Inspiration from Reader's Digest

My mom has been an avid reader of Reader's Digest for years.  However, when she started her own family, there were more pressing concerns that needed her financial attention, and as such, purchasing this ever handy and entertaining magazine was placed in a list of luxuries.

It was, however, quite a pleasant surprise, when I found out that my former company had a tie-up with the supplier of RDs here in the country, so I readily signed up my mom for a year's subscription.  That was 3 years ago, and we have been renewing her account ever since.


Picture from www.rdasia.com



Cheap Laptop Bag Finds from cd-r king

One of my earliest blog posts was about my search for a really nice, colorful and less expensive laptop bag.  And although I have already found and have 2 styles (1 I bought at Techtote and the other a Hello Lulu bag that was a gift from the Hubby) which I use interchangeably and absolutely adore to bits, I have decided to showcase some more chic finds that I accidentally came across while surfing the net.

As with my previous post, I will be following the same criteria as well, mainly:

1. It should be less than Php1,000; and

2. should not be in black!  Yes, I'm sick and tired of boring, black laptop bags.

And so, without further adeiu, I present some cheap laptop bag finds from cd-r king...

A Sweet Afternoon at Caffe Ti-Amo

I've been meaning to try Caffe Ti-amo for the longest time already.  Being stuck here in Cavite, although provides such a breath of fresh air that's good for both me and baby, can be such a drag at times since popular establishments rarely make their presence known here.  Would you believe, there isn't even a Starbucks here in Imus?!

Anyway, I digress.  So once I found myself in Greenbelt one fine weekend, I was set on trying out this place once and for all!

FAB FIND: Charcoal Sandals from Argentina

Flip-flops and sandals have become ordinary, everyday staples for people living in countries with tropical climates since they're comfy and perfect for the sweltering weather.  Havaianas, Banana Peel and Ipanema are just a few well-known brands offering these types of comfy footwear.  But for me, there's also one more brand that I definitely love wearing!

I present -- Charcoal sandals from Argentina!

Extra! Exta! Read All About it! Juicy Royal Scandals Exposed!

I've always loved reading about histories, as far back as I can remember.  In fact, it was also one of my favorite school subjects. 

I guess it stems from the fact that I love stories and histories, for me, sort of contain this crucial background element.  I've always been interested in the basic, underlying facts.  Come to think of it, this may have also been fate determining my eventual entry into psychology.

But I digress.  Anyway, 2 of my summer reads are from my personal collection which I just read through again.  And in the spirit of the recent William and Kate royal wedding, I dug these 2 out of storage and voraciously devoured through them once more.

So without further adieu, I present Nigel Cawthorne's The World's Greatest Royal Scandals and Michael Farquhar's A Treasury of Royal Scandals!

STYLE FOR LESS: Juicy Couture's Pedigree Jelly Strap Watch vs. Unisilver Time's Watch

THE SPLURGE:  Juicy Couture's Pedigree Jelly Strap watch - women's line ($195)

I am so in love with Juicy Couture products.  They come out with such chic and girly accessories that never fail to catch my attention anytime.  Marketed as a high-end clothing store at an affortable price (?!  As read in their wikipedia post), Juicy Couture has indeed caught the attention of fashionistas the world over.

I am so lovin' their women's line of Pedigree Jelly Strap watches selling for $195 (or approximately around Php9,000 - using the $1 to Php45 conversion rate).

Surrounded by a crystal bezel and a really comfy jelly strap, its the perfect accessory for any occasion.

Photo from Nordstrom.com

Let's Make Children Smile Everyone!

Hizon's Catering is inviting everyone to join in their cause!

Great Dogs at Hero Hot Meals

NOTE: I have to apologize for the really dark pictures.  My photographer's eye wasn't working the time I took them.  =)

Hero sausages have been gaining such popularity nowadays.  Who even knew that this seemingly imported concept is actually a local brand? 

Our family was first introduced to their widely popular hungarian line during a trade fair we attended a few years back.  My dad, being such a sausage lover, tried one, invited the rest of the family for a taste, and the rest as they say is history.

In line with the company's expanding business, Hero sausages have now introduced their line of Hero Hot Meal kioks located in different malls, to further introduce their brand to the masses.

Wanted: A New Rizal

What has been the most defining moment of your life?

In history, we look at the significance of all the people who fought for the freedom that we are all enjoying now.  We look at their contributions to society, what made them distinct and what made them particularly special.  Out of the hundreds of heroes, popular or unsung, who risked their lives for the country’s freedom, one person stood out with his writings and inspirational ways -- Dr. Jose Rizal.

Emma Donaghue's Room

I'll be the first to admit it -- I am such a cheapskate!  And considering my hobbies include reading and collecting non-fiction novels (a very expensive hobby if you ask me), it can sometimes put a strain on one's monthly budget.  Most of the time I would be scouring through ebay.ph, Booksale or any other 2nd hand bookstore in order to satisfy my literary needs.

There are, however, times when my will power falters and I find myself indulging in a brand new novel, after thinking about it a number of times first.  Book lovers know that 2nd hand bookstores rarely carry new titles, normally appearing on their shelves a year or more after the original release date.

Hubby is so used to this habit of mine, and has already come to expect us visiting a certain bookstore one too many times before I am finally able to convince myself to purchase a brand new, recently released title.  Yes, its pathetic I know.  =)

When Emma Donaghue's Room came out recently, I just couldn't help myself and immediately bought a brand new copy.

My Top Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011 (The Initial List)...

Blogging has indeed open up a whole new different world for me.  Whereas before, I would view the web as a place to simply check my e-mail, social networking accounts and for purely academic/work-related research purposes; I find that the emergence of blogs have, in a way, also altered my perceptions on information made available to the reading public.

Living in a rapidly developing country like the Philippines, we are still sadly lacking in proper information dissemination activities.  With blogs, I get to learn of hole-in-the-wall restaurants, magnificent untouched natural wonders, and simply the trappings of everyday existence in the country.

As such, it is quite refreshing to have writing projects like the Influential Blogger's Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011 writing project, with the aim to showcase the blogosphere's emerging blogs and new sources of information.

That being said, I now present my top emerging influential blogs for 2011 (the initial list)...

Lots'A Pizza's Withstanding the Test of Time

I've always been fond of simple pizza flavors.  In fact, Hawaiian is my usual order.  I've never developed the taste for those really complex concoctions with a gazillion toppings and sauces.

Lots'A Pizza has indeed perfected this simplicity formula and has since been serving up some of the best pizzas in the Metro since the 1980s.

Maternity Wear? Not!

I was never really one for fashion.  Oh sure, I love shopping for clothes once in a while, but I stay mostly with the basics.  Being in Human Resources in a strictly business and professional environment (yes, we didn't even have dress-down Fridays!  Huhuhu!), we were more or less expected to set good examples (NOTE: always be in formal business attire 5 days a week.  So sad.)

Aside from business reasons, I just find some clothing styles totally doing nothing for my already curvier-than-usual frame.  Tent tops, tops with an empire cut and the like fall under this category, hence I would usually veer away from them during mall trips.

But I am definitely singing a differnt tune nowadays!  =)

FAB FIND: 3M's Super Glue Gel

Our family is a group of bookworms.  We ravenously devour books and our house does in fact resemble a mini-library with the collection that my mom, bro and I have amassed through the years. 

Don't get me wrong.  Regardless of how messy our 2nd storey shelves and hallway may look to our visitors, we take pride in our combined collection and hope that the next generation (bro's and my kids) will continue on with this time-honored family habit.

photo © 2006 rjp | more info (via: Wylio)

Some Feet Pampering at Nail.a.holics Nail Salon and Spa

When I find myself pressed for time or just simply short on cash for a full-on body spa experience after a grueling week at work, I discovered that a good foot spa works just as well.  Necessity is indeed the mother of all invention!  =D

I LOVE pampering myself with a foot spa.  More so now what with my current condition and all.  And one of my favorite nail salon and spa places is Nail.a.holics!

BOOK REVIEW: F. Sionil Jose's Viajero

Who's afraid of a little F. Sionil Jose?  Well, quite frankly, I am (or was.) 

Ever since coming across his works in High School, of which I still have no inkling as to whether I did understand and fully comprehend his meanings, I have thus so far tried to elude reading another one of his books, preferring instead to while the time away with popular fiction novels.  My cousin, however, being of a much higher intellect and understanding than I, simply devours F. Sionil Jose's works.

As such, I found myself at her home one day and came across Viajero: A Filipino Novel, one of her newest acquisitions.  Being a little curious, I browsed through the initial pages and before I knew it, found myself devouring each and every page.