I've underestimated the importance of good, microfiber towels…read more A few Christmases ago I was gifted with an Aquazorb towel by one of my good friends. I was really, really pleased by its "performance". It's a microfiber towel so expect it to be way lighter than most towels, and it absorbs liquid very well. What's great about their towels is that they come in all sorts of sizes for various types of activities (i.e. yoga towels, beach towels). They are great for travel as well, because of being so lightweight. Their towels make me want to go out and get physical!... Okay too much enthusiasm. But really. I do need some sort of physical exercise to spice up my sedentary lifestyle. I used to be able to see this brand only at Rox at BGC, but I was so pleased to see that they've branched out to having several kiosks in major malls such as Megamall, and here in Glorietta.

Years ago, I attended a Christmas party with friends wherein we all had to bring a wrapped gift for…read morethe Kris Kringle game we were going to play. When all the wrapping paper was torn and all the gifts were exchanged, we all realized one thing - Aquazorb towels, in all colors and sizes, was the Kris Kingle Gift du Jour. And rightly so! I love Aquazorb towels and I have been a long time fan of the brand. Locally made, these lightweight and incredibly soft, quick-absorbing and fast-drying towels are the best things ever. Since they're so lightweight, you can fold them up and they won't take so much space in your bag. That's why they come along with me in every out-of-town trip I go to. Aquazorb towels are also available in different sizes - from the extra large to the normal-sized ones, to medium-sized ones that are perfect for the gym, to small facial or hand-towel sized ones. They've even got bathrobes and bath slippers too! I said it once and I'll say it again - Aquazorb towels are the best things ever!

Do you remember that time, years ago when scented and decorative candles were quite the rage? And…read moreeveryone was gifting candles to just about everyone. I HATED receiving candles (I'm not dead yet!) and I was glad this era was over. Although, I actually do like SOME candles, and I like Alice Blue's candles. I wouldn't mind receiving these candles for gifts. They're made of soy and they smell divine. I do think it takes a great deal of taste to come up with scents that won't make your guests face contort into an 'asim' face. Alice Blue's scents are amazing. My favorite are their vanilla scents. They just smell soooo luxurious and make your place smell so expensive (even if you are...poor. haha). I also love the lemongrass scent (smells so refreshing and summery) and baby shower (smells like a clean baby, what else?). And I do think their candles are very reasonably priced. For less than Php 200 you can already purchase the smallest candle, which lasts a while. So if you're looking for the perfect "tita gift", head to Alice Blue.

I've been quite obsessed with fragrances for the home lately, especially candles. There have been…read morequite a number of international branded ones entering the market lately and they all have one thing in common - they are extremely expensive. Some candles can even go up to the high thousands and they are way beyond my budget. But thank the heavens for local home scents brand, Alice Blue. I've passed by the Alice Blue kiosk in Glorietta numerous times already but had only really paid attention to it last year. A local brand that specializes in hand-poured soy wax candles, Alice Blue has carried extensive research and development to get the highest quality they could for their products. Personally, my best picks of the Alice Blue lot are the White Tea and Ginger and Vanilla candles. They last quite long and the candle itself doesn't lump up like other candles often do. Aside from the candles, they've got reed diffusers, room sprays, ionizing oils and so much more. Now go do you room a favor and perfume it up with an Alice Blue scent.

I'm a germophobe so I actually enjoy cleaning our house to make sure I've got everything covered…read more Ever since I moved into my own home, I've been experimenting with different household products to see what works for us. It was only when I got pregnant that I realized that I didn't want to use chemicals in our home... thus our switch to Messy Bessy. I am so grateful there's such a company that produces good-quality natural cleaning products. I've tried many other brands but they don't seem to work or they have weird smells that just throw me off. Luckily, Messy Bessy has a wide range of products that can be used all over the house. On the top of my list are the following: - Lavender Room & Linen Spray - Roach Repellant Spray (I cannot say how thrilled I am to not use Baygon anymore!) - Woody Wood Cleaner & Conditioner Not only are they effective, but they're so efficient that you don't have to use a lot. 1 bottle goes a long way for me! If you're looking for safe, non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning/household products then try Messy Bessy! It's also a plus that they're locally made!

In our world today, many people seem to be getting more and more exposed to so many different forms…read moreof toxins. Whether its pollution from outside, pesticides, preservatives, and chemicals in our produce and food, or the toxins from the cleaning products and sprays we use, the bottom line is that all of these items don't help us live a healthy lifestyle but rather, they contribute to the deterioration of our body and system. Its scary to think about how much we don't know about what we are exposed to and why so many people get sick of cancer or other diseases. Messy Bessy is a proactive brand that I consider a partner in my everyday life. As much as I try to eat clean, I also like to live life and clean up with products that are not only sustainable but also eco-friendly and non-toxic. Another perfect example of a social enterprise, "Messy Bessy is a manufacturer and wholesaler of natural, biodegradable household cleaners with the primary goal of employing, training and educating disadvantaged (formerly abused, trafficked, out-of-school, impoverished) young adults. It is a fusion of addressing a need for a greener lifestyle and a cleaner environment and helping these young adults out of their victim complex and leading them into a life that they choose to live." If that alone doesn't make you want to help support this cause, then I don't know what would! Not only are the products great but they also help better the lives of many unfortunate individuals out there who want and need a second chance at life!

Anybody here a fan of body sprays, room sprays, or linen sprays, or hand sanitizer? I know I sure…read moream and I'm always happy to support local brands. This is where Cosita comes in. Cosita translates to "little thing" in Spanish but ironically enough, I feel like that's the last word I'd use to describe these products as they're huge in terms of heart and quality. They also have candles as a part of their product line which also endears them further to my heart as I'm obsessed with candles. I highly recommend giving their mint and lemongrass hand sanitizers a try alongside the orange, nectarine, and powder fresh body spray. LOVE.

I stumbled upon NeutraOrganics through a friend who was doing design work for the label. I got a…read morefew introductory items to try out, mostly because I have developed atopic dermatitis the past couple of years. What I like the most are: Sunblock - knowing it's made of natural ingredients, I have no second thoughts using their sunblock even on my face. It's also light on the skin and doesn't feel greasy like others do. Lip Scrub - I personally think that the lips are one of the parts of the face that gets overlooked often. This is why I used lip scrubs and the one like using most is the one from NeutraOrganics because it smells so good. It's also made of food grade ingredients so there's no need to fret if you ingest the scrub. Wouldn't blame you. It's THAT good. Miracle Mud Balm - The epic bipolar weather has been driving me nuts, especially on evenings when my allergy attacks and I get episodes of itchy patches. From the first time I used the mud balm, the itching went away. It now has a permanent place in my bedside table. Wellness Spray - This little bottle of orange liquid is seriously a wellness potion. I've used it mostly for headaches or nausea, especially when travelling or when I'm working. However, I have offered it to friends several times and it has been successful in relieving them of their sinusitis attacks, flu headaches, and even helped calm down and itchy throat. Whatever it is that's in this potion, I can totally vouch for it.

I first started using VMV skin products because of sensitive skin, upon the recommendation of my…read morecousin. Beginning with the anti-shine serum, which really controlled oiliness and helped preserve makeup, I soon found myself using the complete skin care line - cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. The coconut oil-based baby moisturizer is an excellent skin moisturizer and can help prevent excessive facial dry skin. I gave this one to my dad and it worked wonders on him. My aunt gifted me with one of their rich red lipstick, and I am quite happy with the shade and would use it often. Aside from being hypoallergenic and having as few ingredients as possible, I like that most of its products are paraben free. Most of all, I was quite surprised to find out that this is a local brand and being marketed in New York. Happy that we can have a world-class Filipino brand that sells excellent products!

Looking to exercise your green thumb? Then head on over to White Plains Avenue in QC. This avenue…read morehas been known as one of the best places to go to for all sorts of gardening or planting needs. Lots of plant and landscaping shops actually line up the street and if you can't find what you're looking for, you can just easily hop to the neighboring store.

I've recently discovered a new love for gardening. Because of this, I've become a frequent visitor…read moreof the gardening centers in White Plains. My favorite store is Angel's. They have plants, flowers, plastic pots, terra cotta pots and spray bottles. Sometimes they have citronella and my most recent favorite, the bacularis. Risa, the shopkeeper, is very pleasant to deal with. I love her. When I buy a lot, it's easy to make her throw in something for free or to give me a discount. Other shops are landscapers. We don't have a big garden, but if you do, they have trees and even koi for ponds.

I've been battling psoriasis since I was a little kid and trust me when I say I've tried anything…read moreand everything out there just to keep it tamed. It was only when I went to VMV that I found something that worked for me. Dr. Verallo (VMV herself) suggested that I be treated with ultraviolet light phototherapy. Since I had nothing to lose, and was honestly dying to find a solution, I decided to try it out. During the session, a wand-like instrument that emitted UV rays was held up against my skin for a couple of minutes. I didn't feel anything during this entire time. I honestly thought nothing was happening, but after a few sessions, I noticed how my psoriasis slowly lessened. I was adviced to do at least 30 sessions to see significant results. As i finished my 30th session, I can proudly say that the treatment worked on me. I wasn't completely cleared, but my psoriasis was less noticeable and I felt better inside and out. It's been 2 years already and I have not had a major breakout since then. I am hoping that it stays this way, thanks to VMV's phototherapy!

One thing about me is that my skin is extra sensitive. I don't know what happened but when I was…read moreyounger I didn't have a problem with commercially known products. My skin was perfectly fine. I guess my acne and other skin problems started to come out in high school (oh high school why why!). Ever since then, my skin has been very moody when it comes to products. I first discovered this brand from a friend and she told me that she started using VMV when it was not yet that known. Now, VMV (a local brand) is an international brand and even has a flagship store in New York already. (This also meant that the pricing increased). I still go to this shop because of the hypoallergenic products. I've used their Red Better Facial Wash and so far it helped my skin a lot! It's now less red! One of the popular products they have is the Armada sunblock. I wish it could be more affordable! Then I'd able to buy these products more. Tip: There's a huge annual sale around the summer wherein this specific branch discounts products up to 50% off. So be on the know, and make sure you give your number to the staff so that can update you events.