Katwinvasion

Thinking Red By The Beach | Summer 2019

Hello there, beautiful! ❤ Ever have that one dress that you keep in your closet yet you can’t seem to find the right occasion to wear it? I know I have! (more…)

Theme Park Hanging | Hong Kong Ocean Park @katrinloumagos

Do you frequent theme parks when traveling abroad? (more…)

First of all, it’s best to set an appointment with them beforehand so that they can cater you right away than walk-in and wait until there’s a free therapist to do your facial. You’ll also have a consultation with one of their in house dermatologists before doing any treatment or facial with them (I think this is SOP). After that, they’ll ask you to take off your makeup or skin care (whatever is on your face) by washing your face in their huge bathroom and will take a picture with your bare face before starting with the facial/treatment (for documentation purposes & they’ll monitor your skin’s progress). After all that jazz, you’re set for your treatment/facial in their Skin Care Room.

So let me enumerate what to expect in their signature korean facial that includes 5 steps to glowing skin:

Step 1: Steaming, cucumber scrub (mechanical), collagen massage, scaling (peeling dead skin cells), vacuum extraction

Step 2: Iontophoresis (the infusion of Vit. C), manual extraction (with topical antibiotic)

Step 3: Ultrasound (regenerating gel with Vit. B)

Step 4: LED therapy, high frequency (to close the pores)

Step 5: Pomegranate mask

The 5 Steps Korean Facial Experience (of a pregnant woman)

I was around seven months during my time of visit to Oracle. After my consultation with the dermatologist, she didn’t allow me some steps because I was pregnant. From step one’s scaling, down to step four’s high frequency. I was only allowed to have my face steamed, do mechanical cucumber scrub, collagen massage, and pomegranate mask (which I think is the highlight of this facial).

It was just basically some procedures from step 1 and step 5 only. LOL So much of this korean facial that I only get to experience the pomegranate mask. But can’t complain though because my skin cleared already ever since I got pregnant. All I can say is, the pomegranate mask that they’re using is THE BOMB. Seriously, after my quick preggy facial, my face was fresh and looked rejuvenated. Maybe the secret after all is in their pomegranate mask? I wonder.

The Lobby

I was a walk-in client during my time of visit and luckily, nobody else was there for any treatments. I was catered right away.

Skin Care Room

This is where your facial will commence.

Location

Oracle Korean Aesthetic Clinic is located at 2nd floor, Republic Glass Blg., 196 Salcedo St. cor Soria St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Tel no. +632 801 4131

Mobile no. +63 916 223 8821

or you may reach them through their website:

http://oracle-aesthetic.com.ph/contact-us/

Operating Hours: 10:00AM – 8:00PM Consulting Hours: 10:00AM – 7:00PM Monday – Saturday

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THOSE WHO ARE NOT PREGNANT to try out their services! I will definitely go back now that I’m no longer pregnant, to try out once again their signature korean facial– this time, no more skipped steps!

How about you, have you tried any of their services? How do you find your experience? Or if not, would you like to try out their signature korean facial? Let’s talk in the comments! ❤

Just a quick history, even when I was still single back then (with no boyfriend to plan with) I already took the pleasure (ahem! Initiative!) in planning my future wedding. I didn’t put it into writing but the obvious names in the wedding industry were on my mental list (e.g. Jason Magbanua, Mayad Studios, Rosa Clara, etc.).

In reality, God has already planned out the best suppliers for the wedding and even for your wedding. During our engagement, my fiancé and I prayed and believed that God will lead us to the right people that He long planned way before us. And He was faithful to do it.

1. Pray for God’s leading and have faith in your chosen supplier.

There are A TON of great suppliers out there– the issue lies whether they’re available on your wedding day or not AND if you can afford them. By the time you’ve chosen, have faith in your choice and be realistic with your budget. We can’t afford Mayad Studios that time but God gifted us our prenup shoot (with a Mayad photographer no less! Click here for our DIY prenup post) and gave us really good photographers and videographers on our wedding day! My dream wedding gown and veil, and also my bridal bouquet were all gifted. I kept saying this on our wedding day and I’ll say it again, you guys are an answered prayer!!

2. Ask for their portfolio or better yet, do your research before you book.

When choosing a coordinator, wedding stylist, florist, etc. it’s important that you run a background check first. Before we booked our wedding stylist, I’ve stalked their FB page and Instagram already and loved how they styled events. It also came with a reasonable price tag considering they’ll be styling a big wedding as ours. You’ll be paying for their services so double check if you love their work or not. A bridechilla on the day of the wedding is firstly a strategic planner (do your research!) and secondly a doer (in choosing, booking).

Side note, I also challenged their creativity when I didn’t book for a florist and that also stretched our faith. I didn’t mind to book a florist because my beautiful bridal bouquet was gifted (I’ll have a separate post on that) and I only want baby’s-breath for every flower in my wedding. It also wasn’t a big deal for me as a bride to use artificial flowers as decor as long as they’re white. God is faithful. He gave us a beautiful white garden wedding.

3. For wedding invitations, tokens, and/or giveaways, it’s best to buy directly to the supplier or DIY.

Unless you have the budget for it. Pretty giveaways and invites also come with a price. You get what you pay for– if you wanna go extra, get ready to pay extra too. We had our beautiful customized invitations done by a professional and printed it on our own for the principal sponsors only. The rest of our guests had FB event invites with the whole wedding invitation uploaded there. All in all, we had our wedding invitations for less than Php 2,000.

I had a friend who DIYed their giveaways and they were as pretty as the ones you can custom order but with ₱₱₱ difference. In our case, I ordered directly to the supplier. I really wanted a practical thing to give away that will be of use to our guests beyond our wedding. Who would’ve thought that a sandalwood fan costs so much for a piece?! I ordered ours through Alibaba and contacted a sandalwood fan supplier from China. It was a test of faith to trust a stranger from a thousand miles but they delivered. Once again, God proves to be faithful.

Even our principal sponsor tokens (which I didn’t even thought of that time) were gifted to us by my aunt! What an answered prayer! Your wedding day is a testimony of God’s faithfulness in your life. It’s one of those celebrations where you can taste and see God’s goodness and faithfulness if you let Him take charge, just like in our own personal lives.

Here’s our wedding supplier list and would personally recommend each one, especially if you’re in the Northern Mindanao area:

Ceremony and Reception Venue (CDO)– Cove Garden Resort Banquets and Events (blogging soon), FB

Wedding Coordinator (CDO)– GH Events Coordination (blogging soon), FB 

Events Styling (CDO)– Details and Events, FB, IG

Wedding Videographer (ILIGAN)– BOX Films, FB

Wedding Photographer (CDO)– Florence S. Velasco, FB

Wedding Cake (ILIGAN)– Rachel K. De Veyra, FB

Wedding Caterer (ILIGAN)– Dennis S. Barazon Food Connection, FB

Photobooth (CDO)– One Happy Photobooth, FB

Entourage Makeup (CDO)– Donnah Jadap, FB

———————————–

Prenup Photographer (US)– Naomi B. Orejana, FB

Hair & Makeup (CDO)– Jay Angela O. Mabulay, FB

Hairstyling (CDO)– Thea Patricia O. Lim, FB

———————————–

Wedding Invitation/Calligraphy (ILIGAN)– DIY Bride Tribe, FB

Bridal Robe (ONLINE)– La Rosa Bridal, FB, IG

Bridal Shoes (ONLINE)– ZALORA

Acrylic Ring Box (ONLINE)– Hangstyle Manila, FB, IG

Wooden Hearts (served as guestbook) & Coin Box (ILIGAN)– Memory Keepers PH

Wedding Favors (sandalwood fans)– Sunny Xu-Huang, (email provided upon request)

My little fam celebrated our NYE at her wake with my granma’s complete fambam. We miss her terribly and just last February 3, we had her 40 days (since her passing). I’ll save all the in-betweens-mundane happenings in another post.

For this one, let me take you back on a quick getaway in The Henry Hotel Cebu waaaay back December 2014! I can’t miss not to blog about this quirky hotel, especially if you’re planning to for a getaway in Cebu soon. ❤

The Henry, Like No Other

The Henry’s staircase murals

Let me remind you though that these images are taken almost 5 years ago so any changes in The Henry‘s interior are definitely not seen in this post. I also haven’t gone back after this booking but The Henry‘s definitely on top of my list of favorite hotels.

Why? Aside from their quirky interior (trust me, every corner/floor/room has a story to tell), their customer service is SUPERB! Definitely like no other!

Lobby corner

Hotel Review on TripAdvisor

Here’s my hotel review on Trip Advisor!

Rooms

We got upgraded to a larger room at no additional cost! The photo on the left was the first room that was given to us but we asked for another room that has a bathroom door. haha!

Every floor in the hotel is different and so are their rooms! Not seen in the pictures is their restaurant that’s also full of personality. I wish I snapped photos inside. To be fair, I wasn’t a blogger yet during this trip so taking photos were for IG purposes only. hihi

Hotel Pool

Here’s me and my bestie, Rachel, enjoying a quick dip at the hotel’s pool. We also tried the spa next to the hotel (I forgot the name! huhu). It was very convenient for us that we don’t have to go far for a pampering session.

Would definitely go back and experience The Henry all over again! Definitely a hotel like no other. Have you been to The Henry? How was your experience? Or would you like to stay in a hotel like this?

Hope this post helps. May our 2019 be full of rich experiences– may it be in our hometown, country, or abroad. ❤

Hello gorgeous! Now that it’s holiday season, as a mom, planning ahead for the holiday rush is a must with a baby in tow. (more…)

For The Functional Momma | Pomelo Fashion

Hello there, beautiful! ❤ So glad to have you around here. (more…)

La Belle Beauty Botique | Iligan City

Hello there, beautiful! I’m so happy to share with you about this beauty line, La Belle Beauty Botique (@labellebeautymain), that’s proudly ILIGANON! (more…)

Short recap, August of last year (2017), my husband and I found out that we were two months pregnant of our first born. It came as a surprise for the both of us! We welcomed the new season full of faith. ♥️

During my first trimester, I didn’t exactly gained weight but I noticed that my usual jeans don’t fit me anymore. I didn’t bother buying maternity clothes though. Come late second to third trimester, from XS to size M! I only worked my way out of the casual non-maternity clothes that I bought on sale. 😉

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Code: BB01 – PHP 17, 406.47 – 50% off at PHP 8, 703

Code: BB01 – PHP 17, 406.47 – 50% off at PHP 8, 703

Code: IMNY01 – PHP 10, 726.15 – 50% off at PHP 5, 363

Code: BB01 – PHP 17, 406.47 – 50% off at PHP 8, 703

Code: FB01 – PHP 7, 903.48 – 50% off at PHP 3, 952

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F21 Accessories Code: F21A – PHP 99 each

This top from Pomelo Fashion is a gift from Clozette. Read post here. I love that their pieces are top notch quality, you get what you pay for!

I specifically chose this ruffled spaghetti top though it was non-maternity, I can still breathe in it and it’s also soft and cool! It’s not even sheer. Just the way I like it! Also, this stretchable bottom from H&M is a lifesaver for my growing belly! Plus, it was on sale when we bought it. 🤩

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Code: BB01 – PHP 17, 406.47 – 50% off at PHP 8, 703

Code: BB01 – PHP 17, 406.47 – 50% off at PHP 8, 703

Code: IMNY01 – PHP 10, 726.15 – 50% off at PHP 5, 363

Code: BB01 – PHP 17, 406.47 – 50% off at PHP 8, 703

Code: FB01 – PHP 7, 903.48 – 50% off at PHP 3, 952

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F21 Accessories Code: F21A – PHP 99 each

What do you think of this look? Comment below!♥️

The items that I got prepared me for my breastfeeding journey with Luke. Just in case you don’t know, I gave birth to my first born last March 6, 2018 and winning this giveaway was such a treat! I’ll be linking down the partners with their IG handles. Let’s support local businesses momshies! ❤

For Momma

Headband and blouse from @yay.or.nay.ph, makeup from @fabfinds2017, and this lifesaver essential oil mix– Golden Mint Molecule from @gmmbulacan. Thank you so much! ❤

Breastfeeding Armor

Nursing poncho which was used and abused from @next9. It’s cool and soft on the skin. Be mindful that you and your little one will be the ones using it so choose a cover or poncho wisely.

Breast pump and cooler bag (with dry ice pads) from @littlekash. Thank you! ❤

Breastfeeding Treats

Moringa flakes and powder (breastmilk booster) from @breastbottlebeyondph

Mother Nurture’s coffee and chocolate mix from @mothernurture_main

M2 Tea drink (personal fave!) and shing-a-ling snacks from @natureearth_m2_for_you

Crispy mushroom chips from @chicharooms

Sweet lactation treats by Terry from @sweettreatsbyterry

Lactation goodies from @sweets.surprise

You might be wondering why there are a LOT of lactation snacks here. Girl, nobody ever said that they were always full every meal during breastfeeding. YOU. ARE. ALWAYS. HUNGRY. In a good way, of course! You’ll be feeding your tiny human. Gotta eat eat eat to get more more milk! ❤

For Baby

  Luke loves to chew on this bead bracelet from @momita_ph. It’s not your regular teether. It’s soft and velvety. I’m sure your baby will love it too! ❤

Included in this giveaway are GCs from other local stores from:

@mumsyavenue – concept store that includes online brands for maternity, nursing, newborn, toddlers, home

@inaymoments – local brand of nursing bras, postnatal shapewears — my personal fave! I’m a suki here! Quality is the bomb and prices are way affordable compared to malls.

@sweetsdelightsbycharlotte – online lactation goodies

@gabrielsbabyneeds – super affordable nursing wear, sinagtala cloth diapers

@littlecocoy – breastfeeding and baby essentials from Marilao, Bulacan

@mumandharmony – wooden toys, baby good, and play yard (soon) from Malolos, Bulacan

I hope this post will help expecting moms on where to buy or what store to choose in buying breastfeeding essentials. Although it’s always so tempting and easy to buy from malls, you might want to support local businesses instead and even in that little way, you’re also promoting the Philippines. Enjoy the rest of the day, pretty! ❤

New Healthy Options Store Opening at Centrio Mall, CDO

Hello lovely reader! It’s been a while since my last blog post and boy was I ecstatic to receive a blogging stint despite my hiatus. Tee-hee! Anyway, have you been to the new, bigger, and better Healthy Options store at Centrio Mall? (more…)

What is clozette?

So what is Clozette? Clozette is Asia’s (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines) leading women social content network that talks about what’s trending in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle! So if you’re one kikay pinay, you’re definitely welcome to join Clozette!

When they invited me to their PH Tea Party, I couldn’t be anymore excited to finally meet the team in person and other fellow clozetters!

Black dress from RAD and FAB Iligan

I was 19 weeks (almost five months) preggo with Luke that time and most of them didn’t notice that I was pregnant until I told them. lol I guess this dress hid the bump whenever I faced front. 😉

Clozette PH Tea Party

I had so much fun during the event and I’m pretty sure the other girls too! Clozette team prepared a photobooth, a retouch corner by FS Cosmetics, DIY tassel earrings corner, a calligraphy station, and an overflow of La Creperie‘s delectable crepes and drinks. Of course the program didn’t end without prizes from Zalora PH.

Aside from Clozette being Asia’s leading social community, they offer different kinds of giveaways that’s open to the participating countries; the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. The photos above are just some of the giveaways that I won.

BE A MEMBER, JOIN CLOZETTE AND WIN THEIR VARIOUS GIVEAWAYS!

In 2016, they celebrated their 5th year anniversary with 5 giveaways and one of the prizes is that Tiffany and Co. bracelet. ❤

Last year (2017), they had different holiday set giveaways and I won the Jetsetter Holiday Gift Set. It included eight different international brands, including Pomelo gift credits which I will be posting for the month of May. ❤

Click here to be redirected to their site. What are you waiting for, kikay reader? Sign up now! Get inspiration or be an inspiration to the most stylish community in Asia. ❤

Last 2016, Better Basics collaborated with CDO Style Bloggers and it was my first style feature last year about the first quarter as well. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you may do so by clicking here. (more…)

Hello beautiful people! I thought I might share some tips and tricks from the recent bazaar that I went to. Although it was a mom and baby’s fair, I’m pretty sure this will be helpful if you’re one who enjoys discounted shopping. 😉

(more…)

On The Rocks | Fall 2017

Hello beautiful! Here’s how to rock your outfit with some statement pieces perfect for fall.  (more…)