GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Thank you everyone who entered! 

I used a random name picker generator for this giveaway. 

I hope everybody had fun!

Have a Happy Holidays! 

*hugs for everyone*

Loot #1

The winner is...

*********************

Loot #2

The winner is...

Congratulations to you both!!!

I will be emailing you in a few minutes ladies!

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! Second Week! [OVER]

Hi guys! This is the 2nd giveaway this month! So watch out for the last one next week! Remember to join last week's giveaway, all the drawing will be held on Dec 16th, so you still have a chance to join all of it!

This week, I am giving away a goodie bag consisting of: BareMinerals make up items! 

- Buxom black mascara, 

- Buxom lip polish / gloss, 

- Moxie mini lipstick, 

- a deluxe sample of BareMinerals primer 

- also a deluxe sample of original formula mineral foundation, 

- plus a sample of the new serum foundation... 

- all in a velvety black Sephora string makeup pouch! 

(snowman stocking not included)

All you have to do is comment below and let me know what kind of "go-to" look you like the best.

And please READ THE RULES. It will be easier for everybody :)

RULES:

- You must leave the comment below. DO NOT email or text drop me a message on any social media, you must comment here on my blog. Otherwise, your giveaway entry doesn't count.

- Spread the word! You MUST share or link this post to any of your social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, etc), so your family and friends can join as well. And include it on your comment where you shared it.

- You can ONLY ENTER ONCE.

- Winners will be selected using a random name picker app.

- The winner will be announced on Dec 16th 2014.

- Open internationally. Shipping will be covered by the winner.

- For USA and Philippines Winner. Shipping is free! 

INTERNATIONAL WINNERS:

- Int'l shipping cost calculated once you tell me your location. Varies usually from $5-7, via USPS First Class Mail.

- USPS do not track international orders. I am not responsible for what happens after the packages are dropped at the post office. I will post the receipt once I mailed your gift.

GOODLUCK AND CHEERS!

Holiday Giveaway! [OVER]

As the spirit of Christmas fast approaching, I wanted to share the joy it brings to us. I am giving away a goodie bag consisting of: Bath and Body works travel size lotion in Warm Sugar Vanilla, travel hand sanitizer in Salted Caramel with holder, a single Wallflower refill in Jolly Holly and a limited edition Chapstick in Candy Cane. 

All you have to do is comment below and let me know what the Holidays meant for you. 

And please READ THE RULES. It will be easier for everybody :)

RULES:
- You must leave the comment below. DO NOT email or text drop me a message on any social media, you must comment here on my blog. Otherwise, your giveaway entry doesn't count.
- Spread the word! You MUST share or link this post to any of your social media (Facebook, Instagram, Tweeter, etc), so your family and friends can join as well. And include it on your comment where you shared it.

- You can ONLY ENTER ONCE.

- Winners will be selected using a random name picker app.

- The winner will be announced on Dec 16th 2014.

- Open internationally. Shipping will be covered by the winner.

- For US and Philippines Winner. Shipping is free! 

INTERNATIONAL WINNERS:

- Int'l shipping cost calculated once you tell me your location. Varies usually from $5-7, via USPS First Class Mail.

- USPS do not track international orders. I am not responsible for what happens after the packages are dropped at the post office. I will post the receipt once I mailed your gift.

GOODLUCK AND CHEERS!

A Kind Gesture

It happened the day of September 16th, 2014. I couldn't forget it.

I'm out and about with my husband and my son. We went to the bank and we're walking back to the parking lot. I'm holding Liam's right hand, and Jerico on the other side. We were laughing and talking and Liam was enjoying the short walk. Just a regular errand day for all of us, Liam just happy he's out of his carseat and walking along with us.

We're about to enter our car, when the blue box-typed car beside us backed up a bit, the window at the passenger side was open and and there was a middle-aged lady wearing lavender blouse and sunglasses on her head, at the driver side. Semi-shouting,

"Excuse me...excuse me...!" 

My first thought was she was going to ask for help or somebody hit our car that we didn't notice it, etc...lot of things are running through my mind of the reason why she was calling us. Then we stopped and listen to what she has to say. She said,

"You guys are going to be great parents."

I looked at my husband and he was also looking at me, we were both smiling. The lady continued on,

"I know you're going to be great parents. You know why? Because of how you hold your son. I can see you guys walking on the way here, and the way you hold him and talk to him. Unlike other parents that they just drag their kids, and you know...but you guys are going to be great parents. I can see it by the way you hold him."

We thanked her with a smile on our faces. She bid us goodbye and we thanked her again.

Just like that, my whole day changed. Up to now, whenever I feel down and giving up. I go back in that moment, and I can still hear the lady's voice echoing in my head. Always reminding me that yes, life is a struggle right now, but that simple words from a stranger, made my life easier and somehow to remind me that I'm doing the right thing as a mommy. 

Sometimes, a small nice act can really change a person's day...or life. So be nice to everybody and sprinkle a bit of compliment here and there once in a while. You'll never know the effect it can do to other people.

Scented Cuticle Oil

Hi Guys!
I want to share a very nice item I got as a Christmas gift from one of my friends, who is also my favorite manicurist - Kimie-san!
She told me that her husband went to Hawaii and she always make special orders on nail items there. She was so kind to add me to her list and bought this for me:

It's ISLAND GIRL Hawaii Scented Cuticle Oil. It smells so nice! The scent is Hibiscus, which I think is Hawaii is known for. It also has real tiny flowers infused in it. I can smell this all day! :) 

The only time my nails get cuticle oil is when I go to a nail spa. I'm not used to putting cuticle oil all the time, even if I do my own nails. I think it's just a waste of time or I'm just lazy. All my cuticle oils are either thrown away, expired or given away. But this one is for keeps! I like it so much, I'm using it everyday!

The scent is very nice and really keeps my cuticles moisturized and soft. I always have hang nails or my cuticle dries up fast, especially this Winter season, my nails will look ugly after a day or two. But with this item, it keeps my manicure last longer and looks definitely nicer!

Not sure if we have it here in California or if you can only get this at Hawaii. But I sure will ask Kimie to buy me another one when I ran out or when her husband visits Hawaii again! I'll ask her if I can do bulk orders so I can give it to friends. :)

Baby Bump: 28 weeks!

Hi guys!

I just went to my OBgyn this morning for a check-up and to know the results of my glucose test. I passed! I'm so happy I won't have to do it all over again, not to mention, lesser chance to be a diabetic and so is my baby. I'm also not low on iron, so I'm patting myself at the back for a good job.

28 weeks!

I'll thank my hubby too, coz he supports me and he's the one who usually watches what I eat. LOL. I have a sweet tooth and caffeine junkie, having him by my side really helps me to eat healthier.

So far so good...mommy Jo is doing a great job :)

Being A Mom-to-Be

I've decided to blog a bit about my pregnancy, let's say a mommy journal for me :) I am now a proud mommy-to-be and I've never been happier in my life! I'm excited and anxious at the same time. That's also the reason why I haven't been posting for a while now. I got so busy with my life lately that shopping, crafting and posting make-up hauls and reviews has been pushed aside. 

The first 3 months was terrible for me: the morning sickness, can't eat-can't drink-anything routine. I can't use the computer or text or even watch TV because I'm dizzy all the time. All I did was sleep (well at least tried to), throw up and complain to my husband how sick I am.

There was also a scary moment when the OB thought I had a miscarriage (I was at 8 weeks that time), I'm so happy my pregnancy went through. It was just a miscalculation of my due date (I was only 5 weeks when I had my first pregnancy check-up).

first glimpse of baby

In the first few months (first trimester), all I can do is walk from the bedroom to the restroom to chuck out everything I took in. I lost 10 lbs instantly. The only thing I can eat are soups, Eggo, and smoothies. I'm nauseated ALL THE TIME.

I look terrible and my skin got blotchy and breakouts out of nowhere - right after I had my chemical peel and my skin was starting to get clear again, oh well...- I can't take the smell of any skincare / makeup products too. I find everything off-putting. I wash my face with a cleanser though. No moisturizer or anything. Maybe that's also the reason why I broke out.

happy and surprised mommy-to-be

My sense of smell was heightened, so I can smell EVERYTHING!!! I especially hated my husband's cooking. LOL. I can't stand to be outside the bedroom whenever he's cooking, I have to close the bedroom door or wear a surgical mask whenever I want to go to the kitchen or living room. We also have to go out to buy food instead of eating what he prepared. I will just take a bite, and I'll push it aside.

fool proof LOL

The 4th and 5th month is when I started to eat and get better. I started to go out, do some walking exercise and re-gain my energy. And that's when we found out we're having a boy! And we all thought I'm having a girl.

As of the moment, I'm on my 6 months now and enjoying my pregnancy. I can eat better now, I'm not sure what kind of food I'm craving though...you better ask my husband for that. Also, my skin is starting to clear up, I still have dark spots on my cheeks due to those acne marks (hormonal changes), but I don't have new pimples coming out, so I'm fine with that...maybe my skin is starting to have that "pregnancy glow". 

 just swallowed a whole watermelon

My husband started to compliment and love my preggy-figure too. Which is super nice to say. I can also feel my baby's movement get stronger now. His kicks startle me sometimes. My husband also felt him move the first time, and it was a precious moment :)

My hair and nails grow faster than usual and looks healthier. I'm also gaining weight in a normal phase (I'm 117 lbs at the moment). I started to shop for maternity clothes too. Like tops that accentuates my belly, more stretchy clothes, nursing bras, etc...and make up!!! I can finally wear make up and use skin care again!

I'm doing okay, Baby is also doing well. Everything is going fine. And I'm happy :)