Review of Alpha Arbutin 3+

A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to have gotten our hands on these skin care set from Alpha Arbutin 3+ from Thailand. Now, Thai people are known for being enamored with beauty. In fact, their contenders at the Miss Universe pageants have been stronger and stronger over the past years. This just shows how seriously they have started taking beauty and all that it encapsulates.

I was very excited to try these because it's from Thailand and also because the packaging looked really cute. I was also intrigued because it was all collagen and as someone who is nearing her 40s, I know that I need all the collagen I can get to stay looking young.

Alpha Arbutin is a natural skin lightening/whitening agent. It works by slowly releasing hydroquinone through hydrolysis, which in turn blocks Tyrosinase activity which reduces the skin's melanin production.

The ones that I love the most from this set were the following:

Alpha Arbutin 3+ Shower Gel

I loved this one because it created a lot of foam which I particularly love in any shower gel. It also left my skin feeling smooth and moisturized.

This water based body lotion is not sticky which is good for our weather because we all know how hot the Philippines can get. This is easily absorbed. If you are used to thick creams, this may be a bit disconcerting but the best part of this body lotion is that it helps get rid of dry skin. After using this for a week, a slight skin peeling can be seen which is really good because it means the skin is being reborn.

As for the serum, this one is easily absorbed as well. Even though it's a serum, it's not thick that it's irritating. A little drop also goes a long way and is enough to cover the entire face.

The Alpha Arbutin3+ White Up Body Cream was probably the funniest thing I ever tried. When I squeezed a dollop of it into my palm, a pink cream came out which delighted me. What I didn't realize was that because it was so effective, I actually just needed a small amount.

I ended up with pink arms and pink hands. So be warned, just put on a small amount to cover your arms or body. They really kept true to their word of deep white essence so don't go crazy like I did.

My most favorite of this set though is the SOAP. Seriously, THE SOAP rocks!

This pink bar lasted more than 2 weeks which is saying a lot because in the last 2 weeks,  I have bathed at least 4x a day and used this soap every single time. It leaves my body feeling minty and refreshed. I super love it! This is one of the best soaps I've ever tried. My dry skin is no longer that dry when I used this.

Overall, I'd recommend Alpha Arbutin 3+ to anyone who needs something to keep them looking young and moisturized. This can be bought via their Facebook Page.

5 Simple Ways to Take Care of Yourself

Sometimes, it can be really easy to just forget about yourself. You take care of so many things at home, at work, and for others that you can't seem to find the time to sit down and even take a deep breath.

I am so guilty of this for the past 38 years but now that I am turning 39, I've realized that I truly need to take care of myself because only when I care for myself am I able to care better for others.

1. Breathe. 

Deep breaths may sound crazy but it actually really helps your mental state. I'm sure you've heard of "take a deep breath" when you are feeling upset or mad. This is because when you take a deep breath, you are able to mentally sort your body and system. it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. Breathing exercises are a good way to relax, reduce tension, and relieve stress.

There is something about breathing. Yes, all of us breathe (we'd die if we don't) but most of us take in shallow breaths. Take a deep breath. Make it a point that when you breathe, you truly inhale from the nose, hold it in for a few seconds, and then exhale through the mouth.

Deep breaths are known to improve your mental state as well as your psychological mindset.

2. Regulate Digestion 

Not a lot of people realize that a regular digestive system is necessary for people to function. When we are not able to get rid of toxins in our body, it affects our psyche and mental state.

Pholigo can help do that for you. It creates the ideal digestive environment. Since this is a natural plant-derived prebiotic powder, it serves as a nutrition fortifier. This means that it helps regulate bowel movement and ensures that you are able to clean your body internally every single day.

I love that when I put it on my coffee or cereal, I barely taste anything. It's healthy but not eewwwyyy. It also aids in the absorption of vitamins and minerals while improving the immune system.

3. Moisturize 

Since summer is now here and the weather has been bonkers, our skin tends to suffer the most.. The need to keep skin moisturized is real. Of course you can't just use any body lotion when you moisturize yourself. You need to find the right skin type to ensure that you maximize moisturizing your skin.

AVON Care has different body lotions perfect for different skin types. Now that I am older, I have dry skin so the royal jelly is the one that I use.

4. Drink Water

I've never really been a fan of water. I used to thrive on drinking one glass of water a day. Yes, you read that right. ONE GLASS. Now, I make sure that I drink at least 6 glasses of water. It's still short of the recommended 8 glasses but it's better than a glass.

Water is one of the simplest ways that we can truly take care of ourselves. It keeps our skin young looking and it helps to fix a lot of our ailments.

5. Sleep 

Coming from someone who has always had a sleeping problem, I've realized that my mood has been better since I started sleeping more.  I've also been able to heal faster now that I sleep at least 6 hours a day. Sleep is really important.

It fixes a lot of issues such as productivity, mood, and overall well-being. When you sleep, you are able to regroup and compose yourself as well as your thoughts.

These are all basic things and you'd think that everyone does it but these are also the things that most people seem to forget. So make sure you follow these 5 steps and you'd see a huge difference in your life.

Designer Blooms Cafe

A few weeks ago, our team had our weekly meet up. Normally we would meet in a restaurant then head to a coffee shop after but this time around, we actually stayed at a resto cafe.

Since there were just three of us, this is what we had. 

The Mac and Cheese was definitely a sight. I had a taste of it and I can say that this will be devoured by B and M in less than 10 minutes. The only thing I kind of wish was that the serving was a little bit bigger so you can have more of the awesomeness of this dish.

As for me, I had the grilled chicken pesto sandwich and I had absolutely no regrets. It was really, really good and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love the interiors of the place. It reminded me of Pamana in Tagaytay with the cozy feels and the mirrors on the wall.

I also love that they had actual blooms inside the cafe which gave a really fragrant smell.

Overall, I think this is a great spot for a quick lunch or catch up. It's cozy, quiet, and the price is not too high.

Designer Blooms Cafe
Molito, Alabang

Temptations Cat Treats

Do you own a cat?

Or does the cat own you?

This is a question that all cat lovers contend with on a daily basis when you find yourself asking for affection from your cat and then your cat walks away without a care in the world. Fret not though, we have something that will make your cat want to be by your side at all times.

Introducing, Temptations, a cat treat that will surely have your cat asking for more.

These are not meant to be a meal for your cat but it can be. This is actually a treat that you can give to them when you want to reward them for good behavior. The reason this works is because the kibbles inside are full of flavor which leaves the cat wanting more.

If you've been following me on Facebook or Instagram, you'd know that my cat Yang is such a Queen and does whatever she wants. Today, I had her try the Temptations Tuna treat and for the first time in 7 years, I managed to make her sit still. She followed me because whenever she wouldn't move for more than 5 seconds, I would reward her with a kibble.

IT WORKS!

Now I understand why the images showed a cat growing crazy over these treats. They really do. It also comes in three different flavors which is Savory Salmon, Tasty Chicken, and Tempting Tuna. Now to make sure that you actually see the effect for real, I did a video starring our Queen cat, Yang.

Temptations is now available via the Shopee app and the good news is you can easily hoard it because for a few days, it will be at 25% off. So make sure you head over to Shopee and get your cat some treats that it deserves.

Sundays at the SkyPark at SM Aura

Summer is off to a sizzling start. At 42 degrees, the heat is definitely on so what better way to spend your Sunday afternoon than having Sundays at the Skypark located the 5th floor of SM Aura?

First off, they have a tent to protect you from the heat. They also have a playground where your kids can burn off all the energy they have stored in their bodies. 

Different workshops are offered. You can learn to play the drum, watch something, or learn how to do arts.

What makes this better is that there are food stalls and not just any food stall. They serve local products such as suman but they level it up by putting chocolate syrup and nuts. You can also get to know the makers of these products so you can know more about the story behind the food if that's something that interests you.

Melo's Alabang is also now slowly becoming a part of bazaar's and they offer a rice topping or steak sandwich. If you've ever wanted to try out Melo's Steak but feel off with the price, this is the best way to have a taste of it without breaking the bank. I love that they made their steak offering more affordable and I am telling you guys, THIS IS WORTH IT.

Now this empanada was a complete surprise. It' contains chicken marinated in Red Horse and I am telling you, the taste is totally different in a good way.

Sundays at the Skypark also encourages mindful shopping which means that you are encouraged to bring your own ecobag and reusable containers for your purchases. Reusable straws are also encouraged and they use wooden utensils as well.

Sundays at the Skypark will be on every Sunday for the months of April and May. Be sure to catch them and take advantage of all the workshops as well as the local products which will be sold. Click here for the video.

ONE Championship: History and Story

USE CODE MSKATHYKENNY for 10% OFF WHEN YOU BUY FROM THE ONE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOP

ONE Championship is not about selling fights. It is about selling the values and story of the fighters in it's rosters. It is about giving hope to the little people by showing them that anyone can be a champion or a hero if they are willing to put in the work and never give up.

This is something that their CEO, Chatri, has constantly put out when asked about what ONE is all about and ONE has constantly been able to stay true to their words. In fact, never has a ONE fighter ever been on the news due to a scandal. This is also why ONE has been able to stay ahead of the game and constantly grow. True to their word, they are now holding their 2nd bout in Manila for the Year 2019.

The largest global sports media property in Asian history, ONE Championship™ (ONE), in collaboration with City of Dreams Manila, recently held the ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR Official Kick-Off Press Conference last Tuesday, 9 April at the City of Dreams in Manila.

In attendance were main event competitors, reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin Nguyen and challenger Narantungalag Jadambaa, co-main event participants, reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Yosuke Saruta and challenger Joshua Pacio, as well as Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, Chatri Sityodtong.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “ONE Championship is back in Manila, and it’s always a pleasure to visit the Philippines. We’re here to celebrate Asia’s greatest cultural treasure -- martial arts. We’re not here to sell fights, we’re here to build martial arts heroes who ignite the world with strength, hope, dreams, and inspiration. By telling their stories, we share the true values of martial arts with the world, which will always be our mission. See you all this Friday night for ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR. It’s going to be a fantastic show.”

Nguyen, Chatri, Jadamba

Martin Nguyen, ONE Featherweight World Champion, stated: “It’s my fourth time competing here in Manila, and I’ve always felt at home here. It’s an honor to share my talent with you all. Thank you to all the fans for the support. Challenging the legend Jadambaa himself, it’s such an honor. I would like to thank ONE Championship for placing their trust in me. I’ll bring a hundred percent into the cage, and god willing, I’ll walk out of the arena still champion.”

Narantungalag Jadambaa, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “First of all, I would like to thank ONE Championship for the opportunity to compete for the ONE World Title once again. This is not about age, this is about passion. Martial arts is my life and I hold the utmost respect for anyone who has the courage to step inside that cage. I will bring even more courage into the cage this Friday. I respect Martin Nguyen for what he has done for our sport and it is an honor to face him. I will do my best and the best man will walk out of the cage with the title.”

Saruta, Chatri, Pacio

Yosuke Saruta, ONE Strawweight World Champion, stated: “Coming to the Philippines and representing Japan and the Japanese culture, it is such a huge honor for me. I know Joshua Pacio has a lot of fans here, and I respect him as a martial artist. All I can say is that we will both bring our best into the cage this Friday night. It’s going to be an exciting fight, and I plan on getting my hand raised in the end as the victor. Thank you all for having me.”

Joshua Pacio, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “I would like to thank ONE Championship for giving me another chance to fight for the title. I know the magnitude of this matchup and how important this rematch with Yosuke Saruta is. I wasn’t at my best in that first fight, so I want to go out there and prove that I can do much better. He’s a great fighter, and I have so much respect for him. But I have the hopes and dreams of an entire country on my shoulders, and I can’t let the fans down. I’m coming to regain the belt. It’s going to be a war this Friday.”

Ticket information for ONE: ROOTS OF HONOR is available at www.onefc.com.

Review of Lao Yu Ji (L.Y.K.)

Lao Yu Ji or more known as LYK is opening it's door to the public starting today at the City of Dreams. The grand opening is set to happen at 5pm today but we were lucky enough to grab a table during lunch time and have a bite of a few things on their menu.

As you can see, they haven't officially opened.  What got me excited is the fact that they have an aquarium so your seafood is guaranteed fresh.

They also have roasted duck, chicken, and meat.

I love the interiors because it is a combination of old and new.

Now it's time to talk about some of the food they have. Since this was an unplanned lunch, we were only able to try 3 items but I think it's a good gauge to know if this place would be worth another visit.

I was impressed with the complimentary soup. It was bigger than the normal bowl given and this one even had a few veggies on it. The taste was also good, not the usual complimentary soup that barely taste anything.

Now this is their ramyeon and though they used instant noodle, it was the Chinese version that doesn't get soggy when put in the water for too long. Paired with egg, Chinese pechay, and Ma-Ling, this is definitely a comfort food. Priced at Php198, this is a budget meal that can definitely fill anyone up.

I had the Supreme Roasted 8 Combination. This one comes with rice, tofu, roasted chicken, white chicken, Liempo Macao, roasted duck, roasted pork, and Chinese pechay. At Php468, this is definitely an awesome sampler of everything because you get to have a taste of all the roasted dishes that Lao Yu Ji or LYK has to offer.

I loved the roasted duck, roasted chicken, roasted pork, and then the white chicken the most.

The egg tart left a lot to be desired. I don't know what went wrong but I am sure that this egg tart is nowhere near the egg tart sold in Hong Kong so this was a downer for me.

Overall, I'd still give LYK a chance. I'm sure that there are still more to discover in the newest Hong Kong based restaurant to land in Manila.

on surprise dates and the power of assurance

Lately, I haven't been feeling okay about my relationship with M. Yes, we do not fight but I felt that we have gotten into a rut. Truth be told, I was starting to think that he may have lost interest in me and met someone new.

It was not a good feeling.

This of course resulted into one big fight and I finally told him everything. I told M how I felt insecure, how I thought that he had a side chick, and how I didn't feel assured about our relationship.

As his trademark, he didn't say much about it but today, while we were out and rushing from one event to the next, he saw a window of opportunity and he took me to lunch here.

I felt kilig.

Black Fork Bistro looked like the perfect date place. It was cozy and the ambiance was great. It seemed like the perfect date spot.

It even had an art section where they sell artwork made by UP Students at reasonable prices.

I ordered the Beef Salpicao with gravy while M ordered the Roasted Chicken. Our meal came with the soup of the day and unlirice.

I love the fact that they use proper soup spoon. It's just really nice.

Save for the garlic, I loved my beef salpicao. The meat was tender and the sauce was wonderful. If I wasn't trying to lose weight, I would have eaten a lot more but I promised myself that I would cut down on rice.

The roasted chicken was also pretty good though I wish that they marinated it a bit longer so that the taste would be a bit more distinct.

My wonderful date.

We had this 3 pieces churros for dessert because again, we were trying to cut down on sweets and carbs so this was more than enough for us. I loved this one especially when dipped on this dulce de leche dip.

HEAVEN.

Overall, our bill was only Php500 which was pretty amazing. M and I have been on a goal of saving money this year so it really matters that we can still go our but not spend so much money. After all, what really matters is that you spend time together and assure each other of your love.

March 2019 Recap

The first week of April has gone by and I feel that I am now ready to talk about March. January recap and February recap was such a good thing for me so I want to also do one for March.

Since last month was all about empowering women, I decided to talk about red flags that women need to look out for when they date someone new. I thought that to be truly empowered is to know how to protect yourself from the true monsters of the world.

Another thing that an empowered woman should be able to do is to prepare for the future and so I finally got myself insurance. I know that I'm a little late but as they say, better late than never. 

I've also learned to just love myself. I thought that I should share tips to others who read this blog because we all know that there are so few people in this world who actually love themselves and if I could help someone, then this would be all worth it.

I also got introduced to essential oils and I am so happy because I now sleep better, I have more focus when I want to, and it's just been great. The oils have been really great in doing the things that it is supposed to so I am now a firm believer of doTERRA essential oils. 

Financially speaking, I'm not in the best position but since I have learned that saving money will only happen if you make it happen, I finally got to save even a little bit. 

Other things that I was able to try on for the first time was to ride a 10 seater plane, have a full meal at Antonio's, and also get interviewed for the first time via live stream. I've also tried steak delivery for the first time which was really, really awesome. Rare Food rocks.

However, the best food finds for me last month was Fantastic Chef. Seriously. I'd love to eat there again given the chance.

I also learned to doodle last month which was pretty amazing!!! 

View this post on Instagram

Day 2 of learning how to doodle. 🥰 #doodlesbykathykenny #doodle #doodleart

A post shared by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Mar 5, 2019 at 3:04pm PST

And I also won a kickass microwave last month which was pretty darn good because I rarely attend events now and I rarely win during raffles so this was really an awesome thing.

View this post on Instagram

Juggling so many balls is easy because @lazadaph_style makes shopping for my needs so easy. All I need to do is tap on the app, shop, and it gets delivered to my home asap. #Lazada7Birthday #LazPar7y

A post shared by Kathy Kenny (宝云) (@mskathykenny) on Mar 19, 2019 at 4:00am PDT

March was also the same month that my sister turned 19. It was a low key celebration but as always in our household, what matters is that we are all together.

PS. My Mom and M got to ride Ferrari's for the first time in their lives so that was pretty good too.

Follow //
▸ blog | http://lifeiskulayful.com
▸ instagram | http://instagram.com/mskathykenny
▸ pinterest | http://pinterest.com/mskathykenny
▸ facebook | http://facebook.com/mskathykenny
▸ twitter | http://twitter.com/mskathykenny
▸ youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/KathyNgo
▸ linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathykennyngo/