Forever Living

Whoah! Is it the last day of April already? The days have gone by so fast, don't you think? We were looking at our blog tabs and frowned when we saw this is only our fifth entry for the month! Waley! What happened to our new year's resolution to blog often? Haha. (Ah wala nga pala kaming resolutions!)

Anyway, summer is here again. Despite of the cranky weather Riyadh has been experiencing for the past few days, we all know that it's already the season of the sun. The harsh desert climate is upon us and you need to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! If you recall, Sampaguita Pride has already written an entry a few months back on how not to be a prune in the desert aka how to keep your skin moisturized. A lot of you has been asking us where to get the aloe vera gel that SP mentioned. Well, here's your answer:

Click photo for larger size.

Forever Living offers many aloe vera products so if you're interested, check the flyer above. Aloe vera does not only keep your skin moisturized, it also heals skin ailments! The Pink Tarha is not the expert on this so we're turning you to the one who can answer your questions... Ms. Verna Nafrada. Contact her at 050-7032098 or email her at forverna3@hotmail.com for your aloe vera gel needs. :)

So, there's no reason to sport dry and itchy skin this summer! :P 

Happy May, everyone! 

The Lush Life

The Pink Tarha was invited to attend a mini event at the Lush store in Faisaliah Mall yesterday. Lush is not new to us and we're sure it's not new to you too. It's hard not to notice this store because it smells and looks good. The smell of the whole store can get overwhelming but the displays of soaps and bath bombs are always a treat to the eyes. Everything is cute, beautiful, and colorful. The aroma inside is fruity, floral, earthy... all the senses are tickled fancy in this place. Every time I enter this store, I get the urge to buy everything! (Buti na lang di ko afford lahat, haha!)

The lovely soap market!

A good turnout of lovelier ladies

A piece of cake! :P

Lush is launching their campaign against animal testing. This has been the company's advocacy ever since but they are amping up their efforts this year. Lush believes in non-animal testing policy. Most of their products are made of natural ingredients, essential oils, and a small palette of synthetics that are safe to use. Lush firmly believes in this policy that they haven't used ingredients from companies that are involved in animal testing and haven't opened stores in countries that permit animal testing in cosmetics and toiletries production. 

Find our stickers! :P

Being committed to this advocacy, Lush doesn't stop from there. They want to push for concrete laws that properly protects animals rather than have other companies invent their own rules on such practices. "{Lush} firmly believes that the Lush Non-Animal Testing Policy has been a beacon, showing what a committed company can do if their heart is in the right place. Animals deserve proper protection which forces the worst of companies towards kinder behavior." 

Soaps. Lush' main product.

Chop, chop! 

A bestseller!

Love the combination of subtle colors

We're all for simplifying things. We applaud Lush in their campaign to protect animals and continue making fresh handmade products using essential oils, fruit and vegetables, and small doses of synthetic ingredients that are tried and tested. We also like their non-obsession on anti-aging stuff. Our generation is paranoid in having wrinkles and in aging (aminin!) and we tend to get swayed by cosmetic companies who promise the fountain of youth in their products. But we all age and the most we can do is take good care of our skin at any given age, diba? Let's not get obsessed on all these anti-aging schemes. Mas nakaka-wrinkles yata ang pagwo-worry about it! As Lush said, "Why search science for new ones, when we haven't yet used all that nature offers?" 

We're all for nature!

Fizzy bath bombs!

Not edible. Repeat: not edible!

Think Pink!

LOLing.

Perfect for the summer tan! Glowing gold?!

Lovely Phoenix Rising

Pop in the Bath: bergamot and mandarin

Dorothy: rainbows, bubbles, perfume

Nice floral touches

Bliss!

I've already used products from Lush. They are quite expensive but they work like a charm. My favorite soap is called Honey I Washed The Kids (cute ayt?). It's a creamy caramel bar that smells so good I wanna eat it with my coffee! Haha. I also enjoy smelling Karma, the "scent of Lush." My face regimen is composed of putting this icky, green stuff on my face. It's Lush' Herbalism, a purifying herbal cleanser for oily and problematic skin. After using this, I can really feel that my face is cleaner. It's a great exfoliator; just don't rub your face harshly. I also like Angels On Bare Skin, a rose and lavender cleansing wash, but it's always OOS when I visit Lush. Their multi-use moisturizer Lemony Flutter glides like butter in my hands and cuticles.

Their Easter display

Nope, they don't smell like carrots. LOL.

The eggs

Lush also offers gift bundles packed with products that go well together. Perfect for special occasions, which reminds us that Mother's Day (international date) is near! So don't forget to pick up a wonderful de-stress gift for your moms! 

A different kind of flowers for your moms

Adorable gifts!

Limited edition floral gift boxes

Of course, with all the other brands out there, to each his/her own. Admittedly, The Pink Tarha ladies use other brands for our skin care and make up and we often neglect to check if the brands we're using are free from animal testing or are using organic, natural products. Most of the time, our mantra is, if it works great in our skin, that's  what we're using! Which makes sense actually because we're the ones who know our skin. I know my face breaks out every time I use a new product. It gradually adjusts to the new product over time. So whatever works for you, go! But if there are little ways we can do to help this world become better place for all living things (and our skin becoming better in the process too), then why not? These little acts of kindness and concern make life lush after all! :)

E at the 'we are not soap' counter

Solid shampoos that last

Facial washes, lotions, etc.

The non-soap products

Lip tints/balms/scrubs

Trying out a hand wash

What's your take? If you're against animal testing too, sign the petition today! Have you tried Lush products? What are your favorites? Visit Lush stores in Faisaliah Mall and Kingdom Centre.

TGIW!



§undrenched

The World of Hamleys

Are we turning into some kind of a kid lifestyle store after this entry and now this? We'd like to think not. We would just like to tell mommies out there that we hear yahhh even if we're not yet moms. We'd like to help you keep your children in their happy places. So we'd like you to bring them to Hamleys (without an apostrophe). 

Welcome, welcome! You can't miss this store.

Hamleys is one of the world's largest toy stores. Its flagship branch in London is considered as the biggest in the world, an iconic landmark that gets over 5 million visitors annually. Hamleys has branched out to Amman, Dublin, Dubai, Mumbai, and... tsaraaan... Riyadh! As most stores named with a name, this toy store is founded by Mr. William Hamley who started with a toy shop named "Noah's Ark" in 1760. His start-up business boomed into what is now a literal kid's huuuuge wonderland.

The branch in Riyadh opened in Panorama Mall, Takhasussi Street last January 2012. Eyecandy and I visited the store last month and we can assure you that this store will keep your children pre-occupied and happy. Be careful though, your wallet might take a wallop if you give in to your kids' wants. They have a lot of choices and even us, who are ehermn, kids-at-heart, are not prone to the "I want this, this, this, this, and this!" beating of our hearts. I wanted a lot of toys, especially the ones I didn't get to have when I was a kid. Hello Play-Doh, hello Bratz (aren't they scary-looking?), hello Barbie!

It's hard to come up with a reason to build a collection of Barbie dolls at this age (late 20s *cough, cough*) but inside Hamleys, every reason comes to mind: 1. It's Barbie! 2. There are a lot of Barbie  dolls to choose and collect. 3. She has lots of other merchandise (hair twirler, c'mon!). 4. Future kiddos can benefit from these (as long as they don't touch them! Haha.) 5. It's Barbie! Who doesn't like Barbie? Anyway, I am wishing too much.

Here are the other toys you'll find in Hamleys and you'll surely have massive attacks of childhood longings, or your children's longings. Whichever applies. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Beyblade?

I want to hoard Play-Doh and shape them into food. Gah!

Welcome to our Barbie world! Pink is might! :P

The popular Barbie house.

She's prolly the most recognized doll ever!

My kind of doll.

Wow, she should fix her dress. Lol.

For the young-at-heart

Fun for the family

Miniatures.

Gadgetry

Lots of toys we haven't seen in our childhood huh. Ganon na kami katanda?!

For the makukulit boys. 

For the kikay girls.

For the scientist/inventor to be.

Who doesn't want a rainbow in her room?

Or the moon? I'd love some moonshine please!

Best played outdoors

Playground staples

Ack, I wanna bike around town!

OMG LEGOOOOO!

There was once upon a time when Lego was banned in some Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia included. We think it was about this certain 'Lego' figurine. But let's not go into this further and let's just be happy that the kiddos can now enjoy Lego here in Riyadh.

I had Lego when I was a kid. You too? Yes? 

The Ferrari cars

I was telling Eyecandy that Shell in the Philippines came up with Ferrari miniatures back in the day as special prizes to those who buy gasoline from them. My uncle had a collection. We love the fiery red color of the Ferrari as well as its smooth finish. Coolio.

Small delights for the boys.

OMG, plastic balloons!

Do you remember plastic balloons? My siblings and I used to hurt our cheeks from puffing into this. They were in teeny containers like the ones above and had small blowing sticks. They sold for 1 peso in the 90s. Hamleys 'magic balloons' are bigger. I wonder if it hurts when it explodes in the face! With that size, the plastic used before might be rubber now. Lol.

Toys for all ages

Even if you don't have kids, you'll enjoy roaming around Hamleys. It sure did bring back a lot of childhood memories for me. It was fun to check out the newest toys too... you know, those toys that were not available when we were kids. (Gawd, I feel so old looking at the toys! Haha.) 

Visit Hamleys now!