PetSmart: Skyler's Stash

Most of us know that one of the best things about three-day (holiday) weekends in the U.S. is the fact that merchandisers and retailers lure you in with deep discounts and promos. It doesn't only apply to humans, mind you, but also to our beloved pets as well. I, for one, am not complaining since having a pet costs a lot. 

Here's a fun fact: Buying Skyler's groceries easily costs two times more than mine---Don't even get me started with the grooming and vet bills!

I signed up for PetSmart's free PetPerks membership and e-mail list so they can easily notify me on any great deals. Skyler and I are lucky enough to have two PetSmart locations close by and best of all, he gets to come and shop around with me!

Buy 2, Get 1 Free on all toys. This offer was hard to pass up since they were doing this promo including the clearance toys. I got Skyler two squeaky ones (which he will probably out-squeak in 2 minutes) that were marked down to $2.09 each (one of which ended up free with the promo), and the Snoopy one (which he will probably decapitate in 30 seconds) was marked down from $12.99 to $9.09. 

Thank God I snapped the photo right away 'coz someone was apparently eyeing on Snoopy...

I also stocked up on some of his treats, and all of them were discounted!

From Top Left: Purina Pro Plan Savor Hearty Rewards; Dentley's Rawhide Stuff Rolls; Milk-Bone

If you're going to shop this weekend, check your receipt 'coz I got a lot of great coupons on it including $5 off on any grooming services and they have one that's $5 off when you spend $30, $10 off when you spend $50 and $25 off when you spend $100 on your next purchase!

As you can tell, Sky is very excited. Like, so excited...

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend, America!

Toodles!

Fashion 5-0: Back in the Closet

Trends are fleeting, and it does even more in an accelerated speed in the fashion world. What's hot this season could be shunned in the next, that's why I always encourage my readers to be more discerning about which fads to give in to and which ones to absolutely avoid like your stalker ex the plague. I'm not saying that you have to give up these things altogether but it's best to put them in the backburner for now, at least until the fashion Gods say it's okay to unleash them back into the wild.

High-Low dresses I'm just going to say this...Hi-Lo hemlines don't look favorable with people who have elephant knees a.k.a ME. I tried 'em and I just looked like Dumbo in a dress, all I was missing was some big flappy ears. If you don't have toned legs, this is not a flattering silhouette for you.

Nha Khanh via neimanmarcus.com

Instead, invest in a Fit and Flare dress. They come in different skirt lengths and looks great with short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and sleeveless. This silhouette is great overall since it cinches on the waist and flares out to the bottom, giving you lots of freedom to move and leave you worry-free as you make your way down to the buffet line...Kumbaya, indeed.

Ted Baker via neimanmarcus.com

Wedge Sneakers Yeah, I never cared for this one. It looked cute on long-legged models but they remind me of skater shoes and I absolutely think skater shoes are an abomination.

Isabel Marant via barneys.com

Instead, go for the High-Top sneakers that have great added details such as leather trimming, buckles, studs, grommet, etc. for an edgier casual look.

Giuseppe Zanotti via neimanmarcus.com

Peplum dresses This is really a no-brainer. Peplum tops and jackets are cute but those attached on a dress have overstayed their welcome since 2-3 seasons ago. 

RED Valentino via neimanmarcus.com

Instead, try wearing mix prints and bold (or bold floral) prints to spice up your wardrobe!

Mary Katrantzou via neimanmarcus.com

Elle Sasson via neimanmarcus.com

Mirrored Lens Sunglasses Sure, they're colorful and playful to wear. But this style of sunglasses just can't survive for more than one season. It has had its spotlight in the 90's when Oakley's were all the rage but the comeback of the mirrored lens is inevitably short-lived so calm your caramels, Cyclops.

Rayban via neimanmarcus.com

Instead, try some transparent frames in different colors to hide the most serious case of hangovers.

Dior via neimanmarcus.com

Gucci via bergdorfgoodman.com

Don't get me wrong---I am not against trends. In fact, some trends can be so fabulous that they end up coming back for many seasons to come! But if you want your trendy clothes to survive for more than just one season, one must learn how to control when and how often to take that trendy piece out for a spin. Still got a peplum top that you want to wear? Pair it up with some slim cropped pants and single strap heels instead of a skirt and platform pumps to freshen the look. 

Be inventive, you'll never know what you'll come up with.

Toodles!

Feel Good Friday

Hey folks, remember when I cut my Rapunzel hair and donated it for a cancer patient? Well, I just got the acknowledgement letter from Pantene that they've received it! I was feeling a bit down in the dumps today so this definitely lifted my spirits, knowing that someone out there is going to have a moment of happiness just because someone else did something so simple such as cutting off one's hair.

Yes, Mary is really my first name and... then some.

Mind you, I'm not sharing this so I can prance around about being charitable. I want to use this to inspire other people, to realize that giving wholeheartedly is such a selfless act that nourishes the soul, no matter how big or small you perceive the act to be.

Remember, it takes less effort to be good than to be bad.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Toodles!

Sephora: My Stash

Hey, hey, hey it's the weekend and there's no better way to come back from my short hiatus than do some retail therapy at Sephora! *insert googley eyes* I was running low on some stuff and Sephora had this promo of earning 3X points on every purchase (promo ran for about 3 days only) so I happily took advantage of the great offer.

Let's check out my stash for the day:

L-R: Marc Jacobs Beauty Lovemarc Lip Gel, Make Up Forever HD Primer, Make Up Forever Double Ended Sculpting Brush 

Marc Jacobs Beauty Lovemarc Lip Gel in Neo-Noir. I've been experimenting on different types of red hues for my lips and I simply love the rich color of Neo-Noir! The lipstick glides on smoothly and my lips did not dry out after having it on for a couple of hours. This is my first Marc Jacobs cosmetics purchase and I am impressed!

This color is going to be perfect for fall! :)

So excited, I tried it on right after taking a nap. Uhm yeah, I'm really frustrated with my camera 'coz when I tried to take pictures of my lips, the color seems to look PINK instead of like a dark cherry (bad bathroom lighting, I guess). See what I mean? 

I love my messy hair. Ha!

I love how the casing has a built-in magnet by the enclosure so the cover snaps into the body case easily.

Make Up Forever  HD Primer. I think there are about 7 different kinds of HD Primers and I always go for Yellow #6. It says here on the box that it's used to lighten dark complexions and yellowish skin tones. I don't have a dark complexion per se, but I do love the fact that this primer evens out my skin tone before applying foundation.

Make Up Forever Double Ended Sculpting Brush. I badly needed a blush brush and I already have MUFE's Kabuki brush and Foundation brush so I already know it's going to be a reliable product. I love how it has a dual purpose, one side for highlighting/ applying blush and the other side, for sculpting. As if I know how to use a bronzer! Ha! But it's best to be prepared with the right tools, right?

I restocked on my Shiseido Facial Cotton, too. So far, this is the only cotton that doesn't feel abrasive on my face. Ever had some cotton pads that feel rough? This one is so soft that I don't feel like the fibers are going to scratch my face!

I also tried the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue - Escape to Panarea but after some time, I didn't like the scent of it on my skin. So I had to go back to the store and just switched it to the trusty 'ol regular Light Blue instead.

I didn't want to go overboard with just a single purchase, especially for someone who rarely wears make-up so that's about it for me today.

I'm thinking my next lipstick purchase should be in a dark gothic color then I'll shave my head just to freak my boyfriend out. Ha!

Happy Weekend my minions, I'm glad to be back!

Toodles!

Chill Pill

I'm pretty sure everyone's been there. Sleepless nights and weariness, with only the sound of the P.A. system blasting across the hospital rooms and hallways to keep you company. I know I said on the blog's Facebook wall that I'll be M.I.A. for awhile but I couldn't resist to sneak in a little Chill Pill in between taking naps in the hospital. It's all that my brain can muster right now so bear with me as I take a quick hiatus from the blogosphere.

I appreciate everyone's patience and understanding, as you all know that I always like to share my own personal thoughts and experiences in this blog but I cannot expound more on this part of my personal life since it involves the privacy of those who are dearest to me.

For now, here's a list of what I've been listening to, to drown out the beeping and humming of machines and Code Grey's.

Toodles!