I have always wondered why there are very few women here who wear red stilettos. I have worked for so many years at the city’s business district and have always paid attention to someone’s shoes. But I cannot recall that I have ever seen more than a handful of women trotting in red shoes. Most of the time, they wore unexciting, forgettable pairs. Not one pair made me stop and stare and with wide eyes mutter – “I want those shoes!”.

Several years ago, I laid my only pair of red stilettos to rest. I had finally worn them down until it became embarrassing to even be known to own that pair. It took a few more weeks before I agreed to throw them out without a replacement. It was very difficult to find another pair of red stilettos that I finally gave in to letting go of the storage space for my other pairs of shoes. I visited many stores, strolled across the city’s largest malls but did not find what I was looking for.

Why don’t a lot of stores sell red shoes? I think its because not many women would think of buying themselves a pair as they would one that is black, brown or cream. I think green colored shoes would attract more buyers than red ones. Is it because red make people think of the words sexy, vamp, flirt, temptress. Red intimidates people. Red catches people’s attention and only the gutsy can get away with it.

So red stilettos are much like lace lingerie. They make you feel sexier and they add a spring to your step. And I am so happy to have found the perfect pair of red shoes recently. Although, my feet would die if I were to wear them to work regularly but they are one of my most cherished possessions today. I swear I feel 6 feet tall while wearing them. Everyone should have at least a pair on hand for those special moments. Something akin to the long black dress.

Do you have red shoes? Get one now.

These are my new Louboutins

** topmost photo courtesy of xtina_badgirl

The internet has also been a great source of information as I have discovered that products which are made of all natural ingredients are the best in the market. One such lip balm that I have come to love is Leyende’s Kiss Kiss Balm Balm that come petrolatum-free.

In my search for more organic and eco-friendly products, I came upon Etsy.com.

Etsy provides a marketplace for crafters, artists and collectors to sell their handmade creations, vintage goods and crafting supplies. Most of Etsy’s shopping Categories are for items handmade by the Etsy seller.

– From the Etsy.com website

A single query at Etsy for lip balms will produce pages and pages of sellers who make their own lip balms from shea butter, beeswax, aloe, cocoa butter and other ingredients you may not have even heard of in a lip balm. I looked through each and found the products that best fit my needs and my budget.

Mummumscrafts has this amazing offer of a 5-for-the-price-of-4 lip balm package that consists of the following flavors: watermelon, cherry vanilla, coconut, peppermint and tea tree. The price is so cheap and when I asked, she confirmed she will ship to the Philippines! For $10, the 3 week wait was bearable and at the end of that, I had 5 yummy lip balms to add to my stash.

I have used up my cherry vanilla and am almost at the end of the watermelon lip balm tube. They slide on thin and moist and you can feel the moisture immediately penetrate your lips. However, the strong scents are too delicious and too tempting that sometimes I don’t notice that I have managed to lick through my lips again. I still love them though (even if hubby doesn’t) as they help ease up the pain that comes with chapped lips.

Now I resolve to try harder and use more eco-friendly and natural products on my skin and on my face. I feel they work better with my skin composition as evident with my foray into mineral makeup and skincare. I wish I could stick to a 100% all natural line but not all things I need are made that way yet and if you think beauty (or the illusion of it) has no price, then think again. Cheers!

I was born in Cainta Rizal and lived at my parents’ house for close to 30 years. Everyday, I would pass by the bridge along Ortigas extension that crosses Pasig River. Regardless of what route I took, I had to cross the river to get from the city to our house. So I have seen it evolve from being simply Pasig River to being a community for settlers from various provinces. Now it is a waste bin, a public toilet for the many who have built their homes along its shorelines, a trash bin for those who happen to pass by with the need to dispose of their wastes.

With the effects of Typhoon Ondoy still fresh on my mind, I firmly believe that the need to rehabilitate Pasig River has to become the priority to us and to the people who have long taken advantage of its benefits regardless if it’s only to provide them a place to throw their garbage.

ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. together with Kapit Bisig para sa Ilog Pasig and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has launched the Run for Pasig River Marathon. This marathon which will be held on November 8, aims to help the program to rehabilitate the Pasig River. This event will provide a glimpse of the state of the Pasig River as well as challenge marathoners with its non-traditional route crossing nine of the 13 bridges of the waterway, and with portions to be run alongside the river.

For more details, you can visit their Facebook event page of Pasig River Marathon or exchange thoughts with others who will Join the Run for Pasig River Marathon. Come on, Save the Pasig River, sign up and run!

Ensembles is holding their Pre-Holiday Sales! Start your Christmas shopping early and enjoy great savings! Sale starts on Friday, October 16. To find the store nearest you go to www.ensembles.com.ph

The great Freeway Pre-Holdiay starts on Friday, October 16! Enjoy huge savings on your Christmas shopping or get a deal on your Holiday outfits! To find the store nearest you, go to www.freeway.net.ph

The much awaited Solo Pre-Holiday Sale is finally here! Start your Christmas shopping early and enjoy up 50% off on selected items! Sale starts Friday, October 16! Get first dibs on the great styles! For the Solo store nearest you, go to www.solo.com.ph!

It took me a while to admit to myself that I was no longer immune to the effects of the sun, environment and of course aging. I had enjoyed being young looking for quite some time and I guess I forgot that time had actually caught up with me. I have now discovered fine lines under my eyes. They are barely noticeable but it is obvious to me and that is enough justification to go shopping for an eye cream.

There were several products I tried: Avon’s Anew eye cream, Mary Kay’s Timewise Age-fighting eye cream, Mary Kay’s soothing eye gel, Garnier’s Light Eye Whitening Cream, St Ives Cucumber and Elastin Eye Stress Gel and finally L’Oreal Derma Genesis Eye Contour Cream.

All of the products I previously used did not do much to improve the skin around my eyes. Since my work keeps me up late at night basically the whole week, you can imagine how the darkness that circles my eyes. Very fine lines have also started appearing under them. Overall my face looks stressed out regardless of how much I try to perk it up with some makeup color and blush.

After using L’Oreal derma genesis eye cream for several days, I discovered that my eyes are brighter and plumper, like the skin has filled out the wrinkles making them less visible. In fact, the sides of my eyes are free of lines until now! That is truly something to be happy about as I have seen people younger than I am who looks like they collect wrinkles around the eyes.

The derma genesis line claims to help to stimulate cellular renewal for plumped-up and visibly young-looking skin. It uses Pro-Xylane, a naturally derived ingredient that helps stimulate cellular renewal, combined with Hyaluronic Acid - a powerful moisturiser found naturally in the skin used by dermatologists to re-plump the skin and fight against the appearance of wrinkles. This unique combination of ingredients is created to infuse the skin with essential substances that help to stimulate cellular renewal for plumped-up and visibly young-looking skin.

– Check out L’Oreal Paris website

The eye cream goes on thick on the skin but at the same time light as it is non-greasy. It has a translucent glow that to me looks pinkish under the lights. It is quickly absorbed by the skin but not really. I say not really because it feels as if it is filling out the hollows under my eyes. The skin now feels soft and smooth to the touch and I am so loving it right now.

Staying up late several nights worrying about my family during Typhoon Ondoy, did not help as I expected my eyes to be more swollen and tired looking than ever before. So I just continued using my eye cream hoping for the best. Well what do you know, I even got complimented a few days later when I met my grandmother in law, and I wasn’t even wearing makeup! I now resolve to be a loyal fan.

My other sister, my brother and I set to work calling different agencies, hotlines, helplines the whole afternoon. It was frustrating when several helplines turned us away because they said “NCR does not cover Cainta”. My sister was able to secure a direct line to Mon Ilagan, the Mayor of Cainta but he couldn’t help as he himself was stranded along Imelda. He also confirmed that Cainta had no rubber boats to deploy at the moment. I had to restrain myself from screaming.

All through the night I had to settle with listening to Jam 88.3 on my mobile about the many people asking for help in the different areas of Rizal. I texted them the location of my family several times hoping they could get help to them soon. As soon as electricity returned to our house, I tweeted and plurked and contacted all my online friends to seek help so I could find out what the status of the rescue operations are in Cainta. I had to update several lists in facebook and google that contains other names of other people, loved ones needing rescue. I watched the live footage of people walking the chest-deep waters to reach safety along Lifehomes Pasig. They mentioned how the situation was the same all the way to Cainta, where my family was. Sigh.

A couple of hours ago, I was told that someone in the area has communicated that my mom and sister are safe. I am not yet able to talk to them, hear their voice, or even verify how safe they were but I let the news engulf me to comfort the concern that I have worn since yesterday.

Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow I go to see them and hug them personally. Below are some moving footages and photos documenting how hard Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila. Philippines.

These photos are courtesy of rembcc of Flickr

Man wading in chest deep flood waters

Woman ravaged by Typhoon Ondoy

For detailed information on rescue operations and donations please go to the following links:
Sour Politics
MLQ3 on tumblr
Random Salt

Levi’s, one of the world’s largest brand names in jeans and apparel is offering all of you males out there an opportunity to own a pair of Limited edition Levi’s 501 jeans. All you have to do is reserve a pair and you will even get a discount coupon worth Php 2,000.00! The sizes available are from 30 to 36 and can only be found in 3 stores: Levi’s® Premium Store in Rockwell, Levi’s® Premium Store in Greenbelt, and the Levi’s® Store in Ayala Center, Cebu.

To reserve all you have to do is download the reservation form: click here, and send to levisloopweb@gmail.com. Promo ends Sep 30,2009 or until stocks last.

For those unable to reserve, another way to avail of this exclusive pair is to become a Levi’s Loop Member. Being a member entitles you to exclusive invites to gigs, discounts, privileges, Levi’s Loop Membership Program Sale, and freebies. All these and the pride of being an original. To join, simply buy a pair of Levi’s jeans worth Php3,500 at participating Levi’s outlets and ask the staff about how to join the Levi’s Loop Membership Program.

Be Original. Get in the Levi’s Loop Membership Program.

Many stores carry lotions and creams that are made specifically for the hands, or even the entire body but has anyone every paid special attention to their cuticles. I recently have. Thanks to Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream.

Like my lips, my cuticles are dehydrated and dry which makes them peel and break. Its such an ugly sight and of course my nail biting is not helping either. I use a lot of moisturizers like hand and body lotion and hand creams but it doesn’t seem to help alleviate the dryness of my cuticles.

Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream moisturizes your cuticles with just a little cream massaged into your cuticles. It smells really good and lemony. And although it contains butter in its name, it is far from greasy and instead leaves your nails clean soft and moisturized.

Burt’s Bees products are available at Beauty Bar branches in the metro.

Image courtesy of Eflon

The other day as I was waiting for the light to change along 32nd street near Rizal avenue, I noticed a tall lightly built man casually walking on the sidewalk. I was guessing he was on his way to his office, one of many in the area, maybe Deutsche Bank or even HSBC. On an ordinary day such as that day, many other yuppies, businessmen and women walk these sidestreets on their way to their offices. This particular guy caught my attention because of the image he displayed as he walked nonchalantly under the sun. He was wearing a light colored long-sleeved shirt tucked into gray trousers with his coat hanging over his shoulder held there by his finger. On his other hand he carried a long black golf umbrella which he used like a cane.

I was only staring at him for a minute of two before I had to drive away but to this day, the image of his confidence and sheer masculinity is embedded in my brain. Any minute now I will be ready to fantasize about him but if you must know I cannot remember his face. For all I know he is this doe-eyed, pimple-faced depressing guy. But at that precise moment, he appeared to own the world.

So what is it with men and umbrellas?