[Project FeeTrail June 2015]: Break in Baguio

I owe my friend a visit to her house in Baguio. When she told me she finished renovating her house (Read: Come up here, Kea!) I knew I must grab the next long weekend trip to Baguio, and I did. Besides, I badly needed a break.

I took this photo on my second night at her house's door step. I am so amazed at how her house, her space, screams her personality. It was so homey. I woke up feeling like I am in the country with this great cabin-like feel.

I wish I could show you photos, but she's very private and trust me, the photos did not do justice.

I can't wait to go back. Maybe with less tourists this time.

Of lipsticks and Hustle

Of all the photos in pinterest today, this spoke directly of me,

LIPSTICK

I finally bought Preview's Hot Stuff from the Preview x Happy Skin Collaboration last weekend. As expected, it looked good on me. I am so glad I waited for the store sale instead of rushing online. Because it would be such a total waste to get the other one (Too Cool) and barely use it. Before I was really, really lured into sales and major discounts but I've realized that the actual waste is when you bought/acquired something and you will not really use it.

I've been trusting my instinct a lot when it comes to buying online. The first Happy Skin Lip Crayons that I bought was the Forbidden Fruit collection and I loved all the colors. It covered all that I don't have or the looks that I don't really go for. I'm also glad that when I bought this one, it looked exactly what it looks like on the internet:

HUSTLE

I've been busy, crazy busy because I have events up on my sleeve both professional and personal. I'm saving more stories of that towards the end of the year. But in between hustling, I am thankful that I have reliable and good people around me, who hustle with me.

I realized that there will never be an actual dream job. And instead of staring at the window or stalking people on social media, might as well do something that you actually like. I'm glad and extremely grateful that for once, I have something on the sides that I enjoy doing and luckily getting paid for it.

I enjoy this kind of hustle. It leaves me no room and no time to see and compare what others have got.

Dont be afraid to ask the Universe

You know, I practice the Law of Attraction as much as I can and for this year alone, I have checked 2 major ones in my vision board. (More of that in the coming months)

I saw this speech by Jim Carrey and I was blown away. Maybe because I didn't expect him to be like this, and I didn't expect that he also believe in "asking the universe".

That's just a few lines. There's more...

I really, really, love this part.

I had to stop and get a hold of my self from screen capping everything, What the heck, I included the video at the bottom for your enjoyment too.

Enjoy!

Much needed break in Baguio

I owe myself a much needed break so I went to Baguio. The last time I was in Baguio was in December 2007 with my then-boyfriend. We did all the touristy stuff since he studied in Baguio. This time, I went to visit and stay with my friend who is a Baguio resident and "chilled" like a local. After all, what I came up here for is our year-long catch up over cooking, cold weather and some thrift store and designer outlet shopping that I never had the chance to do before.

This time I tagged along with Paolo, who's on a solo trip to Baguio. We both booked a Victory Liner deluxe bus that is set to leave at 8:15 in the evening. We plan to go together and just meet up before we head home to elbi.

Side story: It was the long weekend and we got caught up in a horrifying traffic, drenched in our own sweat, went down earlier from the bus to take a faster route, ran and squeezed ourselves in the MRT, and walked on two overpass. Just as we were 2 minutes away from the terminal, Paolo caught this man trying to steal the contents of my backpack. Paolo smacked the guy's head when he caught him and we didn't have time to argue because we arrived at the bus terminal just as our bus was preparing to board.

We arrived at 1:20 in the morning and I was at my friend's house by 2am. I have no photos of touristy stuff, not even tried the strawberry taho, but I had such a good time with my friend that I just cannot wait to be back. 

Thank God we made it safe just in time!

I changed shirts inside the bus (the bus had its own restroom) and hanged my wet clothes and hanky on the sides #TitaMoves

First stop: Say Hello to sister campus, UP Baguio! ( This is the last photo of my umbrella too as I left it in the cab) 

We shopped at bargain shops and designer outlet stores and got the best deal. I was able to buy 1 poncho cardigan for 100, 2 Zara scarves for 800 and a Vera Wang dress for 500. 

On my first day we went to Cafe by the ruins and had a good merienda. 

We were home for dinner and  just chilled. She baked cookies while we tell stories until 1 in the morning. Every night during my stay there. 

Meet Sparkle's! My friend's daughter's dog. We immediately hit it off. 

We had merienda in this lovely place in Camp John Hay

The traffic when I was on my way back to Manila

 I booked Joy Bus for my 1pm ticket. I dropped by SM Baguio's book sale for my bus read. They even provided a nice comforter for everybody on board the deluxe bus.

It was a good 5 hour road trip. I was actually sad to see the NLex end and enter the city.

What I learned in my short stay:

1. The awful rubber smell while in traffic along Marcos Hiway are actually the smell of the clutch. It is usually non-Baguio residents who uses clutch a lot when in traffic.

2. Baguio drivers are not hot headed at all and there are good Samaritans assisting when stuck in "short cu route"traffic situation. Plus, they return change!

3. Tourists in Baguio hail cabs like they are in Manila. Baguio residents hail cabs in designated areas.

4. There is a 5 second mandatory stop before each pedestrian, and tourists pay zero attention and break the rules.

5. There's Grab Taxi Service in Baguio! My first time and it happened to be the just two weeks old available in Baguio.

6. Baguio residents stay in during tourist season. I can see why.

7. Poverty level is low in Baguio. There are some, but its relatively lower and most of them are migrants.

8. Cost of living is relatively high. Same in Manila/Makati.

9. The best Choco Flakes and Lengua de Gato is the one manufactured by SIZZLING PLATE, by REYNOSO-ANTON Bakeshop. 

I can't wait to be back! Long weekend's just not enough.

Life, lately.

Hi!

I wanted to blog but not really in the mood, but saw this on pinterest today and this sums up me, lately. Don't you just love it when you come across something that sums everything that is up about you?

Anyway, I have a lot of exciting activities coming up. It is true when your mind is very excited about something, all your energy goes there and you barely have room for social media envy. Let me share a few important lessons I learned lately.

1. When you are busy living out your passion, you will hardly have enough time to look which grass is greener. You will know what to value.

2. On Finances: The moment I let go of my feeling of being uptight with my finances, the more it comes free flowing back to me. (Side story, I did something for someone who I am not even friends with, and I know that person will never be able to pay me back, but God granted me blessings in more ways than one. Gosh, those stories are true!!!)

3. Oldest friends are really good blessings. I am fortunate to have found them at age 12. The more you are thankful for it, the more it keeps your friendships strong.

4. Sometimes, when you feel you are stuck in a rut, it means you are in preparation ground for something amazing coming. For the first 5 months of the year, I've laid low and thought I must be having one of those trade offs, but then it'll only take one fine day to get you all excited again for new adventures for the rest of the year.

5. When you think you are just mediocre, something happens then tell you that you are so much more. Then you will know, you came with a purpose, and that people actually believe in you.

6. This thought has been on my mind a lot lately because it is true: No one makes a promise to God and takes it very lightly. God will equip you in fulfilling that promise, so be careful with your promise.

7. Prepare to receive what you vision-boarded for, because you will get it.

8. We meet people in their own different phases. I bet, at some point, you would want to kick your year 2009-self.

9. Great human relationships are very good investments, coming from the anti-social, introvert side of me.

10. Things start to fall FAST into place, the moment you decide to just let go.


What are your learned lessons recently?

Fake it with Maybelline Falsies Mascara

Since I hit thirties, I have minimized wearing a lot of make up and just switched and invested in the basics. One of them is a good eyeliner and mascara. I am a fan of Maybelline and I love the Great Lash mascara that I asked Apy's friend to buy two for me from US. I understand now why Great Lash is iconic, but I got the one that is not waterproof. I was hoping to get the waterproof version in the Philippines when Maybelline recently had the Great Lash mascara back in town but it was out of stock. 

My sister got me the Maybelline Falsies (waterproof) instead:

Fanned out mascara brush

Here's what it looks like from the raw pictures from my phone:  Take note, this is the first application. If you apply more, it would amplify.

I love that it actually gives the illusion of more, and longer lashes, hence the name "Falsies". Also, I don't use an eyelash curler. 

I usually put eyeliner first before the mascara, but I had it reversed today for this blog post. 

Pardon the brow situation, I'm growing mine out.

Now for the quick review. Maybelline Falsies is:

• Waterproof, Sweat-proof, Cry-proof. - Trust me, I did all that.
• Hard to take off, it doesn't easily come off.
• Good value for money. (Php 350.00+)
• The bent wand or "fanned out brush" doesn't really do much. I mean, had it been regular brush, it will still be the same effect given the Falsies formula.

And yes, I will purchase again.