Summer: Skin Must Haves

It is already scorching hot here in Doha and I had geared up for the long summer days.

These are some of the products that I am loving.

They keep blemishes, pimples, dryness and other skin issues at bay this season.

It is good to have tan lines but not skin cancer.

Protect your skin by using sunblock.

Don’t forget to put moisturizer on your face and neck.

Have the habit of washing your face and moisturize your body once you get home or before going to bed.

If you can use Tea Tree Oil with water to clean your face, better, or you can also use a toner with Tea Tree Oil to keep the blemishes away.

Applying lotion or body butter at night also helps to keep the skin healthy.

What are your skin must haves this season?

Body Butter Overload

The Body Shop had a sale about two weeks ago.

Their body butters are on 50% off so I had taken the chance.

I bought some of which I think will last for months already.

What I love about Body Shop’s Body Butters are the scents that they have and the healthy feeling that they leave on the skin.

Since the weather here in Doha are extremes: extremely hot and cold, I have to rely on lotions and creams to keep my skin hydrated.

Have you ever feel the itchiness whenever your skin is soooo dry?

That’s what I am avoiding as when it happens, I have red patches all over my skin that’s why I use body butter (aside from lotions) nowadays.

Body butters are creams that are being applied to the skin to help lock in moisture.

They normally come with shea, mango, cocoa and even coconut.

I got papaya, cranberry and passion fruit from Body Shop.

Aside from keeping the skin moisturized, body butters contain vitamins, have high levels of antioxidants, effectively softens the skin and is way affordable compared to other creams available in the market.

So, let us butter up and kiss dry skin goodbye!

Let's Have A Cup!

Do you also prefer to sit and sip a cup of coffee then talk about stuffs: life, career, some serious matters, trivial things and a whole lot more?

Well, I do.

Drinking coffee somewhat gives me a calming feeling, boosts my energy and awakens my senses.

Coming from the place where brewed coffee is really abundant, a cup starts my day.

Today, there are lots of coffee shops that offer different varieties of coffee drinks, hot or cold.

But where did coffee originated from?

Coffee was first discovered in the region of Ethiopia and was later propagated in other regions as Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa.

It comes from the coffee beans which are normally green and turns red when it is already ripe and is ready for harvesting.

Years before, I used to help my late grandmother to harvest coffee beans.

After harvesting, the beans are then taken and are set for drying under the sun.

Once dried, the beans are put into something like a big mortar and pestle.

The beans are separated from the skin and are now ready for roasting then grinding.

Wallah! We have the coffee powder and we can start brewing and enjoy our cups!

A recent study from Harvard University had concluded some health benefits from drinking coffee.

It was found out that drinking coffee does not increase the blood pressure.

Based on their studies, coffee drinkers were 50% less prone to get liver cancer than the non-drinkers.

People who drink coffee are less likely to get diabetes.

So, shall we go and have a cup?

Scented Candle

You are most welcome, Mrs. Fields!

Are you always craving for something sweet?

Try these cookies by Mrs. Fields which are also sold in Subway stores.

They are sweet, crunchy and are always freshly baked.

A good way to satisfy the sweet tooth!

Delicioso!

Pandesal at Kape

It's always good to wake up with a steaming hot cup of coffee and pandesal for a quick breakfast!

The Eye

Pizza!

Kichi and Kayo

I recently got two new Kokeshi Dolls!

I was so excited when I had seen some stocks still in a shop here in Doha.

Each doll comes with a Collector's Card.

To start off with the collection, I got Kichi (Lucky) and Kayo (Beautiful).

There are lots of dolls to choose from, however, I had chosen these two as I believe that they embody who and what I am – Lucky as I am alive and living every second, every minute, that I have to the fullest and Beautiful – as I feel like it even if not physically though, I believe I have a beautiful aura – full of positivism and hope.

Kayo "Beautiful"

Kichi "Lucky"

Hmmm…

I am excited to get new dolls come pay day.

Kokeshi Dolls

Japanese Kokeshi Dolls are evidences of the Eastern Region's rich culture.

Giving and receiving Kokeshi dolls as a sign of love and friendship had been a Japanese Tradition for almost two centuries.

The Kokeshi Dolls embodies different characteristics like femininity, adorable, bright and beautiful, colorful and wisdom to name a few.

Kimmidoll have more than 20 dolls in their collection.

I got myself a new journal with Chichiro, "Caring" on the cover.

There are also other Kimmidoll products from which you can choose from.

Aren't they cute?

A New Cuddly Buddy

Polvoron

One of our favorite "pasalubong" from Pinas - Goldilocks' Classic Polvoron!

Chicken in Coconut Milk

Another attempt in cooking something new.

It's like curry less the curry powder.

Mini Sodas

Spoons and Forks

Mirror...Mirror...

A gift from Dubai...It's so cute, I don't want to use it...

Hello! from Winnie the Pooh

Cosmofied Starbucks

A friend had given me a new Starbucks tumbler. Yay!

I was so happy as I have something to keep myself busy over the weekend.

It's the one wherein you can create your own tumbler inserts or design.

So cool that they had came up with something like this!

I thought of putting my own photos at first but since I don't have the chance to have the photos printed right away, I had decided to work on what I have at home.

I have a lot of Cosmopolitan Magazines and to be honest I am discovering the fashionista in me so I browsed and check for something to "bling" my new tumbler.

And here's the finished product!

I soo adore it!

Accessorize

I was able to grab these cuties from Tammy, one of my favorite accessories shop.

They had a sale and I was able to get some fab finds from there.

A Dog Pendant

“I wanna feel like Kate Middleton” Hair Pin

Dear Diary

Do you still remember the days when we used to write in our journals or diary every single day?

My diary is like a close friend to me, a secret keeper, a shoulder to cry on and a good “listener”.

From crushes, stories about classmates way back in High School, movies that I’ve seen, how I was pissed off, how happy I was, peculiar things that I had done – name it and for sure I had it written and documented.

And do you know the feeling when you cannot remember that you had written such a thing?

Or the smile on your face when you read an old entry from the little book?

Ooohhh, how I miss those days!

For the Hungry Tummy

Yes, we are so scared to feel hungry at work.

Pasalubong from Pinas!

Yay!

I received my “pasalubong” presents from the Philippines.

A friend went home for vacation and she got me my doze of reads.

Common friends sent me Cosmo Magazines and copies of Reader’s Digest.

I had been an avid fan of the Cosmo Magazine.

I love their articles on fashion, tips about career, office issues, tips on love and relationships.

Reader’s Digest is also a good magazine to read as it is very informative – an almost complete one.

I like their quiz of vocabulary and the inspiring stories that they feature.

I had always been a reader.

It gives my brain the exercise and the breather it needs.

These keep me occupied nowadays.

Try checking Cosmo’s and RD’s sites and for sure you can’t resist to grab a copy.

Ramadan

The Holy Month of Ramadan is fast approaching; it’s only less than a month!

Here in the Middle East, our Muslim brothers and sisters, celebrate this month by praying and fasting.

It is also the time when families get together and share the foods on the table when the prayer starts after sunset.

Gift giving is also a part of their tradition.

Our previous CEO had received this golden cart 2 years ago.

He had generously shared the fruits and chocolates with us.

Inshallah, this year’s Holy Month will be a blessed and a fruitful one.