Saturday, December 26, 2015

Bye LA


Our trip was almost coming to an end, the past two weeks felt so surreal and it was difficult for me to accept that I'd be back to reality in three days. Huhu. But instead of sulking around, we tried to maximize the remaining days we had left.

One of my greatest dreams since I was a kid was to visit Universal Studios Hollywood. I wouldn't really pass off that opportunity now that I'm here, would I? We ended early so we went exploring to get a good look at the Hollywood sign and ended up at Runyon Canyon Park. Unfortunately, we were still too far off and the Hollywood sign was not that visible. It was a good exercise walking up and down the hill though.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Beverly Hills


Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills has got to be one of the coolest spots in LA. Posh architecture, paved sidewalks, palm trees along almost every road, perfectly maintained landscapes, and the beach just a short drive away -- what more could you ask for?

We spent two hours walking along the streets of Beverly Hills and taking photos, then proceeded to some shopping centers in the area to take a snack and do some quick shopping. We also had a good look at one section of the two-mile long Santa Monica Beach, sadly the Pier was still too far out to be seen.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Road trip to Arizona


Vegas is amazing at night, but there really isn't much to do during daytime. So to make the most out of our stay, on our second day we went on a road trip to the Grand Canyon and stopped by Hoover Dam and Sedona on the way.

It was scorching hot in Vegas so I wore a light and breezy top but regretted my decision later on because it got real chilly at the Grand Canyon!

Friday, December 4, 2015

Atkinsons: Celebrating 200 Years of Perfume Snobbery

Over a month ago, Atkinsons celebrated its arrival in the Philippines and the launch of its new fragrances with an afternoon high tea at Pangaea, City of Dreams. The place was perfectly in theme that when I entered, it felt like I was transported to England two hundred years back! 

Okay before I show you photos taken during the launch, let me share a small tidbit about this brand. When James Atkinson, the founder of Atkinsons first came to London, he brought with him a rose-scented bear grease balm, aaaaaand, yes, you guessed it, a real bear!


Thursday, November 19, 2015

Calling All Curious

Fossil truly made everyone curious with the launch of its Fall 2015 Watch and Leather Collection. Its lead designers were all set in coming up with fun and quirky pieces, coupled with meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The media launch was held last month at the Fossil Store in Shangri-La Plaza Mall where we got to experience pieces from their new Fall collection first hand. It was an exciting event with caricature artists, fun activities, and unexpected surprises!

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

The Coca-Cola Bottle Art Tour


The Coca-Cola bottle is well-known as one of the most distinctive and most iconic designs in history. To mark its 100 years of existence, a year-long international campaign was launched, which included new advertisements, a music anthem, and a series of art exhibits. Last month the campaign finally reached the Philippines!

There were Coca-Cola-bottle-themed art, historical artifacts, and interactive activities. But what I enjoyed the most was the interactive, multi-sensory journey -- we got to experience the sight, the smell, the sound, the feel, and finally, the taste of an ice cold bottle of Coca-Cola!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Sample Room x Pantene


Hair fanatics, rejoice!

One of the country's leading hair care brand, Pantene, has teamed up with Sample Room to give everyone a chance to try its newly reformulated Pro-V Conditioners with Histidine technology. These conditioners are specially formulated to penetrate deep into the hair fiber to remove damaging impurities from the inside out. Thank you for this care package, Sample Room!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

The Glamourtini's 4th Anniversary Giveaway!


Let me take a quick break from posting travel photos to make room for this! I'm celebrating my blog's fourth anniversary this September (whew, I didn't realize it was already that long!), and what better way to celebrate than to have a lovely giveaway for you guys! :)

I'm giving away tons of makeup, skincare, and hair products to lucky readers! Read on to find out how to join!

Monday, September 28, 2015

Waking Up in Vegas


After four full days in San Francisco, we took a flight to Las Vegas. I never realized how close the two cities were. Turns out they were just an hour-and-a-half plane ride apart!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Forever 21's Forever You Collection


Forever 21 recently launched its Fall 2015 Collection with the tagline "It's All About You, Forever You". Aiming to celebrate the uniqueness in each of us, Forever 21's new collection is personified by three key personalities: The Romantic, The Adventurer and The Free Spirit. The Romantic cozies up in cool knits, elegant layers, and denim, while The Adventurer builds adventure in leathers and plaids. But my personal favorite would be the Free Spirit which blends leather and lace to create a classic cool look.

The new Fall Collection is available at all Forever 21 stores and on Forever21.com.

Monday, August 31, 2015

Napa Valley


My first two days in San Francisco were jam-packed, and I could probably say the same thing about day 3! On this day, we headed north of San Francisco, to Napa Valley to take a look at the numerous vineyards and wineries in that region. Oh, and to get a glimpse of pretty houses too! Lol.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Monterey Bay


On our way to Monterey Bay, we stopped by The Great Mall in Milpitas to do some quick shopping. It was our first time to actually shop at outlet stores during this trip so it took us longer than expected. Lol.

When we arrived, we found out that the Monterey Bay Aquarium was already closed. Since we were already there, we just walked around the city, snapped a few photos, and searched for a nice place to eat.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Sausalito


We had just arrived in San Francisco, but I was already itching to see the Golden Gate Bridge! And what better way to enjoy the view than from the wonderful city of Sausalito?

Friday, August 14, 2015

Downtown San Francisco


At last, I can finally share some photos from our latest US trip! We went to the East Coast in our previous visit, so this time, we decided to stay in the West Coast for two full weeks! First stop was San Francisco!

Our first day was purely sightseeing. We rode the train going to Union Square and walked all the way to Chinatown. We then dropped by Lombard St. to take photos, had lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, then rode the cable car back to Powell St.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

#GetGlowing with Jergens

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Ever since I was young, Jergens products have always been present at home. My mom values proper skin care so much that she never forgets to moisturize, and for some reason she has managed to influence me too! Lately, I noticed that I've been investing in and using more skincare products than makeup, and I really could see results. My skin definitely looks and feels so much better than before!

The good news for fellow skincare enthusiasts is that Jergens partnered with Araneta Center to launch #GetGlowing -- a campaign promoting healthy, glowing skin. Jergens products will be made available in various locations in Araneta Center and there will be pocket activities in store for everyone at the Gateway Mall. The campaign, which is all about proper skin care, started last July and will go on until December of this year.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Bright

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Rainy season has started and the time for sweaters and jackets has begun! I actually despise the rainy season because of the overcast skies and constant rain (including the flood that almost always comes with it). How I wish it's always summer! I especially love staying outdoors -- or better yet, lounging on the beach all day! But that won't happen anytime soon, lol. On a brighter note, at least I get to wear the coats and jackets that have been sitting on my closet the entire summer, right? How about you, what do you like about the rainy season? :)

Because of the gloomy weather these past few days, I found it fitting to post this outfit -- one of my last few photos taken on a bright sunny day during summertime.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Taipei Day 3


For our third and last day in Taipei, we made sure to visit the popular sights and landmarks in Taiwan. We couldn't go home without seeing the Chiang Kai Shek Hall or the Taipei 101, right? :)

Monday, July 20, 2015

Taipei Day 2


Because of our awesome first day in Taipei, we got quite excited for Day 2. We went to Yehliu Geopark first, had lunch, and looked around at Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park. We then visited Grand Hotel Taipei, and had dinner at Tian Wai Tian.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Taipei Day 1


This is a photo taken during sunset at Bali Wharf. How I got there, long story (but definitely an enjoyable one!). Click the button below to learn how things turned out on my first day in Taipei!

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Twenty Three

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Time flies so fast! I can't believe I just turned a year older last Saturday! I'm truly thankful for all the blessings and opportunities I received because of this blog. That wouldn't have been possible without all of you, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you! :)

Sharing here photos from one of my fave shoots -- wearing H&M top, Topshop pants, Prada bag, and Miss Selfridge heels.

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Strange Adventurer

I've been itching to travel for a long time so when the opportunity arose, I immediately took it. Last February, I chanced upon a sale in Cebu Pacific and found out that the plane fare to Taipei was insanely cheap. I didn't think twice and immediately bought tickets! It was an excellent destination because, first, Taiwan is only a two-hour plane ride from Manila, and second, one of my closest friends from college is actually staying near Taipei! We could definitely meet up there, I thought. Another one of my friends from college, Phya, (who's also a blogger!) decided to join us later on. Awesome!

We left Manila on a Thursday night, and arrived back in the Philippines early Monday morning (so technically, we just missed a day of work). There were lots of things planned for our first day in Taipei so I made sure to bring comfortable clothes. This was what I wore on our first day. Photos of the places we visited and the adventures we had on my next posts!

Monday, June 29, 2015

Sample Room


Have you ever experienced buying a full-sized beauty or skincare product only to find out that it doesn't suit you well? Well, worry no more! Sample Room gives you a chance to try products out for free -- all you have to do is register! They partnered with brands such as Shiseido, Nivea, Dove, VMV, Benefit, DKNY, Calvin Klein, and many others to give you free samples to get a feel of their products.

Just recently, Sample Room sent me a package containing products from Belo, Olay, and Safeguard. Click the button below for my reviews!

Friday, June 26, 2015

Too Cool For School Morocco Ghassoul Pore Solution

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Too Cool For School invited me to their store opening in Glorietta 3 but I wasn't available so they left a loot bag for me instead. What I got was a cute tumbler and a bottle of their Morocco Ghassoul Pore Solution--review below!

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Denim Ready

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I love wearing shorts during weekends. It's not that I like showing skin--it's that with shorts, I feel free. I can run around and do just about anything without having to worry about it getting blown up by the wind (as with skirts). And it's fairly easy to come up with a top that goes with it nicely, too.

I've worn this distressed pair from Pull & Bear more times than I can count. I suppose you remember them from my previous posts?

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Black and White Again

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I'm still relatively new to the corporate world, and thinking of what to wear every day has been quite a challenge. Coming from a university that required uniforms, I never felt the need to buy slacks, belts, button-downs, knee-length dresses, and blazers. So when I started working five months ago, I had absolutely nothing. Okay, that's not entirely true. To be exact, I had one button-down (white, too casual to be worn in the office), two or three dresses that might be acceptable (most of my dresses end way above my knees), a few belts (but only one that matches my office outfits), several blazers (but none that fits me perfectly), and no slacks.

Given the current state of my wardrobe, I could probably come up with outfits good enough for only a week (or two?). Clearly, they weren't enough. I did some serious shopping and figured that the best way to go about this was to invest in basics. A black button-down, white pants, black pumps--pieces that I can use over and over again.

And using just basic pieces, I came up with this. What do you think?

Monday, June 15, 2015

Shoes Off, Happy Socks On

Seeing cute, adorable socks in the mall, on the streets, or even on someone else (lol!) instantly brightens up my day. I don't know what it is with me and socks, but this happens every time. I don't know any brand that specializes in fun, colorful socks, until Happy Socks arrived.

Happy Socks, a Swedish brand, is all about turning that everyday essential into a colorful addition to your wardrobe, ultimately spreading happiness. The media launch was named #100HappyActs, and you'll soon find out why! Click the button below to see the rest of the post.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

#TheAvèneMiracle

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The first time I heard about Avène was when my mom bought me a bottle of their tinted sunscreen during one of her travels to Europe. The texture was great but the color didn't suit me well. I wanted to check out the rest of their products but it wasn't possible because they weren't available in the country at that time. But now I can do exactly that because Avène has finally arrived in the Philippines!

Last March, they launched their products in the Philippines, which includes a variety of sunscreens, cleansers, creams, and lotions for various skin types. Read more about their products after the break!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Heroine Make Jewelry Eyecolor

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For the launch of Heroine Make's Jewelry Eyecolor, make-up artist Sayuri Igarashi who came all the way from Japan did a short make-up demo at the Beauty Section of SM Makati. Ms. Igarashi gave out expert tips and shared some techniques on how to prepare looks for various occasions. We also got to ask her some of our makeup questions which she gamely answered! Read more after the break.

P.S. I just had a haircut that day which explains why my hair looks weird in the photos. My bangs were cut way too short! Lol.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Black Out

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People often ask me where I work and what I do. Since I'm a pharmacy major, most assume that I'm working at a pharmaceutical company, but even before graduation I had already been thinking that pharmacy was not for me. I finally decided to go out of my comfort zone and venture into a field I knew nothing about. So when an opportunity presented itself, I took it without any hesitation. I entered the mysterious and unknown world (to me, anyway) of the power industry. Currently, I am one of two commercial trainees in our company and we're being rotated within the different groups under the commercial team. It has been a wonderful three months in my job, and I'm really loving every minute of it!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Hello from Baguio!

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One of the reasons I love my job is that I get to travel! It was one of the few things I missed out on back in college, and I was absolutely overjoyed when I found out that my job includes traveling! Two weeks ago, we went to Baguio and stayed there for 4 days. We had breakfast at Cafe by the Ruins, a meeting at The Manor, dinner at Baguio Country Club, and even a late night snack at Choco-late de Batirol for our hot chocolate fix! I never expected work to be this fun, but I'm definitely not complaining!

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Surprise

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I don't know what got into me, but I've been loving the color red recently! I wore this outfit to work. It looks pretty conservative from the front but surprisingly daring at the back because of the cutouts. I thought I could make it more work-appropriate by wearing a black tube top underneath but when I got to the office, I realized that it was still a bit too daring. I hurriedly grabbed my cardigan (which was hidden in my drawer specifically for emergency cases), and was saved from an embarrassing fashion disaster!

Monday, April 6, 2015

On the Go

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When I saw the hot, sunny day before me I knew I would be spending it outdoors. Hey, if you're stuck in a desk five days a week, I'm sure you'd love to spend the rest of your free time outside! Yes? No? Okay, maybe that's just me. I'm the type of person who's always on the go and loves adventure -- any adventure, for that matter. It may be as simple as riding a bike or following a hiking trail at Nuvali, but the feeling of it is just priceless! :)

Monday, March 30, 2015

Makeup Magazine Grand Launch

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I have work on weekdays so it was great that the grand launch of Makeup Magazine was held on a Saturday. The first issue was released sometime last year, and I've seriously been wanting to get my hands on it ever since. Now on its fifth issue (with the lovely Jessy Mendiola on the cover!), Makeup Magazine covers everything about beauty -- from the latest fashion and beauty trends to celebrity regimens and trade secrets.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Flowy

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I like spicing up my office wear from time to time. Veering away from the traditional button-down-and-slacks combo, I choose to invest in different kinds of skirts, as well as blouses in neutral colors. My current favorites are white, black, cream, and brown because they can be easily incorporated into my existing wardrobe. How about you, what do you keep in mind when shopping for office wear? :)

Monday, March 23, 2015

Keeping Up With Tradition

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It has always been our tradition to wear red every Chinese New Year. This year, it was on the 19th of February, but we didn't have anything planned on that day since we already celebrated the night before (New Year's Eve). I still wanted to dress up and wear something special though. For what reason? I'm not sure exactly. To kickstart the year, perhaps. So far, my 2015 has been awesome! How about yours?

Monday, March 16, 2015

Thinking Out Loud

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This striped pencil skirt has been with me for quite a while now and I admit, I had a hard time looking for pieces to go with it because of its length. It goes past my tummy, as high as my ribcage and ends just below the knee. Imagine my surprise when I randomly paired it with this crop top and realized that the combination totally worked! It even created an hourglass silhouette, which made the look oh-so-much better!

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Happy

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I decided to go laid-back one work day, and came up with this outfit! Work has been extra fun so far. I'm really happy and thankful that I get to travel in my job even if I started just two months ago.

To see photos taken during these mini-business trips, check out my Instagram (@heyitsalyssayu). I'm going away again next week; it's a surprise so stay tuned!

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Think Pink

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I was trying to avoid wearing monochromatic hues to the office for a change. So when I found this cute, pink dress hanging in my closet, I immediately decided to wear it with these sky-high wedges. The wedges don't look it but they're actually six or seven inches high! They were gorgeous, but sadly I had a horrible knee pain the day after. :( Lesson learned: Never ever wear shoes with heels this high to the office!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Orange You Glad

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I love wearing jeans on a regular day. Aside from being extra comfortable, I can move around all day without any inhibitions! Contrary to popular belief, jeans don't always have to be boring. In this outfit, I spiced things up a bit by wearing statement sunglasses and a sling bag in a bright color.  


Thursday, February 26, 2015

Boom Clap

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Hi guys! Posting pictures different from the usual. I wanted to try out the vintage lomo-ish vibe and see if it would work.

I've always been a fan of loose clothing for lazy days but I usually try to balance it out. If I wear a loose top, I choose a short skirt or shorts to go with it. And when I wear maxi skirts and loose pants, I opt for either a body hugging top or a top with cutouts. But it seems loose on loose works just as great! Don't you agree?

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Floral Fantasies

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My go-to outfit for lazy days consists of a long, breezy top, denim cut-offs, comfy shoes, and of course, sunglasses! Now that I've entered the corporate world and have a nine-to-six job, I always make sure I spend my weekends the best way possible. On some days, I like doing something physical like hiking, jogging, wake boarding, or exploring new places. But there are also days when I just want to relax--listen to music, take a stroll in the park, or read a book in a coffee shop.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Wildest Dreams

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The rainy season's almost coming to an end -- which means it's that time of the year again to start stocking up on crop tops, denim cut-offs, flowy skirts, breezy dresses, and statement sunglasses in preparation for summer! I can totally envision myself wearing this outfit to the beach! Oh summer please come faster!

Monday, February 2, 2015

LZD Collection Launch

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Lazada Fashion recently launched their own private in-house label LZD at a bloggers and media event at R Space, Makati. The venue was turned into a showroom and divided into sections showcasing each of LZD's newest collections.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Wink Laser Studio − RevLite Laser Therapy

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I was invited by Wink Laser Studio to try Revlite, their newest treatment. It claims to even skin tone by treating skin pigmentation and enlarged pores resulting in a smoother skin texture. I'm telling you right now, it works! After just one session, I saw a huge, huge improvement! I was in disbelief because I never thought it would be that effective in whitening the skin! Read about my entire experience after the break.

Monday, January 19, 2015

Midnight Memories

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How was your long weekend everyone? I can probably say mine was very productive: I cleaned up my work table, watched a PBA game live for the first time, pushed through with some meetings, went to the gym, caught up with my backlogs, and had some quiet 'me' time. (One thing I regret though is not seeing the Pope :((( ).

Before starting work again tomorrow, here's an ootd that's perfect for attending cocktail parties and events! Tip: Try wearing a thin belt over some dresses to get that hourglass figure. It works wonders!

Friday, January 16, 2015

Mustard

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This dress came in the mail last Christmas. I was pretty stoked when I opened the package because I didn't own a dress in that color yet! It looks a bit ordinary from the front, but wait 'til you see the back! The lace detail added a sophisticated twist and made the dress more fun and adventurous! Don't you think so too?

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Break Free

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How is everybody doing on the second week of 2015? As for me, I'll be starting work for a company I really like. This will be my very first job so I"m really excited! Hope everything goes well. Wish me luck!

P.S. Just so you know, I didn't wear this outfit to work! Lol. The company has a strict dress code that requires us to wear corporate attire every day. I don't have a lot of corporate pieces in my closet but I'm not complaining because this only means one thing -- shopping!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Highlights of 2014

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You've probably already heard this a thousand times, but let me say it again: Happy New Year everyone! The past year was nothing short of amazing for me! Looking back, it was probably the best year I've ever had! I learned new things, travelled to different places, met new friends, and achieved many things. There were definitely a lot of firsts! But all of that wouldn't have been possible without all of you! So I want to thank you all for being a big part of my 2014. I feel truly blessed and I'm very grateful for all the opportunities that were given to me the past year.

Let me share with you some of the things that made my 2014 special!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Half Smile

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Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe it's already 2015! Time really does fly fast!

I love the new year because it gives everyone a fresh start, a chance to begin with a blank slate. It's a time to be thankful for all the opportunities and blessings we've been given, and a time to celebrate the year to come. But before all that, the New Year also reminds me of my backlogs from last year! Lol.

Right now I'm sharing with you the result of a mini photo shoot I had with my family. We've never had a decent family photo, so we had our photos taken a few months ago. These are now hanging on the walls of our living room!