Watsons Haul July 2019

I have been a Watsons shopper even when I was back in the Philippines.  Even now that I am in KL, I love watching Watsons haul vlog in Youtube and from there I get the ideas on what to buy next when I am back in Philippines or when someone goes back.

I am not really a vlogger so I thought, why not create a Watsons haul (KL Edition) to revive my dying blog 😃

So here it goes.....

After gym and buying stuff from the grocery, I went to Watsons in Endah Parade since I needed to buy some stuff esp. since I have been adding items in my Watsons online app.  They have promotions ongoing for members (I think 25% off).  The store is small but just alright to buy some necessities.

I managed to get some freebies since my bill was around RM 150.  I had a flamingo-watermelon pink transparent case, a Safi Balqis mask, sample sanitary pads from Laurier (I was actually using this when I was in Japan), and sample shampoo from Ryo, a famous Korean brand endorsed by Memories of Alhambra's Emma - Park Shin-hye.

Freebies!!!

Pretty in pink flamingo case

Got 2 free Ryo shampoo sachets

Here are the items I bought in Watsons:

1) Naturals by Watsons Argan Conditioner, 490 ML (SRP: RM 24.90, I bought it for RM 14.90)

Naturals by Watsons Argan Conditioner

 I have not tried this yet but I have heard raves about this.  I was using the Anti-frizz Treatment Conditioner by Watsons and it is finishing soon so I might as well grab this to try especially since it is on sale!

According to Watsons website:

Naturals by Watsons Argan Hair range is formulated with Moroccan Argan Oil to nourish and revitalise hair. Known as "liquid gold", this precious oil improves hair elasticity for more resilience. This conditioner contains essential nutrients to repair damage and replenish moisture to keep hair soft and supple.

And it's free from Paraben, Mineral Oil, Silicones, Colourants, SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), Soap, Isothiazolinon (MIT, CMIT, BIT).

You can find more info about it here and will try to add a review about it soon.


2) PUREDERM Cucumber Eye Pads 24's (SRP: RM 19.90, I bought it for RM 15.92)

Purederm Cucumber Eye Pads

I bought this since my eyes has been tired lately.  I have not tried this yet and I am excited to use this, maybe tonight.  I have put it in the refrigerator to make it cooler, and it says in the direction put in there for maximum refreshment.

It comes in cucumber slice shapes, like the one in the picture.

It says it will help soothe tired and stressed eyes, help reduce puffiness, and the appearance of dark circles under your eyes.  One use and you will feel your eyes refreshed.  Can't wait to try it.

(I just saw from Watsons site that the price even went down now to RM 13.93).

Purederm Cucumber eye pads details.

***Update (August 29, 2019)
I was using this Purederm almost every week (if I am lazy) and it really feels so good on the eyes.  It soothes tired eyes and after using it, you'll feel your eyes are refreshed.  A good item to include in your home spa day routine 😍

3) Watsons Goat Milk Scented Cream Bath, 1 Liter (SRP RM 11.22, I bought it for RM 6.73)

I have been addicted to milk lotions and milk bath recently.  And saw from a vlog that this smells really like milk so I said I will try it and its on sale!

I have tried Watsons Green Tea Scented Cream Bath before and I loved the smell and the size goes a long way.   Let's see if this will be the same.

4) Lactacyd Intimate Feminine Hygiene All Day Fresh 60ml (SRP RM 11.00, I bough it for RM 9.35)

Lactacyd All Day Fresh Feminine Wash

I have been using a local Philippine brand (Brilliant Skin Feminine Wash) which I love but since I am in KL, I want to find a fem wash that I can buy from here.  My sister swears by this so I tried it.

It smells fresh and what the product claims that it is will give you an 'All day fresh' feeling, is true!  Of course, it is not as foamy as others but still it works.

It's a bit pricey thought but you just have to put a thump size amount in your palm and lather it there to make you feel fresh all day, everyday.

You can use soap since fem wash are expensive.  Soap works fine but sometimes it gets itchy coz that area is sensitive.  So if you got extra $$$, you can go for feminine wash in the market.  And I think this will be my go-to fem wash now.


***Update (August 29, 2019)
I like how it makes me feel fresh and even dry all day and a little goes along the way.  😍


5) Watsons Nylon Body Puff Soothe Me Right (SRP RM 4.82, I bought it for RM 3.61 - not sure about the price, I thought I captured the picture clearly, it was blurred 😭)

Watsons Body Puff

I use body puffs in the evening together with my bath wash (now, using Watsons Brightening Milk Bath) when I take a bath before my whitening soap and the one in the bathroom is almost out of shape already so I bought a replacement.

Will see if this is good and make my bathing time enjoyable as always 😌.

6) Olay Total Effects Night Facial Cream (SRP RM 43.50, I bought it for RM 30.45)

Olay Total Effects Night Facial Cream

The cream I am using for my neck is almost finished so I was looking for a night cream to use.  I swear by how Olay reduces wrinkles since my mother looks younger than she looks.  I cannot use any other creams on my face since I break down fast and I am using local Philippine brands (Brilliant Skin set, but now trying out RYX Skincerity).  But I need something to use for my neck.  One must not neglect our neck part.  You can see a lot of women's face that are wirnkle-free but the neck is neglected.










7) Panadol Extra 12's (SRP RM 11.78)

Panadol Extra

This is our go-to over the counter medicine for headaches and migraines and it really works fast.  It says in the description to use 2 caplets each time but we just use 1 caplet.  In Philippines, we usually just use 1 medicine each time.

Neil took with him our stock here so I had to go buy another box in case we need it coz for sure he is leaving it there again.









8) Sofy Cooling Fresh Pantyliner 15mm 28's (SRP 8.53, I bought it for RM 7.90)

Sofy Cooling Fresh Pantyliners

And like the name itself, this is a cooling pantyliner and it really makes you feel fresh.  I love trying out pantyliners and I don't feel clean when I am not using one in daytime or at night time esp. when my period is near.  This is good for those hot and humid days.


It will feel weird at first, but if you have tried using feminine wash that has cooling effect, then it's similar to that but it's longer.  It will subside after some time but you will still fresh.

Just make sure to change your liners often as well to make it clean down under 😄





9) Vaseline Healthy White Fresh & Fair UV Lotion, 350 ml (SRP RM24.90, I bought it for RM 18.68)

Vaseline Healthy White Fresh & Fair

This is Vaseline's new lotion, in gel type and it smells so good, like their Aloe Vera variant.  It has a cooling effect after putting it on and it's really non sticky and you'll doubt if you really put on a lotion or not.  That's how non sticky it feels.  This is good for those who hates the sticky feeling lotions give you.

Lotions are one of my must-haves in my skin routine and me taking a bath is not complete without sealing it off with a body lotion.  Sticky or not, I will always use it since we need to moisturize our skin.

See how dry my skin was after gym 

It says gel lotion but the consistency is still like their normal lotion.  The difference will be when you apply it on your skin.  It's easily absorbed by the skin and it will keep you fresh.

It reminds me of the Nivea Gel Lotion I used in Japan when it's summer time.

***Update (August 29, 2019)
I am not really a huge fan.  I still prefer the normal lotion.  After applying it, it feels weird like a sticky feeling but then it will go off when it dries.  Smells like aloe gel though and really refreshing.



10) Colgate Plax Peppermint Fresh Mouth Wash, 250 ml (SRP RM 9.60, I bought it for RM 8.64)

Colgate Plax Peppermint Fresh

I have been using Listerine Green Tea and it's almost finished and I wanted to try this one.  I have seen this in most vlogs from Watsons Haul Philippines so I thought of trying this out as well.

I just bought the smaller size to try it out first.

***Update (August 29, 2019)
It's really non stinging but the cap feels off to use. 







I did not really buy much since I was already carrying 1 heavy bag from the grocery and I had a restricted budget, heheheh.

Watsons in Malaysia is not as extravagant as how we have back in Philippines.  We have more brand options there but when it comes to member discounts, it is consistent.  That is one thing I love when shopping in Watsons, the discounts and the freebies when you hit a certain amount.  All I know is I just love Watsons 💖

Shop online or download their apps.  Or just go to your nearest Watsons store.  But make sure to be a Member to enjoy more discounts!!!

Until next time!!! Thanks for reading and please put your comments or suggestions below 💓

Paksiw na Tilapia

Moving to another country (away from the best cooks in the world - Mama and Papa) lead me to learn how to cook menus I usually crave from the Philippines.

One of them is Paksiw na Tilapia.  We haven't had it for so long because there was 1 month this year where we always have this once a week because Max loves the tilapia cooked in vinegar (actually, she likes anything with vinegar, so Ilocano, heheh, the shih tzu Ilocano).  So after long time, I cooked this one again and she did have a few bites coz she was already full from her dinner.

Whenever I cook, I do not usually follow the measurement of the condiments (except of course, when baking).  I follow the list of ingredients, but with measurement, I follow my taste buds. :P

So here is another #lutonieds recipe:

Paksiw na Tilapia (Tilapia in Vinegar Sauce)

Ingredients:
Tilapia (cleaned thoroughly)
Garlic
Onion 
Ginger
Vinegar (I use Heinz ACV, which is close to the Ilocos Vinegar)
Bayleaf
Pepper and Salt to taste

Optional:
Eggplant
Bittergourd
cooking oil
Green Chili
 
1.  In a cooking pan, arrange the garlic, onion, ginger and bayleaf.  This would be the base of the tilapia.

2.  If you are putting in the veggies and chili, arrange the veggies around the garlic, onion and ginger.

3.  Arrange the tilapia.  Add water.  It would be better if the tilapia is arranged such that the water level is almost covering the tilapia.  This will make it more tastier.

4.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

5.  Add the oil to make the sauce nicer and thicker.

6.  Cover and bring to boil then lower the heat.  Cook until the fish is cooked.

7.  Serve with steaming rice and optional fish sauce with the cooked chili as dip.

Reminiscing the Days

The past few weeks have been very stressful for me, esp. last week since I had to do a training (its part of the job).  Honestly, I didn't see myself being so confident in speaking in front of many people since I was a shy girl back in school.
I can still remember every time there is a piece to be memorized and then have it recited infront of the entire class, I will be the last one to volunteer :P  And when it's my turn, I just recite it as if I am just reading it (without any emotions or whatsoever).  That was me growing up.  I cower when it comes to public speaking.





Anyway, counting the days til Thursday and I will be off to a long weekend.  It's Hari Raya on Friday plus I'm on leave the following Monday since it's my love's birthday :) The first time we will be going on a trip solo since we had Max with us.  The first time we will be splurging in a hotel considering it's just a weekend getaway (he does not want to leave Max in the pet hotel for so long).  So I guess, my next entry will be my review on Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort in Batu Ferringhi, Penang.





I can't wait (this is how excited I am,lol).

Reinstating my love for Writing

It's been so long already since I have written another post in my blog. 

I guess since there is nothing much to do and I have no other outlet to tell my stories to, or shout out my stress (aside of course when I am slaving myself to the gym), that I push myself to reinstate this blog of mine.  It has such a nice name to just leave it out as it is.

I am so anticipating the long weekend to come and counting the days (2 more days) before I will be able to catch up with my sleep, my series and my household work.  It's not really a relaxing weekend though since when I am at home, I always end up doing more than I intended to do, thus telling the same litany to myself that weekends are not enough and that I wish I could just live up domestically with the quips of getting a salary as what I get now being an office worker :D

Being a career woman, a partner (to Neil), a mother (to Max our little shih tzu baby, yes I know, what can we do she is too cute), a household worker (at home since I ), it just dazzles me to home much capacity one human being can have to perform so many roles as what I do.  Constantly, I grumble and say that I am so tired and I give up working and just want to stay at home.  But I salute those mothers out there (perfect timing since Mother's Day is just around the corner).  They are the ones who have the most difficult job in the world - being a mother, a wife, a career woman, name it and she can do it, without any qualms at all.  But I know for a fact, that they too will be on that verge of saying, they are tired, but only speak of it when they are alone.   

Let's take for example Mama, my mother.  She will wake up very early to fix our breakfast.  After which, she will go to the market to buy something to cook for lunch and dinner, with whatever snacks (morning and afternoon) that she can also buy.  In between breakfast and the market, is cleaning the house, or washing the clothes (if it is laundry day), or ironing the clothes (if it is ironing day).  Once at home from the market, then she prepares the food for lunch, while having the morning snack with Coke (yes, she can't live without it).  Then we'll have lunch.  Then afterwards, either wash the dishes or clean the table.  Just a short time to rest and then have the afternoon snack, then it's time to prepare for dinner again.  This goes on daily without any complains whatsoever.  I am just imagining, what more if my mother goes to the office.  Then it's going to be so much work to do, juggling the time left upon arriving at home from work to the time that finally one can go to sleep, to prepare for dinner, make sure everything in the house is in order, etc. 

I do not know if I am making a clear statement, but, I guess, I took from my mother the way I do now at home.  I make sure that everything is in order, running the house.  Oh, now I have OCD.

With all of this, I thank Mama for all that she has done for me and Con (my sister).  I just miss spending time with you back home.  Thank you for everything and my gratitude and love to you is everlasting.

To all the mothers out there, thank you!!!

P.S.  Still contemplating on what this blog would really be.  It is having such an identity crisis now P

To Do List for New Year 2013

5 more days before Chirstmas, 12 more days before a new year comes.

I'm thinking of making many changes for 2013, wishing and praying that this would be better than this year.

Of course, this year has been great for us, and the biggest one is having Max - our very spoiled little Shih Tzu.

She's now turning 5 mos. this January 8, and she's been living with us for about 2 mos. already today.  Though she is naughty and annoying (coz she thinks our hands and feet are chew toys), she is the sweetest and our 'stress-reliever'.  Before, whenever we go out shopping, we mostly buy for ourselves, now, since Max came, we go for shopping to buy things for her.  Such a spoiled little one :)

Anyway, back to what I am intending to do before the year ends.  Here goes:

First, get a haircut.  I mean literally chop off this mid chest hair of mine which I have had after college.  I miss my short hair, even though all my younger years, I've had short hair - from Dora-like cut during Kinder, to the one length hair cut on highschool days, to the bob cut days in college.  Having short hair for 2 decades made me itch t grow my hair long (which my mother dislikes, hehehe).  So now, after a decade of having long hair, the eagerness (and longing) of having a short hair is coming back again.  Especially after seeing too many of my friends with long hair, chopping their hair so short.  Even my sister, cut hers to a pixie one (that's with the influence of Emma Watson's pixie hair) :P Hmm, wonder if Shakira's one is nice or shorter.

Second, lose 5kg more then I'd be having my ideal weight.  This year, I lost a total of 8kg.  Thanks to a lot of discipline, exercise, Herbalife and X-perfect and X-detox.  Herbalife gave me the drive, the x sets gave me the boost (coz I was fed up drinking shakes already, but still got stocks at home, which i am intending to just drink at breakfast).

Third, do a total makeover of my clothes, discard those old ones, then wear a lot of skirts and dress (which I already started this year).  One good reason of discarding the pants is Max loves biting the end of our pants whenever we already wore them.  So imagine, someone clinging to the end of my pants while I am walking.  Hehehe!

Fourth, save, save and save.  I actually started this month on a savings/investment.  Then hopefully, next year start investing in mutual funds (esp.now that the stock market in Philippines is improving).  Summing it - be debtless but be a millionaire, hehehe (got to dream to achieve it)!

Fifth, go organic.  I've started using SLS free toiletries since last month -  thanks to Human Heart Nature, a company based in the Philippines which sells organic stuff which are really surprisingly cheap considering it being 100% chemical free.  Since I am out of the country, I am getting my stuff from Jeanette of Down to Earth, who is based in Penang and is the distributor of Human Heart Nature here in Malaysia.  Their shampoos and conditioner (esp. the Strengthening variant), is the best for me, leaves my hair really shiny and soft.  And I'm like getting less hair fall day by day of using it.  Plus, it does not give me bacne which is a total turn off to me from commercial products.  And my other favorites are the Pink Deodorant, the Cool Chamomile Feminine Wash, the Strawbery Facial Scrub, the lotion (let's just say almost all HHN products that I have used) and of course the Sunflower Beauty Oil.  More reviews of the HHN products next blog :) (And I am making Max, go for organic toiletries as well :P)

How about you? What do you intend to do or change for 2013?

Christmas 2011 - Colmar Tropicale Resort (Bukit Tinggi, Pahang)

Ok, so it's been quite some time now that I have updated my blog. Very busy with work, now is the only time I used my leave (time to clear, but still I carried over 5 days).

We spent our Christmas eve in Colmar Tropical Resort, a French themed resort in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang. It's on the way to Genting so the tollgate was so jammed, many people are going for their long weekend I presumed. Neil was sitting beside the driver, me at the center of the van since we were the last one to arrive (though we were there when the van arrived. Thanks to the one who got our reservation for the return ride from Time Square to Colmar, she didn't specify that we need to get the tickets in their sales office in Time Square. Though I remember, I specifically asked her if I need something to show to the driver, she said 'No'. WTF! Thankfully, there are still 2 tickets left so off we went!)

Anyway, the ride going there was so peaceful after we passed the tollgate. Then I saw the sign 'Bukit Tinggi 5km'. All I can see are trees, and the clouds are so low, I feel like I wanted to touch them! :) I was thinking it will be a wet Christmas for a change as the weather in KL is so hot though it rains occasionally once every afternoon.

Then I saw the signage, 'Welcome to Berjaya Hills'. And I thought, we were so close already. At least 15-20 mins away from the main road lies the resort. All the winding up roads made me so excited if in the next turn I can see the resort already.

We arrived in Colmar past 11am, so it was around an hour drive from Time Square. The hill to which Colmar is situated is owned by Berjaya (as I've seen a 'Berjaya' signage similar to Hollywood) atop the hill.

As soon as we arrived, I went to the receptionist area to check in. she told me check in time was 3pm but she will give us a call once the room is done. So we left our bags in the counter, then head off to the pasta restaurant called 'Le Flamme' just in front of the hotel reception.

An hour of going around the small shops, the receptionist called saying our room is available. So we checked in, then decided to go and venture into the Japanese Village and the Botanical Garden. We have to ride the shuttle in going there. It's about 5 mins. away from the resort. The way going up the village is closed for renovation so we have to walk for about 5 mins. going up. Good thing I do cardio in the gym it was easy peasy for me :)

The next day, Christmas day, I was already up 7am, and took a view of the walkway down.  You can actually see how the wind is so strong outside and there’s a little drizzle coming from the low clouds hovering around the resort.

There were a no. of people awake already, and since we have a free buffet breakfast, we decided to go there early.  There was quite a no. of choices, from Malay breakfast – mee hoon, nasi lemak, fried rice, curry chicken, etc.  to the number of breads there.  They all taste so good, I tell you.

After breakfast, we went up to one of the towers at the end of the alley.  You can have a nice view of the whole resort and the surrounding mountains, so beautiful, I tell you.  Since, there is no other way to go, we just went back to the hotel room to wait for our check-out time.  Check out time was 12 noon but then the shuttle back to KL is not until 3pm. 

So after checking out, we left our bags at the hotel first, and then went to eat in this restaurant that serves nice roasted chicken.    And then the waiter who took our orders asked us if are Pinoys, was actually a kababayan.  Then we saw another one who was actually giving out orders to the waiters, and saw that he was also a Pinoy and in his name tag was ‘F&B Manager’.  Ang galing talaga ng mga Pinoy!

We waited outside the resort for us to go back to KL, and we saw a group of Pinoys actually having a picnic outside.  As in with rice cooker and everything.  For sure, there is ‘Adobo’ in the menu, hheh! 

3 pm came and we rode the shuttle back to Berjaya Time Square in KL.  The ride back was swift but when we were nearing Time Square, it was so jammed. 

All in all, the 2 days 1 night stay in Colmar Tropicale was nice, cold and fun.  Food was delicious though expensive.  Can’t wait for our next adventure!

 

First Christmas Song

While cooking food for tomorrow, I decided to listen to a radio station back home. And then I heard my first Christmas song for the year. "So This is Christmas" by The Beatles was playing on the background.

It has been so long since I celebrated Christmas with my family in the Philippines. I miss the children singing Christmas carols, the glimmering lights in every house because of the 'Parol' (or Christmas Lanterns) or Christmas lights.

I really don't like listening to Christmas songs ever since. I get so homesick that I feel so many mixed emotions I can't feel anything anymore.

So much for that. According to my Christmas countdown link, it is 53 more days to go before Christmas. Maligayang Pasko sa lahat!