Because grace is timeless

While I was strolling through Booksale waiting for my boyfriend, I happened on this dainty pink book. When I read the title, it spoke to me. I honestly think a lot of girls have to brush up on their basic manners and etiquette.

I try my hardest to be in my best self. I don't claim perfection, hence I purchased this book to remind me of basic manners that we were taught as a child. When my mother reprimanded me of actions I should not and should be doing, my then 5-year-old self would never have understood why. Now that I'm older, this book gave me the explanations I needed. 

For sure, I'll be teaching these lessons to my future daughter.

I always believe that when a girl exudes grace, she radiates an extraordinary beauty that charms people around her. Most of all, she gives respect because she demands to be respected.

Krave Cosmeceuticals: Vegie Lash & Kiss & Run Organic Lipstick; Etude House Drawing Eyebrow

So here's a review of my current makeup arsenal. These babies make it easier for me to get that polished look. The Krave products were ordered online while the drawing eyebrow is from Etude House SM City Davao. All were assembled on my birthday! :)

1. Krave Cosmeceuticals Vegie Lash Mascara

2. Krave Cosmeceuticals Kiss and Run Organic Lipstick

3. Etude House Drawing Eyebrow

This is what their Facebook page says about the lipstick: 

"It's been years since we are observing the production of lispticks and the market trend of colors, functionality & side effects of it. Most lispticks offered in department stores are loaded with chemicals and mostly vibrant colors make our lips dry, chapped & dark. 

Our KISS & RUN lipstick and blusher, we made sure that it wont damaged your lips, cheeks & health. It is made up of all natural ingredients. These lispticks are hand made and the colorants used is BEET ROOT extract instead of Carmine. Beet root is a fruit that gives red vibrant shade when extracted. Now, we can enjoy bringing colourful hues in our lips & cheeks without he hazardous effect on our health."

Ingredients: Pure beeswax sourced from Bukidnon bee farm, pure Olive leaf extract, Shea butter, Castor oil, Roeships, Beetroot extract, Titanium dioxide, Pythaessence stevia.

Price: Php 350. 00

Let me start with Krave Cosmeceuticals Kiss and Run Organic Lipstick. I got mine in Venice (Red).  I ordered their product before named Lip and Cheek Salve. It looks so much alike. At first I wasn't sure if the two were the same product. Anyway. When I first swiped the product in my lips, it felt dry. I felt like I was swiping a crayon on my lips. It also felt dry on my lips. BUT! I love the matte-ish finish it gives my lips. What I love about this lipstick is how soft and smooth my lips felt! There's no stinging of peeling.

Yay!: soft and smooth lips. Can double as a cheek tint.

Nay!: Kind of hard to transfer the product on your lips. It feels dry.

Will I repurchase? Yes! This can be my go to everyday lipstick.

Note to Krave: I hope you will disclose the ingredients on the canister of the lipstick, not just the box (the product did not come in a box anyway)

Next up: Krave Comseceuticals Vegie Lash Mascara

This is what their Facebook page says about the lipstick: 

*Vegetable based

*80% less chemicals
*Lash conditioning
*Smudge proof

"Made with high quality silicone brush & precision bristles that perfectly coats the lashes. One coat will be enough. Notice how your lashes will increase in volume and length. Since this is a vegetable based mascara, your lashes will be conditioned and will not cause black staining under your eyes. Perfect and safe to use daily."

INGREDIENTS:
Dionic water, Glycerine, Beeswax, Microcrystalline wax, Sorbitan Monostearate,
Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Propyl Paraben, Oxide Black

Price: Php 319. 00

When I removed it from the box, I was surprised how bulky it is. When I tried it, the liquid felt thick. It also took to long to dry. 
Yay!: It claims to have 80% less chemicals. Good coverage 
Nay!: Liquid is too thick. Takes too long to dry. I'm not too sure about the smudge- proof claim, it gave me panda eyes one time. 
Will I repurchase? probably not.

Lastly, Etude House Drawing Eyebrow. I had a Wet and Wild pencil eyeliner before that I doubled as my eyebrow liner. The damn thing would be blunt after a few strokes and sharpening it was a mess. Applying it was a pain because it was scratching my eyebrows. Finally, I decided to toss it. I remembered Etude House has a product line for eyebrows.

The only thing I can say is that I LOVE IT! Applying it on my eyebrows is a breeze. No need for sharpening anymore. No mess!

I also love how the pencil is angled to make shaping your eyebrows easier.

So one end is the pencil and on the other end is the spooly, to make softer strokes. Hurray!

Price: Php 128. 00 (It's a steal!)

Yay!: No mess application. Angled pencil. Spooly on the other end.

Nay!: NONE! :)

Will I repurchase? Definitely! 

Me wearing Krave's Kiss & Run in Venice

You can order Krave products through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Kravebeauty

I'd love to try more of their products!

Of course, Etude House is available in SM and Ayala Malls.

My 1st fasting journey

Last Sunday, my church announced that they will have the mid- year fasting. For three days, you would have to dispose and put yourself in God's presence and listen to Him. You would also have to reduce your eating (you have to commit to a type of fast: drinking only liquids or water all day or having only one meal a day.

At this point in my life, I was earnestly asking God for a breakthrough in my life, especially in my career. I told myself this was the perfect time to listen and wait for God as He will unfold a plan in my life.

Two days before the fasting started, I stacked up on fruits and vegetables. Later that evening, I realized I cannot commit (or my body would allow me) to finish the fast. It would only be God's grace that will fuel me to go on with the fast.

I opted for the 1-meal-a-day-fast. I would eat only at lunch. I think I had lapses with the my choice of intake (chocolate drink, and I drank coffee once).

Even before I began my fast, God opened an opportunity for me (in my career). Still, I committed to finish the fast and prayed for God's plan and the opportunity.

Things I learned from fasting:
1. Spiritual muscles will be strengthened.  I learned more to depend on God. The urge of the stomach is the hardest to resist. So each time I had the temptation to eat, I thought of my commitment to God.
2. Fasting is a reminder to surrender everything to God.
3.When temptations abound, we are practiced to respond in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
4. Faith in God will be strengthened. I believed a breakthrough will happen in my life.

There are many characters in the Bible who fasted (David, Moses, Esther, Elijah and etc). Jesus Himself fasted for 40 day.

For me, I offer these 3 days of my life to connect with God in a more deeper level.

Review: A cool and cozy afternoon at Alleycat

I desperately needed to connect to the Internet for work (which I could have done at home if the modem did not conk out). So I had to resort to the most affordable cafe where I can avail of their wifi (hehe)

Alleycat it is. It began to rain on my way there and it was definitely a refuge.

Alleycat's space is quite small, with only 4 tables on the 1st floor. If you opt to chill on the 2nd floor, you would have to sit on the floor and find your spot (there are no tables!)

Anyway, for me the tiny space makes it more comfy. The place is certainly kitty- inspired. You will be amused with all the little details and doodles of cats.

They have books that you can read while enjoying your tea. I chose this to stack up on my knowledge on how to take care of my new kitty. 

Littly kitty cat on cloud- 9

Here's Alleycat's menu (as of June 2015)

alleycat milktea

Php 80:  royal, vanilla

Php 90: blueberry, wintermelon, alleycat, caramel, coffeetea, strawberry, honeydew, taro

Php 100: dark choco, choco banana

Php 120: matcha 

fruit tea (Php 80 all)

peach, lychee, passion fruit, strawberry grapes, orange, lemon , kiwi

snacks

cheese quesadilla (Php 90), chip and dip (Php 70), (Php 85): pb & j, ham and cheese, tuna

Drop by Alleycat at Poblacion St, Davao City (near Metro Lifestyle, Torres Street). It's inside a compound 'The Site'