NEW: Summer Finds

Hey Ladies,

Summer's just around the corner! My really good friends, Manelle and Madel, are inviting you to come and check out their CLEARANCE SALE featuring brand new imported bikinis, swimsuits from petite to plus size, beach cover ups, board shorts, plus size imported dresses and accessories.
Bikinis are 350php a pair and Board shorts at 300php.

You can drop by and visit their place by texting Manelle at 09178158880. Their place is open from 10 a.m to 8 p.m. or at any time convenient for you. Just remember to text so that they could wait for you and give you directions to their shop : )

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XOXO

Andrea

Start Summer with The Soft Fierce Collection

I'm always asked by people where I get my clothes. As a plus size, it's usually very difficult to find the PERFECT Summer collection, but remove all those worries because ERZULLIE has launched its Resort 2012 Collection.
Last February 18, 2012 at Cafeccino in Eastwood, Erzullie launched their wonderful collection.
 It was a fun event because we met people, got great buys and our Resort 2012 Photoshoot was shown for the very first time to the public. The pictures were great. Seeing myself for the very first time in fashion photos made me really proud.
During the First Look, guests were able to buy the old collection at 50% discount, and most importantly were able to get the chance to purchase the new collection before it even hit the bazaars.
It was well-attended event, and I was personally able to meet great Fierce Plus Size ladies. Aside from that, contestants from  Biggest Loser Philippines  and bloggers from the fashion industry were also present in the event.

My sister, Cheyenne, accompanied me to the event wearing her favorite Erzullie Outfit 

from Holiday 2011 Collection. I'm wearing the Resort 2012 Maxi Dress in this photo.

Erzullie Advocates 

Spot the Similarity: ANSWER "Everyone is in an ERZULLIE OUTFIT"

with Raffy and Leigh of Biggest Loser

With my LOVELY FIERCE FRIENDS and SISTER

With Ms. Aries 

and

Ms. Berna

To all you, Fierce Ladies out there, visit Erzullie's website to know when their next event or bazaar will be : )
www.facebook.com/erzullie.fiercecurves
www.erzullie.multiply.com/ 

With Erzullie, all plus size women feel and look beautiful.

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea

Tried and Tested Beauty Secrets Part 2

Since my friends enjoyed my blog on "Tried and Tested Beauty Secrets", I decided to come up with a Part II. I hope they enjoy it just as much : )

1. Blackheads

Open a used tea bag (preferably green tea), and rub the leaves, while they're wet and moist,  on your nose in circular motion. Do this for 3 minutes. Rinse and wash face as usual.

2. Exfoliate your FACE

Wet your face and apply a mix of fresh lemon juice and brown sugar to exfoliate your face and give it a natural glow. Gently rub it in circular motion and leave for 5 minutes. Do this 2x a week preferably in the evening before going to sleep.

3. Facial Mask

Cook a bowl of oatmeal and add 2 tablespoons of honey. While the mixture is warm, apply to your face and leave until dry for about 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse and wash face as usual.

4. Acne Solution

Make a solution of  baking soda and warm water. Apply the mixture to your face after washing with a mild cleanser. Let it stay for 15 minutes, and then wash off with cold water.

or

Try crushing an uncoated aspirin and mix with honey. Apply to your face and let it stay for 15 minutes. Wash face as usual.

5. Natural Face and Neck Lift

Crack an egg and separate the the egg yolk and the egg white. Apply the egg white to your face and leave for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water afterwards. Do this regularly to achieve the firm skin you want to have.

6. Sunburn Solution

Don't like being tan? Try this easy solution to your sunburned skin

Add two tablespoons of honey to a mixture of lemon juice. Leave for 20 minutes. See the difference after a week.

7. Instant Quick Dry

In a hurry after a manicure or pedicure? 

Dip your fingers or toes in a bowl of ice-cold water. Your nails will dry very quickly. Just make sure your nails don't hit the sides of the bowl. : )

Happy weekend! I'd love to hear your feedback. 

Until next time Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea

What If's

I was very much decided to go to the gym after work today, but a really close friend, whom I haven't gone out with for a few weeks, invited me to hangout and eat dinner. I'm certainly glad I accepted the invite even if it meant missing my gym time, which I was honestly looking forward to, because it allowed me to reflect about some aspects of my life.

We had a good talk during our meal, but we also decided to catch and see a movie after. Upon checking the movie schedule, we noticed that UNOFFICIALLY YOURS was already showing. We decided to watch the movie together with a lot of other people who were surely anticipating its showing. The movie house was jampacked, and I couldn't wait to see if the movie was worth our money and time.

The movie was 1 hour and 45 minutes, and all I can say is that, it was REALLY REALLY WORTH our time. I shed tears in 3 or 4 scenes because the acting was awesome, the characters' chemistry were undeniably evident, and there was just so much to take in.

I have seen a lot of Filipino movies but I guess only a few will compare to this. The situation, the reality about love, and the lessons to be learned were all so REAL.

Even if I am not in an UNOFFICIAL relationship at this moment, I learned and picked up a few words of wisdom.

I realized that when one LOVES, it always comes with the RISK of getting H-U-R-T. You will definitely get hurt a number of times, but in the process you find TRUE LOVE as well. So NO RISK equals to NO LOVE.

Second, when you LOVE, there are more things to be FEARFUL of, which if you think about, is really normal. People suddenly become afraid of losing that someone, of getting hurt, of missing opportunities, but when we allow this FEAR to takeover  our decisions and plans then we lose the meaning of LIFE because we are too afraid to TRY and TAKE CHANCES, and therefore miss the things we could have experienced. When FEAR is present and overpowering our decisions in life, we take a lot of important things for granted.

Third, when you LOVE, you give and don't expect anything in return. You wait patiently and don't demand. True love WAITS.If it's meant for you, then it will come no matter what.

Our hearts get tired, and it's ok to feel that way. What's important is resting and taking the time to heal and make sure that we have enough strength to LOVE and BE LOVED again. We are not robots, and we must give ourselves that time, so that we could open ourselves again to all the possibilities out there.

The movie sank in really deep and my friend and I were speechless as we left the movie house.
I couldn't help but fall into silence after the movie. It was definitely a FEEL-GOOD MOVIE.

Personally, it made me think really hard of the choices and decisions I have made and are making. A few days back, I promised myself that I'd be closing a chapter in my life, and I decided to move on as if nothing bothered me at all, but I discovered tonight that it was running away from what I felt and from the truth. Moving on to another chapter was a lie I was making to myself to feel better. Because of the movie, I think I have renewed courage to accept and acknowledge what I am feeling, and hopefully take the RISK that I am so afraid to take.

I may regret the decision I will make, but in the long run I will realize that I took the leap and was honest to myself. I think that PEACE OF MIND at the end of the day will be worth it. I don't want to live my life thinking of all the "WHAT IF's". I want to be able to look at my past in the future saying at least I tried and I lived a LIFE WELL LIVED.

Love is definitely a COMPLICATED matter. It's so good to have, but so PAINFUL to lose. So why do we still LOVE? It's because the good feeling outweighs the bad, and we would do everything and anything to get a hold of the GOOD FEELING because in the end what matters is that you found the person you are willing to spend the rest of your life with.

Today, COURAGE is the word of the DAY!

Good night and Sweet Dreams


Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XOXO

Andrea

MY SVG (Singles Valentine's Group)

Of all my New Year's Resolutions, this is the first one I have broken so far. I said I did not want to be part of this VALENTINE'S Single's Group anymore. Unfortunately, God has other plans for me now. So Y-E-S!, I am still SINGLE.

I actually told my friends yesterday that the SVG just gets bigger and bigger each year and that no one seems to have left ever since I started this group 6 years ago. We started out as a group of 4 or 5 people who decided to have dinner together in The Old Spaghetti House on Valentine's Day and the rest is history.

Year 3- Tender Bob's, Promenade

Year 4- Uncle Cheffy, Eastwood

Year 5- Borough, Podium

Year 6- Giligan's, Galleria

Last night we were about 20 people during the dinner (old members still there), and this is when I decided that though it was fun to have your friends around when you feel sad and alone, I still wanted to have something more.

We decided to meet in Giligan's, Robinson's Galleria. I tried reserving the place a week before, but they didn't want to accept reservations which is honestly quite annoying. A lot of restaurants would love to have reservations since it guarantees customers. Unfortunately, this restaurant wasn't open to the idea.

6 of us arrived about 5:45 p.m., and got a table for 20 people. The waiter and manager were quite annoying to begin with. They asked me what time the people would arrive, and I said "6 p.m"., and then someone asked me again what time our dinner would begin, so I repeated what I said previously and said " 6 p.m. ang usapan pero medyo traffic ngayon so di ko masasabi kung exactong 6 p.m. darating ang mga tao ok?" I think he got my point because he left immediately afterwards.

At about 6:10 p.m., 5 more people arrived, so we started ordering. We asked the waitress whether a group of 4 or 5  people could have separate bills just so that it was easier to split the bill. The waitress returned and said that they didn't allow it, which we honestly thought was quite STUPID! Anyway, I didn't want to dampen the mood of everyone, so we decided to agree to have just 1 bill, which made it difficult for us to compute afterwards.

At about 6:30, everyone was there. We ordered and ate. Food was reasonably priced and tasted really good, which made up for the really bad service. To make things worst,  we asked for water as soon as we arrived, and it was served when we were almost done eating.

I understand that there were a lot of people, but they had a lot of STAFF as well. Besides, they should have anticipated that it was Valentine's Day. Anyway, with the service they gave, I realized it was their good food and affordable prices that kept the customers coming.

After dinner, we had a few drinks, and had a chance to listen to a relatively new but good band. At about 9:30, we wrapped up everything and called it a night.

My friend Rina and I, still watched a movie afterwards. The Vow made me cry. It was a really touching movie about a guy whose love for his wife triumphed even when his wife lost her memory. He gave his all just to keep the marriage. If all men were born this way, I don't think there will be such a thing as DIVORCE and ANNULMENT. It was the perfect movie to watch on Valentine's.

I got home past midnight, and I was grateful for the wonderful friends I have. I texted each one saying how wonderful my Valentine's Day was even though I did not have a special someone on that day.

Honestly being single is not as bad as it seems. I have a lot of "ME" Time , and I have a lot of time for my friends and family. I also get to concentrate and stay focused on work. Though having someone special in my life would mean extra MOTIVATION, I still feel that being SINGLE has its advantages.

I vowed not having another Single's Day next year, but I will honestly miss the great company I had yesterday and in the past six years. I see it as CLOSING a CHAPTER in my life and deciding to move on to another more exciting CHAPTER.
To end:
If I may quote an exceprt from  Pedro Arrupe S.J

What you are in love with,

what seizes your imagination, 

will affect everything.

It will decide what will get you out

of bed in the morning,

what you will do with your earnings, 

how you will spend your weekends.

Fall in LOVE

Stay in LOVE,

and it will decide EVERYTHING.

This is the next chapter I hope to see in my life : )

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea

Never In My Wildest Dreams

Last February 11, 2012, another dream of mine came true! I was included in Erzullie's Resort 2012 photo shoot. Honestly, I was very NERVOUS because I did not want to disappoint Ms. Aries and Berna, who have been so supportive of us.
This photo shoot was a really big and important thing to them because we were representing the BRAND, which they created and have put all their time and effort on.

I arrived  at exactly 5 a.m. in Ms. Aries's Residence. When I arrived, Loren was already there. Ms. Berna and Ms. Aries took turns fixing our hair and making our skin as flawless as possible. I must admit they did a SUPER DUPER GREAT JOB.

I was also fascinated by the great eyelashes provided to us by Ravish Lashes and the make up by Krave Minerale.

After all of us were made up, we proceeded to Rouge Studio for the photo shoot, and I was the first one up.

I started off a bit shaky and uncomfortable. I think it was because I was the very first one under all those lights and camera. It is also my very first time to be an ICON for such a great brand. I was very lucky that Ms. Aries was very supportive throughout the shoot. She gave me pieces of advice and directed me exceptionally well. She did not give up. The photographers were very patient as well.

After awhile, Ms. Aries said I looked more comfortable. I think I started to get the hang of it. The other ICONS were naturals. It was as if they were born for the cameras, and this inspired me to step up as well.

During the shoot, I realized that ERZULLIE gave me this wonderful opportunity which I'm sure a million girls would have wanted to have, so I just had to do my best and give my all. Besides, they chose me because I was confident in my own skin.

The best part of the shoot was having Leigh Villegas of Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition with us. She was a delight to be with during our shoot.

I never though that the "behind the scenes" could be so chaotic. Everything happened so quickly, and I didn't realize that time flew so fast.

After a few hours of changing clothes, make up retouches and running here and there, we finally had to wrap up. I  honestly consider the shoot a success, and I can't wait to see the finish product of our shoot. I hope our photos give JUSTICE to ERZULLIE because the clothes are AMAZING!!!

I must end by saying thank you to my ERZULLIE family for giving me such a wonderful experience.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think of being an ICON. I guess dreams still do come true even when you're OLD. Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE!

 with owner of Krave Minerale and Leigh Villegas

The ICONS with Leigh Villegas

I just can't wait to get a hold of their RESORT 2012 collection, and I'm really excited for our FIRST LOOK of the collection on Feb 18, 2012.
I also can't wait to meet new awesome friends during the EVENT.

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea

Speed Dating 101

It's the month of LOVe and HEARTS. As a SINGLE woman you can just imagine how much I hate it when this month approaches, so I decided to lighten things up by writing about my attempts to finding my PRINCE CHARMING through SPEED DATING!

I am NO EXPERT when it comes to DATING! Actually a lot of my past dates have been disastrous. However, I kinda consider myself an expert when it comes to SPEED DATING. If you're wondering why, it's because I have been to about 4 or 5. Even if I never got the chance to have a relationship with the guys I met, I have actually had coffee or a second and third date with the guys I met.

I suddenly recalled my SPEED DATING days and decided to write about it when I heard that my friends would be going to one soon! I hope they get tips from this BLOG of mine

Before joining a SPEED DATING EVENT, one must:

1. Check if the organizers are REPUTABLE! I have been to SPEED DATING EVENTS, which were not organized properly so the event turned out to be a total flop. Not only was the venue lousy, but the people you met were CREEPY. I actually attended one wherein the guy I spoke to was about 60 years old. (talk about AWKWARD)

So how would you know if the ORGANIZERS can be TRUSTED! 

First, it would be good if they had a website you could check on. A Website where you could browse their past events and the people they chose to join.

Second, the event should have a targeted age. You can't have a dating event wherein you allow 18 year old guys to talk to 30 year old women. An age limit should be set.

Third, You have to make sure there is a screening process just to make sure you get your money's worth. Usually a good organizer would ask for your Social Networking Sites just to make sure that there is some kind of compatibility among the people they will allow to join.

Fourth, Look at the VENUE! It should a least be DECENT enough to have a nice conversation with someone. 

2. Practice your SPEAKING SKILLS! Speed Dating is all about impressing people in 3 to 4 minutes. What comes out of your mouth will define you as a person.

3. Wear something APPROPRIATE! you wouldn't want to be over-dressed or too sloppy. First impressions really last. Wear something you are comfortable and confident in. Actually, if I had known about ERZULLIE during those times, I would have worn them since their pieces are CLASSY, COMFORTABLE and FASHIONABLE.

4. Never go as a group of FRIENDS. This will mean that you will only be interacting with the SAME people/ with each other. If you don't want to go alone, bring a close friend of the same gender.

During the EVENT:

1. Don't give too much information. Don't talk about your past relationships or your family problems. Stick to your interests, hobbies, line of work etc. 

2. Don't pretend to be someone else. You could definitely have a future with someone you'll meet. You wouldn't want to start your relationship with the wrong idea about each other.

3. Speak in a language you are comfortable in. Don't pretend to be slang or British if you are not. I have seen girls like this, and it surely was a major turn-off.

4. Don't eat while the EVENT is going on. You wouldn't want your mouth full while talking to your partner.

5. Don't look too DESPERATE! Guys can smell a desperate woman.

6. NEVER EVER admit that you have been to more than 1 SPEED DATING EVENT. It makes you look DESPERATE and PATHETIC. Always act as if it were your FIRST. I have been an expert on this.

After the EVENT:

1. Accept invitations to go out with someone you like.This will give you the opportunity to know the person more. I usually go to a Coffee and Dessert place after.

2. Don't accept an invitation if you are not comfortable or if you don't like the person. Decline respectfully and say that you have to go home immediately.

3. Never get a ride home with a person you just met even if he has the HOTTEST car in the world. You can put yourself in a lot of danger. I personally did this after going out with a guy after the EVENT. My mom scolded me big time when I got home, and that's the only time I realized the DANGER of what I did.

4. Exchange numbers so that you could keep in touch.

My most unforgettable Speed Dating Event was back in 2010. After waiting for 2 hours, only 2 girls and 8 guys  showed up. It was really an AWKWARD situation. The guys decided to continue with the event, and since we were only 2 girls during the event, we decided to just sit and eat in 1 long table. The difficult part was trying to get to know everyone without making the other guys feel out of place, but the best part was having so many guys to choose from. At the end of the EVENT, I went out to with someone I enjoyed talking to, and had coffee and dessert until midnight. We went out 2 or 3 times after and kept in touch through texting. We didn't turn out to be partners, but I gained a new friend.

Just a PIECE of ADVICE:

Go to the EVENT for FUN. Don't expect too much, so as not to get DISAPPOINTED. Enjoy the experience and hope that a MIRACLE happens.

Until Next Time, Fierce Ladies

XoXo

Andrea