Answered Prayer

Victory Christian Fellowship in the Philippines is holding their mid-year prayer and fasting now - it's the last day. I usually join the fasting as it's good way of evaluating how the year is working out for me and my family. I love that in their devotional, there is page dedicated to answered prayers. And God indeed answers our prayers. 

My husband is recovering well. He has been back at work since November last year. After his radiation and chemotheraphy sessions last year, he also underwent three adjuvant chemo sessions during the first quarter of 2015. 

God has been walking witth us all through our journey. I know that because of the provision, Jed's excellent recovery. We feel God has been holding our hand every step of the way. 

Two weeks ago, my husband went for a CT scan and routine blood tests. The CT scan result is clear and his blood tests are normal. 

All praises and glory to God!

The morning of Jed's check-up, I was so anxious (I had been anxious for days leading to his scan), then the Lord spoke to me through this song -- 

The sentence I clearly heard was, "Our God is Healer." Indeed, He is. He has healed my husband. 

We still continue to pray that the cancer will not recur. We know God has completely healed Jed. We are doing our part by shifting to a healthier lifestyle. 

Our heartfelt thank you to family and friends who have stood with us in this journey. We love you. 

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. 

(1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT)

Delighted with Happy Skin

My husband came back from a trip to the Philippines and brought me back Happy Skin products from my sister and a dear friend. 

I was over the moon. I love these Happy Skin products. I've only tried their moisturizing lippie and it has become a favorite. Told my sister these lippies are right up there next to the NARS Audacious lipsticks. For me. 

I get compliments whenever I have these lippies on. Always. 

So what did I get?

StyLIZed Leather Set (aka the Liz Uy collection)

24 Carats | Style Icon | Red Carpet

Beauty In Bloom Duo

Hold My Hand | Bride-to-Be

My dear friend also sent me the Eye Am The One Holy Grail Mascara. 

When we visit Manila later this year, I'd be heading over the Happy Skin counter and try out their other products. 

I am more than happy to support and spread word about these amazing products from a Filipino company. Pinoy pride. 

What other Filipino cosmetic products should I try?

My Go-To Shades

Colors make me alive. I need them in my life. While I embrace color, I realized I am very conservative with my go-to shades. I tend to pick the same safe shade as my first few picks. 

Case in point, make up products. I pick the same shade of lipstick, eyeshadow palette and nail polish in a collection or brand especially if I want to try it out first.

Lipstick = Nudes

Milani Naturally Chic | NARS Audacious Anita | Maybelline A Touch of Spice
MAC Faux | MAC Bare Again | Wet N Wild Megalast Bare It All
Jordana Modern Matte Blush | Revlon Rose Velvet

Eyeshadow = Neutral (Browns)

Too Faced Natural Matte
MAC Her Cocoa (RiRi Hearts) | Sonia Kashuk Eye On Neutral 02
elf Prism Eyeshadow in Naked | Urban Decay Naked

Nail Polish = Nudes

Zoya Sally
Butter London Pink Ribbon
Zoya Kennedy | Zoya Ana | Zoya Spencer | Essie Sand Tropez

And it continues not only with make-up products. There are these colors or shades which instantly attracts me in different caregories. 

My personal items that I use = shades of pink

Home items = citrus shades (yellow, lime, green)

Clothes = black + white

Shoes and bag = black, neutral (beige or tan), brown

Are you like me who have go-to shades? What are they? 

The Makings of a Make-Up Junkie

To begin with, I never was interested in make-up. I would buy the recommended products but that's all. 

I even downsized my make up to the basic when we moved here to Bangkok. 

I only kept --

• A nude lipstick
• An eyeshadow duo palette
• Mascara
• My favorite Shu Uemura eyelash curler
• An eyebrow pencil
• Nars Orgasm blush

I was fine with what I have. Never really knew how to put on complex make-up. 

March last year, my dear cousin from Arizona sent me a package containing these make up products. 

The brand Milani is all new to me. I was hesistant with the colors of the lipstick and blush. Until I tried them on. Life changing. Hahaha!

My cousin sent me tons of make up. I thought I can put up my own salon. They were brands I have not heard of. As I researched and watched a number of beauty channels on You Tube, I learned more about them. 

And I was hooked. I found a new "obsession."

I started experimenting and playing with the products and the colors. I like what I see. 

To be clear, I am still learning. I still don't know how to do so many things. Practice, practice, practice. 

The state of my make up products

My current make-up "collection" has a mix of high end and drugstore brands. I think half of these were sent by my cousin. Some are gifts from family and friends. 

I will talk about my favorites and new discoveries in my future posts. 

Happy weekend!