Bench Presents: The Philippine Volcanoes

Move over Azkals, Members of the Philippine National Rugby team are here! Hot as lava, the members of the Philippine Volcanoes are now the new addition to the Bench family. The guys are totally hot and sexy wearing Bench under wears. You probably saw their jaw-dropping billboard in EDSA already. I heard the team will release a calendar this year, can't wait! I want to see more of these hot Rugby boys. How 'bout you? By the way, I'm so thankful because the 2nd Pinoy Web Blog Awards nominated dsweetbox as Most Promising Blogsite, I was No.9 last time so help me make it to the TOP, your support is highly appreciated. VOTE HERE!!

The Philippine Volcanoes for Bench Body

Patris Ortiz Olivier

Ned Plaridan Stephenson

Jake Robriga Doletts

Nicholas Ergina Perry

Francisco Bagis Guerra IV

Oliver Joseph Abalos

Arnold Anninion and Darran Seeto

Darran Seeto

Michael DeGuzman

Chris Alamil Everingham

photo credits to Bench.

Banner Model For July: Anne Curtis-Smith

Let's all welcome our Banner Model for July! Ms.Anne Curtis-Smith! She won the poll question and beat the likes of Maja Salvador, Kim Chiu, Venus Raj, Georgina Wilson and others! Once again, thank you for all your support! The power endorser will grace the top part of my Blog and welcome ev'ry visitors. You can catch the nag-iisang Dyosa everyday on Showtime and ASAP Rocks on sundays. Chow!

So debonair, so self-mocking.

I really had to refrain myself from laughing, but this photo is not bad at all!!
I salute him for being that self-mocking 'cause many celebs wouldn't. Good thing, that Karl always springs for a surprise.

So this is sultry!!

A little while ago, I espied my new favourite photographer, named Christian di Stefano. Born in Buenos Aires, he has lived in Barcelona the past ten years. During this time, the fashion photographer shot editorials for vogue, z!nk, or runway and the outcomes are great. I ♥ his edgy style and the exotic looks in picturesque Venice. The footbridge-pics appeal to me most, do you feel so, too?

These guys make a women's heart melt ♥

Of course, I just posted this video because of "Betty Davis Eyes". Okay, maybe I'm kidding, but these dream guys sweeten every night you're lonesome :) OMG, they're so handsome!!

Beauty Hot Stuff of the Week

~Scent of the Week~

Iziba Sol by Mark

This scent is so fresh and perfect for the summer

Get this fragrance at http://kalemar.mymarkstore.com

Kristy Alemar has all your beauty needs

~Cosmetic of the Week~

Glowdacious Illuminating Powder by Mark

Get your glow on gorgeously! Bronzer and highlighter for a golden shimmery glow! For your whole body!

Available at http://kalemar.mymarkstore.com

~Hair of the Week~

Love your curls and want to maintain them? Well try Mark Curl Goddess Curl and Wave Defining Gel with conditioning Sunflower!

Catch the wave!

Available at http://kalemar.mymarkstore.com

~Fashion of the Week~

Mark Stacked Up Sandals!

These shoes are to die for! They are trendy, cute and comfortable!

Available online http://kalemar.mymarkstore.com

Don't forget that Kristy Alemar e-boutique has all your beauty needs online!
Her e-boutique is one of my favorite links on this blog!

I hope you enjoyed the Hot Stuff of the Week

From your diva friend Marsha

It's your girl and 954 is where is I'm at! 

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I like, like, like!

French designer Lysander Follet a.k.a MiniGorille recently hand made some "iLike" necklaces in silver and gold, each limited to 30 pieces. For lovers of the largest social network in the world, this is really an original and remarkable jewelry gift to offer or to be offered. The limited edition "iLike Silver Pendant" is available at selective shops around the world, conveyed from France's third largest city, Lyon.

So, don't forget to like Scrambled Fashion, too!!

Just jaw-dropping!!

For many fashionistas, wearing Louboutins is a life's philosophy at least since Sarah J. Parker made them popular in SATC. The red sole is Louboutin's brand mark - which isn't any different this time. But after glimpsing this staggering heels, you definitely need to take a deep breath.

These 8-inch heels are designed for the English National Ballet, inspired by ballerina toe shoes and slated to be auctioned off at the ballet's "Summer Party" tonight. They're with sparkles and fairy dust and Swan Lake-y vibes - and they're is one problem about them: They are just not suitable for toes! (are they??)

Louboutin reasoned,“I could not help being inspired by English National Ballet… after all…isn’t the classical dancing ballet slipper the ultimate heel? The heel which makes dancers closer than any other women to the sky, closer to heaven!” What do you think of these "OMG"-shoes?

Put it off until later? Definitely!!

Yes, I know I should learn microeconomics - and yes, this dull and drizzly weather is really a fine day for ducks and therefore perfect for cramming for my next exams - 'cause they're quite soonish. I know the saying goes "Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today" but this does not hold good for me. Unfortunately, I procrastinate. All the same, I went to an academical tutorial this morning, altough I could hardly drag myself out of bed. to Anyway... I sweetend my afternoon with my latest acquisition, a DSLR by panasonic.

Of course, they're expensive to purchase (the lumix was on offer, so I had to knock down) but they're really worth the price. I relish doing photos but my old camera always rained on my parade and I couldn't actualize myself the way I wanted to. And so I passed the last hour with shooting my flat. I hope, you like the pics  'cause in future I propose doing posts which are more personal and could upvalue my blog (at least a bit).

Counter Chic Event

Hey everyone!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine stopped by my counter and asked for my help with makeup and skin care tips for the summer time. She brought in her makeup bag and everything! I then evaluated her bag and suggested some things that she may like and what she should replace. I even gave her a quick makeover and she absolutely loved it! I thought to myself that this process was great and it would make a great and fun event. So voila.......I created one!

Last week I hosted a "Counter Chic" event at my counter where I met bloggers, beauty enthusiasts, and ladies who just wanted some new beauty advice. I went through the importance of skincare treatments, how to keep skin refreshments, summer color palettes, and product recommendations. One of the event-goers actually posted a blog about it! Check it out in the below link and stay tuned for other events coming soon!

COUNTER CHIC WRITE UP - CLICK HERE

MIA in the MIA!

Yessssssss! I'm coming back to one of my FAVORITE cities with Photographer Laretta Houston! So be sure to check us out if you're in the Miami area in July!  Check out some of the beach shots from our last trip!

Meet Koala Island

Actually, I just wanted to shop some summer sale pieces at zara.com, but then I stumbled upon this lovely Sydney video. Sydney is probably my #1 favorite in terms of exchange semesters and I totally hope that I will pay a visit to the kangaroos next year. I really become attached to Australia's lifestyle, its cultural diversity (and of course the weather) although I've never been there. So, it's definitely high time for me to travel abroad an maybe to do some surfing !!

The New Bug called 'Obsessive Sale Shopping Disorder'

A good friend of mine was in town from Pune. We planned catch up at the Select City Mall almost after a year! I left office early at 4, took the metro and reached the destination on time. She was already there waiting, we were thrilled meet after so long. While we were chatting and walking around the mall, both of us got our eyes stuck on the 'SALE posters on 'Mango'. We walked into the store as if that was the coffee shop we had always planned to go to. After hunting through the heaps of clothes and not really finding anything, both of us realized that we had actually met to chat and catch up and not shop! And having met after a while it was a better idea to bond with each other at a restaurant rather than a crowded store!

'Sale' is actually the sign most of us can't resist these days! Shops get crowded as if they were selling things for free and not just discounted prices! Remember the '2 hr 50% sale by Benetton', The AC does not seem to be cooling any longer because of the number of people, the billing line gets out of the store. What had shocked me even more was the looooong line of customers outside the 'Ed Hardy' store during sale. Believe me or not, they had bouncers to control the crowd! And there was a 'Waiting' before they would let you in. I wish I had taken some photographs.

Jack n Jones and Vera Moda Sale

And yesterday was a similar repeat when Jack n Jones and Vera Moda were on 60% sale. I knew it was next to impossible to actually be able to find some thing in such a crowded shop but I wanted to atleast check out if the line was longer from the last time or not :) For a change I had no intention to buy anything. And yes there was a line before you could get in. I reached the place at 9, so the 'waiting' was not too long, just around 5 min. But I heard that people had lined up outside even before the store opened at 9am. They had a lot of huge security guys/ crowd managers all equipped with walkie-talkies. Here are some images, but again since it was post 9pm, the length of the line was nowhere close to the crazy Ed Hardy sale.

When I managed to get in, all I saw were heaps of clothes lying on tables all around and people desperately trying to find something useful amongst them, a few pulling the two sleeves of the same top! The clothes didn't even look like they were new! 'Heaps' is the accepted form of display of items during sale these days, which is okay for street shopping but very un-appealing for high-end clothing. And there were so many guys in black with walkie-talkies that I felt I was probably at the US  President's office and not a shop!! Nevertheless people did manage pick their heaps from amongst those heaps! Lucky them. But I felt rather agoraphobic and moved out in 5 min!

SALE is a word that instantly attracts consumers and the marketing agents using it to their best benefit! The word almost drags you into the store. But are clothes truly sold at a discounted price in the name of sale? I have myself seen Reebok hiking their price and put a 50% off tag during sale. And I would assume Reebok is not the only one. Most of the times the stock is pretty old and no-one really know the original price. Whatever it is, we the consumers definitely go ballistic the moment we see the SALE sign! That is why I think this is the latest new-age lifestyle disorder: 'Obsessive Sale Shopping Disorder'!! Are you affected too?

Oh by the way, did any of you manage to get something at the Jack n Jones sale yesterday? Do share! I would love to know..

Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer: Is it the Ultimate Solution for Dry, Chapped Lips?

I have been looking for solutions for two problems - Brittle nails and dry, chapped lips since time immemorial. While I have found some kind of a relief for the former in the Seacret nail care collection, I had hoped that I had found the answer for the latter through Neutrogena lip moisturizer. Here's more about the product and my experience and my review.

Product Details
Product Name: Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer
Sun Protection: SPF 15
Fragrance: No Fragrance :)
Color: No Color
Price: Rs 99 for 4gms (0.15 Oz.)

Product Description
'Lip Moisturizer softens, smoothes and protects dry, chapped lips with no waxy feel. This moisture-enriched formula soothes and conditions your lips, keeping them healthy looking and soft in all weather.

Contains a PABA-free SPF 15 sunblock for added protection from the sun's UV rays.
Use everyday to keep lips smooth and moisturized.
Formulated with only the purest of ingredients - so there's no color, no fragrance, no unnecessary additives.'

What is PABA?
'Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) was one of the earliest active ingredients used in sunscreen. While PABA is a powerful UVB absorber, it does not absorb UVA rays. PABA can also attach to skin proteins so it is not easily washed off while swimming. Since PABA needs to be mixed with alcohol for application formulas, it can sting when applied to skin. PABA can also stain clothing. Other disadvantages were allergic reactions, dermatitis, or perceived sensitivity to PABA.'

My Experience and Review
This was recommended to me by a friend who was very happy with the effect the product had on her. In general I trust Neutrogena products and hence decided to check this besides the numerous lipsticks and lip jelly's I have already tried. Moreover it was reasonably priced, so no worries.

May be I was expecting results too soon, but nothing really happened in the first 2 weeks. My lips continued to dry and flake. I had almost given up hope but then things started improving. My lips softened and it stopped flaking and drying too soon. And it's not like I had to re-apply every 5 min, but I did have to re-apply at regular intervals. The product started finally doing what it was supposed to do! I am reasonably pleased but not overwhelmed.

What I like about Neutogena Lip Moisturizer

• No color, no fragrance
• Very convenient to apply and carry, wouldn't melt in hot summers
• Eventually did what it was supposed to do (after 2 weeks of use) - softened lips, prevented dryness and flakes
• Has sun protection
• Not heavy on the pocket

How Has Your Experience Been?
In general I have read good reviews about this product. I like this product too, but I am not convinced that this is the 'bestest lipbalm' as many claim. How have you liked it? Did it take 2 weeks to show its effect? And have you ever used any other lip balm which has had a faster and better effect?

Conclusion
While I will continue to use this product till I a better one, my search is not fully over. What will you recommend?