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Soft Luxe Holiday Diaries: An Unexpected Double Holiday, Pho, and Shopping

  Yesterday was supposed to be piano class, but Teacher mixed up the schedule — and just like that, my family and I suddenly had a double holiday! (Yesterday was Ninoy Aquino Day).  Instead of wasting the day, we decided to make it a Soft Luxe adventure. ✨ Sometimes, the best days are the ones that unfold unexpectedly. Circuit Stop – Mumuso + Watsons 🛍️ Our first stop was Circuit. I went to Mumuso and Watsons for a few essentials and little luxuries. I picked up the BYS Pearl Pods (so excited to finally test them!) and a new concealer, along with some travel finds at Mumuso — bottles and organizers There were lots of new deliveries at BYS: There were more items like mascaras, new CloudSkin items, and more! I wasn't able to take photos of all of them as we were in a hurry.  Also got these hand foam washes that I've been eyeing for a long time but keep forgetting to buy! Not everything sparked joy at Mumuso (sometimes their items feel hit-or-miss), but when something does ...

Soft Luxe Travels: What’s in My Travel Tote

  When I travel, I always bring a tote bag for sightseeing, shopping, and walking around. It’s light, stylish, and practical — the perfect balance of form and function. For this Vigan trip, I packed my brown Amour Paris tote. Here’s a peek at what’s inside. Umbrella ☔ A non-negotiable! Whether it’s sudden rain or scorching sun, my compact umbrella keeps me ready for anything. Weather in the Philippines is unpredictable. Right now, we're experiencing the rainy season, but when the sun is out, he really makes his presence known!  By the way, I got our cute automatic kitty umbrella from Watsons Baguio. (Check out my Baguio posts in the archives!) Snacks 🍪 I'm bringing my handy dandy snack kit, which I always bring whenever we go out. For the road, I have root chips, Candy Kittens, one of our favorite gummies, and watagashi. Yes, that's not cotton. It's Japanese cotton candy — because sightseeing in the car is always better with food and cotton candy on hand. Rechargea...

Soft Luxe Travels: The Day Before the Big Day

As I write this, it's the day before we leave for Vigan. I've decided that today will be all about preparing in a way that honors my energy and keep things soft, luxe, and simple. I’ve learned that the art of travel prep is not about doing everything — it’s about choosing my battles. Morning Routine + A Comforting Start I began the day with my usual slow routine, then headed straight to the kitchen. For breakfast, I made a big pan of chicken macaroni soup with onsen eggs. Warm, nourishing, and filling — exactly what I needed before tackling my to-do list.  I made a lot thinking that we can have some when we get home so that we won't be stuck with instant ramen as we usually do whenever we come home from traveling. However, my son decided to demolish it and leave just half a serving! 😆 The Laundry Rush Travel means coming home to piles of clothes, so I prepped in advance: two quick batches of laundry washed and dried this morning. A little effort now saves me from overwhelm...

Soft Luxe Travels: My Travel Wrist Candies: What I’m Bringing to Vigan

  This weekend, I’m off to Vigan! 🎉 I’m so excited for the trip — the cobblestone streets, the food, the culture, and of course, the chance to take a little breather. While I’ll be keeping my real jewelry at home for safety, I still want to look chic. So, I packed a mini jewelry box filled with my favorite wrist candies — fun, lightweight bracelets that carry both style and story. Here’s a peek at what I’m bringing: Murano Bracelets – Artsy Classics Back in college, I made bead jewelry (earrings, bracelets, necklaces) and sold them to fellow students and faculty to pay for tuition. My bead jewelry were so in demand that I started joining bazaars. I sold a lot of bead jewelry back in the day. My pieces were even featured in a magazine. I'm actually thinking of making bead jewelry again. What do you think, Glow Ladies? I made these colorful Murano glass bracelets back in my 20s, and they’ve stood the test of time. The playful mix of colors makes them perfect for pairing with casual ...

Soft Luxe Travels: Why I’ll Only Bring 2 Palettes to Vigan This Weekend

  I’m so excited because I’ll be heading to Vigan this weekend! 🎉 Aside from deciding on outfits and accessories, one of the hardest parts of packing for me is always makeup—especially eyeshadow palettes. A few years ago, I usually wanted to bring more than I actually needed whenever I traveled, but this time I decided to simplify. I’m only bringing two palettes: my Simply Nude palette and a mini Bobbi Brown palette. It feels a little risky to limit myself like this, but honestly, both palettes are versatile enough that I won’t miss the rest of my collection. Here’s why they made the cut. The Simply Nude Palette This is one is becoming one of my most reliable palettes because every single shade is wearable. It has: Soft mattes for base and transition shades Shimmers that add a beautiful glow for night looks, but I did try them for a day look and they were lovely!  Deeper tones for definition And even a bronzer that doubles as an extra matte shadow when needed That highlighter...

Turning Errands Into a Luxe Escape at Greenbelt

  Some days, errands feel like a marathon you just want to cross off your list. But lately, I’ve been finding ways to transform these moments into mini escapes. Instead of rushing through, I choose to savor the experience, notice little details, and enjoy the places I go. I had one of those days last week — a simple haircut errand turned into a Greenbelt adventure filled with style finds, food cravings, and little lessons on beauty and glow. A Fresh Start at the Salon I was getting ready for piano lessons when I received a text from my son's teacher canceling the lesson. We were supposed to go to Greenbelt the following day, but with this cancelation, I asked my son if he wanted to go today instead. He said yes.  I used my BYS Simply Nude palette for today's eye look: We began our adventure with his haircut. There’s something satisfying about watching him sit in the chair, a little grown-up in the making. For me, grooming moments like this are a reminder that self-care doesn’...