A "STYLE FOR LESS" SPECIAL: Eye Wear for a Fraction of the Cost

I am not blessed with 20/20 vision, a fact that has plagued me on one too many excursions and missed bus rides (just because I couldn't see the magnificent scenery and the signs.)  *Sigh*

And as my fellow sufferers are all too familiar with, acquiring a new pair of eyeglasses can really put a huge dent on one's finances, with good, quality frames costing anywhere from a thousand to 6K at times.  I, personally consider my pair an investment which should be utilized and taken cared of to the best of one's abilities.

I currently have a pair of Marie Clare frames which are fitted with transitions lenses.  These I use only when I am out and about.  Actually comes very handy when driving since the lenses instantly turn darker to protect my eyes from the harsh glare of the sun.  Plus I believe I look good wearing them on.  Naks!  =D

This particular pair cost me a pretty penny (6K inlcuding the lenses, if I remember correctly), hence, you won't catch me wearing them at home where they can just as easily be broken into pieces by a single, careless action.

I'm not really thrilled to shell out thousands for a "home use only" pair and I definitely will not purchase those cheap wire framed ones at lesser known establishments (I've had my share of horror stories about them already, but that's for another tale altogether.)

The solution came from a former officemate, who found herself in the same predicament I was in years ago...

What Perks Up your Mornings?

I love mornings!  Provided there isn't a super typhoon, I relish each and every precious minute of the start of a new day.  Admittedly, I'm more productive, more alert and I do my best work in the early morn.  To each his own I guess, and as such, people and colleagues would ask me the secret for my early morning energy.

No secret really, I just adhere to a very simple motto...

An Overnight Stay at Orchid Garden Suites

I love those old pre-war stone houses that abound the Metropolis.  I guess part of my fascination for these astonishing structures is the fact that my lolo's family once lived in one (a 4-storey stone edifice -- with bomb shelter included -- located along Taft Avenue and of which I was not even able to visit much to my utter and eternal dismay.)  You see, the house itself was passed on to lolo's oldest brother through inheritance and the family sold it before I could even set foot in it.  Well, life goes on, I guess...

But I digress.  So when the opportunity came for Hubby and I to spend a night at Orchid Garden Suites (a boutique hotel founded upon an old pre-war Manila mansion) for a night, I jumped in glee and happily prepared an overnight bag.

Maggie O' Farrell's The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox

When choosing a fiction novel to read, I would usually veer towards historical or period-era pieces, specifically those centered around the 19 or early 20th century.  Add a twist of mystery -- i.e. those skeletons in the closet types -- and you've definitely have me hooked.

One such book I came across was Maggie O' Farrell's The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox.

FAB FIND: Urban's Cannal Type Stereo Headphones

Like all others, I now find myself having a hard time living without my music player.  It's a good stress reliever and can instantly entertain me during long drives and commutes.  But with everyday usage comes the inevitable wear and tear of the earphones, and as such, I find myself replacing them every few months or so.

I used to buy the branded, more expensive ones, but find myself in the same situation of having to have the earphones replaced once again after only a few months of use (good-bye Php500!!!)  So in the end, I decided that a cheaper one (i.e. from Japan Home, anyone?) would suffice just as well.

I did, however, venture out and went to a Clipper Giftshop one day.  And while browsing through the racks, found this cute little item -- Urban's Cannal Type Stereo Headphones.

Why Dunkin' Donuts Shouldn't be Just Be About Donuts Anymore

One of my favorite childhood memories circles around the times when mom would buy my bro and me a huge box of Dunkin' Donuts munchkins.  And what's not to like?  They're small (perfect for small mouths trying to fit in a whole munchkin piece without choking) and they're extremely tasty!

So fascinated was I with this donut brand that they have, to date, become my median to other similar fried dough treats.  And although I do eat an occasional donut or 2 from other stores, it is still this humble brand that I crave again and again (just ask hubby who had the unfortunate experience of being dragged all over Singapore Changi airport just so I could grab my favorite Dunkin treat!  Now that's love.  Heheheh!)

Have Clearer Skin While Watching the American Idol Live Tour Concert 2011!

I've always believed that there will always be 3 things that are constant in life -- change, paying taxes and suffering from acne.  Yes, you heard me right.  Everyone at one point of their lives will inevitably suffer from those annoying pustules that just seem to sprout at the very inopportune moments, wreaking a day that should have been perfect.

As such, it is of great relief that Proactiv Solution has reached our shores!

Blog on Fire: 7 Things I Learned While on a "Forced" Sabbatical

Here's another fun blog activity I got from fellow blogger Michi of Michi Photostory. 

I'm supposed to write about 7 personal tidbits about me, almost similar to my first Tagged post, but since I've more or less posted a lot of stuff about moi already, I've decided to tweak this a little bit and blog about 7 lessons I've learned while on my "forced" sabbatical.

Lovin' your Curves!

And from that day forward, women embraced their diversity and realized that all shapes and sizes are beautiful. Ah ha ha. No. I’m totally messing with you. All Beyonce and JLo have done is add to the laundry list of attributes women must have to qualify as beautiful. Now every girl is expected to have Caucasian blue eyes, full Spanish lips, a classic button nose, hairless Asian skin with a California tan, a Jamaican dance hall ass, long Swedish legs, small Japanese feet, the abs of a lesbian gym owner, the hips of a nine-year-old boy, the arms of Michelle Obama, and doll tits. The person closest to actually achieving this look is Kim Kardashian, who, as we know, was made by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes.

- Tina Fey -

Tina Fey couldn't have said it any better!

 

I've always believed that it is much harder to be a woman of the present time.  We are expected to continue the population of the human race; have a thriving career; and raise psychologically-sound offspring, all the while maintaining the figure of a Barbie doll!  How we mere mortals can ever achieve this is still beyond my comprehension.

 

Recently though, we women have slowly and finally come to terms with our God-given blessings and have come to realize that indeed beauty comes in all shapes and sizes.  Hallelujah!

 

And so it is with great pleasure that SM is celebrating the full-figured woman of today through the launch of their...

 

Womens' Plus Model Search!

 

Earn Money Online Through Essays.ph

I've mentioned in previous posts that I have decided to take a sabbatical of sorts from work while pregnant.  Although I was originally uncomfortable with the idea (having been in the corporate world since I graduated last 2003), I have slowly realized the advantages of being at home while in this pregnancy state.  For one thing, I could sleep anytime I want and be as lazy as I want to be as well.  Hehehe!

However, one finds it being so routine and dreary.  I'd be a hypocrite if I say I didn't miss my hectic work life.  I miss the grueling deadlines, the headaches, the paperwork.  Heck!  I even miss my ever makulit boss!

That being said, I decided to one day browse through the papers and the web for an online job I could do at home.  But I didn't want just any job.  I wanted one where I still had the freedom to accept or decline assignments and where I was still handling my own time.  And that's when I came upon Essays.ph.

STYLE FOR LESS: Juicy Couture's HRH Plastic Watch vs. Bench's Ladies Plastic Bracelet Watch

THE SPLURGE: Juicy Couture's HRH plastic watch ($195 or around Php8,700)

Who doesn't love Juicy Couture?  They style, the colors, those adorable puppy logos!  They truly know how to design for women, and their line of watches is definitely no exception.

Juicy Couture's HRH plastic watch features a distinct boyish design but added a number of girly items to make the design oh so chic!  You can own one for $195 or around Php8,700*.

Picture from the Juicy Couture website

*$1 is to Php45.

FAB FIND: Citronella as a Natural Mosquito Repellant

I was actually surprised at how many items one should avoid when pregnant.  This being my first, I was, of course, doing tons of research on the dos and don't s while on this 9-month pregnancy state.  Add to the additional warnings my ob-gyne gave me, and I might as well live in a bubble for all these grueling months!

One thing I was wary about from the beginning was the use of commercially-produced insect repellants.  I was unfortunate enough to find myself in this delicate state during the summer months and hence was a clear target and at the mercy of those pesky mosquitoes!

A cousin-in-law who was in a similar predicament as I was, recommended a natural and safe alternative in ridding these pests -- Citronella oils!

Yummy Krispy Kreme Donuts

I remember Krispy Kreme all too well.  Our very first meeting happened in the mid-1990s when my balikbayan lola from the US came home with a box of these sinfully sweet treats (she being of sound mind and body but cursed with such a horrendous sweet tooth, bless her soul...)

I'd be the first to admit though, that I was not really a fan.  Having been brought up with the taste of the good old Dunkin' Donuts variety, I just had a hard time adjusting to its more sugar-loaded counterpart.  Good thing though that when Krispy Kreme did finally invade our shores, they brought with them a less sweeter tweak to the original recipe.

Releasing my Creative Juices at Makin's No Bake Clay Workshop

Crafting has always been a stress reliever of sorts me for as long as I can remember.  In fact, I even had a drawer full of ribbons, colorful paper, pens and other knick knacks that I saved for when the creative bug bites me and when I want to tinker around with any little, old thing.

One thing I was apprehensive in trying out though was polymer clay sculpting.  I've always associated the use of this type of clay with baking since it did require that it be baked to set properly, and I with no baking skills whatsoever was not as easily open to the concept.

However, when Kat of Shmily Arts, Crafts and Accesories offered a half-day workshop on polymer clay sculpting using Makin's clay, a special air-dry type variety, I couldn't as well pass up the opportunity.

My Blow-Up Babies (BUB) Experience

I've mentioned in a previous post that I purchased a discount voucher from Pakyaw.com.ph for a 1-hour photo session (includes 2 8x10 prints) with Blow-Up Babies (BUB) in Serendra, Taguig City, all for only Php800. 

And as promised, I am now detailing my personal experience with them in this post.  =)

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol

This is an old book of my brother's that has been lying around in our bookshelf for quite some time now.  Since I find myself with loads of free time on my hands, it was only natural that I would eventually come around to reading this.

Dan Brown can be considered one of the best fiction writers of our time.  With his flair for the occult and mysticism, plus a fascination with popular conspiracy theories, his books have been one intriguing read after the other.  And it was with such high hopes that I settled down and read his latest offering -- The Lost Symbol.

PR: SM Southmall: A Celebration of Fashion and Everything in Between

Sixteen years of providing the best malling experience for South Metro residents, SM Southmall takes it a step further by renovating its mall.  Ready for re-launch this October, SM Southmall will provide new shopping options for South Metro residents to enjoy.

Milky Strawberry Goodness from Seattle's Best Coffee Shop

I have always been a major fan of Seattle's Best Coffee's creamy strawberry milkshake even before the now famous spot.ph article came out.