Where my Heart is Happy.

When it comes to cosmetics and fragrances, most women know what they want and where to get it. For many decades now, Rustan’s has been a one-stop shop, travelling the world just to bring in the best beauty products to the country. “Sixty years ago, when my mother Glecy Tantoco put up Rustan’s, she has envisioned a cosmetics floor that will not leave our customers wanting—she knew that this can only happen with the right selection of brands and products that meet their discerning tastes. The Rustan’s we enjoy now which carries the most exciting skincare, make-up, and fragrance brands available in the world-- is her vision fulfilled. We carry on that legacy by making sure our people, our services, our counters mirror the global products we offer,” says Rustan’s President Zenaida Tantoco. 

 Knowing that the science of serving its customers doesn’t simply stop at the variety of brands it has on its shelves, Rustan’s Makati raised the bar to give its customers the best global shopping experience one can have. Its flagship store, Rustan’s Makati, features new, gleaming make-up and fragrance counters that are especially zoned to give customers a new sense of ease when shopping. 

 Designed by international firm Callison, the Cosmetics, Perfumery and Toiletries floor where its luxury fragrance and make-up brands are on-display, is given a fresh, more spacious layout. Circular fragrance counters are strategically laid-out, tastefully announcing the brands available. A Beauty Launch Pad was also created for events and activities to introduce the latest products.

 Flanking fragrances are the luxury make-up brands with thoughtful space provisions for each customer to experience privacy as they shop around. “Space is the new luxury and by creating free flowing spaces, we made the Rustan's shopping experience more special,” says Marketing Communications Manager for Cosmetics, Perfumery and Toiletries, Sevrine Miailhe. 

On its counters are brands exclusive to Rustan’s such as Chanel, Clarins, La Prairie, Estee Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Sisley and Lancôme. Its stand-alone boutiques offer top niche brands such as Nars, Laura Mercier, Diptyque, Annick Goutal and Acca Kappa. All have personal beauty consultants within reach to lend their expertise to the customers. 

A unique service of the stores is its regular makeup classes conducted by international makeup artists. “Experts from our top brands like Nars, Laura Mercier, Mac, Bobbi Brown travel to the Philippines exclusively for Rustan’s,” says Miailhe. 

Complementing Rustan’s C, P and T counter facelifts are their regular head-to-toe health, beauty and skincare services on the 5th floor. Trusted names such as Clarins, Murad and Dermalogica offer spa and professional skin treatments and high-end salon Emphasis specialized services catering to all. Located at the Grand Mall are the new OPI and Lippmann Nail bars.

If the product it sells makes the store, then Rustan’s has its name up there along with the world’s best. “For Rustan’s, it’s not just about bringing in the best and the trendiest beauty labels anymore but giving our customers a unique shopping experience that is at par with high-end department stores you would have abroad. When they come visit our new counters, they will know what we mean,” concludes Miailhe.

Villa d'Este, My Wedding Venue Choice #1.

Villa d’Este, masterpiece of the Italian Garden, is included in the UNESCO world heritage list. With its impressive concentration of fountains, nymphs, grottoes, plays of water, and music, it constitutes a much-copied model for European gardens in the mannerist and baroque styles. 

 The garden is generally considered within the larger –and altogether extraordinary-- context of Tivoli itself: its landscape, art and history which includes the important ruins of ancient villas such as the Villa Adriana, as well as a zone rich in caves and waterfalls displaying the unending battle between water and stone. The imposing constructions and the series of terraces above terraces bring to mind the hanging gardens of Babylon, one of the wonders of the ancient world. The addition of water-- including an aqueduct tunneling beneath the city -- evokes the engineering skill of the Romans themselves.

Read more about Villa d'Este HERE. 

I think it's the most beautiful garden ever. 

Daddy thinks so too. 

Actually, the WHOLE family feels the same way about Villa d'Este. Yes, all 20 of us. 

I think this is where I want to get married. 

Cedric and his whole family. 

I have only one pair of rubber shoes. I use it for the very little time I go to the gym. I don't know how to wear them casually but I was told that for this month long trip, I need to buy one. So I got a pair of Nike and up until now, I still don't know if I wore it right. 

I do however, love all the colors that they come in. 

I got one for Jacqueline too! I think it looks better on the young ones. 

Carebear, comfort is my first name. I wore it with my Geox jacket, a birthday gift from Ginny! Thank you sister!

Empty Metro Manila Timelapse: The Pacquiao Effect

This is how we Filipinos love to watch Manny Pacquaio box. This video is not of the fans watching and screaming. It's not about showing how many awesome punches he made or a showcase of his many trophies. It will not show clips of Jinkee or Dionisia either (which is more entertaining than the fight itself).

It is actually my favorite undeclared holiday in the country. 

For this reason, I wish Manny Pacquiao would get into the ring every single day of his life. This video is my proof. I thank the film makers for proving my point. 

Thanks to PH for sharing it with me.

The Vatican, the Guards and my Boobs.

Steffie and I visited The Vatican 2006. We didn't have much time to spare so we didn't get to go inside. Read here my past post HERE. 

Well this time, we had time and this is what we saw. For those who haven't been, enjoy! I know Daddy did. He would often tell me how Mom loved it here and how they would just sit for hours praying. 

Diane and Kwenby. 

This photo is actually not as scary as it seems. 

Before dinner, our driver took us into this isolated building and made us look into this tiny keyhole. If you focus enough, you will see the Vatican. I think that's awesome. 

Zooming in, this is what you will see. Cool no?

Steffie, at the same time was in France and posted a French guard while Jacqui took a photo of a Swiss guard. I thought, man, if guards in the Philippines were this hot, I wouldn't have to travel so far for my eye candy!!! 

Parang ang laki ng boobs ko. Maybe it's my new bra. It's actually not THAT big. Hahaha!!!

Stiff Neck Worthy.

The Vatican Museum.

I don't know how my photos can compete with those taken by professionals that you can find online but I tell you, if you haven't been to this museum, make sure you pack BENGAY for muscle pain. There about a gazillion and a half things to see in this magical place but what amazes me most are the ceilings.  

Loving this door. I am a leo so it's close to my heart. 

Here's where the neck pain started.....at the end of the tour, I felt like I needed a brace to make it go back to normal. I hope you love it as much as I do.