Would you believe, this trip is about 2 months in the making! I received the first email invitation while I was in Japan with my sister Cea around November last year. I felt a little sad that we were a bit too early for snow, and then suddenly I received an email from Japan Airlines inviting me to experience winter in Japan with them!! Napa-iling nalang talaga ako in awe, I will always be amazed with how God works. The timing is perfect, and all His plans and surprises are really the best. This media trip turned out to be one of the most unforgettable I ever had!

For my first blog post, I will try to explain why I prefer JAL's new MNL to Haneda flight, show the inflight meals they serve for vegetarians, and a few tips on how I survived this -10 to -20 trip without spending too much on winter clothes I won't even use back in Manila. It's going to be another loaded post, so enjoy! ❤

I've been shopping for Korean skincare and makeup straight from Korea for about 3 years now, thanks to Althea Korea's very convenient app and website. Aside from getting legit products from Korean brands at lower cost, it's nice that Althea is now producing their own affordable and effective skincare and makeup line. What I love about the Althea Exclusives is that I remembered how they started with a survey, listening to what we their consumers really want.

I recently received a box of their newest products as part of the Althea Angels. Not a surprise, I was using some of them in no time. ❤ Sharing a list + my first impressions below.

Over the weekend, I went to Subic with Ava. It was an unexpected trip not listed on the "goals wall" of my room--a corner filled with colorful sticky notes so I can see my 2019 travel plans. Less than a week till my Japan trip and I have already set my mind na wala munang aalis ng bahay (lol) just so I can hibernate and finish my piling online work. But since I haven't really been to Subic for a real vacation, and Ava's going to be with me, of course nag go nako!

Recently, Althea Korea released their own beauty line including skincare sets and even makeup! True to their promise of providing affordable Kbeauty products, Althea Exclusives are affordable and effective. Check out these new ones in their growing list of beauty essentials!

Finally down to my last post for my Iloilo Diaries blog series!

In contrast with our Day 1 in Iloilo, full-packed ang aming Day 3. This is also our last full day in the city, kaya talagang sinulit namin ang buong araw and explored all the recommended sites!

I think the best way to utilize Facebook's "On This Day" feature is to see it as a tool in your practice of Gratitude.

I can still remember my first attempt on becoming a vegetarian.

Alam nyo naisip ko lang, if I live in the north siguro things would have been so different. I have no regrets living the slow paced "chill" life of a south girl with my family, but sobrang saya din to once in a while stay around EDSA where most, if not all of my friends reside. Siguro parati akong asa labas! Haha!

For my day 1 in the north, my friends and I visited the newly opened Fisher Mall branch in Malabon. It was a festive celebration, almost coinciding with the Chinese New Year. We were there for the opening ceremonies, mass, and then a little tour, but we also had the chance to hangout and eat in their food court The Galley, shop a little in the Fisher Supermart, and of course take lots of awra photos! Hehehe! More ganaps below!

Two days in the north for this south kid was super tiring but fulfilling. I was able to bond with my long time friends in the blogosphere (Paxie, Ate Mae, Arnie, Ava, Ruth, Ate Lou, and Kuya John), and at the same time, avail the anniversary sale happening this weekend at the Fisher Mall Quezon City! 

If you're in the area, or if you're a south kid like me who has time this weekend to spend with your north friends--scroll through this post for some of my finds + things to do when you drop by Fisher Mall's QC branch.