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Manila Shopping

in Expat Life, Manila, Manila What to Do, Manila Where To Go

Manila Shopping Guide: SM Aura

June 11, 2021
2 Comments

In each new posting, you’ll always find yourself learning everything – even day to day life – from scratch. Finding your way around is one thing and knowing where to go and who to call for certain things is definitely another. After all, it’s a new country –  a whole new place, culture, and maybe even their language is completely new to you. I remember that before I had local friends, the internet was the one that held my hand as I searched for the right grocery store to visit in Berlin or the best place to get fish head curry in KL within 30 minutes as I had a high ranking official coming over for dinner and he was craving for that particular dish. If you know me well enough, then you already know cooking something that complicated is a road I refuse to take – but I digress.

My point is, one of the more practical ways to know if – as an expat – you’ve already settled in a place is knowing where to go for one’s needs. Ranging from the basics to the things that exist purely for inducing joy. I recently had the pleasure of seeing what SM Aura has to offer along with our group of embassy ladies who are currently posted here in Manila.

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Althea, Althea Korea, Korean, Skin Care, Makeup, Cosmetics, Piolang, Gold Mask, Petitfee, Eye Patch, Hydrogel, Laneige, Blackhead Melting Gel, Holika Holika, Waterproof, Eyeliner, Beauty, Review, Online Shop, Online Beauty Store, Shopping, Online Shopping, Cheap Korean Products, Discounts, Savings
in Beauty & Fashion, Expat Life, KL Shopping, Kuala Lumpur, Skincare, Video

Beauty: Althea Korea Shopping Guide + Mini Haul Reviews [VIDEO]

August 1, 2015

Althea, Althea Korea, Korean, Skin Care, Makeup, Cosmetics, Piolang, Gold Mask, Petitfee, Eye Patch, Hydrogel, Laneige, Blackhead Melting Gel, Holika Holika, Waterproof, Eyeliner, Beauty, Review, Online Shop, Online Beauty Store, Shopping, Online Shopping, Cheap Korean Products, Discounts, Savings

Back with another video for you guys! <3 This time, I’ll be talking about online shopping for Korean beauty products without having to break the bank!

I love great savings and a wide variety of choices – especially for things that I love and use regularly. Like great skin care and makeup products! 😉

In this video, you’ll get to know how you can get your fix of Korean beauty products here in Malaysia without having to spend a ton and see my mini haul too! I added reviews of each of the products as well so you might want to consider them when you go shopping on Althea too! <3

Let me know what you guys think and do tell me what you bought in the comments section below!

Love,

Carol

*Sp

in Beauty & Fashion, Skincare

Beauty: Clinelle Caviar Gold Range Serum Review + Discount Code For You!

July 27, 2015

In my quest to find the answers to ageing gracefully, I often find myself testing out products I’ve never heard of or always deemed as something I have no need of. Only to realise during the short testing period of mine – which usually ranges between two weeks to a month – will have a lasting effect on me and that certain products sent to me will actually be the catalyst to a new step in my skin care regimen.

I’m talking about serums.

While I’ve been loyal to my creams – from hand, eye, face, to whatever (you name the body part and I will probably have a cream for it) – I always thought that serums are just a redundant product. Why would I need one when I’m actually diligent in using my moisturisers? They’re the same thing right?

That was until I tried some serums from a Korean brand called Purebeauty and most recently, when I was sent serums by Clinelle –  a brand I’ve never heard of until I moved to Malaysia.

I admit to buying their toner when the toner I brought from Manila during our big move to KL last year ran out. I was attracted to the clean, professional, and no frills look and the product literature it came with. It worked well on my dry skin that I developed a certain level of respect for the brand. So when they asked me to review their new line, of course I had to say yes. They mentioned caviar, black, and gold in one sentence so I thought back then that this was bound to be interesting.

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in Beauty & Fashion, Expat Life, KL Shopping, Kuala Lumpur, Skincare

Smart Buys: Bath and Body Works Summer Scents, Sale Haul, and Weekend Raya Promotion! ;)

July 10, 2015

Bath and Body Works, BBW, Bath and Body Works Malaysia, Lotion, Fragrance, Candles, Body Care, Skin Care, Moisturisers, Bubble Bath, Love and Sunshine, New Collection, Sale, Home,

It’s sale season here in Malaysia so that means only one thing – the cheapskate in me is totally bursting with so much happiness! I’m not the type who shops for a lot of things in one go but when I entered Bath and Body Works recently, I came out buying more than I actually planned. I came out with 8 items!

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in KL Shopping, Kuala Lumpur

Expat Life + Shopping: 1 Utama’s Hari Raya Celebrations

July 6, 2015

Hari Raya, Shopping, 1Utama, Shopping Mall, Where to Shop in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel, Expat Life, Holidays in Malaysia, Eid al Fitr, Muslim Holiday, Islamic Holiday, Celebration, Festivities

We arrived in Malaysia in late June of last year which meant that it was the middle of Ramadan season. Ramadan is a period of about a month in each year wherein Muslims all over the world fast from sun up to sun down. Each day is ended by an Iftar dinner wherein they break the fast with their loved ones.

Hari Raya, Shopping, 1Utama, Shopping Mall, Where to Shop in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Travel, Expat Life, Holidays in Malaysia, Eid al Fitr, Muslim Holiday, Islamic Holiday, Celebration, Festivities

It’s a hard sacrifice, definitely. And it makes me respect my Muslim friends even more, knowing that I won’t be able to do what they do even if I try – not drinking nor eating for the duration of the day. I am not disciplined enough when it comes to food to be honest. Maybe I should learn from my friends and sacrifice chocolate for next year’s Lenten season? (Err. Not gonna happen.)

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in Expat Life, Manila

Authentic Filipino Crafts, Souvenirs, and Fashion at The Manila Collectible Co.

March 17, 2015

The Manila Collectible Co., TMCC, Philippines, Filipino, Souvenirs, Art, Craft, Clothes, Tribal, T’nalak, Abel Iloco, Traditional Filipino Clothes, Manila, Ifugao, Filipino Tribes, Collectibles

My husband and I are crazy about “Filipinizing” our home. While at post, diplomats are expected to entertain – to have guests of different nationalities (other diplomats, businessmen, etc.) over for socialising – which usually means talking shop over food and drinks. 😉 Those opportunities are a great way to showcase our culture and what we have back home.

The Manila Collectible Co., TMCC, Philippines, Filipino, Souvenirs, Art, Craft, Clothes, Tribal, T’nalak, Abel Iloco, Traditional Filipino Clothes, Manila, Ifugao, Filipino Tribes, Collectibles

So during my last trip to Manila, I bought some traditional Filipino accessories and clothes that I can wear to different events. It is often hard to convince people at diplomatic events that I’m actually Filipino because of how I look. My husband’s looks don’t really help either as people often think he’s Chinese/Japanese/Korean.

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in Expat Life, KL Shopping, KL Tips, KL What to Do

Events: Surviving the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 2014

December 6, 2014

Just got home from the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale and I gotta say, my arms (and also my husband’s) are dyiiiing from carrying our purchases. This has got to be the craziest book fair I have ever been to – even crazier than the ones we have in Manila. And that’s saying something.

Don’t believe me? Well here you go:

Big Bad Wolf, Books, Book Sale

So I guess this is how a book sale with 3.5 million books, running for 24 hours look like. I felt like Belle discovering the library inside the Beast’s castle!

What I thought was going to be “just another book sale” turned out to be one of my most favourite shopping experiences in Malaysia. Also, I’m proud to say that we’re almost done with our Christmas shopping thanks to this event! (Granted that our shopping list contains just a few names since we’re far away from our friends and family back in Manila – but still!)

We got there around a little bit before 5 in the afternoon. The crowd was tolerable so I can honestly say that the biggest enemy you have to face during the sale is the urge to grab everything in sight.

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in Asia, Travel

Travel: Sunday walking tour in Kota Kinabalu

October 5, 2014

Hello from KL! We are finally back from our two-week stay in Sabah for the consular mission that my husband led. The past two weeks were so hectic and enlightening. Aside from the consular mission, we were also able to get to know undocumented Filipino kids who only have access to education through alternative learning centres.

But I’ll write about those things next time.

For now, I wanted to share with you photos of our walking tour of Kota Kinabalu’s (KK) main district which we did on a Sunday – our only break during the mission. We couldn’t go far even though I was dying to see the fireflies at the Kinabalu National Park because the following day was expected to be hectic.

No time for the beach either (insert sad-faced emoji here) so we decided to just explore the city and not go too far – make do with what little time we have there. KK’s main district is filled with budget hotels/hostels and restaurants that offer great food at very low prices. My husband and I actually gained weight there from all the eating we did.

It’s great for those who wish to go backpacking. When visiting KK, I suggest you make sure your visit falls on a weekend. That is, if you want to see and experience how Southeast Asian locals get their shopping on.

Gaya street on its busiest day – Sunday.

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