder, make up brush/pen holder, jewelry dish, snow globes and etc.  I really drooled when I saw them and wished to have at least one in my collection.  Honestly when this coin bank arrived last August, I am now wanting more. (*wink) It's a bit pricey but excellent quality, really a collector's item.  It was nicely and securely packed, even the original box has no dents when it arrived. Dimension :13.5cm x 10cm  Material : Ceramic with gold plated crown Inclusions : Small pillow with ribbon and Aut...

Who would have thought I will be experiencing - home automation?  I remember when I was a kid, The Jetsons series (which is one of my favorite cartoons in the 80's) were the things in their home are fully-automated. Last year my brother in law gave me a Google home mini, he bought it from the US.  I was so excited with the new toy.  It's a speaker that you can connect to your WIFI and can be used as a smart home control hub/personal assistant. I downloaded the Google application in my phone, at first I only used it as a bluetooth speaker for playing music, setting alarms, checking the weather and anything that you wanted to search in Google.  Then after a few months to make the most our of the gadget I bought a smart socket and an IR transceiver. Got my smart socket and IR Transceiver from True Value - Cherry Home Brand.  Since these are electronic devices I really wanted to look for something that is locally made, for safety and has passed product standards her...

Source: Google There are a lot of learnings that happened during this quarantine.  Maybe one of the positive things that  Covid-19 has taught everyone : having an emergency fund.  When I started working I admit, I buy anything and everything that I wanted.  (A new phone every year, clothes and bags etc).   But 5 years after I realized that I need to save so I opened my savings account in China Bank (this is not actually my first, I had a Banco Filipino Happy Saver's Club account before).  This is where I started saving money from my salary.  Saving P500.00 to P1,000.00 per payday, is not that bad, right?! From that time I realized the importance of being frugal.  Though I still buy things that fascinates me but I think about it first 1 million times before splurging. (hihi)  As time goes by I wanted to grow my money more I tried researching for different ways, like investing my money, getting mutual funds and etc.  I also tried the ...

I wanted to share with all of you of the my projects at home during the ECQ.  Aside from cooking and baking I also love crafting.   Here are the things that you need: Felt cloth Pair of scissors Needle and thread Glue gun + glue stick or Fabric glue Trace the bottle cap on the felt cloth. Make 18 pcs. Cut the 18 pcs of round felt in half (making 36 pcs of petals) After sewing the petals together, gently pull to make ruffles. (Do it carefully so the thread with not break). Then roll slowly from end to end, putting some glue to hold the petals together. Now you have a gorgeous rose made out of felt cloth. Happy Crafting! Hope you all enjoy this project!♥ xo,  Chiq♥

source: Katré As promised I will make a review about this bag.  I think this is the first time that Sanrio collaborated with a local Filipino (bag) brand - Katré. I was really looking for a documents bag that I can use for work (for so loooong).  Last year I have to let go (retire) my old Mango documents bag which is super worn out (but I really loved that bag - it served it's purpose for more than 5 years).  So from that time I have been using an eco or reusable bags to carry of other stuff that I use at the office (until I find the best bag to replace my Mango bag). Then I saw Katré in a sponsored post on Instagram:  they are advertising their upcoming collaboration - Hello Kitty.  When they uploaded a sneak peek of the collection I immediately fell in love with the Camden.  I thought it was an ordinary tote but to my surprise it was a three (3) way bag.  Aside from a regular hand bag, it can be used as a shoulder bag and backpack....

Hello everyone!  I know it's been a while since I last have an update.  I do miss writing and sharing my thoughts, but because of the pandemic and "ECQ's, GCQ's whatever Q's" they call it piled up my office work.  I need to finish everything: update records and prepare reports.   Now we are in what they say as the "New Normal".  Wearing a face mask and shield is now mandatory, honestly I am not really 100% into the "full face shield" thing.  It's really hard to breath, with the face mask on + the full face shield.  Before they made the wearing of face shield mandatory I always wear a half face shield with my face mask and I think it's way better than the full face.  Often times I saw people wearing their full face shields on their head.. Anyway that's not the main subject of this post.. (hihi)  Let's go back.. we are in the new normal... and the Internet is really the number one most effective medium in this Millennium / Ge...

They say August is a "ghost month" in Chinese, that we should not start or open a business... But August has been very lucky for me.  I started my online boutique in August 2011 and now it's 9 years old.  I am very thankful to God that I was able to fulfill one of my childhood dream...♥ **Photo credit to the owner

source: Katré Another super cute Hello Kitty collab!  Last February 28, 2020 Katré launched their Hello Kitty bag line at their Pop-up store - 3rd floor of Greenbelt 5.  Honestly, I just learned about Katré when they announced their upcoming collaboration with Sanrio / Hello Kitty.   A little information about Katré: Katré is a  local Philippine brand established in 2009 by it's owner and creative director Kat Erro. source: Katre Aside from Hello Kitty, what's exciting about this collaboration is that - it's a Filipino brand.♥   I went to their pop-up store yesterday to check out their bags... especially the Hello Kitty bags.  (*wink)  Before the actual release, I have been eyeing their Camden bag since I am really looking for a documents bag that I can use everyday to work.  I have an option to purchase it online but I since it's my first time to get to know this brand, I wanted to see and touch their bags in ...

I have been into cosmetics nowadays... Well that started when I discovered "Colourpop"... 2 years ago.  Honestly, I am not used in wearing make up.  I remember when I was first applying for a job in Makati, the interviewer told me "Iha, don't you wear make up?" and I said: "No, Ma'am I don't know how to apply and I am not used to wearing make up po".  Then she goes, "You should learn especially when you are applying for a job, it won't hurt if you put a little make up."  I got the job though... but it made me wonder - Do I looked awful that day? hahaha.. I only used baby powder on my face, anyway... (that was years ago)  The first face powder I used was Shine free it was good then my cousin in the USA introduced "Clinique" to me which is the pressed powder I was using for 20 + years now... sometimes I alternate it with L'Oreal when the shade I am using was not available.  I also use L'Oreal Infallible liquid fou...