A'st1: Yearning of my Heart

I came to know this group too late...they have already disbanded but their music lives on, at least in my heart. They have this song which keeps on running in my mind. I actually think that I am crazy now because I can listen to the song the entire day, it keeps on repeating and repeating in my music player and I am not bothered at all :)

I am referring to A'st1 (pronounced as A style), a Korean boy group composed of 6 jalsaeng-gin guys in their early 20's who can all sing (they harmonize well, see- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFR9DMcCJOY&NR=1), dance and unconsciously make girls swoon over them haha. Though the group's generally Korean, only 4 are pure Koreans namely Park Jung Jin (leader), Sung In Kyuone, Byun Jang Moon (MY UBER FAVORITE!), Lim Han Byul and then one is Japanese, Azuma Tomoki (Tomo) and Ding Hai Ming is Chinese :)

 

                 (from L-R) Haiming, Hanbyul, Jangmoon, Tomo, Jungjin, Inkyu

In  a nut shell, they debuted in 2008 with the song "1.2.3.4 Back." Since, two members are non-Koreans, the label of which the group is under, DSP Entertainment, had plans for them to be known throughout Asia. They have trained for years before actually coming out in public.  Unfortunately, oh and i mean unfortunately, for some reasons not quite clear to me...a year and few months after, the group has disbanded.... (and I faint...)

                              (from L-R)   Jungjin, Jangmoon, Hanbyul, Tomo,  Inkyu, Haiming

They have already disbanded the moment I became an A'st1 uhm...fan.:) Thanks to my viewing of Boys Over Flowers series (Korean version of Meteor Garden/ F4), I heard this one song used as soundtrack, and from then on I did not stop until I finally found it. I had a hard time, mind you, looking for the song because I cannot understand the lyrics in Korean but the melody has stuck in me so much that I used it as a guide which lead me to the song :)) And after which, I came to know the voices behind the haunting song :))

And as for that song which I uber loooooove now, it's Yearning of the Heart. What's most interesting about all this is that I don't speak their language and I just rely on the translations available online (I am not even sure if the translations are correct) but I still love the song. I don't know what's in it but every time I hear it I'm soothed, I'm calmed and I'm transported to a serene world far away haha...try to listen to it...maybe I will see you in that world too :))

A'st1 memories are preserved, thanks to youtube.com, I' m able to watch over and over videos and listen to their other songs which I came to appreciate eventually after learning more about them. They have their own version of English songs like "More Than Words", "World of Our Own" by Westlife and "This I Promise You" by Nsync. And of course they have other Korean songs aside from "Yearning of the Heart" which I, who is non-Korean, really love such as the sad sad "Naega Babboyeoso", the groovy "Show", fun "Funky N Roll Tonight" and many more.


Oh well, I'm a bit sorrowful that I came to know A'st1 too late, but I'm still happy because at least I came to know them :)) And no matter how late this might be, I'm urging everyone to take time to hear 'em out.

For Sparkly You and Me!:) (ETUDE HOUSE)

I think this is the start of a wonderful love affair with a beauty brand --- ETUDE HOUSE!

I honestly was not aware of it  until I passed by a brightly lit girly pink store sometime last month in SM Megamall Building A. Where in the world have I been all this time...I did some research and found out that this Korean brand has been making waves as early as 1995! Anyway, It was a new store in the said mall and I was curious about it. Peeking from outside, I instantly knew it was an enticing beauty store. Peeking from outside, I had a feeling that I would be hooked on it. When I got inside, I verified the feeling as it was indeed paradise looking into all the shiny, shimmery (and I mean shimmery which I really really love) and colorful stuff Etude House carries. It was like being in a dreamland, it was like I have been transformed into a princess with all the magical (have I mentioned shimmery?:)) products created just for me.

What I love about this brand is that the products are designed, as I quote from Etude House's official description and as I have personally seen, "for the trendy, romantic, sweet, lovely, and sparkling youth". But I think even for the older generation, the products would bring out the youthfulness in 'em :)

And so I begin the first of the Etude House review series :)

  


SECRET BEAM HIGHLIGHTER - comes in two variants - Pink mix and Orange mix (I got the orange mix to complement better with my skin tone)

Description says that it is a "9-Color Mix Mosaic Style Facial Highlighter to beautifully coordinate makeup finish. Pearl highlighter brightens and shades facial tone & adds luster" 

I have actually been in search for a perfect product that would make my face sparkle, not too scandalous though but enough to make people look at me intently. And with Etude House's SECRET BEAM HIGHLIGHTER, I think I can now scream Eureka!

After applying make-up, I brush over my face the sparkly powder. It does not ruin the color, instead makes my face glow all the more, but NOT to the point of making it look oily. The sparkle stays on for hours but since I heart it so much, I sometimes find myself applying it again and again. It's ok though because it's so light, I do not end up looking like a kabuki or a glittering cake.:) 

To date, this is one of my most treasured make-up pieces. :)

For Lush Lips

Say goodbye to chapped and dry lips with RICH PLUM SHIMMER LIP BALM from BODY SHOP.

I personally love this product because the balm looks so regal with its shimmery deep violet color. It has rich plum scent that i could almost taste and most of all, it makes my lips naturally moist, soft but not overly shiny. Can be used alone or before applying lipstick.

Aside from personal use, I really think this makes a perfect gift for all our female loved ones.:)

Indulge in Sarah Geronimo's most personal album to date...

The Love Season is just around the corner and fret not if you do not have a special someone to spend it with... Let Philippines' Popstar Sarah Geronimo serenade you in the comforts of your own place with her own take on popular foreign and OPM love hits featured in her latest album under Viva Records.. 

Entitled “Music and Me”, the all-English album includes themes which Sarah has sung for various box-office movies like  “A Very Special Love”, “You Changed My Life” and "Something New In My Life" and more covers of heart tugging love songs.

Sarah had been very hands-on in the selection of tracks to be featured in the album, making this one of her most personal recordings to date. As a bonus, the feisty “Record Breaker”, an original song used in one of her endorsements, is also included in the album.

COMPLETE TRACKLIST:  

Right Here Waiting (Richard Marx)

Lost In Your Eyes (Debbie Gibson)

Can This Be Love; Listen To Your Heart (Roxette)

Have You Ever (Brandy)

Please Be Careful with My Heart (duet with Christian Bautista)

Fall For You (Shanice), Could Have Been (Tiffany)

Before I Fall in Love (Coco Lee)

You Changed My Life

I'll Never Let You Go (Faith Evans)

Somebody New in My Life

A Very Special Love 

BONUS TRACK: Record Breaker

This is definitely the perfect album for the Month of Hearts and the days beyond.:)

Hmmmmm....Refreshing Scent!

I was never a fan of Victoria Secret scents until I came to know ENCHANTED APPLE. It's a combination of Red Apple, Watery Hyacinth and Musk. 

Indeed, I was enchanted by the fruity scent which is FAR from the usual Victoria Secret scents which my nose finds so mature, heavy, too romantic and hugely seductive.

ENCHANTED APPLE holds true to its bottle description "Refreshing Body Mist"...its red liquid, when sprayed, transforms into an enticing, light and yummy fragrance that one would not hesitate to have a "bite" into :)

The scent is for both young and old and will fit almost every daytime occasion. At night, if one still wants to have that refreshing feeling, then this is the perfect product to use.

Needless to say, of all Victoria Secret products that I've taken hold of, this is one scent that I actually put into use.