It's been a long time since this challenge have gone over me.. =)

I know I was not able to keep up with the 30 day challenge (make up) on my blog due to long hours of work plus the time I have to keep up with my beloved son Adi.




He is growing up so fast, that being not able to see him most of the time is killing me.

I work 9.6 hours that 48 hours in a week and it is a struggle to keep a blog, a job and also take care of my son. But that part is what makes me feel that I am a super mom. I guess?!! It's never an easy job but the most rewarding of all.

I guess I might as well proceed with the post. Enough of the mommy rants, I'd rather post a separate one for that too. You know, i love my son so much and I miss him ALL THE TIME.

For you who have or might have been interested to see my makeup collection, scroll down below. =)
Most of them I got from AVON

                            these are some of my eyeshadows and eyeliners, eye primer, blending brush, etc. i got the palette from chic cosmetics. so far, the colors are good but some of the colors are chalky =(

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my makeup collection!. all sorts of them =) i actually love eye shadows. and lipsticks. I am also on the look out for the perfect foundation that is why i haven't got hold of them yet. that liquid foundation I got from AVON. I'll do a review on that soon. I have been using it for a month now and so far I am loving it!

Hi expectant Moms out there!

Being a mom-to-be and planning for your Maternity days ahead is not easy. Moms out there should take into consideration a lot of things. Most of us first time moms are often seeking for some inputs from our Moms, friends and even colleagues about whether to get a Maternity Package (read my post on that here), have a Private Doctor (OB-Gyne) and what Maternity Benefits we can avail from our Company Insurance or the question if we can avail of the Philhealth Benefits, for that matter other expenses that goes and comes out even before you realize it.

To avoid further headaches about the Post Maternity tasks, I'd like to share with you some of the things I wished I had known before I gave birth.

1. Prepare yourself for unexpected things especially with your new born baby. (unplanned expenses for baby's needs or other diagnosis or complications after birth)
2. Have a Pediatrician whom you like and trust. (comes after delivery OB will turn your baby over to the Pedia for care and further New born tests.)
3. Accomplishing the post-maternity papers. if your baby has certain birth acquired disease have your MDR (philhealth member data record updated to reflect him/her to avail of the benefits)
4. Save up some cash for unplanned hospital and personal expenses for medicines, baby's nursery needs like infant formula (milk).
5. Be familiar with the Insurance Benefits (your company Health Care Provider) for your coverage of benefits.
6. Always keep a copy of the Philhealth Claim Form 1 if your employed to avail of Philhealth claims.
7. Always prepare yourself for the first time breastfeeding for your baby if you are a first time mother. Some weeks may be frustrating due to less milk that comes out but patience is key after all our baby's health is our main concern.
8. Prepare maternity things like napkins, tissue, waist band (used for those who undergone CS).
9. Be emotionally stable, prepare yourself from inflex of mixed emotions (happy, stress, pain, tears,post maternity hormonal imbalances) 
10. Be strong for your baby and know that your family and loved ones will be there for you but not depend everything to them, eat right and stay healthy for the baby.

Finally, the matte lippies have arrived.

They have after two weeks of waiting. yey!
These babies are my prizes for winning a promo from a Local Cosmetics brand here in the Philippines.
The EVER BILENA READ my Lips Promo announced on ther Facebook Page!





I had so much fun joining the promo, that I didn't even think of winning it. I just love their matte line of lipsticks that I immediately purchased one in the mall just around Cebu. The price, affordable! =)
The color pay off is great and can compete with other expensive imported brands in the market.

Here is my winning entry:


With the caption:

MY go to Lippie for those stressful moments at the office. I love how this lipstick transfroms my look. Plus it is affordable and perfect for the working moms like me. Thank you Ever Bilena Cosmetics Inc.

After a few weeks, I was super happy I was picked amongst all the entries.
And became part of their 20 winners.... =)

The Package:

Hi Lovelies! Great day to all! Today, I will be announcing the winner of my first ever giveaway. =)
Thank you to all who have joined my giveaway. Do stay tuned for more giveaways here on island girl adventures. =)

And without much ado.................... Drum roll pls.................


The winner is......


Congratulations!!!! =)

You may email me your COMPLETE NAME, AGE, ADDRESS at racinz07@gmail.com within 3 days.
If you fail however, I will be picking another winner for this giveaway. So email me now... or tweet me @iamracinz.

Enjoy your prizes.... ♥

Till my next giveaway!

ciao
Graxa♥

Hi!
How's your day been?

For the longest time, I can finally post my swatch on the Smashbox Style Files eyeshadow that I got recently from my fellow blogger Milna of MilnaMania. I got this as a prize for being the Commenter of the Month on her MOM (Milnamania of the Month) for JANUARY. =) Thank you Milna!

So down to the item, I got which I find a great addition to my eyeshadows collection. I've been loving eye makep lately.


The SHADOWS: It comes with a Mirror, which I like about it since I could easily see the colors on every application. The box contains matte, shimmer eye shadows.

I use Shadow #3 and #4 for the smokey eye look. It just goes perfectly. =)

• Feels light on the skin
• Stays on for a long time.
• Rich colors, just little product and can give that glamour in the eye.
• Blend-able colors.

Hi lovelies!

My simple blog has reached 75 subscribers!! Hurray!!  and with that, I'd like to give back to all my loyal readers and followers, I am giving a simple token of appreciation to everyone. Yey! so cool!

One (1) lucky winner will be selected and will win this items!


To qualify, enter here via Rafflecopter and follow the instructions: =)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


So, what are you waitin for? Join this giveaway and win this cool prizes!


P.S. Items used in this giveaway was bought by the author of this blog. 

I have been starting to get conscious about my face since I have places my utmost closest attention on facial products especially make up. At the age of 26 and turning 27, I know I have aged and had to take care of my precious face.

I really aspire to have that flawless skin but unfortunately I don't. My face is no exception and it frustrates me sometimes to see those blackheads and oiliness that comes with it. My T-Zone is like so shiny you can swipe an oil blotting sheet and get it damped right then and there.

So, to end this misfortune that I so call, I am immensely taking this beauty ritual on a regular basis. I usually do just wash my face with just soap and water but then, I wanted to get that smooth and blemish free skin. I know sometimes I do have an unhealthy diet and I bet I should also start there. I'd like to take that opportunity to finally be conscious of what I eat. Maybe I'll do a separate challenge for that after this Skin Care 101 stabilizes and be part of my routine.

If only I have all the means to find and get a hand at all the Beauty products and facial treatments I would love to. But for now, let me just stick to these products that are affordable and somehow really work for me and my skin type. =)

First Step: Cleanse
I use the cleanser from the Tea Tree facial care set from AVON and the Eskinol Deep Cleanse Facial Cleanser. First, I wash my face with the tea tree cleanser. I love it cause it has micro beads present that will really get down on the pores of your face, but I only get a pea-sized amount. What i don't like about it is that it is quite rocky and somewhat strong on the skin but for me it just serves its purpose since I have an oily type of skin. It feels really refreshing after washing my face with it.

What I use for my face after washing and scrubbing is the Deep Cleanser from Eskinol, I love this product since it can gently clean away dirt and makeup on your face. Plus it also prevents blackheads and also whitens! =) This is what I am using as of the moment but the one in green variant is what I really love.


Second Step: Tone

After all the scrubbing and those deep cleansing on our pores, we need to apply a toner to tone down the pores of our skin. Toners help to close out the pores and get that smooth and flawless face. What I am using as the moment is the one from PONDs. It is an oil solution toner, perfect for my oily skin. What I don't like about this product is that is that stingy feel after I placed some on my face. I prefer the one from AVON though since it is much gentler and has that soothing effect on my face right after application. I can feel my skin now and has soften and is much smoother. Makes me want to purchase toners from AVON. For only 129 pesos why not.