“Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.”
-Groucho Marx
-Groucho Marx
Hello everyone!
This will be a quick post. I am just going to share these simple blog headers that I created for my sister, my uncle and my new mommy blog. I hope you find time to visit the blogs I will link below.
ABOUT LITTLE WOOT
My sister already has her blog way back in 2012 but she forgot her password and she can't regain access so she started a new blog after she gave birth in 2014.
NANAY NI SUMMER
This is my new blog and it's written in Tagalog and English. This will be my mommy diary. Finally, I have a blog that caters to a specific niche.
COFFEE TIME WITH DON
Uncle Don started blogging in 2013 but he stopped because he can't find time. Over the weekend, he informed me that he wants to give it another try and he wants to give his blog a new life. The new layout and header is my welcome back to blogging gift for him.
If you want me to create a blog header for you, please let me know. Yes, it's a freebie! Yay! I will be making the headers for free for the first 10 to request. You may email me (kessathea26@gmail.com) or comment below. The output will be either a .jpg or .png file.
This will be a quick post. I am just going to share these simple blog headers that I created for my sister, my uncle and my new mommy blog. I hope you find time to visit the blogs I will link below.
ABOUT LITTLE WOOT
My sister already has her blog way back in 2012 but she forgot her password and she can't regain access so she started a new blog after she gave birth in 2014.
NANAY NI SUMMER
This is my new blog and it's written in Tagalog and English. This will be my mommy diary. Finally, I have a blog that caters to a specific niche.
COFFEE TIME WITH DON
Uncle Don started blogging in 2013 but he stopped because he can't find time. Over the weekend, he informed me that he wants to give it another try and he wants to give his blog a new life. The new layout and header is my welcome back to blogging gift for him.
If you want me to create a blog header for you, please let me know. Yes, it's a freebie! Yay! I will be making the headers for free for the first 10 to request. You may email me (kessathea26@gmail.com) or comment below. The output will be either a .jpg or .png file.
LET'S CONNECT
Oh I can definitely feel the Christmas spirit all over the metro. Everywhere I look I see Christmas ornaments - lights, decors, trees all adorn up halls, streets, balconies, houses and even malls. In the Philippines you know it's the Christmas season when malls are packed, lines are long, everyone's extra cheery and seems to be in high spirits and in good cheer not to mention that traffic becomes so crazy especially in business districts.
Based on studies, the holiday season is when people are the happiest but also the most stressed because of all the activities, the shopping, the preparations, the parties - it's just a very busy season. Sometimes it's too much to take for the whole month let alone one week or two. I bet the easiest thing to do this holiday season is to accept gifts. Right? I could be wrong though. At any rate, poor choices of food, sleepless nights due to parties among other bad holiday habits can take a toll on our immune system as much as the holidays also coincide with the cold and flu season.
So how do you boost your immunity during the holidays? I guess that's the million dollar question but I have a few tips that I wanted to share in the hopes that this article would be able to help you boost your immunity. You have to do the best you can so that you don't spoil your merry holidays.
Eat a diet comprised mostly of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Remember to not binge on food that is very high in saturated fat (hello lechon?!?). It could not be denied that holiday food can be incredibly high in calories and may pose a negative impact to our health. What you can do is to make sure to consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day. When you go shopping, carry a bag of carrots to munch on so you don't binge and mindlessly eat whatever is within reach . Do not go to the grocery or supermarket hungry. Always have a healthy snack within reach - this could do wonders for you. If you can't buy yourself a material gift, at least feed your body with the right food. Oh and yes, avoid eating food with very high salt content so you don't unnecessarily retain water and be bloated in all your holiday pictures. That would be very stressful for sure!
According to Prevention here's a list of the 9 power foods that are very good in boosting one's immunity. Try to incorporate these good stuff in your daily meals and snacks. You can't have too much of a good thing yeah?
Stay active, get moving, and don't let your exercise routine go on a holiday. You don't need to work out so hard or run hundreds of kilometres - you just need to be moderately active. When you go shopping, park at the farthest corner/spot of the parking area, that way you get to walk towards your destination. When you boost your exercise routine you also boost your immune system. Don't wait for the new year to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. Always remember that at least 30-minutes of physical activity every day is better than nothing at all.
You also do not need a gym membership to able to do some exercise routines. You can use household items as a matter of fact. For example, you can fill an empty bottle with water and use it as weights for strength training. You can also use a chair or your wall when you do lunges. You can go up and down the stairs to get your heart pumping. Easy peasy!
Listen to music, get a massage, stick to a good sleeping habit or enrol in a yoga class. You need to be able to block the world around you and indulge yourself in some me-time to combat the overwhelming holiday stress. Find things to do that would allow you to just focus on the present - this way you will feel less hurried and more calm. It would also help to know that your body has its breaking point so it's important to wind down and get charged up once again by resting and relaxing to keep your immune system strong.
Of course, relaxing also involves sleeping. Make sure to get ample amount of sleep so your body can gets to rest and recharge. Adequate sleep is essential for a healthier and stronger immune system and of course overall health. It will for sure make you feel better and boost your mood as well. After all, you need all the rest you can get so you have all the energy that you need to face all the holiday to-do's.
This holiday season is the perfect time to nurture yourself. Give yourself the gift of self-love because it is the only way to give love. If you love your self, you will radiate love to your family and friends. When you are truly happy from within, your glow will be very visible, you will attract good vibes. As you nurture yourself, learn to listen to what your body wants and needs. Balancing your inner self as well as your outside appearance will allow you to make healthy decisions.
Part of nurturing yourself is to drink enough water - it is very basic but also very good for you and your health.
Staying healthy and maintaining tip top immunity during the holiday season is very important. To complete the loop of boosting your immunity, you have to load up on your Vitamin C intake as well and that's where Fern-C can help me, you and all our loved ones. Choosing the right brand with the best benefits is essential so that you get the most protection for every peso you spend. Incorporate this in your daily routine to ensure optimum benefits despite the holiday stress that you face.
Based on studies, the holiday season is when people are the happiest but also the most stressed because of all the activities, the shopping, the preparations, the parties - it's just a very busy season. Sometimes it's too much to take for the whole month let alone one week or two. I bet the easiest thing to do this holiday season is to accept gifts. Right? I could be wrong though. At any rate, poor choices of food, sleepless nights due to parties among other bad holiday habits can take a toll on our immune system as much as the holidays also coincide with the cold and flu season.
 |
| #FernCSubokNa #StressFreeChristmas #HealthyHoliday |
Here are my 5 tips especially for you my dear readers:
F O O D
 |
| The key for this tip is to ensure that you are consuming food that you need in order to sustain your daily needs. You can eat whatever you like but make sure that you are doing so in moderation. Don't binge on any food so you get the nourishment that your body needs to stay healthy. |
E X E R C I S E
Stay active, get moving, and don't let your exercise routine go on a holiday. You don't need to work out so hard or run hundreds of kilometres - you just need to be moderately active. When you go shopping, park at the farthest corner/spot of the parking area, that way you get to walk towards your destination. When you boost your exercise routine you also boost your immune system. Don't wait for the new year to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle. Always remember that at least 30-minutes of physical activity every day is better than nothing at all.
You also do not need a gym membership to able to do some exercise routines. You can use household items as a matter of fact. For example, you can fill an empty bottle with water and use it as weights for strength training. You can also use a chair or your wall when you do lunges. You can go up and down the stairs to get your heart pumping. Easy peasy!
R E L A X
Of course, relaxing also involves sleeping. Make sure to get ample amount of sleep so your body can gets to rest and recharge. Adequate sleep is essential for a healthier and stronger immune system and of course overall health. It will for sure make you feel better and boost your mood as well. After all, you need all the rest you can get so you have all the energy that you need to face all the holiday to-do's.
N U R T U R E
Part of nurturing yourself is to drink enough water - it is very basic but also very good for you and your health.
V I T A M I N C - "your daily dose of added immunity"
 |
| Did you notice my 5 tips with letters representing Fern-C? FOOD EXERCISE RELAX NUTURE VITAMIN C |
So why do I choose Fern-C out of all the available Vitamin C's in the market today?
 |
| Click the image above to visit the Fern-C website where you can read more about the product. |
A healthy immune system is the best defense we have against bacteria, microbes and different kinds of viruses that attack our body and bring about different forms of diseases (most common would be respiratory illnesses). The immune system wards off these unwelcome visitors in wreaking havoc to our health. You may not know it but on a daily basis, our body uses antioxidants to boost the immune system through the fruits and vegetables that we consume and supplementing it with sodium ascorbate is an excellent practice on your road to healthy living.
Sodium ascorbate consists of a combination of sodium and Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. In this mixture, the sodium acts as the buffer thus creating a less acidic supplement than those made with pure ascorbic acid. Hello Fern-C!!! Fern-C is dissolved easily by the body and is a non-acidic form of Vitamin C. Taking this supplement ensures that we all meet our daily Vitamin C requirement. We also need it to produce collagen which hastens the healing of wounds and keeps the immune system healthy. It is also good to note that sodium ascorbate is more reactive compared to ascorbic acid in building connective tissues and anti-body structures which makes it more effective in eliminating bacteria, microbes and viruses.
To boost your immunity during the holidays and help ensure a stress-free celebration, aim to meet your daily Vitamin C requirement. Don't forget to include Fern-C in your shopping list. While you're at it, why not give the gift of immunity boost and include capsules of sodium ascorbate goodness to your family and friends?
To read more about Fern-C and to participate in promotions,
please visit Fern-C's social media accounts by clicking the links below:
Stay healthy and happy this Christmas season!
LET'S CONNECT
Happy Sunday!
It's Sunday once again and I am back to let you inside my Sunday currently...
It's Sunday once again and I am back to let you inside my Sunday currently...
 |
| PHOTO CREDIT: STOCKSNAP.IO |
“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.”
-Josiah Gilbert Holland
-Josiah Gilbert Holland
I always pass by several food stalls in one of my favorite malls and I almost always salivate every time I pass by a stall that sells lechon. C'mon! Who doesn't salivate over the gloriously crispy skin and super juicy meat of lechon? There is really something about the scent of lemongrass delicately perfuming this dish and the complex but pleasant taste of the herbs and spices used to flavor the dish that makes you want to shout "extra rice please?".
As much as I would want to buy a kilo or two every time I crave for this dish, it doesn't come cheap at all (not to mention the cholesterol). One kilo costs around Php750-850 on ordinary days here in Metro Manila. I bet it will be more expensive as the holiday season draws near.
So, what better way to satiate one's craving and save a huge chunk of extra cash than to DIY. Yes, I researched for recipes online and I hit the jackpot when I first tried to follow a recipe I found and just tweaked it a little bit for my taste. I did not roast this in an open-pit with charcoal for starters.
Here goes:
INGREDIENTS
1.5 to 2 kilos of quality pork belly (be sure to check the slice before buying it)
1 cup apple cider vinegar (distilled vinegar is fine too)
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt plus a little extra to be used before cooking
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon black ground pepper
a few stalks of fresh lemongrass
1 red onion
1 head of garlic
an assortment of your favorite herbs (I used rosemary and thyme)
extra virgin olive oil
BRINING PROCESS
01 Dissolve salt in water.
02 Mix all dry ingredients left.
03 Pour water with salt and vinegar all over the meat.
04 Massage the herbs and spices to the pork belly.
05 Pour the vinegar and marinate for at least 6 hours inside the refrigerator.
PREPARATION BEFORE BAKING
01 Wash the meat so the salty taste will be lessened.
02 Pat dry and put a little bit of salt and pepper all over the meat.
03 Roll the meat with lemongrass in the middle (or bay leaf if you wish) and tie using a baker's twine. Be careful not to overlap the skin so the meat will be thoroughly cooked.
04 Brush extra virgin olive oil on the skin of the meat.
NOTE: Preheat your over while doing the preps. Oh and yes, brining apparently ensures crispy skin all the time. Thank you!
BAKING
Bake the meat for 1.5 to 2 hours at 210-220 degrees celsius. Make sure to turn the meat around for even cooking. After 2 hours, let the meat rest before slicing.
Serve with rice and enjoy! I used soy sauce and calamansi juice for the sauce. I don't like to make gravy (no matter how easy it is). But of course you can always buy the well-loved lechon sauce at the supermarket to complete the experience.
As much as I would want to buy a kilo or two every time I crave for this dish, it doesn't come cheap at all (not to mention the cholesterol). One kilo costs around Php750-850 on ordinary days here in Metro Manila. I bet it will be more expensive as the holiday season draws near.
So, what better way to satiate one's craving and save a huge chunk of extra cash than to DIY. Yes, I researched for recipes online and I hit the jackpot when I first tried to follow a recipe I found and just tweaked it a little bit for my taste. I did not roast this in an open-pit with charcoal for starters.
Here goes:
INGREDIENTS
1.5 to 2 kilos of quality pork belly (be sure to check the slice before buying it)
1 cup apple cider vinegar (distilled vinegar is fine too)
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt plus a little extra to be used before cooking
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon black ground pepper
a few stalks of fresh lemongrass
1 red onion
1 head of garlic
an assortment of your favorite herbs (I used rosemary and thyme)
extra virgin olive oil
BRINING PROCESS
01 Dissolve salt in water.
02 Mix all dry ingredients left.
03 Pour water with salt and vinegar all over the meat.
04 Massage the herbs and spices to the pork belly.
05 Pour the vinegar and marinate for at least 6 hours inside the refrigerator.
PREPARATION BEFORE BAKING
01 Wash the meat so the salty taste will be lessened.
02 Pat dry and put a little bit of salt and pepper all over the meat.
03 Roll the meat with lemongrass in the middle (or bay leaf if you wish) and tie using a baker's twine. Be careful not to overlap the skin so the meat will be thoroughly cooked.
04 Brush extra virgin olive oil on the skin of the meat.
NOTE: Preheat your over while doing the preps. Oh and yes, brining apparently ensures crispy skin all the time. Thank you!
BAKING
Bake the meat for 1.5 to 2 hours at 210-220 degrees celsius. Make sure to turn the meat around for even cooking. After 2 hours, let the meat rest before slicing.
Serve with rice and enjoy! I used soy sauce and calamansi juice for the sauce. I don't like to make gravy (no matter how easy it is). But of course you can always buy the well-loved lechon sauce at the supermarket to complete the experience.
TOTAL COST - Php800 for 2 kilos (because Monterey meat is pricier than regular market meat)
SERVINGS - 8 to 10
Do you like lechon as well? If you ever try to make this, let me know how it turns out.
LET'S CONNECT
My life is peppered with #wonderful moments - moments that shape me, moments that make me or break me.
I have watched Love Actually again and again and I always feel inspired after the movie credits start rolling. Love is all that matters isn't it? I have fond memories of my wedding day as well - one of the happiest days of my life no doubt. However, the one thing that tops the list and the reason for making my life #wonderful to a whole new level is when I had my daughter, Viktoria Summer.
My pregnancy was the hardest but everything turned 180 degrees when I finally laid my eyes on my beautiful baby daughter, Viktoria Summer. She is my fulfillment - my ultimate reason for living. She has brought me so much joy, so much hope, so much promise of more #wonderful things to happen in the future. I can still remember when we prayed for her and I was overwhelmed with emotion when I held her for the first time. She was so innocent, so precious, so lovely.
I did not have an easy pregnancy but I know all along that all will be worth it. I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness that is worse than the normal morning sickness). I had to be admitted to the hospital twice so that I can be properly hydrated and nourished and so that you will also be adequately hydrated and nourished. Apart from the hyperemesis gravidarum, I was also diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease and some form of thyroid disorder as well as gestational diabetes mellitus. I started to track my blood sugar by pricking my fingertips before each meal and inject insulin on my third trimester. I told my endocrinologist that I would rather prick my fingertips a thousand times more than the nurses pricking your heel for at least a week in the neonatal intensive care unit if you suffer from hypoglycaemia. -excerpt from A Letter To My Future Daughter
I know that this happiness that I feel can never be topped by any other life event that will ever happen in my life. My life is nothing but #wonderful since I first saw my little baby daughter. The feeling of raring my Viktoria Summer gives me a sense of fulfillment that nothing would ever top.
If you are curious to know what makes my world all sorts of #wonderful since I had my baby, here are my reasons why:
01 | Being a mommy is the most rewarding feeling in the world - I am sure all moms will vouch and agree with me regarding this. I feel the purest form of joy as a mother.
02 | I gave up my career to be able to take care of my little one but I have no ounce of regret in me and because I chose to be a full-time mom I was able to witness ALL my baby's milestones. The joy that I feel when she first said "mama" can never be matched with a price tag.
03 | I get to be an enabler as my daughter makes her own world of wonder. I love seeing her eyes light up with every discovery - be it holding and feeling the texture of a new cracker, touching a cold glass, playing with my hair, playing with her toys, figuring out where mommy is hiding when we play peek-a-boo, among other things. She is always in awe and I love being there for her in her moments of wonder.
04 | One smile from my baby and all my stress melts away. Playing with her is very therapeutic, very heartwarming.
05 | Being a mother altered my life - in a very positive way. I take calculated risks now. I feel empowered knowing that someone needs me. My baby gives my life purpose every day of my life. I feel like I am a better person now.
06 | I live to see another smile, another giggle, another hug. My life was great before I had my daughter but it reached a different level of #wonderful when I had her.
07 | I get a cookie every day. Part of Summer's snack time is a cookie or two and everything that she drops, I eat. How awesome is that?
08 | My life is so full of positivity - positive thoughts, positive outlook, positive dreams, positive goals.
09 | I have no memory of my first year as a baby so reliving each moment with my daughter brings me back to my past - milk, diaper changes, messy play area among others. It kind of going full circle.
10 | My life as a mother is #wonderful - because I know that I will have a friend forever - my daughter.
What makes your world #wonderful? Share your world of wonder and get a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to New Zealand!
Disclosure: This is my entry to the Nuffnang and Globe Telecom #Wonderful Blog and Instagram Competition (in partnership with Philippine Airlines and Agoda). All thoughts and opinions mentioned in this post are entirely my own and were not influenced by any of the brands mentioned.
I have watched Love Actually again and again and I always feel inspired after the movie credits start rolling. Love is all that matters isn't it? I have fond memories of my wedding day as well - one of the happiest days of my life no doubt. However, the one thing that tops the list and the reason for making my life #wonderful to a whole new level is when I had my daughter, Viktoria Summer.
My pregnancy was the hardest but everything turned 180 degrees when I finally laid my eyes on my beautiful baby daughter, Viktoria Summer. She is my fulfillment - my ultimate reason for living. She has brought me so much joy, so much hope, so much promise of more #wonderful things to happen in the future. I can still remember when we prayed for her and I was overwhelmed with emotion when I held her for the first time. She was so innocent, so precious, so lovely.
I did not have an easy pregnancy but I know all along that all will be worth it. I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum (morning sickness that is worse than the normal morning sickness). I had to be admitted to the hospital twice so that I can be properly hydrated and nourished and so that you will also be adequately hydrated and nourished. Apart from the hyperemesis gravidarum, I was also diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease and some form of thyroid disorder as well as gestational diabetes mellitus. I started to track my blood sugar by pricking my fingertips before each meal and inject insulin on my third trimester. I told my endocrinologist that I would rather prick my fingertips a thousand times more than the nurses pricking your heel for at least a week in the neonatal intensive care unit if you suffer from hypoglycaemia. -excerpt from A Letter To My Future Daughter
I know that this happiness that I feel can never be topped by any other life event that will ever happen in my life. My life is nothing but #wonderful since I first saw my little baby daughter. The feeling of raring my Viktoria Summer gives me a sense of fulfillment that nothing would ever top.
01 | Being a mommy is the most rewarding feeling in the world - I am sure all moms will vouch and agree with me regarding this. I feel the purest form of joy as a mother.
02 | I gave up my career to be able to take care of my little one but I have no ounce of regret in me and because I chose to be a full-time mom I was able to witness ALL my baby's milestones. The joy that I feel when she first said "mama" can never be matched with a price tag.
03 | I get to be an enabler as my daughter makes her own world of wonder. I love seeing her eyes light up with every discovery - be it holding and feeling the texture of a new cracker, touching a cold glass, playing with my hair, playing with her toys, figuring out where mommy is hiding when we play peek-a-boo, among other things. She is always in awe and I love being there for her in her moments of wonder.
04 | One smile from my baby and all my stress melts away. Playing with her is very therapeutic, very heartwarming.
05 | Being a mother altered my life - in a very positive way. I take calculated risks now. I feel empowered knowing that someone needs me. My baby gives my life purpose every day of my life. I feel like I am a better person now.
06 | I live to see another smile, another giggle, another hug. My life was great before I had my daughter but it reached a different level of #wonderful when I had her.
07 | I get a cookie every day. Part of Summer's snack time is a cookie or two and everything that she drops, I eat. How awesome is that?
08 | My life is so full of positivity - positive thoughts, positive outlook, positive dreams, positive goals.
09 | I have no memory of my first year as a baby so reliving each moment with my daughter brings me back to my past - milk, diaper changes, messy play area among others. It kind of going full circle.
10 | My life as a mother is #wonderful - because I know that I will have a friend forever - my daughter.
Philippine Airlines flies to Auckland, New Zealand starting December 2015.
Book now at www.philippineairlines.com.
Disclosure: This is my entry to the Nuffnang and Globe Telecom #Wonderful Blog and Instagram Competition (in partnership with Philippine Airlines and Agoda). All thoughts and opinions mentioned in this post are entirely my own and were not influenced by any of the brands mentioned.
LET'S CONNECT
Happy Sunday!
It's Sunday once again and I am back to let you inside my Sunday currently...
It's Sunday once again and I am back to let you inside my Sunday currently...
“Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.”
I love watching videos of hacks that are doable and practical. I've applied a few hacks in our household and I would catch myself sometimes thinking why I didn't think about a certain hack before someone else did. Seriously though, who doesn't love a good hack?
Life hacks are meant to make life easier and simpler. Try these hacks in my list at your own risk. But really, these aren't difficult or even a bit dangerous - just simple, doable life hacks.
01 | Best Way to Reheat Pizza
When you have leftover pizza - don't microwave it. It's going to be soggy and limp. The best thing to do is to heat a pan and put your slice of pizza crust side down and then cover the pan so the heat will not escape. The cheese will melt and your crust will be crunchy. No more soggy leftover pizza.
02 | Fridge Deodorizer
When your fridge smells funky, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar with a few drops of lemon juice and it will resurrect your fridge and make it smell divine again. I've tried this several times. This also works for cupboards. You can use charcoal too by the way.
03 | Know When To Ditch An Egg
Not sure if you can still cook eggs? Put an egg in a basin of water and if it floats, it's time to toss it away.
04 | Entertainment For Your Furry Friend
Want a toy and food at the same time for your pet dog? Freeze dog food and toys in a mold (go big like a bucket mood) and let your dogs go to town with the frozen treat. Your dog will be entertained for a long time.
05 | Lettuce In Jars
Instead of keeping your lettuce in your vegetable storage, cut it up and make single serving of salads and store in mason jars. By doing so you prolong the shelf-life of your greens instead of wilting in bags. Ready-to-eat healthy snack ready when you open your fridge.
06 | Homemade Dry Shampoo
I don't like to shampoo everyday because it leaves my hair dry and limp. So I use cornstarch with a few drops of essential oil to make my homemade dry shampoo. Just pour on your palm and massage onto hair for an instant volume and oil-free mane.
BONUS HACK: When your Nutella jar is almost finished, scoop ice cream and mix and eat to your hearts content. Yum! Is this the best hack in the world or what?
Got any hacks you want to share with me?
Life hacks are meant to make life easier and simpler. Try these hacks in my list at your own risk. But really, these aren't difficult or even a bit dangerous - just simple, doable life hacks.
01 | Best Way to Reheat Pizza
When you have leftover pizza - don't microwave it. It's going to be soggy and limp. The best thing to do is to heat a pan and put your slice of pizza crust side down and then cover the pan so the heat will not escape. The cheese will melt and your crust will be crunchy. No more soggy leftover pizza.
02 | Fridge Deodorizer
When your fridge smells funky, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar with a few drops of lemon juice and it will resurrect your fridge and make it smell divine again. I've tried this several times. This also works for cupboards. You can use charcoal too by the way.
03 | Know When To Ditch An Egg
Not sure if you can still cook eggs? Put an egg in a basin of water and if it floats, it's time to toss it away.
04 | Entertainment For Your Furry Friend
Want a toy and food at the same time for your pet dog? Freeze dog food and toys in a mold (go big like a bucket mood) and let your dogs go to town with the frozen treat. Your dog will be entertained for a long time.
05 | Lettuce In Jars
Instead of keeping your lettuce in your vegetable storage, cut it up and make single serving of salads and store in mason jars. By doing so you prolong the shelf-life of your greens instead of wilting in bags. Ready-to-eat healthy snack ready when you open your fridge.
06 | Homemade Dry Shampoo
I don't like to shampoo everyday because it leaves my hair dry and limp. So I use cornstarch with a few drops of essential oil to make my homemade dry shampoo. Just pour on your palm and massage onto hair for an instant volume and oil-free mane.
BONUS HACK: When your Nutella jar is almost finished, scoop ice cream and mix and eat to your hearts content. Yum! Is this the best hack in the world or what?
Got any hacks you want to share with me?
LET'S CONNECT
The holiday season is fast approaching just as traffic gets heavier and heavier each day especially in the metro. I've shared another gift guide here, but I feel like I needed to come up with another gift guide for good measure and for the undecided until now. I hope this list will inspire you when it's time to buy gifts for the special people in your life.
FOR YOUR NEWLYWED FRIEND
Buy her a Royal Copenhagen Star Fluted Christmas Jar (with lid). This elegant jar may be a little pricey but I am sure she will love it. This is a part of the Christmas dinner service of Royal Copenhagen and the festive design will for sure be a perfect gift. If money is an issue and you think this is too much, why don't you join the giveaway? Who knows you might win this for her.
FOR YOUR SISTER
Moleskine notebooks! Yes! I want these too. Hmmmm yes, you can ahead and buy straight from a bookstore if you don't want to wait until you drink all the coffee to get all the stickers. I guess you know what I mean. However, if coffee is already a part of your day then by all means, claim the stickers and get a Moleskin notebook from the coffee shop you always frequent.
FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND
Jo Malone parfum! Can I be your friend? Haha! Kidding aside, this is a luxurious gift to give but something that your best friend will never ever forget for sure.
FOR YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW
An overnight bag from Cath Kidston. You got to get this bag for your mom-in-law so she has something to use when she visits her "apos" over the weekend.
FOR YOUR GIRL FRIENDS
Lipsticks - you can't have too many lipsticks neither will your girl friends. Happy Skin has so many wonderful colors. If you are feeling generous, check out the MAC counters (I'd recommend buying Sin, Ruby Woo, Impassioned, Please Me and Rebel). Hint! Hint!
FOR YOUR DAUGHTER
I plan to buy my little girl a Pandora bracelet and start a tradition of giving her charms every Christmas. Ain't that sweet?
FOR YOUR TRAVELER FRIEND
World adapter is a necessity for any globetrotter. I remember one Christmas when my hubby got me this and I got the same for him. It's serious LOL moment. We loved it though. Our adapters have been to Europe, Middle East, and Asia. It's still working until now and we're looking forward to more travels with it in tow.
FOR YOUR SELF
Ah yes, I included my wish for myself and I am quite sure that I am not the only who wants this golden baby. My Macbook Pro is still working perfectly but I feel like it's too big for me now especially that I also need to bring Summer's baby bag when we go out. The Macbook Air is super light and thin enough to fit in my backpack.
FOR YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW
I'm sure it will be a wonderful surprise to receive sunglasses for Christmas. One less item in the summer essentials list eh?
FOR YOUR MOM
Some dry oil to combat dry skin. You can get Nuxe from Beauty Bar stores.
When it's time to give the gifts, please don't forget to say thank you for their importance in your life - give them a hug too - that will be the perfect bonus, the icing on the cake. Make them feel your love! Happy holidays everyone!
What do you have in your wish list? Care to share?
DISCLOSURE: This post is not a paid advertorial. I was not influenced by any of the brands mentioned above to suggest their products to you. All thoughts, opinions and suggestions are entirely my own.
FOR YOUR NEWLYWED FRIEND
Buy her a Royal Copenhagen Star Fluted Christmas Jar (with lid). This elegant jar may be a little pricey but I am sure she will love it. This is a part of the Christmas dinner service of Royal Copenhagen and the festive design will for sure be a perfect gift. If money is an issue and you think this is too much, why don't you join the giveaway? Who knows you might win this for her.
FOR YOUR SISTER
Moleskine notebooks! Yes! I want these too. Hmmmm yes, you can ahead and buy straight from a bookstore if you don't want to wait until you drink all the coffee to get all the stickers. I guess you know what I mean. However, if coffee is already a part of your day then by all means, claim the stickers and get a Moleskin notebook from the coffee shop you always frequent.
FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND
Jo Malone parfum! Can I be your friend? Haha! Kidding aside, this is a luxurious gift to give but something that your best friend will never ever forget for sure.
FOR YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW
An overnight bag from Cath Kidston. You got to get this bag for your mom-in-law so she has something to use when she visits her "apos" over the weekend.
FOR YOUR GIRL FRIENDS
Lipsticks - you can't have too many lipsticks neither will your girl friends. Happy Skin has so many wonderful colors. If you are feeling generous, check out the MAC counters (I'd recommend buying Sin, Ruby Woo, Impassioned, Please Me and Rebel). Hint! Hint!
FOR YOUR DAUGHTER
I plan to buy my little girl a Pandora bracelet and start a tradition of giving her charms every Christmas. Ain't that sweet?
FOR YOUR TRAVELER FRIEND
World adapter is a necessity for any globetrotter. I remember one Christmas when my hubby got me this and I got the same for him. It's serious LOL moment. We loved it though. Our adapters have been to Europe, Middle East, and Asia. It's still working until now and we're looking forward to more travels with it in tow.
FOR YOUR SELF
Ah yes, I included my wish for myself and I am quite sure that I am not the only who wants this golden baby. My Macbook Pro is still working perfectly but I feel like it's too big for me now especially that I also need to bring Summer's baby bag when we go out. The Macbook Air is super light and thin enough to fit in my backpack.
FOR YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW
I'm sure it will be a wonderful surprise to receive sunglasses for Christmas. One less item in the summer essentials list eh?
FOR YOUR MOM
Some dry oil to combat dry skin. You can get Nuxe from Beauty Bar stores.
When it's time to give the gifts, please don't forget to say thank you for their importance in your life - give them a hug too - that will be the perfect bonus, the icing on the cake. Make them feel your love! Happy holidays everyone!
What do you have in your wish list? Care to share?
DISCLOSURE: This post is not a paid advertorial. I was not influenced by any of the brands mentioned above to suggest their products to you. All thoughts, opinions and suggestions are entirely my own.
LET'S CONNECT
Can you fall in-love with fonts? I asked this question because I think I have. Hahaha! Kidding aside, I'm going to
01| PLEASURES
Here's another super pretty font created by one of my favorite artists, Nicky Laatz. Pleasures Script is the newest font from her arsenal and if you buy the pack you get so many bonus goodies (watercolor splotches and Photoshop Styles). If you use the extra swashes and alternate letters, a glyphs panel is required (Illustrator, Photoshop CC, Inkscape).
Download here
01| PLEASURES
Here's another super pretty font created by one of my favorite artists, Nicky Laatz. Pleasures Script is the newest font from her arsenal and if you buy the pack you get so many bonus goodies (watercolor splotches and Photoshop Styles). If you use the extra swashes and alternate letters, a glyphs panel is required (Illustrator, Photoshop CC, Inkscape).
Download here
Good morning!
It's Sunday once again and I am back to let you inside my Sunday currently...
It's Sunday once again and I am back to let you inside my Sunday currently...
I have always loved tuyo - especially paired with steamed rice. Tuyo or dried fish is a common breakfast food for Filipino families. Some don't like it because of the very strong smell when you cook. My husband retreats to our bedroom when I cook this even if the exhaust is already turned on. I didn't like tuyo only when I was pregnant.
Bottling the tuyo is a good way to elevate the dish to a whole new level. Oh and yes if you bottle it, you only need to cook it once a week instead of at least 3 times every week. Haha! Anyway, for this recipe, I prefer to use "tunsoy". It is also commonly known as tamban or Philippine herring.
I was invited by Nuffnang Philippines to attend the raffle draw of Marks & Spencer Shop Your Way To The UK promo. All Marks & Spencer loyalty card holders who shopped at least Php2,500 worth of products between August 14 to November 1, 2015 were given the chance to win a trip to London aboard Philippine Airlines. I wish I was here during the promo duration but I guess I have to wait for the next year's promotion.
The event was graced by Marks & Spencer loyalty card holders, the press, bloggers and shoppers. There was overflowing wine, champagne, and hor d'oeuvres for all the guests present. It was a simple yet very festive gathering.
We were also treated to the beautiful Christmas carols rendition of the Mandaluyong Children's Choir. I couldn't help but to sing along to some of the songs. Haha! I really love Christmas carols.
AND THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE...
A photo posted by Marks & Spencer Philippines (@marksandspencerph) on
The first winner hails from General Santos City and he will fly to London aboard Philippine Airlines Business Class while the second winner who will fly Economy Class hails from Pasay City.
If you are not a loyalty card holder yet, I suggest you sign-up for one so you get first dibs on sales plus exclusive discounts. Who knows you'll win next time.
What's your favorite Marks & Spencer product? I would love to know...
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.
As you may have observed, I have changed the template of my blog and the photos I have used lately now looks better and prettier (at least in my opinion). Because of this, I am more pumped to get the momentum going and update the blog as often as I can. There are times when I make the stock photo as the inspiration of the blog post itself.
“Happiness is the art of never holding in your mind the memory of any unpleasant thing that has passed.”
I've been asked many times where I met my husband and so I decided to write about it here along with 10 tips for successful online dating. Online dating and I go a long way back to be honest. I talked to a few until I met my husband halfway through 2011. We were engaged and married the next year. It was, you could say, a whirlwind romance but you will know and feel when the relationship is for keeps.
I know many of you will frown or raise eyebrows but this article is meant for those who are seriously looking to find their soulmate online. I've tried the old school dating scenario as well so I've tried the best and worst of both worlds so to speak.
So if you'd like to meet someone online to bring to your real world, here are 10 tips for successfully snagging your match (trust me, it does not involve rocket science):
I know many of you will frown or raise eyebrows but this article is meant for those who are seriously looking to find their soulmate online. I've tried the old school dating scenario as well so I've tried the best and worst of both worlds so to speak.
So if you'd like to meet someone online to bring to your real world, here are 10 tips for successfully snagging your match (trust me, it does not involve rocket science):
Good morning happy Sunday, the first day of November!
I am back - basically starting over again with "The Sunday Currently". I've been meaning to join again after I gave birth but I have been so busy doing all sorts of things that I didn't have enough commitment to push through. So after a year and 4 months, I'm here again...
Today will be a day of working on commission work (I'm dabbling into strange territory now and I will write more about this in a separate post). Now that I don't have a regular job, I am itching to keep myself busy especially when my little darling is napping/sleeping. I just have to do something to save my sanity and doing something means getting busy in the kitchen or spending time online.
I am back - basically starting over again with "The Sunday Currently". I've been meaning to join again after I gave birth but I have been so busy doing all sorts of things that I didn't have enough commitment to push through. So after a year and 4 months, I'm here again...
Today will be a day of working on commission work (I'm dabbling into strange territory now and I will write more about this in a separate post). Now that I don't have a regular job, I am itching to keep myself busy especially when my little darling is napping/sleeping. I just have to do something to save my sanity and doing something means getting busy in the kitchen or spending time online.
