Last time, I posted about my Banila Co. haul. I was so excited because it was their first branch here in Manila and also because Song Ji Hyo was their endorser. (Running Man Fan~) After buying the Primer powder, although I'm contented with it, it's too pricey for me - especially since it only lasts for a couple of months. The dreaded silver tin is showing already! Dang.

Anyway, this post is for their range of black masks (charcoal masks), specifically Black Bean.

My skin was feeling dry and dull last week despite having an oily skin-type, it also felt and looked awful so I decided to try one of the many mask I have yet to use and this Black Bean Mask, which is their moisturizing mask, stood out from among my choices.

I placed the mask in the ref for a few minutes because I love the feel of the cool mask on my face.

Upon opening, the first thing I noticed that it was not dripping of essence like the ones I used before. It was a bit on the thick side but is really smooth. I also like how it easily fits without having to worry that it will slide. There's no sting from fumes which I have encountered from other masks before. All in all, I love it while it was on my face and even after I have removed it. It didn't leave my skin feeling too heavy from the remaining essence, just the right amount in my opinion.

Excuse the wrong placement - one of my eyebrow is peaking

Great thing to note as well was that I didn't get any breakouts and my skin really felt smooth and moisturized. So, yes. I won't be buying the Primer anytime soon but this is definitely one of my "to buy again" skin products.

Can't wait to try the other variants!

Variants are:
The Blacks Essential Mask - Charcoal Mask

Black Rice - Firming/Nourishing
- Intense Moisturization and Nourishment for a healthy, firm skin

Black Bean-hydrate/moisturize
- Hydrates and softens dry and rough skin

Black Raspberry - Brightening
- Improves Elasticity while brightening and clearing skin

Black Acai Berry - Soothing/Calming
- Purify and Calms Skin while Moisturizing and smoothing skin's texture

Black Cacao - Pores/Sebum
- Controls sebum while refreshing and illuminating skin

Have you tried any Banila Co. Face Masks? Which were your favorites?

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Side note - if you're near Quezon City and happen to drop by Deantonni Hobby Cafe, do check out their "For Sale" shelf. SNP Character Masks, Missha BB Cream no. 21, and EOS Hand Lotion are available for sale.

I know I've been neglecting writing here on my blog. There's been a lot of times where I just start writing a post but end up not even finishing a paragraph or two and I have to scratch it altogether.

I just like to share with you guys some of the things I was able to buy today! More Korean products! I was looking around Althea to check out what I could buy online but I didn't get the chance to check out my orders. Incidentally, we went to Robinson's and I saw Banila Co. (another Korean brand ^^), it's the first branch I saw of Banila Co. and what actually caught my eye was their endorser, Song Ji Hyo! Most would know her from her recent (and very popular) drama, The Descendants of the Sun, but I first saw her on Running Man and became a fan. As I was already looking for a face powder, I checked theirs.

Here's what I bought:

Are you a coffee lover? A tea lover? I love them both! That's why when my friend shared this with me, I didn't hesitate to sign up.


Last Nov. 27, I attended CBTL Sessions at their Trinoma Branch. It was their first coffee and tea workshop and I was glad I was able to get a spot despite being on the waitlist.

The event was from 2pm-5pm. I came in around 2:20pm, they were giving free coffee and a paper bag of goodies. We were asked to wait for the others and by 3, the event started.

First part of the workshop was an introduction of coffee and tea, second part was showing how to use their coffee machine.

It was fun trying out their different coffee and tea flavors. They showed us how to make an espresso, cappuccino, cafe latte, chai tea latte, and green tea latte. At the end of the session we were asked to make our own concoction and have it judge by their panels. Sadly, I wasn't able to have my coffee up for judging because I was a bit shy (one trait I should work on this year =p - then again, I did go to this event by myself so that's something? Haha.) Anyway, here is a photo of the drinks that the other attendees made.

From CBTL Facebook Page

Above was the machine that we used. You'd also be happy to know that each capsule contains actual tea leaves and crushed coffee beans. I tried making a cat - turned - bunny for my drink. I hoped that the taste was cute as the design but it was...not. Hahahaha.

And here's their video shoot for the event.
https://www.facebook.com/coffeebeanphilippines/videos/10153861974792094/?theater

It was a great experience!

CBTL Philippines - Facebook Page

Last Sept. 16 - 20, 2015 (This post is too delayed, I know. >< ) was another Manila Book Fair at SMX. This is the time of the year where book nerds gather to feed their book addiction. With 25%+ off in almost all books, what more could you ask for?!

There were the usual big book stores like National Book Store and Fully Booked, textbooks publishers such as Adarna and Christian Bookstore - OMF and magazine publishers. Kids books were everywhere and recipe books here and there.

Although I was tempted to buy a lot of fiction books and art books - I tried to restrain myself. Gotta save, girl! Haha I did purchase a watch book for my dad and a few inspirational and recipe book for myself. I tend to buy these types of books (excluding the recipe books - just bought them because they were cheap =P) during book fairs because I would most probably read them more than once. As much as I love fiction books, I won't re-read them if I still remember the story..which in my case, takes a while. And non-fiction books are harder for me to read if they are in e-book formats.

Here are the books I bought from MBF.



I love books. Fiction, self-help, inspirational, art - I love reading them. But I don't have that much time to read fiction books now than I had before. I can only squeeze in an hour or two, 2-3 times a week for reading books. That said, here are the books that I'm currently reading and just finished.


I finished reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project last month. She had quite a lot of tips/guidelines in starting your own Happiness Project. You can also start small first and gradually add things to your list. She calls them resolutions as  opposed to goals...and as New Year's just around the corner...if you find yourself thinking of wanting to be happier than you are at the moment, you can start planning your Happiness Project now. You'll find that some of them are easier to do and some, harder. Be aware too that most changes will be changes that focuses on you. You don't change other's character, try to influence them by changing how you handle things, how you see things, how you act and speak. Change what needs changing, but don't forget to be you.

I'm currently reading, "The Life-changing of Tidying Up" and "All the Places to Go". I'm also thinking of posting at Nanorimo.

Nanorimo or National Novel Writing Month, happens every November of each year. People from around the world can sign up and write a novel for a month! The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.

If you're interested to write your own novel, Nanorimo would be a good challenge to try! Do share us your story if you have already started or if you're thinking of starting! Write! Make magic~ xD