Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

Welcome back to another review post. Tonight I would like to talk to you about the Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau so fresh, Eau de toilette.

Image from the web

Let me tell you a background of my scent/smell preference. I'm really not a floral-scent-kind of girl. I gravitate towards the citrus, powdery, fresh kinds of scent. I like scents that smell like fresh laundry or scents that smell like you just got out of a shower.

I can't show you the box since I threw it away already (got this a few months back...I had no idea that I was going to start blogging then). But I can describe to you the box that came with it. It was pink with little flowers on the border. When you open it, the cap even has multiple daisies attached to it. So, my first impression was I wouldn't like it at all (based on all the flowers I saw on the cap and on the box). I thought it would overwhelmingly smell like flowers. However, when I sprayed it on, suprisingly, it smelled more fruity than floral. It smelled like sweet fruits (more along the lines of sweet cherry, mango, passion fruit). The scent is really sweet. It has a floral undertone but definitely not fresh or citrusy. It definitely does not smell fresh to me (as per my definition of fresh, being more like just cleaned laundry or just out of the shower scent).

The smell lasts a long time (2 applications for the smell to last for a good 10 hours). I sprayed it before going to work in the morning and a re-application in the mid-afternoon.

The verdict: if you're into floral scents, maybe try the original perfume version of Daisy and not the Eau so fresh version. If you're into sweet, fruity scents (not citrusy), this one is for you. If you are more into fresh laundry/out of the shower fresh scent, stay away from this.

I wouldn't purchase this again-well, I really didn't spend for this though, it was a gift ;-).

Thanks for reading! Until next time :-)

Segreta Bellezza

Hi!  A few days ago, I was able to get my order from Segreta Bellezza (an on-line shoe shop from Multiply).  It's on a pre-order scheme.  My initial order was for a set of open-toe faux crocodile skin dark brown high-heeled shoes.  Unfortunately, after waiting for 8 weeks, the people from Segreta Bellezza told me (got a text message at 4 in the morning!) that the shoes I ordered were out of stock.  What?!  Haaaay...here is what I settled for (and waited another 4 weeks to get)...

These set me a back around a little more than 1500 Php.  My initial thought on these shoes was that it looked okay.  It doesn't look high-end though, just okay.  I used it yesterday and I found it comfortable considering the height of the heels (5 inches). 

The downside is that the straps keep falling of on my right leg.  It's very embarassing going down and fixing the strap.  I tried tightening the strap so it really hugs my ankle, that seemed to fix the problem.  Another problem is that my toes do not fit the base of the shoes (I have wide feet).  If you look at my photos, my toes extend out of the base of these sandals.

Anyways, I kindda like these sandals.  I'll continue to use it and make the most of my purchase.  As for waiting for 3 months for shoes, well, that's another story.  I'm not sure if I will ever order from Segreta Bellezza again.  Maybe not now...but I'm keeping my options open.

Until next time!  Thank you very much for dropping by!

Tokyo Bubble Tea

Hi Guys! Another bubble tea moment for me tonight. I went to the salon today, only to find out that my hair dresser wasn't around. So, off I went to go to another salon. On my way out of the area, I chanced upon a new bubble tea place. It was Tokyo Bubble Tea. Of course, unable to resist bubble tea, we went inside and checked their bubble tea.

Here's what we got.

Left - JCC Black Milk Tea; Right - Japanese Green Milk Tea

I like the Japanese Green Milk Tea. It tastes good but a little too sweet. I also like their sinkers/black pearls/ bubbles (?). It's small and plenty. My companion's selection is not bad either. However, I'm not really into the tea with cream cheese concoction.

The verdict: I still like Serenitea. However, if I'm in the area, then I could probably sample more of their bubble teas (and maybe their food too).

Thanks for dropping by! See you in the next installment of Real Products...Real Experiences.

Sally Hansen Nail Polish

I have a secret to share...I have a deformity.  One of my big toe nail is cracked. I've had this deformity ever since I can remember. My mother said that I got it when I was 2 years old. My toe nail got crushed under the feet of a rocking chair. I believe it will forever be cracked since the nail bed has been damaged already. Even new nail that grows from it remains cracked.

When I was young, I used to think my cracked toe nail was normal. Meaning, all people had 1 cracked toe nail. But when I saw my mom putting on nail polish on her or nails, and I saw that she doesn't have 1 cracked toe nail, I began to check other people's toes. And lo and behold, everyone else had normal un-cracked toe nails. So, I got conscious of my deformity. I refrained from wearing open-toe shoes/sandals because I wanted to hide my cracked big toe. When I grew older, I began putting nail polish on my toe nails to hide it. And so my relationship with nail polish began.

In the beginning, I polish my own toe nails with cheap nail polish. Those were the only ones I could afford. Then eventually, I began going to salons to have my pedicure done. It was getting expensive, so I tried home service spas.  The problem with home service spa is that they employ cheap nail polish that  cracks easily or gets chipped off in a matter of a few days.  Also, I cannot control how the pedicure technician removes my cuticle and how they shape my nails.  I have also experienced cracked nails because of their manicure/pedicure techniques.  Back to the drawing board.  I wanted to do my own nails again.

Hence, my forage into Sally Hansen nail polish. They are priced in the mid-range (each bottle costs around 250 Php).  I think they give you bang-for-your-buck.  The nail polish lasts a long time, so each bottle can probably last you for more than 1 year (well, at least for me).  Now, I use the Sally Hansen Double Duty strengthening top and base coat as well as the Xtreme Wear Nail Polish. I like them a lot.

Left - Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Ice Coffee; Middle - Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Bamboo Shoot; Right - Double Duty Strengthening Base and Top Coat

The squarish brush makes it easy for color application. The consistency of the nail polish is also great. It doesn't get sticky, unlike its cheaper counterparts and it glides on smoothly on your nails. With the strengthening top and base coat, your nails are actually strengthened.  No more cracked nails for me (well, except for my original, one and only cracked big toe nail).  The Xtreme Wear nail color also lives up to its name.  I have worn this nail color for 1 month with minimal chipping.  Galing!

Applicator Tip of Ice Coffee

Applicator Tip of Top and Base Coat

I presently have 2 colors and I'm thinking of adding more to my collection. Maybe a bright red or a deep red. But definitely something on the opaque side since I need to cover-up my cracked toe. I'll let you know what I decide to get in future blog post.

This is as real as you can get.  This is my actual finger nail with Ice Coffee.  I can't share with you my toe nails because I'm shy.  ;-)

Thanks for reading! Until next time.

Royal Plaza Hotel

What do you look for in a hotel? Since I'm paying for this trip, cost was my number one requirement. I wanted to stay in a decent hotel that would not break the bank.

After an extensive search in laterooms.com (courtesy of my companion for the trip), we were able to book our stay at the Royal Plaza Hotel located at Prince Edward West, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It's a 5-star hotel that is near a mall, MTR (HK's subway) and it is also a station for the Airport Express shuttle. We paid 24k Php for 3-night stay (2 adults and 2 children) with complimentary breakfast for 2). The original price was 34k Php. However, they are renovating the hoteI, hence the discount. I thought it was a good enough deal.

The make-shift lobby and front desk

When we reached the hotel, renovations are in full swing. The main entrance was closed. We used a side entrance which may have been a service entrance prior to the current renovation. Upon entering, you would hear construction noises, one of which sounds like a jack hammer. No worries, we won't be spending time during the day in the hotel anyways.

Well-stocked mini bar

The bed with very nice sheets.

 

Ipod/Iphone dock

Since there is no more regular room, they bumped us up to a room on the Executive Floor. Wuhoo! The room was nice.  We had 2 flat screen TVs, one inside the toilet and one facing the bed. The mini bar was well stocked with champagne, red wine and 2 free Nespresso capsules. They give you 2 free Nespresso pods every day. There was also a Nespresso machine and a percolator. The view was great and the sheets were soft and warm.  I could live here forever! :-)



View from our room

Swimming pool

So, if you are looking for a place to stay in Mong Kok area, I recommend Royal Plaza Hotel.  Especially now that they are renovating...they have brought down their room prices during the rest of their renovation period.

Until next time!  Thanks for dropping by!

Crocs

And these are the babies that replaced the blue Shoebox shoes I wore at the beginning of my trip. Read my review here.

Remember when I was looking for this specific style in my previous blog post (read it here)? I figured, if I were going to replace my uncomfortable shoes, then I should look for something really comfy. I'm not really a sneakers/rubber shoes person. So, this is what came to mind. I logged on the net to find a store in my area and I was able to find one.

I'm so happy I was able to find these pair of Crocs. My feet were happy during the remainder of the trip. My eyes were placated since these shoes look fashionable (aside from being comfy) and looked good with the other clothes I brought along for the trip. Lastly, my brain was satisfied. These cap-toe Crocs flats were actually cheaper in this neck of the woods compared to the Philippines. Problem solved.

I recommend these cap-toe Crocs flats for all of you out there who want to look good in flats. These shoes are really made for walking and look stylish as well. Good buy in my book.

Until next time. Thanks for dropping by!

Shoebox

Hi everyone! I'm back from my mini vacation. Let me share with you my experience with my blue faux snakeskin Shoebox shoes.

I have used this pair once before and it seems comfortable enough for travel. So I decided to use this shoes for my trip (which involves walking for long distances at a time and possibly standing in line for long periods of time). At the end of the first day using these shoes, it was okay. It didn't give me any wounds but the arch on top of the shoes really pinched the top of my feet. I really wanted to make these shoes work (since I don't want to buy a new pair of shoes and these blues shoes match all of the outfits I brought with me). So, I wore them again the second day (I have no choice anyways...I didn't bring another pair of shoes). At the end of the second day, my feet were killing me. Well, just the skin where the shoes were pinching me. I've had it (well, not all of me...my feet gave up but my eyes really like the look of the shoes and my brain keeps telling me that I should work with these blue shoes because I don't have the budget to splurge on another pair of shoes). I needed to buy another pair of shoes so I can survive 2 more days of walking and standing during this trip. So, guess what pair I bought? It's coming up on the next entry. Stay tuned...

Bottom line: I love the color and versatility of these shoes. But sadly, these shoes are not made for walking (for long periods of time). The material is stiff and it doesn't conform/hug your feet. It actually pinched/makes a dent on the skin of your feet. If you're like me (I have wide feet/malaking entrada), I wouldn't recommend these pair of shoes.

Thanks for reading! Until next time.