Danke, Nivea! (Thanks, Nivea)

We've been a fan of Nivea for a long, long time. And nope, this is not a paid advertisement :-)

Got our free Nivea bath towels

And I guess, it is times like this that solifies the reason why. Aside from their skin products that are really to be recommended, they have these special offers that makes us all smile.

My nine-year-old wants to have body piercing!

Help! My nine-year-old IC wants to have her body pierced!

Where did she get the idea? I don't have any clue.

We were having lunch, and as usual, the girls were taking turns telling us about their school day.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, IC said, 'I have decided I want to have body piercing.'

She continued, 'I think I'll have it in my tummy, or maybe in my tongue. What do you think?'

Huh? All three of us, my husband, her sister, and I turned to look at her in silence. IC's reaction? 'Why are you looking like that?'

Yeah, why? As if it's normal to hear those words coming from a nine-year-old girl!

I focused on having her tongue pierced.

So, you want to have your tongue-pierced? Let's see, I need to think fast.

And I asked her, 'What are we eating right at this moment?'

IC answered, 'My favorite: baked pork-chop with rice and salad.'

'Do you think you could still eat such things once you have your tongue-pierced?' I questioned her.

She looked at me and shrugged, 'I guess I have to think about it longer.'

I am sure this would not be the end of the discussion about body piercing but at least this time, reason (and food) won :-)

P.S. Both girls have had their ears pierced when they were a year old and that's enough about piercing for now.

Dream Mousse Blush from Maybelline

I am not the type to wear a make up, really. Not only because I dont know the right way to apply them without me looking like a carnival mask; but because I dont know to buy the right color to my skin type.

Having all these cosmetic brands with millions of products for zillions of skin types, I just suddenly stopped making the effort. It just confuses me more, and I wanted to avoid wrinkles. But when I happened to stop by a drogerie a few months ago to buy a perfume for my husband; the kids cannot resist the colored attraction, make ups!

With two young daughters grabbing me enthusiastically to the cosmetics section, what can a mama do? They wanted to look, and touch and try them on. I shook my head to an emphatic no, but I got curious. And we ended up the visit with dotted palms and backhands, but with a good find: Dream Mousse Blush from Maybelline. It is not powder, not liquid -- what it said, moist like a mousse concoction.

There were only two hues available that time, the beige-light orange one which looks funny on me and what I got now - the Dolly Pink. Come on, erase that grin. The name seems to invite a lolly-candy image but that's not definitely not it. It takes one careful wipe with your pointer finger from the glass, then apply it to your cheeks. The blush adds only a bare pinkish glitter to your face, but that is enough for me. That simple touch makes me feel prettier and chic. Just what I am looking for.

Back from the Hairdresser

I told the hairdresser I wanted a wash-and-wear hair style.

No fuss.

Just a spot of gel or a spray of mousse and hair done.

Something like this...

But the hairdresser said it is too short for the coming autumn. What with the ears all free and not to mention the neck and throat!

Well, I am easy to convince.

So I ended up looking like this...

And then I woke up :-D

Oh yes, it was not a dream. I indeed have a shorter hair.

But I look better than the one in the pic, that's according to my loving husband!

Naturally Beautiful, Gwyneth Paltrow

Oh Gwyneth Paltrow... you look stunning!

We rarely see stars without make-up especially on a public gathering.

And that's why I absolutely admire Gwyneth Paltrow who came au naturel to the presentation of her cookbook, "My Father's Daughter" in East Hampton last week.

Superbly relaxed -- sun tanned, in cut-off jeans and a striped sweater over a bikini and flip-flops -- Gwyneth Paltrow wowed me.

It showed how comfortable she is in her own skin. It showed her confidence. It showed herself, the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow.

And it showed, natural is beautiful.

I rarely gush about a star and I am doing now simply because I admire what she represented. No make-up is cool and more beautiful.

I found the story and the image here.

Cosmic Serene Spa

Looking for an exclusive hideout in the middle of a busy Malate community? Where you could forget about the travails of everyday stress and simply let go?

Then stop by at Cosmic Serene Spa -- to relax and enjoy a wonderful pampering.
Cosmic Serene Spa is located at U120 Pacific Regency, P. Ocampo St. Malate, Manila. The spa is right across The Rizal Memorial Coliseum. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

How to get there:

Public Transit Take the LRT 1 (Monumento to Baclaran LRT), alight at Vito Cruz extension. If you are coming from the north (Monumento), walk from the LRT station towards P. Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz St.), turn right and walk towards the direction of Roxas Boulevard. On your right you will pass by Starbucks and Rizal Memorial Coliseum. On your left you will pass by BPI, Burgundy and Grand Towers Condominium.

Now, if you are coming from the south (Baclaran), just cross Taft Avenue from the Vito Cruz station and take the same route as mentioned above.

By jeepney, just alight at P. Ocampo St. (formerly Vito Cruz) and take the same route as mentioned above.

Call 5670722 for appoinment. For more info: Cosmic Serene Spa