The Boppy Pillow

While researching about items for the baby, I came across the boppy pillow. Mothers swear that it helped them breastfeed their babies comfortably and without much drama from both ends.

The boppy pillow goes around the mommy's belly just below the breasts. Now, baby needs less support when breastfeeding and can comfortably lie down without straining the mother's arms - freeing them to do other things.



It is available online but I just had to check SM after a friend told me it's available in the department store. I found two boppy pillows, one from Uratex and one from Baby & Co. Above is the one from Uratex which costs around Php 1,200 ++. This is still cheaper than those found in Rustan's which is Php 2,000 ++ according to online forums.



However, this one from Uratex does not really go around the back because it has a velcro strap. What's great is the wide area for baby to lie on unlike the usual boppy pillows.



This one is from Baby & Co. which is similar to the boppy pillows I find on the internet. It only costs Php 500. I haven't made my mind up yet which to buy because I still want to see what Rustan's has to offer :) It's just great to know that boppy pillows are available in Manila for all expecting ladies.



Also check out this pillow for your growing tummy, also from Uratex.

OXO Garlic Chopper Review

This Christmas, I got for my mom (and our kitchen) the garlic chopper every homemaker was talking about - the OXO Garlic Chopper which is usually seen in Chef Rose Bud's TV show called Quickfire.



The gadget costs around Php 800 and can be bought from the kitchen section of Rustan's.

I was really excited to use it until I got confused with its instruction pamphlet. After some minutes getting the gadget ready, my mom and I placed peeled garlic cloves inside the cup. I pressed it down like what I see on TV but the garlic cloves remained stationary. The blades were twisting when they are up but land with the same edges on the garlic cloves. Hence, no matter how much I pressed it down - the garlic remained chopped only once. Bits and pieces of the garlic also stick to the blade but you can use the spoon that comes with the OXO Garlic Chopper to get them.

Frustrated, I tried it once more and see if I was doing anything wrong until I cut my finger. Looks like the knife and chopping board would do the job better.

If you know how to use it properly and it works for you, please leave me a comment and help :)

Holiday Noche Buena with CDO Ham

Christmas is not complete without Noche Buena, and the holiday feast is not complete without the traditional ham that glazes your table with sumptuous flair.

If there is one brand I am turning to this Christmas, when everyone is a hungry hippo- it's CDO. I started last week by trying their burger patties which let me serve homemade burger to my family without the fuss.


This Noche Buena, we are definitely trying the CDO Holiday Ham (as seen on TV). Unlike other hams, it is both tasty and affordable at just Php 220 for the Pear-Shaped Ham. I like marinating these in pineapple juice and glazing it with what remains of the juice and brown sugar. Though, they will be fine by themselves if you are pressed for time.

Prime cuts of young pork were cured to perfection with only the finest ingredients and spices to give the CDO Christmas Hams that delicious taste everyone loves.

CDO Pista Cooked Ham (PhP 360 a kilo) and CDO Holiday Whole-Meat Ham (PhP 410 a kilo) are available in leading supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide. Until December 31, 2009, CDO is giving away limited edition Christmas plates, one for every PhP 300 worth of purchase.

CDO’s other ham products include Hamon de Bola (PhP 295 a kilo), Pear-shaped Ham (PhP 220 per piece), and American Ham (PhP 148 per piece).

How about you, what's cooking in your Noche Buena?

Crocs Malindi in Red

Crocs Malindi in Watermelon

It's been 3 months since I said good bye to high heels and hello to flats. Yet, even with my trusty Hush Puppies - I still managed to trip over one day on the sidewalks of The Fort. The incident earned me a couple of nasty knee scrapes that did not heal for at least 2 weeks.

Since preggy ladies are more prone to slipping, I eyed on a comfy pair of crocs and finally, I can now step safely and snugly with a pair of Malindi's in Watermelon shade. This is just my second pair of Crocs, the first is a hand me down from my sister which I still use around the backyard.

Here's hoping that this new pair of Crocs will prevent my baby bump from kissing the ground :)


First monthly winner of Php 100,000

Crocs has also recently awarded Php 100,000 to three different winners of their Crazy for Crocs contest. The awarding was held at Bonifacio High Street and in addition to the video challenge, the campaign also featured a grand raffle, which entitled customers to one raffle coupon for every Crocs pair purchased. Up for grabs were several Samsung LCD TV’s and Canon Camcorders, along with the grand prize of a brand new Honda Jazz.


Crazy for Crocs 2nd monthly winner Jamielyn Ira Dy receives her check for P100k from All Condition Gear Phils. VP Franco Limjuco.

The contest—which awarded Canon PowerShot cameras to the winners of weekly challenges and 100,000 pesos to monthly winners—drew enthusiastic response from both budding video makers and YouTube fans, and generated plenty of buzz on radio, print, and online media.

Congratulations Crocs! ^__^

Merry Neutrogena Christmas!

Looking for the perfect kikay gift to give your girlfriends this Christmas? Look no more as Neutrogena, the brand recommended by dermatologists, offers great deals on its hottest and must-have products this yuletide season!

Fine, Fair and Smooth Skin For Less



‘Tis the season to achieve fine, fair skin for less! Buy one Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact and get 50% off on the second compact. Share this beauty secret with your girlfriends. With the pack conveniently designed for the holiday season, all you need to do is attach a card and you’re ready to spread the love for fine, fair skin this Christmas.

Available in shades of natural and light beige, the Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact is clinically-formulated to blend evenly with the skin tone and provide beautiful, natural-looking coverage. Its Vitamin C and Licorice Extract plus sunscreen protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, preventing sunspots and premature skin aging. The Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and does not clog pores. It is also resistant to humidity, sweat and oil, thus, giving the skin lasting coverage needed for all the merry-making this season.

In addition, get the same 50% discount on the Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact when you buy Neutrogena Body Oil. With its light sesame formula, the Body Oil is easily absorbed by shower-damp skin, leaving it soft and silky with a radiant and healthy glow. And with Christmas just around the corner, you only need a few drops of the Neutrogena Body Oil to keep your skin hydrated and moisturized amidst the cool holiday breeze.

Christmas must-haves



Make Neutrogena’s Christmas gift bundles the perfect kikay must-haves this holiday season! Share the love for healthy and beautiful skin with your girlfriends. Get amazing discounts from Neutrogena: two (2) Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compacts, with the second compact at 50% off, at a bargain price of P1,063.59; and one (1) Neutrogena Body Oil and one (1) Neutrogena Fine Fairness UV Compact (at half its original price) for only P939.50. Hurry and grab the Neutrogena Christmas gift bundles in select drugstores and department stores from December 1 to 31, 2009.

Convert your Earrings into Pendants and more!

I had a fashion challenge this week, and that was to convert a pair of earrings into two necklaces for my sister and niece in Australia. I tried silver accessories shops but they could not handle my dilemma. Neither do they have the material I need nor the skill to cut the wires.



Then I tried SM Department store, guess what? Again, they have it all! I found a corner where chains of silver and gold were rolled and a saleslady had tools like pliers and clippers. I asked if she could help me transform my Eiffel tower earrings into pendants with chains, and she said YES!

It only cost me Php 300 for the two necklaces, this includes the chain and the labor. I only had to wait around 5 minutes :) I am very happy with the result and I'm sure my sister and niece would love it.

Style Scene: Cream Silk's Runway Ready Stars at the Philippine Fashion Week

Sarah Meier

Fashionable women with beautiful lustrous hair including local fashion icons Sarah Meier and Teresa Herrera overwhelmed Philippine Fashion Week with their presence inside Mall of Asia’s Main Atrium last October 26. Cream Silk Treatment’s Runway Ready show featuring the Ready to Wear / Visions and Trends Collection paraded not only the latest when it comes to clothing and style, but also classy hair trends.



Teresa Herrera

Noted young designers such as Reian Mata and Tippi Ocampo along with innovative creators such as Kristel Yulo and Pier Lim presented the latest when it comes to edgy RTW clothing, with the models’ hairstyles jazzing up their designs.


Karen Pamintuan

During the event, Cream Silk Treatment spotted off the ramp Runway Ready beauties. Women in fashion with strikingly beautiful hair in each Philippine Fashion Week show were given the pride of being the Cream Silk Treatment “Runway Ready Star”. This woman successfully keeps up with the everyday challenges of adapting to the latest hair and beauty trends, and knows and shows that hair is integral to her total look.



Awarded the distinction are Miakka Lim, Vanessa Pinlac, Mika Benipayo, Juni Posadas, Pipay Reyes, Anna Castro to name just a few of the bright, young women sporting lustrous hair during the Philippine Fashion Week. Topping the list is TV host and model, Karen Pamintuan.

Cream Silk Treatment is available in all leading supermarkets, department stores and personal care stores nation wide. Suggested retail price is Php14.00 for the 10ml Cream Silk Treatment Sachet and Php210.0 for the 250mL Cream Silk Treatment.

Forever 21 Accessories - Eiffel Tower set and Canary Cocktail Ring

My most awaited Forever 21 accessories are here! Thank you Tita Dulce who bought them at Forever 21 shop somewhere in Chicago.

It's easy to browse the Forever 21 site and select one of a kind pieces like these. I heard they already ship to the Philippines but I find it more convenient when relatives abroad send them over :)

I didn't know that the Eiffel Tower necklace came with earrings. I am thinking of converting the two earrings into two more pendants that I can give to my niece and my sister who also likes to go to Paris.

11 Weeks at the World Bazaar

Luckily, expecting moms can always squeeze in a dash of style even with a growing tummy :) Wearing a dress from Target's Maternity line, it fits very well and is super comfy with its cottony fabric.

The dress is sleeveless and to prevent it from looking like sleepwear worn outside, I put on a draping cardigan.

More on the World Trade Bazaar later :)

Hello Kitty Christmas Surprise!

baby clothes straight from Sanrio Japan

It's baby shopping time! Hello Kitty held a Christmas Surprise in MOA and I waited to see Hello Kitty in person. While waiting, we did a bit of browsing in the baby section of their exhibit.


Dear Daniel breast pump in blue

I didn't know until then that Sanrio has plenty of products for mommies and babies. They even have cute breast pumps that come in pink and blue.


Pink and blue feeding bottle sterilizer

A friend and I were just talking about sterilizers and what do you know, there are Hello Kitty versions as well. How cute! But I don't know yet if my baby is girl or boy or somewhere in between :)


baby kitty pink bottles

Can't wait to shop for more baby things! :)

No to oily skin this Christmas!

Unless you plan to guide Santa's sleigh with oily skin, there's no better time to primp and prettify with a clear skin than this season.

While most people look forward to the change in temperature, women should know that the cold weather increases one’s chances of having oily skin. This is why it is important to use products that help manage oil production and prevent shiny, blemished faces in pictures of all the yuletide gatherings.



So how does the cool weather cause oily and blemished skin? The cool, crisp, dry air dries up the skin. When this happens, the oil glands naturally overcompensate for the dryness and produce more oil. According to dermatologists, excessive oil production and abnormal shedding of dead skin cells can clog pores and cause bacteria to proliferate, thereby causing acne breakouts. So one must first keep oil under control in order to prevent and control acne.

Luckily, Clean & Clear makes available two special product bundles to keep the skin from breaking out and help girls achieve fair and radiant skin, without the excess oil, this holiday season.

Enjoy pimple- and oil-free skin with the help of Clean & Clear’s Pimple Clearing Kit. This kit consists of one CLEAN & CLEAR® Active Clear™ Pimple Clearing Cleanser (50g) that helps clear pimples while at the same time, gently soothes irritated skin. What’s more, it comes with the CLEAN & CLEAR® Oil Control Film at 50% off! The all-time favorite oil blotter instantly removes excess oil and shine from the face. It can be used anytime, anywhere throughout the day as it doesn’t smudge make-up.

Those who suffer from acne breakouts due to oily skin are also likely to have dull, lifeless skin. Bring back your skin’s naturally clear, fair glow with Clean & Clear’s Clear Fair Glow Kit, which contains one CLEAN & CLEAR® Clear Fairness Cleanser (100g) and CLEAN & CLEAR® Oil Control Film at half-price. The Clear Fairness Cleanser has a unique whitening Vitamin C Beads Formula that effectively lightens skin, making it fair and radiant. Its oil-free and non-drying formulation makes it ideal for everyday use.

Keep the effects of the cold season at bay with these special product bundles from Clean & Clear, which will keep your skin clear, glowing and oil-free throughout the holidays. The Pimple Clearing Kit and the Clear Fair Glow Kit are available in all supermarkets, drugstores and department stores, for P133.50 and P186.50, respectively. Promo will run until December 31, 2009.

Belly Belt Surprise!

Hi! readers, I am sure you've noticed that updates are getting fewer at StyleandRelax.net. Your dear fashion blogger is 10 weeks preggy :) The first few weeks were really tough and I could barely stare in front of the monitor without getting a banging headache.


Preggy staples: leggings, reliable flat shoes, and a roomy top.

But now everything is reaching its equilibrium, I hope. So let me welcome you to StyleandRelax's preggy edition! :)



Starting off with an interesting invention for all mommies and mommies to be. My sister sent me this Belly Belt from Australia. She had to buy it online, it transforms your regular pants into something that you can still wear when you are carrying your precious one.



It would look like this. Such a great solution for saving your wardrobe while expecting, my only problem is that my pants don't have the standard button sizes. Will have to alter the buttons so that it can accommodate this maternity belly band.

You can get the belly belt online, just search for "belly belt combo" or maybe, ask your relatives abroad for it :)

“Love Yourself” with Watsons and Bioessence this Christmas

Heads up Watsons addicts!

This November, Watsons and Bioessence ushers in the holiday season with a very special Christmas offering that combines Watsons’ products with Bioessence’s paraffin wax treatment exclusively for Watsons and Beauty by SM shoppers.

“Watsons’ partnership with Bioessence is something we felt was a perfect fit,” said Vicky Encarnacion, Watsons Department Store Business Unit Head. “This Christmas, Watsons is all about finding ways to ‘love yourself.’ With our product lineup coupled with the paraffin wax treatment of Bioessence, every customer to Watsons and Beauty by SM is sure to have a delightfully indulgent holiday.”

“As an advocate of health, wellness, and beauty, we knew that Watsons was perfectly suited to what Bioessence believes in,” added Yeng Francisco, Marketing Director for Bioessence Serenity Spas. “For the last 14 years, we have grown to 26 outlets nationwide by honing our beauty expertise with beauty products like soaps, anti-ageing, whitening, slimming, essential oils, food supplements and other complementary items. By partnering with Watsons, we are able to go even further with our offerings by crafting a special paraffin wax treatment that customers can avail of. Our paraffin treatment is exclusive to Watsons for the holiday season and is slated to be one of the most unique activities you can do with your girlfriends this Christmas.”

Indulge yourself this Christmas

Along with paraffin wax, indulgence this season comes in the form of Watsons Exfoliating Body Scrub, Spa Essentials Massage Oils, Body Treats Body Care Range (Body Lotions and Body Soaps), and Glamworks Whiteplus Whitening Range.

Available in Cucumber, Strawberry, Grapefruit, and Peach Mango, Watsons Exfoliating Body Scrub kicks off your Christmas beauty by effectively removing dead skin cells and refreshing your skin. After a bath, Body Treats Body Care Range makes Christmas indulgence a sweet-smelling experience with specially formulated Virgin Coco, Green and Orange Papaya, and Calamansi scented Body Lotion and Body Soap, while Glamworks Whiteplus Whitening Range ensures that your Christmas complexion is kept fair and rosy for every party. These beauty and pamper products are exclusively available at Watsons and Beauty by SM stores.

Tor perfectly round off your Christmas indulgence, shopping for these Watsons’ exclusive products could earn you a FREE hand paraffin treatment plus a 50% discount for any facial at Bioessence Serenity Spa.

Complimented by Watsons Exfoliating Body Scrub or Spa Essentials’ specially formulated Massage Oils, your holiday season is set to be your most pampered Christmas yet.

Pininho Holidays!

A fresh watermelon burst, a playful babushka doll, a bling bling dollar sign and a colorful rainbow. Welcome the arrival of the latest Holiday installments of Pininho exprossories!



We loved them on our flipflops and this is the time to share the gift of having fun with Pininhos :D

The new styles will be available starting December in flip-flop stores or place your orders now via pininho.multiply.com for only Php 220-250.

Our favorite, the dollar bling bling!

Winners of Toblerone Thank You Day Promo!

And the winners for the Toblerone Thank You Day Promo are:


1. Angelica Tanala:



2. Joy Cruz:



3. Michelle Aleli



4. Flora Viloria



5. Renaeh



All winners are invited to join the Toblerone Thank You Day today. November 20, 6PM at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. You may also claim your prizes there, kindly look for Charl Sapina - 09188954624

Should you not be able to make it today, kindly get in touch with the same contact on where you may claim your gift packs :)

Thank you everyone for joining!

Manila's Most Fashionable Pick the Ultimate Wardrobe

They set the trends, penalize fashion les faux pas and basically rule Manila 's style scene with an iron -- albeit manicured -- hand. Yes, they're the undisputed headliners of fashion-- but did you ever stop to think of what the country's top fashion editors and columnists would come up with if they were to assemble one wardrobe?

Yes, you got that right. They would come up with no less than the Ultimate Wardrobe.



Kate Torralba. “Fun and quirky, her playful designs remind us to have fun with fashion,” Donna Cuna Pita.

But the Ultimate Wardrobe can’t be bought—and no, maxed out credit cards won’t cut it either—it can only be won in NESTLÉ FITNESSE’s Show off Your Shape promo.

Here’s a sneak peek at the Ultimate Wardrobe, as chosen by Audrey Carpio, Donna Cuna Pita, Bianca Consunji, Jenni Epperson, Joyce Fernandez, Rissa Mananquil, Pauline Juan and Isabel Roces:

Channeling an Icon



Chanel. “A Chanel dress is not just a dress. Owning one is a sartorial rite of passage into the history of couture and a statement that says you are serious about fashion,” --Audrey Carpio.

‘In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different” – or so said Coco Chanel, the legendary woman behind the iconic Chanel brand.

And all 8 editors agree that ‘different’ will be the least of what the owner of the coveted Chanel dress will be once she wears the said piece. Bianca Consunji considers Chanel to be the ultimate symbol of luxury. “Chanel’s a classy, globally known brand that just shouts ‘status symbol.’ While Audrey Carpio considers it to be a right of passage for every fashionista: “A Chanel dress is not just a dress. Owning one is a sartorial rite of passage into the history of couture and a statement that says you are serious about fashion.”

From Fashionista to Fashionalista



Rhett Eala. “Their collection carries reasonably priced clothes designed with elegance and flawless quality in mind,” Jenni Epperson.”
Would you have thought of the Philippine map as fashionable? Maybe—if you were Rhett Eala, that is.

And it is exactly this unique ingenuity which elevated a Rhett Eala creation into the Ultimate Wardrobe. “He’s one of my favorite designers,” shares Rissa Mananquil. “He’s fashion’s big innovator, thinker and provocateur. Isabel Roces, on the other hand echoes the sentiments of Rissa. “Rhett has always been my favorite local designer. His style is feminine, elegant and comfortable. His designs are always a hit, as proven by his widely popular My Pilipinas shirt.”

Aside from Michi Calica, Hermès, Rhett Eala and Michi Calica, other items included in the Ultimate Wardrobe come from Kate Torralba, Jun Escario, Religioso and 7 For All Mankind.

The Nestle Fitnesse 14 Days to Show off Your Shape will kick off on November 14, Saturday, from 9am, at Greenbelt Park, Makati, with the voting period lasting from Nov. 15 to Dec. 3. And as adjudged by Manila ’s top style icons, the winners of the Ultimate Wardrobe will be announced on December 10, 2009.

For more information about Nestle Fitnesse’s 14 Days to Show off Your Shape, please log on to www.fitnesse-14days.com

Have a Sexy Christmas with Avon Fashions

Naughty or nice? Christmas is the ultimate season to feel good about yourself - inside and out. It's the time to have fun especially with fashion! Why not start gift-giving by getting these eye-popping lingerie for yourself?



Hollywood Glamour -Recreate the glamorous diva style from the inside with this sexy red lingerie.

Bridgette Bra - Php 399; Bridgette Panty - Php 199



Royal Salute -Palatial designs reminiscent of the grandiosity and elegance of royalty. Suitable for modern-day queens and princesses who deserve royal treatment, inside and out.

Elizabeth Bra - Php 475; Elizabeth Panty - Php 199

Always remember to get lingerie in the right size and fit, not too loose and not too tight especially for your brassieres. Your Avon lady can help you determine the right size for you. What's great is how you can purchase the top and bottom separately.


Give the gift of Sexy!

Personally I am excited to wear them, I haven't really started a proper lingerie collection and I guess starting with Avon is a great option :) Thanks Santa!

The Starbucks 2010 Planner Launch

It's here! Girls and boys go crazy every year stamping their Starbucks cards to redeem the most coveted Starbucks 2010 Planner! This year, the planner is available in 3 stylish designs.


The Starbucks Planner was launched during the Starbucks Christmas Cheer Party at Ayala 6750. Guests and patrons of Starbucks were treated to overflowing coffee and first sips of their signature Christmas drinks. We love the Peppermint Mocha hot :) A great alternative to a creamy cup of their hot chocolate.



More than coffee and frappuccinos, Starbucks has lined up new pastries to welcome the holiday season. Cute ginger bread, layered cakes, and sandwiches lined with Christmas colors. Everyone felt it was already Christmas day!


Starbucks Christmas Bearistas are super cute!

Starbucks also launched their new Christmas themed tumblers, mugs, keychains and decors, even Christmas Bearistas. I got a Halloween Bearista :)


Christmas Barista :)

Visit your favorite Starbucks branch and enjoy the Christmas Cheer for you and your friends, anytime of the day.


Were you here?