Personal Taste #16

Personal Taste #15

Personal Taste #14

Goodbye #162: Lee Cooper Blue Shirt 🌸

Goodbye to this Lee Cooper Blue Shirt. I am discarding my clothing slowly. Because to be honest I do not need much. A person can survive even with only a few pieces of clothing. The only reason why I accumulated more than 500 pieces of clothing in the last decade was because I cannot find the kind that will fit me based on my height and body built. So there was a time I bought all the mini skirts I can find. Then all the dresses I can find. Then all the blouses that can hide my belly. Then all the cute shorts since it is allowed in the UAE. All the pants that I think looks good on me. I ended up wearing them for once or a few times then being kept at the back of my closet for the longest time. Until it came to a point that I cannot even close the closet I own. Until time came that my stuff are scattered all over the tiny flat. 

So far when it comes to my clothing there is a hope that I will really finish decluttering by the end of this year. Then at the same time making people happy. Imagine all my bikinis worn only once being used now by my younger sister. I distributed most of my clothes between my younger sister and sisters in law. While others went straight to garbage. There are far too many items that I did not bother taking a photo or documenting but it is alright. As long as the goal is being achieved. Slowly but surely.

Personal Taste #13

Empty Bottle#123: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom 🌸

Got this Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom from V Brand Gallery in Dubai Outlet Mall last year. Even though I do not need it. Well 2016 was my transition from the reckless hoarder to trying to live a minimalist life. Only middle of 2016 when I started taking out all my items from their hiding space and try to finish them all of if I can. Sending others. Discarding others.

I am not a perfume collector. And I am no perfumer also. The reason why I have so many perfumes is because I am living in a tiny and closed space. Because that's all I can afford anyway. There's nothing wrong with a small space but if its closed, there lies the concern. Like when you cook the smell will be all over the house. Especially when there is a recent/freshly washed clothes you hang to dry. Smell will surely hang to it. So I have perfume on hand to battle out the smell. Even though none of them can win the bottle. Every other perfume I own offers only a few seconds of freshening the air.

So in my book there is nothing special with this Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Cherry Blossom. Based on my needs anyway. It was the last perfume I bought. Will not buy for a few months or a year to come just simply because I have enough stock.

Personal Taste #12

Empty Bottle#122: Mt Provence 🌸

The only story behind it was I was on my hoarding phase. And I do not know what was on my mind that I was buying too many brands of shower gels. I do not need them I know. But I was crazy and hoping for a soft and moisturized skin. I bought this thinking it is a shower gel and turned out to be a hand wash. And so I had to keep it in my drawer. As I also have way too many hand washes. Was able to finish it off after a year and half.

Took photo of the back of the tube for those who are interested. But as of me I do not bother to read anymore as the ingredients are all the same, at least for me. Scent will be the only difference. Sorry if I do not have in depth review because I mean it is just a normal hand soap and does not do anything beyond that for me to gush over.

Empty Bottle Post Series is my way to document my Pan Project for all the items I purchased during my hoarding phase since 2014 to 2016. Started last Pan Project a year ago and I thought I will be able to finish everything on the end of 2016. I was wrong as I did not realized just how much items do I really own. In spite of having a very little space. Discard some of them and even trying to do this Goodbye Series where I am trying to discard an item per day. But still I don't see if this thing can really end by December of this year. This is one of my regrets in life. Had I kept the money in the bank rather than spent them on things that are now nothing but a mess in the flat.

Personal Taste #11

Empty Bottle#121: Victoria's Secret Love Addict Shower Oil 🌸

For the longest time that I was passing by to any Victoria's Secret shop, I was ignoring it. It looks expensive and I am allergic to expensive things. At least my pocket it. But 2015 I was introduced to Sheer Love Body Butter and I became sort of a semi-fan. Semi because I will not buy anything not unless on sale. But then Victoria's Secret products was not able to hold me as a regular customer. My last purchase and haul happened more than a year ago and I never bought anything ever since. Except if I need to give a gift to someone of course.

Victoria's Secret Love Addict belongs to their fantasy line and my most favorite scent out of them all. Smells fruity and said to be having wild orchid and blood orange. Normal price was around 70.00AED and since it was on sale I got if for only 25.00AED. Price was down as that time they were about to introduced the new packaging of Fantasy Line. Unfortunately shower oil has been phased out. If you are wondering if I really love it then why it has taken me more than a year to finish it? Well it is my usual reason of having far too many of it. But as of August 2017, there were only a few bottles left from my hoarding phase. I stopped buying any shower oil/shower gels a year ago. And I have to pat myself for it. 

Now whenever I take a shower I am alternating whatever shower gel I have and bar soap I have. A few weeks ago I keep on saying that bar soap is cheaper than shower gel. Now I take it back. Bar soaps tend to melt. While shower gel on this case shower oil takes only 2 drops and it is enough for the whole body. My only mistake was hoarding. Hoarding was the reason that there has been a lot of money wasted. I am just putting in my mind that at least it is not yet too late for me to change my ways. And start saving money. 

So that's all for today.
Thanks for dropping by.

Personal Taste #10

Dubai Tram 🌸

Experienced riding in Dubai Tram last 2016 (only once) and I can say that this one is the very much elegant. Too bad we do not have it in other emirates.

Goodbye #161: Rimmel Stay Blushed 🌸

And here I am with my project of decluttering my tiny space. By doing Pan Project and discarding whatever I can. Well other people may say that I don't have much items compared to them. But then since I am living in a tiny space and cannot afford a bigger space hence, my stuff has become more of a mess rather than a useful one. And I do not know why the supposed to be last photo of swatch when blended became the first photo when posted. Forgive my photography skills as I was not able to capture how it really looks like on morena skin at the back of my palm. But this color is so subtle. Will really stand out on people with fair skin. Can't blame the brand though as after all it is a Western brand and not specifically made for brown/dark skin tone.

Goodbye Series #161: Rimmel Stay Blushed 01 Pop Up Pink. I do not know if this blusher from Rimmel is still around. I think it came out sometime in 2014 or 2015. And I got mine on 2015. Rimmel is a UK brand of drug store makeup that is easily available in UAE. Meaning a lot of shops carry this brand. Even the good old Safeer Mall in front of our office. Price is very affordable and no more than 50AED I might gotten mine more or less 20AED. I wish to understand why but I don't, why I hoarded makeup products in the past when wearing makeup is not compulsory in our office. In fact I barely wear makeup. I'd rather spend more time in sleeping than spend time in applying makeup. Not really lazy but already working longer hours than the rest of the world for the last 10 years.

Rimmel Stay Blushed! came out with 5 colors but only 4 were available in the UAE market. It is more of a cream/mousse and definitely not a liquid type. I tried to take the photo of the back of the tube to. As the description is there for those who wants to know. But then who wants to know? It is just another cream blusher. That you will use your finger to blend. End of story. 

Anyway it says to be a lightweight liquid. Yes it is lightweight but it is not liquid. As I've said above it is cream type. And it is fine. Because it blends on easily. Without the fall out that powder blushers give. I'm discarding this now. Because what I have done was since it was on sale I bought the 4 colors in two. So this one is totally unopened, unused for the last 2 years. As much as I want to totally finish off everything, well that is simply impossible. It takes me a year to finish a makeup item. And as of the blushers I might have at least 20 pieces of them now. I was able to emptied out Une Breezy Cheek Blush and Bourjois Exclusif Blush but I don't think I can with all the Rimmel I own. 

Last photo is the not yet blended cream on my hand. But once blended it is already a different story as can be seen above photo. And even if I use a makeup base this does not stay on my cheeks the whole day. So touch up after an hour or two is a must which I am not doing. As I don't even have time anymore to stand up from my seat at work whenever I get so busy.

Last night I counted the items on my dresser. The top dresser alone contains 100 items. I've thrown some. Used up some. But numbers does not seem to lessen. And 2017 only has remaining 4 months. I must discard at least 80% of my makeup and stop crying/blaming myself for the money I wasted in the past. It is all in the past anyway. I cannot turn back the time no matter what I do.

Anyway on other things.. Someone was watching the Tiny House Movement via YouTube and I cannot help but smile. People doing it are from Western countries. Being Filipino from a poor family in a poor country, having a tiny house is already a heaven. When I go back to my home country I am not expecting a grand or big house. Believe me no one dreams of owning a matchbox house. But most likely we will all live in a matchbox house because that is all we can barely afford. I am even looking at something like 10 meter square house or 12 meter square house. OMG a 25 meter house is already HHHUUGGGEEEEE for most of us. So every now and then I am also sharing style/design of tiny houses. Western people lives in one by choice. Poor people lives in one because they have no choice. That is pretty reminds me of my current place and why I need to discard as many items as I can. Even the small ones.

Personal Taste #09

Goodbye #160: Amlactin Lotion

Hello there! Back in 2014 that I decided to put an end to my dry skin. But then I am not a fan of body lotions as they tend to be watery. Making the clothes stick to the skin. So I asked Google about good brands of lotion. Then I was led into some write ups about Amlactin. I cannot even remember anymore what is supposed to be special with this lotion. That makes it stand out from others.

But then Amlactin is not available in UAE market. I got mine online from Souq. And how can I forget the price? I paid for 179.00AED for this one. I was crazy that time. Shopping spree. Hoarding spree. As if money will never run out. As long as I will have a beautiful skin. Like the ones I am seeing in the magazines. Now fast forward to 2 years later. My skin and my nose are not compatible with Amlactin.

Kept it in the drawer hoping one day I will be able to used it up. Hoping one day it will be better. That I will get used to it. That day did not come at all. And my money went down to the drain. That if I could turn back the time I will not make this purchase and keep the money instead. Money that I could use right now to purchase something much more important than this Amlactin lotion.

I took a lot of photos for those who are interested. But I am not sure if this brand is still around. But then, if you really are curious and would like to buy at least you have been warned. That this is not for everyone. As definitely it was not meant for me. I still have a dry skin. Just like Sahara desert. What I am doing now is alternating  between the moisturizers I own. Sometimes oil. Sometimes body butter. Sometimes aloe vera. I think it is better that way. Because if you keep on using only one time will come that your skin will get used to it and it will no longer be moisturizing.

The Face Shop Olive Face Cream 🌸

Hello to all! I wish this is an in depth review but this is not. For those who do not want to read the long story, The Face Shop Olive Face Cream is available in The Face Shop UAE. Price is below 100AED but I bought mine on sale. I have a combination skin and its working great on me. When I say working great what I meant is: sinks in to the skin easily without any greasy feeling. Does not irritate the skin. You know the usual way how the moisturizer really works. But to be honest in the last 2 months I experienced better moisturizers but sadly those brands are not available in UAE. So this one will do. As long as it can moisturize well without funny effects on the skin.

For the photos I used my camera. As it is already collecting dust in the drawer. But then after 2 years (?) of having it I still cannot work on my way into taking close up photos. But anyway, I just want to show how the product looks like. It came in a small bottle. Without a box, which is fine with me as to helping the Mother Earth even in a smallest way. And it does not have a scoop either. Others have. Then again I do not mind. I use my fingers which I wash first with soap and water before dipping it into the bottle of cream. 

Anyway I think it is self explanatory that the name is Olive. Meaning one of the ingredients in making this cream is olive. Olive has been known to be good on health and so it is not surprising to find this in skin care products s well. Although I am not really a huge fan. I purchased my The Face Shop Olive Face Cream because it was on sale and I thought I'd just try it out. Purchased last January 2017. About this finish before August ends. It has taken me time to finish because I'm using other brands/creams at the same time. I mean I am alternating them.

Last winter, even though the winter here is not much cold, I was able to consume too many moisturizers as I am doing it the Korean and Japanese way. But comes summer I cannot as I find them too uncomfortable and feels like my skin cannot handle layers of skin care and makeup. So if I could go back in time I would not purchase so many skin care products. Only consolation is since some are still unopened and the expiration date is on 2019.

This is what the cream looks like. Nothing extra ordinary. Just like any other moisturizing cream I own. As much as I want to move on to other creams I cannot as I am still trying to finish it. Maybe I will be able to buy new creams only in 2018. Or in 2019. Don't know. Not because I do not have a budget for it but the usual story of having too much of it.

Tada! 1/8 of my stash that I am trying to finish! I doubt that I can finish them all by end of this year. But it is okay since they will not yet expire anytime soon. Most are not yet opened. But soon enough I will be discarding a lot of makeup. Summer makes my skin crazy that for a few days I find myself with flaky skin. To think that I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. I eat fish. I drink a lot of water to the point that I need to pee a lot because of it. Plus I moisturizer. And I do not use facial wash that strong for my face. Maybe it has something to do with age. The older we get, the drier our skin will be.

That's all for today. And I hope my post makes sense somehow. I am writing just an outlet. To break the ice from my busy life from work. And to steer my thoughts away even just for a few minutes. Once again I find myself having problems which I did not create in the first place. You know, it was not my choice to be the eldest and the bread winner. Ciao!

A few days after writing this post I was able to finish the tube of the cream and before throwing the bottle I opened the sticker and the bottom. Took photos for those who are curious or interested. But then as of me it is yay! Another item off my magic dresser. I call my dresser magic because seems like it never runs out of stuff on it. I keep on saying that it only has 100 items but no matter how many items I either used up or discarded, it is still overflowing as ever. If only.. If only I did not waste my money is so many things..

Dampa 🌸

I cannot find where I kept the inside photos and food. But I would highly recommend this place. Enjoyed dining in here.

Personal Taste #08

3rd Order From KLensPop 💕

I always have a poor eyesight as long as I can remember. I always had to sit in the front at school just so I can see the teacher and the blackboard. But back then I didn't know that I have an eyesight problem. When I realized it I still refused to wear glasses. Even when I landed in UAE and started working. I have this notion and I do not know where I got it that wearing glasses will make my eyesight weaker.

Wrong. Eyesight will get weaker whether I wear glasses or not. Used to be 2.25 both eyes and now it is 3.25 both eyes. It was last year when I really had to continuously wear glasses. And when it became 3.25 the glasses (lenses and not the frame) became heavier. When it became heavier wearing glasses has been annoying to the point that I am cursing my life for having a poor eyesight. Well heavy glasses led me into trying out contact lenses. It may not be for all. It has pros and cons as well but then for now it is the best solution that is within my reach.

I was scared upon my first use of contact lenses thinking I would go blind for good because of it. But then after a few uses, I get used to it finally. But the catch? In the UAE Fresh Look is the cheapest brand I can get for 120.00AED (solution included) and it is good for 30 uses or month continuous use only. So needless to say it is taking a toll in my financial situation.

Either I buy and try different weightless frames immediately or use contact lenses while saving money for a good brand of weightless frames. But how to save enough when contact lenses are too expensive for me? Thanks for Google. I found a few websites that sell contact lenses in a much affordable price than the UAE market has to offer. That's how I came to know KLensPop. 

My first order was sometime in June because their contact lenses were on sale for only 5.50USD per pair and in AED that is only around 20AED. KLensPop aside from having the most affordable contact lenses when on sale also has the cheapest shipping fee. Honestly I do not know why other websites can charge expensive shipping fee when they are all using the good old post mail with tracking number. So my first order I paid only 125.00AED for 5 pairs and shipping fee included. I know that I have to pay 5AED for Empost charge and taxi fare back and forth from Empost to my flat, but it is okay because I pick up my item only when I will go to a grocery store near to Empost.

My second order was more of wants than needs. Because to be honest I do not need it since my first order will last up to 5 months o me. But I placed an order again because it was Silicon Hydrogel contact lenses for only 6.50AED per pair. Google says that Silicon Hydrogel is the latest and allows the eyes to breath freely than the usual one. So with that amount I thought why not? I just need to give up few snacks/meals/junk food to afford it. And boy I was very happy with it. So happy that July 31, 2017 I placed my third order. Which can be seen in the first photo above.

First order arrived in less than a week while the second order arrived after two weeks. Third order came in less than a week. I think this pattern has something to do about the dates you order them. Meaning if you will order from the last week of the month of month end, it will be faster. Rather than when you order in the middle of the month. You know the usual the shipments has to go at the month end. Something like that I suppose. The aloe mask sheet came as free by the way. First time that I ever received a free item from them.

From time to time I keep on checking other websites for contact lenses. Other websites has a lot of options compared to KLensPop but then they are tad expensive and as I've said even the shipping fee from others are expensive. KLensPop has a standard 5.50USD shipping fee and tracking number included. If you are in UAE, tracking number is very important. You will never get your package if tracking number is not included.

This piece of paper, I have taken photo of back and forth, is the manual and directions. Says that one should not wear contact lenses in more than 4 hours. Which sadly I cannot follow due to my eyesight condition. So what I am just doing is to remove them when I am on lunch break. So to give a break also to my eyes. Then put them back again when going back to work. (Flat is at the back of workshop).

For the month of August 2017, some contact lenses are for sale for only 7.50USD still the cheapest compared with other websites. As much as I want to get pink and brown colors I am holding back. I will decide on the last day of the month. The downside of being an OFW. A single OFW even though I have work it does not mean I can easily buy all the things I want/need or both.

The colors I have chosen. Mostly are silicon hydrogel except for the hybrid. I love them. They have a 6 months shelf life. Meaning I can use each 30 times within 6 months which is pretty long that's why I ordered this much. Sadly my phone photos did not justify the colors. I was planning on using my camera because the colors are great and so they deserved to be captured nicely. But as always I am waiting for TIME when I can freely do everything I want which in this lifetime will never happen. Sigh.

Maybe I will be able to get myself a good brand of weightless frames (I am not even sure it will work so it will be a trial and error for me) only next year. There are only 4 months left before 2017 ends. And there are so many things I want to do. And need to buy. And want to buy. First I will finish this emergency back home. The sad part of being the bread winner. Of being the eldest. Born in a poor but big family. Then I will try to buy some gold as coming 2018 when they introduce VAT everything will have 5% tax. 

Sad. I have not taken yet my vacation for this year. But this is my life. I need to live it one day at a time no matter how I detest it at times. Anyway so far for the month of July and August contact lenses were my only online purchases. Maybe I have a crack in the head because even though makeup does not do me anything good, I am still attracted to some of it. And a few times I had been tempted to order one from Ebay. But I must fight it off because I do not need it really. I will stay poorer than ever if I will not be able to control myself.

Goodbye #159: Loreal Eye Makeup Remover

Loreal eye makeup remover from... 2009! Well Loreal is a brand that is available almost everywhere in the UAE. It is hard to miss this brand. Price is mid range. And usually I buy only when on sale. Now I bought this one from 2009 during the time that I do not use makeup on a daily basis. And so I kept it inside the drawer along with my other stash. Completely forgotten. Saw it again when I started cleaning. 

If you are wondering why it seems that I find only one item at a time, because what I have done was I have many small paper bags. Each paper bags contain something. So whenever I have a time I am pulling out a paper bag to see what is inside. Keeping others that might be useful some other time. And each paper bag seems to contain one or two useless items.

Essence.. 🌸

Damn.. here are the rest of the Essence All About Matt! oil control make-up base that I still have to finish.. :(

Goodbye #158: Byphasse Products

Back in 2015 when I saw Tati Department Store in Dubai where I made my Byphasse Haul. Byphasse and Tati are two different things though. Tati is the name of department store. While Byphasse is a Spanish/French brand of skin care products. It just happened that in UAE only Tati carries Byphasse. Byphasse was so affordable that I stupidly made some hauls.

Now in 2017 I am handing everything else to my sister. As everything will be expiring next year. Don't get me wrong it is a good brand. Good products. I do not have any problem with it. I was not able to use them all because I was buying products left and right from 2014 to early 2016. It was very wrong of me to do so. But that's over and done. Right now I just need to keep on arranging and cleaning my stuff. Declutter whatever I can.

Personal Taste #07

Shishamo 🌸

Don't know if I shared this before. Because I have at least 10,000 photos in my phone. In my computer at work. And in my laptop. I take a lot of photos. But now I am decluttering them. Deleting some daily. So I do not know if I posted this before or not. Anyway this is called Shishamo. Fish from Japan. Available in Dean's Fujiya in Karama for 5.75AED. Expensive but really worth it. I love it deep fried. With fish sauce and calamansi dip.

Personal Taste #06

Goodbye #157: Maybelline Kajal

Another item that I do not need and yet I purchased. Price is below 50AED. Do you know why I do not enjoy applying kajal or any kind of eyeliner? None of them seems to be waterproof enough that stays long in the waterline of our eyes. Seems that I have to reapply it every 30 minutes or so. And I lack patience to do that. 

The color may be good and it may be affordable in the world of make up but because I do not have what it takes to get my ass up from the sit and reapply every half an hour, that this Maybelline kajal has been left out in one of my drawers for such a long time. Forgotten. Saw it again while rearranging my items, which I had been doing a lot since 2016. And finally deciding to just give it away.

Used only once. Another money wasted from my side. Sigh!

Hiroshima 🌸

Once upon a time I tried cooking Hiroshima Okonomiyaki. Tastes good but then time consuming in making. And expensive in buying ingredients. So I am just reminiscing that time with no intention of cooking it again.

Personal Taste #05

Ramarim from Brazil

Bought this back in March or April 2017? I think I purchased it for only 10AED or 20AED. It was during the sale. I do not know yet if I can consider it waste of money or not.

The thing is, the last time I was confident enough to wear slippers or any kind of sandals was back in 2007. As time goes by my feet became so dry. And I became shy to show my feet to others. That I always wear closed shoes all the time.

But in between I still buy sandals which I use for a few times then finally giving them away because of the dry feet. That is why I started using Baby Foot again to have a beautiful feet that I can show off.

Thor 🌸

Throwback Post

Vox Cinema, MCC