Unboxing My First BDJ Box

What's a BDJ Box, you might ask?

BDJ means Belle De Jour, a box containing beauty products which you will receive once you become a subscriber. Subscription comes with a fee and you can choose among the many affordable packages they offer. The nice thing about BDJ is that they have a 1 month subscription which I picked since I just wanted to try the service, unlike the other beauty boxes on the market which normally require a minimum of 3 months subscription. Here, you have totally no idea what the contents of your box gonna are and that's what makes it more exciting.

Well, let's check out what's on the inside of the March BDJ Box. Was my 480 pesos worth it? Let's see...

contents of March BDJ Box

Actually, if you sum up the cost of each item, the total amount would be around 1,500 pesos. 

But the question now is, do I find anything that I might actually find useful?

Well, one product that I'm really happy about is the L'oreal UV Perfect Sun protection because I just run out of face sun block which is a staple skin care for me and this came just right in time. It's perfect that its SPF 50 and blends well with my skin tone.

Loreal UV Perfect Longlasting UV Protector (PhP 545)

The next items worth trying are the Anti Hair Fall L'oreal Shampoo and Conditioner. I actually had to cut my long curly locks because I'm getting more hair falls than the usual. I'm alternating this with my regular shampoo and conditioner.

Loreal Anti Hair Fall Conditioner and Shampoo (PhP119/ PhP110)

I'm now having less hair fall but I'm not sure if it's because of  this L'oreal products or because my hair is now a little shorter and straighter. Well, I'll have to figure this out later. 

Shine Caresse, Chic Rouge 6ml (PhP 595)

This is Shine Caresse in Chic Rouge shade, a lip stain that has a glossy finish, quite unique in that manner. Its not as long lasting as the other brands I tried but the plus point is that it's not sticky and doesn't make your lips look dry. I use it once in a while because I'm not used to wearing orange colored lipstick.

Loreal UV Perfect BB Max / Youth Code Pre Essence

These are the only two items of sample size, the rest are all full size. I'm not really a fan of BB creams so I'm giving this to my sister and the other tube which is an anti aging skin care product called Youth Code Pre Essence is something worth trying. Let's see if what it's claiming is really true.

Color Riche Les Nail Art (PhP 395)

This item is interesting in the sense that now I have a chance to do nail art for my low maintenance nails. My fingernails are really soft, bends easily when it's longer than my fingertips that's why I always trim them to the tips. Putting this on is a challenge but it's actually very easy and no fuss. Well, I think this nail art gave my nails a bit of a character instead of the usual boring look. It definitely will look better on longer nails but I'm liking it.

Well, it looked a bit rough but since it's my first time putting this on, maybe you can tolerate this for now ;-) . Another thing, the nail stickers lasted for almost a week which is a good thing afterwards they started peeling off, but I'm really glad I don't have to use acetone to remove them :-). I'm actually considering buying other designs, something to put on for special occasions.

Was my 480 pesos worth it? YES, definitely!!!

What are you waiting for? Go check BDJ Box here.

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And my OSCAR goes to ...

The list of winners have already been revealed and I'm glad I've seen most of them and if I have to make my own list of winners on my own standards of a good movie, hmmm I'm no PRO not even a little but I love watching movies that inspire, make me laugh, and those that provide intense feelings that puts me at the edge of my seat, that's why I'd like to share my choices and my primary criteria are as follows:

                                     -  it must be compelling
                                     -  there must be a sense of redemption at the end
                                     -  a triumphant feeling that can move me to tears

Having said that, rounding it to 4, my nominees for Best Picture would be :

1. ARGO
2. LIFE OF PI
3. LINCOLN
4. ZERO DARK THIRTY

With ARGO taking home the Shie's Asylum Award. Yes, I'm in 100% agreement with the OSCARS. You will really root for ARGO once you've seen it.

My Best Actor award, hands down goes to Daniel Day Lewis as LINCOLN. I can't even name someone as second close or a distant second. While watching the movie, I didn't see Mr Lewis only Abraham LINCOLN, He's really that excellent. I adore this actor.

While Jennifer Lawrence has got that acting spunk and is very likable, for Best Actress, I'm leaning towards Jessica Chastain for the movie Zero Dark Thirty and Naomi Watts for The Impossible as second close. Silver Linings is a fun movie to watch and I love the actors that excellently played their parts but I don't feel that it is of the same level as the other nominated films.

For Best Supporting Actor, Christopher Waltz (Django Unchained)  highly deserves the award and Alan Arkin (Argo) as distant second. 

I think Anne Hathaway gave a very compelling performance as Fantine for the movie Les Miserables and deserves the Best Supporting Actress award but I've yet to see Amy Adams in The Master.

For Best Director, its a toss between Ang Lee of Life of Pi and Ben Affleck for Argo. Well, its Ang Lee who won, I think he deserves it. Although,I wonder why they didn't include Ben Affleck among the nominees, in my book he could've won too!

There it goes, my short list ..........I suggest catch them if you have time ;-)

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Fifty Shades of Christian Grey

It's a trilogy book written by a first time writer, EL James gaining unprecedented readership and I totally understand why these novels are selling like hotcakes. I got my hands on these after hearing a lot of ladies going gaga over Christian Grey. Curiosity got the best of me since I'm not really a fan of reading romance books, much more with an erotic theme. My taste goes from Robin Cook to Robert Ludlum to John Grisham and sometimes Nicholas Sparks.

I'm halfway the second book, Fifty Shades Darker, after 2 weeks and that means it's taking me long to finish. Well, I'm really put off by too much erotic scenes happening page after page, it's quite repetitive and sometimes comical. I actually skipped some parts, finding it unnecessary and so unreal and those exchanges of lines by Anastasia and Christian are so cheesy, makes me want to puke.

It's kinky, it's graphic, a fairy tale with an x rated tone. But yes, like most ladies, I'm smitten with Christian Grey, the idea of that vulnerable man, fifty shades fucked up but gorgeous looking, brilliant and highly successful man is what most women out there find attractive. The thought that you can make him change and live happily ever after is a foolproof formula to make every girls swoon. And just like Anastasia, I'd try to hold on to some extent even if it entails getting hurt in the process just to see how far it would take for Christian Grey to come out of the dark and become a changed man.

The title of the third installment is already a giveaway of how this story will fold up. I'll probably continue my reading but Fifty Shades Freed sounds happily ever after and  I'm already hearing all those giggles from mommies, grannies and ladies in waiting, no teens please, lining up for the movie's release. I might watch it if ever and hoping the movie version will be a lot more tolerable ;).

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GROUPON Deals in Manila, Take your Pick!

Groupons or Group Coupon deals are becoming the new online buying craze here in Manila. I for one, have registered to most of these sites, subscribing to their email alerts so as not to miss any great deals these websites have to offer. I think these different groups just started almost simultaneously this last quarter of the year and so far based on my experience, these are the ones offering legit deals that are quite a steal. 

ENSOGO PHILS.

I came across ENSOGO via one Facebook Ad that appeared on my side bar. There started my affair with GROUPONS, I clicked it and then right after that just found myself registering to avail the deal of that day which is the CLAWDADDY 60% discount deal. Read my Clawdaddy account here.

Click photo to direct you to ENSOGO

Of course before finalizing my first groupon purchase, I did some quick research about the group behind these company and check some actual accounts of people who already availed their services. I'm glad that my first transaction with them went smoothly without fail. Mode of payment can be through credit cards and bank deposits but the most preferable is via Paypal, more hassle free, secure and you'll get your vouchers in your account as soon as payment is made.


CASHCASHPINOY

CashCashPinoy works the same way as ENSOGO. Different deals will be offered for a limited time. Subscribed to their email alerts so as not to miss a great deal. I bought their 70% off  90 min Hilot Body Massage with Foot Therapy from Shui Hilot Spa.  Already called the merchant and I'm scheduled to have this next week =)

Click photo to direct you to CASHCASHPINOY

BUYANIHAN

These group were the first to offer group coupon deals here in the Philippines. The only requirement here to make your purchase final is for certain number of people to join the deal. If they meet the number, you'll get your vouchers, if not, the deal is off but you will not be billed.

Click photo to direct you to Buyanihan

My first Buyanihan purchase was the KAMASUTRA CAKE from Good Spirit . This deal is still ongoing as of the moment, I bought some pieces to give to some of my colleagues this Christmas.


LOCALROAM

This is the newest groupon deals I've seen lately and works the same way as BUYANIHAN.  I already registered and just waiting for a good deal to come up. Their very first deal is still up, a 50% off BELO Facial Service with Doctor's Consultation for only PhP 810.

Click photo to direct you to LOCALROAM

These are just among the notable e-commerce website offering groupon deals that I have registered and transacted with. I'm always excited to see each one's next deal, they are always trying to outdo each other and that's really good news for every consumers like us. Just a word of advice. always read the FINE PRINTS for each deal before making a purchase and don't be too excited but wait for a while before clicking BUY, just be aware of the time the deal will end so as not to miss it.  If you have credit cards, sign up for a PAYPAL Account, it will only take you a few minutes to have one. Paypal is the more reliable, convenient and more secure mode of payment for these Groupon Deals.

Happy Groupon Deals hunting everyone!

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A Legacy of Greed and Betrayal by Arillo

When I heard of this book through my newspaper readings, my urge to grab a copy became more heightened. I was already planning to purchase it online since most National Bookstores I've checked had run out of copies. I made one last effort to check National Bookstore when I happened to pass by Megamall while waiting for a friend, and lucky for me, fresh copies have just arrived selling for 200 pesos each.

My objective here is to be more informed of the factual happenings during the Aquino regime. Is CORY really the ICON of DEMOCRACY? That has been my question since I don't share the popular opinion that her regime brought back democracy, unity, reconciliation and progress to this country. I was in high school when she assumed power and I can still recall some major events that happened during her time that totally contradicted that public notion. She overthrew Marcos but she didn't uplift the lives of the Filipinos and much worst the country is still divided and poor. The economy was in disarray and I will never forget the power crisis that resulted in 10 to 12 hour daily blackouts. Add more to the fact that it was during her regime when major disasters hit the country that claimed the lives of thousands of people. Remember the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake, the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the massive flooding due to a strong typhoon in Ormoc City that claimed around  6,000 lives and the sinking of the MV Dona Paz. Her regime is for sure one that will never be forgotten.

Greed and Betrayal is written and published in 2000  by veteran journalist Cecilio Arillo as a sequel to his earlier publication, the bestseller and award winning book, Breakaway, The 1986 Edsa Revolt. He is a columnist and reporter of Manila Times who exposed the corruptions, human rights violations, gross misgovernance, hatred and vengeance of the Marcos, Aquino and Ramos regimes. He had his travails under the three administration, was incarcerated during Marcos rule, arrested and charged with rebellion during Aquino administration and was implicated with kidnapping and murder during Ramos regime. When his name was finally cleared of all these charges, he started what a journalist ought to do, write a book!

The book chronicles the events that took place during the Aquino administration. It details the sins of a vindictive regime, including well-documented instances of greed and betrayal of those who brought Cory to power in 1986. It also documented how the so-called “Kamaganak Inc.”  tried to surpass the Marcos plunder in scams and anomalies. The cannibalization of so many Cory administration-sequestered corporations by the Presidential Commission on Good Government’s fiscal agents also came to light. The betrayal of the tenants of the farmers of Hacienda Luisita and the infamous Mendiola Massacre. The heavy influences of the oligarchies, the powerful and wealthy families represented by the Lopez Family, etc. and the several "coup d'etats" that occurred during that time. It has several pages of "Notes and References" that will prove that this is not a black propaganda meant to destroy the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino.

Reading this book felt like a  breath of fresh air from the usual "hallelujahs" that the yellow camp continually feed the unsuspecting public.

The late President Cory Aquino for me is no doubt a good person but being ill equipped to lead a country proved to be disastrous during her regime because she was helpless and clueless against the factions, the mighty oligarchies, the Kamag-anak Inc. included, that maneuvered for positions of power behind the throne. She became more of a Cult Leader rather than a President. Now, my biggest realization is that Noynoy is following the same route her mother took and surrounded by the same people that controlled her mother's administration. If only Noynoy has half the intellect and the leadership qualities of his father Ninoy Aquino, only then will I agree that he has the capability to govern this nation and stand up against the maneuvering of the powerful but that is evidently not the case with Noynoy.

It only goes to prove that Presidency is no joke and installing a popular candidate with a good heart but lacks competence to lead a nation is a  sure road to failure. I strongly believe that the most important qualification of a President is COMPETENCE above all, followed next by integrity. If competence is deficient no amount of integrity will compensate for the  lack of it especially  if one is surrounded by powerful people with greed and vested interests.  

As one columnist wrote, "A government by the elite is for the elite leaving the rest of us to scramble for the crumbs that fall  from their tables. Let us not betray ourselves by continuing to put in power those who represent the interests of the elite."

Having read this book, I can safely say, I'm 100% was never and will never become a victim of the yellow fever.

Greed and Betrayal is an interesting and must read for every Filipinos.

http://www.greedandbetrayal.com/

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SnapIt Screen Capture

Just lately, the Prt Sc button on my lappy's keypad is doing a lot of work for me to take screen shots of subjects I want to use in most of my blogosphere related activities but it has its limitations.

I'm trying now this screen capture software to do the job for me. It's features looks promising. No need to crop or edit the image you wanted to appear. You can take snapshots of exactly what you need with just a click. Check it out!

Screen Capture Software

Try it for FREE

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