It's finally here! The DKNY Delicious Candy Apples collection is distinguished by its saccharine, but not cloying, scent. Sweet Caramel is a light fragrance that combines juicy fruit (apple and pear), fresh floral (jasmine pertals, muguet, and violet leaves), and tantalizingly sweet notes (caramel, vanilla, and marshmallows). If I can eat a smell, I would definitely eat this one!

The cute bottle is designed to look like a candied apple. The top screws out smoothly from the perfume in one twist, so you don't have to worry your pretty head about getting it stuck or, god forbid, dropping the bottle in a fit of eager twisting.

Note: To clarify, this post pertains to bloggers who deal with businesses, not to those who write about what they ate for lunch or how their dog died.

You might have heard a silent bomb explode on the blogosphere today. It's about this, supported by this, and answered by this.

Now, I normally don't join the fray of blogger politics. I usually have better to do with my time than bicker about issues like this. I do think however that this one is different.

Professionalism

Blogging is only now treated with new respect by Philippine companies and traditional media outfits despite being around for a decade. Why? Because there are a lot of bloggers who work very hard to be professional in doing their blogging duties such as attending events and reviewing products. They practice proper decorum and courtesy when facing media contacts, and then objectiveness and meticulousness when reviewing products. In other words, professional bloggers make themselves relevant by being ethical, well-mannered journalists and media personalities in their own right. 

I once spent a summer working in the Senate for my practicum credits. I was often at Senate hearings and loved observing the senators as they fight to make the laws of our land. Since I was a member of a senator's staff, I get to sit directly behind the lawmakers and take notes. One day, Loren Legarda was presiding. She was wearing a fitted purple jersey top with 3/4 sleeves. Imagine my horror when I noticed that her bra straps were already down her arms! She probably couldn't feel it because her top was too tight!

Moral lesson of the story: even mega-rich senators wear bras with loose straps. If you love your old bras too much that you don't mind suffering through embarrassing booboos every time you wear them, then you shouldn't leave home without this!

So what does Inti-Mate do? It simply holds your bra straps in an "x" across your back. This means that you don't have to worry about falling bra straps anymore! Aside from that, you'll be able to wear racer-back tees without having to show tacky bra straps.

This product is especially helpful to women who like sports as well as those who are into sexy tops. Oh, it's also heaven sent for lazy daisies like me who absolutely hate removing convertible bra straps and criss-crossing them manually. It's so frustrating! And can get confusing. I know you know what I mean.

One pack contains three units in different colors: black, neutral, and clear. It's nice how they just bundled everything together for convenience! If I remember correctly, it's only P250 per pack.

Do you like marathon runs? Me, not so much. I remember my horrid PE days in UP where we had to run 6-8 kilometers around the academic oval per two hour session. But don't mind me! Running is good for you. It's a great way to lose weight and tone your leg muscles and butt. It's nice to sweat it out once in a while and feel those happy hormones coursing through your veins! Also, it'd be great to stock up on Neutrogena sun protection products while you're at it.

Neutrogena, the skincare brand most recommended by dermatologists, is mounting its first ever run dubbed Chase the Sun: The Neutrogena Run, on Sunday, May 16, 2010 in Fort Bonifacio , Taguig City. Runners, both men and women, can register for the 3k, 5k, 10k, or 15k races at R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street , Planet Sports Trinoma, New Balance Glorietta and Shangri-la Mall and Athlete’s Foot Alabang Town Center until May 12. Registration fees are P400.00 for the 3k, P550.00 for the 5k, P600.00 for the 10k, and P650.00 for the 15k.

Armed with Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 50+ and Waterlight Lotion SPF 50+ PA+++, runners will finally get the chance to run under the summer sun with maximum sun protection.

If you really think about it, it's not natural for morenas to blush. I don't remember ever blushing in my entire life. Pink, healthy cheeks are Western Caucasian concepts. Don't get me wrong, I love my pink blushes - even though they're technically not natural for dark Asian skin, they still look flattering on me. That's the whole point right?

In any case, you know what's natural on dark skin? Peach and apricot!

Peach and apricot are the natural colors that our Asian skin change into when we blush, exert ourselves physically, or tan under the sun. I believe that every girl (Asian or not) should have at least one peach/apricot blush in her makeup arsenal since it could really warm up the skin and even make your face look thinner without the harshness of bronzer or contouring powder.

MAC Cheek and Cheerful Mineralized Blush from last year's Colour Craft Collection

I'm currently loving this blush that I bought from Sophie. I was skeptical of it when I firs

This summer is getting more exciting with PLDT myDSL’s search for the Watchpad crew. The final 10 was revealed last Thursday, in a night dubbed as “X”, ultimately getting closer to the five teens going from anonymous to famous. They will be chosen through online voting, revealing who really has the x-factor to make it.

My skincare routine is not only basic, but relatively cheap. I wanted it to be quick without ignoring my skin's needs. The products have to be affordable too, since I use them for maintenance - I should never run out.

Everyday I follow the most basic skincare routine: cleanse, tone, and moisturize. I use additional products when the situation calls for it, such as eye cream, SPF tinted moisturizer, or makeup remover.

So now, presenting my skincare basics! This is everything I use to take care of my face.

RDL Placenta Soap

I've been using this product for more than three years now. It's super cheap at only ~P50 per bar, one bar lasting me for about 3-4 months of twice-a-day usage. Awesome right?

It keeps my combination skin clear from pimples and has a lightening effect. This is is not the best facial soap out there, however. It dries my skin and doesn't stop my pre-period breakouts completely. Nonetheless, in my rare skincare exploits, this is the best soap for me that I've found so far.

If you've been following this blog, you'll know that I've been working as a freelancer for the last three months. So how is it? Pretty cool, actually. I get to work on my own time. I get to attend events, nap, or play Xbox whenever I want to. It's great to stay inside the comforts of my place here in Makati most of the time, so if you ask me, I have zero regrets.

That is not to say that it wasn't difficult at the start. One of the most terrifying things I've done in my life so far is quitting my full-time job. Heck, I'm only 22. I was terrified that I haven't paid my dues enough and wouldn't make it as a freelancer. I was terrified of being poor. I was terrified of having to come back home to the province and live with my Mom (she's awesome, by the way, but living with my parents isn't my idea of a successful life).

The first month sucked. I earned very little money. However, on the second month, everything turned around. I got big PR gigs out of the blue, an editorial job, then the business boomed. It seemed like doors were opening everywhere - pardon the cliche, but that's the truth. I have never been this busy in my life.

I am in love with Urban Decay's eyeshadow called Shattered. It's an iridescent shade of teal that reflects fine gold shimmers and has a lovely mint green undertone to it. Perfect for summer! It's very tan friendly. I usually wear it with brown but in this look I decided on a smoky moss green called Misdemeanor (also from UD).

The technique I used in achieving this look is pretty simple! This is what I did:

Step 1: Pat Shattered all over the lid, subtly winging it out.
Step 2: Draw a thick line on the roots of your upper lashes with Misdemeanor. I used a small, round brush to achieve this. Also line your lower lid.

Step 3: Create a thick wing using your eyeshadow, as shown.

I have always believed that Filipinas are some of the most beautiful women in the world. We hate the color of our skin, the curl of our hair, the challenges we have to face right here in the Third World - but I believe that these things make us strong and beautiful. But come, I'm biased. 

Nationalism is a hot commodity right now because of the elections. We have t-shirts from Collezione, Bench, and now, a huge fashion show from Ayala Malls. Filipina, Bravo! is an exhibit  that seeks to pay homage to Filipina icons by interpreting them with contemporary fashion.

Participating designers include the legendary and timeless Patis Tesoro and Criselda Lontok; the unquestionable queen of knits Lulu Tan Gan; the famed femme favorite Patrice Ramos-Diaz; silk heiress Katrina Goulbourn; Bonne Bouche’s Michi Calica, Elena Bautista and Emi Jorge; contemporary and fashion forward designers Tippi Ocampo, Kate Torralba and Hindy Weber-Tantoco; easy fashion for the working woman from Yvette and Choc Religioso and Arlene Sipat; award-winning Mich Dulce for Myth; supermodel-turned-designer Tweety de Leon for Myth; acclaimed bag designer and SoFa founder Amina Aranaz; exquisite accessories designer Ana Rocha; and pearl excellence from Jewelmer. via The Daily Tribune

It's a grand showcase of the hottest colors and cuts this season. There's a lot of whites, nudes, and blacks mixed with shocking pops of color in blue, purple, and red. The designers have a preference for loose-fitting, flowy dresses as well as body-hugging empire cut cocktail numbers and high-waisted body cons. Of course, the traditional baro't saya was featured.

A ton of pictures after the cut! 

I am a fan of clothes with a healthy dose of romance. Nudes, whites, pinks, and beiges are some of my favorite colors to wear this season too! That's why I am floored by Johnson's Body Care and Bayo's collaboration called the Soft Look Collection. The well-designed pieces are done in delicate lace, chiffon, and satin, shamelessly featuring a lot of ruffles and runching. The whole collection's main focus was showing off one of our best assets this summer - beautiful skin.

I love, love, love the Soft Look Collection. It is so me! Anyway, I took photos of the complete line for your viewing pleasure. Tell me what you think! Check out last year's Johnson's Body Care launch too, and compare.

The gorgeous, skinny, and elegant Sarah Meier was host for the night. I love her blue eyeshadow and nude lips. Her makeup was immaculate.

Class and simplicity