Thursday, February 13, 2020

I'm back! I'm still alive!

Hello, everyone!!! Just a quick note on ze blog since some of my dearest Loyal Readers have been sending me messages wondering why I've suddenly disappeared. Thank you for your love and concern!

Well, I got sick. I had a nagging cough that plagued me on and off for 3 weeks. I would feel better around Wednesday, then start coughing again when Friday hits. So weird! Since there's that awful novel coronavirus going around, I was definitely more anxious about my cough than I usually am. It wasn't bad enough to give me asthma attacks (thank You, God!), but it was bad enough so that I felt sorry for myself and for everyone around me when I coughed. Even when I wore a face mask (n95 levels!), I really saw everyone around me cringe.

I promise I don't have the nCoV, guys! It was just acute bronchitis. Still a biggie but, yeah, being sick in these times is extra anxiety-inducing than ever. Stay safe, everyone! Wash your hands and don't touch your face!

Don't touch your face!!!
So I haven't blogged in 3 weeks. Boy, I missed a lot! I have drafts here of what I think of the Harry and Meghan royal exit, how JLo and Shakira's Super Bowl performance affected me, my beauty hauls from Calyxta and BeautyMNL, our play day at Cheeky Monkeys, my suggestions for wedding gifts, and a few work-related stories like tips on blogging and freelancing. I'll still publish those, okay???

To make your visit today to the blog worth it, let me do a little Valentine's Day giveaway! Just comment down below which delayed blog post you'd like me to publish! That's all and please leave your Facebook name OR Instagram handle so I know how to contact you in case you win.

This is the prize: a K-Glow Facial with Rejuvelite from Flawless Skin & Body Clinic!!!

I'll do a review of this fabulous facial soon. It's a deeply hydrating facial that will give you that enviable glass skin of Koreans! I haven't tried it yet. I'm scheduling it last week of February and you can bet I am so excited to try it! Try it, too! Join my giveaway! I'll pick a winner on Monday. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Monday, January 27, 2020

What my Dragon fortune says about my 2020


Xin nian kuai le! Happy New Year! I feel like celebrating because I may have been sick when the Lunar New Year came in but I am still alive. So here I am with my glass of Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice to toast the new year yet again. I'm always looking for a reason to pop open a bottle of this bubbly goodness!

I'm a Fire Dragon and I can't help myself - I always check what my horoscope says. I don't believe it (the same way I don't believe in my Scorpio horoscope either) but I like to look anyway. At the end of the year, I am either disappointed or relieved when the predictions don't come true. And they never do. Last year, it was predicted that in 2019, I would earn so much money my head will spin. Well, I earned money but not in the off-the-charts scale I was promised. Oh well! 

So let's see what the heavens say my 2020 will be like! There are a lot of predictions online but I checked only two: Chinese Fortune Calendar and Your Chinese Astrology. Here's what they had to say about my:

LOVE LIFE
Both sites agree Dragons are going to have great fortune in love this 2020. Well, I like that! 

CAREER
Both sites say it will be a good year for my career but only because I'll have a career. I won't move up the ladder, I won't become famous. I'll just be on a steady cruise. That said I'm advised to seize career opportunities so that there's growth. Well, that sounds like good general advice, right? 

WEALTH
I like what Chinese Fortune Calendar says about my luck. Money will be falling like rain. Hooray! But its next sentence says, "Rain will stop eventually." Oh well. Nothing lasts forever.

To that, Your Chinese Astrology advises that I try new ways to make money. Like, join contests. Did they mean the Lotto??? Yes, yes they did: "Have a chance to win the prize in lottery activities and get a lot of unexpected wealth through gifting, winning prizes and other ways."  

Well, winning the Lotto or any contest is a game of luck. What has always worked for me is plain and simple hard work and good relationships. As long as I put in the work, make my clients happy, I will keep earning. We make our luck! For example, I'm so happy that Welch's 100% Grape Juice is sponsoring my blog again this 2020. Hooray! More opportunities for me to share with you healthy recipes and why grape juice is good for our health. Speaking of health...

HEALTH
Chinese Fortune Calendar says I "should have more outdoor activities in the sun," like "walking, hiking, jogging, cycling, sunbathing, gardening, picnic, bird-watching, fruit-picking, and playing ball." Rat is a water sign which isn't good for Fire Dragon me so I should watch out, especially to be careful when it comes to my heart, blood, cardiovascular system, kidneys, bladder, and the urinary system. Woah. Sounds scary. 

Your Chinese Astrology has a better outlook. Just "minor illness in daily life." But they still advise me to "put your health first in any situation." Well, that's always good advice especially since my health wasn't that great last year.

It's really my intention to prioritize my health this year. What use are a great career, lots of money, and wonderful relationships when I'm dead? I was already aware of this last year, even blogging several times that I need to take care of my health because my body was really weird. It could just be me getting old, or me super stressed at work, or me needing a kasambahay so I can sleep hehe. 

So join me this 2020, mamas, in putting our health first! Let's sleep more, give up vices, exercise, eat good food and always in moderation, and drink more water and healthy juices like Welch's 100% Grape Juice! This year, I'll be sharing with you why Welch's grape juice is good for your entire body—from your skin and bones all the way to your heart.

Welch's is available at your favorite supermarket.

*This post is brought to you by Welch's 100% Grape Juice. For more information and healthy tips, visit www.welchs.com, like Welch's PH on Facbook, and follow @welchs_ph on Instagram.

Friday, January 24, 2020

New year, new furniture finds at MY MC Home

I visited my friend Ginger Arboleda, COO of Taxumo, at BGC last week (because it's taxes time!). After our nice lunch, I decided to pass by home store MY MC Home, which is just two buildings away from Taxumo HQ. And I promptly fell in love with these dusty rose chairs!


Soooo pretty! But we don't need chairs for the living room. What I need is a chair for my work desk. Check out this beauty.


We turned the former dining area into the study area. My desk is there and so are the boys' desks. They need a lamp each. I think this blue jelly-like piece will look perfect.

It comes in sunny yellow, too!
I also want to replace our living room carpet. There are three big piles of rugs and carpets at MY MC Home. They have a lot of designs and are quite affordable.


I found this fluffy white carpet. It's sooo deep and soft! I want it I want it I want it! I want it for our bedroom. I just don't know how to keep it white when I live in a house full of little boys.


Actually, we also need more space for the kids' clothes. Now that they're bigger, their clothes are bigger, too. They don't fit in the baby closets anymore!


In the end, I remembered that what Vince really wants are new pillows. Actually, it's not a want anymore. We need new pillows! Our pillows are as old as our marriage. Sweet? Gross haha So I found these. They're just P300+! And so soft and nice!


But I bought bedsheets instead! I'll go back and buy pillows. As soon as I wash them, I'll show you our bed dressed up in our new sheets - which are on sale until supply lasts! So drop by MY MC Home now and shop!

MY MC Home has 3 branches: Level 3 MET LIVE Mall, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, 1302 Pasay City, at MC Home Depot San Fernando Interchange, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, 2000 San Fernando, Pampanga, and at MC Home Depot BGC, Taguig. You may also find more furniture and promos on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/mymchome and Instagram www.instagram.com/mymchome.


*This post is brought to you by My MC Home.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Make your own baby shower invites! Everything a mom-to-be needs to know


GUEST POST - Expectant mothers, especially those who are going to have their first baby get nervous, anxious, frightened, fatigued, and apprehensive. Their hormones are changing, and they know that their lives are going to change forever. Once a woman lets her co-partner, relatives and friends know that she is expecting, they get excited, thrilled, and become more caring and concerned. Family and friends get excited about the upcoming baby shower. A family member or close friend usually volunteers to handle the planning and organizing of the baby shower.

So as an excited soon to be mother, you can relax, start brainstorming, open your laptop, surf the internet for invitation maker apps and start making baby shower invites.

Invitation Cards

Just a while back, you had to browse through bookstores and stationery shops or find a card designer and printer to get invitation cards for any special occasion, like wedding invitations, birthday invitations, anniversary invitations, and baby shower invitations.

Nowadays, you can choose an invitation maker app and browse through what they have to offer and select the best invitation that mesmerizes you.

The beauty of using an invitation maker app is that you can make changes at will. Just think what a huge convenience this is. If you bought invitation cards from a store or got them on order and then changed your mind about them, you would be caught in a catch-22 situation. 

Since everyone now is hooked on the internet and with so many free invitation app sites to choose from, it’s suggested to have a look at ‘Invitation Maker Free, Paperless Card Creator.’ You won’t be disappointed with the amazing selection of cards and themes that are on offer.


You can install the Invitation Maker app on your Android phone, and you are on your way to designing the perfect paperless card of your choice. This invitation maker app is quite easy to use, and the choices in each category of invitation cards are quite astounding. You can make invitation cards for:

• Birthday
• Christmas
• House Warming
• BBQ
• New Year
• Baby Shower
• Retirements & Farewell
• Wedding
• Summer & Pool Party
• Halloween
• Anniversary

As an excited expectant mother, you might wish to make the perfect paperless invitation card for the baby shower. Select baby shower category on this app, and browse through the themes offered. Take your time to choose the right one. There’s no rush as you can do this at your own pace.

Designing The Perfect Baby Shower Invitation Cards

Too simple? Have more fun with Invitation Maker app!

Remember, you are going to celebrate the expected birth of a new life. This is one of the most exciting times of your life, especially if you are expecting your first child. So, while designing the invitation card for this special moment, you should:

Select a Theme
Selecting the right theme sets the tone for the invitation and makes it memorable. If you know beforehand if it’s going to be a boy or a girl, this makes it easier to select a theme. If you don’t know or have decided not to find out from your doctor and want to keep it a surprise, then you can find a neutral theme. Oh yes, you will be dumbfounded at the number of theme choices this invitation maker app offers.

What to Write?
What you write on the invitation card will depend on whom you are going to invite. Is it going to be a dress-up or dress-down event? You can select a poem or quotation from the selection on offer and add your thoughts to it.

If you have selected a birth registry with a store, do write that on the card. This makes it easier for the invitees to choose the right gift for the occasion. Don’t forget to mention the date and time of the occasion on the invitation. Plus, do add an RSVP, so you and your party planner will know how many people they have to cater for.

Final Thoughts

If you are inviting people who don’t use computers or smartphones, you can print out the invitations and send them through post. Lastly, don’t forget to send out the invitations in time.

Have a memorable baby shower. And, do keep the Invitation Maker app as you will enjoy using it for other occasions.

* This is a guest post, with my edits. To place a guest post, email frances@topazhorizon.com for my rates. 

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Inspiring stories on how Pinoys are helping the Taal Volcano evacuees

I wrote an article for ANCx a few days ago about how Filipinos are helping the people affected by the Taan Volcano eruption. But it was a short list and doesn't even begin to cover just how Pinoys are once again rising to the occasion of facing calamity with bayanihan.

Puntahan niyo yung Crisis Response to The Volcanic Eruption sa Facebook and it's story after story of how people are helping. Nakakataba ng puso! 

At first, sa Facebook feed ko, ang dami kong nakita na reklamo about the helping. Bakit daw kailangan pang i-post sa Facebook. Kung totoo raw ang tulong, hindi na kailangan ipagyabang. You know, I never thought of those stories as pagyayabang. In my mind, they are like reporters. "Guys, andito kami sa Lipa and eto ang sitwasyon dito and eto nag-abot kami ng 150 food packs pero kulang pa!" And madalas the reports are funny and silly, sad and alarming, amusing and inspiring.

Tumpak! 
Here are a few of my favorites:


First on my list is CDO. My family has been buying CDO Bibbo hotdogs and other meats for years now. So I'm so happy that CDO is one of the many brands that are helping the evacuees. Look at their happy faces! And look at how every balde of goods (very useful ang balde also!) has a sweet and encouraging note! Kung pansinin niyo yung last photo, every note is different. Personalized and handwritten! Talagang galing sa puso. Salamat, CDO!



Next is this super viral photo on how the evacuees look like they're having a fashion show with the donated clothes they received. May mga nainis sa kanila kasi wag na raw mapili. Guys, mukha bang ungrateful yang mga mukhang yan? They look like they're having fun! Honestly, it is so hard to have fun if you just lost your home, everything you own, your way of life, and you're relying on other people to feed and clothe you. Ewan ko, ha, pero feeling ko if nangyari yan sa akin, iiyak ako every day. So to see our fellow Pinoys having a good time despite everything inspires me!

That said, organizations are appealing to us na mag-donate po tayo ng maayos na damit. No gowns, lingerie, stripper shoes, and the like. Isipin niyo, "Kung ako nasa evacuation center, ano ang gusto kong suotin?"


I like this also: the soldiers are here! Historically, when it comes to calamities, medyo palpak ang pamahalaan natin. Mas mabilis pa mag-respond ang civilians sa pag mobilize ng rescue and relief efforts. Tapos, the current admin slashed the annual calamity fund by P4 billion. We are a country of super typhoons, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions! Ewan ko na lang talaga! But this photo of our soldiers and the many other photos of government organizations galvanizing their people and resources to help the evacuees is a good thing to see. Kasi tumutulong naman talaga ang public servants natin. More stories like this please!


So thoughtful—from mask and kumot to fresh underwear! Thanks, Ana!
SLEX was so full of volunteers that the traffic was so bad. But everyone was happy!
Happy birthday, Nanay Belen! God bless you po!

So many stories of private citizens helping out! Seriously, it's so wonderful how Pinoys always band together in times of crisis. Kasi personally, the money that goes to buying these relief goods come out of their own pockets. The time spent to buy, pack and deliver these goods! And all done with smile! Sobrang nakaka-proud of Filipinos, diba!

Every time we suffer from a calamity, nakakaiyak but very quickly, the stories become really uplifting. I am so grateful to the many Filipinos who keep us updated, entertained, and inspired. Grabe ang generosity and pagmamalasakit ng mga Pinoy.

Please keep telling us all how to open our hearts, our schedules, and our wallets to help out. This is what makes us Filipinos great. Post lang kayo nang post please! And God bless you for your help!