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So finally, we've reached the last day of the year.  A new one awaits and about to unfold in just a matter of hours.  Feeling excited?

I know you do.

If you ask me, well, I don't know why I can't help but feel a bit jittery.  Maybe the euphoria will kick in later at midnight.  Haha!

Anyway, aside from the Favorites post, this one has also been a thing here on le blog.  Truth is, I do this recap for my future-self because I want to have something that I can look back to say 5 or 10 years from now.  Kind of a reminder saying like "hey, you've had an awesome year".


I also encourage you to do it!  It doesn't have to be posted somewhere and it doesn't have to all fancy or anything like that.  Maybe you can start by compiling photos that will help you remember an important event that happened in the past 12 months and put 'em in a folder.

You can think about it later.  For now, here's mine.

Click on the link below the photos to get directed to the blog post.

A growing and maturing blog...

Even though my blog is 4 years old already, I'm fully aware that it's still at the don't-know-if-I-have-more-than-5-readers stage.  That's not a complaint though.  To be honest, I don't really care about the numbers.  However, I also do know that it's something that can help big-time if I want to build a name and attract opportunities (if opportunities can indeed be attracted haha).  

GC's and planner from The Spa

goodie bag from Dermax Skin Station

But then again, I'm truly happy about how le blog has matured and grown over just a few years.  I'm so thankful to the brands that entrusted me and of course, to you my readers.  I won't lie and say that it's not a validation and I don't need it.  In fact, I do appreciate it and it kind of somehow measures all the good work and effort I've put in.

spa kit from Caronia + Bioessence GC's 

So once again, thank you so much!  Every bag of freebies had me feeling all ecstatic and special. 


Alongside those brand collabs, I also feel very humbled knowing that I got to attend not one, not two but four blogger events.  

Burger and Brewskies

It's a unique kind of experience for me because I thought it would never happen and it would just stay as a dream.

Kiss Me Heroine Make Blogger Event

Hopefully, I would get invited to more events next year! #crossingfingers

Sleeping Beauties SPArty

Banila Co Launch

One amazing thing also happened recently.  I got to know that le blog has a regular reader!  So flattered!  

Thank you!


Another blog-related milestone are my haul videos.  

Yep, I know I'm so bad at speaking in front of camera (or just speaking) but I realized, if that's the only thing that scares me and keeps me from doing what I want to do, then that's not a valid reason at all.


I'll try my best to create better videos for you guys.

So I guess I lot of things happened for le blog and I couldn't be any happier.

My career life...

If my life was an amusement park, this part would be the Vikings.  A pendulum ride of some sort.

It brought a lot of stress and frustration, to the point that I got so confused and I felt lost.  A lot of should-I-leave-or-wait-I-will-not-leave-just-yet moments occurred.  #careercrisis


Staying in the same company for 5 years is indeed a milestone but at some point I felt that there were "some wasted times".  Don't get me wrong.  I love my job.  It's just that, I don't know.  Maybe I'm talking this way because of a painful thing that happened.

My career has been a bittersweet thing this year.  That's it.  Let's leave it at that.

Nevertheless, I'm still grateful I have a job and a second family, my team.

And oh, I passed two certification exams this year!  Yea!

Best nights ever...

I will never ever forget the night I saw my bad boys!  I love them so much!


And also, the night Sam Smith gave us all the "feels".


My wanderlust...

I had 3 trips this year.

Looking forward to cross out more places in my to-go list in the coming years.

first time surfing!

beach hoppin', city tour and night out in Cebu with my squad

roadtrip to Baguio

All for the future...

Actually, I have no plans in sharing this news but I'm doing it now anyways.  I should include this because it's kind of a big step for me.


Even though it's giving me a lot of stress financially, I'm still telling myself that I can do it.  Getting my own place and property in my 20's is one of my goals actually.

Whenever I think about it, it makes me want to fast-forward to 2017 already.  Haha!

Bigger and bigger fambam...


Meet our new bears, Adie and Caleb.



My bestfriend also gave birth to her second princess early this year.

Vanessa

New look?

You have probably noticed this.  No?  Come on guys!  My teeth are now free!  Haha!


Back to my first love...

I got to participate in a dance competition.  A chance to dance on stage again after 3 years!


Last year, I've prayed for a better year and now, I can't believe all of these things happened.

To everyone who has been a part of my 2015, let me say a big fat THANK YOU!

And of course, this post won't be complete without sharing the lessons 2015 taught me. 

Contentment brings peace of mind.  Have you heard of the saying, "comparison is the thief of joy"?  I couldn't agree more.  No matter how small things seem to be, no matter how long it took for you to get something, be thankful.  Comparing what you have with what other people have won't do any good.  It's not worth the stress.

#notetoself

Stop being a people-pleaser online and offline.  Likes and followers don't mean anything.  They are just numbers.  I know people nowadays are too obsessed about the count of likes their selfie would get.  I mean, come on.  Posting your photos on social media is totally not a bad thing but it's not a good validation of whatever you're trying to validate either.  

Spend wisely.  An increasing expense is a part of growing up.  It just means that you now have more and bigger responsibilities.  Well, I needed to adjust my spending drastically because of the condo unit but more than that, I think at this age, it's just right to spend money more on experiences rather on material things.  It's also better to buy the things that you can actually afford and not to splurge often.  I realized the value of delayed gratification as well.

Mother Nature needs more care.  Okay.  I know this might sound weird but really guys, this is serious.  This thing has been a lesson since grade-school but apparently, most of us don't give a damn.   I bet you know for a fact that we only have one life-sustaining planet well, until we can discover another one out there and until we can transfer every human being there as well.  Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that, every action, big or small that can help the environment matters.  

I said to Kris that I want to be give planet earth some TLC and start doing things like:
1) bringing a spoon and fork so we don't need to use plastic ones
2) not using straws if we can properly drink directly from the cup
3) bringing shopping bags
4) avoiding multiple plastic/paper bags from fast food restaurants and other shops
5) bringing a water tumbler so we don't need to buy and waste a new bottle every time (saves us money too)

Manage time better.  Yep, I need this one.  Juggling different things all at once can be a pain in the ass.  I remember all the cramming I did back then and how annoyed I was about not being able to finish a blog post before midnight.  Crazy.  Haha!  

Now, I plan to do all of the things I want and need to do in chunks of time.  For example, I'll commit to 1-hour blogging, 1 episode/3 Youtube videos at one sitting, 1-hour work backlogs, 1-hour photo/video editing and the likes.  

Hopefully, this would work.

That's it!

The next day marks a fresh start for most of us.  Have you created plans for 2016 already?  Don't worry about that bucket list of yours because I know that with just commitment and a sprinkle of hope, you can make it happen.

Bring it on, 2016!



Cheers, good luck and dream on!


your sweetest drug,

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One of the things I like to talk about here on le blog as the year draws to a close are your favorite posts.  As usual, I ranked the most visited ones this 2015 per series and surprisingly, some of these are my top picks too.

If the photos below seem very familiar and you know in which posts they're in, oh dear, I'll give you a hug.  Because that only means, you often drop by.  And for that, I love you!  Haha!


Make Up And Hair (MUAH)


Etude House Dear Darling Tint in Berry Red

One of the lip tints that I highly recommend formula-wise.  Actually, I spotted a photo of Yaya Dub AKA Maine Mendoza in a magazine using this.  Not sure though if it's the same shade.

TOUCHDOWN


Cebu 2015

I only had 2 trips this year but this one won over the Baguio travel post.  #takemeback

Kris and I want to try the canyoneering thing at Kawasan falls.  I also want to experience Sinulog but I doubt it would happen next month.

Sample Stash


Etude House Play Therapy Soft Clay Pack & Moist Up Sleeping Pack

Duo sample?  Hell yeah!

LOOKBOOK


Edgy Sweetheart

I won't ask why.  

Mesh became a most-loved trend this 2015.

Most hyped on Lookbook


Sherbet

I didn't know this color combo would look good.  :)

Haul


Just In! - Concealer, Lip Liners, Eyeliner, Yves Rocher, Dry Shampoo, The Face Shop and Cleansing Foam

I decided to combine my Just In version 1 and my Just In version 2.0 - haul videos.

Burp Guide


The Bunny Baker Cafe & Cake Studio

I don't do food/restaurant reviews as often as before but I think this series needs to be revived.

What do you say?

Skincare 101


Skin Station's Dermax Retinol-C Instant Effect Wrinkle Therapy

This product started my love for retinol.

Beauty Board


Fresh and Blooming Makeup

All of the products in the photo are my favorites except the mascara and primer.  

Stay tuned for another makeup look coming up next month!

Youtube Video Tutorials


Day-to-Night Makeup Look

One thing I super duper enjoy doing is editing videos.  Hopefully, I can add more on my channel.

Outside the Series


The Spa, Greenbelt

Which reminds me, I haven't used my GC.  Haha!  

Blogger Event


Sleeping Beauties SPArty with LANEIGE

I got invited to a few ones and for that, I'm really thankful.


So that's it!

Which blog post is your favorite?  Please do tell me in the comments section below.  I'd love to know your personal picks too!

Before I end this post, I want to express my appreciation to each and every one of you who visits/visited le blog.  I don't really care if something just brought you here, a link somewhere or whatever.  I also don't mind if you dropped by only once just to check out a review or anything else you found interesting.  All that matters is that the things I share here have helped you or have been useful in some ways.  

From the bottom of my happy heart, thank you soooooooo much!

Cheers!


your sweetest drug,



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There's something about the Holidays that makes us reflect how blessed we have been for the past year.  Perhaps most of you are thinking of the material things you got to buy for yourself or you received from someone like an expensive bag, clothes and shoes that you're dying to have or a new gadget or something.  You also might be feeling so grateful about an awesome, unexpected thing that happened or a wish that came true.

And that's alright, guys.  I feel the same way actually!  But I want you to know that there's an even bigger picture to look at.  

Don't worry.  I won't do a the-true-meaning-of-Christmas-is-blah-blah-blah speech because I know chances are, you already know that.  Come on.  Please tell me you do.  Haha!

I guess what I'm really trying to say here is that, even without those things and even if you feel that you didn't have an amazing 2015, there's still a reason to be thankful.  

The best part?  

You get to hope for a better year ahead.  You get to learn how to appreciate the littlest things in life.  You get to realize the reason of your every failure, frustration and mistake.  Ultimately, you get to claim that the next year is definitely going to be better than the last.

So once again, Merry Christmas from me and Kris!  Have a blast and make the last few days of 2015 count.


your sweetest drug,

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Yep.  I'm uploading this on Christmas day because first, I don't want to delay this video any further and second, I tried uploading it yesterday but the internet connection sucked.  Argh.

But before anything else, let me greet you all a Merry Christmas!  I hope you had a great time with your loved ones, physically or "digitally" (for those who are away from home).  

So, I cheated a little bit here because majority of the products included in this haul are freebies.  I didn't do any serious shopping last month and I think that's kind of a good thing for me.  You know, saving for the Holiday season.  Haha!


Watch in HD (so you can see how sweaty I am in this video)!

Products Mentioned

V&M Naturals Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner (335 php)


So happy to know that there's a witch hazel-based toner that doesn't have a nasty scent.

Maybelline Hypercurl Waterproof Mascara (150 php - from 199 php - originally 249 php)


Who doesn't love further reductions?!  

If Maybelline mascaras are being sold at this price , I suggest that you hoard some.

The Face Shop Style My Eyebrow (125 php) and Designing Eyebrow Crayon in Brown (225 php) 


Here's another one.  

Who would say no to a Buy One Get One promo?!


I decided to combine two different brow products.  The other guy goes to my backup box and the pencil is the one I use alternately with my Canmake crayon currently.

Banila Co Clean It Zero (875 php)


I heard that this one's da bomb!  So excited to use it.

Banila Co Mr. Skin Doctor Ampoule Mask Sheet


I love the idea behind this 2-step skincare item.

Banila Co Prime Primer in Classic (1060 php)


I'm still using 2 primers as of the moment but I will surely test this guy soon!  I hope it would beat my oily t-zone.

Banila Co It Radiant CC Cream (1195 php)


From BB Creams, it's now time to move on to the next letter.  Hihi!

Dove Whitening Original Deodorant (93 php)


You get a deo, you get a free bag and you get a chance to win a trip for two to Maldives!

But really, I just want to score the tote bag.  Haha!

Skin Station Dermax Nano White Underarm Cream (300 php)


Hopefully, this one would help make my underarm smooth and less wrinkly.  

Skin Station Dermax UV Milk Anti-Aging Sunscreen (720 php)


This is to replace my Biore sunscreen, which unfortunately did not work for me. :(


That's it!

Time to share my November favorites.

Music: Body on Me by Rita Ora and Chris Brown, Tala by Sarah Geronimo and The Feeling by Justin Bieber
Food: All-cheese pizza
Movie: Hunger Games Mocking Jay Part 2
TV Show: Friends again (now at Season 6)
Beauty: Applying the shimmery peach eye shadow from my Heroine Make Jewelry Eyecolor quad in  Rose Garnet on my lower lash line (aegyo sal kind of)
Now Craving: Butao by Ramen Nagi


What do you think?


your sweetest drug,

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Hi! I'm ICHI.

Hi! I'm ICHI.
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