Marketplace Now on Honestbee

I am a huge fan of honestbee. HUGE! Their roster of partner merchants, the sheer convenience and efficiency of their ordering and payment process put honestbee in my top choice of online service for food and grocery deliveries.

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Mom-Finds: A Few of My (current) Favorite Things, 2

Fourth Friday of the month:  Freestyle Friday / Finds / Shopping

It's not supposed to be Mom-Finds yet coz there are 5 Fridays this month, and the last Friday is the 30th.  Today should be Freestyle Friday, anything goes.  But next week is a special day, it's my wedding anniversary, so I think I want to blog something different for that day.  Anyhow, since it's anything goes, I am doing this compilation of good finds again, just like what I did here the first time.

I have discovered and received so many wonderful products over the past few months and they all deserve to be shared here.  These four stood out.  So, without further ado, in no particular order, here are a few of my current favorite things:

PALMER'S - Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Oil
When I attended a talk on skin care and pregnancy by Palmer's some months back, I received this wonderful gift from Rustan's.  I've been using this all over my body for three months now, after every bath, and I swear by this product!

I needed to change to more intensive moisturizing cleansers and creams so I found this light oil more effective to soothe my dry, and sometimes scaly and itchy, skin.  The Skin Therapy Oil is available locally through Rustan's for less than PhP700.  What makes this so special?

• Advanced multi-purpose skin perfection product for the body and face!
• Preservative-free, phthalate-free
• Non-greasy, non-staining, lightweight formula
• With Vitamin E and mild rosehip fragrance
• Formulated to help improve appearance of scars, stretch marks, dry and damaged skin, uneven skin tone, aging skin, fine lines and wrinkles

My skin really looks and feels instantly soft and smooth.  Same goes for their rich Olive Butter Formula Concentrated Cream which I use specifically on my elbows, knees, and heels after I slather on the Skin Therapy Oil.  That's double moisturizing for me! :)   I am a Palmer's fan every since I was pregnant with my eldest (that was almost 10 years ago) and even ordered a their Firming Lotion from abroad.  I'm glad Palmer's added products that are not just for pregnancy skin care.

TOPSHOP - Studded Black Ballerina Flats

I've been buying ballet flats for as long as I can remember.  I am taller that your average Filipino so I'm cool with flats. This latest trend with studs on accessories and bags have found their way on these ultra soft black pair from TopShop.  It's also available in cream.  I posted that shot on Instagram soon after I bought it from the store.  It was the last pair in my size.  I guess it's meant to be mine! =)

PhP 1,800+

Full soles are stitched all around, and the whole shoe is as light as you can imagine.  You won't feel there are studs attached on it.  There's no arch support and foot padding though, so it's not ideal for hours of walking.  But I can wear them everyday with my usual rounds.

SHU UEMURA - Rouge Unlimited Lipstick BR790

I love red lipsticks.  It's all I need to instantly brighten up my face, enough for me not to put on any other makeup on top of face powder.  When I was still working, I had several shades from brights to darks tones.  After I stopped working, I've been used to just wearing lip shimmers everyday.  It's been more than a decade since I bought a good red lipstick!  It's about time I get one.

With rave reviews from friends, Shu Uemura was the logical choice for me.  I finally got to try the different shades and decided on this deep brown-red color.  I decided on Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited in BR790.  It's rich and high-pigment colour and double moisture system truly delivers with long-lasting color on my lips the whole day, without drying and flaking.  It actually lends a deeper color than what you see on the photo above.  I'm acidic so it eventually turns brighter.  If I don't feel like wearing it dark, I just press my lips on a tissue for a more muted shade (right photo).

PhP 1,195

BIG BAG THEORY - Market Bag
"Dark blue denim; sage green water-proof lining with inner pocket; vegetable-tanned tooling leather handle; antique rivets" -- this is how my friend from the Big Bag Theory describes this giant tote they recently launched.

As soon as I got it, I posted this shot on Facebook via Instagram and did not expect to receive so many likes and comments!  I called it the "reincarnation of the bayong" - a native Filipino market bag made of woven buri leaves. This roomy carry-all tote is made with durable denim and water-proof lining -- practical, finely crafted, very eco-chic.

PhP 990

I've been using it to hold all sorts of stuff -- from food to clothes, party materials, to toys.
Just to illustrate how big this is, take a look at the market bag's proportion to the objects (and kid!) below.

They have more lining colors to choose from.  Order your own market bag from Big Bag Theory.

See A Few of My (current) Favorite Things - 2nd Quarter

All of these things can be nice Christmas presents for the ladies too! 
Care to share your current finds?

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Born Free with Human Nature Baby Care

Babies are life’s miracles filled with innocence, love, and joy. But, do you know that some ingredients found in baby products and baby food have actually been linked to asthma, reproductive disorder and more? At this early point in a baby’s life, their immune systems are at their most vulnerable stage, so it’s important to know what you are feeding them and putting on their bodies. - Human Nature

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Longchamp Handbag Surprise

My reluctant Christmas gift:  Longchamp LM Metal Handbag from Citibank Rustan's Card.

Longchamp LM Handbag in steel color (12"w x 11"h x 8"d) - photo from Longchamp website

When I read about this special offer in the papers last October, I so wanted to apply for a new credit card only for the free Longchamp LM Handbag. I like freebies! My friend Tina even blogged about it. But after checking the how-to's, I lost interest and just kinda forgot all about it. Then, when I attended the Ultimate Taste Test event last month, I was approached by a Citibank agent who offered me the promo. To make the long story short, the agent facilitated my application and finally, a week before Christmas, my welcome package arrived!

I am now a Citibank Rustan's Gold Card holder and a proud owner of a new steel-colored Longchamp LM tote.

Half of me was wishing I got the bag for free. But to tell you the truth, I was really not expecting to receive a Platinum card, which entitles new cardholders to a Free handbag. With the Gold card, the Longchamp bag can be availed at 60% off -- still an awesome deal, with 12 months to pay at 0% interest! So off I went to Rustan's, claimed this designer bag and charged it to my new gold card at only P288.33 (monthly installment for P3,460, from P8,650 list price). Hubby and I did not plan on getting anything for ourselves this year. But this came just in time, so I'll consider this my Christmas gift. ;)

List price from Rustan's @ P8,650

I stand corrected. I assumed, this being a "promo" bag, it will be in a small size. This LM bag actually is quite large -- very roomy, lightweight, and a practical everyday tote bag, with an 18-inch zip-top opening and flat inside pocket.

There are no compartments though, so I placed a bag organizer to house all my stuff, and there's still enough room for my dSLR! :))) Happiness!

'

You too can still get your own limited-edition Longchamp LM tote with an approved application by Jan. 31, 2011! Here's how: Citibank Rustan's Card.

Longchamp (pron.: long-shum)
LM Metal Handbag
Zip-top closure with leather flap snap and cowhide leather straps
In 2008, for its 60th birthday, Longchamp relaunched this line from the early 70s. LM stands for Longchamp Maroquinerie (leather goods).
Made in France

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it! Get instant updates: My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow @mymomfriday on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again! (Comments with links will automatically be flagged by Disqus.)

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