My Diet

When I posted my new haircut photo with Aly in Facebook, I received a few comments from friends and family congratulating me on my weight loss.  I'm flattered and thankful.  I did lose 2 kilos (around 4lbs) but I think I'm slowly gaining it all back no thanks to our five-day trip back home and PMS.  Grrr...  Must.  Diet.  After.  My.  Period.  

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Anyhoo, I'm going to share with you how I did it:  South Beach Diet (SBD) phase 1 for two weeks.  I should be on phase 2 now, but with the trip back home and PMS, sira ang diet ko.  Plus, they say you're supposed to lose 8-13lbs in the first two weeks but I kinda had some cheat days so I only lost 4.  Oh well, better than nothing, right?

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I cheated with a Starbucks caramel frap on my first week.  But if you noticed, I asked them to hold the whipped cream (my favorite part) so I won't feel too guilty.  Haha!  

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I have to thank my lunch buddy Jo-ann for introducing me to this.  She went on the diet too and she dropped down to 4 dress sizes.  Wow!  So I bought the book, read it and planned our meal according to the diet's principles.  Richard went on the diet too and I think he lost more weight because he's more disciplined than me.  Heehee!  In a nutshell, SBD is no carbs, no sugar for the first two weeks.  No rice, no bread, no pasta, no potatoes...just lots of salads, soup and grilled meat.

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A sample of what we ate on our first week: baked chicken breast with pesto and mozzarella cheese.

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I'm not going to lie to you: it wasn't exactly a walk in the park but the good thing is, I was able to lessen my cravings which is exactly the end goal of SBD.  I can also make do with less sugar in my morning coffee which is a great start!  Plus, knowing that I made it through those two weeks makes me confident that I can do it again.  I think that's the best part, right? 

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One week of SBD phase 1.  

I have a looong way to go but at least I know there's hope for me.  Hehe!
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Till the next weight loss update!  Wish me luck! :)

New Look

How do you like the blog's new look?  I thought I'd go for a simpler and cleaner layout this time.  I also played around with the different fonts available on Blogger.  Hope you like it.

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Speaking of new look, Aly and I kicked off the summer with a trip to the salon.

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A shoulder-length bob + hair color for me.  This photo was taken straight out of the salon.  My hair is not really this straight in real life so I may not look this polished the next time you see me.  Heehee!

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A shorter bob for Aly.  Now she really has straight hair -- lucky girl!  So this is how her hair looks (and behaves!) everyday.

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She's a great salon companion - very patient and well-behaved.  She looks great in short hair too!  I think it brings out her eyes.
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P.S The image that I used for the header is a free download from Yummy Lolly.  Thanks, Yummy Lolly!  You rock! :)

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Pink Belt

I went to Aly's Songkran school celebration last Friday wearing this:
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My "Sorry but I'm the queen" shirt from Zara

Pink belt: 168

Gray pants: Old Navy

Silver flip flops: People are People

Bag: Aly's Hello Kitty bag for swimming class

Shades: Mango

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I wore the belt to match Aly's pink bag.  Heehee!

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Pag Songkran kasi, may basaan so I packed a towel and a set of clothes for Aly to change into after their celebration. 

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I also wore bigger shades to cover my face.  Kasi I didn't have time to put make up on.  Heehee!

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See?  No kilay, no blush...just sunblock and lip balm.  I was a wee bit late for Aly's school thing.  Good thing I didn't miss the part where she went up on stage.

Songkran Wear

For last week's Songkran Party, Aly and I wore this:
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Rash guard: Speedo

Shorts: Zara kids

Flip flips: Dupe

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Tunic (worn with shorts underneath): from Chatuchak

Watch: Richard's Technomarine

Aviator shades: from MBK

Flip flops: Ipanema

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Songkran must-haves to keep your things dry: resealable bags and those plastic wallet thingies.

Doctor's Appointment, Errands, Etc.

After staying at home for almost a week, I finally got to doll myself up yesterday.

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Cotton shirtdress: Easy Pieces, Central department store

Belt: Platinum Mall

Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Watch: Richard's Technomarine Cruise Chrono

Sandals: Fitflops

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The cold spell has left Bangkok so we're seeing a lot of sun and heat nowadays.  This cotton shirt is great because it feels presko -- perfect for a trip to the lunch market after my doctor's appointment.  Heehee!

My Beauty Routine: Dy Castell

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My first guest feature for the Beauty Routine series is none other than my super kumare Dy, a domestic goddess/events connoisseur/memory keeper/photographer/budding show host/make-up artist-in-the-making based in Belgium.  She speaks Filipino, English, French and Dutch.  Gosh! Is there anything this woman can't do?  There's nothing this super mom can't and won't do!  More than the super bongga roles that I mentioned, the one that she is most proud of is being super mommy to my cute inaanak, Audrae...

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Dy + Audrae

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...and, of course, as the lovely wife of Gerald.

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The Castells

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Looking fab even when running errands!

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She's even brave enough to share a photo sans make-up.  Ganda pa rin.  Bravo, mare!

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Now, let's get on to the juicy stuff shall we?

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Shampoo: Schwarzkopf Schauma Nutri & Glanz Shampoo (for dull, unshiny hair), Schauma Frucht & Vitamin Shampoo (for all hair types).  

Conditioner: Loreal Elvital Nutri-Gloss Conditioner.  

Hair Masks: Schwarzkopf Schauma  Repair & Pflege Intensive Repair Mask, Loreal Elvital Color-Vive.  

After-bath Hair Protein Spray: Loreal Elvital Nutri-Gloss Hair Spray (for added gloss..smells nice too!)

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Water here in Belgium has Calc, I'm not sure what it is in English..maybe Talc? Not sure. Anyway, whatever it is... it makes our skin, especially the scalp, really dry. Using different kinds of hair products lessen the possibility of scalp damage and dandruff. Sometimes when my scalp gets really dry, I use Ducray Selegel.  

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Shower: Ricette Naturali PERLIER Body Honey Miel (I love this because it's 100% Italian organic honey), 

Yves Rocher Apricot Body Botanical Scrub, 

Dove Go Fresh Douche Soin De Beaute Energise, 

Palmolive Tahiti Douche Vitalisante Pulpe de Grenade
Yves Rocher Jardins de Monde Duschcreme (I love this coz it smells really, really nice).

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Body Creams: Dove Beauty Body Lotion, 

Nivea Q10 Plus Hydrating Lotion (this helps moisturize dry skin especially during winter), 

Yves Rocher Orange 

Chocolat  Perfumed Body Lotion

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Our must-haves: Johnson's Baby Jelly or any petroleum jelly brand

Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizing Cream
 Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion

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American brands are hard to find here in Belgium. No wonder, even McDonald's is pretty scarce in this side of the world. Seems to me, they don't like anything American around here. So unfortunately for us, we have to ask relatives in the States to buy the products and send them to us via Post-Pac.  Thank God we can always count on our families abroad. Aud and Gerald's skin are ultra sensitive to dust, pollen, perspiration, stress among other things....I think it's really a good thing that we moved here in Belgium because the cold weather helped a lot to lessen their skin allergy breakouts. There is a thing called "seasonal affective disorder or SAD which is like a form of mental depression that is most common here in Europe during winter. I have my own version of that for Aud & G...I call it "Seasonal Allergic Disorder". Simply because Aud gets allergy attacks whenever there is a change of season. :(

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My Nail Polish Color Top Picks: 

O.P.I Nail Lacquer NL A34 

Maybelline Tenue & Strong PRO 285, 

Maybelline Express Finish 760,

Revlon 721 Raven Red,

 Loreal Resist & Shine Titanium 734,

 Park Avenue 0I43,

 Classics 73

Yves Rocher (YR) Arnica Essentiel Hydrating Hand Cream
Vaseline Hand & Nail Cream
Freeman Barefoot Creamy Pumice Foot Scrub, 

Caronia Hand & Foot Care Renewing Scrub (Green Tea Scent)
Nivea Body Milk

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I learned to use Nivea Body Milk to moisturize my feet through a former colleague at Coke. I saw her everyday applying this product on her feet. I used to wonder why would she do that in the office? Siguro walang magawa. Bored. She bugged me a lot, aba sya pa-lotion lotion lang! One time, she caught me staring at her and asked me if I was disgusted or something. Even if I was, I just asked her what's her secret for keeping her feet lovely. I swear her feet looked soooo soft! She said Nivea daw! That same day, during lunchbreak, I hurried to Megamall to buy a bottle for my dry and ugly feet. I have been using Nivea BodyMilk for my feet ever since!

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For the face, daily:

Avene Gentle Gel Cleanser (Rinse-off formula)

Loreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Triple Active Comfort (for thorough cleansing)

Nivea Visage Tonique Fraicheur (tones and invigorates skin for a fresher look)

La Roche-Posay Nutritic Transforming Care Ultra-Fine Cream (I have been using this moisturizer for a year now. It's a good alternative to Biotherm's Nutrisource Dry Skin. I love this moisturizer especially during winter when skin gets sooo dry. Another good product is Avene Hydrance Optimale avec SPF 20.  Its rich, protective hydrating cream is good for sensitive skin.)

La Roche-Posay 50+ SPF Fluid 

YR Hydra Specific Hydra Care Gel Day Creme (this is more of an eye cream actually) 

YR Hydra Specific Hydra Care Gel Night Creme (for the face)

 Eskinol White Facial Cleanser 

Nu Derm Fade Toner Cream (to lighten pimple scars).

Weekly:
Yves Rocher Apricot Facial Scrub (I exfoliate once a week, as advised by my dermatologist to get rid of dead skin cells )
Nivea Visage Young Peel Soft Mild Scrub 
(I also like Avene's Gentle Purifying Scrub, which I have been using before, it's kinda expensive though and these 2 products are just as good so I changed)
Monthly:
Yves Rocher Tradition de Hamman Moroccan Face & Hair Masque (I try to do this at least once a month).

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Eyes: 

Yves Rocher Hydra Specific Hydra Care Gel Day Creme (this works well for dark under eye circles)

Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Eye Roller (I dont know the exact name coz Aud peeled out na the stick-on info. Anyway, its rollerball applicator is metal so you can expect an instant cooling effect which is good for your tired and puffy eyes. However I noticed that the cooling effect can only last for about twenty seconds. Once it dried up, you would also lose the cooling and tightening feel. So I'm just relying on this product's Glycerin and Pro-Vitamin B5 that helps get rid of these terrible dark half moons under my eyes.  I still think though that this eye roller is overpriced for what it offers and what it can actually do.)

Earth Therapeutics Hydrogel Under-Eye Recovery Patch

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Make-up: MAC Prep+Prime Face Protect Visage SPF 50

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 NC41

MAC Moisture Cover NW30

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC 40 

Studio Fix Powder  NC 40 

Studio Fix Powder NC 35 

Yves Rocher Luminelle Loose Powder -Beige Naturel

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MAC has only two stores here in Belgium, one in Antwerp which is more than an hour's drive from our place and the other one in Avenue Louise in downtown Brussels. Both are quite a long drive from our house but I always think going there is always worth it. The MAC Beauty experts here are just really friendly and they really know what they are doing.  Funny how the MAC people from Rustan's used to recommend a different shade of Studio Fix for me. I have been using MAC Studio Fix since 2007 and I cannot believe how I have been reeled into buying a wrong shade for my skin tone! No wonder I looked like a ghost in some of my pictures before. It was so white that I had to blend it pa with a different brand.  When I used up my Studio Fix baon here, we went to Antwerp for a new one. There they tried several shades on me and the best one that fits my skin tone is NC40.  I have been using NC40 ever since. I sometimes blend it with NC35 during evenings for a more made-up-look. I apply my make up base at home before I wake up Aud in the morning so it can settle down nicely before I put on the other stuff in the car (like eye make up, mascara, blush etc).

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Eye make-up:  Loreal Color Appeal Trio P

Prestige Beauty Bar Eye Shadow Palette

YR eyeshadow palette

MAC Eye Shadows (my favorite shades: woodwinked A60, twinks AA7 and A40) 

Loreal Blush Caresse -106 Ambre 

Une Natural Beauty Breezy Cheeks Blush -B03 (This Italian brand is organic, 100% of their total ingredients from natural origin and I love how I have to slide it to open, reminds me of my old NOKIA phone.) 

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I apply make up in the car on my way to school so my top picks are those that I can quickly apply when the traffic light turns red. I do not, by any chance, attempt to do make up while Aud is still in the car. If I have enough time to spare before heading to my 8.45 class, I stay a bit in the parking lot to do my make up...especially during nung winter, uso smokey eyes kahit morning look.. as in super dark black eyes kaya kailangan concentration :)

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CoverGirl Professional Mascara All-in-one mascara (I like light mascaras and this one is really good)

MAC Liquidlast Eyeliner - Coco Bar (super waterproof)

Maybelline 2-in-1 Impact Shadow Liner by EYESTUDIO (this is very easy to use) 

Yves Rocher Colours Nature Eyebrow Pencil

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Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Spanish Rose
Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry
Nivea Beaute Volume Shine in Volum Rose
Lobello Glamorous Gloss Red Ruby
Avene Cold Cream Stick Levres Lip Balm (I use this and La Roche-Posay's Ceralip interchangeably. Pag ubos na ung isa, ung other brand naman para hindi ma immune ung lips ko sa healing effect nya).

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I have sensitive lips that's why I can't just use any lipstick brand. Clinique is allergy tested so it's the best choice. Before applying any lipwear I use Avene Lip Balm first.

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My fave scents: Lacoste Touch of Pink (gusto ko talaga to, paubos na nga ...waaah)

RL Polo Sport  Woman

Benetton Sport

Davidoff Cool Water Woman (I got influenced by G kasi fave nya Coolwater)

Ralph Lauren Romance

Paris Hilton

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Exotic

Bath & Body Works White Citrus Cooling Mist

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3 secrets to make my hair straight: Braun Satin Hair Colour Hair Iron, Denman Boar Bristle Brush and lots of patience (as in lots of it! :)
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Make Up Brushes for everyday use (Brushes by ELF,Yves Rocher,Prestige and Di.)

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Tweezers.  We were actually looking for the scissor type handle na tweezers like my red one. I misplaced it kasi before ang hirap gamitin nung ibang tweezers kaya no choice ako I had to buy this.  If we get a chance to go Germany kasi, we try to buy there na their best products like scissors, knives etc. Anyway, weird ichura nito pero it's so easy to use so sulit naman.

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Dy also shared Audrae's stuff in case someone out there has a daughter/son with the same allergies.  She's hoping that this will help.

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Travel must-haves: Baby Wipes, Hand Cream, Holy Seat Toilet Spray, Hand Sanitizer, Alcohol.

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Audrae's Body Creams: Cold Cream from her Derma, Aveeno Cream, Eucerin Lotion, Eucerin SPF 50, Avene Tixera, Dermalex Cold Cream.

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Aud's Shower Companions:
Ordinary Days: Galenco Body Wash Classic,
     (hair)  Ducray Elution,

Ducray Extra-Doux
If her skin is a bit dry - Eucerin Bath Oil,  Ducray Selegel (hair).

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Aud's fave scents:  DKNY Be Delicious apple, Yves Rocher Pomme de Reinette, Pucca Eau de Toilette.

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So there you have it, another domestic goddess beauty all the way from the other side of the globe!  Thank you, mareng Dy for sharing your beauty routine -- and Audrae's too! -- with us.  Follow her fab mommydom adventures here.

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Have a happy weekend!