Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gifts. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

I like!

I like!
Lj T. Salceda



I have been meaning to write a review about some of my current fave products. DISCLAIMER: I am not paid to do this and results/your taste may vary, NO one is allowed to SUE me. Peace!

So here’s a list of some of the things that got my "thumbs up":



1. Mineral Powder – I am NOT a make-up person. I am only forced to use them when a.) I have a speaking/hosting/performing engagement/photo shoot or 2.) when I wake up 2 hours before my usual waking-up time which happens once in every 5 years. Lol! After I was given some product samples by one of our guests on Pinoy E, I was hesitant to use them since I still bear the marks of a few commercial products' effects on my sensitive skin (believe it or not!)


+ It’s cheaper than the commercial counter-part.
+ It’s so fine you only need a few amount to dab and apply on your face.
+ It smells good, actually it smells yummy!
+ If you buy it from people like Ruth, you’ll help working-students to finish their studies. (Ayos sa plugging.)
+ It hasn't caused any irritation or allergies on me, so it has my seal of approval.
+ It is the first and only mineral make-up in the Philippines from what I've heard.

- The brand/line is still new and limited. Unlike other cosmetic lines you can only order this from suppliers/sales rep of the company/brand. They are not yet available in some malls/stores. You can check their site for the list of suppliers and other deatils.



2. CARICA Herbal Clean For Sensitive Teeth Toothpaste – My brother recommended this to me and gave me my first tube. For years I have been using Hapee’s Sensitive Teeth/Gum toothpaste due to my periodontal condition. This is CARICA’S answer to the growing demand of specialized dental products.

+ It doesn’t taste like medicine or herbs. The first time my brother told me about this product my first question was, "Does it taste like herbs?" He said, no it tastes like regular tooth paste but mildly. He's right, it's not overpowering or bitter.
+ It’s the same price range as my previous brand.
+ It’s locally made. Patronize our own products! I know the owners/makers. In spite of our connection, I am not paid/forced/bribed to write this.

- It doesn’t produce much bubble. Lol! I just like bubbles even when I’m brushing my teeth.
- My tube lid doesn’t close well and I’ve had the contents spill inside my bag twice. (My bag smells like toothpaste now.)



3. Caramel Snack Bar(Pasalubong) – If you think Max’s teeny-weeny caramel bar (on the side of every meal) is muy delicioso and you are bitin consuming just one piece, then you will absolutely love this because you wouldn’t know the difference. They do taste the same! I tell yah!

I just bought my fifth pack earlier today containing 10 pieces from the canteen. Good thing we have supplies now, we ran out the last time. Thanks to Mommy Auring for introducing this snack bar to my palate.

+ Not too sweet for a pastry or dessert. Perfect for health conscious people.
+ The size is just enough for me- 2 or 3 bites and you're done. I usually consume 2 pcs/day. I just hope they won’t shrink it, once it becomes a “hit.”
+ Affordable at P10/pc.
+ Mommy Auring said she knows where it’s made, so less worry about hygiene/source/quality. According to her, it’s the same factory that supplies Max’s restos. How cool is that?!

- It’s not yet commercially available (which is also a good thing), only a few stores/canteens sell the bar for now.
- Because it’s super yummy, it makes me eat more!!! Ugh, my figure.


(picture c/o FoxTVAsia)


4. White Collar (TV Show) –
Ok it’s not a product/thing, but I am hooked! I’ve always been a fan of “police/crime-busting shows,” so it’s already a plus factor that this show is about an FBI officer and con-man and their adventures/operations.

According to this site, White Collar is about the unlikely partnership of a con artist and an FBI agent who have been playing cat and mouse for years. Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer), a charming criminal mastermind, is finally caught by his nemesis, FBI Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay.) When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his long-lost love, Peter nabs him once again. Rather than returning to jail, Neal suggests an alternate plan: He'll provide his criminal expertise to assist the Feds in catching other elusive criminals in exchange for his eventual freedom. Initially wary, Peter quickly finds that Neal provides insight and intuition that can't be found on the right side of the law.”

If you like Catch Me If You Can, NCIS, Law and Order, CSI, Criminal Minds and other “police or detective movies/stories,” you will surely love this.

+ Very unlikely tandem of the show’s main characters, but it works! Even if you weren’t able to watch the previous episodes, you won’t get lost (it's only on its 2nd season) and you haven't missed much yet unless you want to know the background/history of the characters/story. Makes me wonder if Kate is really a protagonist or antagonist, hmmm...
+ Matt Bomer is a hunk! Tim De Kay is believable. They both kick-b***. (Can I say that here?)
+ I love the plots in every episode. It's funny. It has enough mystery to keep you waiting for the next episode. And its not too "gross" like CSI or too disturbing like Criminal Minds.

- I’m watching it on Channel 9 (Solar/RPN9), as expected they are late. I’m actually watching “old episodes.” In the US, they are already airing the 2nd season, so don't spoil it for me.
- It's another addition to the overly-populated crime-busting shows available on TV. I won't be surprised if they'll come up with a spin off one of these days.


Disclaimer:
Consume at your own expense. :)

Sunday, December 6, 2009

GIFT IDEAS




10 PRACTICAL, EASY TO FIND/DO and CREATIVE HOLIDAY GIFTS
Lj T. Salceda

Ay, calendar na naman? Planner ulit?

Are you tired of getting and giving the same gifts every time the holiday season kicks in? Bakit kasi ‘di mo inaantay itong article ko? Joke lang! I got caught in the midst of the C’mas preps and the usual work duties kaya medyo na-delay. In case you’re still completing your list and checking it the nth time and still scratching your head trying to streeeeeetch your budget, here’s my personal list of what-to-give this season.

1. GIFT CHEQUES/CARDS - Whether it’s from/for a mall or SPA or fave coffee brand, who could ever resist or be disappointed by a GC? Well, not me! Specially if it’s over 500! Lol! May required amount pa? Basta, pag may GC ako, masaya na ako. Madali pang mabili di ba?

2. DEVOTIONAL BOOKS – Sabayan mo na ng journal or planner and pen or marker. There’s one for almost every type of reader. Meron na for mothers, men, couples, professionals, teenagers, kids, Tagalog, English, mahal, mura etc. Eto ang alternative, if it’s for your business partner or superior, why not try a coffee table book like 100 Ways to Live the Word from PBS?



3. SUBSCRIPTION for MAGAZINES/NEWSPAPERS – This one super tagal ko ng gustong ma-receive for C’mas, pero hanggang ngayon walang maka-isip magbigay sa akin. He, he, he! Just do a little sleuthing and find out what your recipient’s favorite mag or newspaper of choice is. Then, surprise him or her with a subscription gift! 

4. PRE-PAID CARD/LOAD – You just have to know if it’s post-paid or pre-paid and what network ang gamit n’ya. Then either buy him or her a month’s (or more) worth of cellphone/inter-net load or pay his or her bill if it won’t break your bank.

5. MULTIPLE USE ITEMS – I am a sucker for this one! I search for clothes or household items that you can use in various ways like this blouse I got that you can wear 14 different ways or this box cum chair cum décor I bought.

6. RE-FILL GALORE – Whether it’s their fave scent or their gas tank or their bank account. Joke lang! Mahirap yung last one, but you can sneak in a re-filled bottle of their fave perfume or fill-up the coin/piggy bank with 5 or 10 peso coins or lahat ng pwedeng punuin sa bahay n’yo or office, without telling them para may element of surprise, pwede!!!

7. HOME MADE or PERSONALIZED ITEMS – If you’re into baking/cooking/sewing/drawing etc., why not maximize your skills and put a personal touch to your holiday gift? Save some moolah or earn some if you’ll sell your products or render a service. Or you can check out some of my friends' products like Little Cakes (the best cupcake in the Philippines!) or Ignite shirts.



8. THEMATIC GIFTS – Why not give him/her a bag or basket of all his/her fave things? Example, know what is her fave meryenda or frequently used toiletries and put it in a nice basket. Perhaps you can also do an all-blue or gifts-for-a-cause or all environment-friendly items, ala kris kringle!

9. TURN BACK TIME – Maybe he/she missed a concert or a movie or an episode of her fave TV show, buy or record it then present it with matching popcorn and drinks pa! Get inspiration or idea from his/her frustrations and you will be surprised to know it doesn’t take much to make someone happy.

10. BOXES or STORAGE CONTAINERS – Sa dami ng matatanggap mong gifts ngayong Pasko, sumisikip na closet mo. Kaya what’s the next best thing other than a new and clean closet, siyempre boxes or storage containers! Colorful na, multi-functional pa and plenty of designs to choose from.

Share mo din ang iyong personal ideas for a stress-free, budget-friendly yet memorable holiday gift sharing. Blessed holidays everyone!