a date with myself :)

...i can no longer remember the last time i had a date with myself so i decided to take some few days off from work and initially planned on going somewhere north like Dumaguete (i'm bad with directions so i'm not sure if it's north LOL)...the planned didn't push through and i ended spending my time within Cebu...i decided to go back to Shangri-la (after spending Easter Sunday with friends there) with just a book, a camera and some sunscreen :)

..i started off with a late lunch at Tea of Spring..i shy away from the tempting Tides lunch buffet coz i wanted something new and light...ordered some stir-fried udon in black pepper, freshly steamed shrimp dumplings (which is the best i've tasted by the way) and a serving of jasmine tea...it's a dimsum feast i don't mind doing more often :)



...after lunch, i went to my favorite Shangri-la spot (the big rock right in the beach front) and started reading the remaining chapters of "A Clash of Kings" while playing my beachfront playlist in my ipod (it's a combination of All Saints, Dario G, Moby, Madonna and few Hed Kandi remixes)..the only break i had was when i took a solo shot of myself to capture the moment :)



...around 3 PM, i decided to move to different spot to finish reading my book while stealing glances at beautiful strangers by the poolside - and i have the perfect thirst quencher to beat the heat while doing that :)



...i no longer waited for sunset as i needed to meet up with some friends for dessert...meet up with them in Dolce (which is a new happy place for me) and had servings of their famous butter cake paired with some Italian coffee



...after dessert, i decided to skip dinner - i needed a long shower more than anything else and went straight to sleep..it felt really good doing something spontaneous and rewarding at the same time and can't wait for the next one :)

lust beyond words

..i have taken my skin care a notch higher and took a short break from using everything Kiehl's (i only have the facial scrub and shaving cream left, because they were too amazing to give up)...3 weeks ago, i started using the Clarins Men product line starting with the moisturizer and the foaming cleanser...a bit pricey compared to Kiehl's but it works wonders and i've seen some amazing results :)



...the moisturizer is noncomedogenic which means it doesn't clog your pores, it's also light and non-greasy and easily absorbed by the skin..i was so happy with the result that i decided to get a toner from Clarins as well..funny thing was my Clarins attendant gave me some ab-firming lotions as freebies..either she was being sweet or it's her subtle way of saying i'm fat..i'll remind myself to always wear my Spanx when out LOL!



..i have also taken my perfume selection to a more upscale level by choosing CREED...it's way too pricey for a bottle of perfume but it's well worth it (one bottle is equivalent to the price of 3 Diesel/Issey Miyake)..i lean towards fresh, fruity scents so Royal Water is just perfect for me...this will be my scent for summer/spring 2012 :)



...i just needed one more thing before i get back to my usual spending budget, and that is to get this Oxford blazer from Zara..it was love at first sight and lust beyond words LOL!!! my friend from NYC is buying me one and i should be sporting this one off the rack come May..i can't wait!!



...and ow, before i finish this post, who's going to Lady Gaga's Born This Way Ball in Manila? i know it will be awesome and it will be absolute love if i can join the party :)

#aphotoadayapril

...another thing i wanted to achieve this April is to complete a photo post in Instagram for complete 30 days..so far, i have already posted 3 pictures and it has generated positive responses from friends/followers...i am excited to get to Day #4, 13, 24, 27 and 30
:)



...here's what i have so far for the past 3 days :)

Day 1 - #photoadayapril #yourreflection - something vintage from Dos Palmas in Palawan :)




Day 2 - #photoadayapril #colour - yummy treats from the infamous Cafe Lalo in NYC :) this is the one of the locations for the movie You Got Mail and their desserts are to die for :) if you happen to visit NYC, this cafe should be on your list :)



Day 3 - #photoadayapril #mail - i have been with the AOL account for the past 6 years and had the opportunity to visit AOL's headquarters in Virginia last year..cheers to 6 more years LOL!!!



..i never thought doing something as trivial as this can be so much fun :)