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ADULTING AND BUILDING OUR HOME

February 2, 2017, 10:22 pm
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We received a letter from the homeowner's association of our village last week advising us to pay the association dues for our lot. As a first-time real property owner, I got a little confused because we have not constructed a house yet but we were already required to pay. The lady I talked to on the phone informed me that as long as the lot was already paid in full then we would need to pay the dues for it already. I told my husband about my conversation with the lady on the phone and he said we might need to ramp up plans for building the house in the next few months.


I have already spoken to an architect who will be designing the house and I have yet to contact somebody who would be taking charge of the interior design. We want a modern 3-storey house where the third floor will be a space where we can have a rooftop garden and host dinner and grilling parties with family and friends. It could also be a nice and windy coffee spot just before sundown.

Everything is negotiable for me except the kitchen design which is pretty much non-negotiable. I need a spacious kitchen with an old-school ceramic sink and a muted color splashback. Clear acrylic splashbacks like the one from the Simply Plastics is also an excellent idea if you ask me. If space would allow, I would want a small island as well which is fully-functional. I also dream of having a kitchen with lots of storage including this space-saving spice rack. Pinterest has been a great source for design ideas. In fact, I have created a board dedicated for how I want our house to look and feel. I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks Pinterest is heaven-sent especially to anyone who loves DIY projects.

Here's a kitchen layout from the House Beautiful website that I really adore at the moment:


This beautiful kitchen has that fun vibe with it:


As for the bedroom, I want something uncluttered, black and white walls, king-sized bed, with a walk-in closet and a little office for me. We're not keen on having a television inside the bedroom so the TV will stay in the family room or the living room.

This is the master's bedroom that I picture in my mind:


I would let my daughter decide what she wants for her bedroom. For now, she's fixated on cartoon characters but at her age but she's not really particular about anything or she does not have any demands yet. Maybe when she's three or four then we can ask her what she wants to see in her bedroom.

I have not decided yet if I plan to have a backyard garden as well but most definitely I am keen on gardening and cultivating vegetables and flowering plants. We will be traveling to Denmark again in summer so I am looking forward to seeing Scandinavian/Nordic interior design that will serve as inspiration as we design and build our dream house.

For now, I think there are more Pinterest-hours to be spent. 



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BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

February 4, 2017, 1:59 am
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After I lost my baby through a miscarriage, I realized that taking all the extra precaution in caring for my firstborn darling daughter could not be left to chance or luck. I always remind myself to cautiously and actively work on ensuring safety and security. In 2009, our house got broken in and valuables were stolen. The shocking part was I just inside the bedroom and listening to music so I was not aware of what was happening in the living room and the kitchen. Looking back, I am extremely grateful now that I have this seemingly weird habit of always locking the doors of a room where I am in. It was a very traumatic experience and thinking about what the thief could have done to me if my door was ajar, sends me shivers down my spine. It never fails!

We still live in the same house but with more protection. The window where the thief gained access to our house has double iron grills now - one from the outside, a tinted window and another grill inside. I've also strategically positioned a cabinet next to the window so no one would have access going inside the house through the opening. It's practically a useless window now. Our doors have double locks as well. I would not want the same thing to happen again considering that I now have Summer with me. I make sure that our locks are sturdy and durable and our keys are properly stored and given only to trusted people in the household. If we ever need key replacement, we make sure to replace the lock and all the keys as an added precaution. Call me paranoid but that's the only way I can sleep soundly at night and have peace of mind when I am not inside the house to guard it.


The safety of our home against trespassers, intruders, and unauthorized individuals is a number one priority in our household. This is also necessary because I also run an online business and I store inventory inside the house.

Aside from maintaining the safety and security of our house, I also make it a point to at least provide the basic child-proofing initiative. Here are the things that I do in order to give my daughter a safer environment inside the house:

1. Securely mount the television on the wall and the cabinet or stand should be attached to the wall as well in case the curious little one attempts to climb and think of it as the Mt. Everest inside your home.

2. Remove photo frames or other hard objects attached to the wall next to where your baby sleeps or plays that could potentially be a hazard if it falls.

3. Use stove-knob covers! This is very important. My curious baby always attempts to turn the stove off and on so we had to buy the covers as a precaution.

4. Keep wires out of reach - always, all the time!

5. Run cold water into the bath first and then add the hot water.

6. Use doorstops to protect your baby's fragile fingers. You can also use the brick foam wallpapers that is gaining popularity now.

7. Attach corner and edge guides to prevent bumps that could potentially be dangerous and fatal especially if the corners are pointed.

8. Place tall and unstable lamps behind a big furniture such as the couch so your toddler won't topple it over.

9. Do not forget to use the safety strap when using a high chair.

10. Never use unmarked containers to store chemicals that could lead to poisoning.

I still have a lot of baby proofing tips on my list but I am sure that these are great ways to jumpstart baby proofing your homes. Do you have other tips to share? Please leave a comment below.



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THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: PICKING UP THE PIECES

February 5, 2017, 3:15 am
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I'm not sure if I am in the healing and recovery phase already but I guess I have to in order to save my sanity, in order to be psychologically and emotionally present for my husband and my daughter as well as be mentally sound to face all my deliverables and obligations that I am required to accomplish. I've managed to finish the sponsored posts that I have signed up for and I'm having a pretty relaxed weekend so far.




I am currently...

reading the free ebook that came with the books that I ordered from Amazon. The books are about losing a child, grieving the loss and moving on.

writing the draft for the mechanics of a giveaway that I will be launching soon. It will be in partnership with a local hotel.

listening to Bruno Mars on Spotify. I surprisingly love Versace On The Floor. I've been listening to Mariah Carey's new single I Don't as well.

thinking of enrolling my daughter in a summer playschool to see if she's ready for nursery classes.

smelling nothing. I'm a little bit under the weather and I have a stuffy nose.

watching Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Edition. I love Awra's impersonation on Liza Minelli and Xia's Ariana Grande number. Oh these kids!

wishing to be able to sleep early tonight. I can't wait to close my eyes and sleep.

hoping to fully accept why I miscarried. I still have not fully accepted the reality until now but I'll get there one day, some day.

wearing shorts and my husband's sleeveless shirt. I choose comfort over anything any day.

loving Conti's mango Bravo cake minus the thick cream.

wanting to get some work done but I'm too tired to even properly string sentences.

needing a good night rest so I can be up and about early tomorrow for my SSS appointment.

feeling blah and uninspired. I feel so lethargic.

clicking through blogs about Prague and Vienna.

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!


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VALENTINES DAY PARTY IDEAS

February 9, 2017, 1:31 am
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Last week, I wrote about valentines day gift ideas to give to your husband (or boyfriend) and this week I am dedicating this blog post to all my happily single (or attached) and ready to mingle friends. But really, whether you are in a relationship or not, valentines day is one if not the best excuse to get together with your best buds and celebrate the day - not minding all the love birds around - think a la Sex and the City ladies enjoying a party while downing their favorite cosmopolitan cocktails. 


Truth be told, I haven't spent time with my besties and throwing a party would be a great idea and would be loads of fun too. The best part about having it in our home - we can go all out and be extra creative. Today, I am going to share party ideas to inspire you to get your DIY groove on. 

1. Gather up for brunch.  The best time to get-together for a ladies only affair is for brunch. It is the best time so even the attached ones will have time to attend. A brunch is also perfect to prepare some easy recipes that everyone would enjoy - think pancakes, bacon-wrapped asparagus, salads, and the list goes on. Add a little bit of bubbly or cups of coffee with a kick of alcohol and you'll be ready for the big date to follow. Fruit and vegetable kebabs  would be a great idea too. 


2. DIY your decorations. Adding special touches to your event would be a fun activity to do. Enlist the help of your besties days before the event and let them create their own masterpiece. Pick up the finished decors a day before the party and spruce up your space with all the creative pieces. Let your creative juices flowing I say.

Heart Balloon Backdrop - perfect for photo booths
Rustic Valentines Day Banner - hang it over the table or use to decorate the mantel or door


Valentines Day Accent Pillow - for the perfect accent to your comfy couch
Tree Heart Cheap Craft - for that whimsical touch


3. Create a signature party cocktail. What better way to completely enjoy the brunch and keep the conversations and laughter going than to have a delicious cocktail in your hand? C'mon admit it! Enjoying some girl talk and spiked drinks would be a perfect highlight to your valentines day. 

Here's a valentines day cocktail recipe to enjoy by Honestly Yum:



Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz Amaro Montenegro
  • 1/2 oz Aperol
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • 1 egg white
  • freshly ground cinnamon for garnish

Grenadine:

  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
  • 1/2 cup fine baker’s sugar
  • 1 oz pomegranate molasses


4. Bring on the games! To add a little bit of fun to your besties party, why not have a game of mystery. This idea is inspired by Jillian Harris' blog post. Yep, Jillian famous for her stint at the Bachelorette show and her Love It or List It show. Mechanics of the game: Tell your besties to bring a bottle of wine with the labels covered and then each one takes a sip. Everyone then rates the bottles and the bottle that receives the highest score wins. The host could give a prize for the winning lady! Super fun eh?


Of course, you can't possibly have a party without dressing to the nines so here are a few outfit choices from the new arrival rack of Nicole Miller. From February 8 until February 12, get 10% off sitewide + free shipping when you use code NMVIP10.

Nicole Miller Blooming Garden Dress
Nicole Miller Daffodil Ruffle Mess Combo Dress
Nicole Miller Artelier Rocco Pleated Dress 




I hope this post inspired you to host an unforgettable valentines day party for your besties. This would be a perfect way to celebrate the day without the hassle of making reservations because let's admit it - all the restaurants will be fully-booked and traffic in Metro Manila would be heavier than usual again. Please let me know if you have your own ideas for a fun and festive party plus decor DIY ideas by leaving a comment below.

If going on a weekend getaway or a staycation with your friends is what floats your boat, find the best deals through Agoda and book a hotel near you: 

DISCLOSURE: This blog post has an affiliate link. When you click on the link/s and purchase items, I will receive an affiliate/referral commission. Your support in purchasing through these links enables me to keep this blog up and running. Thank you! 

Most of the photos in this blog post are from the Pink and Red Celebrations collection from Haute Chocolate. Haute Chocolate is a subscription-based source for beautiful, stylish and professional stock photos especially curated for women entrepreneurs. Click HEREto subscribe and receive new collections every  1st and 15th day of the month. Cheers! 



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FAUX BRICK WALLS USING FOAM BRICK WALLPAPER

February 10, 2017, 10:31 am
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While everyone is busy preparing or planning for their Valentines date, I decided to order a few panels of foam brick wallpaper to change up our living room look and feel a bit. Besides, the wall paint is starting to disintegrate already and I don't have the luxury of time to repaint.

The first batch of the panels arrived last week and I used it inside our bedroom. The rest of the panels arrived a few days ago and I used it to cover a portion of the living room and the kitchen. So far, I love what I see - the living room looks more put together and well-lit. Everyone who enters the door loves the improvement as well.


The faux brick wallpaper is made of waterproof polyethylene plastic. I have tried using both made in China and Korea and I can say that the panels from Korea have better quality - better surface adhesion, more texture, a bit thicker. The wallpaper panels were very easy to install as well. Unlike thin wallpapers, the soft foams can be attached to the wall with better control and precision.


There are many sellers online and I highly recommend the sellers where I purchased my foam brick panels. If you are interested in trying this nifty and decorative wallpaper, do let me know by leaving a comment below or message me on my Instagram or Facebook Page and I'll give you their contact numbers.

Oh! By the way, have you watched the #KwentongJollibeeValentineSeries ad campaign that became viral? I love the episode "Date" the most but they're all good, to be honest. Jollibee's got a winner in this campaign. 



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THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: IT GETS EASIER

February 12, 2017, 4:40 am
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This week was better than the last. I guess it's true what they say, the pain gets easier to manage and to bear each day. It's not that I want to forget, it's just I wanted to remain more positive and more "present" for my husband and my daughter. Don't get me wrong, I still feel that emptiness inside of me but I try my hardest to regain and redeem my normal self.

Our little darling daughter reached a milestone this week - she turned 2 and now officially a toddler. I'm looking forward to discovering if these will be the "terrific twos" or "terrible twos". Your guess is as good as mine. We did not have a grand celebration because we were kind of sidetracked and so we decided to just have a simple celebration. After all, I realized she would not remember how big her party was but rather remember how happy she was.

I've finally claimed my De'Longhi multicooker by the way so expect to read some recipes on my blog as I familiarize myself with my new kitchen buddy. This is so exciting!


I am currently...

reading the manual of the De'Longhi Multicooker which I won from a blogging contest. It looks like a mean kitchen machine and as someone who has never used a complicated kitchen equipment before, I feel like this is a little bit complex to operate. I don't rely so much on recipes when I cook so I'll probably need to change my way when I use this machine.

writing a new blog post in my new blog - The Tea Time Writer. I hope to finish it as well before the day ends because my goal is to publish one post per day.

listening to the whirl of the electric fan blades while I am sitting on the couch. The TV is on as well but I am not paying attention.

thinking of going to bed early tonight so I can get up early as well for my SSS appointment. I will find out tomorrow if my maternity reimbursement will be approved. For self-employed members, the medical documents need to be approved by the SSS medical team first.

smelling the leftover Danish meatballs I prepared last night. We brought some for lunch at the poolside cabana today. Hubby reheated another batch because he loved it. Instead of bread crumbs, I used oatmeal.

watching Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho #KMJSPusuanMoYan. I'm waiting for the story on the husband and wife travel bloggers Kach and Jonathan Howe.

wishing that the days next week will roll by fast. I wish it were Friday already so we can be on another staycation again.

hoping to meet up with our architect before hubby leaves for another overseas stint. I also hope to take more photographs of the Philippine-made handicrafts that I plan to market in Europe. Yes, I am going to launch an online business and my target market is the fashion-forward ladies mostly in Denmark. I hope it will get some traction.

wearing my sundress. I have not changed into PJs yet. I think I need to shower to wake up a bit.

loving Estrel's caramel cake. I love that it's not so sweet.

wanting to rearrange our bedroom. I'll probably do it tomorrow because I'm still a bit sleepy now. I did another all-nighter last night so I really need some shut-eye.

needing a foot rub or back rub. I know hubby is also a little bit tired so I'm not going to demand one from him. I hope he senses the need, though.

feeling sleepy. My eyes are almost closing now.

clicking through Instagram feeds of bloggers that I plan to write about in another blog post. They're very inspirational. #InstagramFeedGoals

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!


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VALENTINES DAY ACTIVITIES WITH KIDS

February 14, 2017, 3:32 am
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When all the lovers in the world couple up and go on dates, more often than not, kids are left out or left in the care of grandparents, nannies or single aunts and uncles. This year, although the hubby is home, we don't have any plans of going out on a date because we both aren't big fans of this celebration because we don't really need this day to be romantic.

So we decided to stay home, play, sing, count and watch cartoons. Aside from these usual activities, here's a list of other activities to do for valentines day with your kids:

1. Schedule a DIY mini-photoshoot. We bought balloons yesterday so we decided to take it out of the house and have a photoshoot with the little one. She loved it! Although it was a bit windy, we managed to take a few photos that we could upload to her Instagram account and send to family in Denmark and Southern Philippines as well. If you have more budget, you can also hire a professional photographer and a stylist.


2. Go swimming. This is my daughter's favorite exercise activity to date. She probably is not thinking about exercising when she does it, to be honest, but I can tell by the way she looks and the way she shrieks that she surely enjoys being in the water.

Did you know that swimming is an excellent cardiovascular workout that promotes heart and lung health? It also improves strength and flexibility, increases stamina and even improves balance and posture. -Livestrong.com

We are extremely lucky that our village is equipped with 7 resort-style interconnected swimming pools as well as a white sand beach pool. If you want to check the place or if you want to be our neighbor, let me know so I can introduce you to our real estate agent. I will be featuring more about our village clubhouse in this blog soon so I hope you will watch our for it.


3. Go for a walk. Another physical activity that my daughter really loves is walking. We walk around the neighborhood every day and she likes it. She likes seeing new people and she even greets people we meet. Walking is a good way to spend quality time with kids. It's never too early to start walking actually. It can be done anywhere without the need for other gears except breathable and comfortable clothes as well as our "happy feet" using comfy footwear. I take walking as another teachable moment for my daughter - as early as now, I teach her road awareness so when she's a bit older and would need to walk on her own she has developed the skill already - truly an investment for life.


4. Let them play. Kids will always be kids so they will love any chance of playtime as much as they can. We schedule playtime at least once a week in a public playground where she can be with other kids. I make sure that my eyes are on her but I try to detach myself a little bit and observe from a distance how she behaves with other kids. She has not experienced any bullying and she has not been hurt while playing so all is well. I think playing is great way to develop every kids social skills.


5. Create arts and crafts or play pretend. If you would rather stay home, you can harness your kid's creative mind and have them work on arts and crafts or play pretend and dress up. Creating arts and crafts with kids can be messy but it can be extremely fun.

This tutorial on making potato stamps is amazing I can't wait to try it with my daughter. This activity can be done even when it's not valentines day anyway.



I hope you now have some ideas on how to meaningfully spend valentines day with the little members of the family.  Of course, these activities can be done any day. After all, we don't need any reason to spend quality time with those we love.

"Kids go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love."

Do you have other activities to suggest? I would be happy if you leave suggestions in the comment box below. Happy hearts day everyone!



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VIKTORIA SUMMER SAVES WITH SECURITY BANK

February 15, 2017, 4:11 am
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We opened an account for our daughter in a Danish bank in Denmark when we were on vacation last year and we decided to open another account for her here in the Philippines since she spends more time here and I plan to teach her how to save as soon as she understands the concept of money. Her account in Denmark is working like a charm because even if we are not there she still receives money for her birthday and other special occasions from her grandparents. The process saves my in-laws wire transfer fees.


For now, I plan to deposit weekly or put all the money I am earning from blogging and my design business straight to her account. Her account will serve as an emergency fund as well because we currently don't have any active medical insurance.

I chose Security Bank after reading Frances' blog. She opened Junior One savings accounts for all her little boys and I guess that was the push I needed to finally put my foot down and choose a bank for my little girl. I initially planned to open the account in BPI where our other accounts stay but their trust fund does not earn any interest. I also did not want the account to be convenient enough where I can transfer money between accounts easily so my best bet was Security Bank.


I initially planned to try Security Bank's Human Switch Kit service but I also wanted to check the nearest branch so we trooped to the bank instead - my husband, me and my daughter. If you want to try the Human Switch Kit service, you may do so by clicking this link.


I was extremely delighted when we entered the Security Bank branch because there was only one customer inside. That means we did not have to wait for our turn. I liked the calmness and the general atmosphere inside the bank. I opened an account online a couple of days ago and we went to the bank today. I know Summer is too young to manage her own money/account so the account was still registered under my name and "in trust for" under her name. Our end goal is to teach her the importance of saving her own money and hopefully, she will be able to handle her own finances in the future.

For the passbook savings account that we opened for her, the initial deposit was Php5,000. To open the account, we were required to present the following documents:
1. One valid identity card of the parent (I presented my passport)
2. One valid identity card of the child (I presented her passport)
3. Birth certificate of the child (required only if they are 5 years old and below)
4. Initial deposit of Php5,000

You may visit the Security Bank website to find information on the other available savings accounts that they offer. I believe there is also a specific account for older kids.

Do your kids have their own bank accounts as well? Do you think it is important to teach kids about the importance of savings? 


NOTE: This is not a sponsored post. 


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THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: SAFE TRAVELS DADDY

February 18, 2017, 7:34 pm
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The week went by so fast and everything seemed like a blur in a way. Hubby will be flying to Sudan to join his new ship at the Port Sudan Harbor (at the Red Sea). It is the Republic of Sudan's main port. It's his first time to join a ship in Sudan so he's going to add another country to his list. He was initially scheduled to fly with Qatar Airways but his flight was changed to Emirates Airlines last minute. Good thing he constantly checks his emails.

We spent our weekend in Alabang and we will be going to back to Manila later today so we can pack hubby's bags. We weren't able to pack ahead because we also had to pack for our staycation bags. We're pretty much cramming now but we have enough time on our hands.


I am currently...

reading the blog post I wrote about my recent transaction at the Social Security System. I actually thought it will be a seamless transaction because I have all the required documents. I will be going back to SSS again tomorrow to submit additional documents required for self-employed voluntary members who are claiming maternity reimbursement. Tomorrow will be my fifth time to go back to the SSS-Makati office because every time I go they seem to require a new document for me to submit. Frankly, it's getting on my nerves already. Imagine being required to submit a Certificate of Separation Employment when I have been unemployed for almost 2 years already. I don't see the point why they have to require that when they can very well see in their system that I pay my own membership dues monthly.

writing the mechanics of the hotel staycation giveaway that I will be having pretty soon in partnership with a residence hotel in Alabang.

listening to the television. I'm not technically watching because my back is turned away from the TV. Haha!

thinking of the recipes that I will prepare for my meal prep next week. Uncle Don will be joining my plan so I'll be cooking and preparing for two or maybe three so Angel can join in as well. The meal prep trial I did last week was a success. I was so into it that I even brought my prepared meals with me to the hotel where we are staying this weekend.

smelling the baby cologne on my baby. Smells so good!

watching nothing right now but I plan to watch a Netflix movie or documentary after I write this blog post.

wishing that I will be able to meet my weight loss goal so I can reward myself with a few things without the guilt. I don't like mindlessly shopping now so goal-setting and achieving should be a pretty good excuse to go and shop.

hoping to be able to print the travel invitation for my mom before hubby leaves so she can use it for her possible Schengen visa application. She's still not sure at this point if she will be traveling with us.

wearing my checkered PJs and a racerback sports bra. We went for a short 3-kilometer walk around Alabang CBD this morning and I don't feel like showering yet.

loving the balmy weather. It's also a little bit colder than the usual so it's perfect.

wanting to extend our stay in the hotel but hubby will be flying out tonight so we have to go back to Manila.

needing another chill weekend like this. I can't wait to have another staycation!

feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

clicking my town in Township! It's the current app-based game that I am playing and I am now almost Level 39 after playing for almost a month.

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!


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PARQUE ESPAÑA: SOUTH OF MANILA HOTEL STAYCATION

February 20, 2017, 6:53 am
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If you have been following my blog, you probably know by now that a staycation is one of the guilty pleasures of our family apart from traveling to Denmark and its neighboring countries of course to visit my husband's family. However, our staycations are almost always in the same hotel and more often than not it is always in Makati. That is why when I received an invitation to bring my family along with me to stay in a residence hotel in Alabang, I accepted the invitation without hesitation. We don't often frequent the area where the hotel is situated and we also have not tried staying in any of the hotels in Alabang yet.

We also really needed a little breather especially with all the things and changes that have happened in our lives recently. We initially were supposed to check-in late last month but I was rushed to the hospital so I had to request to move the staycation dates and fortunately it was granted and approved.

We were billeted to one of the recently renovated two-bedroom premiere suites at the Parque España Residence Hotel situated at the East Asia Drive of Filinvest City in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The area where the hotel is situated is fast becoming an urbanized community with several skyscrapers still under construction. It's like BGC but with fresher air according to my husband who really enjoyed the expansive view at the hotel rooftop.


We checked in for the weekend and I personally loved the welcoming feel as soon as we entered the lobby. I felt elated when the front desk officer talked to me and said: "We are expecting you today Mrs. Nielsen." Hey, that was nothing extraordinary but I loved it! It made me feel like a valued guest in an instant. I think it's a notch higher than just simply saying "Welcome!". Before we went up to our room located on the 7th floor, the front desk officer handed me the key cards, meal vouchers, as well as the wifi connection usernames and passwords.

Good To Know: Make sure you are quick when taking the elevator because the door closes super fast. I was left at the ground floor once. 

The left portion of the lobby is a quaint little cafe aptly named The Coffee Kitchen. The Coffee Kitchen serves your coffee o'clock cravings as well as serves a selection of continental breakfast dishes. While the right portion is a sitting area and the enclosed room is the fitness center. I never got a chance to order coffee here though because we opted to spend most of our time at the rooftop and inside our room. We also did not use the gym facilities because we opted to run around the Alabang green spaces. We wanted to enjoy the relatively fresh air and we wanted to explore the area.



PARQUE ESPAÑA RESIDENCE HOTEL

The hotel is comfortably situated within the commercial business district of Filinvest City in Alabang. Filinvest City is about 10 minutes away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and around 15-20 minutes from Makati City. This residence hotel is perfect for families on staycations, on extended stays or business trips as well as wedding and debut preparations. The building has 19 floors including the rooftop. It is under the management of Hospitality Innovators, Inc.

Daily housekeeping is offered by the hotel as well as laundry and dry cleaning. A complimentary 24-hour shuttle service to nearby malls can also be availed during your stay in the hotel. Car rental, airport transfer, and mail/parcel service can also be arranged with the hotel staff. Each room has a safety deposit box where you can store valuables. If you are tired from a long day, in-room massage appointment is also a great way to soothe your body aches away. You can see the complete list of services and facilities here.

The 19th floor has the bean-shaped pool, a gazebo where one can relax and enjoy the view of Alabang and nearby Laguna. It was a rainy weekend when we were there so the breeze was a little bit chilly.





PARQUE ESPAÑA 2-BEDROOM PREMIERE

We stayed in a two-bedroom premiere room and we were quite surprised with the 85 square meter floor area of the suite. Our cut-above-rest spacious weekend suite had two bedrooms with one queen bed in each room, a fully-functional kitchen decked with basic cooking and storage implements, a maid's room, two toilets and bath (but without a tub), a living room, and a dining room with a round table and eating utensils. We also received a welcome food platter of assorted fruits as well as complimentary banana chips and drinking water.

The walls were painted with different shades of Mediterranean orange - something I do not normally expect when staying in hotels. However, Parque España wants to convey the Spanish vibe and thus they took great lengths to inject the Spanish interior design influence in every part of the suite.


The room has parquet flooring which I am not a big fan of but it was very clean and polished so I have no complaints whatsoever. I guess my personal preference for hotel room floors would either be hardwood or soft carpet. 

My daughter quickly found her favorite spot in the living room. She loved this so much she settled in her nook as soon as we entered the room. 


The kitchen is fully-equipped as well with all the necessary kitchen implements required to prepare meals.


The bedrooms were really spacious and the sheets and pillows did not disappoint as well. 


We literally kicked off our heels and had a relaxing weekend in our PJs.





BISTRO DEL CIELO

We ate dinner, breakfast, and lunch at the rooftop restaurant, Bistro del Cielo. Our favorite spot was the table next to the big glass window because the view was fantastic. The restaurant offers different cuisines so feel free to scan the menu to pick the food that your tastebuds are craving for.



Make sure to order banana float when you dine at Bistro del Cielo. Their desserts are super yummy and I indulged a little bit to cap off our staycation. It was a sweet ending to a wonderful weekend. 




I was not able to take photos when we had our breakfast because I did not bring my camera when we went for a run around the block and we went straight to have breakfast at the rooftop. It was a buffet breakfast with just enough variety to satiate our hunger. I devoured the sweet honeydew and watermelon. Hubby ate bread with butter and requested the chef to make eggs over easy. We were so full.



PROS
  • Both check-in and check-out process was a breeze and the front desk personnel were all so warm, friendly, and accommodating.
  • Wonderful welcome amenity - fruit platter (apples and pears) and super yummy banana chips. 
  • Thick, black-out curtains were available in all of the bedrooms. It was not only for show but served its purpose to block the morning sunlight. 
  • I love the blue-green headboards and the material used to make it.
  • The food was cheap yet very delicious. The staff at the Bistro del Cielo provided great service too. 
  • The location is perfect - away from the main thoroughfares but close enough to the commercial center as well as green spaces. 
  • A washing machine can be requested and it will be set-up inside your room. 
  • The rooftop was an unbelievable surprise with views that would almost take your breath away. It's the perfect spot to chill and relax. I also love the plants all around the rooftop.
  • The complimentary wifi connection. The original router installed in our suite was not working but the technical guy readily replaced it with a new one that worked like a charm. I can't imagine life without the internet anymore (even when on a staycation). 

CONS
  • There was no welcome letter inside the room. I really appreciate this little touch - makes the stay more personalized. 
  • The color of the rooms was too busy for my taste because I personally prefer a more subdued color palette (i.e black and white or latte/cream-colored palette). 
  • I expected for robes too but there was none. 
  • There was also no bathtub to soak into at the end of the day. But of course, a nice hot shower could be a great alternative. 
  • Make sure to bring a towel from your room when you go swimming because there was no towel available at the rooftop.
  • Not everything on the menu was available. I really felt bad that the cake for the day was not available when it was only 10 in the morning when I ordered. 

BOTTOMLINE

I would recommend the hotel to families and groups of friends who wants a spacious room with all the regular service and facilities of a residence hotel. You will love the service and the value for your money when you stay at Parque España Residence Hotel. 



GIVEAWAY MECHANICS 


Contest Duration: February 21 - March 24, 2017
Prize: Spend a relaxing summer staycation in a 1-Bedroom Premier room (with breakfast for 2) at Parque España Residence Hotel in Alabang



The winner will be announced on March 31, 2017. This is open internationally (winner will shoulder own travel expenses).

Parque España Residence Hotel
5309 East Asia Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City Philippines 1781
(632) 850-5847 or (632) 850-5880 to 81


Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Parque España Residence Hotel. All thoughts, opinions and personal experiences expressed in this post are entirely my own.


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BOOKING OUR HOTEL STAYCATION USING THE TRAVELOKA APP

February 22, 2017, 9:05 am
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I'm a big fan of staycations and I've written about a few of our stays here and here. Our family has always spent staycations in Makati hotels and so I decided to look for a hotel in a place where we rarely visit. We don't often frequent the south, specifically Alabang, because it's a little bit far from where we live. I also read that Ascott Limited, a member of CapitaLand, recently opened a new serviced residence in the south so I chose to book it to experience the property that so many bloggers are raving about.


I booked an overnight stay at the Somerset Alabang Manila - the first international serviced residence in the south. The new property is located in the developing Filinvest City in Alabang. Filinvest City is a fast-growing business district that has multinational corporate offices, retail outlets, residential houses/condominiums and leisure venues such as malls, restaurants, and sports center. The property is highly accessible from the airport and also closely linked to the industrial parks in Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas, as it is found right off the exit of the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

The twenty-storey hotel has 150 rooms for both business (expats and visiting international/local company executives) and leisure travelers like us. All rooms are fully-equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and furniture, the kitchens have modern appliances and utensils and a washing machine is also available for use. Unlike other deluxe hotel rooms, the one-bedroom suite that I booked also comes with a microwave, griller, and oven toaster in one. That is absolutely perfect especially for my husband who loves piping hot bread to go with his black coffee.

BOOKING OUR STAY USING THE TRAVELOKA APP


I installed the Traveloka app recently and I tried to use it to book our stay. I didn't have any high expectations about the app because I did not want to keep my hopes up. I tried to play with the search functions and I was extremely pleased with how fast it returned results after every search. I love that it showed a great variety of inns/hotels/apartments as well as condotels and even displayed all the available room categories.

For the benefit of first-time Traveloka app users, I am going to share with you the step-by-step process on how I used the app. Relax, don't fret, the app is really easy to navigate so you'll get the hang of using it I'm sure. But first,click here to download the app.

The Traveloka app is available to ios and Android users. Android users will have a version of the app that will be best suited to your mobile phone's operating software. This is how the app looks like on an ios device:


After downloading and installing the Traveloka app on my smartphone, I registered for a Traveloka account using my name, email address and mobile number. Upon signing up, you have an option to enable Traveloka to send information about future promotions and exclusive discounts. I opted in because why not? A verification code was then sent to my email address so I can confirm and complete the account sign-up.

To book a hotel (or flight), you simply need to tap the "Hotels" option, enter desired destination, check-in date, duration, total guest/s, and room/s required, and then tap the orange bar to search.

TRAVELOKA APP BOOKING TIP: Make sure to tap the Ongoing Promos tab to check if there are available flight coupons and hotel coupons as well as hotel discounts available for use.

I tried to search for hotels in Makati City, Pasay City, and Parañaque City and eventually zoned into Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The search returned several results with prices ranging from Php1,900 to Php6,000. The search results can be sorted to show hotels based on highest popularity, lowest price, highest price and highest rating.


I love that the app search results shows not only the room rates but also hotel star rating, Traveloka client rating as well as TripAdvisor score and reviews. When you click on a specific hotel, the app will show the amenities/facilities, hotel address/map, establishments near the hotel, hotel description, as well as available room types and rates. The available room types and rates section also shows if the room comes with free breakfast, free cancellation, refund clause as well as available rooms left.


I chose the deluxe apartment, one bedroom, with kitchen option and the rate came with free breakfast but is non-refundable. All the information that I needed to know about my booking was displayed in the app and not written as a fine print on an obscure page somewhere.


The Traveloka app offers three (3) payment options: credit/debit card (Mastercard or Visa), over-the-counter, and bank counters.  I paid using my credit card because the other 2 options were only available for use from 8AM to 9PM.

Upon payment, the app instantaneously displayed a confirmation of my booking with the itinerary ID.  After a few seconds, the hotel voucher was issued and just like that my hotel booking was confirmed!



The whole account set-up, searching for the hotel suited for our family staycation, payment and issuance of hotel voucher all done in a little over 30 minutes. It could have been quicker if I already made up my mind where to stay before setting up the account. The booking procedure was quick and hassle-free. It's a bonus that the app did not crash as well! The best thing about this booking is that I got a cheaper rate than booking straight from the hotel website. Thank you Traveloka for the efficient and convenient booking. I'll most definitely use this app again when I book another hotel staycation.

So yes, we've come to the point where I share one of the best staycations we've had so far. Are you ready?

OUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME

I booked an overnight stay in a one-bedroom deluxe apartment. The room rate comes with free breakfast for two and free wifi connection plus all the other amenities that comes along with the chosen room. Our room was located on the 15th floor facing one of Filinvest City's green spaces. I've stayed in Ascott Makati as well as Ascott Singapore and I can say that Somerset Alabang Manila is comparable in terms of overall look and feel as well as space allotment.

The entire hotel houses pieces of art and as soon as you enter the lobby, the humongous art installation created by Olivia d'Aboville will amaze you - all of its 400cm x 90cm wonder. The artist used textiles that were made in the Philippines (indigenous) and dyed in different colors/hues to create this masterpiece.

If you are reading this and you have never been to the Philippines, read 20 incredible facts about the Philippines before you plan your itinerary via the Huffington Post.

I will be sharing photos I took during our staycation in another blog post so I hope you watch out for it.




Have you tried using the Traveloka app? How was your experience? I would love to know. Please feel free to leave a comment below to share your experience or if you have any question. 



Compare hotel rates, discounts, and availability here: 

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THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: YANKEE CANDLE IS NOW IN MANILA

February 26, 2017, 5:11 am
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We're adjusting pretty well to our new normal at home now. I've had a better sleeping pattern as well this week since I started spending lesser time online. I'm also sleeping early tonight so I can wake up early so I can prepare my 3-day meal prep. The trial period has been a success and I guess there's no turning at this point.


I am currently...

reading the blog that I am following to guide me in my meal prep journey. I've been arming myself with enough information so I don't slack. I love how I can save and loss weight at the same time. Crossing fingers!

writing my grocery list for tomorrow's shopping session. I'm also filling out the registration form for my daughter's family music festival.

listening to my sister's music. She's listening to nursery rhymes. Oh yes, I successfully hid the Youtube App so she's using the Youtube Kids App now. No more scary and violent videos.

thinking of doing a spring cleaning this week or next week. I need to declutter. I have too many stuff at home. If anyone knows anyone who needs disposable diapers (large size) please let me know. I have a few packs to give away.

smelling the peony candle I recently bought from Yankee Candle. I'm so happy that they have opened a branch near our house already. I love burning a candle inside my bedroom. I'll probably alternate

watching Youtube vlogs passively. The video is playing in another tab while I am typing this blog. Multitasking!

wishing that I can find tahini somewhere so I can make baba ganoush. Do you have a tried and tested recipe for it? Please do share.

hoping to finalize our Denmark itinerary. We're leaving in a couple of months so I need to finish one task at a time. I also hope to go to the ukay-ukay place which Isha of the PurpleHeiress mentioned. They were on sale when she went there and she was able to buy a thick jacket for less than Php200. Pretty good deal!

wearing my PJs because I plan to sleep right after I publish this post.

loving the effect of castor oil on my skin. I've been applying it right after I shower and I noticed that my skin is a bit softer now.

wanting to buy essential oils for my aerator. I need to alternate this with my Yankee candle. I also need to check my schedule and see if I can drop by Tim Hortons when it officially opens to the public on the 28th. We dropped by today and there were too many people.

needing a mani-pedi session. I'll have to schedule an appointment soon.

feeling chill and relaxed.

clicking nothing at this point. I'm too tired to do it. I guess I'm done for the day.

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!


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KIRSEBÆR FESTIVAL IN KERTEMINDE DENMARK

February 27, 2017, 11:00 am
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It was a balmy afternoon when I received a direct message from one of my online friends who lives in Aalborg. She told me that she saw my love for cherries in my Instagram posts so she shared that on our way back to Hillerød from Løkken we will be passing by a town celebrating one of their festivals, the Kirsebær Festival. I'm so thankful for her because I really wanted to attend a festival in Denmark and it was a perfect opportunity since it was not far from the main road and traffic was not major even when there's a weekend gathering of locals and tourists alike.

We left our summer house in Løkken before noon and we arrived in Kerteminde after about 3 hours. It didn't seem like a three-hour car ride because the roads we passed were very scenic and were really a welcome treat. I'm not sure if my husband enjoyed the trip since he was the one behind the wheel. I guess he did because I did not hear him complain.


Kerteminde is a town in Central Denmark. It is situated on the island of Funen. It also has a harbor and the roads we passed by were surrounded by farms - rapeseed, cherry trees, wheat, rye, corn, pine trees and many others. It was drizzling on our way so I was not able to go down and have my picture taken near the rapeseed farm. It was probably the last rapeseed field that is still in bloom for the season so I was a bit disappointed.


My disappointment changed to excitement as soon as we parked our car near the harbor and walked towards the town square where the festival events were held. The town was really peaceful even with the crowd of people. It's like all the less than 6,000 townsfolk gathered that day to celebrate the event.   We were only a few minutes inside the cherry products market when the Festival Queen and her consort showed up. We approached her and ask if we can take photos. She said yes with a smile and we had a little chat about where I'm from and how I am enjoying their festival.

RELATED STORIES



We bought a lot of cherries because it was too cheap compared to the price here in Manila. The cherries were super sweet, juicy and plump as well and they were harvested from the farm and transported immediately to the festival. It felt like I was in cherry heaven that day. We plan to go back to Denmark again this summer and if ever we won't be able to go back to Kerteminde, my plan is to find a cherry farm near Hillerød where I can go and pick straight from the tree.

Each plastic glass contained about 20-25 cherries costs DKK25 (that's roughly around Php200). We bought the basket that has around 100-120 cherries for only DKK60 (Php480). I think I ate more than a kilo while I was there including the ones we purchased. If you don't want to pay, you can sneak a few cherries from the free to taste basket. Ooopsie, don't tell them I told you that. 

 Most, if not all, of the cherries sold at the festival, were harvested from Nybro Frugtplantage. I wish we had more time to go directly to the farm but we didn't.



We sampled different sweets, wines, and food items with cherry as the main ingredient.





The town was not bustling but it has a unique charm to it. I love that their harbor is clean and smells good. Here you can see the Dannebrog or the Danish flag. Danes love to celebrate festivals, birthdays, weddings and other celebrations with their flag. 






Took this photo while on our way back to the main road. 


We left the town with happy tummies, satiated taste buds and a sense of satisfaction for having joined a day to celebrate the abundant produce of cherries.


The festival is scheduled on the 21st to the 23rd day of July this year and I hope we would be able to go since we will still be in Denmark on those days. If I do get a chance to go back, I would love to attend the cherry pie baking contest and maybe even participate in the cherry eating game. Who knows?

For more information about the charming little town of Kerteminde, visit their tourism website. To read more of our Denmark travel stories, here's the link.

If you are visiting Copenhagen and you would want to visit the festival, there are trains that go directly to Odense (a little over an hour away). Kerteminde is less than 20 kilometers away from Odense. 




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HEALTHY OPTIONS HAUL

February 28, 2017, 7:09 pm
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I am a Healthy Options shopper for a little over 10 years now and I always get the happy feeling as soon as I step inside their stores. Even before I started meal prepping, I already love making my grocery list, the shopping itself (including systematically going around the aisles so I don't miss anything) as well as arranging my finds inside the fridge or in our pantry. My husband often jokes that I'm like a hoarder when I buy because I always buy the big packages instead of the small ones. Healthy Options is always my go-to store for shopping for healthy options. 

In line with my 2017 goal to shift to a healthier lifestyle, I am exploring the possibility of introducing organic items to our daily diet. We have not been really cautious about this in the past but reading about GMOs and the unhealthy practices of farming makes me want to just feed my family with organic. If only I have a way to grow our own fruits and vegetables, I will. I want to feed my family nothing but healthy food especially my growing toddler. She loves food and she's a snacker so I make sure that we have available items in the fridge that she could nibble on. I also decided to jump on the healthy living wagon because my husband would often tell me that the only way for us to grow old (older) together is to eat healthier and pick the right choices. 


I buy my food supplements from Healthy Options. My OB actually approved of the folic acid and biotin I am taking which I bought from the store. Before I got pregnant with my daughter, I took folic acid for about a month and I also recommended it to my sister and my cousin. I would love to completely shift to all-organic diet because I'm scared knowing that the eggs or meat we consume may have antibiotics in it. Thinking about all the junk that I feed my body and my family is making me retch now. I can't possibly feed another cucumber to my daughter knowing that pesticides may have been used to make it grow and pest-free. When I buy eggplant in the market and I see worms inside I rejoice because well it gives me a little assurance that it might be pesticide-free. 

I know it will take just a bit more time before we finally switch to an organic-based life but hey small steps matters. In our artificial ingredients filled world, your best bet is to check out what Healthy Options offers. 

These are what we bought on last shopping trip. 



I already threw the original packaging of the golden flax seed before I photographed my haul. It's the same brand as the chia seeds though. 


These are my daughter's favorite cookies to date. I actually sneak in and eat a few bites too. This is delicious. I hope you take my word for it!


My most favorite Healthy Options branch to date is the one located at the ground level of Glorietta 2 in Makati City. It's the biggest branch that I have been to so far. I can't wait to visit the largest branch which is the Healthy Options Shangri-la. It is now open after its recent renovation and redesign.
















 Have you been to any of the branches of Healthy Options? Which one is your favorite?

DISCLOSURE: This is not a sponsored post. All the items were bought with my own money.



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SKIN SOS: STEPS TO BATTLE SKIN AGING

March 1, 2017, 8:01 am
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I'm in my mid30's and lucky to be at home most of the time. I considered myself lucky because I don't have to go out of the house every day to go to the office and brave the heavy traffic and polluted Metro Manila air. However, I am not at all confidently just sitting on my couch and wishing away that gravity and age won't take its toll on me. We have to face it, with age, the skin suffers natural wear and tear, just like the rest of our bodies (the arm wings, sagging tits, belly, eye bags and more).


As the days go by and as we age, there are other factors that contribute to skin aging as well like:

  • Fat components in skin decreases and the skin become thinner with age. Notice the plumpness and smoothness of young kids' skin? That's because they still have enough collagen and elastin that makes their skin firm. As we get older, the smooth skin becomes rough especially if we don't do anything to combat the progression. 
  • Gravity also plays a factor. The constant tugging and pulling, weakens the structures of the skin. Thus, creating the droopy appearance of the skin or your "wings" under your arms. Jiggle it! 
  • Of course, our genetic code contributes to the aging process and it's something that you are born with so there's nothing much you can do about it. 

While I can't go back to my 20's and start a better skin regime, here are the things I do to combat skin aging while I still have time:

1. Drink water. Yes, you read that right - drink water. The drink that we almost always set aside and replace with the more appealing juices, sweeter sodas, and frappes that we crave. I've always made it a point to drink 2-3 liters of water per day. One tip that I try to follow is to always bring a water bottle that you can refill anytime. Also, do not wait until your thirsty before you drink water. Water keeps you healthy as well as radiant as it makes you look younger.

2. Cleanse - Tone - Moisturize. Healthy skin cannot be achieved just wishing that you have healthy skin. It requires effort - consistent, religious, with intention. Cleanse your face with a cleanser that does not contain soap because soap makes your skin dry. Always use a toner to minimize pores and then use a rich moisturizer. Carefully choose a quality moisturizing cream which is suited for your skin type. Using a quality moisturizer is extremely essential for the well-being of your skin because it keeps it elastic, healthy as well as protected from the harsh pollutants. Your skin will thank you for this. Oh and yes, don't forget the sunscreen!


3. Your skin is what you eat. What you eat can bring you closer to your goal of having smooth and radiant skin. Pick up food choices that are nutrient-dense. Opt for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts and other sources of lean protein.

4. Get enough sleep. I'm not a good sleeper. I sleep very late most times. I don't have insomnia but I guess almost 10 years of working nights has whacked my body clock. This is something that I need to work on. But if you have developed an excellent sleep regimen then you are in for healthy, younger-looking skin. I have not resorted to taking medicines to induce sleep but I have been scouring the online pages of Independent Pharmacy for a possible remedy to my less than desirable sleep regimen as well as stock up on skin vitamins. Have you used an online pharmacy before? What kind of medicine have you bought?

5. Take vitamins. Taking a daily supplement of vitamins, especially Vitamin E and C and antioxidant tablets, can do a great deal of help in creating a healthy and younger-looking skin. Calcium supplements have also been proven to lessen premature skin aging.

6. Keep moving. Exercise. Get up from your couch. Exercise is a sure way to help counter the effects of skin aging. This is another step that I need to do more of because I have been slacking for the most part. Truth be told, people with sedentary lifestyle looks older than people with active lifestyle. 

There are so many other steps that you can take to battle the scourge of skin aging. As always, prevention is the best but if you are past the prevention stage then you can at least do the 6 items above to slow down the aging process. There is something that can be done and in doing so you are able to have younger-looking skin much longer.

Of course, if you want to take the organic train, you can shop for chemical-free products from Healthy Options. I bought castor oil and I have been really loving my skin as of late. I've completely replaced my moisturizer and lotion with the castor oil for the past week or so. 

Do you have a skin regimen that you follow? I would love to know. Please do share by leaving a comment below. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Stocksnap.io edited via Photoshop CC



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THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: NETFLIX AND CHILL

March 5, 2017, 6:19 am
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Oh what a day! I'm a bit sleepy as I type this so pardon if I commit any grammar miss. I'm going to proofread when I wake up because my eyes are almost falling and the only thing that keeps me awake now is the loud television while watching the last airing of Pinoy Big Brother.

Anyway, I slept late last night because I finished the whole first season of Santa Clarita Diet. I'm going to sit down and review it possibly next week. I watched it on Netflix by the way. I ended the last episode around 3AM and I woke up at 6AM so we can go to the Sunday Market at Legazpi Car Park. As soon as we went back to our house, we started preparing to attend my daughter's sing and play class in Kindermusik. I can't wait to lie flat in bed and dream the night away.



I am currently...

reading the comments on my other blog. Do you believe that chicken and squash in one dish can cause leprosy?

writing this blog post and then once I am done I am going to call it a night and get some shuteye.

listening to Jessica Soho's Sunday magazine show Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho. I got bored waiting for PinoyBig Brother so I switched channels. The travel segment is far more interesting.

thinking of buying a new luggage but I can't decide yet if I will buy the big one or a carry-on size. I hope I can decide before BPI's travel sale next weekend.

smelling the vanilla essence from the oven. I read a hack that if you heat vanilla then your kitchen will smell good. The smell is not overpowering though. Just a hint of vanilla whafting around.

watching Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho while I multitask in writing this post.

wishing that I win the lottery so I don't have to worry about where to find money to finance our future family travels. I wish money grows on trees. How about you? Haha! It's just wishful thinking. I blame my zombie-state now.

hoping to finish my draft post about canal tours in Copenhagen. Watch out for the blog post. It'll be live soon!

wearing my PJs because I plan to sleep right after I publish this post.

loving the scent of vanilla essence. Maybe I should pick up a vanilla-scented Yankee Candle next time I visit the store.

wanting to clean the fridge all weekend and I finally did it before we had dinner tonight. I feel so accomplished.

needing a good back rub or a foot rub so I can fall asleep fast.

feeling sleepy you have no idea how much!

clicking nothing. I just can't be bothered. Maybe I'll doze off and then wake up again in the wee hours of the morning when internet speed is faster so I can watch another documentary on Netflix.

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!


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LIFE LATELY | SIMMERING SILENTLY

March 24, 2017, 6:35 am
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I've been gone for quite a while but I can assure you that I am not abandoning my blog yet again. I am just taking a little break while I tend to a new venture that has given me immense happiness if I may put it bluntly. Cooking and feeding other people makes me really happy inside and now I'm even earning from it so that's double the fun. After all, it isn't so bad to be so busy with something that makes you happy (even if I have to deal with tired ankles after I cook all the food, wipe the stove and wash all the dirty pots, pans, knives and more.


I normally spend about 5 hours in the kitchen - from doing mise en place to storing the food in the fridge before delivery. Five hours isn't all spent actively working. I have a few breaks in between while I check on social media or respond to inquiries. I have managed to cut a finger once but not while slicing. I accidentally grazed a very sharp knife and the knife gave me a small cut and a bloody thumb. But well, malayo sa bituka (Filipino idiom for far from causing death) so I am still alive. I just needed to put a bandage so I can continue working on the roasting rolled oats on the pan.

Here are a few things that I have realized lately:

1. Mise en place is king in the kitchen! - being organized and prepared in the kitchen saves so much time and energy. I put all the ingredients I need for each meal on the counter top and identify if anything is missing before starting to prepare or even before a quick trip to the grocery. I then check which ones needed to be prepped ahead of time. Sometimes I slice vegetables that don't wilt or disintegrate inside the refrigerator like carrots and zucchini before I go to bed so I would just go straight to cooking when I wake up. I have a lot to improve in this department and I am looking forward to applying it in the next weeks to come.

2. I'm a rule-breaker (sometimes)! - I rarely strictly follow ingredient guidelines in recipes. I try to make each dish my own. So you can tell that I always have eureka moments in the kitchen and I've been tempted to give myself a pat on the back but I couldn't do it since I have dirty working hands. Hahaha! Seriously, I only really strictly follow measurements when I am baking but when cooking I go by gut feel, experience, and taste.

3. Clean as you go is the way to go! - To avoid cross-contamination, I always ensure that I use different cutting boards for vegetables, meats, and fish. I wipe down counter tops and ensure that there is no food remnant in nooks and crannies. I do not wait to finish all my task before I start washing pots and pans and all other dirty utensils. I realized that cleaning after I use something makes the whole task a lot easier thus it makes me manage my time, albeit alone, more efficiently.

4. Baking is superior to frying. - When I plan the weekly menu, I steer away from dishes that require frying and I gravitate towards dishes that require baking or poaching. Baking is a lot healthier and it does not make my kitchen greasy and oily plus of course, it allows me to work on the oven and the stove top at the same time.

5. When you love what you are doing, not a day will feel like work. - Does this need any more explaining? As Amy Weber once quipped, "Do what you love and the money will follow." Yes! I do all these #ParaSaPrague!

I'm slowly falling into a routine that will make my job even easier and more efficient. If you are keen to follow my meal prep journey, please visit my Instagram feed - FOODINMYLUNCHBOX. The meal prep delivery business will continue to be small-time and making it big is not yet on the horizon because hey I'm a one-man-team. When we cease operations for our Europe trip, I will try my best to learn Scandinavian and Central European dishes so I can include them in our weekly meal plans. I'm getting more and more excited as each day passes. We will resume the business in September and hopefully our present clients will be more than happy to welcome us back.

Here's our menu for the coming week:


Now, excuse me as I need to do a quick inventory of our supplies before I go to the weekend produce market tomorrow to stock up on organic vegetables and fruits. If I don't get all the stuff I need tomorrow, I will have to go to another weekend market on Sunday. I'm just so glad that both markets are very near where I live.

"It's always great to get to do what you love and to do something 
that hopefully people will see and love." 
Casey Wilson


Have a great weekend ahead y'all!



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EASTER 2017 EGG HUNTING EVENTS IN METRO MANILA

March 27, 2017, 6:28 am
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Last year, we joined an Easter egg hunting activity in a hotel in Makati and my daughter really enjoyed the event. She was only a little over a year old that time. Now that she's a bit older and with considerably improved social skills, I want her to attend another egg hunting activity so she won't miss the fun and games. There will be an activity in her playschool but the theme is carnival/festival so I want her to attend a separate activity that's solely for egg hunting. I'm currently on the lookout for egg hunting events in Metro Manila and I'll update this blog post if I bump into other events. Please bookmark this page as I will keep posting if I see an interesting event schedule.

I can't wait to see my little one's excited grin and huge smile and I can actually imagine how she would shriek for joy when she sees "the EGGS!". If only we have a big yard, I will make this as our annual tradition but since our house is still under construction then a trip to a hotel or malls or even activity centers would be the next best thing.



Here's some of the Easter 2017 egg hunting events in Metro Manila that you can attend with your kids in tow:

MAKATI

PENINSULA EASTER CARNIVAL FUNFARE

Easter Sunday 2017 is family day at The Peninsula Easter Carnival Funfare. Kids of all ages will enjoy a bouncy castle, ring tossing, shooting gallery and balloon twisting. There will also be Easter-themed activities like face-painting, cookie and cupcake decorating, and other fun games.


Families availing of the Pen Days of Easter room package (hotel stay on April 15 or 16) will receive two (2) complimentary tickets to the event.

Event Date: April 16, 2017 (Easter Sunday)
Time: 11AM to 3PM
Venue: Rigodon Ballroom
Tickets: Php1,000 nett per person
For details, please call Peninsula Hotel on +632 887 2888.

HOLIDAY INN & SUITES MAKATI

 Hot Cross Buns, delightful Wonderland Cookies, and a staycation designed for the whole family to enjoy are just some of the exciting offers that Holiday Inn & Suites Makati have prepared for Easter 2017. Come and explore GrINN's Wonderland!



Event Date: April 7-16, 2017
Time: Black Saturday Egg Decor/Movie Marathon 1PM to 5PM / Easter Tea Party 10AM-12:30PM
Venue: to be announced
Tickets: part of staycation package
For details, please call Holiday Inn & Suites Makati on +632 909 0888.

I'M HOTEL

Have an Easterrific time at Makati's newest 5-star hotel! I'M Hotel is located along the corner of Makati and Kalayaan Avenues. This will be their first time to host an Easter Party and the Grand Narra Ballroom will be transformed into a haven of excitement and fun.


The Easter program includes a buffet snack spread by Bloom Restaurant, face painting, nail and towel art, magic acts, and life-sized board games. Entrance is free for children aged 2 and below (as long as they are accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 2PM to 5PM
Venue: 5th Floor, Grand Narra Ballroom
Tickets: Php1,100 nett/per person
For details, please call Holiday Inn & Suites Makati on +632 755 7888 or email reservations@imhotel.com.

MANILA

DIAMOND HOTEL

It's fun and games for all kids and kids at heart this Easter 2017 at Diamond Hotel! Attendees can get a chance to win Beats by Dr. Dre headphone and speaker in the raffle draw. Join the Easter activities and spend the day hopping from one fun activity to the next. Kids in their Easter-inspired costume will get a chance to win exciting prizes.


Activities lined up are face painting, games, musical entertainment, cupcake decorating, glitter tattoo, loot bags distribution, photo booth and kids' salon.

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 10AM to 2PM
Venue: Diamond Ballroom
Tickets: Php1,000 nett/per person inclusive of take-home snack box (kids 2 years old and below are free of charge as long as they have paying adult companions).
You can buy your event tickets here.

THE MANILA HOTEL 

This year will be a truly unique Easter activity for Manila Hotel patrons. This year, The Manila Hotel will be partnering with Mystery Manila.


Celebrate Easter Sunday with your family this year at the #MysteryManilaHotel! All kids (7 years old and above) and adults (13 years old and above) are invited to join the one-of-a-kind egg hunting experience. Whether alone, or with family and friends, it will definitely be a fun afternoon Easter experience. There will be a time-bound game Mystery Manila style and this amazing race adventure will surely be loads of fun - be sure to be mentally and physically-prepared before you participate in this event.

Lucky winners will be receiving these amazing prizes:

1st place – 3D/2N stay at Sunrise/Sunset Suite with breakfast + voucher for lunch/dinner for 20 pax at Café Ilang-Ilang
2nd place – 3D/2N stay at a Superior Deluxe Room for 2 with breakfast
3rd place – Overnight stay at a Superior Deluxe Room for 2 with breakfast

Please see details of the Easter 2017 event above. 

BAYVIEW PARK HOTEL MANILA




 Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 1PM to 3PM
Venue: Bayview Park Hotel Manila
Tickets: Php1,800 nett/per person + 1 kid (includes heavy merienda, food carts, character masters of ceremonies, games, face painting, photo booth, and a loot bag).
For more information, call +632 526 1555 or email bookings@bayviewparkhotelmanila.com

HOTEL H2O MANILA OCEAN PARK



Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 11AM to 3PM
Venue: Pacific Ballroom, Hotel H2O
Tickets: Php999 nett/per adult, Php799 for kids lunch and candy buffet. There will also be art activities, magic show, games, photo booth, face painting, and other surprise activities.
For more information, call +632 238 6100 local 106/665/667  or email inquiry@hotelh2o.com

PASAY

RESORTS WORLD MANILA NEWPORT MALL


Easter Barnyard Adventure

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: 3PM to 6PM
Venue: The Plaza, 2nd Floor Newport Mall
Tickets: Open to Resorts World Manila guests with kids 4 to 12 years old with RWM mobile companion app installed on their phone
Read about how to qualify and join the event here.

BLUE WAVE MALL


My little one cannot join this yet so I am posting this for the benefit of moms and dads who have kids 5 years old up to 13 years old. This will be a very physical egg hunting activity so better get ready.

Event Date: April 16, 2017
Time: Registration from 10:30AM to 12NN only and event will start at 1PM
Venue: 3rd Floor of the Pavilion Lobby of the BlueWave Mall
Tickets: A single receipt purchase from any store at the mall entitles a shopper to one stub/one slot for the Amazing Race Easter Egg Hunt challenge. Only the first 150 slots will be entertained (first come, first served basis)
Read the flyer above for more information including dress code requiremdents.

PASIG

MARCO POLO ORTIGAS MANILA


Hop and hunt for egg-citing treats and a day full of fun activities for the little kids as Piccolo Kids Club presents Hop Hop and Away.

Enjoy workshops such as luggage making, and cupcake decorating. Play around and meet new friends at the play area. Watch the amazing magic show and balloon twisting. Paint eggs and hang it on the Easter tree. Have fun in all of these together with an Easter brunch for only Php1,400.

Moms and dads are also welcome to join in the fun! Special gifts will be given to parents who join their kids along with a 20% discount on April 16.

I will update this space again tomorrow. Please bookmark the page and be sure to come back.

I'm still deciding whether my daughter will go as Ariel of The Little Mermaid or Maria Posada of The Book of Life. Are you ready with your kid's costume? 


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THE SUNDAY CURRENTLY: JUST ANOTHER CHILL SUNDAY

April 2, 2017, 9:04 am
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Do you just think the weather in Metro Manila now is nuts? One moment it's scorching hot and the next, it's raining cats and dogs. The heat is so unbearable that all I really want is to hole inside the bedroom in the comforts of the air conditioning system. My daughter had fever and runny nose but she's feeling better now. She's still active and jolly but just a little bit clingier than usual. Every time she catches me busy with something, she would run to me and say "Hug you Mommy".

What's keeping me busy right now apart from the meal delivery business, is deciding where to egg hunt this Easter. Summer really enjoyed her first Easter egg hunting last year at the New World Makati Hotel so I am thinking of letting her join another event this year. She might be going as Little Mermaid or Maria Posada of the Book of Life. I'm probably more excited than her to be real honest. Hahaha!


I am currently...

reading the book Grieving The Child I Never Knew. I never expected to receive it anymore because Amazon has already refunded me my money. I never asked for a refund actually. I contacted Amazon's customer service to get an update for the delivery date because it was almost 2 months already since I ordered. They declared it to be lost but just a couple of days ago I received a notice from the post office. I actually did not think that the package contained the books I ordered from Amazon. I thought it was a different package. Should I contact Amazon and let them know that I received my order?

writing the menu for next week's meal delivery. I'm still undecided whether to open or close our business for the Holy Week. Maybe open until Wednesday. I'm still not sure...

listening to the soundtrack of Beauty and the Beast. I have watched the movie twice last week and I am still LSS-ing on the songs. I love it so much!

thinking of buying a food processor. I'm actually half-hearted on this though because my kitchen counters are all occupied now. I probably need to hold off on this a bit more until we move to our house. It's funny that my shopping list now has household items more than dresses or bags.

smelling the bunch of cilantro and the mabolo (velvet apple or velvet persimmon or peach bloom or scarlet fruit) I bought from the organic market today. Do you know that mabolo's smell is often compared to rotten cheese or cat feces? Ewwww! I don't think so. I think it smells pleasant. It actually smells like ripe plum to me.

watching nothing right now. I want to finish this blog post before I marinate the chicken that I will be cooking tomorrow.

wishing that my daughter will be completely healed when she wakes up tomorrow. I have a giant egg surprise waiting for her.

hoping to be able to finish my April budget. It's already the 2nd day of April and I am for sure lagging behind. Priorities need to be checked!

wearing hubby's short and shirt. LOL! It feels so comfy. I guess I just miss him.

loving the smoothies that I have been whipping up for the past couple of days. My favorite so far is the mixed berries topped with dried cranberries and chia seeds.

wanting to go back to Lander's right now and buy the KitchenAid copper pots and pans.

needing a new hair color. I'm thinking of changing my hair color DIY. I might do it tomorrow.

feeling excited for the coming week and feeling undeniably thankful that I won another blog contest. I won Php25,000 worth of gift certificates and sets of OFF! products. I will be sharing the products to my blog readers soon so I hope you will come back and join.

clicking on food calorie conversions websites. I'm looking for the best one to use moving forward.

If you have a blog and you want to let us in your Sunday, join us. Here's my old archive of The Sunday Currently. If you want to join us, click here or here.

Have a safe and wonderful week ahead!


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OUR PRAGUE VACATION VLOGS

June 22, 2017, 5:50 am
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I'm sitting comfortably on a chair fighting sleepiness here at the Terminal 2 of Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague (PRG). It's been a lot like "sleepless in Prague" for me for the past 3 days. It's not that I did not have time to sleep, it's just that I kept myself awake because I feel like there's just too much to do. Every night, as soon as we arrive in our Airbnb apartment, I settle on the couch and transfer files from my cameras to my computer. Of course, the temptation to edit videos was always too strong that I always had to give in.

I'm going to devote a few blog posts about our trip to Prague but for now, I am going to share with you the vlogs I uploaded to our Youtube channel - VIKTORIASUMMERTV







I hope you enjoyed the vlogs I created. Pardon the noob editing as I am still trying to learn the ropes again. If you have questions/suggestions/observations, leave them in the comments below. Let's engage while I gather my thoughts and write about our trip. Of course, I am going to share photos as well.

Now excuse me as I make my way to the check-in counter as we head back to Denmark where I will be staying until August. We're planning a quick trip to Sweden as well so I hope we would do something that is worth sharing.



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