In celebration of the wedding month of June, I’m reposting here from my other blog (which I’ll close soon) some reviews and our very own wedding related stories. Hoping to help some confused and overwhelmed bride-to-be’s out there.

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Budget is one major factor in planning a wedding. What better way to save than make your own wedding accessories? Here are some materials we managed to fill in for our wedding. A little creativity, sprinkled with some fruit of love from our friends and family and what have we got? A unique wedding that we’ll treasure forever.

We made our own wedding invitation. Here’s the Direction Map to our Church and Reception Venue. I think I did pretty well on creating this map where only few people got lost. lol.

Our wedding invite comes in a paper box, spray painted with metallic dark brown to fit our color theme.

It contains four sheets of information – about the wedding, entourage, dress code, gift registry and map. The chocolate balls are missing in this photo, I wonder who got hungry while shooting this? The colored hearts are rolled papers with different love quotes on each. To add a little flair, swarovski crystals were embedded on the word ‘forever’. Because diamond is forever? I swear I should have made a shopping spree of this item in Dubai as it came cheaper there than in Manila.

Splurge a little and ordered these pink and turquoise personalized napkins from Ebay.Unfortunately, our wedding coordinators missed to distribute them for each table. So sad when they returned it to us after the wedding and said that they forgot it on the car.

While it’s fun to do some little projects for the wedding, keep in mind that it also take much of your time. Go ahead and start early and don’t forget to ask help from your friends and family, you’ll never know how thrilled they are to become part of your dream wedding.

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The new ARTISTRY Intensive Skincare Renewing Peel is finally in the Philippines!

It was recently launched at Makati Shangri-la Hotel at  the Philippine leg for the ARTISTRY of Life World Tour. It brings professional expertise right in your home, right at your finger tips.

ARTISTRY is a world-renowned prestige skin care and beauty brand which combines the expertise of true science with the essence of true beauty. It promises to give you softer, smoother skin in just 8 minutes!

See how it works here:

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I’ve been in search for an alternative spa center to escape, unwind and rejuvenate for months now. Not much had appeal to me until fellow blogger, Ia of IaAdamLim, invited me for an afternoon of complete healing at one of the first eco-friendly day spas in the Philippines.

Nestled deep in the heart of Metro Manila, at the 3rd floor of Manila Ocean Park complex, the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall and function facilities at the back of the Quirino Grandstand. Zenyu Eco Spa is right next to Hotel H2O, the Philippines’ first aquarium-themed chic urban getaway.

Dr. Eric Tan, Zenyu Spa Manager explained to us the concept of this latest spa trend. Zenyu is a Japanese term for Complete Healing. He even showed us some experiments displayed on location about the importance of Negative Ions in stabilizing free radicals.

Included in the experiment are the 5 month-old raw meat, egg and cheese stored at a box which emits negative ions. Interesting that it don’t smell rotten or even infested by maggots. The egg looks crystallized.  Nails were immersed on water and placed in an Ionized Bottle against an ordinary bottle. The latter looked brownish, where the stain already mixed up with the content while the stain at the Ionized Bottle were contained at the bottom part only.

The Ecoparadise Store are well equipped with great range of environmentally friendly products for sustainable living. EcoParadise Socks, EcoParadise Futon, Pet Bottle, Pirikare, mattress, pail, plastic packs and more. Pails and plastic packs have anti-oxidant solution that creates a perfect environment for fermentation. You can even create your own yogurt and fruit enzymes. For those looking for breakthroughs in anti-aging, feel free to try out these products.

For refreshments, we were able to sample one of Eco Paradise experiment. A taste of the  fermented Hawthorn Berries stored in an EcoParadise Pail. The pail converts the water into Ionized water in hours. It contains anti-oxidants.

Fellow Bloggers. Cheers to this new discovery and well-being!

We were then tested with a capillary microscope to check out our visual blood capillaries. For most of us, our blood flow seemed normal, but when a piece of ionized cloth were put above our arms, the blood circulation were even better.

Results from the monitor shows evidence of stress, unbalance diet and other medical conditions.

To improve our health and well-being, we were then pampered with a 30 minutes whole body massage. For first timers, let go of your inhibitions and feel the Zen atmosphere while indulging in a Swedish or Shiatsu therapy.

After the relaxing massage. We were able to cool down and were served cold water before trying out the Hot Bed Treatment. This is a special technology from the ecoparadise chain of Japan and the first negative ion facility in the Philippines.

The Hot Bed claims to reduce cholesterol and body toxins, strengthens the immune system, improves blood circulation, metabolism and blood pressure.

We stayed here for around 20 minutes. The high temperature from the tiles slowly took over our bodies and before we knew it, we were sweating heavily. This flush out toxins and disease to maintain our optimal physical and mental health.

For my husband who has asthma, he enjoyed this treatment better than sauna and steam bath. Needless to say, we felt rejuvenated after those two treatments.

The women’s changing area and bath is well equipped with lockers. We were given with waterproof bracelet key and towel. We get to try Pirikare Multipurpose Powder made from natural vegetable oil and anti-oxidant solution. It feels gentle on the skin and is also environmental friendly.

I can’t even wait for our next visit to try out the outdoor jacuzzi with fish brought in from Turkey. Zenyu Eco Spa will be the first to offer a full-body fish spa in the country. There is also an Olympic size swimming pool at the roof deck.

For the price, I was surprised it came out affordable too. I will post the price list as soon as I have the copy.

I like this new “greener” approach in spa option. We get to share and be environmentally responsible in our own way. Let us all indulge into a more sustainable lifestyle.

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Returning home from our holiday trip in Thailand, it was a refreshing surprise that someone sent us a gift.

Wrapped in a tiffany blue box are vanilla and mint cupcakes by Sonja’s and the New flavor from Listerine, Vanilla Mint, Mouthwash has never tasted this good!

I can’t wait to have my hands on the delicious cupcakes. It was different from my comfort load of chocolate flavored cupcakes but still they were the softest and yummiest in town.

I was more surprised trying out the new Listerine flavor. It was a pleasant breakthrough from the usual mouthwash with excessively strong stinging scent and taste .

The new sweet and minty flavor effectively eliminates the causes of bad breath, plaque and gingivitis. It’s cooling sensation leaves your mouth clean and healthy. Now, we always look forward to using mouthwash after brushing, because toothpaste alone isn’t enough.

I was also invited to a backstage pass to watch the rehearsals for Mouthacular, A Symphony of Amazing Mouth Power at the Arts in Fort Bonifacio, Global City. Here’s a sneak peak.

“Be Mouthacular!” Mall Tour is a show that aims to spread the idea of spectacular mouths, as brought about by LISTERINE. Be captivated with the amazing mouth talents,  from singing, to beatboxing and other impromptu acts, the mouthacular show will surely take your breath away.

So celebrate the power of the mouth! Get extraordinary clean with Listerine, and be mouthacular! Catch this symphony of amazing mouth power at the following venues:

• Eastwood Mall Atrium (August 27 – 6:00 PM & 8:30 PM)
• Alabang Town Centre Corte de las Palmas (August 28 – 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM)
• Shangri-la Atrium (August 29 – 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM)
• SM Megamall Atrium (September 4 – 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM)
• SM Mall of Asia Atrium (September 5 – 4:00 PM & 6:30 PM)

It’s a great way to spend a lazy afternoon. Catch any of the show for free!

Be talktastic and mouthacular!

Visit www.mouthacular.com.ph for more details.

Earlier today, we ran for a cause – to make a child smile. It does take time, sweat and total commitment to make it to the finish line. I’m supposed to run for 3k but eventually got lost along the way and instead finished a 5k leg. That was an interesting event turn out.

It was nice seeing old faces and meeting new ones. The most rewarding thing of all, is seeing how excited those kids beneficiaries are. Kudos to Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation Philippines, Inc. (NCFPI) for making it possible and reaching out to share the news about free comprehensive cleft care. Now, every children with “bingot” or cleft palates and craniofacial abnormalities can smile for a brighter future.

Little stones make big mountains
Little steps can cover miles
Little acts of loving-kindness
Give the world its biggest smiles

Little words can soothe big troubles
Little hugs can dry big tears
Little candles light the darkness
Little memories last for years

Little dreams can lead to greatness
Little victories to success
It’s the little things in life
That brings the greatest happiness

Click here for Miles for Smiles : Run for Cleft Care Photos

Our official race result isn’t out yet, and I can’t wait to see how I did on my first 5k run.

When Nuffnang sent an invite for another bloggers event last weekend, I didn’t hesitate to confirm my attendance. Got quite intrigue about Laughter Yoga and the blogger’s launch of Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly.

I spent an afternoon at Julius Maggi Kitchen in Nestlè, Rockwell last Saturday. Surprisingly it was Ogilvy peeps welcoming us again.

Mike Unson hosted the Nestle event and kept the mood light, happy and lively. He’s a stand-up comedian that offers a  fresh kind of humor. He entertained us with pure unadulterated humor and new acts ’till the end. Does he look like Vandolph? lol.

I first learned about Laughter Yoga in 2007 while checking out a group of Indians at one of Dubai’s Park having so much fun. They were laughing non-stop. Just watching them, I had my dose of laughter too.

Paolo Martin Trinidad, founder of Laughter Yoga Pilipinas introduced more about Laughter Yoga. He went on training under Laughter Yoga Founder, Dr. Madan Kataria in Bangalore, India.

Laughter Yoga is a revolutionary idea. You simulate laughter and combine it with traditional yoga breathing and postures. You fake it ’till you make it.

We were asked to relax and let go of our mind. The next thing we knew, we are invoking self-triggered laughter until it becomes real.

To get the full benefits, you have to laugh continuously for 15 minutes. After the yoga session, it got a little warmer.

His breathing tip: Exhale longer. It helps prevent cancer.

Mr. Trinidad volunteered to teach the Filipino inmates get the full benefit of laughter yoga in jails. In his own way, he contributes to improve their conditions.

Laughter Yoga also teaches you how to make happiness a choice and not a consequence. It will come in handy to our pretty stressful lives.

After losing some carbo from laughing out loud, Nestle prepared healthy snacks as we witnessed the new Nestlè  Fruit Selection Yogurt + Jelly commercial.

We get to try the Jiggly and Creamy combination of Jellycious Yogurt!

Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt has over a billion live microorganisms that are good for the tummy! Plus, it has real fruit pieces that makes it a snack that is so deliciously good!

They come in new flavors. Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly is available in Strawberry & Buco Pandan!

So perfect, if you’re like me who can’t finish a whole cup of Yogurt. I like the strawberry one and I like it even more that I get to eat jelly and yogurt in one cup.

Here’s the Ogilvy girls at the BaiCapture photobooth.

I get to bring home yogurts for the mister. He loves it too!

Thanks Nestle & Nuffnang! It was nice to meet fellow bloggers like Kath, Mauie, Shen, Rowena & Jane.

Like NFSY facebook and get a chance to win Nikon D5000 DSLR + Free Photography Lessons!

Here’s another contest that will end Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010:

1. You must describe your NFSY with Jelly snacking experience using the portmanteau game. Was it fun, cool, odd, amazing? Combine two words and you got portmanteau! jelly +delicious = jellycious!

2. There are two ways to join:
-Tweet your entries using this format: @SurrealPrincess word1 + word2 = portmanteau #NestleFruitSelectionYogurt (e.g. @WeekendHaven jelly + delicious = jellicious #NestleFruitSelectionYogurt).

-Post your entries on Facebook using this format: Hey, @SurrealPrincess! I just had a cup of @Nestle Fruit Selection Yogurt with Jelly and it’s so word1 + word2 = pormateau!

3. Each person can post as much entries before the deadline.

4. Winners will be chosen according their creativity.

5. The winners will receive 15 cups of NFSY with Jelly each.

8. Within 1 week of being proclaimed, the winners can claim their prizes at the Ogilvy office at this address:

25F Picadilly Star Building
4th Avenue corner 27th Street
Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634

Her love is like
an island in life’s ocean,
vast and wide
A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide.
‘Tis bound on the north by Hope,
By Patience on the West,
By tender Counsel on the South
And on the East by Rest.
Above it like a beacon light
Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;
And thro’ the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.

Author Unknown

To all the wonderful and fabulous mother out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

The top beauty essential in looking best at any age starts with soft skin. Second would be the sense of style. Summer, beauty, fashion – Oh, don’t you love being a woman?

Nuffnang Philippines  sent me an invite to this year’s Unveiling of Soft Look Collection by Johnson’s Body Care, in collaboration with Bayo and Watson’s. This is my first event with Nuffnang, having missed a few fabulous happenings in the past, this one got me quite excited to see a promising revelation.

I listed my friend, Toni, to be my plus one and finished off half my work early to use the extra time to dressed up and go glam. I did missed one thing though. The invite mentioned soft elegance. By the time, I finished picking the right wardrobe, I have piles of dresses on our bed and about 30 minutes before the show starts.

The event was held at Encore (formerly Embassy Super Club), Bonifacio Global City.

I’m still a bit early as the show was running late. I did a few rounds of photo op while waiting for Toni. Delicious Hors d’oeuvre were served at the cocktail party.

J&J has pioneered the care of Filipina skin from the start. I did grew up with a wide selection of their products, from shampoo, soap to skin care collection. Even now, I’m still a big fan of Johnson’s Baby Milk Bath.

With last year’s launch of Johnson’s Body Care, Women of all ages don’t need to worry about moisturized skin all day and radiant glow.  A range of body lotions does wonder to look and feel younger with soft, beautiful skin.

In partnership with Bayo,  we witnessed the unveiling of 2010 Soft Style Collection.

The models look gorgeous as they showcase the 10 chic summer dresses. The softest look collection marks a milestone to summer fashion.  The runway was filled with short, flattering, luxurious fabrics of chiffon, lace and tulle. All fluttery dresses with lightness of its flowing ruffles. Each dresses flatters every bit of woman’s sheer beauty.

The fashion show was well attended by fashionistas, bloggers, media and Metro Manila’s fashion critics. Hosted by model – MTV VJ, Sarah Meier.

The New Soft Look Collection are available at Bayo until June 15, 2010.

Guests were indulged with gifts from Bayo, Preview Magazine and Johnson’s Body Care collection of Naturally White Daily UV Lotion, 24 Hour Lasting Moisture Body Lotion and Melt Away Daily Calming Lotion.

Toni & I enjoyed our front-row seat.

Special thanks to Nuffnang & Anne Franco.

What is summer without a comfy pair of Havaianas flip-flops? Hold your breath and take the plunge to the biggest event of the year. Unleash your creativity and get artistic with this year’s Make Your Own Havaianas 2010.

Havaianas is the first flip-flops brand to offer customization. Celebrate Five Years of Chic and Colorful Customization and give your happy soles a treat. Shall we see battle of the flip-flops soon?

Havaianaticos can look forward to a wide selection of pins, soles, straps and all things stylish. MYOH 2010 will also offer a commemorative sole and pin to mark its 5th year. A reason to add more flair to your fave Havaianas pair.

Mark your calendar, clear your schedule and head over early at the venue:

Rockwell Tent : April 22-26,2010 | MYOH 2010 Presented by Power Plant Mall

Last weekend, we were able to witness the Cosplay Convention at a nearby mall. It was my first time to witness such a fab anime event. Ladies and gents alike dressed up in naruto costumes, depicting final fantasy characters, sailor moon even cheerleaders and maid costumes were a total hit.

Cosplay, a short term for “costume play” is an event where participants or “cosplayers”  usually dressed up in elaborate costumes taken from their fave character. Characters are usually from japanese manga, anime and fantasy movies.

Cosplay Mania is all over town. Watch out for Ozine Fest ’09 on April 3-5, 2009 at SM Megamall Building B, 5th Floor Megatrade Hall 2 for yet another ambitious anime event of the year.