Thursday, February 18, 2016

I love Revlon lipsticks as they always deliver. I've already purchased & re-purchased a few of them and here's an addition to my Revlon crew - Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color.

From the Revlon Web Site: "Lightweight, high definition velvety matte color. Moisturizing, velvety feel. 100% wax-free, gel formula."
 
I purchased this at Landmark inside Trinoma Mall (Quezon City area) for a discounted price of Php 525.00 each. If you only buy 1, price is at Php 575.00 but since I bought two, I got it for Php 1,050 total. The sales lady said that the Php 575 is just their introductory price and will eventually sell for 600+ in a few days. The two shades I got are

               Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color has a paddle-shaped sponge applicator
  
I was not supposed to buy lipstick (yet) since I just recently purchased 2 from Dose of Colors, but when I swatched & tried them - I couldn't resist not getting them. Here are the reasons why it was love at first swatch:
  • smells like bubble gum; for those who does not like scents on their lipstick - don't worry because it does not linger
  • pigmented
  • creamy application; I had slight chapped lips that day but it did not highlight it after application
  • unique packaging - matte, flat and round edge
I've been constantly using them for days now and below are my observation so far:
  • long-wearing even after eating/drinking fluids; I do touch-ups only after a 4-5 hours but generally color stays long on the lips.
  • does not flake and not drying even after a few hours of wear
  • at first it gives you a glossy finish, then turns to a creamy finish then it transitions to a matte finish
  • combining the two colors give a more natural, lips-but-better look
  • Devotion - streaky application (maybe because of its light color?) but buildable. I actually prefer wearing this as my everyday wear if used alone.

This product is a definite repurchase and I highly recommend.

Sunday, January 24, 2016

So while researching and planning our travel itinerary, part of it was deciding if we should get T-money or the M-pass card.

 

To know a more detailed difference between the two - better go here the Official Site of Korea Tourism. 







Deciding will actually depend on where you want to go, how do you plan to go there, and how many days are you planning to stay in South Korea. In our case, we spent 6 days in Korea and our mode of transportation there was mostly walking, train, little bus and cab rides. We used this site: https://www.smrt.co.kr/program/cyberStation/main2.jsp?lang=e to compute and get a rough estimate of fare we will be needing when riding the subway.

In our 6 day journey, choosing T-Money we initially loaded 35,000 won which lasted for 5 days and on the 6th day - we reloaded another 15,000 won for the airport bus ride. Overall total we spent for the card is 54,000 won (around Php 2,200).

T-money

  1. Where you can purchase: at any Convenience store where T-money is available( common spots are 7-11, Ministop & GS25 convenience stores). Ours we bought at the 7-11 store at Incheon Airport. 
  2. Cost: the card itself is 4,000 won. The cashier would ask you first to pay for the card and then after you can pay for the amount you want to reload it.
  3. Refundable: Yes but only the remaining load balance after the 500 won charge. However, you can keep the card and use it the next time you go to Korea :)
  4. Transfer Discount: Yes. During our stay, we noticed that some of transfers we made was actually free :)
  5. You can use the balance to purchase food and other stuff in convenience stores.
  6. Airport Bus: Yes

M-Pass

  1. Where you can purchase: Seoul Travel Information Centers located at the Incheon airport. 
  2. Cost: A 4,500 deposit is required when purchasing; minimum is 10,000 won for a 1-day pass and maximum is 59,500 pass for a 7-day pass 
  3. Refundable: Yes. 4,500 won deposit plus the remaining load balance after the 500 won charge. 
  4. Discount: 10-20% discount to popular tourist spots
  5. You need to return the card upon refunding. So M-pass is a good option you don't have plans of going back.
  6. It can act as a T-money too so you can use the balance to purchase food and other stuff in convenience stores. Note that you can & need to reload a separate T-money balance should you wish to use the card to purchase stuff at convenience stores. 
  7. It has an allotted 20 subway rides per day. After that, you can re-load T-money balance if you need to ride more than 20 on the subway (which I don't think is possible unless you get totally lost & went back and forth on the subway lines all day lol!)

Getting the T-money was more practical on our end as we are mostly walking and our average rides per day was just 4-6 tops. The subway though was only until 12 MN so in two occasions when we realized it was already past 12 and we were still outside - we had no choice but to take the bus. It was a good thing too that our airbnb place was literally in front of a subway entrance so at times when we are feeling energetic, we just actually walk (underground) instead of riding the train. 


In summary, I would highly recommend using T-money instead of the M-pass.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Nature's Way Aromatherapy Salon (SM San Mateo Branch)
Update August 2017: I went back to this place for the same massage service & saw quite a big improvement from my last visit. They now have a basket where you can place your stuff inside the massage area. They also have a hook now inside each massage area where you can place your clothes. The place is much quieter now, although I went there on a weekday & at that time I was the only customer, but when the other staff outside was talking & laughing, the masseuse shushed them up & reminded them to lower down their voice. I very much appreciated that. The receptionist also asked if I want to shower & steam first - so that means its already available, yay! I had to decline that time as I just showered before I left home so there's no need for another one.

I just got back from my Korea trip with a terrible neck & back pain so I needed a massage pronto. I was planning to have my massage at Nuat Thai (San Mateo) but saw this spa place in SM San Mateo and decided to walk in to inquire.

Upon checking their service list, it seemed fairly priced so I decided to try them out. I had to wait for around 45 minutes though for an available masseuse, but I didn't mind. The receptionist was kind enough to ask for my mobile number so they can just text me once its my turn - which is a good thing as I can stroll around the mall instead of just sitting inside.

I chose the 'Shiatsu & Swedish Massage Treatment' for 90 minutes. I was ecstatic that it was inclusive of shower & steam - as what was indicated on their service menu.





I would just like to note that after my massage and during payment - ONLY then was I informed that it was just their 2nd day of opening. So this made me (kinda) understand what I experienced that day.

When I went inside towards the massage area, I saw a few men still working on some areas of the place. And yes, I can also hear them probably mixing cement, hammering, talking, etc. while I'm almost naked on the bed. Honestly, the whole 90 minutes I was awake and paranoid - especially since the small space I was in was just covered with curtains. I hear those men or whoever walking past the small space I am in; being paranoid if they can see me through some small holes of the curtain or whatever. I just wish they did that during the night or early morning while the mall was closed. It defeats the purpose of offering a relaxing/therapeutic experience to the customers. It was so noisy too that even the good massage did not made me relax & sleep.

Other things to improve on:
 
Massage Room

    -Light was too bright. I've been to a few spa places and as part of helping their clients relax - they should provide dim lights. The lights on the room was not that LED bright but it was not dimming the room either. Bright lights contributed on how paranoid & scared I am especially as I can hear men outside - like I feel was just inches away from our space/room. 

 -No hook/s to hang my clothes or a table to place my personal belonging. I had to place them all on the floor.
 


 
No Sauna or Shower Room (yet)

Since they were only on their 2nd day of opening & still on the process of construction - sauna/shower were not yet available. It would have been a nice gesture if they informed me right away that these won't be available yet - or noted it on their service list/menu. Or better yet, lower down the price since they could not offer the whole package yet.

Above everything else I've experienced, the massage was great & staff were nice & accomodating. But, it would have been best if they did not accept massage services whilst they are still not fully done with the construction of the place OR do the construction during off peak hours. It was really a turn-off for me and the other clients who went for a massage that day too for sure.

Hopefully, the next time I visit - they are all done with the place & offer a much more relaxing service.
  



Monday, December 28, 2015

Note:
The room I booked were 2 Deluxe Rooms (with breakfast) that cost me Php 4,638.40 via Travelbook.ph (discounted price). Since we were 5, I paid an additional Php 580.00 for the extra bed (inclusive of breakfast). To know more information about the hotel, room pictures etc. visit their official site here: http://www.paladinhotelbaguio.com/ 


Over the weekend, my family toured my cousin and aunt to the City of Pines known as Baguio City. I have long prepared for this trip - meaning I have gone through several google searches, blogs and travel sites to find a good but not so expensive place to stay. This was not my first trip to Baguio though, I've been there twice before (once for the Panagbenga Festival and second was for my birthday last 2013) - but on both occasions I had a friend living in Baguio who helped me scour for a transient house to stay. But since she is no longer staying in Baguio - I had to find a place on my own.

I've already looked through some potential hotels via the famous Agoda & Booking.com site - but one day while on my way home - I heard on the radio an add for TravelBook.ph. And this is where I found this hotel that offered a very nice price for my budget. Also, I loved that Travelbook.ph has this point system that you can use for your future bookings. I'm sure other travel sites offer the same kind of perk but I like that this site doesn't provide any complications as to when earning & redeeming points. Note that this is my first time to try this site, so I don't know yet if there are any complaints or whatsoever about their discount promos. Try to visit their site if you want to expand your hotel options: http://www.travelbook.ph/.

We only stayed overnight at Paladin Hotel but the experience was amazing :) I'm listing down all the plus points I had during our brief stay:


  1. Luggage Storage: We arrive really early in Baguio so its a good thing that we were able to leave our things (safely) in the hotel before we were allowed to check-in. Unfortunately, the hotel was fully booked that morning so we were not able to early check in but understandable since it was the holiday season. They will give you a claiming number that you will need to provide to the reception once you are ready to claim your things. They even allow the guests to leave their things even after checkout - which is what we did since we had to eat lunch & go to the Mines View Park before leaving Baguio.
  2.  Free WIFI: One of the advantages if you are staying in a hotel instead of a transient house. The connection isn't that as stable - sometimes you can get disconnected but it was not that a hassle for me. As long as I am able to connect right back in and upload my photos then I'm good. Also, they provide 1 password that is valid daily per gadget. We were offered 5 but you can ask again from the reception area if you need additional access at no charge.
  3. Complimentary Massage: They offer 1 complimentary massage per room. I'm not sure though if the complimentary massage was dependent on the room booked. Note though that it was just a quick 30-minute massage and if another guest wants a massage too, it will cost Php 300.00. 
  4. Clean Room: I am very particular with hotel room amenities - especially the bed sheets, pillows and blankies. Kudos to the hotel as bed was so comfy, nice smelling sheets, pillows and blankets. Toilet was not that grand - but heater was working perfectly fine and with that I'm happy.
  5. Good Customer Service: For a good business to be successful, for me one should highly invest on good service. Paladin Hotel's staff - from the receptionist, to the house keepers, guys who serve breakfast, bell boys, guard, etc. - were all very nice, accommodating & always smiling. And I find their smile very sincere - you feel really welcomed to the place. 

Nobody is perfect so as with their plus, I'm also listing down things they need to improve on:
  1. Food: Breakfast (set meal) is included on their room accommodation however I was not that happy with the taste. During our stay, we had to choose 1 variant only with rice & scrambled, coffee and was served with Papaya as dessert. The garlic longaniza and egg was bland.


   2. Complimentary Massage: I'm including this on the negative side because it was so quick and the pressure wasn't that as I was expecting of a proper massage. They should've informed the guest that it was only for 30-minutes so I could've requested to have it extended even if I had to pay.

  3. Hotel Lobby: I would be nice if they have a TV on the lobby or waiting area. To keep the guests waiting entertained.
Hotel Lobby on the Second Floor

Overall, my family was very satisfied with our stay here - we wish we could've extended. I am highly recommending this hotel to anyone who wishes to stay in Baguio :)




 

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