A Life in Bloom: December 2010

He is a Better Gift-Giver

>> Monday, December 20, 2010

December is indeed, the most wonderful time of the year for me. Aside from the chance of being with friends and loved ones once more, it is also the time when I can shop without feeling guilty simply because I shop for the persons I love. And as my birth month, I can freely splurge on one particular gift that I give myself as a birthday treat. But more than that, I love that the Husband spoils me with extra affection, attention and nice Gifts for women on that very special day. And I am proud to say that he has been improving on that part of our life – giving of gifts, after many years of being married. He now knows what I prefer and what would make me go “Wow!”. It was rough at the beginning since like all other relationships, it takes knowing and learning to be aware of what the other person prefers and likes.

I remember some years back, when we celebrated one particular wedding anniversary and he gave me a pair of pricey sunglasses. Unfortunately, the design and color did not fit my taste that I had to give it to my brother. I was a bit hurt because it seemed that he did not know me too well to know my preferences and likes. But those were the days. We have learned from the past and have gotten more sensitive on what makes the other happy. Just last night, I found some spa vouchers on top of my side table with a note. It delights me to know that he is so kind and thoughtful enough to give me a much-needed pampering after laboriously shopping for and wrapping Christmas presents for our relatives and friends. I will surely use them next week, after Christmas.

Real Life Socializing

For most of us, December is the time when we take a long break from work, go home and be with our respective families. One of my friends filed a leave from work and went home last week. I received a call from him two days ago even if we just talked prior the day of his flight. Apparently, he is already bored. I guess he got tired of doing nothing but check his Facebook account, chat on YM and play On line casino for three straight days. I told him to do a “real life” socializing instead – go out and meet his childhood friends there. Or even his high school and college buddies. It seems that he took my advice because from what I learned he and some of our friends from high school did some catching up yesterday. And I can’t wait to see them all too soon!

Cooking Utensils as Gifts

>> Saturday, December 18, 2010

Christmas is just around the corner and since I did not do my list and shopping earlier, I am cramming! I have bought gifts for the kids – my daughter, godsons and goddaughters, nephews and nieces, my daughter’s friends and our friends’ kids. However, holiday shopping for the adults is not done yet. For the men, I ordered t-shirts which I hope to arrive today. For the ladies, I shopped for books and some shirts too. However, I have not done any shopping for our moms and aunts who love to cook and bake. My husband suggested that we buy them new and stylish cooking utensils and I love his idea!

Just last week, I was browsing through KitchenCookware.ie and I remember what products caught my attention. Aside from being functional, all items sold there are very stylish! They do not only provide ease and comfort when it comes to cooking but they also make one’s kitchen more attractive, colorful and fun. The site also provides links so clients can connect with them and be updated with the latest products and promos through various social networking sites like FaceBook and Twitter. Though I am took a leave from cooking, I am keeping an eye on new kitchen gadgets through this website because I hope to make a comeback soon!

Muse Bag by Yves Saint Laurent

>> Thursday, December 16, 2010

Looking for a luxurious and one-of-a-kind gift for that special woman in your life? Why not consider an Yves Saint Laurent’s Muse bag from his exclusive collection Evening Edition?
Yves Saint Laurent Muse Bag According to Vouge, it is on display and available at its temporary boutique at the Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad. What makes this limited edition bag expensive? Aside from being made with black crocodile leather, its lock set has 480 diamonds which are set in 18 carat gold. What do you expect from The Yves Saint Laurent, right? Only the best and most extravagant.

Now when it comes to precious metals investment, no one does it better than the US Gold Bureau. Aside from providing you with necessary information and assistance regarding your investment, you can also conveniently buy gold coins from them. It is no wonder that US Gold Bureau is the top choice when it comes to precious metals investment worldwide.

Urbana: The Perfect Escape

Last week, we were invited to an early Christmas party hosted by a friend. It was there that we met a relative of theirs who is an owner of some spa. She shared how she enjoys her business, especially that it challenges her to be more creative and come up with new innovations to remain on top of her competitors. She looks into offering more services and catering to other needs of her clients. She shared that next year, she hopes to offer spa parties for kids and Hollywood Bikini Wax services.

Speaking of the latter, it is one of the services offered by Urbana, one of Dublin’s leading beauty and medical spas. Urbana offers a variety of face and body treatments which are sure to benefit one’s overall well-being. Urbana is proud to be using products and equipment which are of topnotch quality, guaranteeing its clients of superb skin and body care. Aside from that, Urbana is powered with highly trained and certified professionals who are update with the latest skin and body care developments.

A short visit at Urbana.ie will let you know what their offered services are. Moreover, some snapshots of the place is also featured, giving you a glimpse of a perfect escape that is the Urbana.

Save on Your Christmas Shopping with Best Coupon Sites

>> Monday, December 13, 2010

Are you done with your Christmas shopping? Are you gifts all wrapped up and just waiting to be distribute? If you have answered yes to both questions, good for you! But if you are like me who usually joins the mob for last minute Christmas shopping, there’s still hope for us!

Thanks to online shopping, we can now find gift items with just some few clicks.. We can find various online stores that offer luxury watches to bags, plus size women's clothing to books and many, many more. Aside from hassle-free and convenient shopping, one can also enjoy savings from promos, discounts and even coupons. You just have to know where the best coupon sites are. There are even travel saving websites for us who like to travel.

So fret not if you haven’t found that perfect gift yet. You do not need to join the mob this year. Just find yourself a reputable online store and shop away right at the comforts of your home.

Sunday Stealing : The Ninja Meme Part One

>> Sunday, December 12, 2010

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. What do you add to your coffee? Lotsa cream and sugar.
2. What are you reading now? Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado. (Rereading it actually.)
3. Do you own a gun? Nope.
4. Are you registered to vote? Of course!
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No because I am already in a bad shape when I set an appointment with my doctors. Haha!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? They taste good but should be eaten in moderation and occasionally.
7. Favorite Christmas Song? Can’t pick one, love them all. :)
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Water and coffee.
9. Can you do push ups? I dunno. Maybe no.
10. What was the name of your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Secret. :P
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Our wedding ring.
12. Favorite hobby? Definitely reading.
13. Do you work with people who idolize you? I work with people I admire and who inspire me.
14. Do you have ADD? Hopefully not.
15. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? Being a procrastinator. Haha!
16. What’s your Middle name? A-------.
17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Hoping DD will recover soon. I should finish my shopping and gift-wrapping this week. I should accomplish my pending tasks tomorrow.
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday. DD’s medicines, bottled ice tea for her and bibingka.
19. Name 3 beverages you regularly drink. Water, coffee and water. 20. Current worry right now? DD’s sickness.
21. What side do you dress to? The side that I am supposed to dress to. Haha!
22. Favorite place to be? Home. The beach is a nice place too.
23. How did you bring in the New Year? We always bring in the New Year with lots of merry-making, eating and fun with those dear to our hearts.
24. Where would you like to go? The beach. And to where my friends are.
25. Name three people who you will see today. My housemates, of course.

Join here:

Brazilian Waxing Care Tips

Many men and women enjoy the feeling of having an almost hair-free bikini area thus, they prefer Brazilian Waxing. Since this process is considered delicate, it requires extra care before and after being performed. Below are some Brazilian waxing tips to help you get and keep great outcome:

Before Brazilian Waxing:

Brazilian waxing for women should not be scheduled a couple of days before or after their period since skin is usually sensitive during this time. Waxing can be more painful than usual at these days.
Prior to your appointment, make sure that you are extra clean. Shower lightly with warm water and exfoliate right before your appointment. However, do not use any lotions in the bikini area.
If you are particularly worried about the pain, take some OTC pain relievers 45 minutes before your appointment.

After Brazilian Waxing:

Avoid wearing tight underwear for the next couple of days.
Refrain from touching freshly waxed skin to avoid irritation or growth of small pimples.
Avoid hot baths, take a shower instead.
Avoid steam rooms, tanning beds and saunas for the next two days.
Two days after your Brazilian waxing, use a mild exfoliator to exfoliate.
Use recommended products for ingrown hairs.

Term Insurance and Whole Life Insurance: The Difference

>> Saturday, December 11, 2010

Term insurance and whole life insurance. Before purchasing any insurance plans, make sure that you know the answer to the question, “What is the difference between term and whole life insurance?”.

Here are three of the basic differences between the two:

Typically, term insurance requires lower monthly premiums compared to whole life insurance.
Term insurance plans provide coverage during a specified period. On the other hand, whole life insurance is a life insurance with an investment component.
Lastly, there is a risk involved if you outlive the term of the insurance policy. You will not be receiving any amount if this happens. Whole life insurance, on the other hand, eliminates this risk by allowing you to take on loan against the amount you have already invested.

What He Wants

One can never have enough football equipment. That’s what a nephew said when he asked me to give him him football gifts this Christmas. And who am I to disagree, right? Since I prefer knowing people’s wants and giving them the gifts they will really like (and use), I bought him what he asked for. I can’t wait to see his joy once he opens the gift!

Money Makes the World Go Round

>> Thursday, December 9, 2010

The business world runs on money, and lots of it. Without it, the entire economy would come to a crashing halt. Business owners depend on consumers to buy their goods and services and they hope that they can sustain that type of commerce while also making a decent profit. In a world where low prices rule, it is hard to stay above water when there is so much competition out there. Companies such as Wal-Mart, Tire Kingdom and Dell try their best to bring quality goods to the masses and offer the lowest prices to consumers so that they can save money for their futures and avoid using payday loans at all cost. There have been studies that show that most consumers live up to their means, so it can be difficult to save when you are used to a certain way of living. You often spend more than you make, and in the long run, that could be a big problem that can be very difficult to solve as you cannot always increase the amount you make, but you can make simple, impactful changes on your spending habits.

Firstly, make a budget that outlines all of your spending and income to make sure there are no obvious areas where they may be problems. Daily estimates can be made to calculate that spending and remember to include every dollar you spend as it is very important to properly budget in order to save. When consumers know how much they have and can spend, they become better savers and find themselves thinking more carefully about the money that they do part with and the ramifications of the spending itself. It soon starts to add up and a small emergency find can make you feel much better about yourself and your financial future.

Mandatory Drug Testing for Students

>> Wednesday, December 8, 2010

One of our major undertakings early this year at the university was a random drug screening. It was a mandated by the national government in its renewed effort to combat

campaign against the growing problem caused by the posed by the relentless trade in illegal drugs, especially to the youth of this country.

Initially, it covered elementary, high school and vocational schools nationwide. But eventually, students of colleges and universities like ours was also mandated to to undergo random drug testing when the guidelines were finalized.

Upon receiving the memorandum and guidelines, we immediately formed a committee overlooked the conduct of the drug testing. I was a student affairs practitioner back then and our office was the mandated sector that took charge of the said activity. The committee was composed of our school nurses, our office staff, the director of the Guidance Center, some faculty members and student leaders plus some parents. We conducted various meetings prior to the date of testing to review the guidelines and to make sure that the activity will go smoothly.

During the day of testing, officers from the national line agencies who are in-charge of the said activity. They brought all the necessary drug testing kits and other paraphernalia used in the testing. Only ten randomly selected students were tested as required.

All in all, it was a good experience for us all. However, it would have been better if we were provided with the results. For now, we are assuming that all our tested students were found negative of illegal substance.

How to Create a Positive Online Business Presence

>> Saturday, December 4, 2010

It doesn't matter if your business is local, these days you should have an online presence on the Internet that can reach everyone, no matter where they're located. The Internet has facilitated business transactions from merchant loans to book sales, but all that didn't just happen overnight. It took those companies time to build up their online presence in a manner that their website became their brand and that brand attracted more online business. While the World Wide Web is ever evolving with new technologies and networks, here are some simple ways to get started building up your online reputation.

Social Networks

Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter aren't just places to gather and chat with your circle of friends. They can also be used to reach a wider audience and tell people about your products and services. The idea, however, is to eventually bring those people back from the social network back to your website, and for that you may need something that's halfway between commercial and social, like a blog.

Blog

Having a blog is a great way to draw people away from areas of mass socializing into a slightly more commercial feel. You can still spend time discussing relevant news and information on your business industry, but you can also talk about your offerings in more detail, which is somewhat frowned upon in some social networks. It's also a great way to have content that is updated frequently and that can be subscribed to, helping you to create more buzz for your business.

Third-Party Directories and Review Sites

You want to make sure that if you're a restaurant or a local business that you add your listing to the site so that people can review it for others. This gives your business more clout and helps to get you word-of-mouth recommendations online.

Akihiro Sato: Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition Sole Survivor

>> Friday, December 3, 2010

The first celebrity sole Survivor of Survivor Philippines Celebrity Edition is no other than Akihiro Sato! Wohoo! He won with three votes from the jury against two votes each for Ervic Vijandre and Solenn Heusaff.

Congratulations Aki for a well-deserved win!

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart Video

I do not know why but this song has been playing inside my head all day long today:

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart performed by Anne Hathaway and Jesse McCartney in the movie Ella Enchanted. This makes me want to see the movie all over again. Because honestly, I rarely remember what the movie stories are all about until I see them for like 10 times? Hahaha! WIth Disney and Pixar cartoons (even Dora, Barney and Barbie series/ movies), recalling is not that difficult because honey, we’ve seen them for like 100 times!

Nikon’s The GREAT Lens Sale

Nikon Great Lens Sale Note: This is an edited version of the original announcement. (12.08.10)

Nikon’s The GREAT Lens Sale will be taking place from December 6, 2010 to January 15, 2011.

Nikon Lens SALE Participating Resellers:

Columbia Head Office - Quezon City
(CASH only at the moment as we upgrade our credit card facilities)

Digital Walker
Greenbelt 5
Trinoma
Virramall (Nikon Concept Shop)

Tekpone
Davao (Nikon Concept Shop)

Camerahaus
SM North
SM MOA
DAVAO
CEBU
SM Manila
Iloilo
SM Megamall
Robinsons Galleria
Glorietta 5

Picture City
SM MOA
SM Rosales
SM Bacolod
SM Lucena
SM Fairview
SM Pampanga
Pasig
Ayala Center

Participating Resellers By Order Basis Only:

PerfectShot / TCA
SM North Edsa

JWL International
Mandaluyong City

CSP Digital
General Santos City

Multi-Color
Bicol City

Cagayan Photo
Cagayan De Oro City

Prism 2
Baguio City

Rhabel's Photo
Kalibo Aklan

Endings

I rarely watch TV and this night is one of those rare moments. What was on? The last and final episode of this:

KOKEY AT AKO ABS-CBN
Kokey @ Ako. It’s not the most interesting show on TV however, my husband and I have this thing for endings. Of TV series that is. We like skipping all the drama (and actions?) and just go right on and see what happens in the end.

I also hope to catch Survivor Philippines’ finale later tonight. That is, if I will have enough drive to go downstairs and sit still for an hour or so. :D

Cebu Pacific Air Seat Sale (12/3/10)

Here is a recent seat sale announcement made by Cebu Pacific Air:

HALF-HALF HURRAY!

50% Off on all Domestic and International destinations!

DOMESTIC:

50% Off all destinations

INTERNATIONAL:

50% Off all destinations

Bangkok, Busan,Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon, Jakarta,

Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Singapore, Shanghai, Taipei,

Beijing and Brunei!

Travel is valid from Feb 1 – 28, 2011. Sale is only until Dec 5 or until seats last!

Trade-offs

One of my greatest accomplishments this year is losing weight. I have started during the second quarter of this year and so far, I have been seeing results. Some friends asked me if I have been taking any diet pill and I have to be honest – I am scared of side effects of diet pills. That is why I gradually but diligently removed rice from my diet and religiously devoted some of my time for daily exercise. And it’s all because I can’t depend on pills to help me lose my unwanted fats.

I have nothing against diet pills. In each, her own, that’s what they say. We just have to choose what will work for us and what we’re willing to trade off to achieve what we want.

It’s OK

Here is something that I will definitely appreciate if I receive one as a gift this month:
It's OK
It is a very simple hand-crafted sign that says “It’s OK”, made by Sighn and sold at The Curiosity Shop at $20.

I have been down in the dumps lately and I do not know why. One friend who noticed that I lost weight commented that my mood swings might be one of the diet pill side effects but I have to remind her that I am not taking any.

This sign is a good reminder that indeed, it is OK. It is OK to be sad at times because like all other things and feelings, this too shall pass. And eventually, I will be OK.

A Date with the Girls

One of my longtime girl friends will be celebrating her birthday this weekend and she has invited me (along with our other friends) for a nice birthday treat here:
Sbarro Though the date is not final yet, I am looking forward to some hours of bonding with them again. There are gifts that need to be handed out (especially for the kids) and of course, stories to tell. (I wonder if the body acne products that a friend was selling to another friend worked. She was convinced to try them the last time that we were together and that was four months ago, when we celebrated my husband’s birthday here.)

Hopefully, we can fix our schedules soon so that we can finalize the date and time. I can’t wait to see them again!

TT: Live Long and Prosper

>> Thursday, December 2, 2010

Spock 1. There are a lot of emotions in life. Except for Mr. Spock. What emotionally scares you the most? I’d rather not tell. :P
2. Do you have any present goals that are tough enough that you'd like to forget about them? To stay happy no matter what.
3. Your Internet service goes down. What would you miss the most? The Internet service? :D
4. Name one thing that you do as a parent that you absolutely know will make your kids happy. If you're not a parent, feel free to substitute "friend" or nomenclature that works for you. (Nomenclature? Can you tell that I stole this question?) Presents!
5. If money was no object, and you had a free month or so, what would you love to do? Travel, travel, travel!
6. Why did you start your blog? Was it because you were pissed at someone? Because I wanted to blog about a hobby.
7. Kimber and Berleen (Thunks founders & BFFs) are finally going to meet in person. Who are you friends with in the blogosphere that you'd love to meet? Why? Other online friends I haven’t met yet like Jhari, Shaui, Tracy and Ing.
8. When you were in high school, if you can remember back that far, what mistake did you make that you'd like to change? Oh, a lot!
9. Do you believe in forever, as in 'love forever'? Yeah, why not?
10. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being uninhabitable and 10 being cleanliness that meets the standards of OCD, what is you favorite romantic comedy movie? Is “Fifty First Dates” a romantic comedy movie?

Join the fun weekly HERE.

Christmas Shopping

It’s the second day of December and I envy some of my friends. They are already done with their Christmas gift shopping and wrapping even before November ended. We did a bit of gift shopping during a meet up with some friends last month but I am still less than halfway my list.

Last week, when I was feeling down, my husband suggested that I do my Christmas shopping. That is one thing that I admire about my husband. He knows what can cheer me up. So I headed to the mall and bought some gift items. But I had to bear in mind what he told me some weeks ago: the gifts should not be bulky and heavy since we will be bringing them with us during our trip back to our first home where our recipients live. It’s a good thing that the malls that I frequent have sections that have Christmas gift ideas that fit his requirement. I was able to buy some items and tick some names on my list. Since we will also be attending a debut party after Christmas, I also bought some 18th birthday gifts for our friend’s sister.

I surely hope she will like them!

My husband said that she will definitely do when he saw what I bought.

Speaking of my husband, since he has enough shirts, belts, handkerchiefs and belts, a friend of mine suggested that I try giving him gadgets this year. So for our anniversary, I gave him an iPod Touch. And for Christmas, I am planning to give him this:

An iPod Equalizer Sound Bar which is not only stylish and of good quality set of speakers but can also be used as his iPod’s recharger. He will certainly love this and I will too, since he won’t be bugging me about charging his iPod through my laptop once he got this.

All Brilliant

God Whispers

Isn’t it nice that God has provided us with brilliant minds that let us think of ways to make our lives and of others better?

But His is the most brilliant mind for providing us with mentors and teachers – friends, relatives, spouses, kids, teachers, preachers and even strangers, who guide and inspire us in doing our ordained tasks. He knows that what we can come up with and what we can do are limited so He has “littered our world” with helpers.

Recycling Your Cell Phones

Almost every person I know owns a mobile phone. Some of them owns 3 or more cell phones while others make it a point to change their units every year or so. Certainly, mobile phones make our lives easier. However, we should also be mindful of how these nifty gadgets affect our environment. A recent studies revealed these interesting yet alarming facts regarding worldwide cell phone usage:

There are 6.7 billion people on this planet and 61% have a cell phone subscription. That’s 4.1 billion mobile phones.
Average consumers will use their phones for only 18 months.
The average household in the US and UK has 3 unused cell phones.
Every second, 4 cell phones end up in landfills. That’s 140,000,000 mobile phones this year. And these will leech 80,000 pound of lead and other toxic wastes like cadmium, arsenic and mercury into the earth. These toxic wastes find their way to the local municipal landfill.
Along with those hazardous materials are precious metals like gold, silver, copper and platinum which can be reused to make new cell phone or cell phone parts.

The good news is that cell phones are recyclable but only 1 out of 10 are ever recycled. Recycling of cell phones reduces waste and the need of mining to produce even more handsets. It’s a good thing that many cell phone manufacturers these days have initiated programs to encourage consumers to recycle their handsets. There are even independent mobile phone recycling companies that offer cash for mobile phones which make the process of selling old mobile phones fast and easy.

So the next time you plan on getting yourself a new cell phone, make sure that your old one gets recycled. Find the most convenient method for you to do that and you’re on your way to helping in the preservation of Mother Earth.

Biotin: My Cure for Hair Fall

>> Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Early this year, I started suffering from massive hair loss which prompted me to search for cure for hair fall. It was a big problem since I am very vain when it comes to my hair. I have it treated yearly and I regularly visit my stylist for a trim. Thus, seeing my hair on the floor and picking them up was beyond frustrating.

I tried varied shampoos and conditioners which claim to reduce hair fall to no avail. I can’t seem to trace what caused the problem but based on my research, it’s lack of some nutrients, stress and because of my diet. I did a research and discovered that I might be lacking some vitamins and nutrients, including zinc. I did not like taking Centrum (the supplement that supposed to have vitamins A to zinc). It’s a good thing I saw Conzace, which has almost all the vitamins that I need daily.

Moreover, I also read about Biotin (vitamin B7) or vitamin H. According to this article,

Vitamin H is essential to normal growth and development and overall health. Bacteria in the intestines produce enough biotin for the body so that most people would not need an additional supplement of vitamin H. Vitamin H is part of the Vitamin B complex group and might be interesting to some people since one of the most visible symptoms of shortage of this vitamin is thinning of hair which can lead to total hair loss.

So one weekend, we visited Health Options, a specialty store at SM and bought these:

Biotin Supplement

The vitamin supplement costs at around P400+ for 60 capsules while Nature’s Gate Shampoo and Conditioner (532 mL each) cost P290+ per bottle.

I have been taking the supplement and using the shampoo and conditioner for three months now and the results are evident. These days, I have lesser hair fall and my hair is not dry and limp anymore. Moreover, my skin condition improved too. It is not dry anymore, my face is not oily and I have lesser breakouts too.

I am one happy camper now. Thanks, Biotin!

Driving While Intoxicated

I rarely watch news on TV but when I do, there is always something about road accidents. Most often those unfortunate incidents are caused by drivers who under the influence. In the US, specifically in Houston, law enforcers implement strict policies regarding driving while intoxicated (DWI). Drivers who are pulled over by a police officer and are found by breath or blood test to have a BAC of .08% are charged with DWI.

Charges against DWI offenders can very severe and can cause a strain to one’s life. It is best then to have skilled and competitive Houston DWI lawyers by your side to defend your case. Contact Madrid, Martinez & Associates for immediate legal assistance concerning your DWI case.

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