Russ' 15 Travel Essentials

I am always excited to go on new adventures, but I dread having to experience travel nightmares. I know of stories of friends who lost their luggage while on a trip, missed flights, was robbed in Barcelona, got ill in Vietnam, badly sprained an ankle in Hong Kong ( um, my Mom ) and the list goes on. While I love spontaneity, a little bit of preparedness never hurts. You'll never know what could possibly happen. Traveling's supposed to be fun, right? Aberyas ( hassles ) are last stuff that I want to deal with regardless how petty they are. If triggered, it usually does this domino effect. I'm quite lucky that I rarely find myself in travel booboos. The worst, so far, happened back in 2009 but it was a force majeure kind of situation that left my friends and I stranded in a town for 2 days because of the flash floods. We laugh about it now, but I remember how scared we were back then.

These days, traveling has become easier for most of us. There are a lot of innovations that have led to better, more pleasant experiences. Through the years, I've evolved as a traveler from the teeny-bopper ala Clueless pack rat to the yuppie adventure-seeker and to the travel smart + travel light wanderer that I am now. I constantly discover new products, sites, and services that make and will make my travel life happier — e.g. my most recent discoveries, which I hope to try this year, are AirBnB and RelayRides ( I'm planning to write a separate post about them in the next few weeks ).Ü Eventually, I think these two sites will be part of my favorite travel staples like Rome2Rio, Booking.Com, and TripAdvisor.

And since we're already on the topic of travel, preparedness, and traveling smart, I'd like to share my  fifteen travel essentials . These are items that I always make sure I bring with me for a trip, whether local or outside the country. Countless times, they've saved me and have always proven to be most useful.

A. Maxi Dress
It's a very versatile piece of clothing that's lightweight and does not eat much space. For girls like me who don't wear pants that much, a maxi dress makes a safe OOTD when visiting countries that are conservative e.g. Brunei. Trust me, it also looks great in photos?Ü [ Read: Brunei Darussalam in 40-Something Hours ]

B. LBD
The LBD is another versatile piece that every woman should bring with her when traveling. It does not require much effort + it most certainly looks good with almost anything. It's easy to dress it up and it can be worn with flats, sneakers, and even strappy sandals. It's also easy to spruce your entire OOTD with minimal accessories and wear it to a chic restaurant for impromptu dinners.

C. Shawl
This is one of my favorite travel best friends. I can bring several pieces and they still won't take up luggage space. I usually have one with me because I get cold easily. Aside from using it as a "plane blanket", it also makes an awesome fashion accessory and cover-up when there's a need to cover the shoulders when in places of worship. Sometimes, I use it as bandana to protect my tresses from the heat of the sun — see here.

D. Sunnies
These need not have an explanation.Ü I sleep in the plane wearing my sunglasses. Do you do that too?

E. Music Player
This does not need an explanation, too.

F. Tablet
The tablet is one of the greatest inventions of our time. It's compact. It's very convenient because I no longer have to bring my laptop with me. If there's a life and death matter at work that needs my immediate attention when on a vacation, I can easily check my email from my iPad. Also, this is where I keep digital copies of my travel documents for reference. And most importantly, this amazing piece of technology saves me from boredom.

G. Small Day Bag
A small day bag is perfect when you're going around town and sight-seeing because it won't call attention. It's light and will require you to just bring the essentials needed for the day.

H. Red Lipstick
Red Lipstick is like the LBD. You don't have to bring your entire makeup stash. A nice, bold red lip color usually does the trick and can make you look fab in an instant.

I. Comfortable, Multi-Purpose Neutral-Colored Footwear
I limit myself to bringing max of 2 pairs of shoes. Your comfortable, multi-purpose neutral-colored footwear can be a nice pair of sneakers or a lovely pair of flats that will go well with your maxi-dress, jeans, shorts, and even your LBD.

J. Pen & Small Notebook
I love to write and half the time, my head's always bursting with ideas.

K. A Good Book
Best boredom killer during airport lull times and long flights :)

L. A Good Foundation / Concealer
Octard's been my favorite since I discovered it. I works well as a foundation and as a concealer. I'm usually good with just this and my red lipstick.

M. Mobile WiFi
Ah, this is my local travel best friend. My country's still a bit behind when it comes to the Internet and I've had bad experiences with hotels ( yes, even big ones ) that don't have a decent connection inside the room. I've learned to not complain and just have something reliable with me at all times. I'm using Smart, most reliable of 'em all even if you're not in the city.

N. A Powerful and Reliable Point-&-Shoot Camera
While DSLRs are okay, they're not-so convenient when traveling ( at least for me ). They're heavy and it will hurt a lot of if they get lost. Lol. So, I'm all for powerful point-and-shoot digital cameras. I've been using an Olympus Tough for almost a year now. It doesn't disappoint and I would recommend it. It's waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and still takes great photos.

O. First-Aid Kit
A first-aid travel does not need to have much and mine usually has the following: my thyroid meds, insect repellant, band-aid, anti-bacterial cream, paracetamol, anti-histamine, and loperamide.

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You've seen my list, now it's time to hear from you. What are your travel essentials? Passport, travel documents, cash, itinerary don't count. We all know that everyone shouldn't go on a trip without these non-negotiables.Ü ☮..Peace + ❥_Love + Spreading Lots of Travel Vibes. RUSS.

HONEY + LEMON MASK = EPIC

I was never the cleanse-exfoliate-tone-moisturize kind of girl and I owe this to genetics. My Dad has nice, clear skin and I think I got this from him. For the longest time, my skincare routine included washing my face in the morning, removing makeup as soon as I get home, and washing it again before going to sleep. When I was in my 20s, I got a few sun spots that looked like mini-freckles probably from being at the beach almost everyday ( this was for work ) and from exposure to the sun whenever I travel. However, it could also be that I didn't get them entirely from environmental factors. It could also be genetics because my Mom's side of the family has Spanish blood or something. She, my grandparents, and all her siblings have freckles.

What made me change my mind?
I'm 32 and I'm always mistaken to be at least 10 years younger my age ( really thankful for the genes, Mom & Dad ). I'm 32 and  I want to age gracefully.  That's when it hit me that I need to start taking care of my skin. I'm not-so girlie-girlie and I'm still staying away from chemicals like I always have, but it's time to love thy body more.

One morning in January of this year, I just woke up and felt that I needed to give my skin more TLC. I started this regimen in January and it worked well with me. I know this because I had several folks tell me that I was "glowing" ( yea, that was the term they used ) a month after. My Mom's sister even asked me what I was doing.

We're bombarded with advertisements that constantly dictate which skincare products men and women should use in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and yada yada yada but really, I just want to keep mine simple.

So, to whoever thought of the Honey-Lemon Mask, you're a genius! The combination of these two apparently help keep the skin supple with the glowing, brightening effect. It also turns out that when these two are put together and are used on the skin, their anti-bacterial properties can help treat zits and fight acne. I have used this mask months ago and I'm back on it.

You'll need ....
a. 1/2 Lemon
b. 1-2 Tablespoons of Honey ( the one that doesn't attract ants )
c. A small dish
d. Spoon
e. Baking Soda ( optional, not-so recommended )

What to do.
a. Wash your face and pat your skin dry. Very Important: Wash your hands before mixing the ingredients.
b. Squeeze the half lemon into a small dish or small bowl.
c. Add the honey, then mix the ingredients using the spoon.
d. Finally, apply your Honey-Lemon Mask onto your face. You can also apply it to your neck.
e. Leave for about 10-20 minutes. There's a bit of tightening that you'll feel. It's normal.
f. Wash the mask off with cold water.

Baking Soda is totally optional and is not recommended because of its PH level, which is more alkaline. It tends to strip off the protective part of the skin, but I've used it the very few times that I felt like exfoliating. This is a skincare regimen that I swear by and do twice a week, tops. Lastly, what makes this DIY Honey-Lemon Mask even more amazing is that the ingredients are not hard to find.Ü How about you? Do you have a favorite homemade mask?  ☮..Peace + ❥_Love + Good Vibes. RUSS.

PS. Photo Credit(s)
★ Runny Honey
★ Lemons

MY TOP 3 WAYS TO MANAGE STRESS

Fact 01: Stress is perpetually present in our lives.
Fact 02: While there's bad stress, there also exists good stress.

I have been under a lot of bad stress lately and while I cannot run away from it, there are things I ( or you ) can do to make into something more pleasant. The BS piles up one after the other and on some days Murphy picks you to be his new friend. Things have been really off, but I don't know if it has something to with ghost month or with the alignment of my stars. I think I've reached my quota of it's-so-not-my-day-moments this August.

The icing on the cake happened Week 1 of August. A male colleague, stormed into my area and threw a  misdirected fit at me . It was really petty if you ask me, but I did apologize to him several times for something that he felt bad about. I really just didn't like how he lashed out on me in the workplace and how he yapped non-stop even after I said that I was sorry for something I said that wasn't even supposed to offend anyone. After close to half-an-hour, he finally stopped when I pointed out, "What is wrong with you? I already told you that I'm sorry and didn't mean to hurt your feelings, what else do you want me to do? Why are you so angry at me? Don't you think you should talk to the people who started this in the first place?"

Image Credit: Nicholas Fergusson

We see each other in the office, but he never apologized until one evening two weeks after his attention was called by upper management because of the incident. He casually walked up after x bottles of beer and finally, said "I'm sorry." While I disagree with his gesture because the timing wasn't right and the setting was inappropriate, which seemed to be an act of PR or simply just for show, what won over me were four words that Mom and my good friend Candace always tell me.

01. Be the bigger person.
While I may be in the better position to be angry because of the verbal abuse I got from him, I choose to not be. I was tempted to fight back, but it took every ounce of patience and control in me to not snap at him that night. I played scenarios in head and I knew that if acted on impulse, this was going to get uglier and it will definitely drag. I'm just glad that I had better control of how I responded to the situation. Letting him be happy on this one doesn't make me weak. Besides, life is too short to waste it on unnecessary emotions.

I probably am speaking too early, but I don't think I can go back to being friends with him. Or, we were probably never friends to begin with because friends don't take offense when they're told of stuff they don't want to hear. Friends don't resort to emotional and verbal abuse, too. Agree?



Image Credit: Chatelaine

02. Work up a sweat.
This is simple, yet a very effective way to stay cool under fire. I had a trainer before in Slimmer's World who used to give me a lot of pep talk about how exercise makes us look better, how it helps lift our mood ( similar to how chocolate does it ), and how it lowers stress levels. Fast forward to today, he's still right. I'm grateful to have discovered Yoga and recently, I've been trying Pilates, too. Life is too short to dwell on trivial stuff, might as well pull out the Yoga mat and break some sweat.

I did talk to a trusted few about the stuff that have been going on lately, but at the same time I also don't want to burden others too much about these things because just like anyone, they also have problems to deal with. Moreover, every functioning and responsible adult must know which battles to fight the same that he or she must be able to tell when it's alright to just walk away because your energy will be better off channeled somewhere more productive.


03. Relieve stress through creativity.
Next to Pilates, this is something that I have been enjoying a lot the past weeks. I have been doing a lot of writing ( most have not been published ), conceptualizing events for future use, and working on my makeup skills via YouTube.


Meet one of my favorite MU teachers in YouTube, Noe Mae Villagonzalo.
Image Credit: Noe's YouTube Channel

Writing's something that I have always been passionate about even as a kid, whilst doing events is a huge surprise for me because I never liked my Advertising for Events class back in college but it's something that I've been doing for the last 9 years. And finally, this interest and growing appreciation for makeup started just after college. While I'm not fond of putting color on myself, I have always been fascinated with the talent that make-up artists have. To be able to enhance the beauty of another individual is an amazing gift. I have been practicing mostly in the morning before I go to work and hopefully I'd level up soon to see if I can do some magic with Mom. Life is too short to stay stuck in a rut, choose to spend your time doing worthwhile stuff.

Yes, being stressed about something is a normal human response but too much of it can cause serious health issues. It's important to listen your body and at the same time, see the bigger picture in most situations. Almost always, doing the right thing is not a walk in the park. The same thing can be said about being the bigger person. However, we all have choices and it's just a matter of picking the right ones.Ü

With that, I would like to know what your thoughts are about STRESS. How do you manage it when it goes beyond the level that you can normally tolerate?  ☮..Peace + ❥_Love + Good Vibes. RUSS.

Battle Plan: No Shortcuts. Eat Right + Exercise.

I had a chance to try the  Ultra Lipo  treatment a few Saturdays ago. A friend gave me gift certificates from one of the wellness and aesthetic clinics here in Manila. I shared my gift certs with P, who was more excited than I was with the treatment.

We did our research and read from several articles on the web that Ultra Lipo is a non-invasive fat loss procedure. It uses ultrasound cavitation to break down fat, which will be excreted through urine, sweat, etc. Appealing, isn't it? The Wellness Consultant we spoke with said the same thing. She adds that there is no downtime, but you can't expect to see instant results similar to what happens when gets liposuction. So, you need to have a series of treatments - average of 20 sessions coupled preferably done every week for better results and coupled with their proposed meal plan. I deem that she was trying to sell us their services.

Image Credit: Fat Loss Factor


Did she convince us? Certainly NOT.
We could have been her market, but there was a huge disconnect with her sales pitch from the beginning. I was waiting to hear of a new benefit, something that their competitors don't offer. I was hoping the Wellness Consultant would speak of something that would complement our lifestyles or propose something that would fit into our busy schedules.

P and I had high hopes about Ultra Lipo, but after our session and after talking to the Wellness Consultant, we were both more than certain that eating right and exercising are still the best ways to efficiently & effectively lose weight or maintain your ideal body. The treatment probably works, but it's not the product for us.



It's time to start eating healthy.
Image Credit: GabbyandLaird.Com

Since 2009, my battle plan has always been  Calories In - Calories Out.  I keep track of what I eat and log the workouts that I do. Challenging as it was, eventually, my body was able to adapt. Rice ( 1 cup = approx. 204 calories ) is a staple in every Filipino meal and was the biggest hurdle I had. When I started making little adjustments here and there & did what I was supposed to do, everything else fell into place. Making smarter food choices has become a natural thing to do and I'm happy to share that I'm not even dieting now :)


There are no shortcuts to losing weight.
Image Credit: Huffington Post

Finding time to exercise.
There was a time that I had to take care of my Mom for ten (10) months because she couldn't walk; she had an accident and was on a wheelchair for almost a year. This was the time that I was working out three times a day! I'd box in the morning, go to the gym to run after Mom eats lunch, and at night, I play badminton with friends. I do miss those days because now I must always find time to squeeze in my workouts in between meetings, shoots, reports, book club, events, and everything else. This is the part where time management, constantly motivating yourself, and discipline come in. For me, there is no such thing as too busy.

Fitness apps like Skimble, DietPoint, and MyFitness Pal have become my new workout buddies because they let me burn calories even if I don't go to the gym.

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Yes, finding time to exercise amidst a crazy schedule is challenging. Yes, eating right can be difficult when you're with friends and family who love to eat. But if you want a healthier you, you need to do what you have to do and you have to start NOW ... NOT TOMORROW, but NOW. No short cuts, just plain hard work and discipline.Ü  ☮..Peace + ❥_Love + Good Vibes. RUSS.

—
The Battle Plan Series
» Discover Yoga
» Slowly, but surely
» No excuses.

Brow Code Basics

Boys, so sorry coz this one's a girlie post :D
About 3 weeks ago, a couple of female colleagues told me that they liked how my eyebrows were shaped and done everyday. Siempre, kinilig naman ako.Ü At the same time, I was surprised that one of them mentioned how she noticed that I don't put a lot of makeup but my brows are always nice. I'm too lazy to do the whole shebang so I always stick to my basics: filled-in eyebrows and lip color. It's the perfectly simple, not time-consuming, won't get me late morning routine. As blah as this sounds, trust me, it creates a nice and sometimes striking effect + it saves time in the morning.

Learning how to fill and shape
I was not blessed with thick eyebrows — this, I think, must be an Asian thing. OR it could be that it really isn't the best feature of either my mom's or dad's side of the family. So I have to do what I gotta do. I was a Freshman in High School when I started shaping my eyebrows. I didn't do it per se because the first and last time I made an attempt to shape them, I ended up with a bald right brow. I looked funny. From then on, I vowed to just let the pros do it. I visit my stylist whenever it's convenient. Then when I went to College, my morning moment started to include doing my eyebrows, and my brow pencil became my super best friend.

Don't forget to groom those arches.
Photo Credit: Beautiful Brows: Put Your Best Face Forward by Michelle Bilodeau

I have this weird habit of looking at women's eyebrows. I won't give details about the stuff in my head because these will surely get me in trouble. Point in fact is, you ought to give those brows a wee bit of time. Filling 'em in should be part of your routine. If you're not convinced, just take a before and after pic of yourself ... without and with shaped and filled in eyebrows. Try to see the difference, then take your pick :)

I have been practicing, doing experiments slash trial-and-error with the tools that I need to use. It took a while before I found the brow tool that's Russ-friendly. It was some time in 2011 ( I was checking out the newly-renovated SM Makati ) when I discovered one of the best things ever ...   Wet N' Wild's Ultimate Brow Kit  . It has a pair of tweezers which I found very convenient, a nice angle brush, slide-out mirror, gel, and two shades of brown that blend perfectly. This product is just amazing.


I get my Wet n' Wild Brow Kit from Pure Beauty, in Alabang Town Center.
Photo Credit: HipCosmetic.Com

To show you guys how awesome it is, check out the two photos below and make sure to look for me. Top photo has me with arches in one thin line and bottom pic has me in — well, I like this more. Same person, better aura.


I look different in these two photos. Yes? No?

And with that, these are the basic brow codes that I think we women should do.
1) Groom + Shape. This is the first step to having vavavoom brows. I've mine done at a brow design studio.
2) You need to pick your weapon and the right shade. Is it a brow pencil? A powder? An eyeshadow? What color?
3) This is the best part: Fill-In + Define. You may visit this page for a really easy-to-follow tutorial :)

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One thing that any girl should know about these amazing arches is that, as cliché as this sounds, practice makes perfect.Ü It gets better each time, most especially when you find your own style. Peace + ❥_Love + Good Vibes. RUSS.