Sample room goodies :)

I've been a member in sample room for a couple of years now I think and so far, I'm happy with the items I got from them.  I got to try products before purchasing them full price in the market.  Here are some of the goodies I got from them:

It's through sample room that I first got to try Pantene's 3 minute miracle and I'm hooked.  It made my hair silky soft plus my hair smells good all the time.  

I love Burt's Bees products so getting these lip balms (Php325/pc in the market) and just paying 100 for the shipping fee is a steal! Burt's bees lip balms kept my lips moisturized and hydrated the whole day plus its all made of natural ingredients so two thumbs up for these products. :)

Just register at www.sampleroom.ph and use your points to get samples and just pay for the shipping fee (Php100-130)

SPECIAL EFFECTS (hair dye) FOR SALE!

To all the dyehards out there, we are now selling Special Effects for only Php950*!

Text/viber 09178910962 for orders and inquiries!

*UNTIL SEPT 30, 2015 ONLY

---
Special Effects hair dye is a semipermanent, conditioning hair color that comes in a wide spectrum of fabulous colors.

- lasts 4 to 16 weeks, depending on shade and hair type (longer on bleached or prelightened hair).
- vegan and cruelty-free (not tested on animals)
- 118ml or 4 fl oz. bottle
- the following colors (that are available) glow under black light: Atomic Pink, Nuclear Red, Cherry Bomb, Hi-Octane Orange, Cupcake Pink, and Napalm Orange.

 

 Available Colors:
(top to bottom, left to right)

- Blue Mayhem
- Atomic Pink
- Candy Apple Red
- Electric Blue
- Nuclear Red
- Napalm Orange
- Fish Bowl
- Iguana Green
- Cherry Bomb
- Hot Lava - Hi-Octane Orange
- Blood Red
- Wild Flower
- Burgandy Wine
- Devilish
- Cupcake Pink
- Pimpin' Purple
- Sonic Green
- Mixer/Toner (not a hair dye color)

For more info, check out:

our Facebook page
and
 our Instagram!

New face in town: PIE FACE now open in Eastwood

PIE FACE Handcrafted Oven Fresh

Opening Week Promo - Aug. 17 -23 2015

Uber

I love @Uber! Sign up with my promo code and get ₱200 off your first ride! https://www.uber.com/invite/mb1243ue

For reference:

Bali on a Budget

Ever since my boyfriend and I went to Bali 4 years ago, we have been going back annually.  Mainly because of their beaches, which are perfect for beginner surfers, and of course their food such as nasi goreng, sate ayam and beef rendang.  Hotels and resorts accommodation are not so heavy on the pocket as well.  Below are some tips and snippets from my yearly travel to Bali.  

Airfare tickets

• Cebu pacific piso fare with 15kgs baggage allowance: around Php 7000/per pax round trip 
• watch out for airline promo fares as you can get for as low as Php 2000/way nowadays so that’s Php 4000 only for a round trip ticket to Bali! 
• NAIA Terminal 3 airport tax: Php 1620/person 
• Terminal fee Php 550/per person 
• Ngurah Rai International Airport fee is IDR200000/person its about 680 in Philippine Peso

Hotels

We stayed at hotels that range from Php 1000 – 1500/per night. There are of course cheaper and some more expensive hotels than that price range.  If you are to choose a hotel, I suggest you check out the reviews online like the ones on Tripadvisor.

Flora Kuta Hotel Swimming Pool

Personally, our decisions are greatly influenced by the reviews posted by other fellow travelers online.  Don’t forget to look out for credit card promos when you book through online hotel bookings such as Agoda and Expedia.  You can get around 7-10% more discount when you apply these promo codes.

The hotels we would love to stay at again are Hotel Flora Kuta at Jl. Bakungsari and Ohana Hotel along Jl. Kubu Anyar I.

Ohana Hotel

Ohana Hotel

Shopping outlets

A must-visit for me during every Bali trip are the outlet shops.  I am fortunate to have a boyfriend who doesn’t necessarily dislike shopping and enjoys good deals. There are outlet stores such as Billabong, Rip Curl and Hurley along Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai road.

It’s a swimsuit haven for me.

I once bought a pair of Billabong swimsuit for only IDR 50000, around Php 170! Shirts, board shorts, rash guard and surf board accessories can be bought at IDR 50000 and up. 

Food

Satay Ayam, Beef Rendang, Lontong, and Nasi Goreng are among our favourite Indonesian dishes. 

Beef Rendang at Flora Kuta Hotel is a must-try, but the Warung Masakan Pandang along Jl. Pantai Kuta is pretty good too. Sate Ayam from any Warung Madura is pretty delicious. We can get 10 sticks of Sate Ayam at IDR10000 - 15000 around Php 30-45 and 1 piece of Beef Rendang for IDR 15000 or about Php 45. 

For snacks and drinks, we buy them at the supermarkets at Foodmart at Matahari (Kuta Square) and Carrefour (Sunset Road). You save a few IDR than buying at convenience stores.

Surfing

Our main reason for going to Bali is surfing. We love to surf and Kuta Beach is perfect for surfers just starting out.

There are many surf board rentals along the beach. You can rent one for IDR 150000/hour. If you are thrifty, you can rent a board at the shops along Jalan Poppies 2 for about IDR 50000/day or Php 170/day, but you will have to carry the board itself to the beach.

With negotiating skills in action, my boyfriend was able to bring down our surf board rental for IDR 50000/day at the beach. We’ve been coming back to rent boards from him for 2 years now and he kept our rental price the same as the last time.  

Scooter/car rentals

Scooter rental per day is IDR 60000 or about a little over Php 200.

We don't usually drive a scooter or motorcycle back home and driving one can be a scary experience in Bali. Aside from so many scooters/motorcycles on the road, there are also some inexperienced ones that lead to a few accidents.

We prefer to rent a car/van which is about IDR 185000, around Php 600. On two occasions we rented a car, we drove to Tanah Lot, Dreamland and Padang Padang. 

Souvenirs

We often buy souvenirs and shirts at Krisna along Sunset Road and from the stores at Tanah Lot, respectively. Shirts at Tanah Lot can be bought for as low as IDR 13000 that’s about Php 43-45 only.

On our last trip, we discovered that we don’t have to go all the way back to Tanah Lot to buy those shirts but there are already souvenir shops along Jl. Raya Kuta that sell shirts even less than IDR 13000! Sarongs, beach wear, bags, coffee and some delicacies can be bought here too. It is also a plus since it's walking distance to the hotels where we stayed.

Beach Sunsets

Playa Tropical Ilocos Sunset

Siargao Sunset

Kuta Beach, Bali Sun

#NOTW (1)

Most fashionistas and bloggers post countless OOTDs (Outfit of the Day) over on Instagram. Just like flipping through a magazine, these creative shots give us everyday people some ideas on how to dress, whilst giving these stylish people an avenue to showcase their great taste. 

Unfortunately, the Fashion Gods seemed to have mistaken a teaspoon for a cup when they were granting me some fashion sense. Add in my lack of photogenicity, it's no wonder I've never posted (let alone taken) an OOTD.

But I do like to paint my nails.

Taking inspiration from the trend of posting outfit selfies, I will be starting my very own version.

#NOTW = Nails of the Week

From this moment on, I pledge to share pictures of my nail art with you fabulous people!


I will try to keep them original and come up with my own spin on the designs online. But rest assured that for the designs that I do just recreate, I will give credit to where and whom it is rightfully due. :)

So here is my very first #NOTW entry! (Actually, this is more like my Nails of Last Week.)

This design is a recreation of HelloMaphie's Coachella Festival Nails over on Youtube! I absolutely love her trendy designs and using them for #nailspiration. (It's a hashtag that will catch on, don't worry. It'll catch on.)

While my nail polish collection is a hefty lot, most of them are actually just Caronia. Those polishes do dry out over time, but for my small pocket, their quality is much satisfactory. 

Here's a pic of the polishes that I used for this look:

 

From the picture, I'm sure you can tell that I am by no means a professional at nail art... yet. But I'm getting there!

How do you find this look? Will you try it out too? :)

If you have any suggestions for new polishes or designs to try, don't be afraid to share them with us in the comments!

My Go-to Snacks :)

(M)

My any time, any day, go to snacks are apple pie (Php 25) and refillable brewed coffee (Php 40) from McDonalds.  Whether I'm waiting for something or got hungry on the road, this yummy combo, apple pie and coffee, can surely fill and satisfy my tummy.

Makeup Review: ELF Two-Way Cake Foundation

Every beautiful painting starts with a blank canvas.
Every brilliant novel starts with a clean sheet of paper.
Every makeup look starts with foundation. (Unless you would prefer to work on your eyes first. Then that's a different story.)

Here we have ladies and (maybe even) gentlemen, is what I start with whenever I'm in the mood to put on my face.

I have spent quite some time trying to find the perfect foundation for me. Because I am still a student, and how my family has raised me, I have always been frugal. Whenever I buy something, I look at both the cost and its worth. And that can be a big struggle when you love makeup and shopping.

My hunt for the "holy grail" foundation had been trying. I had long debated on the type of foundation that was best suited for me. Liquid, or cream, or powder, or mineral powder, or two-way cake? There are just so many options!

I hated feeling disappointed when I bought a new foundation I had been excited to try, only to be let down. Most BB creams don't match my skin color. You could probably fry an egg on my face with the liquid foundations that I've tried. And sadly, some of the foundations I have tested broke me out. My oily, acne-prone skin just didn't like to cooperate with anything I had tried. Until I discovered the ELF Two-Way Cake Foundation. 

Here's what I ADORE about it: 
❤ contains a good amount of SPF 15 to help protect my skin from the powerful UV rays of Manila
❤ the shade Rosy Beige matches my NC35 skin perfectly
❤ has a solid medium coverage that does the job at covering my pimples and acne scars
❤ leaves a natural-looking matte finish
❤ is easy to apply and blend. I prefer to use a powder brush, but a moistened or dry sponge can work just as well.
❤ feels light on the skin
❤ does not leave a white cast in photos despite its SPF
❤ keeps me oil-free. I don't need to retouch until about five hours later.
❤ is cruelty-free!
❤ ONLY COSTS P249.75!!! This may be about the average price of a drugstore foundation, but its magical capabilities are definitely worth it.

 

And now for what I ABHOR:
♡ the packaging is kind of flimsy. Honestly not that big of a problem, but it seems to be the one and only con for most people too.

This foundation brought me to the realization that powder and two-way cake foundations work best for my skin type. It not only keeps me from looking like a grease ball, but it also saves me the time and hassle of having to "set my foundation."

If you have oily skin like me, you'll likely find a friend in this product. If you've already witnessed its glory, or might have actually hate it, then feel free share your thoughts!

For any product or foundation recommendation you have, or anything you would like us to review next, don't be shy and tell us down below! :)
 
(Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. This is just based off of our own personal experiences and opinions.)

Travel Review: Lagu Beach-Friendly Beach Blankets

Who doesn't love the beach?

Isn't it absolute paradise when you lounge around in the sand, absorbing those rays (with some sunblock on, of course) and just listen to the tranquil sound of the waves crashing down 2 feet away?

Ate M is lucky enough to get to visit several different versions of paradise during her travels (while I sit at home in despair and envy). On her latest trip to the beach, she decided to give a new product a try!

While sand is the first thing that greets you on an island, and can also make as a great exfoliant, those pesky grains of sand can get a little annoying. Let's face it, one of the very few bad things about being at the beach is when after a day of relaxing, you stand up completely covered in sand. And as long as you're at the beach, there will always be sand leeched on to you. That's what the Lagu Beach-Friendly Beach Blankets are for!

Here is a brief product description from their website (http://www.lifeonthesands.com/whatislagu/):

"Lagu is the world’s first beach-friendly beach blanket. Unlike ordinary towels, Lagu repels sand, allowing you to lay with ease while also conserving the beach. Its unique linen blend is allergen-free and has quick-dry properties, keeping it fresh for repeated use.
Friendly to both you and the beach, Lagu is the only beach blanket you’ll need for your life on the sands.
Blanket Features

• Sand Repellent
• Quick Dry
• Allergen Free

Dimensions: 45 x 60 inches (114.3 x 152.4 cm)"


Now I know what you skeptics may be thinking, "Impossible! No way! Uh, really?" Yes really!

Ate M has always been interested in this innovative traveling accessory and was ecstatic when our sister-in-law gave her one last Christmas. After finally being able to use it, she has plenty to rave about! To start, the blanket was lightweight, whether dry or wet. That is definitely something most people would prefer -- a blanket as light as their vacation! And to much of my own surprise, my sister was amazed at how it actually did keep to its promise of repelling sand, once again, whether dry or wet! Its sleek and simple design also makes it easy to pack up and carry around. There are even guides and instruction online.

The beach blanket comes in eight cool colors, some of which are seasonal according to their website. As you can see, the one that Ate M has is in the color "vino", aka red, aka her favorite color.

Unfortunately, there is somewhat of a drawback to it. The Lagu Beach Blanket's cost ranges from P1,000 - 1,200. For a beach blanket, that may seem quite expensive to some. Even for my sister.

That's why she advises you to watch out for any sales! Who knows, you may just get lucky when you need it the most. And while yes, it is pretty costly, if you're already at the beach often, think of this thing as an investment. If you could put it to good use and can afford it, this magic blanket is definitely worth it! Or you could be benevolent and buy it as a present for someone! My sister also hopes for someone to get her another one of these as a gift (haha).

Do you already have a Lagu Beach Blanket? Or maybe something like it that you want to recommend? Feel free to comment down below regarding your own thoughts and experiences!

For any other product you would like us to try out and review, go ahead and comment as well! :)

(Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. This is just based off of our own personal experiences and opinions.)

Makeup Review: The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Product Line

So today, we will be sharing Ate M's favorite products from The Body Shop!
These would be their Tea Tree oil, Tea Tree Concealer, and Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion.

Tea Tree Oil is best known as an antibacterial. It does wonders for those with acne and even works well as an antiseptic for wounds. Apart from that, it is also an antimicrobial, antiviral, fungicide -- the list goes on.*

My sister likes to use the Tea Tree Oil for just that. Whenever she gets a blemish every now and then, she just dabs a couple of drops onto that pimple at night and voilà! It dries up the pimple and heals in no time.



For those really stubborn zits and marks, she applies the Tea Tree Concealer (in shade 02) to cover it up for a few days. It not only provides a solid medium-full coverage that lasts a good, but the tea tree that it contains works to fighting that pimple away as well. That's why this would have to be M's go-to holy grail concealer. 

So on to the Tea Tree Skin Clearing Lotion. It works wonders for any redness or possible irritation. For example, my sister likes to use this after she waxes her legs. It not only moisturizes her skin but also protects it with its antibacterial property.

I have personally used the Tea Tree Oil myself on some of my more noticeable (gigantic, all-up-in-your-face, in-the-middle-of-my-face) pimples, and this stuff does the trick. My pimples shrinks almost overnight and is completely gone within 2-4 days.

But besides all their health benefits and miracles, I believe the best thing about this product is that they are not only 100% natural, but they are also cruelty free! No animal was harmed in the making of these great beauty products. ;)


Well I hope this review was helpful if ever you're planning to give them a try.

If you have any questions about The Body Shop's Tea Tree line, or have any requests of products for us to review, feel free to comment down below!

* Reference: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-tea-tree-essential-oil.html 

(Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored review. This is just based off of our own personal experiences and opinions.)

Contest Alert: Destination Swatch by Swatch Philippines

Last Monday, we had gone to SM Megamall for a quick window shopping trip. We had gotten curious of this odd looking exhibit by the exit of H&M and decided to check it out. Behold, the Swatch Mirror Tunnel!

(Unfortunately we didn't take a picture, haha.)

But take it from us, it was pretty cool. In the tunnel, they showcase some of their watch collections. While I personally don't wear watches, some of their designs looked pretty appealing, even to me. My sister on the other hand has always made it a practice to keep one on her wrist every time she leaves the house. She was definitely fascinated by the displays.

As we left the exhibit, we were invited to check out their contest. My sister quickly took the opportunity and started posing with her chosen watch. She then uploaded it on her Instagram and crossed her fingers.

Not sure who's won just yet, but we're staying optimistic!

We encourage you to check out Swatch Philippines' latest exhibit at the SM Mega Fashion Hall by June 4! Who knows, it may just be your lucky day when you do ;)

To all budding artists out there,

They also have a contest specifically for you guys! While we aren't very talented in that creative sense, we invite all those gifted to give it a try!

Check out the mechanics and details at: http://www.philstar.com/sunday-life/2015/05/24/1457914/destination-swatchs-mirror-tunnel-sm-mega-fashion-hall

Hurry, the deadline for entries is on June 10!

Good luck everyone!

(Disclaimer: We were not paid or asked to advertise the contest or brand. This was a promo that the two of us just felt like sharing to everything.)

Humble Beginnings

From an Instagram shop to a blog.

That is how A Hint of Everything started.

After years of book-collecting and plans of a garage sale, the lack of an actual garage and a stroke of inspiration motivated us to set up our own store online. On April of 2014, we took to the popular social media platform to advertise the various items we loved but just had to let go of. 

Since having launched our account and we've been able to send out tons of books to fellow bookworms all around the country.

Apart from books, we sell other pre-loved items such as jewelery, new clothing and makeup, and even our very own sweet desserts!

Please do check out our store! :)

@ahintofeverything

Hi, Hey, and Hellooo

Welcome to our page!

To formally start this exciting adventure of weekly documentation and sharing, here's a little bit about us. 

We are two sisters living in the sunny archipelago of the Philippines who wish to share our various endeavors with the world. We also hope to maybe help some of you dear readers out through this website and our tips :)

 
Sister on the left: M (the ate/older sister)

She enjoys long walks at the beach, going surfing, and scoring great deals on sales around the Metro. Photography is one of her other hobbies, and most (if not all) the pictures posted on this site will be taken by her. She possesses the rare ability of capturing the true beauty of an image through her camera-phone lens.

At the young age of 29, she has always had the travel-bug in her system. This has allowed her to see so much of the world and gain experience from all the places she's gone to. Bali, Australia, and Siargao are only some of her favorite places to explore. She also gives great advise and is a self-proclaimed cheapskate. Without breaking the bank or burning through her hypothetical pocket, she applies this to her everyday life and even on her travels. Through this blog, she hopes to help inform people of great finds and show everyone that you can still have the best of fun while on a budget.

Sister on the right: Meoni (pronounced m-ee-oh-n-ee)

This is the sister that does the writing. How odd it is to talk about oneself in third person. But for the sake of consistency in this post, it must be done.

The 18-year old is currently entering her freshmen year of college, majoring in Journalism. By working on this blog, she hopes to expand her horizons outside of fiction-writing and hone her craft. The art of words fascinate her, most especially that of others. Romance novels are what feeds her inner bookworm but she is just as much a realist as the characters are lovestruck. Another passion of hers is music. She has been singing since she was a little girl and has always turned to music as a friend in times of refuge (besides her pet Beagle). She loves expressing the messages of the ones who wrote the lyrics and relating to the musicians that sang them.

DIYs and crafts are somethings she also occasionally works on. While she is by no means an artist, she revels in the satisfaction of having made something by hand or turning something even more beautiful than it already is. She hopes to share her projects, ideas of life, and show the younger generation that while we still have a lot to learn, we can accomplish anything.

What we have in common (besides our blood):

Both of us sisters enjoy beauty and makeup. M likes to buy and review products while Meoni likes to put that makeup on her sister. We have fun discussing and critiquing those products with each other. 

We also like to watch the same TV shows (Hells Kitchen, Two Broke Girls, Reign, yeaaah) and bond over a bag of potato chips or pizza or popcorn or pasta. Being the only girls in a family of five, you could say that we're like two wafer sticks in a small pack of KitKat. And as you might have guessed, we love food.

Lastly, we both have that dream of reaching out to people and someday inspiring them. We live to be happy and would like to spread that happiness to others. We each dabble with different hobbies and so this is where we will be talking about anything from traveling to skincare routines, and everything in between.