Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

When I turned thirty-five few years ago, my face started to show signs of aging.  I noticed a small dark spot on my left cheek and it started to grow wider and darker.  I thought it would just fade away but it didn't so I went to a dermatologist and have it checked.

The doctor said that dark spots or hyperpigmentation are common skin problems that usually appear at middle age.  A lot of factors contribute to this problem but the common one is too much exposure to sun.

When I was younger I was exposed to so much sun because of a lot of outdoor activities ... mountaineering, hiking, swimming ... there's just a lot of fun things to do under the sun but my big mistake was, I never use sunblock in any of these outdoor activities.  Once you are young you won't feel the ill effects of too much exposure to the sun until you reach that middle age.

The doctor gave me several choices to get rid of my dark spots and she also advised me to use a sunblock to protect my face from further damage caused by the sun.  She prescribed Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer has a SPF of 50 (the doctor recommends a minimum of SPF 30) and protects the skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays which damages the skin.  Most sunblock offers protection only for UVA rays but the doctor said that the sunblock should protect both the UVA and UVB rays.

From then on, I used Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock and I'm happy that my dark spot did not widen anymore.  I apply it everyday after I clean my face in the morning even if I'll just stay at home. It is so light that there's no greasy feeling and no shiny finish.  I just love using this product.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Sunblock is a little expensive at 500 plus pesos for an 88 ml tube but it's worth it.  If we want to delay the signs of aging, we should take good care of our skin and better start while we are young.

Combat Roach Killer

Several months ago, we have a problem with cockroaches inside our cupboards and cabinets.  The children were really freaking out whenever they see cockroaches no matter how small these roaches are.

We tried different types of insect killer ... we tried the chalk type and the spray type and they just seem to be effective for just a few days and after that, cockroaches are there again.

One time, we were looking for a new insect killer at ACE Hardware when we found this Combat Roach Killer.  The formula is specifically for roaches and since our problem is on roaches, we did not hesitate to buy this product.

Combat Roach Killer is a gel type roach killer which according to its label attracts roaches in search of food and once these roaches ingest the gel, they return to their nest and die there ... no wonder we don't see any dead roaches inside our cabinets and cupboards.

It's been months since my husband applied the gel at certain locations and until now roaches are nowhere to be found inside our cabinets and cupboards.  Combat Roach Killer is really effective and it lasts for a long time.

Combat Roach Killer is also easy to apply since it is contained in a syringe type container so you just have to remove the cap at the tip then depress the plunger to apply the gel.  Once you are done, just return the cap and store it in a dry and safe place which is out of reach of children and pets.

Combat Roach Killer is a product made in the USA and it is priced higher than other insect killer available in the market.  The 30g packaging we bought (shown on the picture) costs 399.75 pesos but since it's really effective, it is worth it, besides one packaging is good for many more applications so we can still use it for a long, long time.

We are thankful to have found this product, the problem with cockroaches is now left in the past.

Vaseline Shampoo for Thick and Shiny Hair

My family is a Vaseline Shampoo fanatic.  We change variants every now and then so when I saw this new variant of Vaseline shampoo available in the market, I didn't hesitate to buy one.

Last week we started using this new Vaseline Shampoo for thick and shiny hair.  Just like the other variants, this new variant's scent is also mild which is what I like about Vaseline shampoo.

As for my understanding, this new shampoo from Vaseline is to make one's hair thick and shiny but to my dismay, it didn't work for me.  When I rinsed my hair, lots of hair went down the drain.  It was not normal for me to loose that much of hair in one washing.  The next day I tried it again getting the same result so I stopped using it.

I think the formula of this new variant from Vaseline shampoo, did not match my type of hair that's why I get a bad result.  My daughter also used the shampoo and she liked it so maybe it's just me that has a problem with this shampoo.

La Grotta Cucina Italiana

La Grotta  Cucina Italiana is located at the ground floor of ETNA Bldg. along V.A. Rufino St., Legaspi Village in Makati City.

The entrance to this restaurant is so small that you can pass along Rufino St., without noticing them.

Hubby learned about this restaurant when one of their clients invited him here.  It is near their office and he loved the pasta that he ordered so he wanted me to try it too.

We went to this restaurant around 11:30 in the morning, just after their 11:00 o'clock opening.  There were no customers yet, it seemed that we were the first ones.  The place is cozy with dimmed lights and Italian music on the background.


Marinara Rosso Pasta, 370.00 pesos per order



As expected, hubby ordered his favorite Marinara Rosso which is a tomato based pasta with seafood and I ordered Gamberetti, an olive oil based pasta with shrimp and herbs.  I also ordered fresh vegetable salad to complete our meal. 

I loved all the pasta we had ordered, the pasta is firm and the sauce is great.  I'm a little disappointed with their fresh vegetable salad because some of the lettuce are not that fresh.  I love my vegetables to be fresh and crispy so when I make it at home, I really check the vegetables one by one so whenever I eat out and order fresh vegetable salad I expect them to serve it fresh.

The price is a little expensive but since their service is good and their place is relaxing, we will still visit them every now and then to try the other pasta they serve.




Gamberetti, 340.00 pesos per order



Organikka Care Products

Organic products are popular nowadays that more products are being labeled as organic ... maybe the reason is that people are now aware of the health benefits these organic products are offering.

Speaking of organic products, a friend introduced me to Organikka, a local manufacturer of organic products from Binan, Laguna.  Organikka's main products are organic vegetable juice and now they are also producing organic body care products.  I was interested with their body care products with moringa extracts.  I'm well aware that moringa or malunggay in filipino is a nutrient rich vegetable and I love it as food so my curiosity hit me when I saw Organikka soap, hair and body wash and conditioner.

I love the fresh scent of Organikka soap and most of all, after several days of using it on my face, my pimple scars lightened.  I continued using it and I noticed that I am pimple free during my period ...  it was already normal for me to have pimples before and during my period.  A bar of Organikka soap is 75 pesos but with the effect on my face, it's worth it.  Anyway a bar lasts for a long time because it doesn't melt easily.

I also tried Moringa hair and body wash and conditioner but I think the formula doesn't match my hair type.  I had hair fall and my hair was not easy to manage so I stopped using it.  The hair and body wash is 150 pesos for a 250 mL packaging and the conditioner is 180 pesos for the smallest packaging available.

Organikka's Moringa hair and body wash and conditioner.

If you are into organic products, give Organikka care products a try ... you may find products which are compatible with your skin or hair type.

Organikka products are available at Cash and Carry Mall at Makati City, South Supermarket at Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City and at Humana Wellness Center at Tagaytay-Paseo Road at Sta. Rosa City.

For more information on Organikka products, click here for their flyers.