Brazil Shoes from Safeer

I no longer shop for myself but last December I have done a lot of shopping for my family back home. Well it will not be the case forever as the cargo boxes I sent were the last. I mean next boxes will be all about kitchen items that I will be using for business.

Back on the photo, this is a sample of Brazilian brand of shoes. Well I did not purchase it. I'm just sharing for example/reference. Safeer Mall is worth checking out once in a while as they often have on sale. Especially clearance sale. Like this one in the photo was up for only 10.00AED. Because of this sale that I was able to buy for almost all the women in the family.

'A woman with good shoes is never ugly' - Coco Chanel

Goodbye #60: Bath and Body Works Body Butter

Time flies. It was only around October 2015 when I was introduced to body butter. I was hooked. Went crazy and hoarded whatever I could get my hands on. Whether I have a budget for it or not. Bath and Body Works body butters were one of the purchases I made back then. Now it's 2017 and I am saying goodbye to this unused BBW body butter called Beautiful Day. Their body butters are really thick but sinks in to the skin easily. But then no matter how I tried I cannot love and accept the extreme sweetness. Whatever the scent maybe. Sweetness is the signature smell of Bath and Body Works. Well at least for me.

Most of the time I wish I never had to go through the phase I went through. The consumerism. Purchasing on impulse. Hoarding. But then maybe I would never learn the lessons if things did not happen. The more I think about going home for good due to financial reasons, the more regrets are washing over me for all the money I wasted. So yeah minimalism and frugal is a lifestyle. It is not fad that will come and go. So even if I am done with all these decluttering and pan projects there is no way that I will go back to my old habits.

'Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need'

I finally got some TFS Green Tea 🇰🇷

Not all the products are included in the photo and my morning skin care routine starts after taking a shower. And of course on shower cleansing of the face is included too.
⭕️ Toner ~ but not to be confused with the Western toner. Korean toner or Japanese lotion/conditioner. Whichever is available.
⭕️ Serum
⭕️ Emulsion

⭕️ Moisturizer
⭕️ Sunscreen
⭕️ Primer ~ optional
⭕️ BB Cream ~ optional
⭕️ Make Up ~ optional

Now on the photo. The Face Shop is the only Korean brand or Asian brand readily available in the UAE market. But honestly this baffles me a lot. I mean UAE and USA are both rich countries. But then USA has so many choices of products. Whatever is the new thing or fad anywhere in the world they seem to have an access to it. While it is the complete opposite in the UAE. For example the world has gone crazy over the Speculoos Paste. It came to UAE market only when the madness died down and people went back to the good old peanut butter. A friend told me maybe it has something to do with halal. But then I am not talking only about food. I am also talking about cosmetics and skin care products. Fine we have some here but only the most expensive.

 

Some might say BUT Missha and Skin Food are available too! But the word I mentioned was 'readily' available. I heard about Missha and Skin Food shops but I have never seen one. You know UAE has 7 emirates. And they tend to know only Dubai and Abu Dhabi. So since it is only The Face Shop basically they don't have to compete with any other Asian or Korean brand and so they can name their price. People will take it or leave it. And so Janes like me cannot afford their prices the whole year round. I have to wait for them to go on sale but even on sale the prices will not really drop down that much. So I finally got my hands on the TFS Green Tea line when the sale has started.

 

The Face Shop Green Tea Waterfull Serum ~ I got it last December 2016 for 59.00AED and still that is quite a lot of money when I am seeing Japanese skin care products in Amazon Japan in much lesser prices. But I purchased it anyway as I was itching to try out their serum. It delivers and as I write this I am about to finish the bottle. No plans of repurchasing anytime soon. As I am still searching a cheaper Japanese alternative.

 

The Face Shop Green Tea Water Waterfull Toner and Serum ~ each bottle on sale price is 45.00AED and I got it this month only when they continued the sale due to DFS. Still expensive as the Japanese conditioner I purchased last November from Amazon Japan was the same amount but the quantity is 500ML. In the end I am happy with the performance of Green Tea Line but I still have issues about it due to the amount. I want to be beautiful but without breaking my bank account.

Walang Pera 💰

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Japanese Green Noodles

Nothing much going on here on this post except that I found a green noodles in Dean's Fujiya. And I want to share the photo with you just in case anyone of you is interested. I don't even know the name as it is written in Japanese. Amount is around 10AED.

Whatever Asian products I am seeing in the UAE or consuming I will share them all here for all the other Asians to know.

'I thought I would outgrow Ramen noodles. Man, I was wrong'

Almond

Sadly I do not know where it was purchased as it was given to me. I heard it is from one of the Chinese restaurants in Dubai. But there are too many Chinese restaurants in that place. I don't even know how much it cost. But then all I can say is out of all the almonds I ever tasted here in UAE this one is the best.

And I don't even know the brand name as it is written only as Almond. That's all for today. Till my next Asian food to share.

'You don't need a silver fork to eat good food'

Choices in Life

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #59: Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean

I was a stupid hoarder who purchased a lot of things just because they were on sale. But the sad truth is 80% of things we do purchase we end up not using. Today I am saying goodbye to Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean. I'm handing it over to someone else before it expire. It has been in my drawer for months and I don't think I will ever be using it any time soon or in the future. I purchased it because it was available for Buy 1, Take 1. But  I hardly use make up that I don't need tons of make up removers like this one.

'You are one stack shit away from an episode or hoarders'

Goodbye #58: Red New Look Cardigan

Saying goodbye to this red New Look Cardigan it has been so long that I cannot remember anymore which year I purchased this and yet I wore it no more than ten times even though we are having a winter in the UAE. And I am giving myself a pat on the back because since I started discarding my items (majority are clothes) at the same time I am able to fight off the urge to buy something new again. Last clothing purchased I made was in August while I was on vacation as I needed something to wear.

But since coming back to UAE and seeing all discounts all around no matter how affordable it could be, I was able to hold off myself. It maybe just a baby step towards the life I want to have but at least a step anyway. Hope one day I will be able to encourage my friends and relatives too to do the same.

'Less house, more home'.

Bear Brand and Alaska

As I was browsing in Al Maya I found these two sachet of drinks which are from Philippines. Bear Brand milk powder in sachet and Alaska chocolate powder in sachet. Just sharing for those who loves this.

"Food is my bestfriend"

Hustisya 🔫

PHOTO Credits to the owner

HM Nail Polishes

Back in 2009 I have extremely long nails which I had to cut as it gets on the way with cooking. The very same year that I started learning to cook. Short nails meaning I stayed away from nail polishes. But then last year H&M was on sale and these nail polishes were only 5AED and so I purchased a few bottles. Will be wearing then one time only each week then hand them over to my younger sister.

Forever is just a WORD

Goodbye #57: Russell Hobbs

The flat I am living in is magical. In a sense that ever since I started decluttering seems like I never run out of things to get rid of. The place is so small and yet there are thousand of items inside it. I'm saying goodbye to Russell Hobbs travel flat iron. Would you believe that I purchased it a decade ago? But then I hate ironing clothes and I am not good at it. So this has been in my closet for all those years. 

I travelled for a few times but never even once that I needed it out of all those travels that I had done. It has no use for me for the last ten years. So I doubt that I will ever use it in the future. I am happy to let it go. And another space in the drawer saved for something else.

'Try to leave the earth a better place than when you arrived' - Sidney Sheldon

Kapal 🐷

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Chinese Panda's Shrimp Butterfly 🍤

Chinese Panda has been in UAE for as long as I can remember but only last year when I finally tried their Shrimp Butterfly. Or is it Butterfly Shrimp? But whatever it is called surprisingly I find it good. This serving is around 37.00AED? I am not too sure about the price. I ordered this because I have to eat but can't find something I like anymore. So if you are in any food court and find Chinese Panda, try it out!

"Food is my bestfriend"

Sago at Gulaman

Well if I am in the area near the Bacolod Chicken Inasal in Dubai I won't go inside to buy food but I'll have another Sago at Gulaman from them. Small serving and expensive but I love the taste. Should they just focus on selling drinks than food?

"I am in a relationship with food, I'm sorry"

Bacolod Chicken Inasal

There is one restaurant in Dubai, somewhere in Satwa and pardon me as I am not good in directions. But I can remember seeing a train station near it. I can't even remember the exact name of the restaurant aside from Bacolod Chicken Inasal. I had been there last November 2016. Down are the photos of what I ordered from the said restaurant.

Grilled chicken liver with yellow rice and some pickles at the side. I can't even remember the exact price. But no more than 50AED. The verdict? I will surely not come back there anymore. It is very far from me. Expensive. And not delicious. I am opposed in throwing food away but then I was not able to bring myself to finish this food.

I always order lemon ice tea whenever I eat out. This one glass was around 10AED. This was the only thing I enjoyed from the said establishment. But the serving of the drinks is quite small. So even if it tastes good I don't think its worth it.

 

"Good food is good mood"

Liit sahod 💶

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #56: Fujifim Instax Mini 8

Just how serious I am to have a minimalist and frugal life? When I am letting go of things that I never thought I would be able to let go of. Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 camera that I'm saying goodbye to! Well as a young kid I had been seeing cameras like this. And I always wanted to have one but I never had a budget for it. Some years ago I got a voucher from Carrefour which I used to purchase this one. It is cute and cool but I used it only once and since then it had been sitting in my closet. I'm handing it over to my younger sister. Hope it will be more of use for her.

'Don't own so much clutter that you will be relieved to see your house catch fire' ~ Wendell Berry

Dear Friday ⏰

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #55: Suzy Smith

I got this as a gift 5 years ago. Suzy Smith from London. It was in good condition back then. Used it for a few times then kept it in the drawer. As I have too many bags. Then I have taken it out from the drawer only this month to find out that this happened. What a waste.

'The more you have, the more you are occupied. The less you have, the more free you are' ~ Mother Theresa

Happiness ⏰

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #54: Topshop Mini Skirt

When I was young I love wearing mini skirt. I think it suites me well due to my height. But since I moved to UAE I find it awkward wearing one as all eyes will be on you. The last year I purchased a mini skirt was in 2009. This Topshop mini skirt was one of them. I got it on sale though I can't remember anymore how much I paid for it.

I wore it only for 3 times. Until I really stopped wearing altogether all kind of skirts and shorts. Kept this in the closet along with all my other junks (clothes that does not really matter). For years I suffered with too many clutter and a messy room. Never really occurred to me that letting go is this easy. 

First three months of decluttering was hard. I even have a space where I used to keep the items that I cannot let go yet even though I no longer use them. But then after that 3 months, letting go has been so easy. That I can do it everyday. Finding little things inside the house to let go of. But not adding up anything. If ever I need to add something then more items has to go away. Finally I am free.

'The journey of a thousand miles begin with one step'

Ulam 👊🏽

PHOTO Credits to the owner

The Face Shop UAE 🇰🇷

Just a quick post. The Face Shop a Korean brand of skin care products and cosmetics is currently on sale in the UAE. I am not sure until when this sale will run. But I think by now most of the cheapest items are gone. Like I visited the one in Matajer Mall those eyeshadows for only 5AED were just around 3 pieces. The sales associate told me that the employees of the shop and the mall were the first ones to purchase the cheapest items. Well what to do anyway? 

This is the good time to shop if you are interested in Korean skin care products. And there is not much brands available in the UAE anyway. It is the good time because in the whole year they rarely have sale. Like for the last year I caught them on sale only on January and December. And they are on a regular price the whole year. Maybe there were times that they have discounts which like a weekend thing. But there's no way in telling in which month/week those sale will fall. They are not very much active in their social media.

Last weekend I was not able to contain myself and here's what I got. Green Tea in toner and emulsion. Only my nose gets oily buy my skin loves the Green Tea Waterfull Serum that led me into coming back to buy the toner and emulsion. I do not know if their green tea line has other products. But so far I have seen only 3. Ooppps before I forgot each bottle cost only 45.00AED and believe that is already affordable. I can say because I am the one who always check the prices in other shops. Even if I am not going to buy. So I guess that's all for today. Till next time.

Goodbye #53: Nike Bag

Seriously, how many bags a woman need? I have many bags but I'm using only 2 of them. So what is the point of having too many of them? I got this Nike bag almost a decade ago. But would you believe that in all those years that I have it, I used it for only a few times? Not even 100 times.

I do not love it.

I am not using it everyday.

So why would I keep it?
Sorry Nike, you are cute but you have to go. Even though pink is my favorite color and it has a good quality. I hope your new owner will appreciate you and use you much. I think I will be posting everyday a Goodbye Post since my goal is to reduce my stuff that I would only need 2 luggages to fit them all.

'Present ME is tired of holding onto Future Me's crap. Future ME will just have to deal with it.' - Anon

Ipon 👊🏽

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Korean Beauty Products

I was about to say that I adore Korean beauty products because of the cute packaging then look closely at my photo and realized there's nothing cute about it. So I have to think of other explanation why I adore them haha. Truth of the matter is I have seen a lot of Korean dramas and their skin from those dramas are to die for. No pores at all. Dewy all the time. Well that's how they are packaging themselves anyway. To be always beautiful and cute no matter what is the circumstances. I mean while I'm watching Les Revenants of France or History Channel's Vikings I wasn't thinking 'Oh my gosh! I want to have a skin like them' which is the exact opposite when I am watching Korean dramas.

I joined the bandwagon only around 2015. And honestly what you are seeing are not yet all the Korean beauty products that I used but then I don't think that I've gone overboard with them. Most of these were purchased to try them out. Good thing that most comes in small packaging which makes it faster for me to finish whether I like the product of not. But the problem is they are not available in the UAE market. I heard there is a Skinfood in Dubai but I have never seen it and do not have plans on doing so anyway. The Face Shop is available but I visit them only when on sale. You see my concern is over here it is tax free but then prices are always seem to be so high that I have to wait for a miracle sale where the prices would drop up to 70% off. 

Are Korean beauty products really that good? Haha as if I already experienced all the brands in the world. But anyway let me give you my opinion on that matter. The first thing is I prefer them or any Asian brands over Western brands because of the price. Yeah sure there are also premium brands in Asian market but I'm talking about the drugstore brands. For example I got a Skinfood BB Cream for only 60AED to 70AED whereas if I were to buy a Western brand let's say La Roche Posay it would cost me almost 200AED. When it comes to BB Cream I think Asian got it right. I never wore foundation as I find them too thick and I feel like I have something on my face all the time. But BB Cream feels lighter on the skin that I don't feel anything clinging on my face. But then again I'm just finishing whatever I have with no further plans of repurchasing as I can get by without a BB Cream anyway.

When it comes to deodorants and/or anti perspirants nah, I will stay away from  a Korean brand. Maybe they don't really sweat hard. None of the brands I tried worked for me. As of their face creams/moisturizers well I don't find anything special with them. But not bad either. What I love the most are unfortunately not in the photo. I love some of their toners (not astringent ones), serums and emulsions. The world of Korean skin care products can be too overwhelming as they have too many that it will be hard to keep up. But I don't have intention to anyway.

The Face Shop UAE is having a sale now. Not sure until when it will run and I bought myself some items which I will be sharing as soon as I get the time. Got myself all the Green Tea Line. Some Calendula line. Some Olive Line. And will be waiting for the next salary as I am thinking of getting myself some items too from White Seed Line.

Goodbye #52: Bershka Coat

Another junk from the past. My Bershka coat which I used for barely a year. I purchased back in 2014 for unknown reason. As I do not even wear coat in the office. It is extremely hot in the UAE. And even on our so called winter is not enough for me to wear a coat in the office. I wore it I think during watching a movie. Yes somehow it is quite cold in the movie house. 

Then I kept it in my drawer. Hoping one day I will be in an extremely cold place that I would need to wear a coat everyday. Well it is 2017 and still no opportunity for me to settle somewhere cold. So during my decluttering process this is another item that I had to let go off. Most of my clutter are clothing and cosmetics. I'm trying to reduce my clothing items until everything would fit to one luggage only.

'The more things you own, the more they own you'

Barkada 👊🏽

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Tube 83: Olay Total Effect 🌸

Olay Total Effects 7 in one face cream. Purchased this last February 2015. Along with 5 or 6 beauty products from Safeer Hypermarket. It comes with a box which I have thrown already a long time ago. And I remember taking photos but since I am not yet decluttering my hard disks and gadgets, I don't know where are the old photos I have taken.

Price was less than 100AED and I honestly can't remember the exact amount as it has been a long time. I used it twice then kept it in my magic drawer. I call it magic drawer as upon opening you'll find products that doesn't seem to end. I have been decluttering and doing Pan Project but still there's just too much inside the box. I found it again some time in 2016 and finished it just for the sake of finishing it.

What is promises to do so:
Total Effects fights 7 signs of ageing by:
⭕️ Minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
⭕️ Moisturising to soothe and nourish dry skin
⭕️ Balancing color and tone while reducing the appearance of age spots

⭕️ Smoothing skin's texture with gentle exfoliation
⭕️ Refining to minimise pore appearance
⭕️ Protecting skin's surface from free radical damage with antioxidants
⭕️ Firming skin's appearance with hydration. Oil-Free, Fast-Absorbing. Dermatologically tested. Non-Comedogenic (Won't Clog Pores).

Moment of Truth:
It is affordable.
It is easily available in fact the Safeer Hypermarket in front of the office carries it. Moisturizing? Yes. However I can't comment about the other claims about it to be anti ageing. I read somewhere that for a product to work one must stick to one brand for a long time. Which something that doesn't happen to me for variety of reasons. The tube still have at least 1/8 of the product which I did not bother to finish at all as I have others that are more in tune with my skin type. But anyway at least that is one bottle down.

'You don't need more space, you need less stuff' - I am a recovering hoarder. And so I'm religiously trying to finish all the stash I hoarded in the past.

Goodbye #51: Mango Skirt

I'm sorry if the photo will irritate your eyes. But one of the many things I discarded when I had a chance was this Mango skirt. Back in late 2014 I was into skirts. That I went to Dubai Outlet Mall to search for affordable ones. And so I got it from Mango for only 20.00AED and just like the rest of my earthly possessions, I was able to use for only a few times. Then finally kept it along with all the pile of my clutter. This skirt is good but it does not have any pockets. I am not comfortable with any clothing without a pocket. I need a pocket to put on my mobile. Aside from not having a pocket I do not know what kind of top and footwear to pair with it.

The young and stupid me would just buy things because they are on sale and look pretty. Without thinking if it will really be 100% useful to me. Sent it for my younger sister to wear. Along with all the other clothing.

'Clutter is a weight that has built on top of you so gradually, you don't even realize anymore that it is holding you down.' - Mary Johanson

Cut down your closet 💕

PHOTO Credits to the owner

La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen

Last quarter of 2016 I was searching high and low to find that one brand of sunscreen that would be my holy grail. And to included in my morning ritual. Sadly in the UAE market we do not have much choices and also all the prices are so unbelievably high. I turned online and ordered some products but while waiting for it I have to use something that is available in the market. So here it is I have chosen La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream SPF50.

La Roche Posay is available only at selected pharmacies like Aster Pharmacy and Boots Pharmacy. Anyway there are quite a few pharmacies across the UAE but what I am trying to say those small ones with one or two branches only does not carry La Roche Posay like the one on the next building from where I am residing. And for this post I have taken quite a few photos to show to you all.

Out of all the sunscreens I own and currently using this is the most expensive as one tube of 50GMS cost 130.00AED and it is not everyday that pharmacies are having promotion. For example Aster Pharmacy for 2016 had a promotion only on February and December. Easy for me to know as I always see one branch near me. And I made a lot of purchase back in February 2016 when I was not yet starting pulling my life together (decluttering).

Moment of Truth:
I will not repurchase. Yes this is cream that is quite moisturizing. Yes there are no white streaks. The thing is if I haven't experienced using a Japanese sunscreen then I would be completely okay with La Roche Posay as I do not have much choices here in the UAE. But after experiencing other Japanese sunscreens I came to compare and choose which one works best for me. I like La Roche Posay for being alcohol free. Some like La Roche Posay for being paraben free. 

But the main concern for me when using La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream is it tends to turn up into balls and flakes in my face. It is quite selfish that when I apply it on my face I should not apply anything else which is not possible. I mean I also have to apply my serum, lotion, moisturizer, primer and make up. (I will give up make up as soon as I finish whatever I have doing Pan Project with them right now. While not buying anything new. In fact I vowed never to purchase make up again ever. But I won't give up my skin care products). It has a tendency to be heavy on the face if I were to follow the 1 teaspoon rule for all over the face. It says to be waterproof but I am not sure if this is sweat free as well. Here's the photo of the cream. Looks thick eh?

I am currently using it on my body. As of the body it has no issues. In fact when I am using it on my hands I can apply hand cream as well and it won't turn into balls. It will not get flaky. Do you notice in the next photo it is quite oily? So imagine it in my face. I do not have an oily face except for the nose. So when using it on the face I have to keep on applying a face powder. 

So that's all for La Roche Posay. But I still love their moisturizers. I stopped buying because of the price. Plus my favorite Anthelios KA SPF100 has been discontinued. I was ready to repurchase a few months back in spite of the high price but I have never seen one in any pharmacies I visited.

'Always wear a sunscreen and wash off your make up at night'

My 2016 💫

PHOTO Credits to the owner

I had to send money until the end of December. I was the superhero who sent my brothers to college without asking so many questions or anything. Helped the youngest sibling up to the second year of college. One way or another I helped almost all the family members and the extension family. And now that I want to leave UAE for good I can't. As I don't have much money yet in my bank account to start all over again. Whether in the Philippines or any other country. I learned my lesson in the hardest way. OFW's please don't be like me.

Goodbye #50: Kia Keychain

Another small hidden item from the drawer of my bed side table. A Kia keychain I got during my first and so far the last Dubai Motor Show. Note to myself never again accept any keychain in the future. As I already have enough to last a lifetime. It was not even a gift. It was a give away. I could have given it away to someone else but I did not. Instead I kept it hoping one day I will use it. But I had been keeping it since 2013. 

'Owning less is better than organizing more' - Anon