Category Archives: Online Store Reviews / Features

Unboxing: Glamourbox for February 2013

As you might already know, this is my second month with Glamourbox. I posted a quick review of the contents of the January 2013 Glamourbox and I’ll be doing this every month to let you in on what’s inside their monthly box. For the Glamourbox February 2013, if you’d think there are makeup items included in the box, you’ll be disappointed.

Unboxing Glamourbox February 2013 - the contents

That’s exactly how I felt when I saw the contents of this month’s Glamourbox. I guess I had high expectations, so when I quickly went through the contents of their February box, my excitement turned to letdown.

As I carefully checked each item, I kept on reminding myself that the point of my subscription to their beauty box is to try out products I won’t normally buy or be interested in. Considering the amount of products in this box that I won’t actually be using, I wasn’t happy.

The contents of Glamourbox February 2013 box

HOWEVER, let me just say this: your reaction towards the contents of this month’s box may be completely different from mine. Why? Because we differ in needs and preferences. I just don’t find many of the items this month personally useful.

This month’s theme is Romantic Beauty:

Glamourbox February 2013 Theme - Romantic Beauty

I was looking forward to the February box because I really thought the romantic theme of the month will mean we’ll receive at least one makeup item. *sigh* Anyway, without further ado, check out what’s inside this month’s box, starting off with those that I didn’t like:

Glamourbox January Box : First for 2013!

Ever since I saw Ipsy‘s beauty subscription box (by Michelle Phan), I wished we had something like it here – a way for ladies to sample various beauty products, including the ones we won’t usually be interested in trying, in a sort of inexpensive way. When beauty curation boxes started launching here, I was ecstatic! However, only one extremely piqued my interest – Glamourbox.

Glamourbox - the best beauty subscription box to-date

I was tempted to try out the other subscription boxes – SaladBox and BDJ Box – but I decided to hold off on spending my money on them ’cause I wanted a few months to pass by to see the kinds of products they’ll include in their boxes. None of them excited me as much as Glamourbox did, so last December, after trying for a month to subscribe and religiously checking their Facebook page, Twitter and website, I finally got to subscribe.

Glamourbox is a beauty venture by Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2006 winner and international model Lia Andrea Ramos and her founding team. So far, they’ve impressed me with what they have offered to their subscribers the past months and upon careful consideration, I believe that they’re the only beauty box that can keep up with the hype and actually deliver.

Though Glamourbox is the most expensive beauty subscription box at Php 595 per month, from all the reviews I’ve seen, they give out unique and even full size items that are worth more than what you paid for. This is why I don’t see myself subscribing to the other boxes unless they start including products that are not easily purchased at the grocery store or health and beauty section of supermarkets. We’ll see if I’ll change my mind in the coming months though.

Now, on to what’s inside for the first month of 2013!!

Contents of January 2013 Glamourbox

Glamourbox January 2013 Box

Since this is my first box from them, let me share with you what I think of the total package. I’m glad they’re using very sturdy boxes. I’m a sucker for recyclable boxes (my bro calls it my hoarder side), so I’m giving Glamourbox props for this. They sent my box through Xend Express and I don’t see any problems with the products I received.

Unboxing of Glamourbox box - photos

The box itself was enclosed in another box, then wrapped in plastic too. Every month, they have a theme. And for January 2013, as expected, it’s “Beauty Resolutions”

Glamourbox January 2013 Theme - Beauty Resolutions

Walmart Black Friday 2012 Ad and Best Deals

The much-awaited Walmart Black Friday 2012 Ad has been released and I’m sure shoppers are quite excited about the deals they are offering this year. Their ad has 45 pages of deals and they’re divided into 3 sections, one for each event starting the night of Thanksgiving.

Walmart Black Friday 2012 Ad and Deals

Judging from just the first page of the Walmart Black Friday ad above, you’d know shoppers are in for really huge discounts.

Walmart Shopping Events Schedules

Walmart has divided their Black Friday shopping spree into 3 events. This may help avoid long lines and frustrations when shopping. Make sure you take note on when the offers or deals can be availed so you won’t waste your time.

Event 1 : Family Specials

Starts on November 22, 2012 – Thanksgiving – 8pm.
They’ll be offering discounts and specials on toys, bikes, DVDs, etc.
This is a perfect after-Thanksgiving dinner celebration, don’t you think? I wouldn’t recommend bringing your kids though.

Event 2 : Gadget Deals

Starts on November 22, 2012 – Thanksgiving – 10pm
One-hour in-stock guaranteeof 3 of their most popular items:
1. Apple iPad 2 for with Wi-Fi plus a $75 Walmart gift card for $399
2. Emerson 32-inch LCD TV for $148
3. LG Blu-ray player for $38

Event 3 : Black Friday deals (Electronics, clothes, jewelry, etc)

Starts on November 23, 2012 – Black Friday – 5am

Make sure you also check the Walmart Toyland Wish Book 2012 for great deals on toys too, including Barbie and Bratz dolls and dollhouses, LEGO and Mega Bloks, Play-Doh, Crayola, and action figures (Spiderman, Batman, Transformers, etc). Not only that, you can even find huge discounts on Nintendo 3DS game systems, Nintendo Wii and board games.

NOTE: Most of the Walmart Black Friday deals this year are offered online, so make sure you check that when doing your research for the best prices.

Walmart 2012 Black Friday Best Deals

Here are just some of the best Black Friday deals Walmart is offering this year:

HP 15.6” Laptop with 4GB RAM, 320GB hard drive – $279
Vizio 60” LED Smart TV with WiFi – $688 (savings of $310!)
Nintendo DSi XL Console – $99.96
Nintendo Wii Console – $89 (special buy)
XBOX 360 games – from $10 to $25
Blu-ray DVDs – from $1.96 to $9.96
Bikes – from $25 to $69
Paula Deen 23-piece Non-stick Cookware Set – $99
Mobile and smartphones – from $39 to $129 (Apple, Samsung, etc)
Samsung 50” 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV – $698 (save $300!)

See the complete Walmart 2012 Black Friday ad.

Happy Black Friday 2012 shopping!

Working Out at Home

I’ve talked about losing weight many, many times in the past year, and so far, I think I gained more weight when I tried to go on a diet. After checking my weight last month, I firmly decided I need a complete lifestyle change.

Since I’m a food writer / blogger (Certified Foodies) and I have a passionate love for anything and everything about food, I know that going on a restrictive diet will NEVER work for me. I need DISCIPLINE more than anything else to successfully lose weight.

Our weighing scale screams HELP! Those are not my feet, by the way.

My parents are also getting older. It’s embarrassing to admit that in our family, no one even barely exercise anymore. This is not good. My nanay has complained of arthritis and pains on her legs. So, you see, we badly need to exercise.

Since I know, based on my past attempts, that I won’t be successful if I go to a gym, I decided to buy us our own gym equipment. And thank goodness I found an online store through Sulit (see below) that sells heavy-duty gym equipment / machines in almost ridiculously low prices than when you buy them at the mall or sports stores.

cheapest gym equipment, treadmill for sale, stationary bike, bench

easymoneyonline.sulit.com.ph – Saturday, September 10, 2011

I recommend you contact ATR Sports Supplies and don’t go to their store anymore. When we did, there was no machine or equipment present. We thought they have like a store display or something. Anyway, they accept cash on delivery in case you’re doubtful about transacting with them. Ask for Abby or Duane.

ATR Sports Supplies' Elliptical Bike Trainer

We chose the Body Kinetix Magnetic Elliptical Bike Trainer. The delivery guy, who I think was named Joseph (my memory fails me now), came in and assembled the whole elliptical bike trainer right in front of me… with no guide.

When I inquired the first time, I was told that there’ll be a Php 200 delivery charge to our home in Malabon. But, when Joseph came, he said that it’s all for free. I gave him the amount as tip anyway. I’m also well aware of the distance from their store to our home, so might as well give them a tip for gas too, right?

The reason I went for this magnetic elliptical bike trainer is because it uses magnets to give you the resistance you want. That means you get a much better workout from it. Also, the whole body of the bike is made of heavy-duty metal.

Body Kinetix elliptical bike trainer

They have other gym equipment there. But, for now, I think I’m satisfied with this one. We’re buying dumbbells too and exercise mat so I can focus on forcing my nanay and bro to work out with me.

Yeah, some may say that buying your own gym equipment at home won’t really work ’cause it’s conveniently accessible. I find that reasoning illogical, to be honest. All I can say is if you’re too lazy to work out at home even with all the equipment you have, how much more disinclined would you be to go to an actual gym? Well, unless you have other reasons for being there, if you get my drift. If you’re unsure that this will just collect dust at home, then, it’s your attitude towards exercise that needs changing.