Thursday, May 31, 2018

Let's unbox my back-to-school finds at National Book Store!

I am DONE with my back-to-school shopping! Uniforms, check! School books, check! School supplies, check!


I went to a shopping event at National Book Store a few weeks ago just to complete our school supplies list and here are a few of the things I picked up:

Index card and index card boxes for flash cards. My kids are learning spelling, multiplication, and Chinese at their school and my friends tell me flash cards really really really help. So we're giving that a try this school year.

The whiteboard markers are for the kids. They use that in school for their math subject.

Sticker labels for all the notebooks, books, and school stuff I need to put their names on.

The photo paper is for those times the teacher suddenly asks for a family photo or vacation photo. We print those ourselves. More convenient than going to the mall.

These exercise books are for the older boys. Multiplication and division for 2nd grader Vito, addition and subtraction for 1st grader Iñigo. I bought the time-telling book because of that article that says kids these days don't know how to tell time on a proper clock.

My youngest boy, Piero, is going to school for the first time this June. I'm preparing him by giving him exercises for his writing, coloring and counting. I hope he likes school!

This whiteboard is so useful! I've only had it for a couple of weeks and already we've used it to list chores, explain science, do maths, draw. It's the best thing and it's only P149!

These Eric Carle books aren't exactly for their back-to-school needs. But I always have to buy books for the boys whenever we go to National Book Store. One of their favorite things in the world is when we read to them. 

We also have the lunch bags that are just P75 for every P500 single-receipt purchase of participating products. So affordable! And so compact yet roomy. You can fit baon for recess, lunch, and merienda pa! Just look at it:


I also like that it folds flat. Yung mga lunch boxes kasi ng mga anak ko last year, they take up so much space sa kitchen shelves ko. So the fold-flat feature is fantastic for me. And because it's made of reinforced nylon, the bag is light and easy-to-clean. Super sulit siya, mamas. My boys approve it. I highly recommend it! It's got the Topaz Mommy seal of approval!


If you want to make your shopping a better experience, shop and learn at the Grand Back to School Fair this weekend at Glorietta Activity Center. Look at all the workshops and talks you can join!


If you can’t find the time or the energy to go to the store, just shop at  www.nationalbookstore.com! Right now, there’s a dedicated back-to-school section where you can shop by grade level. You get to see the recommended supplies for each level, choose what you need, check out, and have the items delivered to your home. Orders worth P1,000 or above get free shipping.

You can also call the delivery hotline 8888-627 if you’re too busy even for online shopping!

Okay, mommies, good luck on your back-to-school shopping! I highly recommend National Book Store—affordable and useful finds, aircon pa!

So there you have it, mamas—my back-to-school finds! Share yours, too! Use the hashtag #BacktoSchoolwithNBS and tag @nationalbookstore on Instagram and @nbsalert on Facebook and Twitter. NBS is also on Viber and YouTube. 

*This post is brought to you by National Book Store.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Why working mama me can't wait to watch The Incredibles 2


As a mom, I've watched all the Disney Pixar movies. Every single one. Multiple times. Bought the merchandise of several films, too. Loyal customer here! But as a WOMAN, there are a few of them that I actually liked and The Incredibles is on top of the list.

In case you didn't watch it, this superhero movie is about the post-hero years, when normal people began to be afraid of supers, forcing them to hide their superpowers and live a normal life. This doesn't sit well with Bob Parr (a.k.a. Mr. Incredible) because he wants to fulfil his purpose, which is to use his superstrength to help people. So he secretly goes on missions, neglecting his greater purpose which is to be a husband and father to his now-confused family of supers. It ends well, of course, but before they get there, all sorts of dangerous events happened (the plane blowing up tops my list of most horrific scenes for a parent to ever watch on screen!). If you haven't watched this movie, you have to!!!

I loved The Incredibles because of that scene when Helen Parr (a.k.a. Elastigirl) confesses to Edna Mode her fear that Mr. Incredible was having an affair. Here it is:



Helen: Now I'm losing him! What'll I do? What'll I do?

Edna: What are you talking about?

Helen: Huh?

Edna: [shouts] You are Elastigirl! My God... [swats Helen with a newspaper] Pull yourself together! What will you do? Is this a question? You will show him you remember that he is Mr. Incredible, and you will remind him who YOU are. Well, you know where he is. Go, confront the problem. Fight! Win!

I remember watching that scene and feeling so EMPOWERED! It didn't tell a wife to forgive and be long-suffering. It didn't tell her to confront the other woman. It told her to remember WHO SHE IS. I love that so much! I apply that to many times of doubt in my own life. When I think no one's going to hire me anymore, when I torture myself with thoughts that I'm old and Vince may not be attracted to me anymore, when I'm so tired from mommying and think nobody sees me, I slap myself with an imaginary newspaper and think, "Remember who you are!" And I stand up a little straighter and hold my head a little higher.

As moms, we forget that we are a woman first and foremost. We give and give and give that we forget that under all these ratty clothes, cellulite, piles of laundry and chores, and endless service to family, we forget that we are our own person. Never forget who you are and your own power, mamas!

I am so excited to watch the second movie because this time, Elastigirl is a working mom!



I want to see how they treat her status as the breadwinner and how they treat her husband's status as homemaker. As you know, for 5 years, that was Vince and me. We may look like it was an amazing time but we struggled with the perceptions and judgment of people and we also had to confront our own gender biases. Happily, it all worked out!

That's why I really support movies that show a non-traditional family. It's about time working mothers are celebrated (instead of vilified) and caring dads are appreciated (instead of mocked). I'm not saying roles should be reversed, that dads should stay home now. I'm saying that if a family is better off with a mom who works and a dad who's better with the kids, we should embrace that. I'm saying that if a woman earns more than a man, that shouldn't be a big deal. I'm saying that a mother and father should be able to choose what's best for their family instead of us imposing roles on them.

I'm really hoping The Incredibles 2​ treats this matter well. For my sons especially who will watch it and maybe see our family reflected on that screen, I hope they will love what they see.


Tuesday, May 29, 2018

My never-before-seen mama faces revealed!!!

I love May because it's the month we celebrate Mother's Day and my second son Iñigo's birthday. It's one of my most favorite months now. Remember when Mother's Day used to make me sad? Oh, don't click the link. It's too sad. I cried just reading it again. Let's not get sad on such a happy month!


Adored by boys. That's me! They also order me around and annoy me and make me deaf and give me massive headaches. Let's not kid ourselves. Motherhood is not easy. But I'll take it any day and every day for the rest of my life. Okay, let's not get too amazing. I'll be there maybe till they're 22. After that, I'm kicking them out because I'll only allow one man to live in my house and that's their daddy haha.

Anyway, just a short Mother's Day post that I forgot to do because I was busy being a mommy blogger and doing all these sponsored posts! But thanks so much for all the greetings from my fantabulous mama community! You guys really lift me up. You don't know how much I appreciate you. Madalas kasi wala akong kausap na matino hahaha If we're not homeschooling or talking about life at bedtime, puros Minecraft and Roblox lang ang topics of conversation namin dito sa Casa Sales. So my Facebook community of working mamas really make me happy. Thank you!

So today I just wanted to show you a few of my never-before-seen mama faces. The ones I don't share because they're not Instagram-worthy haha I want to share them because we all know motherhood is hard and wonderful and exhausting and amazing, but one of the very best things about being a mom is how FUNNY life suddenly is. Every day is a laughing day, right? Every single day, these critters make me smile and laugh. How lucky am I?

Well, this lucky:
When no one wants a picture...
When you want him to smile for the camera...
When your face isn't ready and he clicks...
When you're trying to fix their hair and they think it's the worst thing ever!

When they show you what they really think of you!

Kids. Can't live with them. Can't live without them. They definitely make life interesting. I'd do this gig all over again. It's the best! I hope you enjoyed your Mother's Day, mamas! God bless us all!

Monday, May 28, 2018

7 Gift Suggestions for Father's Day

Father's Day is around the corner. Yep, our Mother's Day month is almost over and (typical of us mommies) we're already thinking of how to honor the daddy of our kids! There are a lot of amazing stuff out there that your husband may want to have. Mine wants a PS4 and/or Lego Star Wars sets. Medyo mahal haha I'm still working on it, Vince!

Anyway, what does your husband want, mamas? I always like finding out what other women give their husbands for their birthday, Christmas, and Father's Day. It says a lot about the man, their marriage, you know? I have a guest post today by Clarissa Caouette where she lists 7 gift suggestions your husband may want this Father's Day. Check it out:

* * * * * * *

You know how much your husband does for you and your family, so you know that he occasionally deserves a reward. However, buying gifts for your husband can be a challenge because he seems to have everything he wants. The old saying goes “What do you get the man who has everything”? If you are having trouble deciding what to get your husband, this guide will definitely help you. There are going to be some things in this list your husband probably didn’t even know he wanted. 

A New Phone 
Your husband may appreciate the phone he already has, but is is always good to have that shiny new upgrade. It is even more useful if his phone is already a few years old. In that case an upgrade can really make a difference. In a day and age where our phone is used for everything, this will really be appreciated. 

Fitbit Wristband If you’ve never heard of these little wristbands, they basically track your workouts, the amount of calories you burned, the distance you traveled, how many steps you’ve taken and the number of minutes you have been active. They also track how long you have been sleep as well. These are great for the health conscious husband or a husband trying to get in shape.

Amazon Echo 
The Amazon Echo is one of the most revolutionary pieces of consumer technology that has been released in a while. It is completely voice activated and can give you the answers to pretty much any question that can be answered on the web. You can even use it to order things online, play music, and even turn the lights on and off if you get the proper equipment. It’s pretty cool. 

Slip-on Loafers 
If he does not have these, he needs them. If he already has them, he needs more. Slip-on loafers are just great to have, quick and easy to slip into and he can wear them on any occasion. You can even slip them on to go check the mail if you chose to.

A New Wallet 
A wallet can seem like a boring, unthoughtful gift. However, men’s wallets are always falling apart and it is nice to have a wallet that your money will not fall out of. No man wants that to happen. He will definitely appreciate this gift. 

Over-Ear Headphones 
Earbuds seem to be the most popular these days. However, you really do miss out on sound quality and part of the musical experience when you use earbuds. You will get a more balanced sound than you usually get with in-ear headphones. Using over ear headphones is an entirely different experience that your husband will appreciate, especially if he is a music lover or audiophile. You can go tho this link for more information on picking headphones

A Diamond Watch 
Watches are always great for every occasion and make the perfect accessory. Diamond watches are even better. The best part is that he will always think of you whenever he looks at the time. You can get the best deal on real diamond watches by shopping online. 

There are a lot of options out there and deciding what gift to get can be tough. However, don’t stress. These are just a few options, but you really can’t go wrong with them. Have fun shopping, your husband is going to be happy with whatever you get him. 

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

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Here's why you should do your back-to-school shopping at National Book Store

I am done with my back-to-school shopping, mamas! Haaay, nakaraos din! If you're in the midst of shopping for the new school year or hindi ka pa nakapag-uumpisa hehe, head on to National Book Store, the best and most convenient one-stop-shop for everything your child needs for school! Here's why:

1. They have a Grand Back to School Fair that will make shopping for school supplies easier.
National Book Store is inviting everyone to complete their back-to-school shopping at their Grand Back to School Fair. The first leg is happening right now (May 25 to 27, 2018) at the TriNoma Activity Center. The second leg is from June 1 to 3, 2018, at the Glorietta Activity Center. 


2.  National Book Store has everything!
Pati uniforms! Saan ka pa? From all sorts of pens imaginable to paper of various thicknesses and colors, from affordable notebooks to the fanciest journals, from the practical to the sosyal—lahat yan nasa National! 

I know there are many places that sell school supplies but I like the ease and convenience and locations of NBS. Usually sa malls so there's aircon, parking, there are nice places to eat, and they're relatively safe for families. 


3. You get freebies and fab deals!
I love the Grab & Go packs! Starting at P145, these are bundled supplies for every grade level. So instead of me hunting around the store for glue, scissors, eraser, etc, I just grab and go the pack I need. Haaaay, sobrang dali! There are also Backpacks to School, conveniently filled with student the essentials like brown envelopes, notebooks, pens, pencils, and more. Two kinds are available: one for Grades 1 to 3 (P329) and one for Grades 4 to 6 (P399).

And yes, may rewards, mamas! You can get a free tote bag for every P1,000 worth of purchase. Get a drawstring bag for only P99 for every P300 worth of purchase. Get a lunch bag for just P75 for every P500 worth of purchase of participating items. 


We totally love the lunch bag! It's compact but roomy so kasya ang lunch, merienda and water bottle. It's light and stain-resistant because it's made of nylon. And it comes in those bright and happy colors! Winner in my mama book! 

May I take this moment to share the news that my son Vito is a model for National Book Store's lunch bag??? I haven't seen the final campaign photos yet but NBS sent me one outtake:

He's looking at me! #lookoflove
So another reason is to please tell me if you see Vito's photos anywhere in the NBS branches and please please send me pictures!

3. Because everyone shops there!
From the most wais-tipid mommies to the most glam mamas, everyone shops at National Book Store especially during back-to-school season! Mga ilang beses na rin ako nakakita ng mga celebs sa NBS, usually if I go to the Power Plant Mall and Shangri-la Plaza branches. So one perk can be celebrity sightings while you're buying notebooks and plastic covers!

Celebrity mom-barkada: Nicole De Los Angeles, Patty Laurel-Filart, Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Bianca Santiago-Reinoso

There you go! Three reasons why you ought to do your back-to-school shopping at National Book Store!

Remember: This weekend, the Grand Back to School Fair is at TriNoma Activity Center for the northerners and easterners. If you're from the south and west, go to Glorietta Activity Center next weekend because the Grand Back to School Fair will be there. Registration starts at 10:00 am and continues throughout the day. Admission is free!


I'll share my back-to-school haul next week. Share yours, too! Use the hashtag #BacktoSchoolwithNBS and tag @nationalbookstore on Instagram and @nbsalert on Facebook and Twitter. NBS is also on Viber and YouTube. You can also shop through their delivery hotline 8888-627, or online at www.nationalbookstore.com.

*This post is brought to you by National Book Store.