AICHI DAY 1: Kabuto Beer & Sake Brewery, Himaka Octopus & Minamichita Hot Spring

I know I owe you guys and gals some posts from my November Japan trip in Aichi Prefecture. First and foremost I want to thank you Aichi for the awesome trip! We came to Japan as a group. Media and agencies from Vietnam and Singapore were also in the tour.

This has been my second chance to go to Japan, the first time is when I went to Tokyo and Kyoto respectively and it was also Autumn Season in September. My recent trip to Japan however was in Aichi Prefecture and its on the first week of November! I was really not sure on what to expect in Aichi, all I know is that they house Toyota Museum, so our trip is a good eye opener that there is so much more to see!

Our itinerary includes a place where we experienced both Sakura and Autumn season in one go, follow this series of posts to believe. This will be a lengthy post and also full of pictures. Yay, so here we go~

My airport fashion, lol!

Flight
There are 3 airlines that flies directly to Nagoya: Cebu Pacific, Jetstar and Philippine Airlines. To be able to arrive early in the morning we need to take Singapore Airlines. Our route was Manila-Singapore and Singapore-Nagoya. It was a long trip indeed, good thing that they served us good food, I mean just look at this:

Lots of option of beverages from Singapore Airlines

Yummy In flight Meal

Airport

Singapore Airport, which is in the list of top 10 airports in the world according to Skytrax have this train system for transfers between Terminals, hope we have this in NAIA.

Skytrain going to our Terminal

We reached Singapore at around 10:45 PM. ts a long tiring connecting flight, good thing that the Singapore Airport is not crowded and they even have this playground inside for kids. Wow~

Playground inside Singapore Airport

In Japan you do not have to worry because there are wifi rental, internet sim cards and foreign money exchange kiosks inside the airport. I don't have any pictures of Nagoya Airport upon arrival because we moved fast upon landing, our first stop was Handa City.

HANDA CITY

Handa has on old town feel and there are barely people on the streets. It has laid back atmosphere. We would be visiting the  Red Brick Building and Kunizakari Sake Brewery.

Red Brick Building: Old Kabuto Beer Brewery

Handa Red Brick Building is one of the five largest structures bult during the Meiji period and also a  very rare surviving example of a brewery building. Its made of multi-layered cavity walls and brick-arch floor construction which is rare nowadays.

Old Door of Red Brick Building

Beautiful scenery of Handa Canal

Big Barrel!

Chance for Photo opp!

Kabuto Beer is no longer brewed in the Red Brick Building's old factory, another local brewer makes it in limited supply. Now it operates as a restaurant and souvenir shop. The old factory has Victorian architectural style which makes it an interesting place.

Inside the museum: 2 ways of making the cavity wall

Cavity wall consisting of 5 layers

Traces of machine gun fire and semi ground structure of Handa Red Building 

Kunizakari Sake no Bunkaken Museum
In contrast to the red color of our first stop, Sake Brewery on the other hand is a dark colored structure. This black building was used as a sake brewery for 200 yrs already so it will make you feel the history. In front of the entrance there is a hanging sugitama (pine cone ball) it means new sake is made. As sugitama dries and change its color it lets people know how mature the sake is.

Sake brewery. 1st floor is storage and 2nd floor is the museum 

The Sake

They have different flavors of sake, I don't really drink but I love the peach sake because it taste like juice.

Sake for sale

At the end of the tour you can have sake tasting of the different types of sake.

Sake Tasting

HIMAKA ISLAND

"Himakaso"

We were transfered from Handa to Himaka Island from Katana Fishing Port by a chartered ship. We will have lunch at "Himakaso". 

Lunch time at Himakaso

One thing to look forward when eating at Himaka Island is the fresh octopus! They also serve fugu or blow fish. One thing to note is that most of the food served is raw. You may request for non-raw meal though.

Seaside view

We also had an experience of drying out octopus.

Dried octopus! 

Octopus Statue of Himaka Island

Himaka Island is also a place to buy a lot of dried goodies. They also have green tea ice cream (not in pictures) which is really good.

MINAMICHITA TOWN

Kaieikan Shachitei: Minamichita Hot Spring Resort

For our first day we stayed at Minamichita Hot Spring Resort. This is a ryokan type of accommodation which means traditional Japanese inn which usually feature tatami-matted rooms and communal baths.

Photo of my tatami matted room

Beautiful sea side of Minamichita

Sunset view

We were able to wear yukata at dinner. We can actually use this all around the hotel, but the weather is really cold so we prefer not to. I've worn this also before going up the ryokan to try their hot spring bath! Kimochi~ I was a bit aloof at first because its nude bathing. But hey, men and women's side is separated so don't you worry. However I am still a bit uncomfortable, glad that I was alone when I went in hehe. Its a very relaxing and such a worthwhile experience.

Wearing yukata

Traditional dinner in a ryokan for our group

Authentic Japanese Cuisine at Ryokan

Cooking inside is a big shrimp!

Fresh Sushi!

We strolled and found a single K Circle Convenience Store. Minamichita Town is far away from the City and its very peaceful. Might be a perfect place to unwind and just be one with nature.

Inside my room its so quiet that its killing me, so I turned on the tv and watched japanese shows. I like how fascinating japanese commercials are.

Oyasumi Nasai!

My first day in Aichi is a very long tiring but fun filled day. I will be posting about my succeeding days in Aichi prefecture on my next posts, I don't usually post a lot of photos in one go so I hope you enjoyed this entry!~


*I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated 
 

Review: THEFACESHOP Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel

“Usually good & pretty things disappear quickly so with your eyes, look at it well & then keep it in your heart.” -Joon Jae’s Mom-

I am a bit absorbed with Legend of the Blue Sea nowadays. I saw Hera Cushion being used by Jun Ji Hyun and I am curious how good that product is! I have also started liking Lee Min Ho, lol. Anyways today I am reviewing a K-Beauty product. Yes K stands of course for Korean! I do not usually buy from The Face Shop because I thought their stuff is pricey, however I like their THEFACESHOP Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel so I dropped by last December. I saw good bb creams and cushions with the same prices with Tonymoly and EtudeHouse. I guess this gives me more options on korean beauty items then.

THEFACESHOP Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel

Formulated with 99% Aloe Vera Leaf Extract from Jeju to soothe and moisturize the skin. This gel can be used for various purposes including moisturizing, soothing, facial pack and after-sun care. As Aloe Vera Leaf Extract is absorbed into the skin without leaving any sticky residue behind, it soothes and moisturizes at the same time.

Packaging 
Originally this was in a big green tub like the Nature Republic one. However after being out of stock for a while it came back in a new packaging! Now its in a big plastic tube which is more convenient and sanitary. No double dipping!

It contains aloe extract from Jeju and its formulated without five additives: parabens, benzophenone, animal-derived ingredients mineral oil and artificial coloring

Experience 
My skin is micro peeling nowadays and  THEFACESHOP Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel does a good job as it soothes my skin when I apply it on. It has this kinda cool effect but don't get me wrong its not the 'minty' cool effect though. The gel is simply refreshing on the skin. I used Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel to moisturize my face after using my Micellar Water. Its best applied by hands, I just tap tap and massage it on my face.



My skin kinda looks supple after application. The reason is, it doesn't get absorbed very quickly by my skin so it settles on it for a while. It have the usual scent of Aloe Vera. Its really all natural and contains 99% aloe vera, the highest percentage I've seen among the other korean brands.

As you can see the part where I applied the Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel looks glowing and supple.

How much and where to buy?
P195 for a big tube, I bought mine at The Face Shop in Makati.

What I love 

• Refreshing on the skin
• Makes skin look supple right after application
• Multi-functional skin care product (after-sun care, moisturizer...)
• Affordable
• No harsh chemicals
• All natural
• Doesn't break me out
• Moisturizes skin
• Contains 99% aloe extract than other brands
• Available at the mall

What I don't 

• Takes a while to be absorbed by the skin

Will I repurchase? 
This is my 2nd purchase, so its a yes!

Overall~ 
THEFACESHOP Jeju Aloe Fresh Soothing Gel is all-natural, affordable and does the job. I recommend this for all types of skin types. Its very gentle and I bet will work even for sensitive skin. Big thumbs up for Thefaceshop.

~oOo~

I might buy more items from Thefaceshop next time, anything you might want to recommend or any reviews you want to see? Let me know in the comments!


*I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated 
 

Where to Sell your Pre-Loved Goodies?

If you love online shopping I am sure you pretty much remember Sulit and Multiply. Its so fun to shop in the comfort of our home and this is something that I still enjoy doing with the added often promo of Lazada and the likes. However its the New Year and I know most of you have decluttered your closets! You must have seen your unused dress from 2 years ago! Your almost new shoes you have never even worn. We can always do a big garage sale outside of our home but seriously, not everyone have the luxury of time to do that. Luckily, with the power of world wide web we can still make a sale without leaving our home. So where to sell your pre-loved goodies?

Ebay
Although a bit old, Ebay is still a place where in you can sell new and pre-loved items alike. Make sure to be cautious on using paypal though and make sure to check previous account feedback!
Olx
I haven't tried Olx yet but they are the old Sulit and what makes them good is that they list items based on location. If your buyer is in Manila, the first location they will look at is Manila, this makes meet ups easier. You can always opt to do the shipping items route though.

Carousell
My friend have constant sales from this app. I am eager to try it out too. She says authentic stuff can be found here also, you just need to be keen on details. Since we are selling we can also benefit on the abundance of people who uses Carousell.

Shopee
Shopee like Carousell, have a website and an application. You need to download the app to be able to chat the sellers. For new items coursed through Shopee they have the option of being the middleman, like they will only release payment to the seller after the buyer gets the items. This is a nice feature because you are sure to get the item or else, get a refund. It benefits both the trusty seller and the buyer.

Facebook
When you have things to sell, the first people you can offer them to are... your friends! In facebook that is. Your family and friends might be interested in getting some of the items you offer and you will be assured that you are talking to a real person! If you want to extend the number of people who will see your items you can also share it in facebook groups, make your own facebook page. There are a lot of possibilities here!

Instagram
Choose a good background and take a snap! There are a lot of popular shops in instagram and although you are not in for a big business (at least not for now) you can just take good pictures and upload. Bonus is the added hashtags which will make people discover your items.

Girltalk
Last but not the list is Girtalk's Marketplace. You can sell fashion and beauty items in lots or per piece. Communication through personal message is also easy. You may want to join because this community is a great place to learn more anything under the sun: fashion, makeup, health and more!

 ~oOo~

I hope I've given you good ideas on where to sell your items now, make sure to always check feedback if buying and check payment first before sending items. Happy selling!~



*I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated 

 

I joined the Ultimate Blog Challenge of January 2017!

Happy New Year Lovelies!

Let us start the New Year of 2017 with a big bang. I am happy with what the past year has been and all I am hoping for this new year is for it to be nothing but more productive. With thus being said, I have joined the Ultimate Blogging Challenge for the whole month of January. This challenge is about blogging each day for the whole month. I need much better dedication to get the posts rolling! I really want to share more with you guys and there is a lot of drafts so this will really get me started. Boy I am so excited!

I have made a list for my goals this New Year:

Save up!
I shall try my best to finish the 30 pesos money challenge. Its a saving routine that starts with 30 pesos. It increases by 30 increments per week. Yay. This is also available at 5, 20 and 50 pesos as well.

Post More!
I have been piling a couple of drafts and its no good if it won't be published. I love blogging and time constraints won't hinder me otherwise.

Spend more time with family
I am looking forward into going out with my family this year. Quality time and producing memories is something I have not done much with them this last year, so I want to change that this year.

Learn a new skill
There is a couple of things I am interested to learn. Although I know I might not be able to accomplish all of them, maybe one or two skills is possible? Cross fingers!
Biking, swimming, speak and write korean or japanese, play piano or guitar. I have also been baking but I also intend to learn in a baking course to get proper training. Let us see if this will also be possible.

Sell stuff!
I would really want to sell things online. Beauty stuff maybe, or some preloved items in my  closet.

Happy New Year 2017!

*I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated

Review: Céleteque DermoCosmetics CC Micro-Hydrating Powder

With only 2 days before Christmas everyone is set into their festive moods. I am all jolly and happy when I received a grand box from Celeteque Philippines. It has basically all the makeup a girl will ever need! One of the items I have been using everyday lately is Céleteque DermoCosmetics CC Micro-Hydrating Powder.



What is it? 

Céleteque DermoCosmetics CC Micro-Hydrating Powder

Shades: Light Porcelain, Classic Natural, Deep Beige

10G

Céleteque® DermoCosmetics TM CC Micro-Hydrating Powder features an autogrinding technology that gives you an ultra-fine and hydrating powder that quickly blends and evens out skin complexion. It controls oil and shine while keeping skin radiant and well-moisturized.* It also has SPF 30 to provide double sunscreen protection.

Céleteque DermoCosmetics CC Micro-Hydrating Powder

How Céleteque® DermoCosmetics TM CC Micro-Hydrating Powder works:

• Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E) hydrates and nourishes the skin to make it healthy-looking
• Hydraulic Acid replenishes and retains moisture for long-lasting skin hydration
• Silica controls the excess oil to give a silky, soft and matte finish

Ingredients list

Directions for Use: Simply rotate the grinder clockwise to produce the right amount of finely-milled Céleteque® DermoCosmetics TM CC Micro-Hydrating Powder. Use powder puff to pat refined powder onto face and neck for an even and smooth finish.

Clinical Tests: Dermatologist-tested and proven to control shine while keeping the skin moisturized as backed up by an open clinical trial conducted among women aged 18 to 50 years old.

List of Ingredients

Credits: Celeteque PH

Packaging 
Céleteque CC Micro-Hydrating Powder comes in a silver and blue box. The compact inside is exactly fitted in the box. More photos below:

Description at the box and directions

Notes about the product

Top and bottom. Expiry is on 2019!

The packaging is a bit bulky, maybe because of the grinding technology. When I first got this and I didn't read the label, I thought its like a bb cushion. So when I opened the box I was surprise that its powder. My friend says it might be better to have a transparent bottom so I can see how much product is left inside, good suggestion.

Twist autogrind technology

Shade at the bottom

Used puff and inside the compact

 Experience 
Celeteque CC Powder has hydraulic acid which is the main ingredient of Hada Lobo. This CC product is powder but it moisturizes! Cool~ But I still use moisturizer underneath. This powder also have SPF 30 which is a big plus. I really like products with sunblock because its a must for a tropical country like the Philippines. This powder retains moisture of my skin, thanks to silica. The puff is very soft and I like it, a bit flimsy but it really feels nice on the skin. It just however, turned to be a bit messy because the puff doesn't get all of the powder grinded thus spilling inside the container.

swatch

I was given Light Porcelain, which is the lightest shade available. Thank you for sending my shade. Honestly at first the powder looks dark however when applied it shows as natural and it evens out my skin tone. The powder is finely milled and it doesn't accentuate pores. It has like a mineral powder finish and gives a soft filter effect to the skin. I also like how light it is on my face like I put on nothing. I usually just use this as my setting powder. Although this doesn't come as translucent, the coverage is not good enough to be used alone. However with this reason, Celeteque CC Powder can be your setting powder for your liquid foundation and bb creams.

I used Celeteque CC Powder for more than a week already and it keeps my face oil at bay. I don't oil up so much now however it tends to melt (but its still there) on the cheek area. I reapply this powder at the end of the day to hide my ever big pores.

How much and where to buy? 
P940 per 10g but I got mine from Celeteque Philippines. Thank you!

What I love 

• Moisturizing
• Super light on the face
• Perfect setting powder
• slightly minimizes the look of pores
• Matte but not flat finish
• Smart auto grinding technology
• Finely milled powder
• Evens out skin tone
• Value for the price

What I don't

• Messy 
• Bulky packaging

Will I repurchase? 
Yes!

Overall~
Céleteque DermoCosmetics CC Micro-Hydrating Powder gets a big thumbs up for keeping my face matte all day. Its safe and doesn't break me out, it offers value for the price, but might be steep for a powder, however for a gentle and effective product I say its worth it.

With this, I end this post. I hope to blog more on the festive season. For now, let me ask your favorite face powder? Share it with us in the comments below!


*I'm open for product reviews/ sponsorship/ ads and collaborations etc. please email me at: sparkliecandy(at)gmail(dot)com
Items were purchased with my own money unless otherwise stated