The Pollyanna Fille

My love for traveling, shopping, food, & anything in between. For inquiry, collaboration, and sponsorship send me an email: [email protected] <3

[yangcruz-blog]

Meow,

First makeup ‘tutorial’!!! Both rough in editing, and makeup skills. But please support by subscribing to my channel, and liking the video.

Will do my best to improve in any way possible. I am honestly new in making makeup videos, and I see my flaws. <3

You got to start somewhere, right?

[yangcruz-blog]

Foundation: FitMe Liquid Matte Foundation in “Natural Buff”

Color Corrector: L.A. Girl in “Green” and “Orange”

Concealer: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind

Eyebrows: ColourPop Brow Colour in Bangin’ Brunette and Chella in “Clear”

Eyeshadow: Kylie Cosmetics in Bronze Palette

Eyeliner: Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner in Black

Eyelashes: Lash Lab in Karla High End Silk

Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Powder 

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola Liquid Bronzer and FitMe Foundation Powder in “Toffee”

Highlighter: Laura Geller in “Gilded Honey”

Blush: Makeup Revolution Blush Palette in “Goddess”

Lips: ColourPop Ultra Matte in “Time Square” and “Calypso”

Setting Spray: Milani Make it Last Setting Spray

[yangcruz-blog]

#ClayYourWay: L’oreal Pure Clay Mask

It’s Time To #ClayYourWay with L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Mask

From dry to oily down to combination skin – no matter what your skin type is, you can now multimask in just 10 minutes as the clay mask trend has finally arrived in the Philippines!

Manila, 2017

– Beauty mavens have been raving about this skincare trend that is taking all over the world. From the shelves of every drug store in the US to every beauty store sprawling the streets of South Korea, clay mask has made it to the skincare regimen of women. Now, it’s time for Filipinas to get their hands on this most-talked about skincare trend through the

L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Mask!

From the world’s leading skin care brand, the Pure Clay Mask is a potent in-jar mask formulation that helps address different skin problems. It comes in four variants, each made with natural pure clay with botanical extracts allowing you to #ClayYourWay to a more revitalized and nourished skin.

Get ready to learn more about L’Oréal Paris’ Pure Clay Masks and step up your skincare game with these variations:

  L’Oréal Pure Clay Mask Illuminating

Made with British Kaolin Clay, the face is gently cleansed to achieve soft, radiant skin and with lemongrass extract and exfoliating beads, skin is instantly renewed.

L’Oréal Pure Clay Mask Anti-Pores

With Moroccan Lava Clay, skin is softened and dead cells are eliminated which obstructs pores and regulates sebum secretion. Infused with rosemary extract, skin is also purified.

L’Oréal Pure Clay Mask Hydration

With mineral-rich Bentonite Clay, dirt is removed gently from skin and infused with Lemon Balm essential oil and hydrating essence, skin is intensely hydrated. Now you can achieve the best results by masking and multimasking in just 10 minutes which serves as your solution for deep cleansing with an instant detox! They key to addressing multiple skincare problems is to choose the right Pure Clay Mask variations!

Here’s a quick guide on how you can #ClayYourWay to multimasking:

Get ready to #ClayYourWay with your own L’Oréal Paris Pure Clay Masks which is exclusively available in Lazada at P399 only. Get yours now at  #ClayYourWay!

[yangcruz-blog]

What to Eat in Dotonbori?

Meow,

I’ll be writing blog posts about Japan for maybe 3 weeks? LOL There are too much to share with you guys. This post is solely about the best food I tried when I visited Dotonbori.

Where is Dotonbori?

Address: Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 542-0071, Japan

Familiar with the Running Man billboard? Dotonbori is probably the most popular tourist destination in Osaka, Japan. You can find a lot of shops from high-end to drugstores, but what’s more exciting is the variety of food you can find in one street alone. Almost everything is open 24/7!

Takoyaki

Price: 600 YEN | 270 PHP | 5.46 USD

It’s seriously in every corner of Dotonbori, probably anywhere in Japan because it originated there! So a lot of vendors know how to perfectly make a melt-in-your-mouth Takoyaki. But the best stall to buy these is the one closest to the river next to Ichiran (famous Ramen restaurant), easy to see because of the never ending line of people. If you don’t want to wait in line, like what I have said, there are tons of stall that sells Takoyaki. Just look for the huge octopus signage, and you’ll find it.

They constantly cooking it, so you’re most likely to get a fresh and hot Takoyoki. Be careful though, I burnt my tongue the first time I ate it LOL.

Ramen

Price: 850 YEN | 382.5 PHP | 7.74 USD

Ichiran is definitely a must-try when you’re in Dotonbori. The long wait is worth-it once you slurp the tastiest ramen ever! While waiting in line, they will give you a sheet of paper where you modify your ramen based on your preference; flavor of the soup, texture of the noodles, toppings, and you can even make it spicy. The 850 YEN is only for the ramen, pay extra if you want extra toppings.

Once you get inside, a usual vending machine will welcome you. You must pay for your ramen, plus any additional toppings. Present the sheet of paper once you are seated. The setup of the seating is stall seating, you can either close the side panel if you want to savor the moment by yourself or open it to interact with your friend/s.

My ramen order: thick broth, green onions, garlic, mild (spicy), medium (noodles), pork. = 850 YEN

Additional: hard-boiled egg and pork = more or less 400 YEN

If you want to take home this goodie, they are selling instant ramen good for 5 servings for only 1000 YEN. It won’t taste the same for sure, but at least you can take it home with you.

Sushi

Price: Starting from 100 YEN | 45 PHP | 0.91 USD

Look how red and plump this tuna is! I am drooling right now! You will definitely find a lot of sushi bar anywhere in Japan, this specific restaurant is cheap and sushi are really good.

Daikisuisan has what they call in Japan sushi-go-round or basically rotating sushi bar, which adds to the dining experience. They have a lot of options in the bar, plus you can order by the menu because they have some sushi that needs to be freshly made.

Charcoal Grilled Crab Legs

Price: 900 YEN | 405 PHP | 8.19 USD

Charcoal grilled king crabs are huge, and a little expensive for “street food”. I honestly would recommend you to try it, it’s so meaty and you can taste the freshness of the meat. But I also would like to let you know that you can probably get the same stuff here in the Philippines.

People still do queue in line to taste this, and the stall is easy to find because of the huge crab signage and number of people. Also, based on my research they usually ran out of stock so if you’re planning to try it, be sure to be early.

Kobe Beef

Price: 2,500 YEN | 1,125 PHP | 22.75 USD

Okay, the crab is not the most expensive but the Kobe Beef. They have it as well in stalls so you don’t need to sit down in a fancy restaurant. Though it is expensive for a portion of steak, it is a must-try melt-in-your-mouth goodness!

Such a bummer that I wasn’t able to take a picture while it was being prepared in a flat top in front of me. They cook the beef in a flat top, and use an actual beef fat to use as oil so you’re getting the pure flavor of the beef.

Green Tea Ice Cream

Price: 300 YEN | 135 PHP | 2.73

So huge, inexpensive and worth-it! If you love green-tea, this is a must on your list. You’ll see a lot of green tea ice cream anywhere, and most likely taste the same. We tried a couple of ice cream stall, and every single one of them tastes very good.

Another quick option is Haagen Dazs Green Tea Ice Cream which is only available in Japan, don’t miss the opportunity to try it! It’s available in any convenience store, and even vending machine on the streets.

Also make sure to try Lavender and White Peach flavored ice cream when you see one! They are equally great as the Green Tea.

Melon Pan Ice Cream

Price: 400 YEN | 180 PHP | 3.64 USD

Melon pan is soft from the inside, crispy on the outside. What makes it really good is it’s freshly baked when you order it, and you can pick what flavor of ice cream you want. You need to eat it as fast as you can, like what I have said bread is fresh, so hot it’ll melt the ice cream in second.

Melon pan is not a melon flavored bread, it got the name because it looks like a melon fruit.

A lot to try with a limited time? Order one serving of each and share it with your friends. After trying a little bit of everything you’ll eventually feel full! The only food that we didn’t share are ramen and sushi!

Did I miss anything? Let me know so I can try it next time.

[yangcruz-blog]

Meow, 

I made a short video that sums up my recent trip; includes food that I loved, and tourist destination you might want to check out on your trip to Japan. 

This is actually my first video on YouTube! Please watch, and subscribe. <3

[yangcruz-blog]

Japan Beauty Haul + Tips

Meow,

I just got back from Japan, and boy, I got a full suitcase of beauty products! I actually didn’t plan on buying such stuff, but when we were roaming around the streets, I saw the Kanebo Evita Beauty Whip Facial Soap (a cute facial soap that got popular way back 2015? because the foam forms a flower when squeezed out of the can). I immediately tried it, and it literally made my skin soft after one wash. So I decided to make a research for Japan Beauty Product Must-Buy and returned to the same drugstore where I found Kanebo Evita. Kokuminn Drugstore is located at the strip of Dotonbori in Osaka, there are actually tons of drugstore in Japan, and you’re most likely to find all these product anywhere.

This post is just to show you what items I bought based on my research which probably you’ve seen as well. I will be posting a review once I tried it specially the beauty products, give me at least 4-6 weeks so I will be able to give you an honest feedback. Let’s begin!

Conversion as of 06/06/17:

1 YEN = 0.45 PHP

1 YEN = 0.0091 USD

Senka Prefect Whip

Price: 372 YEN | 167.4 PHP | 3.39 USD

This is the most talked about facial wash available in Japan. Due to its popularity most drugstore limit the purchase to 3pcs/person only. Although it is from Shiseido, the product is pretty cheap. Perfect Whip claims to give you smooth, moisturized face. Plus, it’ll last you forever since you only need a pea-sized amount to make a foam.

Evita Beauty Whip Soap

Price:1296 YEN | 583.2 PHP | 11.79 USD

I bought one because its cute! After taking a video for my IG and Snapchat Story, I tried the product. I am not exaggerating, but it made my skin soft after one try! So, I decided to buy more. LOL. My skin lately is too dry, and this product helped to retain moisture because of the sodium hyaluronate. Evita Beauty Whip main purpose is anti-aging, I am definitely not old, but it’s never too early to incorporate anti-aging products.

Cow Beauty Soap

Price: 210 YEN | 94.5 PHP | 1.91 USD

This product price got me confused, I thought the whole pack that contains 3 soap is 210 YEN, but it looks like 1 package is 630 YEN. Nonetheless, it is still cheap! The main ingredients are milk and milk fat, which helps moisturize skin, and it said to be an effective whitening soap. I actually bought these as pasalubong, and my mom decided to keep some for herself. So she will be the judge on the effectiveness of this product.

Muji Light Toning Water and Moisturizing Lotion

Price: 700 YEN | 315 PHP | 6.37 USD

The minimal design of these products made it look expensive. You can buy it individually or like the photo above by set, which I thought will be cheaper but it is not, and still 700 YEN each. These high moisture products goes side by side: after washing your face, use the toner to balance the pH on your face then apply the moisturizing lotion. Even though the title is lotion, it is totally fine to use it on your face. Light Toning Water will help lock in the Moisturizing Lotion, thus leaving your face glowing and soft.

Based on my research, it is solely sold to Muji and 711 stores in Japan. But I found these precious gems in FamilyMart; a different convenience store.

SANA Namerakahonpo Moisture Lotion

Price: 740 YEN | 333 PHP | 6.73 USD

Moisturizing Lotion, that has Isoflavones from fermented soymilk, is a perfect punch of moisture. It is a moisturizer that won’t leave your face greasy, plus it’s scent-free!

Kikumasamune Nihonshu Skin Emulsion

Price: 554 YEN | 249.3 PHP | 5.04 USD

Nihonshu a.k.a Sake, meaning this skin emulsion has sake in it! Sake contains amino acids that are said to be an effective moisturizer, and it can help even out the skin-tone. It has a watery texture that can be used on the face and body, I bought this to use it as a regular body lotion.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel

Price: 2,700 YEN | 1,215 PHP | 24.57 USD

This I believe is the most expensive product in this haul. After reading positive reviews, plus I discovered that this is the # 1 exfoliator in Japan; selling 1 bottle every 12 seconds. Since I am not sure when I will return in Japan, I decided to buy this and try it asap. Though on the label it is described as gel, the texture is actually watery. 

Apply this on your dry clean face, and start massage. After a minute or so, you’ll notice white residue. Some say it’s the product just drying, some say it’s your dead skin. 

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

Price: 753 YEN | 338.85 PHP | 6.85 USD

A lot of people hate using sunscreen on their face with makeup since it leaves a dreaded white cast. Don’t fret! Biore UV Aqua Rich is different, it’s obviously “watery”, unlike the usual thick sunblock with the usual sunscreen smell. This is perfect for people who wears makeup, you won’t be smelling like you’re at the beach (which is a great smell, but not when you’re not actually at the beach), it won’t leave any white cast, and also helps moisturize the skin.

LuLuLun Face Mask

Price: 372 YEN | 167.4 PHP | 3.39 USD

Probably the most famous face mask in Japan, because of its effectiveness and price. It comes in a ziplock baggie that has 7 masks, or a box that has 32-42 masks. The original line has 3 categories, pink: moisture balance, blue: high moisture, white: brightening. Unlike other face mask, it is recommended to use it every single day.

Kose Clear Turn Babyish Deep Moisture Mask

Price: 300 YEN | 135 PHP | 2.73 USD

Like the LuLuLun Mask, it comes in a baggie with 7 masks. This brand also have 3 categories, pink: moisturizing type, yellow: plumping type, white: whitening type. Kose Clear Turn claims that the product has Virgin Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, and Baobab Oil, making your skin smooth like a baby!

Matsu-kiyo Eye Patch

Price: 380 YEN | 171 PHP | 3.46 USD

An eye patch you can only buy in Matsumoto KiYoshi; probably the largest drugstore in Japan. It contains 10 pairs, that can be used overnight. It claims to reduce fine lines under the eyes, keeping it hydrated overnight.

This product is not popular in “Must-Buy” category, but my under-eye needs attention too! LOL

Shiseido Medicated Baby Powder

Price: 350 YEN | 157.5 PHP | 3.19 USD

A translucent powder perfect for keeping your face oil-free, and helps set your make-up in place. Its original purpose is to help baby with rashes, or babies that are allergic to regular baby powder. That being said, the product is mild and perfect for people that has sensitive skin.

CanMake Marshmallow Finish Powder and Translucent Powder 

Price: 940 YEN/1,015 YEN | 423 PHP/456.75 PHP | 8.56 USD/9.24 USD respectively

Marshmallow Finish Powder claims to conceal pores and uneven skin tone with matte finish. It also has beautifying agents to prevent skin from drying, agents like: moisturizing, toning, and emollient. This product has 2 shades; MO Matte Ochre: a shade that makes your skin brighter, and MB Matte Beige Ochre: a shade that quickly and easily blends on your skin.

While the Transparent Finish Powder is somewhat a dewy pearl finish. It claims the similar benefit as the marshmallow. It has 3 shades; PN Pearl Natural:  Contains fine pearl particles that create softly lustrous skin, brimming with translucence. Purple pearl particles enhance translucence, PL Pearl Lavender:  Banish dullness with this lavender infused with gold pearl, which blends in well with your skin, and lastly PP Pearl Pink:  With pink gold and warm color pearl, which give your skin rosy-look.

CanMake Stay-On Balm Rogue

Price: 580 YEN | 261 PHP | 5.28 USD

This specific product line has 13 shades in total. I originally bought one in T02 Happy Tulip shade, and after trying it actually moisturized my lips all day with a hint of natural pink color! I decided to buy the other T-series, T01 Little Anemone and T03 Ruby Carnation. T-series only has 3 shades, the difference with the regular shades is that T-series said to be long-lasting tinted type.

DHC Lip Cream

Price: 498 YEN | 224.1 PHP | 4.53 USD

Another great product! Although the packaging said it’s lip cream, it is actually a normal lip balm. What makes it different? It lasts forever on your lips LOL. I tried it overnight, the next day I woke up my lips still feels moisturized (I normally sleep with pillow on top of my face too!). This may look unappealing, but definitely a must-buy!

CanMake Lip Tint Jam

Price: 650 YEN | 292.5 PHP | 5.92 USD

A jam-like texture lip tint that claims to last long even after eating! I love any lip product that stays forever on my lips, and that’s the first reason why I bought this. The second one is obviously because it’s from CanMake! It has 3 shades; 01 Cherry Jam, 02 Mango Jam, 03 Plum Jam. 

Don’t worry if you want to try any product/s from CanMake, we have it available here in the Philippines! 

Kiss Me Heroine Make Mascara

Price: 1000 YEN | 450 PHP | 9.1 USD

It has a lot of positive reviews, and do the job it claims. It said to be waterproof and smudge proof which is actually perfect for the Philippine weather. I barely go out without eyelash extension, but maybe with this i’ll do otherwise.

Tips:

Do your research and have a photo ready in case you can’t find what you’re looking for yourself. Most saleslady in Japan can’t speak English so it’s easier if you have photos with you.

If you’re not sure on what to buy, look for stickers that has Cosme, it means that the product was awarded the best in its category.

Japan has a lot of tax-free shop. Be at a look-out for signage, and always inform the cashier to remove the taxes on your total purchase (a total of 8%). Remember, tax-free only applies for a total purchase of at least 5,400-5,500 YEN depending on the store. Plus you need to show your passport.

Most drugstores and malls accept international cards, but most restaurants only accept cash.

Download Google Translate or any translator app, it can actually translate the writings to your preferred language by just taking a picture. Just in case you decided to buy something that’s not on your list.

Plan ahead, and be sure to have extra space in your luggage. What I did is I left room in my luggage, and I brought an empty carry-on bag folded inside my luggage. Just make sure not to put liquid product on your carry-on, keep those kind of stuff in your check-in luggage.

Again do an extensive research to save money, doesn’t mean these products work good on me, will also work good on you. There are a couple of products that are on the list of “Must-Buy” that I didn’t buy, just because it doesn’t match my skin-type.

You must be tired from reading this lengthy post, but I hope it will help you in any way possible. As a reward, I will be giving away some products! One winner will have Senka Perfect Whip (1), Cow Beauty Soap (1), and Kose Clear Turn Babyish Deep Moisture Mask (1). PH residents ONLY :) 

Just follow me on Instagram: @yangcruz and answer the question: What is your must-have beauty product/s and why?

Goodluck!

[yangcruz-blog]

Meow,

Japan Beauty Haul + Tips will be up on my blog tomorrow. Stay tuned! <3

[yangcruz-blog]

Oil Wonder

Meow,

Nourishing my skin with natural oils every single day, straight to the point! Why use products infused with natural oils if you can just use the pure oil itself?

Yes, I use them all for different purposes.

Coconut Oil: a must if you're planning to add oil to your beauty routine. Coconut oil is not new to the beauty industry, it got so popular due to its purpose and benefits.

Body Scrub- I mixed it with used coffee grounds. More deets here. 

Shaving- if you need to shave some extra hair, apply the oil first then start shaving. It'll leave your skin smooth!

Tea- taking at least 1 tablespoon a day will help to improve your health by converting bad cholesterol to good cholesterol. Since I honestly can't drink the oil itself (probably most people can't) I mix it with my choice of tea. You can barely notice that you're slurping oil.

Castor Oil: it is known as a laxative, but it has more to offer. It can be used as moisturizer for chapped lips, and even helps to heal acne. The oil has a thick and sticky consistency that’s why I only use it as a serum.

Hair Growth Serum- I put castor oil to my eyelashes and eyebrows, and I honestly see difference since I used it. Castor oil usually comes in big containers, so you need an empty mascara tube or any smaller container to transfer it, plus a spoolie.

Rosehip Oil: It has a lot of fatty acid making it essential for rejuvenating skin; removing dark spots, healing acne scar, etc.

Moisturizer- i put it on my face and neck. When I was in the US, I had a really bad breakout leaving some acne spots and even scars. Yikes! This is actually new to my routine so I can't tell how efficient this oil is. Also, I only put it at night since it has a thick consistency.

Bio-oil*: known as a skin care for scar, stretchmarks, aging skin, and a lot; a Multi-use Skincare Oil.

Scar Treatment- I have a scar from appendectomy, and it's been looking pretty well since I used it. My scar is not too lump!

Stretchmarks Treatment- I apply it on my hip where I have some very visible tiger marks.  I also recently had marks on my chest area, which was gone after a few weeks of using this product.

Elemie*: An oil based product that has natural plant carrier. This specific kit has 5 tiny products; Rise and Shine, Muscle Blend, Sweet Dreams, Vapor Blend, Bug Me Not. I believe they changed the company name or a different company bought it. I had this a long time and actually expiring this year! Noooo!

*Bio-oil and Elemie are brand names, and these are the exception since both of the products are not a pure oil.

I seriously swear by all these products! 

What are your thoughts? Do you use the same oil? Or do you have suggestions for me to try? Share your thought!

[yangcruz-blog]

The Month of May

Meow,

My birthday has already passed but celebration does not. This month I will be giving away beauty products to a lucky winner (1), and you have to stay tuned for deets.

2017 is going way too fast! Its been pretty rough for me specially I just got back from the USA (I wish I could live there. Geez!), I'm currently staying at home 24/7 doing nothing, internet is so crappy, and I gained a substantial amount of unhealthy weight. But, I am trying my best to be optimistic about everything, that everything will fall into the right place. On the bright side, I have tons of update!

What's new:

 I am so hooked with Netflix you guys! You better watch my favorites: Riverdale and Bates Motel. I am currently looking for new series to watch, what do you think about Sense8? Will I be able to watch it in the middle of the night by myself? Seriously. I need an answer. LOL. The first 10 seconds of S1E1 was so creepy I had to close it!!!

Currently obsessed with Afterlight and VSCO's new filter bundles. I recently purchased tons of filters and add-ons, I usually settle for the free stuff since I'm cheap like that.

I am planning to revamp my blog, and update some small but critical details. Making it easier for you guys to connect with me, share the stuff you like, and more sponsors for giveaways, etc.

 I am also eyeing for a Fujifilm X-series camera, still undecided which one to get though. Any suggestion?

The month of May will be over anytime soon, that also means summer season will be soon gone. Looking forward for ideas to do for the upcoming rainy season? Brainstorming now.

Any general suggestions? Send me a message. I need some ideas, please! :)

[yangcruz-blog]

Where To Go?

Meow,

Did you plan your summer getaway yet? If not, don’t fret! I can help you find great deals close to the Metro or even places that is worth a long drive.

If you’re up to a short drive here are some links:

Tagaytay- cool weather closest to the Metro.

Batangas- great beaches for more or less 3 hour drive.

Laguna- natural hot spring for your stressed body.

Quezon- museums and churches, a must visit.

For long drives, or even a plane ride try:

Cebu- Lechon, definitely to die for.

Palawan- Underground river, and the beautiful El Nido.

Boracay- beach life and party life? why not?!

Baguio- Cool weather perfect for the extreme summer heat.

Zambales- Sand bar!!

There are a lot of great places to visit here in Philippines, whether you’re up to an adventure, laying on the beach, or sightseeing! It is more fun (and smart) to find an affordable or great deal for your vacation. Lucky that we have TravelBookPH, providing BIG discounts for everyone!

Visit their website to find more ideas where to go based on your budget and other preferences, plus you can get a chance to bag exclusive discounts: TravelBookPH

You’re very much welcome! Let me know where you decided to spend your summer getaway.

[yangcruz-blog]

True love: ColourPop

 Meow, 

 My friends know that I am obsessed with makeup, and ColourPop as my favorite even before it got popular. I am not sure how I stumbled upon this product when I was in the US, probably through ipsy? Its love at first sight for sure! 

 Some of what I own are posted here.

The products of ColourPop are really good quality plus it's very affordable! Probably the reason why I easily got hooked. They usually offer a lot of promotions like big discounts, free empty pallette, free lipstick, and more! I got so addicted that I even bought products as a Christmas gift to my friends and co-workers. I also never had an issue with their service. Totally worth it! My love for this brand is undeniable! They also offer free shipping domestically and internationally! Their spring collection makes me want to hoard more, I have to control myself though. 

To show you how great their products are, I created this look for your reference:

Brows: Bangin' Brunette 

Creme gel liner: Sweeve 

Eyeshadow: Pretty Cruel, Pinky promise, and SuperShock Jinxie 

Highlighter: Wisp 

Lips: Saturday and Echo Park 

Oh boy! They now have brushes, bronzer and blusher. I can't wait for them to have complete makeup options like foundation, concealer, eyelashes, larger eyeshadow pallete... OMG! Dream!!!! 

Are you a certified ColourPop fan?

[yangcruz-blog]

Meow,

And yes, I own them all. I am definitely addicted to ColourPop, and probably these are not everything I own. Oh boy...

[yangcruz-blog]

Makansutra (SM Megamall)

Meow,

Food park is not always outdoor, SM Megamall found a way to bring it inside. Makansutra offers a variety of cuisines like Chinese, Thai, Filipino, and much more! 

These are the food we tried when we first visited! My favorite is the laksa, YUM!

Makansutra is located in SM Megamall 2nd Floor, Building A. Follow them on Instagram: @makansutraph

[yangcruz-blog]

#IAmUrbanBrave

Meow,

I am always on-the-go, and I must admit that Urban Adventure is not always fun and easy. I have to have a little help to become Urban Brave! 

Top 5 Most Fashionable Urbanize Must-Haves:

Slim. Fun. Light. Durable. A Wallet/Card Holder that’s functional, and fashionable.

My favorite design is the 1028-Mable:

What I love about this tiny product is it can hold up to 10 cards with some cash! This is the only thing I need to bring whenever I’m running a quick errand. 

Cosmetic Organizer by Lewis N. Clark

This organizer is perfect for everyday adventure! Whether you bring makeup or toiletries with you, it is necessary to put everything in one pouch for a clutter-free bag. It will also give you easy access to what you need without digging deep inside your bag!

The design is so stylish yet functional. It has 2 zippered compartment - 1 mesh and 1 TPU - can be combined or detached for individual use depending on our daily needs.

Coffee is life. A French Press to-go.

ESPRO Travel Press is what you need to start your day! Coffee lover or Tea lover? Either way, you can take this tumbler with you! I specifically love this product because I can bring my favorite coffee while I face the extreme traffic. Coffee just sets everything in place.

Easy-to-find ear buds 

Who doesn’t like listening to music while travelling? This Ear Buds with Case is so efficient, keeping yours tangle-free and easy-to-find; just attached it in your bag, and you won’t have any problem finding it next time you’ll need it!

It has a lot of color options, but the white one is so sleek that I can put it in any of my bag.

5000 mAh Powerbank by STM

Perfect for people who are always on-the-go! We use our phones every single time, whether we’re on the road, at work, or shopping at the mall. Having a powerbank is great since I don’t have to worry about having low phone battery. A compact and lightweight powerbank, what else do I need?

They are all functional, durable, and stylish perfect for my “on-the-go lifestyle”!  I am ready to face the Urban Adventure any time of the of the day! Thanks to Urbanize for having all the essentials I need to be Urban Brave!

Are you ready to be #UrbanBrave? Check out their website to view more great products: https://www.urbanize.com.ph/

[yangcruz-blog]

What's in my beach bag?

Meow, 

Summer is officially here! We are all for sure gonna be hanging a lot by the beach. Here are essential stuff I take with me: 

 Sunscreen/ Tanning Lotion : I usually use tanning lotion instead of regular sunblock. I always prefer perfectly tanned skin! Make sure to reapply it every after one hour.

Lip balm : Protecting your lips is also important. It'll get dry from too much heat.

Sunglasses : My favorite brand is Sunnies Studios! A lot of fashionable and affordable sunglasses to choose from.

Camera : I use Diana Mini, which is a film camera. Its fun to take photos without knowing if its a good or bad shot until you have it processed!

Water & Snacks : Too much heat can drain out your energy, make sure to always always bring water with you! Also, swimming under the sun makes you hungry, so bring something light to eat while you're out at the beach.

Special DIY Highlighter : You want to save money? Use a DIY highlighter! Its a mixture of water, conditioner, and lemon. Spray it while you're under the sun, it'll make your hair color to be lighter.

 Let me know what you have in yours! I am always curious.

[yangcruz-blog]

Meow,

Here are photos from my San Francisco, California trip. Top tourist destination ideas to help you plan or urge you to travel more. There are for sure a lot to do in San Francisco alone, so research ahead of time what activities you can do to make the most out of your travel time.

Have you been in SFO? Which one is your favorite?

[yangcruz-blog]

J1 Visa: Process, Tips, and more!

Meow,

What is J1 Visa? A cultural exchange  visa that will let you work and travel in the USA. There are actually 3 programs for J1 visa:

Summer Work & Travel: you can work up to 3 months, you can also apply for a second job. This is perfect for people who are still in school.

Internship: 12 to 18 months, and you are not allowed to find a second job. Internship are for people that recently graduated.

Traineeship: same as the Internship program. The main difference is you must at least have a one year work experience in your home country.

I participated in the Work & Travel program and was assigned in Baltimore, Maryland as a Club Associate. Then I decided to apply for the Traineeship program, and was lucky enough to work in JW Marriott located in Phoenix, Arizona. So if you’re curious, here it goes.

You have to find an agency to help you process and find employer, prices vary on the program and agency. So research research research. Joining this program is costly, but totally worth it. My agency for my WAT was First Place Inc., and for my Traineeship was United Towers Philippines. Some agency will require a bond to make sure that you’ll return to your home country after your program ends. Things to consider in making sure the agency is legit; read reviews, don’t just apply to an agency because they’re the cheapest. Applying in an agency that has good records will help you toget higher chance of being approved for J1 visa.

Process your papers. Agency will walk you through about everything. You have to pay for non-refundable processing fee. Most payments should be in US dollars, so be ready. They will require you to send them your resume, passport, school records, and even documents that will prove your financial stability.

When you already processed all your documents, you have to wait for job openings. Hiring is usually before summer or before winter, which is peak season. Even if you paid a lot of money, it is not guaranteed that you’ll get a job on your first interview. So when you have the opportunity, give your best shot or you have to wait for another job opening. Waiting for company might take 6-8 months.

If you finally got accepted by a US host company, you have to process the remaining documents that is needed by the company or the agency, pay the remaining balance, schedule embassy interview, etc.

During your visa interview, make sure to arrive extra early even if you are scheduled to a specific time. Dress appropriately, some agency will require you to wear your school uniform or maybe corporate attire. But skip your high heels, you’ll be standing on line for quiet a while.

Review the information you provided in your DS2019, the consul will normally ask you for details that you already provided. So be honest and be confident! You also have to ensure the consul that you’ll be returning in your home country; may it be you still have to finish school, you are managing a business, or just anything that will prove your ties in your home country.

If the consul gave back your passport, that means you didn’t pass the interview and you have to pay and reschedule for another interview. If they did not return it, well congratulations! You can now purchase your flight ticket to the USA!

Now its time for packing, here are some tips:

Double check with your airlines how much weight you can check in. For international flights, it’s normally 2 luggage with 25kg each. Plus a carry-on, and personal bag.

If you’re staying either for 3 months or 18 months, I do not suggest bringing your closet! Bring important stuff like coats if you’ll be staying in a freezing state or summer clothes if you’ll be staying in a warm state. So be knowledgeable about the state that you’ll be staying in. Plus, you can buy clothes anyways once you arrived to your destination. 

Always have a copy of your important documents like passports, SS number, DS2019, contracts, insurance, etc. on each bag. For example, you have a total of 4 bags; you have to have an original copies on your personal bag, plus 3 photocopies for your 2 luggage and 1 carry-on. Just in case you lose a bag, you’ll have a copy of your important documents no matter what!

Bring enough cash with you, at least $1,200. This will serve as your allowance while you wait for your salary, to buy groceries, or pay for your transportation once you arrive in the US.

Read this for more packing tips!

I just realized that this post is too long! :) Anyways, I hope you’ll try to join this kind of program. It’ll definitely expose you to a new culture, you’ll learn more about your chosen industry, and you’ll also grow personally and emotionally. This is also a perfect way to fulfill your bucket list!

Best of luck to all aspiring applicants. Let me know if you have more questions!