Glamour Box - Oh, La, La (happy)!!! - Santa's Secret (December 2013)

 

 

I have a penchant for nice deals and offers and was easily gravitated to a blog on a gift box containing surprise beauty product items.  

 

I decided on getting Glamour Box (GB) over BDJ Box based on reviews I have read on the net. 

 

Transacting was easy, I opted for online card payment and received my package 3 days after, as promised.

 

I was so, so excited to open my box!

 

The box looked elegant and expensive; and it was heavy..., I can't wait to see what is inside.

 

 

My box contains five (5) items and two (2) gift fillers.

• Face 2 Change CC cream by Holika Holika (I was a little disappointed that it was just a sampler size - see the black tube in the picture? I haven't tried this yet.).  Full size 50ml tube, costs P855
• Pure Mellow Multi-Puff also by Holika Holika (used for face application of cream type beauty products) - costs P265 (quite expensive for such a small face puff.
• Only Imagine perfume by Avon - Full size 50ml costs P1500 (This I love!!!  Scent stays on and lasts for more than 8 hours. I saw it on an Avon catalogue and really costs P1500)
• Bath Cream by The Cream Factory - Full size 768ml costs P699 (I was hesitant to use it at first, but when I finally got to try it,  I was 101% sold...)
• Kitchen Fragrance by Zen Zest (again a sampler size) - Full size 250ml costs P250 (they sent me a choco cappuccino scent, I tried it in my kitchen - it was okay, but I am not a fan, it was a little too overwhelming - smelled like real cappuccino spilled on my rugs).

Add on fillers:

• Skincare samples
• Fashion Necklace by Fabulosa 

VERDICT - Not bad for P595 box subscription. 

I love my Avon "Only Imagine" perfume and The Cream Factory's "Bath Cream".  I hope GB sends more of these stuffs instead of sampler and gift fillers. 

Can't wait for my January GB!!!  More on Glamour Box, please follow this link ~ www.glamourbox.ph.





 

Toy-Con 2012

 

 

The visit to a Toy Congress (Toy-Con) is like entering a humongous playground cum toy store!  An entire afternoon is not enough if your are with children. 

 

My boys (including my husband) were thrilled with the sight of their favorite toys in extra large sizes!

 

Top favorites were the Transformers, the Philippine Map made entirely of Lego and Mr. Potato Head (my youngest can't resist a picture opportunity) !!!

 

There are plenty of activities inside, such as various live shows, raffles and games; characters' meet and greet; and sample toys for the kids (and kids at heart) to try and enjoy before buying.

CAUTION. Toys are sold at discounted prices, but still not cheap. It your kids can't be told that you are just looking, and not buying, I suggest you skip this activity and go elsewhere. 

Toy-Con is an regular event.  Check out this link for the 2013 Toy-Con schedule.

A Ninjago Birthday Party for a 5 Year Old!

I thought it was a cute idea to have a Ninjago Birthday Party.  My 5year old is a Ninjago fan, so a Ninja themed party was an obvious easy decision. 

 

The excitement, however, was short lived and ended right after I started scouting for party supplies and give-aways.  There were no readily available party supplies on ninja parties and had to rely on my DIY prowess (lol!).

 

 

Booking the venue was the easiest part of the party prep.

My 5 years old told me that ninjas love pizza (he pointed out the Ninja Turtles, hmmn) so we ended booking the event at Shakeys. 

 

 

INVITES AND TARPS

 

I sourced Ninjago pictures from the ever dependable internet and designed this "save the date invites" and posted it in facebook to set the tone of the party.

 



The tarp was designed by MKA de signs printing.  Very efficient and well made. 

COSTUME

There were very limited ninja costumes in the market, so I ordered this through Amazon online.  He specifically requested for a green ninja, which apparently is the color of  "Ninjago Lloyd". 

This was one of the party teasers I posted in the fb event page. 

Finding a family costume was difficult, good I chanced upon this online shop - The Krafty Junkie that sells customized Ninjago shirts.  I had the shirts labeled as follows:

• Master of Spinjitsu (green shirt, Spinjitsu is the Ninjago martial arts ) - for the celebrant
• Big Bro San (blue shirt, "san" means mr. in Japanese) - for my eldest (kuya)
• Sensei (red shirt, "sensei" means teacher) - for me
• Dai-Sensei (black shirt, dai-sensei means great teacher) - for hubby

Krafty Junkie is very efficient.  The shirts were nicely printed.  I got very good feedback from our guests!

 

 

 CAKE AND CUP CAKES

 

 

I got the Ninjago cake concept also from the internet.  I gave the design to Toy Cakes and was quite pleased with the end result. Tastes good and very reasonably priced.  Highly recommended.

Toy Cakes contact number is (0906) 2959093). 

 

 

VENUE AND PARTY AMENITIES

 

 

Shakeys Ortigas Extension has ample parking and fits 70 easily.  However, I had over 90+ guests and had problems sitting them.  I can't seem to find the crew nor the manager.  I had to make several follow ups for additional chairs and personally find chairs for my guests...

 

Loot bags came with the party amenities.  You can opt to exclude, but find the goodies inside of good quality and decided to keep. 

I also ordered Ninjago pillows for additional give aways, but I forgot to take pictures.  Fortunately found them posted in my suppliers (Jmxstudios net) sulit page.  I used the pillows as game prizes. 

I ordered Shakey's Monster Meal and had it served buffet style. 

 

I ordered personalize Ninjago shirts for my son's classmates.  I got their names in advance and had it printed on the shirts.  I thought it was a nice touch to the party theme.
All his classmates were present in their Ninjago shirts. 
 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

William the Magician was a big hit with the kids.  He took charge of the games, did fabulous magic and ventriloquism. 

 

After party picture taking...

 

One tired, but happy ninja~!

 

 

It is what they call a ~ Luau Baby Shower!

 

 

What is a more beautiful theme to celebrate a coming baby girl, but through some SEXY hula party... Luau is just so festive, colorful and really girlie!!!

 

                         So when I hosted a baby shower for my sister, who is having a princess :D, a Luau Party was a homerun.

    

You can't have a luau party without leis. 
I got these on line for P35 a piece. 
I bought 20 and the seller gave me 5 wrist leis for free.

 

I went on art attack mode and made these Hawaiian paper flowers,
we copied from the internet to decorate the house.

Cutee Hawaiian Girl standee...

Give-aways were personalized sandal key chains and phone accessories from Boracay.

A big hit among the guests, is this tarp of Hawaiian lovers dancing :P 
(That's my preggy sister - at the sexiest she can get and her husband). The guests were giggling the whole time while taking pictures.  

 

 

The sweets bar - not very Tiki-Tiki though!

 

 

For activities, we had:

(1) Hula dancing (this was so much fun, everyone was up on their feet swaying their hips and all - funny watching a pregnant woman dancing hula!)

 

(2) DIY luau diapers (funny but weird!)



(3) Beer "bottle" drinking contest  (It was a lot harder than you think)!

 



 

 

(4) Smell my nappies (We poured various cooking condiments into baby diapers. We blindfolded the players and asked them to name the condiments used) - really yucky...

We feasted on seafood pasta, pork bbq, fruit salad, fresh lumpia, nachos and dips - and crabs :P 

 

I made Hawaiian punch from pineapple juice, raspberry mix and 7up and placed wines at the side, for those who wants to amp up their drinks.



 

For dessert we served a customized cake (I stole the idea from the internet and asked a friend to do it for me) ~ preggy lady in coconut bra and grass skirt (do you see the baby footprint sticking out her tummy?) 

So cute!  But it felt a little weird slicing the first piece.... 

 

 

My tired sister with her loot!!! 

Thanks for coming!  XOXO Ayla...

If you want affordable customized delicious cakes and cupcakes I recommend Toy Cakes (toycakes@facebook.com). 

For Hawaiian themed party leis you can not go wrong with Hawaiian Leis and Costume Philippines (shaneshawaiianlei@facebook.com).

Pyro Olympics 2013

 

Now that I have seen it first hand, it is no wonder, why the annual

Philippine International PyroMusical Competition is such an awaited event.

 

My family and I were mesmerized by the colorful and spectacular fireworks display.  The cost must have been astounding for such a splendid show.

 

And we had best, unblocked view of the show on the top floor of Microtel Hotel.

 

View from the hotel room at sunset (equally a magnificent sight)!

 

 

My son enjoying the show!  He was so excited and clapped his hands countless times.

Various fireworks, most of which first time I have seen in my life.

 

 

Imagine the bay glowing red at night.



I want to see more :P



More, more!!!

The day after - greeted us with a fun run along Seaside Boulevard!!!

 

Can't wait until next year.