MY JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND

I was a flight attendant for over 8 years and never got the chance to visit the Holy Land but last April 27-May 4, 2013 I got this once in a lifetime chance.

My husband was travelling for business there and so I tagged along. It was quite a journey to go there as you know we live in the middle east and quite frankly they are not good friends. So, we had to travel via Cyprus, we took  Gulf Air to Larnaca via Bahrain . Larnaca airport was small, we had an 8 hour transit and so we decided to rent a car for the day to see the City.  Cyprus was beautiful, people there were friendly. We even got the chance to cross the border and enter the Turkish side, how cool is that!

Travelling to Tel Aviv was a smooth flight via Cyprus Air. Business Class ticket was 50euro more expensive than economy and so we decided to take business class to give us a good rest (I always hate night flights). Immigration personnel in Tel Aviv look so tough, but I got through easily with no problem, although I still had to wait as my husband's passport was confiscated for further investigation. *Since February 2013, they don't stamp passport anymore instead they will give you an electronic paper of your visa entry to Israel.

We landed almost midnight into Tel Aviv, and we were so tired.  We stayed at Leonardo Hotel which  was very nice. They upgraded us to Junior Suite which was so big! Although we arrived late, I still woke up early, I was feeling excited to be in a new country (I always get this feeling when I was still flying and it was a new destination for me, I kinda miss that feeling). I was glad that my husband did not have meeting that very next day and so we went together to Jerusalem.

DAY1
I am very good in self travel. I rarely do arrange tours because it limits your time and more expensive. And so from Tel Aviv we took a bus going to Jerusalem. It was very easy and it's very cheap. One way bus ride will cost you 30shekels (that's about $10) and a taxi will cost you 250shekels ($70) which one should you choose? It's a no brainer for me! Anyways, our hotel was conveniently located where you can catch a bus easily.

I was impressed and amazed with Jerusalem. I feel so blessed that I was finally there! We went straight to the Old City. We went down at Lion's Gate, where the start of the Via Dolorosa. We toured the Old City by following the Via Dolorosa. Some guys will offer you a tour of the Old City for $10 each, we did not take it as I thought it will take much of our time, but I highly recommend it because it took us more time trying to find our way through our map.

REAL TECHNIQUES BRUSHES!!!

Hi guys, lets talk about make up brushes...

I've talked about my search for the best and affordable make up brushes in the market and I've finally found them, it's the REAL TECHNIQUE's brushes by SAMANTHA CHAMPMAN ( one of the Pixiwoo (www.youtube.com/user/pixiwoo and http://www.pixiwoo.com/)   girls from You tube and Blog Community). One of my classmates was actually using this when I was having my make up course (credit to Tasha) and so I've asked her opinion on this and she confess that they're great and she wants to purchase more. Out of curiosity I purchased the 3 sets to start with. I was so amazed how this brushes were so effective in applying make up.

Let me start with the Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Travel Essentials:

This Kit Includes:

• Essential Foundation Brush: build flawless custom coverage with liquid foundation or concealer
• Multi Task Brush: for effortless application of powder, blush and bronzer
• Domed Shadow Brush: tapered design smoothly shades and defines eyes
• Panoramic Case: dual carrier and stand keeps brushes organized on your counter or on the go

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Core Collection:

This Kit Includes:

• Detailer Brush: precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long lasting shape and definition
• Pointed Foundation Brush: use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage
• Buffing Brush: ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation
• Contour Brush: delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish
• Panoramic Case: dual carrier and stand keeps brushes organized on your counter or on the go

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman Starter Set:

 

This kit includes:

• Base shadow crush: applies a smooth, flawless foundation of color
• Deluxe shadow brush: soft, oversized design for effortless contouring
• Accent brush: designed for precision detailing, spotlighting, highlighting, and smudging
• Pixel-point eyeliner brush: tapered cut is ideal for dense or fine eyeliner application
• Brow brush: distinctive shape easily defines eyebrows
• Panoramic case: dual carrier and stand keeps brushes organized on your counter or on the go

Each set cost $17.99 + tax in the USA (www.ulta.com, www.amazon.com ) . In the UK (www.boots.com)  it cost 21.99 Sterling Pounds (convert to US Dollar is around $33.50!!!).

As for the UAE, you can get them online too on iHerb.com for the U.S. price. Use code SMP287 to get $5 off your first purchase of less than $40 and $10 off for purchases $40 and more (I get reward points if you use my code). The shipping charge is really low too ($8) and the package arrives within 3-5 days for international shipping and almost next day shipping for US (US Free shipping!) :)


Try them, feel and see for yourself how great these brushes are and let me know what you think.

CUCUMBER JUICE, LIME JUICE and ROSE WATER for WHITER SKIN!!!

Did you know that if you combine cucumber juice, lime juice and rose water will make your skin whiter and smoother???

I couldn't agree more as I have tried and tested this. I have been using this method to my face and skin for sometime now and I am very with result and would like to share it with you. Let me tell you how I do it.

Steps to beautiful and whiter skin:

1. Juice one cucumber and one lime and put them in separate containers.
2. Measure 4 teaspoon of cucumber juice.

3. Measure 2 teaspoon of lime juice.

4. Mix the measure cucumber and lime juice.
5. Add 2-3 drops of rose water.

6. Mix all ingredients until well combined.
7. Start applying it to your face, avoiding your eyes (lime juice will certainly hurt your eyes), then apply to you neck, underarm and whole body.
8. Leave it for 15 minutes.
9. Rise thoroughly and apply your usual shower soap.
10. Apply your usual moisturizer after you shower.

If you tried it, let me know your results.

COCONUT OIL and BAKING SODA as your TOOTHPASTE for WHITER TEETH!!!

Have you tried using coconut oil mixed with baking soda as your toothpaste? Well, I have been using this method for 5 days now and I can see great improvement with the color of my teeth. Let me tell you the facts about the coconut oil and baking soda as benefits to your teeth.

Coconut oil is great for the overall health of your mouth. It has antibacterial properties that help to kill bacteria, and its antifungal properties are useful for helping treat or prevent oral thrush, which is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the mouth.

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline, slightly alkaline powder that bears semblance to washing soda. This weakly alkaline baking soda, when dissolved in water, releases free radicals. When baking soda-water mixture is put into the mouth, the free radicals from the mixture interact with the stain molecules on the teeth enamel (outer layer of the teeth) and scrape off the yellow and brown stains on the teeth. Thus, baking soda breaks down the discoloration of the teeth, thereby brightening and whitening the teeth that have been built up from drinking tea, coffee, colas, chewing tobacco and smoking.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/brushing-teeth-with-baking-soda.html

 

 

Steps to Whiter teeth:

 

1.One teaspoon of Coconut oil (solid or liquid form)
2. One tablespoon of Baking Soda ( any brand will do)
3. Mix both ingredients to make a paste.
4. Wet your toothbrush and use the paste as your toothpaste.
5. Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes. Don't swallow.
6. Rinse thoroughly. The taste will be unpleasant at first (salty taste) but eventually you'll get use to it.
7. Gargle with any mouthwash to remove the salty taste.


These method does not only whiten/remove the stain from your teeth but also freshens your breath.

Try it and let me know your results.

 

BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL FOR HAIR AND SKIN!!!

I have read a lot of good benefits about coconut oil, not only as a food, but can be used for hair and skin and teeth!!! I grew up eating coconut oil as part of our meals in the Philippines but never thought it as a substitute for chemical free ways for my hair and skin.

When I was still flying with Qatar Airways, I had an Indian flat mate who uses coconut oil for her hair, she puts it all day long on her days off (when she does not intend to go out the whole day) and wash it off the next day. I asked her the benefits and she said it what makes her hair healthy...I would say, she has a pretty good long black hair.

According to Google : Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. It is effective in reducing the protein loss for damaged and undamaged hair.

And so, I tried it myself, I know it smells good but, I wouldn't like it to be in my hair for all day or night. Last Wednesday was my Me Time (Sauna/Spa Time), so I put it on my hair and wrapped it with a shower cap and went for steam and sauna, I was about in and out for about 1 hour until I washed it off. Believe it or not, my hair felt like it was conditioned from the salon, usually my hair is so dry that after shampoo I needed to your conditioner or else I wouldn't be able to comb it, but after rinsing the coconut oil from my hair and using my usual Neutrogena shampoo, OMG!!! I couldn't believe it! I didn't have to use conditioner at all to comb it. And not just that, the coming days, when I shower I just used shampoo when washing my hair (big savings for me...My conditioners are so expensive!!!). I will try to do this every week and will update you for the results.

For skin it is a moisturizer, antibiotic, multivitamin, multi-nutrient, nourishing, anti-aging, anti wrinkle and anti-oxidant – All in one! I use it as an evening moisturizer, I apply it all over my face, especially my under eye and laugh lines, keep it all night and wakes up feeling so good. I have yet to discover how to use it during day time (I'm a fan of sunblock!) . I highly recommend you to use organic virgin coconut oil for your skin, so no harsh chemicals will be applied to your skin, remember your using it to make your skin smoother and softer.

If you will try this, please let me know the result. I will update you as well on my result...'til next time then. Good night you all!!!
 

MY SACRIFICE FOR LENT...HIATUS FROM SOCIAL NETWORK

Hi guys I'm back, as you can see from the blog title I was on hiatus from all social network for Lent. This is the Catholic version of Ramadan. It started on Ash Wednesday which was Feb 13th and finished off on Easter Sunday which was March 31st. I can say, I missed a lot...I gone a little bit crazy not having news from my friends, not being updated on their whereabouts and what's happening around the world. Well, I survived and I'm back...and its good to be back!!!

So, how about you guys, what have you been upto????

TTC FOR A YEAR

On Friday February 22, will be our 1st wedding anniversary. Time went so fast! Living in Dubai gave me a lot of ups and downs. As I don't work, most of the time follow my husband wherever he travels, one reason behind is we are trying to conceive. It's been a year now and still no positive result. Last December we decided to get professional opinion and it was all good. Hubby did his test and got a really good result...lots of swimmers, millions and millions! I was happy to hear that! On the other hand I did a HSG test, this is where they do ultrasound and check your fallopian tube for any blockage. My left one had some delay but was not blocked. So our ob-gyne was happy with our results. Medically we are fit! So she said it's just a matter of timing. She prescribed me clomid monitoring for 3 months and this month will be my 3rd cycle of clomid and I'm losing hope. I hope we get a good timing this month. I am just wondering why I don't get pregnant, I obviously ovulate coz other than the clomid I monitor my ovulation by OPK and I do get positive result that I ovulated. I have read that clomid is not good to take continuously that's why I think our doctor only prescribed 3months. I'm really hoping this month will be a positive result. I know I get my husband feeling frustrated as well when I get my period and get crappy the whole week I have my period. I need to try to not focus too much on it, coz my husband thinks I'm obsessed by this....and I'm a little bit, I admit. Well, you can't really blame me, I stop working to try to make a family and I am not young, my time is ticking, I'm 34 and will be 35 in Sept. I'm praying that this month will be positive. If you're reading this and you're also TTC, baby dust to you all!