Shopsui's Hot Summer Promo

Shopsui tags itself as  “your one-stop makeover and beauty shop”. Apparently, the shop’s inspired by Chopsuey – a Filipino dish which features a colorful variety of luscious veggies. Since June 2009, the specialty shop has been providing gorgeous whatnots from clothes down to makeup tools.

I haven’t heard of Shopsui before not until I saw this very enticing deal at Ensogo:

Sucha great deal, right? You can buy unlimited deal vouchers so that you can have what you want half-priced! Shopsui’s online catalogue is indeed crammed with pretty finds but sadly, the voucher’s not valid for online purchases. This means I really have to visit their boutique at Tiendesitas for the following:

I really need this because my current one is made of leather
which makes it so heavy to carry around.

Charm Pro Travel Set - a steal for P1,800.00 (42 USD)

Shimmer palette for P950.00 (23 USD)

If you'll notice, the three items are mostly for travel purposes. It's because of a great opportunity that's been given to me just tonight! I pray everything goes well so that I can completely share it. 

Going back, the online catalog doesn’t show Shopsui’s entire collection so it’s best to drop them a visit either at Tiendesitas or Glorietta 3. Also, the Shopsui promo voucher can only be bought until Tuesday. Good night! :>

Nars Cap Ferrat Trio vs. Gosh Ocean Drive Trio

Like some girls, I tend to be daunted by the idea of experimenting with eyeshadows. For some reason, I feel that it can make me look overly done. I have stacks of eye pots and palettes but I always end up using them for other people. Needless to say, I’m more of an eyeliner-mascara girl. However, there’s an exception because some eyeshadows are simply too cute to be resisted like Nars Alpes-Maritimes-inspired Cap Ferrat Trio Eyeshadow.

It’s a part of the Nars Summer 2011 collection which showcases sophisticated and bold pigments. The Cap Ferrat is made up of three colors – icy sea foam, silver green, and icy turquoise.  The vivid palette reminds me of this:

So summer!

Just when I’ve decided to purchase the trio palette, I saw this from my stash:

It’s Gosh Trio Eye Shadow in Ocean Drive. It’s a dupe of Cap Ferrat because it also has deep blue, green, and white pigments. 

I love the Gosh palette because it’s never messy when applied unlike other powder-formed shadows that become “dusty”. What’s best is that Gosh Ocean Drive also contains shimmering particles like the Cap Ferrat. The particles are minimal so don't worry that you'll look like a walking disco ball. ;)

If you’re like me who doesn’t use much eyeshadow, then it’s okay to settle for an affordable version. I didn’t buy my Gosh palette though, it’s from my boyfriend’s mom but I checked its price online and it only costs $12 which poses a great difference with Cap Ferrat’s $45-price. 

I hope to post pictures of my little blue-green eye experiment and oh, the next time you’re planning to splurge for makeup, don’t forget to check your stash first because you might have treasured and fab alternatives! Bijoux!

 Nars is exlusively available at all Rustan's Department Stores while Gosh can be ordered online.

Summer Giveaway

Hello beauties! Summer is here so I thought I might put some sort of giveaway. 

Thanks to my closet and dresser for sponsoring this giveaway. ;) Anyway, everything’s unused (thanks to my impulsive streak) so please read all the rules before you enter.

SUMMER STASH INCLUDES:

♥ Roxy Lace Cover-up

♥The Dirty Girls Social Club book (because it’s the can’t-put-it-down novel of the summer)

♥Beautilicious Bath Set (Creamy Vanilla Cheesecake Lotion, Sugar Coated Candy Apple Scrub, Strawberry Shake Shower Cream, and Strawberry Milk Bath)

♥Victoria’s Secret Lotion in Love Spell

♥White Rain Volumizing Mousse (for your luscious summer curls)

♥A vial of Chanel No. 5

♥Natural Remedy Bath Salt

♥Wet n Wild Intuitive Blend Primer and Sunblock

♥Wet n Wild Mega Plump Mascara in Blackest Black

♥Mary Kay Full Coverage Foundation

♥Havaianas Magnetic Clipper

♥Anne Klein Gold Wrist Watch (you don’t want to be late for those fab beach trips!)

RULES:

• This contest is open for international users (just as long as you don’t live in Narnia or North Pole). ;
• You have to be a follower of Laces and Tiaras via Google Friend Connect so that I can check and follow your blog too. However, it’s okay if you do not have a blog.
• Post a comment with your name, GFC username, and e-mail address.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Answer the question “What’s the best summer flick/read/getaway/product?” on Twitter. Answer the question and you immediately get additional 2 entries.
• Post this giveaway on your sidebar for additional 3 entries.
• Contest ends on May 31 and there’s a huge possibility for consolation gifts so enter away! Good luck! 

Baguio City's Blooming Bazaar

I know this post is waaaaaay too overdue already but still, let me share a great shopping experience last February.

Bazaars. Who doesn’t love them? Imagine a long strip of stalls offering interesting finds at rock-bottom prices. Even if you don’t intend to shop, it’s okay, because you’re in for a delightful visual treat when you visit bazaars.

As an unofficial Baguio City resident (because I’ve been staying in-and-out of the city for four years now), I feel excited when the month of February looms in because of the Panagbenga (“season of blooming”) Festival – a month-long celebration composed of dances, pageants, and shows. The festival’s highlight is the last weekend of the month wherein grand flower-adorned floats are paraded. There’s an enormous scattering of celebrities and of course, countless tourists everywhere.

Yes, that's the 18-year-old AJ Perez who died a few days ago :'( (photo from my friend, Gwynn)

No matter how beautiful the floats are, I cannot hide the fact that what really excites me is the “Session in Bloom” bazaar which takes place a day after the parade. The bazaar showcases quirky finds which you don’t see inside the usual shopping malls. Here are some of the certified eye-candies which stood out for me among the 200+ stalls:

      

       

So, if ever you’re in Baguio City during the last weekend of February, don’t forget to visit Session Road and remember the S.O.P in bazaar-hopping: wear comfortable shoes! :)

Marchesa - Romantic Couture at It's Finest

My eyes always become starry when I see billowy skirts, lace ensembles, ruffled pieces, and anything that flows and flounces. Despite the fact that I also love pieces with roguish charm (thanks to Olivia Palermo for the inspiration), I still fall head over heels for classic and romantic staples.

I remember telling myself that if I were to get married, I’d like to have a bridal gown from Marchesa. Whoever wears Marchesa is undeniably the belle of the ball and this understated fact made the label a resident name in Tinseltown’s red-carpet events.

Katy Perry's va-va-voom curves

Dakota Fanning's soft features stood out in this dress

No wonder why the Phantom of the Opera fell in love with Emmy Rossum

Two-thumbs-up for Rachel Zoe's good choice for Anne's ensemble

Err, I feel neutral about Leighton's look
but she definitely made the dress look so pretty!

I'm in love with Blake Lively's structured piece!

Back when Miley Cyrus can still be tamed ;)

Oh, I'd gladly wear Camilla Belle's alluring dress for 10,000 times  

See how adorable Marchesa is?

Taylor Swift here reminds me of classic style icons

Of course, who could ever forget Blair Waldorf's prom gown?
No doubt why she was crowned that night's queen. :)

Btw, if you're a soon-to-be bride and you're looking for a Marchesa-inspired wedding gown (because I'll definitely look when it's my time to get married), you might want to check out Veejay Floresca's "Let's Be a Blessing to Someone" project wherein up for grab is a breathtaking wedding gown. He'll sell it on May 1 for P 50,000.00 which is a big steal if you'll ask me. What's best is that the proceeds will go to his scholar's educational funds. I'm posting this because I admire great people who remain humble despite their awesomeness.

Thanks for taking time to read this post. Good night! :)

Bijoux, 

Little Black Book of Style

Since I was three years old, a trip to mall could never be complete without me entering a bookshop.  A few months ago, I started to be engrossed over fashion books. Although magazines are more up-to-date, nothing can beat the feeling of holding the thick (sometimes not) spines of books. Besides, I’m quite reluctant now to spend much for magazines when I discovered that some pages of my Preview and Teen Vogue were tackily torn by my oh-so-considerate brother who probably used the pictures for his school whatnot.

For this post, I just want to share one of the books which inspire me style-wise.

The fab author is Nina Garcia who’s a fashion journalist and currently sits as one of Project Runway’s judges.

As for the appearance, the pink-and-black combination is impeccably beautiful. The whole book’s crammed with fancy pictures that clearly illustrate the content.

The Little Black Book of Style is not the average style manual which merely delineates what’s appropriate from what’s not.  The book’s about being your own muse while finding the style that suits you. Some of my favorite chapters include:

“The Basics” – These are the simple things that we tend to overlook.

“What to Watch and What to Watch For” – The best films that portrayed the prettiest styles of all time (although I’m a bit biased here because my fave Grace Kelly was included in the list not just once!)

“Insider Tips and Tricks” – Big names in the industry such as Donatella Versace, Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Christian Loubotin, and Heidi Klum were asked different intriguing questions on how to be eternally stylish.

“Decade by Decade” – A blow-by-blow account of the fashion trends from 1920s to date.

For me, the book’s a 5/5 simply because it’s sassy, light, and informative. For anyone who wants to have a quick yet extensive fashion know-how, this book’s recommendable for it’s not like other books which spill repetitive and useless information just for the sake of thickening the pages. ;)

 You can get Nina Garcia’s The Little Black Book of Style from Fully Booked for P785.00. :)

The Things We Endure for Beauty's Sake

“Tiis-ganda” is simply a coined Filipino term that refers to the sacrifices women (and men) endure for beauty’s sake. I read once that in fashion, when you think of comfort, it means that you’re getting older. I’m not sure how true it is because personally, I have my “lazy days” wherein I go for all-out comfort.

Lady Gaga - tiis-ganda much?

Wearing high heels is probably the most common form of “tiis-ganda”. Do you know that a stiletto doesn’t originally pertain to shoes? It’s actually a dagger which became famous during World War 1 as a stabbing weapon.  Now you know why these hot-looking pairs hurt like hell.

Chunky and heavy accessories come next. Lots of girls go gaga over chandelier earrings and bib necklaces especially now that we have the trend of over sizing things such as totes and sunglasses.

Corsets are also famous forms of sacrificial beauty procedures. Boned corsets can transform even the straightest figures to shapely ones but you have to be willing not to breathe! Of course, there’s a bit of exaggeration there but seriously, you can’t breathe much in corsets. I have few corseted dresses and it’s not easy to sit and move around in them so I salute those who can manage to wear corsets on a daily basis.

Back in 1950s, probably “tiis-ganda” for women comes in the form of aerosol spray bottles. Just imagine the time spent by women to perfect their gigantic updo rolls or coiffed curls. Not only do their necks hurt but also the earth’s ozone. 

  

While most people go after heels and charms, there are some who bravely go under knives and needles to attain their desired look. If putting on make-up takes too much of your precious time, just look for these salons or clinics and behold! You now have a permanent cosmetic tattoo. I want to have an eyeliner tattoo because it’s basically the cosmetic product that I can’t manage to lose but then, what happens after fifty years? Saggy eyelids with weird greenish lines? Probably not a good sight!

 What “tiis-ganda” procedures, products, etc. are you guilty of?

Bisous,

Eunice♥