Sometimes I wonder why I work in PR. Anxiety, self-doubt, and the temptation to just (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻ set in whenever I get stressed more stressed than usual, and that happens a lot. But then the adrenaline rush I get during brand immersions, pre-production, the event itself, and after the event makes it all worth it.

In my more than three years in the industry, this specific project gave me a lot of firsts (and a special high).


Penshoppe and I go a looong way back that the brand immersion was like a trip down fashion memory lane for me. That paperboy cap Mandy Moore wore in old Penshoppe paper bags. My Don't Make Me Blog You shirt. The jeans I compared with finding love. The re-launch of their SM North EDSA store. Kariton Klasrum with Golden ABC. Meeting Mario Maurer. That iconic varsity jacket. My favorite maxi dress. I've always been a fan of the brand and it feels awesome to now be working with them.

Now, we're their partner agency for Sandara Park's visit here in Manila!

I was part of the team who welcomed her earlier today, and I swear she just glows! I need skincare secrets from her!

Photo by Nico Nuyda

Dara's plane landed at the NAIA Terminal 1 from Seoul, Korea earlier today for a series of events for Penshoppe. She will stay here over the weekend to do a fashion magazine cover shoot, hold a presscon, and attend Penshoppe’s DenimLab Fashion Show at the TriNoma Activity Center tomorrow. She will also guest in a local noontime show and headline a fan conference at the SM North Sky Dome on April 2.


This project has marked a lot of firsts for me and I realize that even though I can already do PR in my sleep, there's still a LOT I need to learn. Exciting times!

Sandara is part of Penshoppe’s roster of star-studded global ambassadors that includes fellow Asian superstar Mario Maurer and supermodels Kendall Jenner, Sean O’Pry, and Lucky Blue Smith.

It's going to be a working weekend for me but I don't think I mind that much. ^_^

In one hand the Holy Week break felt long and it's like I was able to rest well and do a lot, but on the other hand I feel like I wish I could extend it so I could rest more and do more. 

I wasn't even able to edit my manuscript like I originally intended to, you guys.

But still, I was able to sleep in, make progress on the book I'm currently reading (it's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children), reconnect with old friends I haven't seen in a long while via good ol' Messenger and Viber, spend time with my cousins, watch Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, and take a LOT of naps.

Easter mornings are for camping in.

My lips are burning, not from kissing but from swatching 14 different kinds of lipsticks. I'm not complaining, though.

I remembered how much I loved Maybelline Velvet Matte Mat11 and discovered new products that are to be staples in my everyday makeup kit and occupy permanent residence in my train case.

Not a bad way to spend the Holy Week break. I wish I could've gone to the beach but, eh, I can do that some other time. What I need to focus on now are my manuscript, my birthday plans (I've got less than two weeks, guys! Less than two weeks!), and the loooong and busy work-week ahead. I wasn't able to get a slot in the Pinoy Bookstore Tour so I'm still trying to look for a workaround. Please wish me luck! 

How about you, how did you spend your break? 

What a busy week last week had been! I'm also guessing, based on the number of events our PR agency is slated to have, that April is also going to be CRAZY. Wish me luck!

Friday was a rare night out for me and my boyfriend when we attended Philippine Airlines' Bloggers' Night in time for their 75th anniversary. We didn't win the raffle but we had a lot of fun seeing old and new friends and hearing Bamboo sing live.

A more comprehensive post will come as soon as I'm done with my truck-load of backlogs.

The event finished late so I slept over at my friend Alex's house -

... who was so sweet in driving me to my event the next day -

Project Vanity's 8th Anniversary Party! Liz did a talk on beauty blogging and I gained a lot of new insights -

... and saw old and new friends! Clockwise from right: with Pau-pau, with Marielle, with Dev, with Juvy ♥

I'm posting this late because I got home so late last night as my officemate Jean and I went to five different Maybelline stores looking for Touch of Spice to no avail. Five! Crazy! Here is this week's Currently!

READING
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs because the trailer intrigued me so!

LISTENING TO
Freddie Mercury because Alex was listening to him on her car and I noted how similar his and Nate Ruess' voices are.

WEARING
Happy Skin Valentine Kiss and Maybelline Creamy Matte Touch of Spice.

Valentine Kiss for International Happiness Day yesterday

"I can't think of anything I don't like about you." - me to my Touch of Spice

THINKING
Of what I can possibly do to ensure I can get a slot for the National Book Development Board's Pinoy Bookstore Tour. I really, really, really want to go! I have decided it is what I want for my birthday this year so it would suck if wouldn't be able to get a slot.

FEELING
Anxious again because of all the things I need to accomplish for work. Please cross your fingers for me!

LOVING

My Sadness plush toy which was an advanced birthday gift from Helen! So thoughtful! And the plushie's so soft ughhh.

These gorgeous colors from the Project Vanity 8th Anniversary party: a Pink Sugar eye shadow palette and the aforementioned Happy Skin Valentine Kiss ♥

WANTING
A hedhehog!!!

This is Alex's cousin's hedhehog Amee and SHE'S SO CUTE!!!

NEEDING

My copy of Laura Wolf's Diary of a Mad Bride

A friend (I don't remember who) borrowed it from me and now I don't know where it is. :( It's one of the funniest chick lit books I've read and I really want it back. I tried to ask Alex for this copy but it belongs to her sister. If there's anyone out there who can direct me to a copy, please do so. It would be appreciated!

WISHING FOR
Right now? For everything to work out.

Hey, you. Take care of your heart. And your books. ♥

Lipstick can't solve all problems, but it's a pretty good start. Really, never underestimate the power of the perfect tube of lipstick to lift your spirits up. I've lost count of how many lipsticks I already have in my stash but because I have the EQ of a pillow, I can't stop myself from reaching into my wallet whenever I see a new color that catches my fancy.

I've grown a bit wiser, though. I now check reviews before I part with my hard-earned money. When I checked reviews for this product, I only saw positive ones so I proceeded with my purchase, and since I've been using it for about three weeks now I am ready to add my personal thoughts into the mix of reviews available online for other discerning lipstick-lovers like me.

Spoiler alert: I loved it.

This is a review of the new Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Touch of Spice.

What? Another nude lipstick?

Oh, but this isn't like any other regular nude lipsticks, my friend.

And I did. And it's great! The lipstick looks matte yet feels nothing like it. I've had a few matte lipsticks that I had to give away because my lips cracked or they emphasized dry lines. Contrary to what I am used to when it comes to matte lipsticks, Touch of Spice glides evenly and smoothly on my lips without tugging and packs a vibrant punch of color even with just one swipe.

Won't you look at that. It looks brownish pink on the tube but looks rosy mauve on me. Here are photos of my face under different lighting conditions with the lipstick.

I love using it on days I'm not in the mood for too much color yet I don't want to look like I don't care about how I present myself to the world. Instapretty with a swipe! Unlike Amethyst Ablaze, it's long-wearing also and I don't have to retouch as much!

As for the packaging, it has a frosted cap with the color representing the color family of the shade. No complaints about this one because it looks and feel sturdy enough.

It's also very affordable at only P299 a pop. AND I just read from their Facebook Page that the Creamy Mattes are going on sale for only P199 each until April 3! *cough*my birthday's coming up*cough*

I bought my Touch of Spice with my own money, and because it completely changed my view on matte lipsticks, now I want to buy more! I think I'll get Ravishing Rose and Mesmerizing Magenta next. I would totally want to get Vibrant Violet also but, you know, with my hair being purple and all I didn't want to risk looking like Grimace LOL.

Have you tried the new Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipsticks already? What did you think? ♥

Growing up with an encouraging family and gobbling up a lot of self-help books and articles made me believe I can do every thing I set my mind and heart to. Apparently, that is not always the case.

Last Saturday, I tried to scale the 44-foot climbing wall in Market! Market! and failed. Miserably.

The last time I tried wall-climbing was 12 years ago at the Momarco Camp in Tanay, Rizal for our CAT training. I failed then because of sheer exhaustion; we hiked all morning and my arms and legs simply couldn't go on. This time around, I felt I could make it easily, had I not made the terrible mistake of looking down. I saw how high up I was and my legs turned to jelly. My heart started pounding loudly and the music booming around the mall coming from the people doing Zumba in the Activity Area five levels down didn't help either. I couldn't shake it off and had to give up.

The same thing happened to me when I tried AntiGravity Yoga. My fear was bigger than my will and I couldn't shut its nasty voice off. And so now I wasn't able to tick it off my List, and it sucks.

I'm a proud girlfriend, you guys.

Oh, well. I will try again next time. Here is this week's Currently!

READING
Still One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak. I am almost done, though!

WRITING
Still the updated version of my short story Once Upon a Sticky Note. I'm finding it a little difficult, to be honest. I am my own worst critic.

LISTENING TO
M2M's songs on loop! I wonder where Marit Larsen and Marion Raven have gone to? I LOVED their albums Shades of Purple and The Big Room!

WEARING
My Batman shirts because Batman v Superman is coming very, very soon!


I think I have about eight Batman shirts lying around. Heh. I also got a Batman pullover from Penshoppe's Batman v Superman collection recently. I want to buy more!


Yes, we're BatFans. But you already know that.


Batman's the best.

THINKING
Of what to do to celebrate my birthday this year. I'm turning 30 so it's a milestone year, but right now I'm completely at a loss for plans.

FEELING
Tired? My arms, legs, and buttocks still feel like butter from my failed wall-climbing session, but I'm okay. I'm mostly happy.

WANTING
For my birthday? Normally I would've already thought of what to give myself as a birthday gift as early as now, but just like my birthday plans I honestly don't know.

NEEDING and WISHING FOR
More time to accomplish the things I still need to do, and the discipline to do them.

LOVING
My new George-Michael Bluth Funko POP that Miah bought for me when we dropped by Filbar's before going home last Saturday.


I love Arrested Development and I didn't know they released this line of toys so imagine my joy when I saw this. Heehee. There's always money in the banana stand!

I wish they release a How I Met Your Mother line, too.

Aaand that's it! I'm ready for the week ahead! I guess. ♥

In an ideal world, I would only grow hair whenever and wherever I want them to. How awesome would it be if I can dye my hair and not worry about regrowth a couple of weeks later, yes? The same applies to body hair. 

Why go hair-free, anyway? It's personal preference, and I just feel better about myself when I know I can wear sleeveless tops and dresses without worrying about unwanted hair nor dark underarms.

Waxing sessions cost money and time, depilatory creams are too much of a hassle, and I just don't have the budget to spare for laser hair removal right now. When I am pressed for time, I rely on good ol' shaving to keep my underarms and legs hair-free. Quick, painless, and convenient. But did you know that when you shave, 1/3 of what you shave off is skin? Yikes! Along with your hair, shaving takes away the top-most layer of your skin, leaving it raw, sensitive, and prone to further damage. With continued subjection to stress, the skin is unable to heal itself and becomes bumpy, dry, and dark. That is the reason why beauty articles encourage against shaving.

When I received a special package from Dove care of my Sample Room family, I was pleasantly surprised at their new tagline that says Go Shave! Let's see what we have here.

My Dove kit contains Dove Deo Original in roll-on, stick, and aerosol forms, and a razor. How thoughtful!

Dove Deo's ¼ moisturizing cream is said to soothe sensitive underarm skin from redness and irritation and helps repair damage caused by shaving. It’s been formulated to moisturize underarm skin while protecting it with its gentle, skin-loving ingredients, leading to lighter and smoother underarms.

Despite shaving most of the time, I'm happy I don't really have dark underarms to begin with. There are some deos that don't work well with me though and make them darker, maybe due to alcohol content. Dove Deos don't have that. I'm glad Dove Deo works well with me, and I'm glad that it enables busy women like me to not mind our underarms because there are always more pressing matters to attend to.

I went wall-climbing yesterday and had no qualms about raising my arms and going for gold. (I failed, though, but only because I looked down and got terribly scared of how high up I was.)

I still have my underarm hair waxed when I have time to pass by my favorite waxing salon, but I don't make it a top priority because I can rely on Dove to take care of real women with real care. ♥

Dove Deo shares the care with all Dove girls around the Philippines. For the price of a regular roll-on or aerosol, you not only get a Dove Deos pouch for free, but also a chance to win a Dove Deo getaway to El Nido with two friends (DOH FDA CCRR Permit No. 1112 s of 2015)! Visit this link for more details. You can also get a full-sized Dove Deo Original Roll-on for free by trying before you buy at Sample Room!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own. The photo of myself showing my underarms is unedited. Please visit my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.

I am turning 30 in 30 days.

Holy sheet of paper.

I AM TURNING 30 IN 30 DAYS!

I had a brief moment of panic yesterday when I realized that my birthday is fast approaching, but I calmed down when I reminded myself that worrying is futile and that whether I was willing to welcome it with open arms or not, my birthday is still going to come.

So I'm just going to slap on some sunscreen and be the best 29-going-on-30 Krissy that I can be!

Oh to be thirty, flirty, and thriving. That's the dream.

Here is this week's Currently!

CURRENTLY Vol. 10

READING
Still One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories by B.J. Novak, that I am enjoying immensely.

WRITING
An updated version of my short story Once Upon a Sticky Note as I have something special planned for its first anniversary of release. ♥

LISTENING TO
The Script. There was a time when I stopped listening to them but I suddenly felt like adding them to my Spotify Playlist, heh.

WEARING
My new Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte lipstick in Touch of Spice. It's so pretty and even my professional makeup artist friend thinks so, too.

THINKING
Of what other things I'd like to tick off my yet-to-be-written-and-consolidated List of Things I Want to Do or Experience Before I Turn 30. I'm going Lazer Tagging this weekend, yay! Please feel free to send or tweet me your suggestions, too!

FEELING
Exhausted. My friend Mike took a look at me last week and said I need a long break because I looked exhausted.

LOVING
My fancy wallpapers I made using the app Monogram It!




So pretty. ♥

WANTING
A hedgehog. I want a hedgehog and name him Mufasa. He will be very wise.

NEEDING
More money to help me accomplish my List of Things I Want to Do or Experience Before I Turn 30.

WISHING
For more time, I guess? I still haven't even figured out what I want to do on my birthday yet!

Aaand that's it. Time to sleep! ♥

Goodbye, chilly mornings and early sunsets. Hello, sunshine and sundresses!


Summer is here, and global clothing brand Penshoppe launched its Spring/ Summer 2016 collection with a splash (as it rightfully should because, hello, new endorser!)



One of the perks I enjoy in my current job is being privy to juicy information before they even reach the public domain. In the days leading up to the exclusive launch party held at The Palace Pool Club, I made sure I didn't talk about the event that much lest I reveal who the new endorser to join the ranks of Mario Maurer, Zac Efron, Sean O'Pry, Sandara Park, and Kendall Jenner is!

And so it was revealed that new face to belong to Team Penshoppe is Male Model of the Year 2015 Lucky Blue Smith!




Currently one of the hottest and most-followed male models in the industry today, Lucky Blue Smith is the epitome of cool. His iconic platinum blonde hair, chiseled features, and icy baby blues make it no wonder that he has won the hearts of many fans all around the globe. I hope Penshoppe brings him here also!

A fashion show was held at the exclusive launch party, and it was like a catalogue of clothes I want in my closet came to life and paraded in front of me.

I mean:








See??

It was awesome because I was able to get most of what I wanted like the pink and blue kimono that Jodilly Pendre was wearing, the Unicorn pullover I wore at Komiket, the graphic tank top I wore at SuperSale Bazaar that Reese Lansangan complimented me on, the jewel-toned top I wore a couple of weeks ago, my hibernating Panda shirt, and a black mesh backpack I've been lugging around these past couple of days!


Fun times. I am so ready for summer!

PS: By the way. Penshoppe also released a Batman v Superman collection which I am going gaga over! AAAAAH Y U WANNA TAKE ALL MY MONEY??!