I Am Queen Elinor

According to an online quiz: Which Disney Mom Are You Most Like?, I am Queen Elinor.

"Strong, Stern, strict for the right reasons - you are most like Queen Elinor of "Brave"! Destined for motherhood and still baffled by youth, you've always been older and wiser than your years. Your instincts are strong and serve you well, which is why when things go awry you tend to get over-frazzled. No matter what, though, you tend to keep your chin high and make sure to be the best possible role-model there is. Respect and order are the names of the game, and there is no one better to instill these honorable qualities within the next generation of young women. Just don't be too hard on them, not everyone is as strong as you!"

I think this fits the bill. I really am still a little attached to my youthful ways but had fully embraced my motherhood. Yes, I panic a little when things do not go my way because I usual know better. And if I would teach my child anything, it's Respect -  to people, places,  rights, and even thoughts and decisions. She fights with her daughter but mothers and daughters always end up frenemies either way. I'd expect that too. She is not perfect but she makes her decisions based on what she thinks best for everyone (i.e marrying her daughter off just to keep the peace in the kingdom). Eventually, she realized that it's not her daughter that she has to change but it's the system.

Funny because I've always said that if I have a daughter, among all Disney Princesses, it's Merida that I want her to idolize and be like. I believe she is the only one who does not have a love interest, much less a Prince Charming to rescue her. A young lady who is strong-willed, independent, brave and is not love-crazy. Mila, I wish, will be the girl who fights for what she believes in, and knows she can work hard to achieve her goals, even if others tell her no.

I'd love to be Queen Elinor. I just wish I don't get turned into a bear.

How about you? Which Disney Mom Are You? Click here to take the test too. 

Letter For That Boy in Mindanao Avenue

{photo credit to owner}

Dear Little Boy,

I bet you've forgotten about me but I can never forget you. My heart will not allow me to.

Two weeks ago, I met you in a jeepney during my morning ride home. As we pass through Mindanao Avenue, my head was down while I read the climax of Inheritance. Suddenly, there's these tiny hands that got into my line of sight. Hands not much different from my daughter Mila, except it's black with dirt. You handed me a small envelop, expecting that I'll give it back with some change.

You got my attention and I forgot about my fantasy world. I was stunned by how tiny you are. The jeep was moving too fast and you can barely stand up. I can't help but stare at you. I looked in your eyes and I can see your pain and sadness. Maybe it's been hours since your last proper meal. I bet you are cold without a shirt nor slippers under your feet. You got this badly infected wound on your forehead that flies are attracted to. That must have been from a bad fall. As I looked more deeply, I felt your innocence too. I don't think you know what begging is. For you, it's your way of life. Maybe it's a game for you, this is how you play. Maybe this is your normal. But honey, it's not.

It hadn't been a minute when all of a sudden, there's a voice shouting at you to jump off the moving vehicle. I had to look and it's from another kid. A boy not older than 6. He was so mad at you because you would not move. As I looked away from him, he suddenly yanked you and ready to jump off. NO! I would not let him. You will get hurt. I fear the worst. Sorry if I hurt you when I held on your other arm and pulled you back to me. I may have shouted back. I think I told that older boy to just jump off himself and leave you to me. During this struggle, you were just stoic. I was crying. It took a few moments and loud shouts from other passengers before the driver decided to slow down and stop. Then you let go of my arms and went with him. I hope you didn't so he would not have gotten the chance to hit you on your head. I saw that too as we drove away and I had to leave you.

Little Boy, I badly wanted to hug you and take you home with me right that moment. If no one will care for you, I will. Mila would love to have you as her Kuya. We can adopt you. My parents and sisters will help take care of you too. But I was too afraid. I did not have the right to take you away. Maybe that older boy was your brother. Maybe you have parents waiting for you. If you we're part of a syndicate, they might do very bad things to you, to us.

I should had been braver though. I should have fought for you. Sorry I hesitated. I tried to go back to the same place to look for you. Even now as I pass the same place everyday, I wish I could see you alone and you could come with me. I know you are better off with us and we can hide you if needed. We can make everything legal and we can be your real parents. Then you will know what real love is. You can play and be happy and you will know how to be a kid.

Even if we do not see each other again, know that someone cares for you. I pray that you will have a good life. Maybe another braver good soul will give you the life you deserve. And if not, I wish you will keep your innocence and grow up with a good heart. Your life is hard now but do not let it define your future and what type of man you will be. Please tell the older boy with you that I'm also sorry for what I said. I know he's also young and he should not be in the situation you are in now. I will never wish him ill. I pray that he will be with you to protect you and never hurt you again.

My heart bleeds for you and for all the little ones who are forced to suffer to live. I want to blame someone, everyone. The parents who should have known better. The government who could have given more. The community who tolerated and kept their eyes closed. But what good would that do? The blame game will not get you off the streets.

My dear, you will always be a reminder for me that I am a parent and I am responsible for my daughter. I wish every parent will pledge to care for their own child and help them grow to be a better person who will also care for children of their own. I promise you I will do my best to be to bring up Mila to be that person. I want to give my daughter a better world to live in. I too, want to leave the world with better people to care for it. Even if that's just one person at a time. Maybe this way, we can all have a world where no other kid like you will have to beg and suffer.

Little boy, stay strong and grow up to be the best person you can be! The best is yet to come.

Mommy Bloggers Philippines: Take Blog Worthy Photos Mini Photography Workshop

One of my 2015 Blog Resolutions is to Attend blogging, photography, and writing workshops. I'm glad to report that I'm finally able to start working on my photography skills. I started by reading some online tutorial and tips on how to take better pictures. I subscribed to Joy Gurtiza's (joybites.com) Basic Photography Newsletter and it had been very educational for me. The tips are very simple yet gives the biggest improvement on my photos.

When Mommy Bloggers Philippines announced it's first ever workshop, I signed up immediately because the workshop focuses on Taking Blog Worthy Photos and Joy will be at the helm.

{press release}

To be held on February 21, Saturday with two 3-hour sessions, Mommy Bloggers Philippines aims to inspire and increase your knowledge on how to take amazing photos through your point-and-shoot cameras, camera phones, and your DSLR. This is perfect because I am yet to get a DSLR and still reliant on my HTC OneX.

Mommy blogger Joy Gurtiza will share techniques and practical tips on how to take blog worthy shots of anything and everything under the sun. You can see her beautiful photos here: http://joybites.com/portfolio/.

The workshop will cover harnessing the use of natural light, prop styling, composition, DIY tools and post-processing techniques. It also includes a demo, hands on practice and photo critique.

Mommy Bloggers Philippines has collaborated with Raintree Restaurants for the workshop venues. The AM session will be at Museum café/Kabila in Greenbelt 4 and the PM session will be at Saboten in Glorietta 5.

AM Class: 10am-1pm- Museum Cafe/ Kabila in Greenbelt 4
PM Class: 2pm-5pm- Saboten in Glorietta 5

Generous sponsors will also be providing raffle items and giveaways for the attendees!

I'll be attending the morning session. Join the workshop too and learn photography strategies that will help you take memorable photos worthy to be shared to your loved ones, your friends online or on your blog. 

Let's learn new skills together! To sign up please click this link: https://docs.google.com/…/1Wy9FxNEdA5y04Iz6CHB1rEk…/viewform

I Decide To Stay Happy

A few weeks ago, I was asked to list 10 Things That Makes Me Happy. It took me the whole day to think about this. I realized I just don't focus on ME enough to know what's making me happy. Here's the list  I came up with.

10 Things That Makes Me Happy

1. Every single milestone my daughter achieves. Specially if I was there to see it the first time. 
2. Movie time/Date with my husband 
3. Ice Cream and chocolates. Anything sweet really. 
4. Cooking 
5. Joining and winning raffles and contests. I just love free stuff! 
6. Carefree time with friends and family. No deadlines to think about. 
7. Cold beer at the beach. 
8. Travelling. 
9. Accomplished goals. Got 2 big goals done recently: get a car and move to a more decent place. 
10. A simple smile from Mila

Most of these are simple stuff that I get and see everyday. I'm thinking I should not be so stressed right? But I am! Maybe because I do not actively look or search for my happiness. I decide to stay happy. I want my year to stay positive and I will work on keeping it that way. It does not take much really. Aside from the 10 things listed above, I decided I will have a sort of bucket list. Just a small list of things I plan to do to constantly stay happy and positive.

10 Things That Will Keep Me Happy

1. Exercise at least 30 minutes daily. A Healthier me is a happier me. 
2. Go to the park with my daughter Mila every weekend. She is my unending source of happiness. 
3. Have baby-free dates with hubs. He was and will always be my partner so I better take care of us too. 
4. Be debt free. Clear out my credit card balance. No explanation needed. 
5. Share a smile with one stranger daily. Happiness is contagious. 
6. Learn and complete one new craft every week. Or finish a new book. Small accomplishments can boost my self-confidence a lot. 
7. Go to work and attend church consistently. No late or absences. I have to take care of my financial and spiritual needs too. 
8. Forgive and forget. Having peace of mind is always positive. 
9. Avoid mediocrity on everything I do. 
10. Regularly schedule a "beautify-me" day. Looking good can make you feel good. 

I think this is doable. With the level of stress that I have, there's not a better time to start than now. There are a thousand other things that can make me happy. This small list will hopefully help make me happier, healthier, and more radiant!

 I wonder what makes you happy?

Binalot Goes Visayan

{press release}

When I started working almost 10 years ago, my first job was in Libis, QC. Most of my daily budget got spent on my fare because the office was too far from my mom's place. So on days when I was not able to bring my packed lunch, it's always Binalot to the rescue. It's affordable, tasty, fresh and got a unique packaging. 

Binalot recently celebrated its 18 years in the business and recently signed up a foreign franchise for Dubai, UAE. Binalot was founded by Rommel Juan and his friends in 1996 when they realized there were no real Pinoy options for dining that was fresh and portable using eco-friendly packaging.

For the Lenten season, Binalot has chosen favorite dishes from the Visayas region: Bangus Sinugba, Kinilaw and Laswa. Healthy favorites from the South will be offered at selected Binalot branches starting Feb 18, Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten Season.

KINILAW NA ISDA - Kilaw means “vinegared”. The freshest fish marinated in Pinoy vinegar and Ilocos onions and garnished with red hot peppers. A favorite of our Visayan brothers, now at a Binalot near you!

My Favorite Kinilaw na Isda

LASWA - What could be healthier for body and soul but a fresh boiled vegetable medley of local greens and other Pinoy vegetables called Laswa.

Hubs will surely love these vegetable medley

BANGUS SINUGBA - Our national fish is now available stuffed with chopped onions and tomatoes and grilled to a nice finish. Sinugba is the Visayan term for "grilled".

Bangus is best served grilled

Binalot now has 45 branches all over the country, all serving Filipino food favorites in its trademarked wrapper of banana leaves, naturally preserving the food’s freshness. It now also offers Franchising options with a number of pre-approved sites for the interested applicants. You can visit www.binalot.com for more information. Find Binalot on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, too.

Win P2,000 Gift Certificate by Helping Me Plan My Date

Have you been in an argument with anyone about where to eat? How many times have you been told by someone, or said it yourself "Kahit ano or saan nalang!"  (Anything or anywhere!) when asked where to dine out? Hubs and I often argue about this. Sometimes, I'd pick a place which he doesn't like. He'd say his choice and I'd say no too. And we go in circles until we end up eating somewhere we've been at a thousand times or not eat out anymore.

That's why we use Zomato. I find that we are able to easily decide where and what to eat when we use the Zomato app on our phones. When we are having trouble deciding, we check out what's Trending This Week. When we are feeling a little adventurous, we go to the list of Newly Opened places to try out up and coming restaurants. Now that Mila is getting to be a handful at restaurants (she loves to eat by herself and make a mess), it's lovely to know Kid Friendly diners we can bring her. What really helps us decide is the fact that each restaurant on the list has real reviews from real people. It does not only give us the details - location, price point, menu, etc. It also tells us if customers actually enjoyed the place versus the press release from promoters. I am a visual person. I must admit I order from what I see and not all menus have pictures with them. Checking the restaurant's reviews and the food selfies from those that had been there helps me a lot. Thus way,  I know what to expect and it makes ordering easier. 

This Valentines, hubs and I didn't get the chance to go on a real date. We attended a family event in the province and Mila was feverish because of 6 teeth all bursting at the same time. Not to mention that our yaya left the same day without notice.

Hubs gave me a flower and a chocolate bar which is real sweet, but I still want a real date. It may be a couple of weeks late until we're abke to schedule this so I want it to be well planned. Simple but nice. No argument on where to go. I already decided on where to go, with the help of Zomato. I will treat hubs to Wild Ginger. He definitely deserves this as a thank you for driving 12 hours straight to get us home safe. And it will be a (very) late Valentines date for us too.

Now please help me decide on what to order. Follow the steps below to WIN P2,000 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM WILD GINGER and ZOMATO.

1. Add your email address on the comment section of this post so I can contact you if you win.

2. Also comment below the price of one (or more) Wild Ginger dish you love or want to try. Click here to see the menu posted in Zomato.

3. Like the Facebook pages of Mila Stole My Heart, Zomato, and Wild Ginger

4. Share this post publicly and use the hashtags: #MSMHBlog #ZomatoPH #WildGinger

5. Bonus: If you have a Zomato Account, go to Wild Ginger's page in Zomato, pick a photo, and share it on your Facebook or Twitter accounts. Don't forget to make the post public and use the hashtags #MSMHBlog #ZomatoPH #WildGinger so I can see it.

Simple and easy, right? This will run from February 16 to 28. I will randomly pick one winner that I'll announce 1st week of March.

So please, comment your menu suggestions and help me plan my date with hubs so you can have your own date too.

Mila Picked The Winner... 

Congrats! I'll be sending an email. Please reply within the week. I'll have to pick another one on Monday if there's no confirmation. 

Thanks everyone for joining!!! 

Ps. I'll post a video of Mila picking the winner on my IG or FB page. ;) 

Viber Welcomes The Year of the Goat with a New Sticker

{press release}

Users Can Now Share Fun Chinese New Year Stickers with Family and Friends

 to Celebrate the Spring Festival 

Viber, the leading OTT communications app offering free messaging and HD-quality calls, is joining in the festivities of the Lunar New Year. A specially designed sticker pack is now available to download, featuring a brand new sticker character as we enter the Year of the Goat. Considered the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar because of its rich cultural heritage and history, the Lunar New Year is centuries old and celebrated by over a billion of people worldwide.

The ‘Happy 羊 Year’ pack - Happy Goat Year - features 16 vibrant stickers which celebrate everything about Chinese New Year and the festive season. Each sticker reflects key celebrations and traditions observed by Chinese communities during the Spring Festival. This pack is for Chinese communities around the world as well as Filipino who wants to wish their Chinese friends a marvelous new year. From special greetings and hong bao giving (and receiving!) to sharing messages of prosperity, there is something for everyone – the perfect way to spread the Lunar New Year vibes.

Viber provides a new way to enjoy the celebrations with loved ones far and near. The Chinese New Year pack offers greetings in multiple languages including Mandarin, Cantonese and English. The red and gold pack has plenty of stickers embodying some of the key customs. Send greetings with red lanterns, fireworks and dragon dances to ward off evil at the start of the Lunar New Year. Wish prosperity and abundance by sharing gold, red envelopes and money trees with your loved ones. Finally, as the family gathers for New Year’s Eve dinner, why not send stickers to tell absent friends that you miss them – choose from the famous new year cake, oranges for prosperity, or dumplings representing the full moon and symbolizing the family unit and perfection.

The Chinese New Year sticker pack is now available to download from the Viber sticker market for free.

For more updates on Viber, visit www.facebook.com/viberph, www.twitter.com/viberph, and www.instagram.com/viberph.

About Viber:

Viber is a pioneering mobile messaging, voice and video service. Viber lets everyone in the world connect. Freely. Users can send free text messages, fun stickers, photos, videos and doodles, share locations anywhere in the world, make free HD-quality calls and communicate with Push-To-Talk. With Viber Out, users can make low-cost calls to any phone number around the world. Viber is available for iPhone®, Android™ phones and tablets, Windows Phone, BlackBerry®, Blackberry® 10, Windows®, Windows 8®, Mac, Linux, Symbian, Nokia S40 and Bada devices over 3G/4G or WiFi connections. With over 516 million unique users in 193 countries, Viber is constantly innovating by introducing new platforms and adding fun new features. Viber is a Rakuten Group company.

#milaOOTD: Hey Boo

Good Morning! Another quick #milaOOTD here to brighten up your day!

Back story: Last Sunday at church, I didn't get to take some #milaOOTD pic of her Sunday dress because she was too cranky. We changed to a more casual, comfy dress later in the afternoon but she was still not in the mood for mommy's vanity. As soon as we got home though, she handed me my phone, positioned herself on the white wall and said, "Mom! Kik! (that's Mila-ish for Click)". Good deal! I guess I should know now that she wants a nice background for her #milaOOTD.

Handmade feather headband
Dress: F&X (c/o Yoya Carmen)
Shoes: Non-Branded shoes (gift from US-based Lolas) 

Every Coffee Cup Needs A Lotus

Good morning! Happy Tuesday! How do you start your day? A quick breakfast? A kiss on your baby's cheeks? A hot cup of tea? Or perhaps, your like me, coffee!

You’ve got to love the aroma of coffee, especially in the morning and in the afternoon, when it’s just about siesta time. Lotus Biscoff, Europe’s Favorite Biscuit with Coffee, has finally arrived in the country, and it is going to elevate your coffee experience to a whole new delicious level.

Hosted by Daphne-Osena Paez, the launch was held at the posh Society Lounge in Makati, transformed into a luxurious red airport lounge. Guests with their boarding passes cued in airport terminals for check-in. Attendants, clad in designer Pia Gladys Perey, greeted them upon arrival. A truly first class experience, overflowing coffee was served by Allegro Beverage Corporation upon seating and dishes were carefully prepared by Chef Patrice Freuslon. As the program started, everyone was just about excited as Fly Ace Corporation President Jun Cochanco and Lotus Bakeries International Distributors General Manager Bart Bauwens who shared how the partnership started and their plans for Lotus Biscoff in the country.

A highlight of the event is the Biscoff Creations of Tiny Kitchen’s Vicky Veloso-Barrera. Her interpretation of the Lotus Biscoff biscuits and spreads include Mini Biscoff Cinnamon Rolls, soft bread glazed with Lotus Biscoff spread and topped with toasted almonds. Mini Biscoff Cupcakes is a perfect recipe for first-time cupcake bakers as its main ingredient is a simple dollop of Lotus Biscoff Spread Crunchy and Biscoff crumbs. Another creation is the Crazy Biscoff Parfait, a lavish dessert of sponge cake, mascarpone, and Lotus Biscoff Spread Smooth.

Discover Lotus Biscoff for yourself. Take a bite of the deliciously crunchy Lotus Biscoff caramelized biscuit with your next cup of hot coffee. Since 1932, this Belgian specialty has been Europe’s coffee break favorite.  From its humble beginnings as a small bakery in the Belgium town of Lembeke, the Boone brothers packed their biscuits and delivered around the neighborhood. Eight decades later and the recipe still remain. It was in the 1950s when Lotus introduced pairing these biscuits with coffee, which then became a routine in Belgian hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops. And then, in 1985, Europe’s favorite biscuit with coffee became America’s favorite biscuit with air travel. Lotus introduced Biscoff as an in-flight treat through the exhausting long flights. It became a welcome mid-flight break that reminded fliers of the comforts of home and helped them relax. Lotus is still offered in Delta Air Lines (US), Brussels Airlines (Belgium), Middle East Airlines (Lebanon) and El Al (Israel).

The unique taste of Lotus Biscoff comes from the sugar’s caramelization during the baking process. A hint of cinnamon and other spices add that special twist.  If these crunchy biscuits do not satisfy your craving, then you wouldn’t be able to resist Lotus Biscoff spread. The sweet, creamy, European spread is an alternative to nut butters and chocolate spreads. It is the only spread made with original Biscoff cookies. Have it straight from the jar, lather it on toast, mix it with fruit slices, or add it as a secret ingredient to your favorite recipes. Both the cookies and the spread are made with no artificial color or preservatives, 0 grams trans-fat per serving and zero cholesterol. It has no nuts and is completely non-GMO. Lotus Biscoff biscuits and spreads are just the perfect treat for the timeout that you deserve.

Fly Ace Corporation Product Manager Emie San Beda invited everyone to discover Lotus Biscoff, “Filipinos love coffee and we can see this in the variety of artisanal and commercial coffee shops. We love sharing this experience with friends and family, talking over sips of coffee and a bite of Lotus Biscoff will surely make it even more memorable.” Just as its European counterpart, Lotus Biscoff will be doing massive sampling in coffee shops all over the country, as well as in premium lifestyle events were coffee is enjoyed.

Learn more about Lotus Biscoff at http://www.biscoff.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/LotusBiscoffPH #discoverlotusbiscoff

I Am A Mom And I Refuse to Look Like One #skinphilosophie

When I look in the mirror, the word that comes to mind: Losyang. I see a single mom in her late 30's with 5 crazy little kids who haven't showered in weeks. In reality, I just turned 30 and I have a sweet daughter and a loving husband (and I shower everyday). 

I used  to try and look presentable specially when I'm at work. They say you have to look and dress for the position you want, not you have. I'd say I used to dress like a Manager. Now it looks like I'm aiming for an early retirement with how tired and sloppy I always look.

I can barely remember to comb my hair these days. If I'm just staying home, it'll be a miracle if I take a shower and my husband thinks I'm turning into an orangutan with hair everywhere. When I'm not working, my time is spent breastfeeding, giving my daughter a bath, preparing her meals, cleaning up after her mess, and running the household. When we go out, a full hour is needed to pack her diaper bag and dress her up. Dad and baby is all set and I only have 5 minutes to take a bath and dress up. I've never been the type to wear make up. Powder and Lipstick is all I need - I only get to do that in the car if I'm lucky. Don't even get me started on my wardrobe. It was BC years the last time it was updated. A lot of other things take precedence before Me.

You have to feel good inside so you will look good on the outside. The reverse is also true. Having you nails done or getting your hair blow dried can do wonders to your psyche. Wearing a nice dress or just vomit-free clothes can lift your spirits up. Putting a little make up on does not hurt at all. Wouldn't it feel so nice to hear your husband tell you how extra beautiful you are today? Or just hear your daughter say Wow when she sees you twirling on that lovely dress? If you look nice, you just feel more confident. That confidence shows in the way you talk and walk. When you look good, it will give you the appearance of having more credibility and authority. People can respect you more because the way you carry yourself shows that you respect yourself too.

It's hard for most moms to find time for themselves and make an effort to look good. Sometimes, you even feel guilty if you spend time and money on yourself when you know you have to go to the groceries to get more diapers. Truth is, looking good and feeling good does not take much.

Many associate motherhood to being losyang (or looking older than one's age). If that's the case, then I refuse to look like one. From this point on, I promise my self I will make an effort to bring back the more confident me. I am already working on having my wardrobe updated. All the pregnancy clothes are back in storage and the BC (before child) clothes are out. I may need to get new sizes though. A new haircut is due and I promise to wear better clothes at home too, not the tattered ones I'm so used to by now.

My next big project for myself is to address a long time problem with my skin. I can't remember the last time I was acne-free. I rarely take selfies because I end up having to edit all the blemishes. I also don't really like wearing too much makeup, neither do I have time for that. I want my skin to feel and look healthy again. I know this is one thing that I need to improve on to gain my self-confidence back. I want my husband to look at my eyes instead of the big acne on my nose. I want my daughter to see how pretty mommy is. I want to go out and not be afraid of bumping to an old friend and have them think "What happened to Paulline?"

I already scheduled a consultation with Dra. Kyla Talens of Skin Philosophie Medical Aesthetic and Lifestyle Solutions. Dra. Kyla is an Aesthetic Dermatologist trained in the UK with a degree in Psychology from The University of the Philippines. Her training lets her understands how physical beauty helps improve not just the outside but also the over all well-being of an individual.
I plan on getting a much needed Skin Philosophie Signature Facial. Dra. Kyla may suggest other procedures too that will address my Acne Problems like the Windsor Clarifying Polish. I am open to what she will recommend because I know she will consider my needs (lasting results with less maintenance), preferences (no injection please), and resources (I have a certain limit to my budget).

Let's kick off our losyang looks together. If you want to look and feel better, a visit to Skin Philosophie may just be what you need.

If you want to receive an exclusive 10% discount on regular services offered by Skin Philosophie, just fill up this form and an email will be sent to you that you can present at your appointment.

Name

Email

Mailing address

Contact number

Facebook profile url or ID

Not yet sure of the treatment you want or need? If you want to arrange a free consultation session with Dr. Kyla Talens, just fill up this form and it will be emailed to you.

Name

Email

Mailing address

Contact number

Facebook profile url or ID

Skin Philosophie Medical Aesthetic and Lifestyle Solutions is located at the 3rd level, The Fort Strip, 28th corner 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. For inquiries and appointment booking, contact: 0917-8860646, 0917-8906800, 02-2118662, 02-21580780, or 02-8567451.

For more details, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/skin.philosophie.

{Disclosure: I am an accredited online lead generator for Skin Philosophie}

Review: Cabecera Garden Restobar + GIVEAWAY

Cabecera Garden Restobar reminds me of the usual chill out places I used to go to. When I say chill out, that means a bottle or two of ice cold beer with friends, while we pig out on food and stories.

Cabecera is in Don Antonio Heights, a walk or tricycle ride away from Commonwealth Avenue, across Ever Gotesco. I used to stay in one of the subdivisions behind Ever but I never ventured on the other side. I wish I did because there are so many good places around that my college housemates and I could have hang out on. Cabecera is definitely one of them.

Baby #2

Proud Daddy

Baby #1 was 5 years in the making. We did not even plan for her but she is our biggest blessing ever. Because we had so much fun with Baby #1, we decided it's time for Baby #2!

This time, it only took us two months. We had to work double time. We specifically wanted a boy. We researched thoroughly to make sure we get what we want. It was a stressful time but it was fun too. We learned new things and experienced new highs and lows. Then on December 3, we got to take home Baby #2 with us.

Unlike Baby #1, whom I got to learn how to take care of without manuals, Baby #2 is proving different. Until now, I'm yet to learn how to keep us safe together. This one is Daddy's Baby. I don't mind really. I have Baby #1 to keep me company while Daddy takes care of Baby #2.

My only complain if any is that Baby #2 cost more to take care of than Baby #1. His milk cost us about P500 every week. We need to pay for his insurance and each check up can cost thousands. Even a minor bump or scratch means more than P3,000 off our pockets.

But I cannot complain really. Baby #2 is such a blessing to us. If not for him, Baby #1 may still be stuck home or having a hard time keeping her doctor's appointment. Daddy is safer when he goes to work at 2am. No need to take chances. He also drives us to work harder and gives us more focus because we have more responsibilities. They said all babies are blessings that attracts more blessing. We got Mila and now we have Baby #2.

Without further ado, let me introduce you to our new baby: FoFi

*Photoshoot c/o ninong Dex Castor. :)

#milaOOTD: Pretty Messy

Kids should be allowed to get messy! That's a rule in my household.

My mother kept nagging me how I should always carry a small plastic with towel wet with alcohol so I can easily clean up Mila when she gets messy. Same thing she did when I was little, she said. Well, aside from there's baby wipes now, I just think it's counter productive to stop Mila on her play just to clean her up. Kids will get messy no matter what. Might as well let her enjoy and take her own sweet time exploring everything around her. I have a healthy happy baby, so I don't worry much.

Headband: mishmashbypaula (IG)
Top: Circo
Leggings: Carters
Sandals: Crocs

let's not go home yet mom!

UST and Hercor College are National Champions in the Ajinomoto Umami Culinary Challenge Year6

Remember last week when I posted about the 6th Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge (UCC)? Deserving winners had been chosen. Read on to see the talent of these young future chefs.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) won the Umami Bowl Award (for the 2nd year) and the Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao Showdown for My Own Umami Creation during the recently concluded Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge (UCC) 2015. Sharing the spotlight with UST is Hercor College from Roxas City, who won the Best Filipino Umami Dish Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao Showdown. The event attracted thousands of HRM and Nutrition students in 54 schools from NCR, Ilocos, CALABARZON, Central Luzon and Bicol Regions and regional winners from Visayas and Mindanao.

UST is the back-to-back Umami Bowl Champion and the winner of the National Cooking Showdown for the My Own Umami Creation Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao Showdown.

Roxas City’s Hercor College is the National winner for the Best Filipino Umami Dish Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao Showdown.

Tree Top Adventure Baguio: Experience the extreme!

{press release} 

Experience extreme adventure and extreme relaxation at Tree Top Adventure Baguio, the only motorized zipline in the Philippines and the only Team Building facility in Baguio. With seven outdoor activities and team building facilities, located within Camp John Hay, surrounded by pine trees and overlooking breathtaking views, Tree Top Adventure Baguio offers an adventure of a lifetime.

For the thrill seekers who want to experience extreme adventure, you might want to experience our Tree Drop in which you’ll be suspended 60 feet above the ground, mission impossible style and you’ll be falling as fast as 2 to 3 seconds. This Tree Top’s most extreme activity costs Php 150.00 only and this is one way to really quench your thirst for adrenaline rush. You might also want to try our rides done in pairs: the Superman Ride and Silver Surfer. As the name implies, you’ll be ziplining, Superman Style, 200 meters long, 150 feet above the ground, but instead of doing it just forwards, you would also be ziplining backwards. Silver Surfer is a 60 degree diagonal motorized zipline in which you’ll be standing on a specialized platform and you’ll be gliding up and down for three cycles. Expect that there would be stops and swings for every cycle. For Php 300.00 and Php 200.00 respectively, you could experience what superheroes feel as they fly and glide through the air.

For those who want to experience extreme relaxation, you could try the Canopy and Funicular ride which costs Php350.00. The Canopy is similar to the concept of cable cars, but instead, you’ll be seated on cable chairs in which you’ll be transferring from one station to another until you complete all eight stations. When you reach the station four of the Canopy, you would walk for around 2 to 3 minutes to be able to reach the connecting ride of Canopy which is the Funicular ride. This ride is similar to the concept of elevator, but, instead of standing up, you’ll be seated. This is at least a way for you to conquer your fear of heights. But, if you really have extreme fear of heights, you could just avail the Trekking and Skywalk in which you would walk around Tree Top’s area and go up the skywalk area, or the viewing deck in which you could see the mountains of Itogon, Benguet or what they call the old Baguio before. You could stay at the Skywalk areas long as you want to take pictures and feel the cold breeze.

If your company plans to have a convention or seminar at Baguio, you might want to experience our Team Building Activities which includes two high element activities (Tree Drop and Silver Surfer), five low element activities, boodle lunch and facilitators for just Php 800.00 per head only.The activities would really challenge each member and how they work with their workmates. Work and play, as the cliché says!

You might also want to try another branch of Tree Top Adventure Subic located at the JEST Area, Upper Mau Cubi Point Subic Bay Freeport Zone. For more information, you could contact (074) 442-0800 or 0932 404 1112. You could also visit our website www.treetopadventureph.com. To be more updated, you could like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/treetopadventurecamp and follow us on Instagram @tree_top_adventure.

10 DIY Valentine Outfit for My Toddler

Hey Mommies! Who's excited for Valentines? I sure am. Although we do not have much plan since we would be on the road by that time, I still want to make sure Mila got dressed up for the occasion. So as early as a couple of weeks back, I'm already scouring pinterest for another DIY valentine outfit. 

Here's the top 10 DIY Valentine Outfit for My Toddler which I think are fab and doable for me:

Ruffle Dress

by The DIY Mommy

looks complicated but pretty easy

Bleached Heart Shirt

by: Look What Melissa Made

I wanna make a matching shirt for us like this

Painted Heart Doily
by: Maize Hutton

I'd love to do this on a red shirt. Doilies are so dainty right?

Glittered Candy Heart Shirt

by: Sew Country Chick

This project can be modified with something more personalized

Crinkle Skirt

by: DIY-Crush

This little girl is so pretty as well as that skirt. I wish I can find the same fabric

Love Arrows

by: The Crafting Chicks

It does not always have to be pink or red

Love Machine

by: Simply Real Moms

Another project that I can easily do for any other occassion

Glittered Shirt with 3-Layers Skirt

by: Crazy Little Projects

I fell in love with the skirt, I already have diff fabric combinations in mind

Ruffled Heart Dress

by: Make It & Love It

Re-purposed items are a great way to declutter

Skull Heart

by: Sugar Bee Crafts

Boys can join in the valentines fun too.

I already have a couple of these projects started. I just wish I could finish them before we leave for vacation. What are you plans this Valentine? Do you have a date with your little ones too? 

Disclaimer: All photos on this post are not mine, except for the ones watermarked with the blog's logo. Credits to the owner. If you are the owner and feels that I am violating your copyright, please reach out to me via email and I will remove the said photo. Thank you!