Monday, June 28, 2010

Movie time: Letters to Juliet

Time won't let me
Decide thoughts to myself
I'd just like to let you know
I wish I'd never let you go

I'm being a hopeless romantic right now. Listening to this romantic songs makes me really cheesy. I don't know why romantic stuffs make us girls smile and seem to help us relax. It's like there is that romantic element in us that we can't erase. I thinks its a gift that we need to treasure. This was my mood yesterday when I decided to watch Letters to Juliet by myself. I always thought of watching this with my girlfriends. However, there is that time when you just want to be by yourself. Aside from shopping and having a  make over what better way to spend by yourself is to watch a nice movie. I was supposed to watch Toy Story 3 but then I promised my sister that we will watch it together once she gets back from her vacation. 

photo taken at wikipedia.org

The story follows a letter written to Juliet asking some advices on love. The letter was written 50 years ago by an English woman name Claire (Vanessa Redgrave). Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) found it buried in a loose brick when she accidentally knocked it down while getting the letters left by women around the world hoping to hear advices with their love issues from Juliet. Sophie decided to write back hoping that the Claire will receive it after all she is entitled for a reply. Less than a week after she met Claire and her grandson, Charlie (Chris Egan). Together, the three decided to embark on a joruney to find Claire's true love and asked forgiveness on giving up on him. Then that faithful day came when Claire finally met her true love, Lorenzo Bartolini, again. Sophie decided to get back to Verona to her fiance after Claire finally found Lorenzo. There was nothing for her there then. Charlie who had already fallen in love to Sophie and after listening to his grandma's advice, decided to follow her to Verona and confessed but only to see Sophie in the arms of her fiance. But when Sophie got back to New York, she broke up with her fiance and return to Italy to attend the wedding of Claire and Lorenzo and hoping for her love story to have a happy ending too. She finally realized that she has fallen in love with Charlie then. But at the wedding a girl named Patricia was with Charlie and this made her think that she was the ex-gf that he was madly in love with.  Only to realize that it was his cousin and that he is in love with her. They both confessed on a balcony just like how Romeo confessed his love to Juliet.

Popcorn: 5/5 popcorns

When I think of Juliet, it reminds me of that love tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. I was thinking before that this may be another love tragedy but I was wrong. Its a simple love story with a simple meaning. It's simplicity make this film a heartwarming and great film. I really like it! I'm not a huge fan of Romeo and Juliet. What made me really like this movie is the story of Claire and Lorenzo. I cried when they saw each other after fifty years. It was true destiny! Love found a way for this match heaven couple to end up together at last. It was a bit cheesy when Lorenzo came riding in a horse. It reminds me of those childhood fairy tales where the prince will go to his love (the princess of course!) riding in a white horse. It was a bit odd for me seeing this old prince riding in a horse going to her also old princess (hehehe!). But then you'll forget that their old because the story was beautifully created that you appreciate the beauty of love and destiny :) I did like the ending on how Sophie and Charlie confessed their feelings at each other. It really did copy how Romeo confessed his feeling to Juliet. Overall, this is a wonderful movie that will wake the romantic side of you.

Are you in love? Or perhaps a hopeless romantic like me? hehehe! Love for all! mwah!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Movie time: Hachiko

Germany trashed England at the World Cup! Though there is still more or less 15 minutes before stoppage time, it's too impossible for England to get back (4-1 to Germany). This is so sad for me as my favorite team England is not moving forward (again!) in World Cup :( But so much of the World Cup, I don't want to get depressed by it. Let me share a film that I never expected would hit me big time! The film is entitled Hachiko: A Dog's Story, starring Richard Gere , Joan Allen and among others.

photo taken at wikipedia.org

This is based on a true story from Japan. Hachiko is an Akita Inu breed dog from Japan. He was send by a monk from Japan to America (though the receiver was never known). He was found by Parker Wilson, played by Richard Gere, wandering around in a train station. Since the station controller won't take him in, Parker took him home and tried to hide it from his wife. He planned on sending him to the right owner but he unconsciously grew to love Hachi. When the wife saw this, she finally accepted to have Hachi stay. Everyday Hachi will accompany Parker to the train station and he will also be there by the time he returned from work. This continued until that faithful day that Hachi will experience his first and last ball catching. Parker had a cardiac arrest at work and Hachi never seen him again. But he continued to go to the station for the next ten years until finally he and his master had finally see each other again.

Popcorns: 5/5 popcorns

Oh you need a lot of tissues (and I mean it!) because you'll be crying when you reach the middle part of the movie. As a matter of fact I am crying right now (lol!). I never expected that I'll keep on crying even after watching it!. This completely broke my heart. The dog really is a great actor. He really did win my heart. I wanted to have him as my pal.

Akita Inu dogs are known to be loyal and intelligent. This showed how smart and loyal he is to his master. Even though he is already with his master's daughter he still see his master as his true master and nobody else. He really showed his love for his master. He completely waited for him until they see each other again.
Hachiko is well-loved by the Japanese people. As a matter of fact, a bronze statue was created in Shibuya Station (where the real location is) in honored of him. He is a symbol of loyalty. Hachi taught us the value of loyalty and friendship. Nothing can destroy a relationship with true loyalty and friendship even death.

Oh it's enough! (sneeze) Hachiko is a heartwarming film that you, your family and friends would definitely love and enjoy. It's a simple story but has a strong emotion factor.

The game is finally over and no more England in World Cup :( How was your weekend guys? Hope it was fun! :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

Sun Guard: Biore Perfect Milk Sunblock SPF 50 PA+++

I've been MIA for awhile because I had just my three-days vacation to one of the fantastic and most sought-after vacation destination in the country. It's none other than the beautiful Boracay :) It was my first time to visit this wonderful island and it's been almost three years since I have been to the beach. It was so serene and I just can't stop smiling when I got there. I was so excited days before it that I 101% prepared for it. I planned every thing that I will do in the island and the stuff that I needed to bring. On top of my list is an effective and reliable sunblock. I want something that is not greasy, easy to apply, can be carried  around, high spf (of course!), and comes in good price. I searched over the web for some reviews on sunblocks. Read thoughts of gtalkers on the best sunblock to bring to the beach. There were a lot of suggestions that you'll end up still confused what to bring. Then I looked on to my beauty arsenal and saw my current favorite (and HG) sunblock, Biore. That made me realized that they do have one for the face and body and is waterproof! Yes, I ended up buying the Biore Perfect Face Milk SPF 50PA+++ sunblock.

 photo taken at www.wehaveit43.multiply.com

My say:
Performance: 5/5 stars
Packaging: 4.5/ stars
Pricing: 4/5 stars

Totally effective! I am so happy I bought this :) This is the perfect (so far) sunblock to use if your heading to the beach. It has a thin, liquid-type texture and it is easy to apply then. It doesn't have that strong sunblock scent. It doesn't leave any white cast even though I have apply a lot on my face. It doesn't give any greasy look nor greasy feeling. This is waterproof and had a staggering SPF 50! This is definitely great to use on the beach since we need higher SPF if you're in the beach. This help me not get any sunburn :) My skin didn't got that too dark. I just got one shade darker than my usual color. But no one really notice that color change. I like the packaging of this product. It is easy to carry on because it is quite slim and a bit smaller which fits exactly to my small water case/bag. I am very happy I bought this. I bought this at wehaveit43 store which is located at Quezon City for Php 550. I'm sure this is a lot cheaper if bought in Japan. But then again considering the shipping fee and the customs checking, I think it is price reasonably. I have used this for my whole stay at the beach (3 days). I reapply every after 2-3 hours or after I swim. I consume at least 70% of it :) I would definitely buy this again once I go back to the beach :)

Have you found your favorite beach sunblock? You might want to try this :)

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Review: Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil

Cleansing oil had been a staple in my cleansing routine ever since I learned the importance of double cleansing. It may sound weird for an oily skin to be splattered with oil. Don't you think that would be too much? Well the only way to combat oil is by using oil also. My first cleansing oil was from Elianto (my review) which was good. I did not bought another bottle of it since I want a new one and good thing I found a cheaper yet effective one. Introducing the Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil.


My say:
Performance: 5/5 stars
Packaging: 4/5 stars
Pricing: 4/5 stars

It's been with me for almost 7 months :) Yes, cleansing oil lasts for half a year for me. 2-3 pumps are enough for my entire face. The oil is less thicker compare to Elianto. It does remove make-up effectively and it didn't made me broke out. It doesn't have a strong scent and I barely noticed the scent. No oily feeling after. I don't understand anything on the bottle since it is written in foreign language ( Nihongo I think since it is made in Japan). It is big enough for longer usage :) The bottle comes in transparent blue/pink pump bottle. This isn't good to bring along especially when you are traveling. I can't remember how much I bought this but I believe this is cheap in Japan compare to the famous Shu. I'm not buying this for the mean time since I wanted to try other cleansing oil. It is quite boring to use the same cleansing oil for the next 6 months. I'm thinking of getting the Etude House Dream Cleansing Oil but it is always go out of stock. But I'm currently using a Nature Republic cleansing oil (sample size and I'll review it soon) until I get my hands on Etude House :)

Time flies by so fast. It's mid-week already! Hope you guys enjoy the rest of the week :)


Monday, June 7, 2010

Baviphat Essence Mask for Sebum And Trouble Care

Monday means work. A day before work I usually have a relaxation day at home. The week ahead of it will be stressful then. What better to prepare ahead of it is a nice facial mask. I used the Baviphat Essence Mask sheet for Sebum  and Trouble Care.

essence sheet mask for pores and dead skin care
vitalizing ingredients get deep into the skin in the condition of blocking oxygen temporarily

My say:
Performance: 3/5 stars
Packaging: 4/5 stars
Price: 3/5 stars

Baviphat is one of the newest cosmetics brand in Korea and it is becoming popular because of it's affordable yet effective products. This is my first time to venture on this brand. They have a lot of cute stuffs that are worth lemming at. This mask however is not one of them. It didn't do anything on my skin :( I didn't see any difference after using it. It gave me a bit of irritation on my lower chin but it subsided after a few minutes. This is maybe an initial reaction of my skin. The mask fits okay but the hole in the mouth area is quite small for me eventhough I have a small mouth. It has a light scent that isn't noticeable at all which I really like :) I bought this at the TLC shop around Php 85. I am not buying this again because it isn't worth it at all.

How was your weekend? I hope you did have fun as much as I did :)