YOU by Caroline Kepnes

 “The real horror of my life is not that I've killed some terrible people. The real horror is that the people I've loved didn't love me back.” “Love is kind, love is patient but also, mainly, above all—yes—Love is perverted.” - Joe Goldberg

  Okay! So this post of mine is about the book, and also about the new Netflix tv series that I am obsessed about now. Just by watching this the other day I found out that this was based on a novel and while at work yesterday, I immediately called my favorite local bookstore (Fully Booked) that is really good in acquiring foreign popular titles. ......and Gotcha! I had the book reserved for me! After work, I immediately went to the mall to get my book. It is  paperback and priced at around $9 to $10 (P480 Philippine Pesos). It was written by Caroline Kepnes. It is a top-selling suspense-thriller books in 2014.

So the story is basically about a guy named Joe Goldberg, and his attraction to this woman named Guinevere Beck. What got my attention while watching this on Netflix is that the story is from the point of view of Joe. The same goes for the book as well. Honestly speaking, I really like the character of Joe. I'm multi-tasking now, as I am typing this I'm watching YOU. Anyway, I can sympathize with Joe. I agree with the quotation that I posted on top. You know life in this world... you can take all the brutalness, the chaos, and horror. But the real horror is loving someone who will not love you back! Anyway, like my other favorite movie Wicker Park, it has the same tone -- Love makes you do crazy things.. things that you would never imagine you would do, but you would actually do it for love!

I would want someone to love me like Joe Goldberg. You know almost all of us women, want that knight in shining armor type of man. I like that the character of Joe who believes that chivalry is not dead. Also, who would not want a guy who is into books. Joe's occupation is my dream occupation, to manage a bookstore. I want someone deep, someone who thinks of my welfare. But of course I don't want him to be so totally focused on me. He should think of himself also. How far would you go for the one you love?...

Penn Badgley stars as Joe Goldberg, and Elizabeth Lail as Guinevere Beck on Netflix, Season 1 is airing now in Philippines region.

Ellana Mineral Cosmetics (Trinoma Kiosk)

  Yesterday, I bought some items from Ellana Mineral Cosmetics at their kiosk in Trinoma mall. It is my second time to really patronize a local make-up products brand. I already reviewed another local brand cosmetics before. Please do check it out in my previous post.

From what I read, one of the co-founder of Ellana Mineral Cosmetics is Theresa Carbonel-Buenaflor. Aside from being an entrepreneur, she's also a make-up artist. I have seen a lot of reviews online from popular vloggers about this local make-up brand. I can say I was impressed again. I think our local cosmetics industry now can definitely compete with foreign make-up brands.

Mineral make-up became popular because it is said to be a safe ingredient that can be used on the skin, whether you have an injured, acne-prone, and sensitive skin. It has gentle ingredients, and it will not clog your pores. I have tried a mineral make-up before from a foreign brand, and I am satisfied with it. I am using Korean cushion foundation now but I think I will revert back to using Mineral cosmetics because I'm not satisfied with my cushion make-up.

I have tried and tested Ellana's Mineral Cosmetic Powder Foundation at their kiosk, with the help of their sales staff, I was able to know which powder foundation matches my skin. I also bought their jar as a container for the powder foundation, dual make-up brush, make-up brush cleaner, palette as a case for the set of multi-purpose pigments. I also bought one of their lippies, and a highlighter. Aside from being animal friendly, eco-friendly, and also for sensitive skin. I just love the way they packaged their products. I love the drawings, and designs made by Soleil Ignacio. Check out my Phoebe palette.

I really splurged again this time! With all of these purchase, I got a free mineral powder foundation. Thank you to their friendly, and beautiful staffs in their Trinoma kiosk. I also like the resealable cosmetics bag, wherein they put all the products that I purchased. If you are looking for a make-up that is cruelty free and for sensitive skin, one that is suited for Asian/Filipina skin, you can definitely try Ellana Mineral Cosmetics and see for yourself. Happy Holidays everyone!

(Just an update, this 2019 I tried ordering from ellanacosmetics.com below are my purchases.)

Pricelist of the products that I bought as follows:

Ellana Mineral Cosmetics Product Price 
(as of December 28, 2018).

1. Daily Defense plus Color Corrector Primer with Japanese Camellia 'Tsubaki' Seed Oil - P899.00
2. Ellana Refillable Jar - P199.00
3. Hazelnut Mineral Powder Foundation with SPF-16 (Sale bundle buy 1 and the other pack is discounted) - P750
4. Phoebe Magnetic Make-Up Palette - P299.00
5. Multi-Purpose Pigment (can be used as eyeshadow and blusher) 4 shades
P199.00 each Butter Rum, Peach Passion, Fulfillment, and Flirtation.
6. Lip in Luxe in Love is a Gift shade (kiss-proof, water-proof, and long-wearing) P499.00
7. Eyeshadow and Highlighter in Dream shade - P299.00
8. Unscented Make-Up Brush Cleaner with Tea Tree Oil - P399.00
9. Stay Gorgeus Dual Make-Up Brush - P799.00

Additional Ellana Mineral Cosmetics (online order)

Ellana lip in luxe - Love is Amazing P499.00
Ellana Tinted Lip and Cheek Balm Stain - Pink Flamingo P399.00
Ellana Strawberry Vanilla Edible Sugar Lip Scrub P399.00
Ellana Magnetic Make-Up Palette P299.00
Ellana Flower Power Setting Spray P599.00

My Pandora Charm Bracelet

  I have seen a lot of posts online about Pandora. It is a jewelry often given by men for that special someone in their life. I often see ladies gushing about this bracelet. Anyway, anyone can give a Pandora jewelry to their loved ones, it could be your mom, grandparents, etc. I was fortunate enough to receive this as a gift from my sister-in-law as a Christmas present. Actually, I am already aware that this is the gift that she will give me because she asked me if I like a Pandora bracelet. I said okay, and I told her I often see ladies posting this as a gift from the boyfie or husband.

Pandora bracelet's origin was in Denmark. It was started by Danish goldsmith Per Enevoldsen and his wife Winnie.

According to my sister-in-law it is indeed expensive because mainly of the name, and it is made of sterling silver, or 14k gold. I call my bracelet my Holiday Christmas bracelet because it has a Sparkling  Angel charm, Sweet Gingerbread Man, translucent red enamel charm. Other charms that are included are the Limited edition 2016 club charm  with 0.01  carat diamond, Starry Heart Openwork charm (already discontinued), and Abundance of Love spacer charm.

I am happy with this bracelet of mine knowing that this costs around $100 up to $200. It is much expensive if a bracelet has charms.

I know that an expensive item when given, really makes almost everyone happy. We must also remember that Christmas is about giving to one another, no matter how small or big your gift is. Just like how God has given His only Son,  Lord Jesus to us. In the end what matters is that you are loved and remembered. Happy Christmas everyone!

Chinese Emroidery Kit (Do It Yourself)

  After polymer clay art, watercolor painting, digital/graphic drawing, and paper cut art, I am now interested in embroidery. I was amazed after watching a video on YouTube about Chinese embroidery, and only a few people in China practice this. One famous embroider is Zhang Xue from Suzhou, China. They are a mother (Xue Jindi) and son team.

I also loved this Chinese drama, the English title is "Because of You."It is about the heiress of family known for their embroidery who got lost, became amnesiac because of an accisent, and was adopted by a middle class family. I also have a Chinese shoes and it is hand embroidered.

When I was young I remember, we have embroidered personalize pillow cases. My aunt has a beautiful embroidered pillow case of her name. Now, I have tried embroidery and I can say it takes a lot of patient, and focus. I ordered an embroidery set, a Do It Yourself kit from China. The pattern is peach blossoms, and the pattern is printed in a small white cloth. It comes with cloth hoop (for securing the cloth), set of different colored threads, a needle and a scissor. The pattern is just small but even after a week I am not still finished with it.

This is another form of Chinese art that I really appreciate. It is really beautiful to look at, and like any form of art, you really immerse yourself in it, devote your time, hard work, and skill to produce a lovely creation. This is another beautiful indoor hobby.

Cherry Blossoms Scents

 

This month I'm going loco over these perfumes. I have a fixation over cherry blossom scent. I started buying cherry blossoms related scent when I bought Avon's Haiku. People around me are saying that I smell nice, and fresh. Actually, I am more of a vanilla candy sweet type of person, than floral. But this time I came to like Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Cherry Blossom. This perfume was given to me by my sis-in-law. I like the mixture of green tea and cherry blossom together. So fresh, and exotic. I am using Avon Haiku everyday. During special events I'll use Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea Cherry Blossom.

Colourette X The Kings

  I am not that updated when it comes to make-up. I just buy one when the one I'm using is almost gone, or the brand that I patronize is not available locally anymore like what happened to Laneige (that's why I switched to Face Shop). This month I came to know Colourette cosmetics. This is a proudly Filipino brand founded by Ms. Nina Dizon. I came to know this make-up brand when I saw the online ad of the amazing couple Angie Mead King (formerly known as Ian King of the Victoria Court Hotel), she is also a racer, car enthusiast, and her wife Joey Mead King, vj and model.

Their collaboration with Colourette, birthed the Colourette x The Kings. The packaging of the make-up as you can see from the photo is black and gold themed case, with a lightning logo. They have come up last June with the dualitints (2 shades liquid lippies in one, plus you can also use it as a blush). It comes in 4 variants numbered as Dualitints #1 up to #4. I have purchased number 4 (metallic). The lip tints names are also catchy, "The Morning After, and Happy Hour." I wanted the other shades (#1 and #3) but they are out of stock already. Colourette online replied to my query that they will not be producing anymore since its a limited edition. The 2 in 1 Dualitints is comparable to the personalities of Angie and Joey. Two different shades but nevertheless they complement one another. Priced at around P499. Not bad! You get 2 lippies for the price of one! I also bought the Face Gloss Ultra Fine Pressed Highlighter, priced at around P1,299. The face gloss comes in 2 shades the lighter one is called Aura (for those with mestiza or lighter skin tone), and the darker one (for morenas or dark skinned) is called Lightning Speed. It comes with a free soft brush. I also received funky cute stickers that says Boss Babe.

I have heard a lot of good reviews online. I don't often patronize locally made cosmetics believing they cannot be at par with foreign brand. But in Colourette cosmetics case. I definitely like their products. I swatched the # 4 Dualitint (the smell is similar to strawberry, I liked the formulation also because the Dualitint contains shea butter and argan oil, while the face gloss contains Vitamin E, Jojoba oil, and Yeast Beer extracy that are known to have nourishing effects on the skin) and have tried Lightning Speed face gloss, and I'm happy with it! Mainly, I bought these make-up because I'm a fan of The Kings. I can say I am impressed with the quality and variety o Colourette cosmetics.

If you are interested in purchasing the dualitint, and face gloss. Limited dualitints and face gloss are available at Lazada and BeautyMNL online. Quality and reasonably priced cosmetics are now within your reach!