Women from both sides of my family suffered from breast cancer. Knowing that, I check my breasts regularly for lumps. I do know I should take it further by getting a mammogram yearly, but for now, I'm just satisfied that there are no lumps!

On that note, did you know that breast cancer is more or less curable if detected early? You can save your and your loved ones' lives just by encouraging them to do a breast self exam, even if they're just in the shower. This is the advocacy of the Estee Lauder group of companies - they want to raise awareness about breast cancer so that women do not have to suffer needlessly just because they were not informed.

Mel Lerma of Estee Lauder talking about the campaign

Estee Lauder currently has a Facebook app that encourages everyone to share a message of hope. Just by typing a few inspiring words in the app, you can help light the world pink - literally! There are illumination sites all over the world, where landmarks are lit pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Don't you just love how Manila is fast-becoming a world-class shopping mecca? All the best brands are finally arriving in our shoes, and the latest to join the growing list is Japanese casual fashion brand UNIQLO. It's definitely something Pinoys will love because we're very much into laidback basics.

SM, who recently brought Forever21 to Manila, will also carry UNIQLO. It's slated to open come early 2012 so that's something to look forward to next year! The good news is that judging by the pricing of F2, it's reasonable to speculate that UNIQLO pieces will still remain affordable.

At last, something new from one of my favorite brands, Colour Collection! I know some folks have been having trouble tracking down a Tupperware dealer in search of their excellent Color Intense Lipsticks, but I tell you, it's worth it. And now there's something else to pine after with the release of the Mineral Cosmetics Line and Age-defying BB Cream.

First off, I doubt that the makeup is actually 100% mineral - BUT there are no parabens or fragrance involved in the making of this line, and they also threw in some soothing ingredients like aloe vera, green tea, shea butter, and jojoba oil. The lipsticks are mostly made of oils, waxes, pigments, and silicates, so they can pass off as mineral makeup.

The powder makeup is mostly mica, talc, zinc, pigments, and chemical binders. So not entirely mineral makeup but they do have less irritants than the usual makeup. IMHO, that's a good job already because so many companies who got into the mineral makeup bandwagon are FAR from actually being MMU.

On to the collection!

They released five new shades of Mineral Lipsticks with SPF15: Plumberry, Creamy Coral, Satin Shell, Brick Rose, Smooth Wine. They're all pigmented and delightully loud!

I wanted to write this in paragraph form, but I thought it would be more fun to list it down! So, these are the reasons I'm selling some of my books.

• I love reading, but I live in a condo. Space is limited for books! (And shoes for that matter). I want to buy new titles and keep only those books I'm likely read again.
• I read most books only once. I don't remember every small detail about them, but each book will always be a part of me and how I view the world. That's all I want from books.
• I need more money to buy more shoes. (Kidding. Er.)
• These books need owners who will value them more than I do. 

And these are the reasons you should buy these books:

• I bought all of them this year from Fully Booked. Many are new titles that I got as soon as they came out. 
• They're crazy cheap.
• You need to support my shoe addiction. Because we're friends.
• I also need to give away some beauty/personal care stuff, so yeah, freebies for each purchase!

And here's what I have:

RESERVED Nina Garcia's The One Hundred. Originally P640, selling for P400. (Must have for fashionistas.)

RESERVED How To Walk In High Heels by Camilla Morton, P200. (Must have for women who want to develop class and grace, as well as the wonderful talent for walking in high heels.)

Been a while since I posted something from Avon here. Recently though they sent me a package with some of their latest goodies, so I'd like to share them with you here as an FYI (for now!). Will definitely be reviewing the new Skin So Soft Lotion since I love this line - it's one of two moisturizers I finished to the last drop this year. I'll also talk about the new eyeliner soon.

Oh, Avon also has a BB cream now! It's only P399 and comes in two shades.

Anew 360° White Transforming Mask (P499)

Anew 360° White Transforming Mask’s fine massage beads stimulate the skin and instantly smoothens the skin by gently removing dead skin cells while Avon’s patented whitening ingredients dramatically whiten skin. 

Have you been out? It's such a nice Saturday! I guess everyone agrees because there are very few updates on my social networks. Hehe. Anyway, before I go off, I just want to announce the Commenter of the Month for August. Her name is Julz! She's been so helpful with her comments and product feedback on my posts last month. So, she's getting the cool Tony Moly skincare and makeup set. 

And now, get ready for my Commenter of the Month gift for September!

The best commenter this September will win this Yves Rocher loot bag containing a Lash Plumping Mascara, 3-in-1 Eye Pencil, Moisturizing Cream Lipstick in Rose Cannelle, and Agave Sap Velvety Moisturizer. I'm so envious! I wanted to keep these! But I think the CoM deserves them more than I do. ;)

Heads up! I'd like to share the most interesting news I got in my inbox. ;) Enjoy.

Ensembles x Religioso

Ensembles has a new collection this September! It's designed by Choc and Yvette Religioso, the duo behind that luxe store in Greenbelt 5. The collection "embodies the stylish empowered woman of the new millennium, inspired by the genteel well-dressed women of the past.  Each piece origininates from the classic button down shirt, given a dash of drama that is the signature of the line’s designers".

Here are my top three pieces! My favorite is this shirtdress. It's so moderno! I wonder if it comes in other colors.

Congrats to Leila Lopes, Miss Angola for winning the Miss Universe 2011 crown! She's absolutely gorgeous and deserves the title. Our home girl, Miss Philippines Shamcey Supsup, is also a winner as the third runner up.

A few weeks ago, Tretorn asked me if I wanted to participate in an international campaign called The Nylite Project. The rules were simple: they'd send me a pair of Tretorn Nylites then I am to wear it my way. Truth be told I'm not into sneakers, but I'm tickled pink by the concept of incorporating a vintage classic in my girly-preppy-sleek wardrobe.

I remember my mom wearing these exact same Tretorns in the early 90's with high rolled pants and an oversized tucked-in shirt. I'm not sure, but I may have also had a green version of these for my PE classes. LOL! Those were the days of gray cotton shorts and school-printed tees, jackstones, Pogs, and Chinese Garter. Nostalgia: commence.

Anyway, here's the outfit I came up with my new old Nylites. I got the dress and shades from Forever 21, but it was only when I got home that I realized that they look like soulmates together.

It's that time of the year again! The Clinique Bonus Time promo has a really, REALLY fab set of goodies this year. For a minimum single purchase of P4,500, you get this awesome gift. It's full of generous travel sizes of some of Clinique's best sellers, and it's worth P4,000!

What's in the set:

Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief 15ml / Moisture Surge Thirsty Skin Relief Face Spray 30ml / All About Eyes Rich 7ml / Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion 30ml / Rinse Off Foaming Cleanser 30ml / Super City Block SPF 40 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector / Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss Circle C Mirror with Pouch

Clinique's annual bonus time is a great way for you to try Clinique without paying full-price for them. Besides, the set is practically free. If you don't know what to buy yet, allow me to recommend some of my super duper favorite Clinique products. I use all these all the time, if not every day (I rotate depending on what my skin needs at the moment).

 Clinique Superbalanced Powder Makeup SPF15/PA+++ 

Clinique Derma White Cream / Derma White City Block Anti-Pollution SPF40 (recently bought this, will review soon! This is my super favorite face SPF product, and I've been using the samples for two months.)

I'd just like to announce something that I'm extremely proud about. Been working on it these past weeks, and now it's out!

Yes, Ferretti now has an online store! The 16-year old Marikina shoe brand has now gone the e-commerce route. We decided to do it because, well, so many of our followers have been asking us to open stores in other provinces as well as parts of Metro Manila other than the branches we have now. We're definitely going to expand futher soon, but for now the quickest way to address these requests is to open an online store.

Did I say the shipping is absolutely free? It doesn't matter how many you buy or where you're based in the Philippines - we will ship it for free using Xend. If that's not convenience in a nutshell I don't know what is.

Anyway, enough rambling from me for now. Here are some of the designs we have in the store! They're my favorites. :D

Yes, we also have Accessories. You'll remember my favorite turquoise necklace from Ferretti. It's out of stock now, but there are other cool designs in the store.

I had the pleasure of meeting Angelica Panganiban in person sometime last June. I always thought she was pretty, but she's one of those celebrities that look waaaaay better in person than on cam. Her face was flawless and glowing, yet I can barely see any makeup! I've seen other celebrities before and the truth is that they really pile it on (part of the job description I guess) but Angelica's face looked very natural, as if she was born with a radiance that sets her apart from us mere mortals. 

She was very gracious and warm that night too!

Bloggers with Angelica (photo from Askmewhats)

Because of the overwhelmingly positive response that Angelica recieved as the Pond's White Beauty Naturals endorser, Pond's decided to give her followers a chance to meet her. All you have to do is install the Come Face to Face with Angelica Facebook app, nominate three friends, and you get a "personalized" video and email from Angelica. You and your friends will automatically nab a Pond's Naturals sample pack too. 

Here are more details.

Eyeing that Forever 21 dress but put off buying it for some reason or other? Well, there's no reason now since Forever 21 Makati is having a three-day sale with selected items at 50% off! I hope I can catch the sale this weekend, there are some pieces I've been mooning over. X-ing fingers!

There’s just so much to look forward to at the Forever 21 3 Day Sale at SM Makati from August 19 to 21:

• Aug 19 10AM-12nn: 10% off on regular priced items when you use your SM Advantage Card/BDO Rewards/SM Prestige Card.

When I first saw the Bobbi Brown Tortoise Shell Collection in Temptalia a couple of months back, I was floored. I like the theme and the fact that this collection is targeted towards women who wear glasses (me)! You see, it's a more difficult to use makeup when you wear glasses since they bring focus to the eyes. You don't want to be caught dead with droopy or tired-looking eyes, right? The Tortoise Shell Eyeshadow Palette is specifically designed to highlight our peepers without them looking overdone or trying hard. 

Aside from the palette, a set of mini-brushes with tortoise shell handles will be making a debut. If you've ever wanted to try Bobbi Brown brushes but can't afford them, this set is your best bet since you won't have to pay full price for them to get the same quality. It's P3,000 for the set but that's considerably less expensive than the normal size brushes which can go up to P2,000 a piece.  

Click after the jump to get more tips from Bobbi Brown on how to wear makeup with glasses on!

Hello! I'd just like to announce the commenter of the month winner for July. Her name is Ivy Boto. I really enjoyed reading her well thought-out comments both on this blog and on Facebook! Hope you enjoy the Colour Collection set I'm sending over, these products are seriously some of my faves in my kit. ;)

Now, this is a bit unusual, but I would like to announce a runner-up CoM. Her name is Mrs. Brigoli. I love her enthusiasm in commenting as well as how she writes her comments. I would love to send her a blush (she's on a blush phase, I hear), but I'm afraid I don't have anything brand new at the moment. I'll just send over this Elizabeth Arden White Glove Extreme Skincare sample set. Will also add a couple of goodies.

Now, are you ready for the CoM August gift? :D

Yes, Tony Moly!

These days, I never leave the house without wearing perfume. It's the final finishing touch to my look, that factor that holds the whole thing together and establishes the mood I want to hold for the day. Yes, a scent is that important!

One perfume I recently got the chance to try is the Mary Kay Bella Belara (P2,300) EDP. It's a sweet floral scent that's not too young or cloying, if you get my drift. The top notes have fruity elements like nectarine and apricot, while the mid-notes sing of rose and jasmine. The dry-down is a subtle wood and moss combo, the perfect finish that sets everything to ground.

My verdict? It's nice! The Mary Kay Bella Belara is something I'd wear with floral-printed dresses and lacy tops since its subtle sweetness complements that particular look. I recommend this happy scent to women who are quiet, elegant, and always smiling.

And now, for the contest! If you want to get your own bottle of Bella Belara, simply accomplish the steps below to join the raffle. It's super easy to join! :D