Cute loot

Big things really do come in small packages.

Don’t you just love it when you discover something really amazing and affordable — and it fits right in your bag?

Whenever I go shopping I like to look for unusual little things that are functional and innovative, and most importantly, cute.

Just like Oprah’s Favorite Things, I have compiled a short list of must-haves for probably the kikay girl who has everything.

Smiley Eau de Toilette

The packaging alone makes me smile, with the bubble bottle and the color yellow — how could you ignore that?

I used to see the Smiley display at Rustan’s and wonder what it was all about. Then a friend of mine who works there said it was the “world’s first antidepressant perfume.”

Not only that, the Smiley range also includes body gel, deodorant spray, massage oil, and bath salt — all prescription-free.

My friend says he used the cologne and noticed the blues peeling away after two weeks.

I figured I’d try the deodorant first, since it’s something I have to use daily. Can’t tell exactly if Smiley was “the one,” but I’ve had many reasons to smile since I started using it.

Face Shop LED Ear Cleaner

One of the things I love to do as a mom is to cut my boys’ nails and clean their ears. I want to raise hygienic boys! My boys are now 5 and 6 years old but they still turn into babies whenever I clean their ears.

I once heard my brother talking about a lighted ear cleaner, so when I saw this thing at the Face Shop, I bought two.

It’s a great little gadget to clean ears (not your own, of course). You just have to be careful. It’s a fun way to clean ears. My boys like it and we’ve haven’t had an untoward incident.

Kuliglig Room and Linen Spray at Soumak

Have you been to the Soumak bed and beddings store in Greenbelt 3? I love that store. It looks and feels organic. It also features comfy Eairth apparel by Melissa Dizon amongst the bed sheets and covers.

When you go inside you may notice the most wonderful scent; it makes you sleepy. I couldn’t help but ask the sales person what it was. Turns out it’s a room and linen spray called “Kuliglig,” which is Filipino for “firefly.”

It’s certainly the loveliest scent to come home to when the room is freshly made up. And the price is so unbelievable (around P260++) you’ll want to share it with your friends.

Laura Mercier Mini Lip Color Set

One of the first things to go on my face is usually the lipstick, several times a day, in fact. ’Cause I love to talk and eat. How many times have I forgotten to put lipstick in my bag? One day I stumbled across this Laura Mercier mini lip color set at Rustan's Essenses, and fell in love. The tubes of lipstick are actually just 1.5 inches high, adding to the cuteness factor. It comes with a mini lip liner that is three inches long and an organized pouch. My only complaint is it doesn’t come with a mirror. Now comes the quest to find that perfect little mirror to put inside.

I love this kit.

Slim Mints

Another delicious alternative to the Mirror Mints are the Slim Mints I found at Rustan’s Supermarket in Makati. I used to look for these at GNC stores abroad. They were not easy to find and a bit pricey. But at Rustan’s Supermarket, they were selling at around P125++ (less than half of what I used to pay). I could not believe it so I bought a box of six.

I love having these around.

Slim Mints are meant to be taken 30 minutes before meals. They’re supposed to curb your appetite. I like them also after meals, and sometimes for merienda. Call me silly, but 12 mints are only 4 calories. How wonderful is that?

Awake Stardom Eye Tint

As a beauty reviewer I get to try a lot of new products, but only a few really stand out and excite me.

One of my most favorite products out there is Awake’s Stardom Eye Tint, which is liquid eye shadow in a bottle. Sounds unique? Well, Awake comes from Japan, and you can expect only the best from the Japanese.

Stardom Eye Tint comes in several shimmery colors. Shake the bottle and apply with the small brush tip that comes with it, sort of like nail polish. Apply to eyelids and blend with a brush. I wish I had all the colors. I’m addicted.

Watson’s Nail Block Buffer

If you’ve recently been to a mall in the US you may have experienced being accosted by an aggressive salesperson peddling things from a cart.

In Houston a Spanish lady convinced me to buy two packs of products I wasn’t particularly excited to get at $15 each.

It contained a body lotion and this amazing nail buffer shaped like a block.

She used the nail buffer to polish my nails naturally. The result was simply amazing, since I don’t like to wear nail polish.

When I arrived back in Manila, I found out I could’ve just gotten the nail buffer at Watson’s for less than P100.

The block buffer comes with four different sides numbered 1 to 4.

Side 1 is for shaping the nail. Sides 2, 3, and 4 must be used in succession to achieve the prettiest nails as it brings out its natural shine. It’s an amazing product you have to try, plus a nice thing to have in your bag while waiting or sitting it out in traffic.

Mirror Mints

In my quest to find a cute mirror to complement my lipstick set, I thought about those Mirror Mints available at Watson’s stores.

It comes in little tin packages with a small vanity mirror.

Choose from a variety of designs that suit you, like Flirt, Neurotic, Spoiled Rotten and High Maintenance.

At P99 each, I find it affordable yet expensive. Affordable because it’s less than a hundred, but expensive because the mints taste so good, I can finish them in no time.

I can honestly say these are the most addicting mints on the local market. What I don’t like is they don’t offer refills. What to do when the mints run out? You could always use the mirror, I guess, but it’s really not the same without the mints.

Notes by Femme Fafel

Finally, for that girl who has everything, I recommend personalized notes by Femme Fafel. A friend of mine surprised me with these note cards and envelopes she ordered from http://mybabycakes.multiply.com/

Femme Fafel are personalized notes that look just like you. Order online to customize the name and type of girl you want to create, choosing from several hairstyles, outfits and accessories.

One set of 24 notes and envelopes costs P350, or pay P1,000 for three sets. Notes are typically 4.5” x 3.5”.