STYLE FOR LESS: Moleskine's Volant vs. Front Notebooks

NOTE:  The items in this post are not exactly related to fashion, but I still would want to classify this under this category.  =)

THE SPLURGE: Moleskine's Volant ruled notebook (Php798)

Moleskine is a well-known Italian notebook brand that shot to fame by being the writing implement of choice for intellectuals and other creative geniuses all over the world.  With it's soft textured cover and acid free paper, users have sworn that writing is much more smoother as compared to other similar products.  And with it's compact design, can be just as easily be brought anywhere, fished out from it's hiding place as much as the need arises.

Moleskine notebooks can be purchased in various bookstores all over the Metro.

Source: Moleskine website

Mary Higgins Clark's The Shadow of Your Smile

My mom is a huge fan of Mary Higgins Clark, a US-based writer best known for her crime and suspense novels.  She's known as America's queen of suspense, having published dozens of novels, not counting a number of collaborations with her actress-slash-writer daughter, Carol Higgins Clark.

In one of her most recent offerings, The Shadow of Your Smile, Mary Higgins Clark once again tries to delight audiences with her passion for the mysterious and criminal.

My Pakyaw Experience: A Groupon Story

Groupon sites have been popping up everywhere!  Its almost impossible to not have come across at least one during your internet surfing sessions.  But little old me, being such a tightwad at times, have only had my first Groupon buying experience only last month, when I was faced with a really good deal I just couldn't very well refuse.  =)

What Makes a Smart Phone a Genius Phone?

Admit it, mobile phones have become a necessity for almost everyone.  In fact, statistics show that the Philippines is the texting capital of the world.  Heck!  Even our basureros have at least one in their possession.

I've always believed that the Pinoys obsession with this tech gadget is sort of our society's revenge against the bygone days when telecommunication companies had such a slow turn-over time when it comes to approving and installing landline phones to it's customers due to the checking and rechecking of all submitted documents to ensure that one is indeed capable of paying for their communication services.

Fast track to the late 1990s, and we see just about everyone with their own portable phones.  I even know of some households (ours included) who have decided to totally forego applying for a landline phone since everyone has their own mobiles already. 

Not only are mobile phones easy to purchase, lines are just as convenient to apply for and use, as well.  Now looks who's clamoring for customers!

As such, with this ever growing trend, when during the initial years all cellular phones were used mainly for calling and texting only, we now find ourselves faced with a lot more other uses that make our lives so much easier.

That being said, what exactly makes a smart phone, or any other similar device, a genius phone in the first place?

photo from http://lgoptimus.ph/

Oh, let me count the ways...

Lovin' Fely J's Kitchen

Being married to an OFW, you'll definitely have to expect eating out at a LOT of restaurants offering Filipino cuisine.  It's a good thing though, that eateries offering top quality local fare are quite abundant in the Metro.

One of our absolute favorites is Fely J's Kitchen, located at Greenbelt 5.

STYLE FOR LESS?: Hermes' Birkin Bag vs. a Lady Bug Bag

THE SPLURGE: Hermes' Birkin Bag (Around $9,000 to 150,000)

The Birkin bag manufactured by fashion icon brand Hermes, is every fashionista's dream carryall.  Originally developed for actress and singer Jane Birkin in the 1980s, this now iconic purse has graced the arms of the truly rich and famous (heck!  Even Mommy Dionisia got in on the action.)

You, too, an enjoy it's supple leather and unique design if you have at least Php4 million in spare change lying around the house.

Source: Hermes website

A Taste of Hokkaido @ Raku (Hokkaido Ramen House)

While waiting for Hubby's boarding call on his way back to Singapore, we decided to pass the time going around NAIA Terminal 3.  I haven't been able to visit their 3rd floor area for the longest time and was actually excited to see anything new (word to the wise, we are seriously neglecting this airport terminal!  There are so many possibilities and spaces to be used for commercial purposes.  I just don't know why our government is taking too long in doing so.)

Hunger eventually got the best of us, so off we went and decided to try Raku (Hokkaido Ramen House).

TAGGED! 10 Things You May Not Know About The Average Jane...

For the months I've been blogging, I have made it a point not to divulge a lot of personal details about me for a number of reasons, but mainly because I want this blog to be set away from my professional life as much as possible.  I started this blog mainly as a sort of stress reliever.  My professional life has always been full of deadlines and tensions that I wanted another creative outlet than the usual ones I was already indulging myself.

However, blackshirt13, another fellow blogger, tagged me into doing this really interesting blog exercise.  I found it so fascinating and fun, hence have decided to divuldge 10 things that readers of this blog may not know about me.

So without further adeiu, I present 10 things you may not know about The Average Jane.  =)

FAB FIND: Moisture Eliminating Silica Gel

I've always had a problem with molds growing on my bags which have been placed in storage for quite a while. You see, I'm the type that uses a single bag til it breaks apart and only then opt to use a new one. But that doesn't stop me from buying bags that catches my eye once in a while.


The result?  A number of items placed in storage to be called to action until further notice.  However, no matter how careful I've been in storing them, mold and mildrew would always start growing on the material. And regardless of whatever Martha Stewart-esque handy tricks I've used, these offensive aliens still stay put.

Announcing the Winner of The Average Jane's First Blog Anniversary Contest!

Finally!  After encoding, verifying and rechecking all valid entries (I am still overwhelmed with the number of people who supported and joined), a winner has emerged through use of Random.org.

And without further adeui, I present the winner of The Average Jane's First Blog Anniversary Giveaway...

CONTEST ALERT: Reader's Digest Eat, Shoot and Win

Want to win an Apple iPad 2 or a Canon Digital IXUS 115 HS Camera?  Then head on over to the Reader's Digest website and join their Eat, Shoot and Win contest!

Photo taken from the Reader's Digest website.

STYLE FOR LESS: JanSport's Right Pack vs. Team Manila's 365 Bag

THE SPLURGE: JanSport's Right Pack (Php4,290)

Who hasn't heard, or owned for that matter, a good, sturdy JanSport backpack?  Owned by the VF Corporation, one of the world's largest appareal companies, JanSport has been servicing their customers since the 1960s by providing durable products to the market.  They are also known for their lifetime warranties.

Purchase one of their more well-known designs, the Right Pack, sort of a modern take on their orginal vintage classic backpack, for Php4,290.

The more modern JanSport Right Pack (Php4,290)
(Source: JanSport website)

Satisfying my Sweet Tooth with Royce' Chocolates

One of the bad habits that have started to plague me again since I've gotten pregnant is the return of my notorious sweet tooth.  I used to have this curbed down pat but with this pregnancy, it just seems so much easier to give in to my cravings.  And there is a Filipino saying that denying pregnancy cravings can lead to one's baby developing a birth mark resembling the food you denied yourself of (how that will translate to a mark, I'll never know.  Hehehe!)

Hubby, being the ever supportive husband, did always know what calms me down.  So on one particular trip to visit me and my growing tummy here in RP, he bought with him boxes of Royce' chocolates!

Get your Glee Fix at Gleekzone.com

I never really liked high school.  And yes, I do envy, and am at times in awe at the millions of people who say they had a blast during this crucial adolescent / puberty / hormone-overloaded time of their lives.  But being an average, overweight, socially-inept wallflower didn't do anything much for my self-esteem, especially when I was surrounded by people who I think has already got it down pat.

You see, I wasn't usually like the other HS teenagers I've met.  I didn't like parties.  I didn't like dealing with boys (I came from an exclusive all-girls elementary school and had absolutely no idea on how to be around them.)  And most of all, I hated the ackward, self-conscious phrase that puberty brought.

There was one shiny, tiny inch of dignity that I was able to capture though.  I joined the school choir during my sophomore year, which served as my refuge from school's harsh reality. 

So when the tv show Glee came along, you bet it was bound to become one of my favorites!


http://www.gleekzone.com/



My First Taste of a Mrs. Field's Muffin

I had my first taste of a Mrs. Fields cookie way back in the 1990s when my lola would bring home a box from the U.S.  I distinctly remember them being so soft and chewy, very different from the hard cookies I was used to.

Fast forward to the 21st century.  One now finds Mrs. Fields stores scattered all over the Metro, offering the public a taste of their baked goodies that have them such a huge hit all over the world.