The Girl on the Train —is it worth the read?

I'm not that into the suspense/thriller genré but I was tempted to pick this up because of all the hype it has gotten mid-2015. As I started reading, I thought the diary type of writing is interesting, and so are the alternating POVs, I love that you get to be inside the not-so sane heads of three women (Rachel, Megan and Anna) in a single read.

 However, the middle part was a bit of a drag –Rachel drinking, the police searching this and that, Rachel drinking, AGAIN. I only started to feel the "thrill" towards the ending as I read through the twists that I've already anticipated since the earlier pages anyway. 

For me, it's nothing special, or perhaps, as I said, it's because I'm just not really into this genré. Or it may not be for my age range (if that's a legit identifying factor at all) But hey, I hear it's going to be on the big screen soon! With some pretty decent cast as I've read somewhere. Maybe that won't be much of a drag as the book?

Rating: 2/5

Gift Guide: Perfect Books for the Holiday Season

Books are probably one of the most used gifts in the history of gift giving. Common, yes, but not necessarily uncreative. Personally, I like giving books to friends and family as presents. Whenever I do, I feel like I'm not just giving them an object they can use, I'm also giving them an experience, an escape. Well.. unless they don't read it! So, you might want to make sure that they're into books first.

To help you out on your gift shopping a little bit, I put up a list of my favourite Christmas themed books that would make perfect gifts for your friends and family. 

MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME edited by Stephanie Perkins

                                Courtesy: goodreads.com

My True Love Gave To Me is a collection of short stories centred on holiday love romances. Each story stands alone and each one has a different charm to it. The collection is written by several notable Young Adult authors which includes Rainbow Rowell, David Levithan, Stephanie Perkins and Gayle Forman.  —the perfect book to grab when you just feel like snuggling in one corner, with a hot cocoa in hand. And.. can we just take a moment to appreciate that cover?

LET IT SNOW by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle

Courtesy: amazon.com

Three holiday romances (The Jubilee Express, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, The Patron Saint of Pigs) all interconnected, set in the small town of Gracetown, North Carolina on Christmas.   —the closest I've ever gotten to a white Christmas. This book will surely give you (or the friend you're giving it to!) the Holiday feels.

DASH & LILY'S BOOK OF DARES by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Courtesy: goodreads.com

Lily, left by her parents during the holidays at their home in New York, came up with an idea to leave a red notebook full of dares in her favourite bookstore shelf. A boy named Dash finds it and accepts the challenge. They pass the notebook back and forth from each other all over New York, sharing their dreams and personal stories with each other page after page.   —I really enjoyed this book. Not just because it's set during Christmas time but because it's set during Christmas time IN NEW YORK CITY! I'm a sucker for books that have the power to take me somewhere else.

THE HOLIDAY SECRET by Neva Squires-Rodriguez

Courtesy: nevasquiresrodriguez.com

Evaliz has always been jealous of Tatiana, her sister. So when her parents decides to send Evaliz to New York to visit her, she was unsure of how it was going to be. Until Tatiana reveals a shocking secret and Evaliz was left wondering if her life is ever going to be the same.  —this short story isn't as popular as the other ones on this list but it doesn't mean it's not as good. It's well written. It's modern and relatable and I like how well the dramatic scenes are built up. It's one of the many underrated Christmas themed stories out there.

THE CHRISTMAS BOX (THE CHRISTMAS BOX TRILOGY #1) by Richard Paul Evans

Courtesy: simonandschuster.com

The Christmas Box is originally written by the author for his children. It is an inspirational tale about a widow who takes in a young family. Together, they discover the real meaning and the true gift of Christmas.   —the kind of book that would give you a reality check. I felt like hugging my family when I finished it.

So what do you think about this list? I hope it was helpful. If you have some more Christmas themed book suggestions, feel free to comment below! 

Baguio MUSTS

I recently headed up north to the City of Pines with my mother, for the sole purpose of secondhand book shopping, as I’ve seen in numerous blogs that Baguio has some cool (both literally and figuratively!) ukay bookstores. 

But my latest journey to the Summer Capital has proven to be the most memorable yet, as I’ve experienced more of Baguio in 3 short days than I have in my past visits. 

I thought I’d share my experiences (no matter how random they may be!) and provide a list of ‘musts’ for you guys to try whether you are a first timer in Baguio or a self-proclaimed local.

• You MUST visit the Minesview Park at the crack of dawn!

It’s a rather passé Baguio destination and I’ve been here a few times myself but the view just gets more magnificent each time, it just makes you want to stay a couple of minutes and take a mental picture to bring back to Manila with you, which is why daybreak is the best time to head on over because it won’t be too hot while you take your selfies or groupies. Plus, getting to see the sun rising atop the mountains —priceless. 

©BarbiePilapil

©BarbiePilapil

Oh! And while you’re there, a picture with one of the fluffy St. Bernards is a mandatory. Here’s mine with King.

                                                                                                                                                                               ©BarbiePilapil

• You MUST have a cup of Cafe in the Sky

Courtesy: Cafe in the Sky Facebook page

Coffee with a view. Need I say more? Cafe in the Sky is located at Mt. Santo Tomas (or commonly known as ‘Sitio La Presa’). Just a 45-minute drive from the city proper. Their menu is nothing extraordinary but the chill vibe makes up for it. A perfect place for bonding with friends and family.

©BarbiePilapil

                                                                                                                                                        ©BarbiePilapil

Oh… and while you’re there, just drive a few more minutes for a breathtaking view of the La Union Horizons!

                                                                                                                                                                                ©BarbiePilapil

• You MUST visit the Ben Cab Museum

Artsy or not, I highly recommend you visit this place. Don’t get me wrong, the paintings and the carvings are amazing (if you’re nuts about that too, then great!). However, the part of the museum that I deeply fell in love with isn’t in the actual halls but the one outside it —the garden. I mean, just look at these.

©BarbiePilapil

©BarbiePilapil

©BarbiePilapil

I'd be snoozing in there too if I had the pleasure of staying longer.

• You MUST have a Tree Top Adventure

Courtesy: TreeTop Adventure's Facebook page

You can never have enough view, I know. And this is the best place to satisfy that. If you happen to be afraid of heights… well, it’s a good excuse to overcome it now! But seriously though, it’s completely safe and it’s so worth it!

                                                                                                                                                                          ©BarbiePilapil

I have tried the Canopy package. It was pretty chill (literally and figuratively) as it moves very slowly, there was even a moment when I feel like dozing off for a few minutes while suspended right smack in the middle of a forest —all these coming from someone who’s terrified of theme park rides. So it really isn’t that scary. Promise!

                                                     ©BarbiePilapil

• You MUST have a slice of pizza at Amare La Cucina

It’s not a secret that Baguio is home to a lot of great pizzerias but it’s always a delight to discover new ones to try, and on this particular trip, I was able to try Amare La Cucina. What fascinated me the most about the restaurant is their traditional way of making their pizzas —through a wooden brick oven, as you can see below.

©BarbiePilapil

I’m not a legit food reviewer, a connoisseur or whatever fancy term they use for a food critic, but I do love good food. And I give Amare La Cucina’s pizza an easy 5 star rating. Just look at this beauty.

©BarbiePilapil

• You MUST go on a secondhand book shopping

Like I said, I came here for this. If you’re a book lover, then spare yourself the regret and go find some ukay bookstores. On this visit, I’ve been able to visit Bookends and Mt. Cloud. I was told there are more and I’m saving that quest for my next visit soon! 

©BarbiePilapil

©BarbiePilapil

I don’t know what it is but there is a certain charm in these two bookshops. Or maybe it’s just really my love for books. 

• Finally, You MUST end the night with a glass (or two) of Sangria at The Manor

Who hasn’t heard of The Manor? It’s one (if not the most!) of the more upscale hotels in Baguio situated inside Camp John Hay. Everything about it, and in it is so fancy it makes you feel fancy too (whatever that means...). That’s why it’s the ultimate perfect place to treat yourself with a slightly lavish nightcap at the end of the day. Ambient lighting, jazz music, chilly weather, and a glass of Sangria to keep warm. I don’t think I need to elaborate further. Anyway, cheers! 

 

REVIEW: Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam

You know how they say that oiliness is next to ugliness? Well rejoice, my sisters! Cos I think I may have just found a product that will work wonders for us!

This was sent to me by my student all the way from South Korea, and I’ve tried it almost immediately.

The consistency is very thick. Upon rubbing it on wet skin, it becomes a little foamy and you could instantly feel the grains of the Baking Soda cleansing out your pores.

After using it, you could instantly feel how it would wipe out all of the unwanted oil on your skin.

However, I do not suggest it for those with dry skin as it can cause even more dryness due to the exfoliation brought by the baking soda in the formula. There's a variant made especially for you, though! [see below]

And if you want to try the product, it is available at all Etude House counters and stores nationwide for 328 Php. 

It comes in 3 variants: Baking Powder Pore & Deep Cleansing Foam which claims that it effectively removes BB Cream; Baking Powder Cleansing Foam (Moist) which promises a smoother sensation which will be a better option for those with dry skin types; and the Baking Powder Bubble Cleansing Foam (Moist) which promises a denser foam. 

Have you tried this product? If you did, please please pretty please share us your experience down on the comment box below. That's all for now! Ciao! ;)

MUA Fur-effect Nails

I've tried Magnetic nails, Flakies, Kaleidoscope nails and the ever so famous Caviar nails. So now, let's see how fur feels like on my tips!

                           

Since I'm just test driving this out for the first time, I didn't want to put it on my nails entirely so I used it as an accent.

                           

The furs looked great as it is but I felt a bit more creative so I added stones and a few pieces of caviar beads --now that's what you call effort! Haha!

                                 

If you wanna get your own fur nails, just visit www.beautycornerph.com and see what you like from all 5 equally posh shades!

So what do you think of my design? Let me know what you think on the comment box ⬇

Post not sponsored.

Zooey's Emmy Nails

You can always rely on Zooey Deschanel to do the quirkiest things on the classiest Hollywood events. On the last year's Golden Globes, she did a funky Tuxedo design on her tips.

                         

 Earlier this year, she wore this Film Strip design.
                           
                                         

And at the recently held Emmy's, she showed up again with yet another quirky set of tips. And I won't let it pass without recreating it!

                  

What do you think? Was I close? Show me yours too! Paste the link on the comment box ⬇

NYX Natural Palette

A palette so great, I had to swatch it. 

I've always been a fan of NYX products, especially their eyeshadow palettes. They always come in nice packagings, wide variety of shades and not to mention, it works just as good as the expensive shadows in the market today for a way cheaper price. 

                

The NYX Natural palette comes with 6 shades: 2 highlighters, 2 base colors and 2 crease colors, all the shades you'll basically need for an everyday look in one, hence, the Natural palette!

                

HITS: 

• all colors, inluding the highlighters are very pigmented, as usual!

• comes in a nice solid and compact packaging which is perfect for travelling

• all colors applies smoothly, especially after using an eyelid primer.

• it's a steal at 450php from Digital Traincase.

MISSES:

• the lighter shades are a bit chalky.

SWATCHES:

               

This post is not sponsored.