MFO's Verdict On: Palmer's Post Natal Firming Lotion

The Product: Palmer's Cocoa Buter Formula Post Natal Firming Lotion

The Promise: This unique formula is specifically designed to restore your body to its natural, original firmness, anytime, even after pregnancy or weight loss. The unique combination of Cocoa Butter, Collagen, Elastin and Shea Butter firms and tones while improving skin elasticity and texture. In addition, Ginseng and Vitamin E help nourish and rejuvenate tired skin. Co Enzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that stimulates sin cells to tone and smooth the skin.

Put to the Test: Meant to be "massaged all over the body twice daily - especially on thighs, legs, stomach and bust" I did as recommended. I especially made sure to focus on my belly, because the skin was wrinkly and so loose, over a month after giving birth. I could grab onto the skin and it would wave and say hello back to me.

Back when I had Berry, my skin was still elastic, so it simply just went back to how it was before I got pregnant. With Xavi, whoever said age ain't nothing but a number, must have been in denial. Because my age was definitely taunting me right on the face, specifically my belly!

Passing the Verdict: In less than two weeks, belly skin tightened considerably to a point that the wrinkles disappeared! I was amazed! While I would not call it taut, it was acceptable. I had to accept the fact that at 35, only exercise would flatten my belly. Fair enough. The flappy, wrinkly look was gone thanks to Palmer's and now it was all up to me to finish the job. I continued using Palmer's Post Natal Firming Lotion until it ran out, and by the time it did, I was pretty happy with the results. I'd call it a wonder product.

Practical Tip: Clinically proven to help increase skin’s firmness in 6 weeks. Patience is a virtue. I also recommend for this to be used immediately after giving birth, for better results. Don't forget that this works for tightening skin after weight loss too.

Price: Php495 for a 250 ml bottle

Point of Sale: Rustan's Department Stores

The Candy Rose

"A candy rose! I want a candy rose, Mommy!", Berry said loudly, enough for everyone outside Vargas Museum to hear.

"What's a candy rose?", I asked. I mean, I figured what it was - a candy shaped like a rose, but couldn't exactly visualize what she meant, seeing no candy nor rose within sight.

"A candy rose! I saw a kid with a candy rose." Berry replied, in a tone that suggested, I should know better.

"Oh, maybe that candy rose is from her boyfriend." I suggested, as I went up to the artist Manny Garibay, because I wanted to ask him about his work. While talking to him, I could still hear Berry going on and on about a candy rose to her Tita Dianne. Until it got so loud, I had to excuse myself and do something about the candy rose. But before that, I asked for a photo with Dada's favorite artist and the artists Borsoto, Lofranco and Justiniani whose works I have only seen, read and heard so much about. I just had to do it. It's like Dada seeing Phoebe Philo with Alexander Wang, Prabal Gurung and Phillip Lim - a photo op is simply a must do. No questions.

From L to R: Lawrence Borsoto, Manny Garibay, Berry & I, Jojo Lofranco and Mark Justiniani.  Some of the hottest names in contemporary art, but Berry is unimpressed. All she wants is a candy rose.

"I want a candy rose, Mommy." Berry started crying now, as she sat on one of the pebbled benches of the museum. 

"Ok, let's look for that kid and ask her mommy where she got the candy rose. Tell me where you found the rose."

Berry pointed at a young couple sitting on the front steps. The "kid" was a young man, who was pretty much done eating what looked like a candy rose.

"Go on and ask him where they got it, Berry." I prodded her. I wanted her to learn to speak up and work towards getting what she wants, rather than whining about it.

But she wouldn't budge. She stood at the top of the steps, looking at the candy rose longingly. So I went up to the young couple and said, "Hi! Somebody wants to ask you a question." With a huge grin on my face.

They looked at me puzzled. And then I pointed at Berry, who by this time, was hiding behind her Tita Dianne.

"Is it about this?" the young man asked, pointing at his candy rose.

Smart guy! He could pick up on our vibe. Or he must have heard Berry talking about a candy rose a zillion times. I nodded and said, "Yes! My daughter has been asking me about it. Where can we get one?" I said in Filipino.

The young woman said her Mom had some and she said she would go and look for one. They stood up and after a few minutes, they came to us with smiles on their faces, and the most perfect candy rose, still wrapped in plastic with a hot pink note card attached to it.

"Oh wow! Look Berry! A candy rose!", I said happily.

The young man handed the candy rose to Berry. But she would not look him in the eye. She stood there frozen, with her hands behind her. Biglang nahiya.

His hands were outstretched for the longest time, but still, he waited for her to accept their present patiently.

"What's your name?" I asked the young woman.

"Nina." she said, with a huge smile. "He's Mike!", referring to her boyfriend.

"Berry, please say thank you to Tita Nina and Tito Mike. They got you the candy rose you wanted." I said.

But she wouldn't budge. Nagpapakipot.

I thankfully accepted the candy rose and handed it to Berry, who by this time had a smile creeping up her lips.

"Thanks so much Nina and Mike!" I called out, as they walked away from us. They waved goodbye and I crouched beside Berry who by now was sitting on the steps, holding her beloved candy rose. Just like what Mike was doing earlier.

She got her Valentine's day wish, thanks to the kindness of sweet strangers.

To Nina and Mike, thanks so much for indulging our kulit Berry! You have made her Berry happy! May you have the sweetest days every day and always. This Valentine's Day post is dedicated to you two! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

The Gruffalo in Manila

Berry and I are going to watch The Gruffalo in Manila, and you ought to take your kids, no, make it the whole family! Because when you buy 3, you get 1 FREE!

The Gruffalo is in town, only from February 15 to 17, 2013.

To get your tickets from TicketWorld, simply click HERE.

PS - I am giving away 2 sets of 2 VIP tickets to my followers on Instagram! Please follow me at @cd_mfo and check out The Gruffalo photo on how to join! Enjoy!

Aesthetic Science for Beauty & Wellness

When my friend Marcie invited me to check out Aesthetic Science, her friend Dr. Yanee Vasquez's dermatology and plastic surgery clinic on Jupiter St. in Makati, it did not take a lot of convincing. After living abroad for years, and then being pregnant my first year in Manila, my skin has never been pricked, prodded and pampered in what seems like forever. Marcie encouraged me to bring friends, so I ended up taking along my mommy friends and head SoMoms - Kris aka OC Mom in Manila and Janice of MommyMundo so they can also experience Aesthetic Science for themselves.

Another thing that really got to me, apart from the idea of finally getting a proper facial after approximately four years, was the thought of asking about getting a ting-sun, because I've always wanted to have a visible double eyelid, ahihihi.

So, over lunch at IMC Kavino next door, Kris, Janice and I got to speak with Dr. Yanee and her associate doctors Dr. Leah and Dr. Jason, where we talked about their clinic, their work and their passion for beauty, health and total wellness.

What I love about them is that they are just not about "outer beauty". Dr. Yanee is a devout yoga practitioner and she also practices Reiki healing.  Dr. Jason specializes in Digestive Cleansing. Both agree that while they help their patients achieve their "beauty goals", they also make sure that their patients don't go overboard and get addicted to plastic surgery. They always stress on the importance of loving and accepting one's self. That beauty procedures are ok, if you are realistic with your expectations. But, it will never be a guarantee of one's happiness if you are unhappy with yourself to start with. Heavy, pare.

Thankfully, I am happy with the face God gave me. I wish I looked better, but I can live with it, hahaha. So, I just opted to have a glycolic acid cleansing + diamond peel.

Feeling pampered and cozy prior to getting my face pricked and cleansed

OMG. It was such a great facial, I really felt my skin was totally cleansed to kingdom come. My aesthetician Jen had really nimble and gentle hands so it didn't feel like torture. Yes, despite the prickly feel of the glycolic acid (it's like rubbing calamansi on your face ha). I walked out of the clinic my face all red from the pricks and peel, which soon disappeared in an hour or so. Truly a  "lunch time facial" - procedure was done in 45 minutes, then I was back to normal activities like nothing happened, save for the temporary redness.

The great news incidentally, was that years of using a Clarisonic brush and over half a year into the no water cleansing routine, the aesthetician said I had pretty good skin, considering my last proper facial (excluding the Clarins ones I had while pregnant, which did not involve pricking) was uhm, 4 years ago. Yes, 4 long years.

Due to time constraints, since we scheduled a trip out of town that day, I ended up just getting the glycolic acid cleansing and will just try the full on treatment with diamond peel next time. I am also planning to go back for wart removal (remnants from my last pregnancy), and then maybe get my brown freckles zapped.  Then maybe, just maybe, I will get those double eyelids I've always dreamed of. Heeheehee. 

For inquiries contact:
Telephone No.: 809-8021/899-3643
Website: www.aestheticscienceclinic.com
E-mail: aestheticscienceclinic@yahoo.com

Aesthetic Science Alabang
Ground Floor of the Kennedy Center
Prime cor. Venture Sts. Madrigal Business Park
Muntinlupa City
8098021 / 09178082921

Aesthetic Science Makati
Ground Floor, Jupiter Place
Jupiter St., Bel-air Makati City
8993643 / 09178082926

The Art of Wardrobe Building: The Personal Uniform

Extra pair please! (Parang extra rice lang). My shoe closet essentials (clockwise from top L-R): Lanvin flats, Louboutin Simple 85 pumps, Anthology oxfords, Sperry Top-siders, Isabel Marant Merry sandals

Years ago, back when I was still in high school, I remember Armida Siguion-Reyna saying that when she liked something, she'd buy it in all colors.

At the time, I was like, "How boring! Why get so many of one thing?" Because when you are in your teens, all you care about is variety, diversity, assortment! I have to NOT repeat an outfit, can't be seen wearing the same thing in one month!

But when I hit my 30s, I realized, Armida is sheer genius. Because, when you find something that works for you, it just makes sense to have a back-up, and if you are lucky enough to afford doubles or multiples - so much the better.

That brings me back to the concept of a uniform. If you wore uniforms back in high school, you'd know that you'd have 5 of the same, exact thing. Dressing up in the morning was easy. The only way to spice it up was if you accessorized - i.e. wore St. Michael knit socks and Bass/Cole Haan loafers (this was the early 90s ok, heehee).

So, over a decade after graduating from high school, eeep, make that two decades, I'm back to having a uniform. While I don't necessarily have multiples of the same thing, I buy things I like in at least two colors (I haven't reached Armida levelz yet, then again, I like sticking to neutrals). I keep on going to the same stores. I actually don't mind being seen wearing the same thing over and over, as long as it works for me and my lifestyle.  It makes dressing up each day brainless, and I guess, effortless.

Here's what basically makes up my personal uniform:

Bottoms:

J Brand skinny jeans

Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans

J. Crew trousers

J. Crew shorts

leggings

slouchy printed trousers

Tops:

Uniqlo, Old Navy, A.P.C. button down shirts

A.P.C., Saint James & Petit Bateau Breton shirts

Equipment, Madewell silk shirts

slouchy t-shirts

H&M tunic tops

Dresses:

A.P.C. tunic dresses

Ali Ro jersey dresses

shift dresses

Shoes:

ballet flats & sandals

oxfords

round toe pumps

wedge sandals
sneaker wedge

Outerwear (now rarely used):

Army jacket

Army parka

Navy blazer w/ gold buttons

Grey blazer

Black blazers

While I may have a trendy piece or two thrown into the mix, these are the pieces that are on constant rotation and I just wear these pieces interchangeably. While I don't have a lot of clothes, my wardrobe is complete. Then again, I care more about what's functional and practical now. And like I said, I don't care if I'm seen wearing the same pieces over and over. It just has to be repeated, haha.

Yes, my high school self would find my 36 year old self boring. But I know what I'm gonna tell that little runt - "Wait until you have an energetic toddler and a 6 month old that needs to be breastfed every 2 hours!"

How about you? Do you like the idea of a personal uniform? Better yet, what's your personal uniform like?