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Budget Getaway in Panglao, Bohol

Last month I decided I have had enough of work and decided to take a much needed rest.... beach getaway! I could only schedule it on the last week of March there I was for a couple days in the sunny white sands of Bohol. It was my first time there and I was at first dismayed by the average resort prices for rooms. They ranged from P5000 above!

Not that I minded paying that kind of amount whatsoever, I just wanted the trip to be inexpensive... cheap! So I asked around my hotelier friends which beaches they recommended and one suggested Dumaluan Beach Resort, which is owned by the friend of my co-worker. Their standard rooms actually started at less than P2000 which is such a steal for Bohol. I managed to book the Junior Suite, and only at P2600 net at that... :) They are located just beside Bohol Beach Club so technically, you get all the great beachy goodness, at half the price!

Aside from the white sands, clear blue water, I'm loving that the beach is not over crowded, which I think Boracay is now since it summer season. When I'm at the beach I would love to have the place all to myself haha.

Lets take a look at our room:

Doesnt look like much from the outside.

The view of the bed greeted us when we came in. Not bad, eh?

TV, and ref. Too bad they didnt have a convenience store nearby so the ref was empty the whole time. They had cable which pretty much is a plus, considering that they were technically a budget resort. I've been to resorts in Cebu with over P5K pricetags for rooms and they still didnt have cable!

The bathroom was quite spacious... quite big! I loved it. I always dread small bathrooms coz I have this fear of having any part of my skin touch any tile/wall in the bathroom, I dont know why.

On the bed were a couple of towels shaped into a lotus flower. Cool. I love their presentation.

Aside from their great rooms, as a guest there you also have free wi-fi access in their restaurant. Luvet!

Try their Prawns in Crab Fat. Pricey, but really worth it. Their food prices are a bit steep, considering they were supposed to be a cheap resort (One lunch set us back 1K), so if you get tired of their prices, just walk a little bit going to Bohol Beach Club and before you reach it, there's an open air grill place there. Pay as you order and you're going to be pretty full for less than P500. :)

Next stop, Boracay on May. One of my guy friends knows of this resort in Station 2 that is actually just P2500 for a room. Can you imagine? In Bora? And thats good for 4 persons already so woah... Anyway, Im going if I have extra money. I'm still saving up because I want to go to Macau this June and watch Cirque du Soleil with a bunch of other guys. So, first priority, Macau, second, Boracay. Oh, and dont forget Camotes Island haha! I guess I have a loaded summer ahead.

The Barbie Look For All Seasons

Okay, so its more like, The Barbie Look For All Decades. This just came in through Sephora's newsletter. You know how I love make-up sets with the full look.

Barbie Loves Stila Paint Cans $40

In this collection, created to celebrate Barbie's 50th birthday, each paint can features the look of an iconic Barbie doll from the past five decades. Inside each can is everything you need to get that beautiful Barbie doll's signature look. The Barbie Loves Stila paint can also includes a "Barbie Look Book" that includes a history of each top-selling Barbie doll over the last five decades.

1959 #1 Ponytail Doll
Stila Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 1959 #1 Ponytail Doll is modeled after the first Barbie doll—with striking red lips and black-rimmed cat eyes, this doll is the epitome of 1950s glamour. The three-pan palette contains eyeshadows, a cheek color, and matte red lipstick so you can create the iconic look with just one kit at your fingertips.

1971 Malibu Doll

Stila Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 1971 Malibu Doll contains aqua eyeshadow and pink lips for a sunny, beach look that symbolizes the fresh, natural beauty of the 1970s. The three-pan palette contains eyeshadows, a bronzing powder, and pinky-peach lip glaze so you can create the iconic look with just one kit at your fingertips.

1980 Foxy Doll

Stila Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 1980 Foxy Doll delivers a warm, sultry look that features coral lips and earth-toned shadow—the very look that made this doll the epitome of bold 1980's glamour. The three-pan palette contains eyeshadows, a matte-berry cheek powder, and sheer tangerine lip glaze so you can create the iconic look with just one kit at your fingertips.

2000 Jewel Doll

Stila Barbie Loves Stila Paint Can - 2000 Jewel Doll delivers a hip, sparkly look featuring shimmery shadows and glossy pink lips—the very look that exemplified "new millennium pretty." The three-pan palette contains eyeshadows, a mid-tone blue pink with white shimmer cheek color, and a pale pink lip glaze so you can create the iconic look with just one kit at your fingertips.

You know me. Yes I want to purchase all. But I have to pace myself. I have a boatload of cosmetics already and I havent used 'em all. I'll let others have the pleasure. :)

For more info and to purchase, head on to: Sephora

Campana Sapatilha by Melissa

I just got a newsletter in my email about the new Melissa shoes out now. Ever since Melissa shoes came out, I have been raving about them and they are one of my favorite shoe brands. Even if they have heels, you will never feel the pain of standing for hours since they're made of jelly and they're pretty soft, shoe-wise. Melissas are the best thing to wear when you want to wear glam shoes but be comfortable through out... None of that beauty is pain nonsense! One plus factor is that they actually smell good... like candy!

As per the email, out now is the Campana Sapatilha.

From the creators of the best selling Campana Zigzag comes another masterpiece – Sapatilha. The intertwining strings graciously embrace the feet in this new slipper. Eclectic, goes from day to night for it has the liberty of behaviour and attitude that are a signature of Melissa.

In Salmon Gold

In Silver

I have never been a fan of flat closed-toe shoes, I believe that feet should breathe...! But this might probably change my mind. It has the one thing I require of flat closed-toe shoes... holes for my footsies to breathe! I am totally eyeing the Salmon Gold color. At P2995 a pop, it doesnt come cheap. But I have to say, that price is actually in their average range... some of their designs go for P5,000+!

God, they are just so divine... And for those people who want to have the matching bag, here it is... the Campana Bag.

In Orange, P2995

Also in grey, white, purple, black, brown and yellow

Whats more, you can buy any or all of their designs, and have them shipped, right in the comfort of your own home! Just go to store.melissaphilippines.com, where they ship for free to most Philippine addresses. Plus! They have the Bonus Points system, where they give you points depending on how much you purchase from them, which is redeemable as gift certificates. A purchase of P3,000 entitles you to a P150 gift coupon.

Happy Shopping!

Cirque Du Soleil @ The Venetian Macau

For most of my life ever since I discovered on the net the wonder of Cirque Du Soleil shows I have always dreamed of watching one in person. It is just not like any other amatuer simple acrobatic show, but they harness their talents and hire skilled acrobats all over the world and test the limits, to give you the best show you have ever seen. Watching a Cirque Du Soleil show is guaranteed to make you leave the theatre dazed and amazed.

About Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil began when a group of street performers in Quebec (Canada) decided to create a new venue for their passion. Under the guidance of Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil has used its passion for creativity and innovation to redefine the entertainment landscape, and thrill audiences all around the world.

Cirque at a Glance
Cirque du Soleil is a provider of high-quality artistic entertainment based Montreal, Quebec (Canada). The company has almost 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 artists.
Since its creation in 1984, Cirque du Soleil has thrilled more than 80 million spectators in over two hundred different cities on five continents. The company currently has 8 touring shows and 7 resident shows around the world and will be adding new shows in Los Angeles, Japan, Macao and Dubai in the near future. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world.

Awards: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/world/en/cn/about/awards.asp

It takes a great amount of self control to be able to do this

I have always thought that I would only get to watch a show only when I would be in my 30's or 40's since they're usually performing in the USA, which, I have no time to visit the respective states since Im almost always just in California... So thats P50,000 back and forth ticket, plus the show ticket which would probably cost a couple of hundred dollars... Yup, no budget for it.

But lo and behold, I found out Cirque Du Soleil is also doing a show at The Venetian in Macau. Its like, Cirque Du Soleil for those on a budget! All the goodness of the show, but technically half the cost! :)

Cebu Pacific Air ticket (roundtrip): P6,600
Cirque Du Soleil ticket: HKD388 (cheapest)
Emperor Hotel (early bird Agoda rate): USD60

So freakin cheap right? Compared to going to the US. I am sooo planning this trip this year... I cant wait to watch the show 3rd quarter of this year, before I go out of the country for 6 months. ;)

This time their show is called ZAIA

ZAiA™ is the dream of a young girl who journeys into space on a strange, yet familiar voyage of self-discovery. As she travels, she encounters the beauty of humanity and eventually brings it back with her to share with the inhabitants of earth.

ZAiA™ presents a young girl’s perception of the stars and planets, space and infinity, all populated by a panoply of fantastic, literally out-of-this-world creatures. The title, ZAiA™, comes from a Greek name meaning “life” and is also reminiscent of “Gaia,” the living, self-aware, spirit of earth.

ZAiA™ is a show that highlights dance, movement and aerial acrobatics, soaring to the farthest reaches of space and human beauty.
This brand new 90-minute mega-production will bring together 75 high-calibre artists from all four corners of the globe. Presented in one of the most impressive theatres ever created by Cirque du Soleil, the show will immerse 1,800 spectators in an unforgettable experience.

For the Zaia trailer and previews, pls follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=cirque+du+soleil+zaia&aq=f

For tickets, you can book through here: https://www.cotaiticketing.com/VCLTicketing/eventDetail.do?eventCode=cds2009b&lang=en_US

The Venetian Macau website: http://www.venetianmacao.com/en/

LG KP500

I was talking to my dad yesterday morning about how I've been wanting to buy a new mobile phone but that I couldnt afford one. What with my credit card & laptop payments, and with me quitting my job in a month. I told him I was interested either in a Motorola V9 or a Samsung Omnia. It was really just a normal conversation for me, so imagine my surprise when he came back in the afternoon to pick me up, bringing a new cellphone! Wow was I surprised... He's sooo sweet! No matter what he says, I know he got the phone for me... He keeps on denying it, but it's just too much like an Omnia for me not to think he got it for himself.

It wasnt the V9 or the Omnia, but an LG KP500, which is also a touchscreen phone. Slim, with a 3MP camera. What more could a girl ask for? I was sooo happy... I loved it! Goodbye to my mom's MyPhone, which I have been suffering, using for the last couple of months since my Motorola V3x is incapacitated. Goodbye to my ratty V3x, hello touchscreen phone!

Here are some of its features:

• 3" Full touch screen
The 3.0 inch wide full touch screen is more screen “real estate” to better enjoy watching videos, playing games, and looking at photos. Bigger is better and that also makes it easier to use by physical touch since larger icons are easier to navigate than smaller ones.

• Active flash UI
The user interface is so intuitive that users will want to explore and master all of the functions and features of the LG-KP500. The UI allows users to access menus easily and shift around other menus simply and quickly with just one touch.

• Handwriting & Editing
The easy-to-use smart handwriting recognition function of the LG-KP500 allows users to send text messages without using the touch keyboard. It is possible to write in complicated languages such as Chinese. In the photo mode, users can easily edit their photos with the stylus pen.

• Motion sensor game
Using advanced motion sensor technology, the LG-KP500 adds more fun interactivity to games so users can enjoy mobile entertainment in a more dynamic and exciting way.The games loaded on the LG-KP500 use a motion sensor that requires the user’s eye-hand coordination to balance, flip, shift, and twist the handset to play the games.

• Auto rotating display
The QWERTY onscreen keyboard slides into view when the LG-KP500 is held horizontally, and the auto rotating display always shifts images or documents for proper viewing no matter which way the handset is turned.

• Embedded stylus pen
Since the stylus is embedded in the handset, the user instantly write a memo or edit a photo without having to search around for the stylus pen which often gets lost or misplaced. The appearance of the phone is not sacrificed with the embedded, artfully "concealed" in the handset.

In addition to all that, I just read the manual & found out I can actually edit videos, shorten its time, capture stills and the like. I can do a lot of editing pictures with this phone!

I've only been using this for a day, and so far it is turning out to be a great new phone. My brother said LG is poised to replace Samsung as the new manufacturer of sophisticated phones and I believe him (since cellphones are a family business ;)) but what I love most about this phone is that my dad gave it to me. Its the best surprise ever. :)