A Visit to a Korean Grocery: Wang Mart Makati

We went to the vet again today to do a follow-up on Pooch's ehrlichiosis (her platelet count is now normal).

I was planning on going to Wang Mart the first time we went to the vet, but I was too worried about my dog that we just decided to go straight home. Now that she's back on her feet (or paws!), my brother and I trekked to Polaris St. to see what could be found inside this Korean grocery.

Located along Polaris St. in front of Alba's

They have different kinds of towels or scrubbing products, but the most famous one is the Italy Towel. The dark pink one is a long Italy towel (soft scrubbing power) priced at 180 pesos.

This has been the reason why I've been looking for a Korean store. It's the green glove-type Italy towel (normal scrubbing power) at 50 pesos each. I'm really excited to try this out this weekend.

They have fresh vegetables available and I think that's Kimchi on the left, though I didn't bother looking at them.

Different Korean marinades

Sesame oil in a cute tin packaging priced at 305 pesos.

There's canned white peach and sardines.

Korean luncheon meat

Dried squid

This merman looks cute and funny, ha ha.

 Soy milk and cow's milk

Energy drinks (look at the bottle with a ginseng inside)

There's the banana milk.

Bottled fruit juices

Korean noodles

Korean chips / junk food

Ice cream sandwiches

Ice cream and popsicles!

The only thing I didn't like about this place is that most of their products don't have price tags. You can ask the cashier, but that would be a hassle if you would want to know every single item's amount.

We ended up buying only a few things, because most of the items we didn't understand what it was (no English translations). Also, we bought the Samanco ice cream sandwich (fish-shaped) because I thought it was delish due to blog reviews, but boy was I wrong. It's supposed to be mung bean and vanilla flavor, but it was like eating SUGAR! It was so sweet, like overly sweet I regretted buying it after a few bites. I should have bought the sweet corn instead or the other Melona flavors. Ugh. Anyway, charge it to experience. It costs 38 pesos each.

So for reference (bec they don't have price tags when you're in the store):

Chilsung Cider - 45.00

Banana Milk -32-34.00

Onion Rings (the big green bag) - 56-60.00

Red bag of chips (honey and sunflower seeds flavored accdg to the pictures) - 46.00

Incense (not in the picture) - 70.00

Italy towel - 50 each

Caramel Macchiato (sachet) - 10.00

I cannot remember the exact prices for the chips and drinks mostly because I lost the receipt when we got home, but I know that's close to the real amount. 

So for those who are going here and thinking of trying their ice cream and hates eating stuff that are too sweet, I suggest you skip the fish-shaped ice cream. I also noticed that Koreans have smaller sized drinks than us. Their soda cans are half the size, and look at their energy drinks and juice bottles and milk cartons! Everything's smaller! Haha

All in all, it was a nice experience going to a store selling imported goods wherein most products you have to rely on their pictures to understand what they are.

Till next time!

Sophie Paris Sophie Lipstick in Summer Pink and Velvet Nude Review

A lovely (yet scary) rainy Monday night to all!

Sophie Paris Sophie Lipstick

Price: Php85.00 (only 59.50 if you're a member)

Bought from: Sophie Paris dealer

Shade: Summer Pink and Velvet Nude

These lipsticks have received a lot of great reviews locally, and I wanted to share what I think about the product.

Pros:

- Cheap! You could easily get more than one color for just a couple of pesos.

- Does not have any strong scent

Cons:

- Honestly, I wanted to find reasons to make me love this product, but I just can't.

- First, I do not understand why Velvet Nude is named Nude when it's nowhere near a nude color. It's more of an orangey tone when I wear it. 

- It looks patchy on me. I know I have dry lips, but this would accentuate it more, and on the parts that does not flake, it still looks patchy.

- Availability. Unlike Avon branches that could be easily found, Sophie has limited dealers. I wanted to try this for a long time,  but I couldn't find any dealer/agent until recently.

Summer Pink. This looks patchy in person. It is a cool tone pink.

This one is Velvet Nude. It is nowhere near nude I tell you.

For those who would like to try this though, Sophie has offered the mini lipstick set this month! I wish I knew they were coming up with this before I bought one. One set includes four colors, with just the price of one regular sized lipstick!

I am actually confused with their shade codes with the mini lipstick. It does not match those in the regular sized ones. 

Head on over to Sophie's website to browse their online catalog.

Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil in Tu-tu-tuoquoise Review

I'd like to keep it short and sweet today.

Essence Longlasting Eye Pencil

Price: PhP109.00

Bought from: SM Cubao

Shade: 17 Tu-tu-tuoquoise (that's how it's really spelled)

Pros:

- It is really long lasting. I have oily lids but this stays put.

- Affordable. For its price, you can afford to buy several colors without breaking the bank

- Has no funny scent. It actually has no scent at all (which really makes me happy!)

 - Easily removed when washing your face. It is long lasting, but it also removes easily when you want it to which is a plus for me.

- Pigmented. It does have glitters but you could easily build up the color without any problem

- Easy to apply. It's not as creamy, but it does not pull your lids when you're applying it

Cons:

- Essence does not offer testers for all colors, so do your research beforehand

- I do not know if they carry all the colors locally (a lot of essence products are not available here)

That's all! I don't really have anything negative to say about this product. I am looking forward to owning more colors, especially the black one to see if this will never budge on my cursed oily eyelids.

It's a nice pop of color for a gloomy kind of day.

Ciao!

My Dog Pooch: The Battle with Ehrlichiosis (Why I've been MIA)

I know I've been missing for a couple of weeks now and it's not a very good sign when it comes to blogging, but I do have to set my priorities and this time my dog comes first.

This is my dog, Pooch. Please excuse her unruly hair. :)

A week ago, she had fever and her appetite was not as good (she's a finicky eater to begin with). This prompted us to go the vet, and my Mom insisted we go to Animal House in Makati since they have the necessary lab and equipment that other vet clinics don't have. 

Two hours later (we live in Bulacan), we found ourselves parked in front of AH(Animal House) Makati. Their clinic was not hard to find although I had trouble finding it on our GPS (just search for Music 21 or Strumm's, they're located next to it).If you're coming from EDSA southbound, just turn right to Buendia, and turn right again to Jupiter Ave, and go straight until you see Mercury Drug (in front of Petron), KFC, Music 21 and then there's Animal House. Be aware though that parking is a little bit hard since there's not enough space for all their clients' cars.

The vet (Dr. Agnes Laforteza) was nice and very informative. Of all the vets I have talked to, she's the only one who takes time explaining everything (take note that they do have a lot of clients that day). Also, they're the only vet clinic that gives out the original result of every test that was done to my dog. Some clinics won't even give you a copy. She found out that Pooch indeed had a lowgrade fever (her temp was 40.5 C, and dogs normally would have 38.5-39.5C temp). She did a blood test on her (results were up within 15mins), and Pooch's platelet count was down to ZERO! Although her WBC and RBC were normal, the result was still alarming. She then performed an Ehrlichiosis test (that looks like a pregnancy test) right in front of me.  One band for negative, two bands for positive. I didn't even know if I should pray for a positive or a negative result. A positive result would mean I already know what her condition is, but a negative one would require another set of tests, but knowing your dog is indeed sick can get you really worried. After a few minutes of not knowing what to wish for, the result was POSITIVE. The good doctor said, "at least we know what we're battling with". She prescibed Doxycycline(Vibravet) and Enrofloxacin(Baytril) both in tablet form (which is something I prefer because you don't have to worry about the dosage unlike in syrups) plus Vitamin C in syrup form (Pooch loves drinking it like orange juice). She also prescribed Meloxicam if her fever comes back the next day. Pooch was injected with Tofline for her fever and she did not even flinched. The vet then gave me all the results and told me to compile it and do my own research about Ehrlichiosis so we can discuss it next time. She also told me to get a digital thermometer for Pooch so I can monitor her temp. I thought it was hard to get your dog's temp, but it was actually easy. There's a Mercury nearby and I got one for 200 pesos only.

Ehrlichiosis Test Kit (photo from Virbac website)

Pooch is done with her first week of taking meds, and her appetite is back on track and no fever since we went to the vet. We still have one more week for Doxycycline, then we'll have to come back for another blood test. I do hope that everything will turn out fine eventually.

The lowdown on EHRLICHIOSIS:

- It is transmitted by brown ticks (bites of an infected tick can cause it)

- Usual symptoms are: fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, abnormal bleeding, vomiting and diarrhea

- Blood test will show low platelet count, and sometimes decrease in red blood cells and white blood cells

- Prognosis is positive for those in the acute phase, severe conditions would require blood transfusions

-The vet said that it's possible that a dog is asymptomatic (showing no signs) for a period of time, then something would trigger it and suddenly the symptoms would pop up.

- Treatment is usually doxycycline.

-Humans can get infected by it, but not through the dog, but through a tick bite also (although I am not sure about the strain).

If you are suspecting that something is wrong with your pet, please bring him or her to the vet as soon as you can. Just like in humans, the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis will be. Also, if you can, bring your pet to a vet clinic that has the facilities for blood test so that the result could be shown to you in a matter of minutes. I know it could be very costly, but there is no monetary equivalent for the life of our furry friends.

For those that are wondering how much  the tests would cost (all in Philippine Peso):

Consultation Fee - 200.00

CBC/BloodTest - 480.00

Prep/Blood Chem - 1600.00

Ehrlichiosis Test - 950.00

Medicines:

Doxycycline Tab - 50.00 each 

Baytril Tab - 65.00 each

Vitamin C 1 bottle - 130.00

*We needed 14 tabs each of the Doxy and Baytril.

If there's one thing having a dog had taught me, it would be responsibility. It's like having a kid of your own, just that dogs would never actually grow up and they'll never be able to take care of themselves. You  need to feed them (my dog is pretty much spoonfed and handfed), give them cold water to drink, play with them, groom them and put them to sleep. All for what? All for the love and the waggily tails and the happy smiles they give you. That, my friend, makes all the sleepless nights taking care of her worth it.

Sassy Colors Nail Polish Swatches UPDATED

I am not a fan of frequenting salons just because I am not great with small talk. That's why I keep a mani/pedi kit at home (every girl should!). Plus, doing your nails at home at your own time while listening to music that you actually like has its own benefits (like saving a few bucks and not wondering whether your fingers would end up bleeding). I go to the nail salon only when I am in dire need of pro nail service especially when there's an event that I need to go to. Doing my nails for several years now does not mean that I became a pro at it. I can't actually shape my nails perfectly nor make french tips, but my skills have been useful in making my nails decent and clean-looking enough to prevent people from thinking that I'm a hobo.

When you're DIY-ing anything, you become more aware of the cost of things you use. Expensive does not always mean good quality, and cheap does not always mean that you get to save a lot (initially you do, but in the long run you end up spending more). The fun part comes when good quality and affordable price both meet in one product. In nail polishes, the quality isn't exactly as important as when you're buying foundation or anything for your face. As long as the nail polish has a good shade and applies well (not streaky), then you're pretty much good to go.

I stumbled across Sassy Colors in Watsons last year, and I was amazed at the price. I couldn't say no to 17.50 to 20.00 a bottle. I currently own 12 shades. 

Sassy Colors Nail Polish

Price: Php 17.50 to 20.00 (around US$0.45)

Bought from: SM Department Store and Watsons

7mL per bottle

Pros:

- A lot of shades available

- Affordable price

- Dries quickly upon application compared to other nail polishes

- Most of the shades are opaque at one or two coats

- Most of it are not streaky upon application

-Does not make my nails turn yellowish after removal

-Does not have a strong scent

Cons:

- It chips easily if you don't put a decent top coat

-Some are hard to work with because it could be streaky at times (like the neon yellow)

Now, the swatches. Please forgive my uneven nails LOL. 

Lovely cranberry shade with gold shimmers

Too sheer for my taste, but this has gold shimmers too

It looks brownish in the photo, but this one is a dark plum shade

This is my very first shade, and probably the reason why I love Sassy Colors. I just love how it makes my skin brighter. It's a fuchsia/purplish color with a pearl blue effect. Just one coat and you're good to go.

It takes three coats for this to become opaque.

It looks like you painted your nails with a yellow highlighter if you have this on. The only color I have that has a matte finish. A bit streaky upon application.

A nude color for the nails, always fun to pair this with dark colored accessories. It will make your accessories pop. Plus it also looks classy.

Jet black nail polish. This would look glam if you add some pretty rhinestones on top of it.

An ashy brown shade which is a bit tricky. It could look muddy at times.

This is a perfect color for summer. Light and very youthful, I find this shade both relaxing and fun to look at.

Thing is, this shade does not have a name printed on the bottle, but it is printed on the price tag. A lilac shade.

I have a thing for dark red nail polishes, primarily because they can make your skin look brighter instantly. Plus, it exudes elegance. This shade is darker in person which makes it more lovely. 

Is it worth buying?

Yes. It's definitely affordable, and has a lot of good colors and it dries quickly. And if you easily get bored at one shade, no worries, this one has a small bottle (but would still last for a lot of applications).

My top picks would be Persian Blue, Pussy Red, Blue Hawaii and Tan. Don't forget to put on a clear top coat because it could easily get chipped if you don't. 

They also have color changing shades plus the magnetic ones, and hopefully I could get my hands on those soon!

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lipstick in Just Peachy

I have been trying to get my hands on this one! I am talking about the drugstore favorite Wet N Wild Mega Last lipsticks. I was always looking for online shops selling the Just Peachy shade, and it's almost always out of stock. It sells for Php299 in malls, and the el-cheapo in me just keeps on saying that I should buy from online sellers because they do have more reasonable prices (even if shipping cost is added). Lucky me, The Primp Pad had a pre-buy which included Wet N Wild Mega Last, so I grabbed the opportunity and bought Just Peachy (now I'm regretting I only got one shade). 

Wet N Wild Mega Last 

Shade: 903C Just Peachy

Price: Php 148.00 (US$3.37)

Bought from: The Primp Pad

Product Info from Wet n Wild website:

Lips take center stage! This 4-hour, longwearing lip color leaves a semi-matte, crème finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich, velvety color that doesn't cake, feather, or bleed. Made with hydrating skin-care ingredients: Hyaluronic Microspheres provide extraordinary adhesion to lips, an exclusive polymer complex offers cushion-like feel and texture, and natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips.

This is indeed a peachy shade with a tinge of pink.

They're saying this is a dupe for Lime Crime's Babette, but since I don't have that, I couldn't really tell.

Pros:

- Matte but creamy

- I find it not drying on the lips

- Good for everyday wear. This is currently my go-to lipstick.

- Does not have a strong scent

- Affordable

Cons:

- Packaging is a little bit flimsy

- Not so good staying power

- It could accentuate flaky lips (understandable though since this is matte)

Please excuse my chubby cheeks

Is it worth buying?

Definitely! I am happy with this shade, and I'm now looking forward to owning more WnW lipsticks! 

Sophie Paris Koshize Nutrilips Mini Lipstick Swatch

It has been a weather-crazy week! It's usually rainy in the morning, then it turns sunny in noontime, and the next thing you know, it's raining again! No wonder a lot of people are suffering from cough and colds. Whenever I am sick, I try not to use a lot of makeup because I just want to feel clean and light, but if I must, I never use lipstick straight from the bullet to my lips to avoid contamination.

To cheer me up during the weekdays, my Mom got me this mini lipstick set. I was actually wanting to own the Satinlips (which are all matte), but sadly it was out of stock.

Koshize Nutrilips Mini Lipstick

Price: Php 280 (US$6.38) Catalog Price, if you're a member you get a 30% discount

Bought from: Sophie Paris

Each lipstick contains 3.3grams and about 1.6 inches tall. It could be good for a couple of uses.

Now, as with all catalog (print or online) you cannot be sure that the shades that you see in the pictures are the actual shades. In one catalog, the picture shows a deep red color of a lipstick, but when I searched online for a swatch, lo and behold, it was actually a peachy nude shade. Now, if you trusted the catalog, your order would have been a total disaster. Either there has been an error on labeling the shade, or the printer messed up.

Click on the photo to enlarge

All shades swatched starting from KNL1 to KNL10 (Left to Right)

This set is good to have if you plan on ordering the regular sized ones, or if you just want to build up your makeup arsenal without spending too much. It takes a lot of time to finish a regular sized lipstick, so this is for you if you want to play around with colors.

I haven't got the chance to test all colors, but my initial assessment is that:

- Some colors are not as pigmented as I want them to be. You need to swipe it several times to get enough color.

- The most pigmented shade would be KNL3 (Heartbeat Red) and KNL8 (Passion Pink)

- This could be hard to find, since there's not a lot of Sophie Paris dealers and agents out there

- It does have a decent staying power though. I've tried to put on one last night, and when I woke up I immediately ate breakfast. When I saw myself in the mirror, there's still color left on my lips. 

- It is quite moisturizing. My lips doesn't feel dry even after several hours.

- It doesn't have a strong scent. I hate lipsticks that have scents (esp sweet ones).

I have only tried four colors, but only remembered to photograph two of them.

KNL8 Passion Pink

It's a brighter pink in person

KNL3 Heartbeat Red

A cranberry type of red

I will update this as soon as I get the chance to try all of them.

Now, if only Sophie would offer a mini lipstick set of their famous Sophie Lipstick (Php 85), then that would be a blast! I hope all brands offer mini lipsticks!