Our "New" Second-Hand Ride

I'm not a sporty person, though I'd love sana how to play tennis. Too much exposure to Mr. Sun discouraged me to engage on it. But I'm glad that at an early age I was so eager to learn and eventually know how to ride a bicycle. I learned on my own and those bruises that I got was all worth it. My uncle used to have a BMX bike when I was in grade school. Whenever he is not using it, I sneak into our tiny garage and practice until I get tired. I cannot remember when was the last time I rode in one. My eldest daughter kasi loves to have a bicycle maybe because she saw her friends in our neighborhood driving around with their own bicycles. Yung kind na like this...

Mala- 'Lovers in Paris'. It's so dreamy, right? (Photo NOT mine)

My husband and I are actually planning to buy her a new bicycle because the old one is already too small for her. That now is the one my 3-year old girl is using. 

 

We scouted for it in malls but we are having second thoughts getting one because: (1) it's a bit expensive and (2) we cannot attest of its longevity. We then heard that buying in Japan surplus shops saves us a lot of money and we get more of our money's worth. Not to mention it's durability and quality-tested. So we check out some shops here in the city and found nga not only one but two bicycles. The second one is for me. I'm so happy I own one now even if it's pre-owned.

Here is my girl's bike. 

It's only Php1,800.00 and I tell you, it's so sturdy 
though there are a few scratches and minor dents noticed. 
But it's in a very good condition. 

Just a few flaws were there like the LED lights isn't working though we can just replace the defective bulb and it will light na. The other grip has a rip but the other one is still in good condition so we just leave it as it is. The plastic basket have only minimal cracks and dents and stains but it doesn't matter. There are also minor rusts seen but we can have it repainted and it's good as new. We just bought an extension tires (at Php300.00) at the back since she cannot balance yet with just a two-wheel. Before that there was a bicycle stand attached to it but it was removed to replace the extension tires.

We can really attest of its durability and quality because the bicycle itself is heavy. It's like I'm having lifts every time I carry it. The bell and brakes works perfectly. The seat cover is in nice condition (not dirty) and durable. The paint finish is totally fine. The height of the seat can be adjusted. I can even ride on it. 

And now presenting to you my bicycle. 
Guys would you believe its worth is only Php1,800.00?! Sure steal!
But we got it for 2,500.00. Why? Everything is in superb condition 
and it's a reserved item. Meaning 'may nagmamay-ari na'. 
My husband haggled for it and wants it so badly for me.

He didn't mind paying for that amount because of the following reasons:

- the seat is leather, just a few (almost invisible) blemishes

- the LED lights, bell and brakes working perfectly fine

- there are just minor scratches, stains and rust

- almost no dents

- adjustable seat
- it has a lock/key attached to the back wheel that secures it and nobody can use it except me. Though I don't lock it so the nanny can use it to accompany my kids when biking around the village

- the paint finishes is fine (off white/chocolate color, yum!)

- the steel basket is love

- I love also that it has a bicycle stand

Overall, I love my Japan surplus/pre-owned bicycles we got. We saved a lot for the cost we bought given of the quality of the bikes. We can just have it groomed some other time if we really want that spunky/new feel of it. For the meantime, we love as it is. My hubby told me it's his Christmas gift to me. It doesn't matter if it's not new as long as I am loving it. He's planning to buy one for him and our youngest. And it'll be a family sport we'll be engaging in. How I love it! Thank you Lord for the blessing!

Owning a #CathKidston: The loooong wait is over!

Bringing London's Cath Kidston here in the Philippines is one brilliant idea. I couldn't contain my giddy and excitement when I first saw and read it at Ms. Daphne and then at Ms. Leah's blog when its first store in the Philippines opened to the public on December 6 in Manila at Bonifacio Global area in Taguig.


About 3 to 4 years ago, my SIL brought me my first Cath Kidston bag. That time, I never had any idea of the brand name when in fact it's been in the business since 1993 but only in London. Since then, I've been hearing and reading articles from lifestyle and mommy bloggers and later on became one of my favorite items too. Funny thing is one time, when I happen to visit a Divisoria-like store here in Davao City, I saw Cath Kidston-inspired merchandise (of course not the authentic ones)! So it really is popular already here.


Our recent trip to London a month ago (see link here), gave me an idea of how popular and a staple to every Londoner Cath Kidston bags are in particular. Visiting their shops there makes me feel like a child, drooling and envying every item they have in store. Not only I am wishing to get myself to have one but also for my little girls. But it all fade away after the generous SIL I have gave me this as the latest design Cath Kidston has released in the market. 

The London bus design of bag and a card/paper bill holder.
The newest design they introduced in the market.

How it looks in the inside of the card/paper bill holder.

The bag. You can snap it or not on the sides.

Unlike the regular inside or back zip pockets,
for this design it is located in front.  

See how roomy this bag is.

I also own a booklet of labels and stickers to which my SIL also gave me in summer this year. I use this when I send gifts in any occasion.

What I love about Cath Kidston bag in particular aside from the design and style, durability and versatility, is its texture. The bags that I own are made of water-proof materials that when it rains or accidentally something spills on it, I can just easily wipe it and not afraid of getting it stained or ruined. 

So to all Cath Kidston fanatics out there, I feel for you. A look of their trademark design alone can give thrill and chills to ones spine. It's something only a girl can understand. Looking forward to my next Cath Kidston possession. Anyway, it's Christmas!

Four in a Row + 1 Free and more

I must have done something really good to have all the blessings poured out to me. Ever since, as I always say, I am not lucky joining in raffles, contests or giveaways. But I was hopeful. I do believe that there is a right time for everything. We'll never know. You can't have it today. But who knows what tomorrow may bring. And that is happening to me since I first won a raffle prize last December of 2011 and became full blown last year. Good things comes to those who patiently wait indeed. The past few weeks had been full of beautiful surprises. But for this post, I'll be sharing my happiness to you of how lucky I am to have won 3 blog giveaways in a just one week and another one came in this morning as I opened my email. 


For my first winning, I got this beautiful package of Pond's product line of BB creams. It's from the blog giveaway of Ms. Rowena Lei of Animetric's World as seen here. I am super overwhelmed because I am a Pond's user of their Age miracle day cream and their facial wash. I love how it makes my skin supple and glowing. As what I have said in my winning entry, that it gives radiance to my skin while it nourishes from within. I really love the effect in and on my skin. It really does a lot of wonders. Though I haven't tried yet their BB creams, for sure it will have the same effect on me.

The vanity mirror is a plus for me because the one that
I have in my desk gave way already and to think it's not mine.
I was guilty pa because it's my officemate mirror.

Okay, this one is a bonus winning I got from Ms. Lei herself.
I can't be more happier. I've been longing to buy K-Palette.
And now I have it for free. No sweat for me and my pocket!

These stuff are silently adding up to my wish list including the second winning I got from a doctor blogger (which i will have a separate post on), 2 food giveaways in which I won a cake (which I was disqualified because I'm not a resident of Metro Manila) and a perishable food (which I was still negotiating or requesting the host that I'll be able to get it on November pa) and the free one was a bag of Unilever products from a kind hearted person. All of them came in just in time and even more than I ever expected. Even if I didn't get the cake prize but still I am thankful that I was chosen as the lucky winner. Maybe a more qualified person needs that more than I needed it. I am still crossing fingers and hoping for more winnings in blogs and non-blog giveaways in the future. I hope this would not jinx everything but will put on good vibes all the more.

So to you dear readers, I will encourage you to join in blog giveaways. Who knows, your time will come.

Selling Online: Accessories thru Olx.ph

Girls never tire reinventing oneself by way of accessorizing, isn't it? You can be glamorous already with just a plain and ordinary shirt and a pair of jeans when worn with fashion neck pieces to boot. It really do wonders in your over-all get-up.

I have been fond of these accessories too. I can say I've hoarded too much of these to the extent that I wore it only at most thrice or even haven't worn some. I was so overwhelmed with the stylishness of the neck piece itself. I considered it as my precious collection over wearing it. But I am letting it go and decided it to be sold instead.

Some of my precious neck piece collection.

It took time for me to decide to sell it because for one, I love the stylish designs that I got. They are really nice ensemble to a woman's wardrobe. But then, I'm giving injustice to these pieces because I'm hardly wearing it and just hide it in my closet. I know these are beautiful accessories that a girl must wear. It's all safely kept in my closet and sayang  lang na hindi sya na e-expose sa madlang eyes. So it should go (though I have kept some because it's hard to let go).

I posted it in my online site at Olx.ph. I know about this site because of some mommy bloggers I follow (SoMom) who advertise to this site and sell also their unused stuff which can still be used. So I gave in. Please do visit my online site cheekeegirl8 at Olx.ph. I'll be posting soon my other shoes I bought which I hardly used mentioning Charles and Keith brands. If you want to sell also your stuff, register to Olx.ph.  

Melts in the Mouth Macarons

I've seen and read from renowned mommy, lifestyle and foodie bloggers about this french macarons that I've become curious about. Not until my ever generous and beloved boss gave me a box of this delectable piece of haven that I'll be sharing with my officemates. The packaging itself is love at first sight. More so when the food jewels were unraveled to me right in front my very delighted eyes.

I've never tasted a local version of this. One of my officemate said she was able to try a similar pastry as this in French Baker here in SM Lanang Premier. But the sweetness is overboard. When she tasted this, she liked the sweetness as the filling melts in the tongue. The rich chocolate filling is very smooth and the dough is not crumbling. I love how velvety the filling and the combination of the softness of the dough. Each color has different twist of flavor. But the chocolatey goodness is constant. I don't know how much a box of this but I bet it's a bit pricier because of the brand itself. #chocolate #frenchmacarons #sweettooth

Arizona's Green Tea

I'm not really a fan of instant drinks may it be in a tetra pack or bottled form. I preferred those fresh fruits in shake or smoothie because it's packed and rich in natural nutrients. But I discovered something worth a try and I'm sure I'll be flocking S&R more frequently because of this. I found my thirst quenching drink in a gallon form.

Valued at P199.95 pesos for 1 gallon

I loved the mild sweetness of this green tea. It's best to drink when chilled. Though I haven't tried drinking it not cold, I would assume this taste bland if it's just in a room temperature. For a gallon, I found it already cheap. Not to mention that the quality of the plastic of this drink is sturdy and can be recycled by putting drinking water or for watering plants. Well, my imagination runs environment friendly again. My FB friend told me she don't like the taste at all but I guess each of us has different preference for a drink. But for me,  I don't just like it. I LOVED IT!! #s&r #refreshingdrink #thirstquenching #healthydrink

Full Head but Empty Stomach

Are you like that? Or have you experienced thinking about food you want to intake but never had a chance to do so. Well I'm most of the time like that. I have the nicest appetite for food especially sweets more particularly the sweet bitter taste of a dark chocolate like that of a pure cocoa or "tableya". Now I'm imagining again. I prefer the sweet bitter ones compared to the sweet milkier type. But either of them, it makes me happy and gay.

Why I choose to blog it? It's because I was handed a baking book for me to scan. I can't help it but to just imagine the food right before my very eyes. All sorts of breakfast sweets, tarts and pies, cakes, cookies and spoon desserts are in the book authored by Dorie Greenspan, also author of the best-selling Baking With Julia. The title of the book is Baking From my home to yours. It says it's a winning book of James Beard Foundation Book Awards. It's tempting, drooling, melting and gooey-licious. I bet you are now imagining and salivating too.

Well from the cover itself, you know that something delicious is about to unravel.

The cover book speaks for itself already

This cake is called the Devil's Food White-Out Cake.

Chocolate Armagnac Cake

I'd love to share with you the recipe but it seem I can't get a clear picture of the recipe using my android phone. The camera shots really suck. The photos above are enhanced already. But anyway there are really plenty of feel-good recipes in the book. The two were the first ones that caught my eyes and it really makes my stomach churn until now. How good is that?

Valentine's day is nearing and I'm sure these are wonderful gifts for the loved ones. How about you? What's your feel good food you really enjoy? #chocolatecakes #baking #valentinesdaygift

Cool Kitchen Finds: Sponge Pocket

I've been following Ms. Jackie Go of Go! Jackie Go for the reason that her blogging style is that every mother needs to know and should be. Her blogging style is very versatile and I can relate to it very much. She recently posted on her blog on her purchases here from Qrius. It is a one stop online shop basically that provides home accessories suited for your lifestyle and quirky needs. One of her purchases caught my attention. It is their soap pocket which you can view it here for a complete details on the product. It cost around P500.00 for a single pocket. It is quite pricey and even more pricier if you get it online and add the shipping fee. Right? So thankfully when I pass by Ace Hardware last night I saw similar product and it cost only Php150.00 to a less than P300.00 pesos only depending on the kind of material for a single sponge pocket. Quite a deal right? It comes in a plastic and rubber like design.

Single sponge pocket.

These are double sponge pockets that comes in various styles.

The photo above is another design with different styles. On the left side, is a double sponge holder in single pocket that is around P250.00 pesos. In the middle and the right side is made of rubber that doubles the holder and is good if you have double basin sinks. Take a good and closer look on the photo to understand what I mean. It is made of rubber and cost around P400.00. It's quite a steal already! I saw also another kind that doubles a soap dispenser and a sponge holder in one that costs around P500.00. I'm coming back for this. 

You love it? What are your cool kitchen finds? Share naman mommies...

Prizes Revealed Part 2: Olay and Celeteque

Well as promised, one-by-one I am unraveling the prizes I won from Ms. Jackie Go's blog giveaway which you can view it here. This is the second batch of prizes I am showing you (first part post here). See? It's not only one or two items. It's more than 10 actually (hahaha!). That's how big time, generous and blessed Ms. Jackie of GoJackieGo is. And I'm so lucky to have won these items from her.

The photo below are my beauty essential loots I got. I forgot to take photo pala of the trial Cure Gel pack. But it's included in my loots.

From Left to right: Olay Regenerist Moisturiser in 75ml bottle, Celeteque Firming
Overnight Cream in 50g bottle, Celeteque Anti-Wrinkle Collagen gel in 40ml bottle.

Pulling it out in their cartons, these are how their actual packaging looks like.

I'm a fan of Olay Total effects (side by side Pond's Age Miracle Cell ReGen products) especially their facial wash and moisturizer. I swear by it's effects and they suit my skin type. I'm no vain in using beauty products. Sometimes because of my laziness I forget to apply it religiously. But as much as possible I slather some cream in my face because I have parts in my skin that tends to dry and too much oiliness in my T-zone. I'm afraid that when I get older my skin would not be that supple enough and wrinkles takes the stage. They say when you are in your 20's you have to take care of your skin and begin the 3-step beauty regimen of Cleanse, Tone and Moisturize including wearing sunblock. I'm blessed to have an acne-free skin but white and blackheads are visibly all over.

So here are my beauty loots I won. #vanity #beauty

Kitchen Tools for the Holidays

I really wanted to invest in small appliances particularly for our kitchen. I've been meaning to test my "sleeping" culinary skill (I believe somehow each one of us has it) for the longest time now and thinking of buying cooking aids that would surely realize what I wanted to whip up for my family particularly for my sweet tooth. Baking is my ultimate to-do wish. I know it entails a much needed time to be able to focus on making wonders in the kitchen. But I'd like to seriously start and not just wishing. I have to make a move and decide. So as I was scouting for some appliances to add up to my humble kitchen, two things I had in mind: a convection oven and the air fryer of Philips (see here or here or here).

Okay, let me start first with the oven because I had been dreaming about it for a very long time already. Before, it's the electric oven from La Germania I've been yearning to buy. Maybe today it would cost around P8,000-P10,000 pesos depending on the model. But I've been hearing about the name convection oven from a lot of mommy bloggers. It's like a turbo broiler (boiler?) pala. But now, it looks like an oven toaster that can bake and a rotisserie in one. Now I want this! It's not even that bulky and can fit in a small kitchen space like mine. Its size is like an oven toaster or a bit bigger depending on what brand. How is the two differed? You can read it here. As I searched further in the internet, I have short it to 5 designs I have to choose from.

Given I have extra, extra money, I will give Hamilton Beach Countertop oven with convection and rotisserie (31103 model) a shot. It's price is less than $100. In Philippine peso including racks and trays, it will just cost me less than P6,000.00. I tried buying online through Amazon but the shipping, handling and import taxes hurts a lot amounting to a whooping P18,000.00 (super ouch!)! Ridiculous no? The product itself is very cheap compared to the tax and shipping I'll pay. I'll just ask a family member residing outside the Philippines to buy for me and ship it here. A review of the product here.

 

Or maybe a Cuisinart CSO-300 Combo Stem/Convection Oven which priced a little bit higher for $300.

 

A Breville BOV800XL Smart Oven 1800W Convection Toaster Oven with Element IQ would also suffice my choice for a good convection oven that would cost around $250.

 

But if I have a budgeted money, I'd settle for a Japanese and affordable brand, Imarflex. My rice cooker, oven toaster and blender are all Imarflex brand which I assure of good quality. I saw this from Ms. Aileen Apollo's blog including the photo below when she raved about it here. Maybe for a starter like me, this is good enough because it's already a 3-in-1 technology. What's important is I can bake. That's all that matters to me.

I encountered Mommy Juvs blog in this particular post. There's this one photo which shows an oven from behind one of her son's photo. Funny because it wasn't that of her topic but I just saw at a glance and asked her what particular oven (convection oven to be exact) she is using. I was touched because she emailed me back with the photo of her Kyowa oven she's using. Here's what she says about her Kyowa oven.

I think the KW-3307 model (photo below) she is using because of the design against the one she emailed to me. It's much clearer from the manufacturer's website as the photos below.

Image from here

I'm beginning to get excited for my new convection oven. I really wanted to start baking hopefully during the holidays and the start of the new year. I wish I'll pick the best and the one suited for my baking moods.

How about you guys? Would you recommend a good and user friendly convection oven applicable for a newbie like me? Please share.

Happy Feet

Feel like sharing it. I love my butterfly gold flat shoes. Got this one on sale for P525.00 only (original price is at P1,000.++) at Gap boutique shop, Ayala Abreeza Mall. Would you believe this is from the kids section and I have 6 1/2 shoe size? Lucky of me to chance upon it. We didn't know they were having sale at that time. We just went inside to look for some cute shoes and clothes. My sole purpose was to buy only shoes for my darling M, but lo and behold, this sparkling thing got my attention. Double lucky because my mom shouldered to buy the shoes of my kid so I got to grab a pair of this for me. What a triple treat huh? This was the only big pair size among all the shoe on sale.

Love it?

Sunshine Award: Spreading a Ray of Love

I am grateful for Ms. Toni of Wifely Steps, who considered my blog a a good read and with relevance. It is inspiring to know that my blog has touched readers in my own little way. Because of fellow bloggers, I've reached what I have now. I owe it to them. Thank you Ms. Toni for passing the Sunshine Award to me. Because you are one of the reasons why I've come this far, I'm sharing it too to some notable and inspiring blogs worth reading. Now on to the rules:

For the Sunshine Award, the blogger must:

• Acknowledge the nominating blogger.

• Share random facts about self.

• Answer 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.

• List 11 bloggers to recommend. They should be bloggers you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love!

• Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate, answer & let all the bloggers know they've been nominated. you cannot nominate the blogger that nominated you.

11 things you may want to know about me:

1) I am afraid of cockroach and snakes.

2) I am afraid of heights.

3) I love desserts, anything sweet.

4) I am a coffee addict.

5) I want to be an interior and furniture designer as a profession.

6) I love crafts and DIY.

7) I love shopping for shoes over bags and clothes.

8) I have stacks of newspaper clippings about fashion and interior design, food recipes since my high school days and it's kept in boxes. I get rid of it just recently. I love to keep things I love even if I don't use it as often. I just love to have it around. It's hard for me to let go easily.

9) I'm quite a good dancer. I love to dance.

10) I love to sing. But not good enough.

11) I wish to bake. I love to bake.

On to Ms. Toni's 11 questions:

1. What advice would you give your 17-year-old self? Enjoy and explore your youth.
2. What color makes you look extra beautiful? I think pastel colors. Makes me feel young and fresh.
3. If you could cook only ONE dish perfectly all the time, what dish would it be and why? Nothing. I wish I have.
4. Do you think you’ll consider cosmetic surgery in the future? Why/why not? Big NO. I'm afraid of its possible side effects. I'm at ease of what I have. I come to accept that no body is perfect.
5. Have you ever been so involved with a TV show that you cried when the season/run ended? YES.
6. Who’s a fictional character you’d like to be best friends with? Dora the Explorer. I want to travel to different places.
7. What’s the first thing you do upon waking up? Look at my kids who just sleeps beside me.
8. How superstitious are you? Average.
9. What else would you like to achieve with your blog? A more dainty layout. I know I'm on the right track.
10. When faced with stress, which do you go for: Fight or Flight? Flight.
11. What song calms you down? Anima Christi (Lord I offer my life to you, everything I've been through...)

11 blogs that are worth reading:

1) love always, shengysdelight, theLivingShed

2) Go Jackie Go

3) Forty Weeks

4) Sugar Spice and Everything Nice

5) Topaz Mommy, Topaz Horizon

6) Mommy Fleur

7) She Said, she said

8) Diane Writes

9) manila fashion observer

10) The Bright Spot

11) Davao Mommy


11 questions for my nominated bloggers:

1) What's your beauty regimen? What particular brand of beauty products you are currently using?
2) In what way do you reward yourself?
3) What song best describes yourself?
4) What's your favorite place (specific) and why?
5) What's your top 3 favorite food?
6) What 5 things you can't live without?
7) What's your top 3 favorite blog? Share their link too.
8) What's on your shopping/wish list? Name 3.
9) Given that your partner allows you to spend a day (24 hours) with a particular famous guy, who would that be and why?
10) Who is your biggest inspiration in life aside from God and your family?
11) What is your prayer to God at this moment?


There you go. I hope you find this getting-to-know sort of activity worth sharing and inspiring too! Let's share a ray of sunshine to everyone!

Shell's Sweet Delights

For car owners, you all know or for those who were not aware yet, that Shell's promo ended last month. For every P2,000.00 worth of gasoline or diesel pump up, single or accumulated receipts, one is entitled to a one (1) 1.5L of Coke. Now they are bringing yet another treat for its valued customers. This is again for every P2,000.00 worth of gasoline/ diesel pump up, single or accumulated receipts, one is entitled of this Dunkin' Donuts coupon.

I am thrilled about this knowing the sweet tooth that I am. Though it seem very deceiving when you calculate it for only 6 pieces of Munchkins for every P2,000.00 worth spent, but who cares. I love freebies especially when it's food!





This promo will run until November 2013. This coupon is available on Shell stations in Davao City. You may redeem your Munchkins though on selected Dunkin' Donuts branch here in the City.

Good Steal

I got this for only P140.00 pesos! It looks nice and comfortable on my feet. It is made of rubber and I won't worry slipping wearing it. Though it's not the original (Tory Burch logo), still I'm happy with my purchase. Tory Burch flip flops costs around $100 to $200, so I am settled with this. I be won't spending that much even if I can afford it. I'd rather spend it for my kids milk, diaper and needs. But gifts are always welcome. (tee hee)

Do you love it?

My Precious Wallet

For us girls, we have wallets in our bags with or without cash in it. It's a vanity thing too. Some styles do have mirror inside it. Even if it's kept all the time inside our bags, we too choose great designs like how we choose clothes, bags and shoes to safe keep our money, cards and receipts. This one is a gift to me by my SIL. I love it's color and quality. It's elegant and compact. I can keep my cards inside, a small compartment for coins and receipts. It's small but it can a house a lot. There are certain things I wanna tell you my precious one.

Dear Gorgeous Wallet,

First of all, I am thankful that you have kept me company in richer and in poorer. Though a lot of times you've been in drought, hungry and thirsty, I'm still thankful that you keep and secured my life's blessings with no cost. Even if you are bloated and deformed with a lot of coins I put inside together with some unnecessary papers, I'm so sorry for taking you for granted. Please be good to me and please be generous too. Your color seems to be very lucky because of the redness you portray, but I think you are not 'that' lucky to have an owner like me. Nevertheless, I wish someday I can take care of you in abundance in return the way you took care of my small riches. We pray together that our Creator be able to satisfy our needs and wants in time. But, let's be thankful that despite some oddness, we are here surviving and living in this so called life. Let's stay gorgeous, pretty and fab!

Yours truly.

Your Equally Gorgeous Owner

The Value of Being a Woman

Being a female is quite expensive to maintain and worth the investment. It is by this that I have to say, our value appreciates and depreciates through time depending on what specific aspect. I would say that our value appreciates as we age (talking about number of years) due to our own experience that makes us wiser, stronger, tougher, patient, complete and survivor against all odds not men would be capable of. I'm not underestimating men as they have their own strengths, as well as weaknesses too like us. To fairly address this and not to sound too gender bias, I opt to address here as a woman. Our journey towards our womanhood makes us priceless and incomparable. We bear almost all the sacrifices to complete a family. And to bear a child is beyond imaginable. We hope to age gracefully and beautifully even with the slightest of depreciation through the years.

This subject fascinated me because as I ponder on things base on my everyday experience, it overwhelmed me. Being a woman, you have to take care of yourself in and out. Unlike boys whose fashion sense and regimen is not that obligated. Yes they can dress way too tame than us girls. Don't you agree? They don't need to put anything on their face and  accessorize. As long as they are in their most comfortable get up and they look presentable, they're fine with it. Where as girls, beauty regimen and products that you have to maintain and buy in order to stop or slow down physical aging (girls are very particular with wrinkles). We update our wardrobe from time to time to keep up with fashion since we are visual creatures. We love it when we dress in new clothes. We feel new. We are freakin' shop-aholics. We can't help that. We adorn ourselves with make-up, jewelries (fancy and the REAL ones) that adds life as to how we perceive beauty aside from what's within. We are just born OC (obsessive compulsive). We love beautiful, neat and dainty things. We make spas, beauty salons, shops more richer because we spend in a regular basis for our OC-iness. We feel confident, empowered and beautiful when we take care of ourselves from the outside. Don't blame us girls. I guess men would agree that they adore beautiful women. We are their weakness. And they love it like that. When a woman becomes a mom, then our value appreciates even more. Being a mom is the alpha and omega for a woman. When I first saw my first born right after she was out crying to her hearts content, that was the happiest moment. I couldn't find enough words to contain my joy. I felt selfless, a sense of achievement and empowered. It is by this moment that life of both the mother and child is at stake. It's not a joke. That doesn't stop the moment our babies our born. As mothers, we have the responsibility to give our children the proper tender loving care that no man or fathers can give. There is a sense of warmth and tenderness that keep a human being in its peaceful form that only a woman and a mother can give. As working mothers, we make sure that even if we are away from them more than 8 hours a day, we see to it that they are given quality time, that our kids are properly taught and they are given the proper attention when taken cared by nannies. In our household, both my kids love to cuddle with me than with my hubby. They love to spend time with their 'papa' (Filipino word for father) when they love to play or stroll around. But when they want to sleep or just want to be hugged or want a peaceful solace, they run for 'mama' (Filipino word for mother). When they can't find me anywhere in the house, they always call for 'mama' even if I'm just meters away. They don't want me out of their sight. I think it's motherly instinct. I love the thought of it. Mother's care and love never tarnish.

Apart from the physical attributes that make us expensive creatures, it is the ability of women that we can multi-task in greater heights. We are a mother, a wife, an employee, a boss, a household helper, a nanny, a friend, a daughter, a sister rolled into one. I don't know how we do it. But we think we are superwoman. Inside, we can portray grace, calmness, peace, vulnerability, security, softness and patience. But when in times of despair, we can be tough and man enough to face the world. That's how our value define us. That we can portray calmness, peace and patience in times of chaos, love in times of rejection, warmth in times of coldness, toughness in times of violence, confidence in times of shame and disgrace and a solace where there's no other place to be safe and be at home to. A motherly love makes YOU.

Godiva, You Chase My Blues Away

What a good day to start the week. I love August because every week there's a one day off. Lots of holidays! And look what greeted me on a Monday morning. Chocolates!!! A belated birthday present from someone I admire and respect. Help me unravel and unmask the urgency of our senses, one by one...

Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're going to get. - Forrest Gump in "Forrest Gump" (1994) 

It's hard for a reader to just plainly look at the food in a photo noh? I've encountered a lot of food bloggers and every time I see food they blog about, it makes me drool, hungry and craving for it. I detest (in a good way) them for making me envious of their journey towards paradise without me around. Gosh! I hope you won't hate me as much I hate (in a good way too) food bloggers (tee hee) feeding my eyes with so much. Well, it's not their fault! I just wanna be glued and be satisfied by merely imagining it is mine.

I have a love-and-hate relationship with chocolates. I love them for being so sinfully delicious and I can't stop and can't say no. I hate them for having too much of you can cause a lot of negative side effects on me. Oh! whatever! I'm in love with you.

What's Sale-ing at Taste Central

Th only downside I could think of of this "heavenly" online store, Taste Central, is it only caters and delivers customers from Manila area. How could you!? What about us living in other parts of the country? Actually, to my dismay, I emailed them. They said they're working on it and can only cater around Metro Manila only for the meantime. Well, at least they're working on it. It's still better than never ever considered it (hehehe). I can only just wish for now and make my list to name a few:

Left side (from Top to bottom): Sparkly Cross Bracelet from Vain Accessories (Priced at P1,200.00, discounted at P720.00); Roxy Must-Have Wrist Candy (Priced at P2,999.00, now at P1,465.00); Shu Uemura Perfect Poreless Set (Priced at P2,500.00, now at P750.00); Moroccan Argan Oil Hair Repair Oil (Priced at P1,750.00, now at P1,400.00); Beansprout Walk Together Shoe bags -Set of 6 (Priced at P600.00, down to P500.00); Butter Twists Satin Sylvia Ballerinas (Priced at P999.00, now P350.00); Michael Antonio Glitter Riordan Heels (Priced at P2,999.00, now at P1,500.00)

Right side (from Top to Bottom): Studded Cross Metal Bangle from Vain Accessories (Priced at P1,000.00, now at P600.00); Shu Uemura Skin Radiance Set (Priced at P2,500.00, now at P750.00); Made by David Organics Peppermint & Tea Tree Shampoo Set (Priced at P514.00, now at P412.00); Moroccan Argan Oil Gentle Soap (Priced at P350.00, now at P315.00); Butter Twists Victoria Fold-Up Ballerinas (Priced at P1,299.00, now at P650.00); Michael Antonio Thorpe Ankle Strap Platforms (Priced at P3,400.00, now at P1,700.00); Michael Antonio Glittery Red Kashmir Heels (Priced at P2,799.00, now at P1,400.00)

Now, and who wouldn't freak out? These are amazing mark downs knowing that the products are of high quality with real discounts. I still have a lot on my wish list but it would be unfair for those who will read this post of mine if I'll put here everything. It will be mind drooling. I'm starting to have a headache because of envy (aarrgghh!). By the way, they not only offer things for women. They are a lifestyle shop. Sigh! I wish a genie will appear and make me have my 3 wishes come true. First in line, that they could deliver nationwide. Second and the last one, is that I will have lots of money to purchase everything on my wish list. I believe in miracles.

Okay, I know you have also your own personal choices, so feast your eyes and minds on their on going sale here. They have new products available every Sunday, so better check out and be the first. But wait, in order to avail of their line of products, you have to become a member. Don't worry, it's for free!