Korean Calbee Sweet Potato Chips

Empty Bottle #104: Corine De Farme Micellar Cleansing Foam 🌸

Cannot remember if this has been purchased last 2015 or 2016 but managed to finish it before 2016 ends. But only this May 2017 that I am throwing out the bottle. I was supposed to recycle it into something else. But because TIME is my enemy I never got around doing it.

Corine de Farme is a brand from France. Available in Carrefour across the UAE. Affordable but I will not repurchase. I love that this foams up so well and I think I bought it for only around 30.00AED, but then feels like it is not enough to clean my skin. So I moved on to another brand of cleansing foam afterwards.

That's all for today. Thanks for dropping by.

Thailand Biscuit Sticks 🇹🇭

This snack used to be available in Giant Supermarket in Ajman but not anymore. I'll try to look for it in other grocery stores that sell Asian goodies. 

Fish Roe 🎌

Just want to share another kind of fish roe that Dean's Fujiya is offering. I'm sharing the information for someone might be looking for it in the UAE. But as for me I did not bother buying due to the price of 200.00AED

My life as an OFW and February Empties

A lot has been going on and mostly they are, uhm, I forgot the positive term for problems. But anyway even though I created this account so I can release all my rants in life, I still have to filter them most of the time. To avoid getting into trouble... The current market is not so good and I do not know until when will I be on this job. And a friend who is not here asked me if there will be no other companies nor job once I am out of my current company? Well there are so many jobs out there. But since they do not have a minimum wage law most of those jobs are really, really underpaid. People asked me how much the salary should be when you are here but I cannot give them an exact figure because it all depends on how badly you wanted or needed the said job offer.

Rough figure of expenses: 750AED and above for bedspace in Dubai. Lucky if there are only 6 of you in the room. Not sure if all bills are included. Let us say you need at least 1,000AED for the rent and bills. So imagine life if you accepted a job for the salary of 2,000AED or 2,500AED only. You have to be extremely frugal and do not need to send money back home. Otherwise you will survive but will be living a life full of debts. I hope you know what I mean and you get my drift. Other people upon hearing my salary are saying how lucky I am but they do not know my problems and struggles.

Actually since last year I know deep in my heart that one day or one of these days I will be out of the company so I was sort of mentally prepared but there is no way that I will ever be financially prepared. I still don't know what will I do next. It is much easier to discuss not so important things like skin care products and make up. Than discuss about where my life is heading. Right? I will just face my life concerns some other time.. 

Since last year even though I didn't feel yet that my time to go is about to come, I decided anyway to go the path of a minimalist and frugal. I am glad I did. I had my 2 years hoarding phase/spree that at first seems to be harmless but when I counted the money I spent, well I could have purchased a plane ticket instead with that money. But anyhow it is over and done. Just lesson learned for me. Been doing Pan Project. And will keep on doing so until I finished the items I hoarded for the last 2 years. Here are some that I was able to record for the month of February. Well I actually have written separate posts for each already. 

On the photo: Botanics Cleansing Toner, Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Pillow Mist and La Roche Posay Physiological Toner ~ you know what? Every time I write an Empty Bottle Post or Goodbye Post series only then I realized that most of the purchases I made were the things I can live without. I do not even remember them at all not unless I see my posts as a reminder that once I used those brands. There has been no repurchased items either.

Empty Bottle #103: Hype Angelica Body Mist 🌸

Pan Project Update: I am not on my 103rd bottle (and some undocumented) but it does not mean that I am so close into having a mess free room! But anyway I need to keep on doing it until such time I achieved my goal. For today I am saying goodbye to Hype Angelica Body Mist.

Hype is a US brand. Available in Centrepoint. I cannot remember how much I paid for this bottle but it was on sale. And just like all the perfumes I own, I used it to see if it can overwhelm the cooking smell inside the house. But it can't. So I finished it just for the sake of it. Not because I like it or it is useful to me.

As of May 2017 ~ I still have a dozen perfumes/body mists that I must go through and even if I finished them all I do not see myself having the need to buy another in the future. Since none of them can combat the cooking smell inside the house. Each house just needs a good ventilation. And nothing in the world can replace that.

Flying Fish Roe

Flying Fish Roe is available in Dean's Fujiya for 50.00AED per packet. I think this packet is at least half a kilo.

Empty Bottle #102: Victoria's Secret Ultrarich Cream Wash 🌸

Another one bottle down as I am still doing Pan Project. As much as I want to finish this thing and start blogging about something else, I can't as simply I have way too many cosmetics in my stash that I have to finish. Cannot throw them away either. Cannot give them away too as I do not have anyone around me who might want them. I am working in a company dominated by men. In this branch alone there are at least 50 men staff. And the women? There are only 2 of us here.

This is not an in depth review as I cannot think of anything else about this Victoria's Secret Ultracream Wash in Verbena. All I can say is the scent is soft and feminine but this scent has been discontinued a long time ago. I am not even sure if this line still exists right now. This body wash retails for 85.00AED per bottle but I got mine on clearance sale for only 25.00AED ~ after this purchased I've never been to Victoria's Secret shop again. That will be almost a year now. 

As of May 2017 ~ there is no need for me to buy any body wash as I still have at least dozen bottles to go through. Actually I do not need to purchase anything else this year. With the exception of my nose strips and foot peeling gels of course. There are times that I am irritated as I want to clear all the mess in my room as soon as possible. But no matter how irritating it can be I do not have a choice but to wait. Not unless I am willing to waste money by just throwing out everything away.

Spaghetti Sauce Cod Roe 🎌

Supposed to be spaghetti sauce even though it is a fish egg but I am also using it for rice or egg. The only downside is, very expensive in Carrefour. But Dean's Fujiya is selling it for 14.00AED.

Francis Kong

Goodbye #101: Botanics Spot Treatment

Purchased in 2015 not because I needed it but because it was on sale. Buy 1, Take 1. But then bidding farewell to it this May 2017. As I was not able to use it for the last 2 years. And I don't think I will be using it in the near future either. It has to go. At least is it one less clutter in my space.

Confidence 📌

Daiso Japan Green Tea

Just another quick post. Unfortunately Daiso Japan do not offer food items and I do not know why. Because in Japan, Daiso carries affordable food items. This Daiso Green Tea was a gift for me. One box of 50 pieces for only 105.00 Yen. Good tasting tea does not have to be extremely expensive.

Focus ⚫️

Matcha Sandwiches

Just a quick post since once I said that I would like to share all the Asian snacks and ingredients I am seeing in the UAE. Here is the Matcha Sandwiches that I purchased from Dean's Fujiya. Delicious but not my favorite though as it is too dry for me. Even though I love biscuits.

Declutter 🖇

PHOTO Credits tp the owner

Empost

I do not have my own PO box number. I do not want to spend money on it and why would I need one anyway? So when I need a PO box number I just use the company's PO box. Now in the past I do not have any issues getting my packages and mails from Empost. But not until a few months back, that they decided that there will be only one authorized person to get the packages and mails. And since I started ordering from Ebay I am at the mercy of the so called authorized person. I do not even know how they (Empost) have chosen him as he is not our PRO. He is just a regular employee of the company like me.

He is a man and I am ordering girlie items. That customs might open in front of him. And so as end result he is not taking them all at once. He is taking my packages one at a time. Or twice if I am lucky. And as I write this I am still patiently waiting for the package from Yesstyle. Not unless the said website cannot be trusted and I lost my package for good. But I do not want to think that way because so far I had been so damn lucky that all the transactions I had were all smooth. In spite of Ebay having a bad reputation. But then it has been over a month since I made the order.

Usually my order reaches here in 10 days no matter where they are from! But since I am at the mercy of someone else I had to wait longer than that. Getting one package after a month is the norm. So I tried to change my address by NOT using the PO box of the company I work for. Good thing was, I ordered two items. One has a tracking number that I know the item landed the Empost already. The catch? I have to pay 5.00AED ~ what a bummer. And I need to spend 20.00AED for the taxi fare back and forth. Another bummer. VAT is not yet implemented and yet I am already sad for the extra charge that I had to pay. I am ordering online because I was trying to save money. And having to pay something extra defies that purpose! My other order do not have a tracking number but even so I know that it reached the country by the time I visited the post office. But then the staff cannot be bothered to check it out for me and instead told me to come back after one month, without explaining me why. 

And so I am back into using the company PO box while carefully thinking and computing the items I will be ordering. If you are wondering what are those (and admittedly I am hoarding for the next 3 years even though I promised myself I will never hoard again) nose strips and foot peeling masks. I will just stock up and say goodbye to Ebay for good. I will deactivate my account once I am have these items on hand. UAE has only one foot peeling mask available which is the Baby Foot from Japan that cost 65.00AED per pair. But online I can find a cheaper brand of 10 pairs for only 40.00 to 50.00 AED only! 

I had been ordering online (from overseas) for half a year now and I can say that Ebay is the best because they have almost all the items in lower price compared to Amazon. The glitch is the choice of shipping method. There are purchases that I do not mind paying for DHL or Aramex. But they do not have that option. But on the other hand at least via postal I can order those Japanese sunscreens that Amazon do not want to ship from Japan to UAE.

Empty Bottle #101: Cetaphil Non Irritating Cleanser 🌸

Another blast from the past. Or product from circa 2014 that were hidden among my stash. SO just imagine how many products do I really own. Since I discarded at least 100 (and at least a 100 more undocumented) and were able to do Pan Project to at least a hundred cosmetics (and again more numbers undocumented as well). And please I am not saying that to brag. There is nothing to brag about. It is indeed a pain trying to finish them all of.

I got this Cetaphil Non Irritating Cleanser for only 50.00AED because it was popular back then as a gentle cleanser. Yes it is gentle but not working well with my skin type. I have a very oily T-zone and it does not feel like cleaning my face well. Most especially the T-zone! Where the main concern in my face happens all the time. More oil, more whiteheads to deal with. I finished it for the sake of finishing it instead of throwing it out.

So no I will not repurchase. Nor any other Cetaphil products for me. Nor any other French brand again. I almost forgot to mention that Cetaphil is from France.

The journey I am taking towards a frugal and minimalist life is a tough one. The road is bumpy and I stumble from time to time. (I am not really vain but you will notice that most of my earthly possessions are clothes and cosmetics. Maybe it would have been more and beyond that, IF I am living in my own place. If I am I would have bought all the kitchen items I have seen on sale ages ago). Like I have said I have to turn my back from makeup but Mac was on sale and I found myself buying a few tubes that I was dreaming of for the last 3 years. Things like that. Every once in a while I still purchase just because I wanted it and not because I badly needed it.

Get Rid Of Things - Marie Kondo

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Bottle #100: Byphasse Body Wash 🌸

Bought in 2015. Back in time when Byphasse was actually an affordable line of cosmetics in Tati Department Store. Soon after, they decided to increase their prices. I stopped shopping. And it was okay as I already have way too many items inside the tiny flat. As I was on my hoarding phase.

Finally able to finish it this May 2017. And not this product will not be missed. Will not repurchase. It is good and smells good too but then all the body washes I've tried in the past have do the same characteristics. Because they all do have the same ingredients anyway. With a slight variation of a one or two.

I will just finish all my remaining 12 bottles or so and leaving body washes behind for good. Bar soaps would be more affordable for me and somehow helps the earth a little. I am not sure if they are recycling plastics here. I hope they do. But at least in bar soap I will not be so guilty with the garbage I am leaving behind as bar soaps are usually covered in a cardboard box. Which is harmless than plastic bottles.

Do Not Lie

Empty Tube #99: Cetaphil Lotion 🌸

Purchased back in 2014 and finished by 2017. Amount was less than 100AED. Perhaps I bought it for 60AED? Well back then I know that Cetaphil products are gentle and I thought it would be good for my skin type. Which is oily in the Tzone and dry for the rest. But the sales associate did not explain to me properly if this is for the face or for the body? She said that it is all around and so I bought it.

But then using it on the face was a pain as it feels heavy. And greasy. Maybe because of it that I stopped buying Cetaphil. Because of being heavy and greasy that I used it often until I finally kept it in the drawer and forget about it. Taken it out again only this year as I am doing Pan Project with all my hoarded items from the past.

I did not use it anymore as face or body moisturizer. I used it instead as a home made body scrub. Well I am not enjoying the said scrub but then at least no old products will be wasted. 

And that's all for now. Will keep on hunting down all my stash to see which ones to try away and which ones to finish (painfully).

About Giving Up

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Tube #98: Clean and Clear Moisturizer 🌸

As I have said I will be taking all the photos only in one spot. Which will be an everyday reminder for me how messy my place is. Until such time it is cleared out of everything. Anyway for today I am documenting this Clean and Clear moisturizer. I cannot remember if I purchased it back in 2014 or 2015.

The good things about it are: it is not hard to find as most of grocery stores carry it. And it is inexpensive as a tube would cost less than 50AED. And in UAE price that is already affordable. But I was not able to finish it up to the last drop as I have way too many moisturizers. I kept it for a while then forget about it. What I have done to the remaining at least 1/8 of the tube is to mix it with salt scrub. Yes I recycled it as a home made body scrub. So now it is totally empty and gotta throw it out now.

Sadly though I cannot remember if it was actually good on the face. I guess it was okay. Bought and used it at the time that I am not yet documenting the products I am using. Even though I was doing trial and error on which one will works best on my skin type.

Simplicity 💕

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #100: LRP Hand Cream Box

From this day on I will take all the photos in one spot only. And that is on the top of my dresser because the light over there is good. Well actually what I wanted was to take a very good composition of a photo to try to hit two birds in one stone. I mean practice photography while discarding an item at the same time. But no matter how hard I tried I cannot find a place. My mind cannot work clearly. And I do not have time.

Maybe when I am done decluttering then there will be a space for photography inside the tiny place. Good lighting is already present. But as you can see in the back it is crowded. Maybe when I am done with all those trash then I can finally put a flowers. Flowers would be a good background right? But as of now focus in decluttering. For today I am throwing out this box of La Roche Posay Cicaplast Hand Cream. And just like all my other trash, I do not know why I am keeping it after so many months. So goodbye. You will not be missed.

Empty Bottle #97: Victoria's Secret Hydrating Body Lotion Verbena 🌸

Another one bottle down. Finally. And I do not know if this will be all done by the end of this year. I always have a dry skin that you will never caught me without a moisturizer and I used this excuse to hoard as many moisturizers I can in the past. One of them is this Victoria's Secret Hydrating Body Lotion Verbena. Which I got on sale for only 25.00AED

The verdict: I haven't seen a Verbena plant in my life but even so I love the scent. It has a soft and gentle scent. Very feminine. But as of its moisturizing agents, nothing new just like any other moisturizer out there in the market. So no I will not repurchase. And I do not need to purchase anything this year as I still have a hundred items to finish. 

The Space - Marie Kondo

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Bottle #96: BBW Velvet Sugar Body Mist 🌸

This Bath and Body Works Velvet Sugar Body Mist was included in my Bath and Body Works Semi Annual Sale Haul back in MAY 2016. Exactly a year ago. I do not need it back then but I purchased it out of impulse and excitement as it was the first time I caught them for only 20.00AED per bottle.

But then sadly I do not have anything new (information) to offer about this product. Everything I will say are the things I've said before. Loving or hating the scent of any Bath and Body Works is a personal preference. For me I am not really crazy about them as I find them too sweet that can trigger my migraine sometimes.

But I purchased because the smell is quite strong compared to Victoria's Secret Body Mists as I am not using it for my body but as air freshener instead. I am living in a closed and cramped place that when cooking there is no way that the air (and smell) will go out of the flat. So since last year I had been experimenting with different perfumes to handle this concern. This body mist can offer a solution that would only last for a minute. So needless to say I will not repurchase. [For the record I will not repurchase any body mist from the Signature Collection of Bath and Body Works. Their Aromatherapy line would have been an exception but then it comes with a hefty price tag].

What I am doing now is trying to cook those heavy dishes at least twice a week then just refrigerate then and microwave for a minute or two before eating them. And whenever I cook I make sure that I will not be washing clothes that day. Or the next day. I no longer buy (or hoard) any kind of perfume since they cannot serve the purpose I am looking for. I am just now trying to finish off the stocks I have. Maybe someday people who are building houses and flats no matter how small they are would take into consideration to install a proper ventilation in the kitchen. Maybe. Anyway here is a quote that I want to share with you all. As afterwards I will be looking for something I can discard (again and again).

This is self explanatory. Since I own a lot, I spent a lot of time cleaning and organizing. Even though I am trying to get rid of an item per day ~ still doing that requires my time. Instead of me spending that watching something I would love to see.

Goodbye #99: Pink Reebok Shirt

The time that I started de-cluttering my items I did not know yet that things are about to go sour. All I know was I wanted to change my life. My lifestyle. And I am glad that I did. Anyway on this post I just want to share that I am discarding another item again out of hundred items I own.

Saying goodbye to this pink reebok shirt that I purchased back in 2009 meant to wear during exercise. But I did run for only a year or so then stopped altogether. Lack of time. And at the same time I will go crazy with the UAE heat.

Important lesson that I learned with all this de-cluttering thing: when you do not need much then having little money will do just fine. Because you desire less, you need to spend less. Which is very appropriate with my current situation. One of these days I will be out of job. And out of money too.

'Clutter is what happens to things when they become useless but friendly' ~ Russell Lynes

Letting Go - Marie Kondo

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Affection 💕

PHOTO Credits to the owner

The Faceshop Calendula Moisture Toner

I read online where people says that Korean brand of cosmetics are so affordable. But in spite of it only The Faceshop managed to come here in the Gulf and the prices are not exactly affordable. 

Today let me share with you The Faceshop Calendula Moisture Toner. I forgot the exact price but I got mine on sale around 50.00AED for 150ML. This said to be a moisture toner.

Calendula is said to be a flower but unfortunately I haven't seen one so I do not know the real smell and to where to compare its smell. And I cannot figure it out either. I know the smell of roses and sampaguita too well. But not this one. I bought this Calendula Moisture Toner just to try it out. It has a faint flowery smell and said to be moisturizing on the skin. Above photo is the box where the Hangul is written which is something I do not understand. Next photo is written in English with ingredients list.

Next photo is how the Calendula Moisture Toner looks like. Thicker than the usual toner I used in the past. But not as thick as serum or essence. It can remove make up and dirt but I simply run out of time to take photos as a sample. (When did I ever have an ample of time anyway?)

I have 3 variants of toner from The Faceshop but this is my least favorite due to smell. As of the alcohol even though it is not alcohol free my skin does not feel funny nor heavy. And to be honest I also tried the 7 skin steps which was a Korean craze a few weeks ago. Meaning you will use a skin/softener/toner 7 times not necessarily mean you need to have 7 brands or 7 variants. Did I like it? Well yes but then it was cold that time but as soon as March came it became hot (weather) and I don't like applying too many products on my face anymore.

It was 2014 when I decided I wanted to have a beautiful skin. Beautiful in a sense that it does not dry out. Dry skin is not cool as it can be itchy and flaking does not look good. I tried different brands and included toner in my beauty regime. But since 2014 you will hear me say contradicting views regarding toner. The factors are the price and the weather. 

Some says that when the weather is cold that is the time they experience extremely dry skin. But seems like it is the opposite for me. When the weather is hot that is the time that my skin goes crazy. Name it. Dry skin. Oily nose all the time. Whiteheads on my nose 24/7 no matter how I clean, scrub and moisturize. By the time I finished writing this post the bottle would be emptied out. But even so I do not have plans to repurchase it.

No plans to repurchase yet as I still have other toners at home. In UAE even though it is extremely hot almost all the establishments do have air conditioner. And since I am working inside the office I will not be exposed that much under the sun. So even though my skin is going through some craziness I still do not need much face products. As too many face products will lead to feeling sticky and heavy. As well as irritating. Just a cleanser and moisturizer will do. Being inside the air conditioned areas + not being exposed to sun makes my skin not produced much oil and whiteheads.

But if I am in Turkey or Philippines or any place with the opposite condition in UAE meaning the summer is not as hot as UAE but then not all establishments do not have air conditioner, and I will be exposed under the sun ~ that is the time that I will still need all the toners in the world. To prevent my nose from producing too much oil. As well as prevent the whiteheads. Or at least slow them down. 

And since I've used far too many brands of toners that I do not have a specific favorite anymore. Since most works the same. Difference would be the price and the scent. But then financially wise once I lost my job I probably would not even bother to purchase a toner at all.

A minimalist mantra as a friendly reminder.

Reading 📖

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Empty Bottle #95: Evoluderm Shower Gel 🌸

Evoluderm Shower Gel

Paraben Free

Price: 17.00AED
Made in France

Purchased on: 2016

Purchased at: Tati Mirdif City Centre

Finished on: March 2017

I am thinking of good words/nice words to say about this product but there are none. I mean this is not a bad product. But then there is nothing special about it that will make it stood out in the market with a hundred others to choose from. I cannot remember the scent. Not bad but something I forgot as soon as I used it. Foams up well but hey shouldn't shower gels are supposed to be that way? So that's it. I am just glad this is another bottle out of my stash. And I must really used up all my stash as I might be out of job soon and need to move out of the country.

Thanks for dropping by.

Empty Tube #94: Eucerin Hand Cream 🌸

Eucerin Hand Cream

Price: less than 100AED

Purchased on: 2014

Purchased at: Aster Pharmacy

Finished on: May 2017

I bought this hand cream during the hoarding phase of my life [if you will notice this is the reason of all the products in my Empty Post Series] and it has taken me more than 2 years to finish simply because I have way too many products. So guys do not be a hoarder like I used to be. Nothing good will come out of it. I was a stupid hoarder that until now I have dozen or so creams to finish.

Anyway Eucerin hand cream is a good product. But expensive. Because of the price and because I have a dozen creams to finish that I will not repurchase. Honestly in the span of 3 years that I used so many brands of hand creams and moisturizers, some are better than other but still it does not really matter to me anymore. Because no matter what brand I use or how many times in a day I use it I still have dry hands. Dry skin. 

I am drinking a lot of water. Eat fruits and vegetables. Do not smoke. Do not take alcoholic drinks. Still same result of dry skin. Sometimes I think I am overdosing with moisturizer. But whether I use it or not still no changes. That applying it several times a day is still better than not applying at all. And it is frustrating. Maybe once I am done with all my moisturizers I will switch to oil as hand cream. Maybe oil can do a miracle with my hands. 

Thanks for dropping by.

OFW Blues 🇵🇭

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #98: Mango Red Long Sleeves

Mango Red Long Sleeves

Purchased on: 4 or 5 years ago

Purchased at: Mango Mirdif City Centre

Sale Price: 49.00AED

Discarded on: April 2017

Mango is a Spanish brand of clothing that I love but I do not buy regularly from them. Because in the UAE Mango is expensive. And some items are too big for me. I bought this red long sleeves on sale years ago because I get used to wearing long sleeves in here. But I was not able to use it much as the V neck is making a little of my chest exposed. Which is something I am no longer comfortable with. So this is one of the hundred items sitting in my drawer that I finally had to let go.

That's all for today. Thanks for dropping by.

OFW Blues 🇵🇭

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #97: Daiso Nail Decorations

Daiso Nail Decorations

Price: 7.00AED

Purchased on: 2009

Discarded on: April 2017

I used to have extremely long nails which I think was cool but time has come that I had to cut them all down when I started learning how to cook. I have chosen cooking than having the cool long nails. Found this among my stash. Nail decors that I have forgotten when I have given up using them.

Every time I write about an item I am discarding the more I am realizing what a waste of money I had done for the last 10 years of my life over here. I just wish anyone reading my posts learn a thing or two out of my experiences. Live a minimalist and frugal life and you will have a peace of mind.

OFW Blues 🇵🇭

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Mga Abuso

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Goodbye #96: The North Face Travel Pouch

The North Face Travel Pouch

Purchased on: June 2016

Purchased at: Mirdif City Centre

Original Price: 89.00AED

Sale Price: 49.00AED

Discarded on: April 2017

I bought this The North Face travel pouch for my Turkey vacation. But since it is quite bulky I was never able to use it on the said vacation. I ended up using it as a make up pouch at home [took out all the makeup items inside and put them all at my dresser.. looks messy but at least I will be reminded always to use them and finish them]. But since I am continuously discarding my items with the goal of living a minimalist life, I have decided to give it up. With this thought in my mind: if I will keep this then I might have a reason to buy some more items because I have something where I can put them. I do not need to organize my items. I need to reduce them.

My space is small. And more items the more places where insects like cockroaches can hide. I am tired of them. And you know what? I do not miss the things that I have given away. Not even a bit. That means I do not really need them in the first place.