Food Blogging

I have not been blogging here in a while. It's because I have a new food blog!
http://sundayfoodconversations.tumblr.com/

I'll still be keeping this blog for future posts about home activities and some new mommy discoveries.

Dreaming of Numbers

I woke up this morning remembering vividly my dream. I was going up an elevator. I remember pressing 3 but it kept on going up until the 6th floor, the highest floor of the building. Strangers went inside and I pressed the number 3 again. The strangers pressed 2. Again, the elevator skipped 3, so I decided to go to 2 where it opened along with the strangers. I took the stairs instead.

Yesterday, my dream involved numbers too. I was buying a pair of Crocs slippers and later on learned that I got 2 different sizes. My left foot had the size 7, which is my size, and the other had the size 8.

I believe in the meaning of dreams. For me, they convey messages though I try to look at them positively.

Thanks to Google, here's what I found:

Meaning of different numbers from http://www.analysedreams.co.uk/DreamsInvolvingNumbers.html.

Zero through Nine
Zero can symbolise God, but it can also be symbolic of timelessness, eternity, and freedom.

If you dream about the number one, this is usually symbolic of individuality. You may be a loner or a leader in your family, workplace, or community. It may also be symbolic of a winner, so you may dream about the number one after you feel you have accomplished something great.

Number two is a sign of the balance or duality of a partnership such as male/female, mother/father, or yin/yang. It can also stand for diversity or openness. It may represent your soul and be symbolic of strength or weakness.

If you dream of the number three, you may hope for inner strength. You may also have a need to show off your creativity or imagination. It can also stand for self-exploration. Just as two is a partnership, three is symbolic of the trilogy – the past, present, and future or a father, mother, and child.

Dreaming of the number four shows that you are feeling very stable, but it can also be a sign of physical limitations. It can be symbolic of earthly things but it can also stand for worldly matters as well.

The number five is associated with a bold and daring nature. If you dream of the number five, you may have a desire to be spontaneous with your actions and make sudden changes. Five is also associated with the five senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

Like two, six also represents a balance or a partnership, such as a marriage. It is also representative of family and love as well as warmth and harmony. If you dream of the number six, you may be feeling particularly spiritual and happy in your marital bliss.

Seven is symbolic of intellectual perfection, music, and healing. People who dream of the number seven are often eclectic individuals who are one of a kind.

Dreaming of the number eight can show power and authority, which you may have gained through your instincts and intuition. It can also be symbolic of wealth and material gains.

Nine stands for a reformation or a rebirth of something or someone. It can also mean you are feeling particularly productive in your waking hours. The number ten is associated with closure and strength as well as gains.

Meaning of elevator dream from http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/e.htm

Elevator

To dream that you are ascending in an elevator, represents a rise to status and wealth. You may have risen to a higher level of consciousness and are looking at the world from an elevated viewpoint. If the elevator is moving upward in an out of control fashion or it crashes through the roof, then it indicates that you are being catapulted to a position of power in which you do not yet know how to deal with. You are afraid of the new responsibilities ahead for you. Descending in an elevator, suggests that you are being grounded or coming back down to reality. It also signifies setbacks and misfortunes.

In general, the up and down action of the elevator represents the ups and downs of your life. It also symbolizes emotions and thoughts that are emerging out of and submerging into your subconscious. Alternatively, the dream may have sexual connotations.

To dream that the elevator is out of order or that it is not letting you off, symbolizes that your emotions have gotten out of control. It may be a reflection of your life or your career. You are feeling stuck in some aspect of your life, whether it is your career, relationship, etc.

To dream that the elevator is moving sideways, means that your efforts are counterproductive. You are going nowhere in your work, relationship or other situation.

So true.

Hubby's New Book

Last year, I erased most of the posts that obviously revealed my identity. While I was everywhere for 2 years because of my flourishing business, I decided to hibernate and stay away from all the attention I was getting. No to media features. Even my Facebook is not searchable.

It will be one year this month since my name was replaced to "Philippines" when I competed in the Women in Business competition in the Netherlands. Pregnant at 4 months. I erased that popular post. Only later to disappoint my country by dropping my creation-- my life's meaning-- and go back to the more familiar life in the corporate world. I sold my rights of Ecobloks to my co-founder. That decision was quite discreet.

To those who have been following my story, I lost my second daughter last year so she can save me. She was born prematurely at 22 weeks and lived only for 8 hours. She could have been 24 weeks when my appendix ruptured. By then, she could have survived the outside world with her more developed organs. But she came out first. She may have known that I would have chosen her before my own life.

Ecobloks was a constant reminder of Lira.

Since last week, God has been leading me to roads towards my healing.

Today, my husband told me that he has a new book out.



"Ang Lumang Kumot ni Lola," I believe is the first published work of my husband before he has gone mainstream. It first came out in Junior Inquirer about 10 years ago and was illustrated by May Tobias-Papa, who became my online friend because our kids are both gifted visual artists.

And what has "Ang Lumang Kumot ni Lola" something to do with my healing and anonymity?

I realized that there's nothing to be ashamed of because of our disappointments. Maybe an affirmation of my husband who never stopped trying to share his talents. That's why books, even of early works, continue to come out because of his positive disposition.

Time and again, God will find a way to tell us that everything will be alright. Though I am back to corporate life, God is telling me that maybe this uncharted territory after Ecobloks will lead me to something better. This is where my talent is needed. Maybe not in Ecobloks anymore.

I love my country and I know he loves me back. DId I disappoint him? Maybe yes because I stopped trying to make him proud because of my one track mind.

On to my next chapter.

Back to when I was 24

When I started working again, I saw myself in my single young colleagues. Though some are technically close to my age, I realized how motherhood and my 3 year experience as an ordinary housewife changed the way I looked at things.

Bags, make-up, clothes, vacations. I hear them talk about it like they’re life’s greatest essentials. Oh I miss those days when I buy every issue of Cosmo and rush to the department store to buy the latest in make-up or buy the trendiest clothes.



Now more than 10 years later, I just have the tried and tested make-up staples and the classic bags, and I just shop secretly about the brands I fancy. I feel embarrassed to talk about my shopaholic tendencies and the brands for that matter.

On second thought, I wanted to talk about non-stick pans, my damaged pepper mill, the new vitamins I am taking, and the new lanai we are planning to build. But heck, who cares right?

So there I am in one corner, listening. Deep inside, I remembered my younger years when I would date my then-my-boyfriend husband in Ipanema or I would listen to songs of Boyzone. How I wish I got stuck at 24, probably the time I looked hottest among the boys.

In my 5-10 minute drive going home, I would like to think I’m gracefully aging. While I worry about collagen serums and skin tags on my hips, my 3 year old is waiting for me. To hear her say “mommy” is the greatest music for me.

I enter my home, clean and smelling fresh. I’m happy that in a few more moments, the man of my life will follow. At 24, he got drawn to me because of my short skirts and sophisticated make-up look. Now, I am 33 and married to him. He loves me even with my worn out house clothes and sans the make-up and the branded bag.

On our dates, I still give him that feeling that I am still hot like I was still 24.

My New Crocs

While walking around Eastwood, I had the urge to enter the Crocs store just to check out what they have for summer. At that moment, my feet were aching from the new pair of Schu sandals that I got the previous day.

So surprised of their new collection that I decided to get a pair and wear them at that very moment.



The shoes were very comfortable. I even got to wear them at work today because they don't look like Crocs at all. I was just wearing a nice dress from Dorothy Perkins with some accessories. At work, we have to look really presentable because we are a hotel and culinary institution. Nobody noticed my Crocs. That's wonderful.

Can't wait to buy more.

Here's a link to the Crocs website for the other styles. Shoes... I can never have enough of them.

Online Retreat Experience

For many years now, I have been doing an online retreat every Holy Week. When I was still single, I used to attend the silent retreats at the Sacred Heart Novitiate.

This year for me is different. This Holy Week blessed me with wonderful messages from the Lord. For that I am thankful.







Now I know the meaning of all that I have been going though in my life now.

Gen X-er meets the Millenials

It's been 6 weeks since I started working and there are 3 Millenials under my team (good thing, I still have a fellow Gen X-er). It was a bit of shock, after stopping my corporate career for more than 3 years. Though I consider myself still a techie-- I'm no match to these creatures. I admire their multi-tasking skills.



Amazing. They have a work deskstop... but they bring their own laptops. They have I-phones and Blackberries. The desktop is for work, the laptop is for Facebook and Twitter (they are allowed for monitoring) and they carry around their I-phones in case there's a need to text, google or research on something.

It irked me at first, but then it turned into admiration. Though I am still quite adjusting how to manage the Millenials, I'm glad to be learning from them.

Sometimes they don't understand me. And now I feel so old because of the generation gap. I have my own laptop and I-pad. But I only use it to email and for presentation.

Here's an article I have found on: http://humanresources.about.com/od/managementtips/a/millenials.htm


Managing Millennials: Eleven Tips for Managing Millennials
Seven More Tips for Managing Millennials
By Susan M. Heathfield, About.com Guide

The millennials joining your workforce now are employees born between 1980 and 2000, or 1981 and 1999, depending on the author. Unlike the Gen-Xers and the Boomers, the Millennials have developed work characteristics and tendencies from doting parents, structured lives, and contact with diverse people. Millennials are used to working in teams and want to make friends with people at work. Millennials work well with diverse coworkers.

Millennials have a “can-do” attitude about tasks at work and look for feedback about how they are doing frequently – even daily. Millennials want a variety of tasks and expect that they will accomplish every one of them. Positive and confident, millennials are ready to take on the world.

They seek leadership, and even structure, from their older and managerial coworkers, but expect that you will draw out and respect their ideas. Millennials seek a challenge and do not want to experience boredom. Used to balancing many activities such as teams, friends, and philanthropic activities, millennials want flexibility in scheduling and a life away from work.

Millennials need to see where their career is going and they want to know exactly what they need to do to get there. Millennials await their next challenge – there better be a next challenge. Millennials are the most connected generation in history and will network right out of their current workplace if these needs are not met. Computer experts, millennials are connected all over the world by email, instant messages, text messages, and the Internet.

Eleven Tips for Millennial Management

- Provide structure. Reports have monthly due dates. Jobs have fairly regular hours. Certain activities are scheduled every day. Meetings have agendas and minutes. Goals are clearly stated and progress is assessed. Define assignments and success factors.


-Provide leadership and guidance. Millennials want to look up to you, learn from you, and receive daily feedback from you. They want “in” on the whole picture and to know the scoop. Plan to spend a lot of time teaching and coaching and be aware of this commitment to millennials when you hire them. They deserve and want your very best investment of time in their success.


-Encourage the millennial's self-assuredness, "can-do" attitude, and positive personal self-image. Millennials are ready to take on the world. Their parents told them they can do it - they can. Encourage - don't squash them or contain them.


-Take advantage of the millennial's comfort level with teams. Encourage them to join. They are used to working in groups and teams. In contrast to the lone ranger attitude of earlier generations, millennials actually believe a team can accomplish more and better - they've experienced team success. Not just related to age, watch who joins the volleyball match at the company picnic. Millennials gather in groups and play on teams; you can also mentor, coach, and train your millennials as a team.

-Listen to the millennial employee. Your millennial employees are used to loving parents who have scheduled their lives around the activities and events of their children. These young adults have ideas and opinions, and don't take kindly to having their thoughts ignored. After all, they had the best listening, most child-centric audience in history.


-Millennial employees are up for a challenge and change. Boring is bad. They seek ever-changing tasks within their work. What’s happening next is their mantra. Don’t bore them, ignore them, or trivialize their contribution.


-Millennial employees are multi-taskers on a scale you’ve never seen before. Multiple tasks don’t phase them. Talk on the phone while doing email and answering multiple instant messages – yes! This is a way of life. In fact, without many different tasks and goals to pursue within the week, the millennials will likely experience boredom.


-Take advantage of your millennial employee’s computer, cell phone, and electronic literacy Are you a Boomer or even an early Gen-Xer? The electronic capabilities of these employees are amazing. You have a salesman in China? How’s the trip going? Old timers call and leave a message in his hotel room. Or, you can have your millennial text message him in his meeting for an immediate response. The world is wide, if not yet deep, for your millennial employees.


-Capitalize on the millennial’s affinity for networking. Not just comfortable with teams and group activities, your millennial employee likes to network around the world electronically. Keep this in mind because they are able to post their resume electronically as well on Web job boards viewed by millions of employers. Sought after employees, they are loyal, but they keep their options open – always.


-Provide a life-work balanced workplace. Your millennial employees are used to cramming their lives with multiple activities. They may play on sports teams, walk for multiple causes, spend time as fans at company sports leagues, and spend lots of time with family and friends. They work hard, but they are not into the sixty hour work weeks defined by the Baby Boomers. Home, family, spending time with the children and families, are priorities. Don’t lose sight of this. Balance and multiple activities are important to these millennial employees. Ignore this to your peril.


-Provide a fun, employee-centered workplace. Millennials want to enjoy their work. They want to enjoy their workplace. They want to make friends in their workplace. Worry if your millennial employees aren’t laughing, going out with workplace friends for lunch, and helping plan the next company event or committee. Help your long-term employees make room for the millennials.

By Internet research counts, 75,000,000 millennials are preparing to join or joining the workforce. These are desirable employees. Make your millennial employees happy in a fun, yet structured setting, and you are building the foundation for the superior workforce you desire. You are developing the workforce of your future.

As always, when I characterize a group of employees based on age, or any other characteristic, some employees will fit this description; some employees will fit part of this description; some employees will not fit this description. Yet, I believe that, if you heed these tips, you will steer your organization forward, more times than not, with a positive approach to managing your millennial employees.

Our New Electric Fan Looks Like Art

Yesterday, my boss showed me her new Vortex bladeless fan that she ordered from her friend. It looked like an art piece.

And I'm cutting my long story short. I brought home the fan and my boss just ordered a new one for her.

Cool.

The Charm that's called Willing Willie

There's something that I simply do not understand. Willie Revillame has been into too many controversies yet he ends up soaring really high in the showbiz industry. He's just one of the most influential media figures in this generation. And that's quite disturbing for me.

I tend to hold my opinion when it comes to products, politics, religion, and individuals whenever I blog. But right now I'm just so disturbed after a few friends posted this video on their Facebook walls.



As a marketer, I made a choice not to support companies nor any medium that I think disrupt the values of people. Call me too narrow-minded, but TV shows in a media plan for a brand campaign are just plain demographics and figures in terms of ratings/ viewership. Even before the Ultra stampede, I made an effort to tell our media planning company to remove Wowowee at any of the brand campaigns assigned to me. Maybe I'm lucky because I am able to find other shows to fill in the "numbers" gap to achieve the desired total ratings for the media plan. Or maybe I did not handle a megabrand or, say, a mass-based brand. But for me it's a choice. Willie is just too charming for the masses, but that does not mean he's the only way to reach them. Now that I'm in the field of education (fortunately, with no budget to afford a TV campaign), I sense the responsibility to support the students to become leaders with the best ethics possible. Hence watching Janjan in the Willing Willie segment crushed my heart.

Whatever your opinion about Willie, let it be. Time and again, this guy has managed to escape his egotistical, and sometimes stupid, ways. Not even a major network can put this fool down. So all this hullabaloo may reach the same sad ending.

Now as an individual I'm just doing my part not to become another number to his success. His shows are banned in the house. Whenever we can, we do not support any of the products that advertise on his show. There are just too many shampoos, deodorants, and liniments around.

Besides, I would rather watch the news.

Rediscovering an Heirloom Recipe

I had the privilege to attend a workshop yesterday called Discovering the Filipino Palate at Enderun. The program was initiated by noted author and New York-based restauranteur Ms. Amy Besa and Enderun Extension.



I almost did not make it in the workshop because hubby and I had our blood tests and his annual physical exam. Though I was very tired that afternoon, what caught my interest was Ms. Besa's passion to relive Filipino cooking techniques, such as the use of the palayok, bamboo and banana leaves.

There was no cooking session, but the event concluded with a tasting feast of simple Filipino vegetables and seafood with an assortment of condiments and fermented foods, such as burong isda and atcharang kamias.

I went home with a full stomach but felt the urge to look into my family's heirloom recipe for TIDTAD or the Kapampangan's version of dinuguan. Whenever we go home to Sta. Rita, it's always what I request from my lola. Somehow, tidtad reminds me of my childhood, having spent the first 8 years of my life in Pampanga. I have tried tidtad in restaurants, but my lola's version will always be my favorite. She used the palayok and the classic lutuan with panggatong. Never the stove with gas.

I got this recipe from my aunt, who does a version which is almost close to that of my Lola Flor and Lola Maring. When my cholesterol level is back to normal, I will ask my mom to cook tidtad with me.

TIDTAD NI LOLA
1. I-adobo ang liempo meat, garlic, pepper, salt, bayleaf, and vinegar using a stock pot. Let it boil and then set aside.
2. Saute garlic, onion and the inadobong meat. Just let it boil, adding a little water.
3. Add cubed blood of pork. Start mixing once it boils again.
4. If there are remaining pork's blood, strain to break it into small pieces. Add into the pot.
5. Add vetsin and patis to taste.

Yet to do this on my own. But I'm really inspired. Tidtad is my comfort food. If I do this really well, my late lolas will be very very proud.

When God Closes a Door, Somewhere He Opens a Window

Hubby always tells me -- Let go! Snap out of it!

It's been 8 months since I lost Lira, my 2nd daughter. And 8 months since I neglected my flourishing business. In my mind, they were born together. It was last February 2010 when I learned that I will be flying to the Netherlands to be a part of BiD Networks Women in Business competition, a vision that I have been eyeing after Rags2Riches won the grand prize of the BiD Challenge in 2009. By end February, I got pregnant. Last July 17, Lira died at 22 weeks of my pregnancy. My business died with her.

Today, my major retailer decided to pull out my product from their store because of its poor performance. I know why. I stopped marketing it. I stopped being aggressive in making it a global brand. But also today, I got an email from BiD, my sponsor in the Netherlands. My business has been upgraded for matchmaking to investors. One very high end resort also just sent me info on their order of the product. I have a mix of emotions now.

When God Closes a Door, Somewhere He Opens a Window.



Lira, my angel, tell me where to go. I want to snap out of this loss and move on.

Dining Chair Slipcovers

Our dining chairs are made of mahogany wood. Noticed though that there were scratches from buttons of pants, nail marks, etc. and they're barely 3 years old. Repair of one chair costs PhP2,000, according to our supplier!

So I decided to ask our ever reliable mananahi (sewer) to make slipcovers from good quality canvas that we got from Larry's, Buendia. The buttons are made of wood that are available in Divisoria. Carolina's do not have them. Throw pillows are spare pieces from our sofa, all from OUR HOME.

Our house feels much brighter, unlike before which was quite dark due to the mahogany hue.

To Be Techie or Be Artsy

My Nokia N85 is giving up on me. I was told that repair would cost me PhP1,700. Whaaaat????

Though barely 2 years, this 'freebie' phone from my SMART contract was a subject of torture for my toddler/ pre-schooler. I started working again so I have more license to satisfy my wants once in a while. But anyway, I was given another Nokia unit by my office and well, I should say it was more battle-scarred than my N8. I am not complaining though. I'm blessed to have 2 disjointed phones than have nothing.

Hubby is suggesting I should get an Iphone. I am notoriously kuripot. Stingy. Tight. Though I have the tendency to splurge. But my fear is to expose my daughter to computer games. I'm still too old fashioned to introduce her to the virtual world. That's why I do talks about open ended play on the side. I'm Tita Loot.



But everyone has an Iphone!

Ugh. An Iphone or this for my hubby... a Michael Cacnio sculpture from his balloon series.


I really go for the latter. But what about my disjointed phones?

EDSA 1 Thoughts

I'm too young to remember what it was like in Esda 1. I went through my Facebook today and saw a slew of haters, doubters, and stabbers of the spirit of Edsa.

I personally did not vote for PNOY but for me the spirit should come from ourselves, the leaders in us. We are Filipinos, and we should be proud of that.



It's a mentality, not just an anniversary.

"NARITO AKO PILIPINO at naniniwala sa produktong Pilipino!"

Narito na ang bagong Pilipino. 2.25.11

Be at the people power monument on Friday. Or listen to all KBP AM and FM stations at 8:00 AM to listen to the new People Power anthem.

Proud Parent

Just reposted this from a friend's Facebook status.

There comes a point in your life when "FUN" no longer means bar hopping, clubbing, being out til 4am or drinking too much. It means board games, movies, going out for family dinners, bedtime stories, and sleeping in means 8 pm. Becoming a parent doesn't change you,instead, it makes you realize that the little people you created deserve the best of your free time! Re-post if you are PROUD to be a parent :-)

So true. I never understood this when I was still single or when I just got married without a child.

On Social Entrepreneurship and Going Back to Work

Starting tomorrow, I'm going back to the corporate world. Was it out of need? A career decision? An escape?

Yes to the first two questions. A big resounding no to the last.

Even here at home and with my little girl, I'm avoiding the usual seremonyas (rituals) of goodbyes to being a housewife. With my online colleagues and my sponsors-- to my role as a social entrepreneur. Yes I will miss my girl, I will miss the usual guerilla feeling of saving the earth.

Below is the video posted in my profile at one of the organizations that supported my cause. Watching it again after several months of not doing anything related to business, somehow I felt that everything still has a purpose.



Last May 2009 at the Netherlands, I met 3 smart Filipinos, my co-delegates at the BiD Challenge finals. With them, we met almost 40 other entrepreneurs whom I think in my lifetime are the most brilliant minds that I have encountered. Us 4 Pinoys came from diverse backgrounds, even from competing schools, but we all have the same vision to provide support to the environment and our fellowmen.

Unfortunately, one of the ladies sold her share of the business and pursued a career in finance, I fought for my life hence decided to lie low a bit, and the only gentleman from the group had an untimely death. It was not a curse of our victories but so much happened within 6 months in our personal and professional lives. The only entrepreneur at the competition who remained standing still was the one who brought home a major award, and I'm very proud of her that she won.

Despite my low spirits, it was these same people who reminded me that I should not stop, even the one who is no longer with us now. Strangely, my boss is a close friend of this gentleman. The Philippine Business for Social Progress is still supporting us. And yes, slowly, I WILL MAKE THAT COMEBACK.

On going back to work, it was out of need. Except for one of the Pinoy entrepreneurs who competed in Netherlands, we kept other jobs. I considered my being a homemaker as a major job. Tomorrow, my other job will be to continue where I stopped 3 years ago. At my age, I think I still have the thirst to share to companies what I can contribute. Ecobloks will remain. I just made a career decision. It's now or never. Marketing guys like me rot. Our ideas rust.

It is not an escape but my healing. As the hours approached my first day at work, my self esteem goes even higher. I'm excited. My mind is spinning with ideas. I'm ready to face the challenge. I'm not thinking short term work here. It's a long term career decision. I have prayed for this and I think it's an answered prayer.

Tomorrow, I'll do the first day high!

Buttons Up!

Only a few days left and I'm off to work again full time. Although my office is a mere 5-15 minutes away from my house, the 3 years I spent with my daughter is something that I can easily let go of. I'm sad, but at the same time happy.

I know my daughter will understand why I decided to go back to the corporate world. There's no pressure from my husband to deliver financially because I get some marketing consultancy work and I have a business. I just need to be occupied. I need time away from Facebook or from my own bed. I need this healing.

Now, enough of the drama.

Last month, I panicked when I looked at my closet. It's empty after I donated a lot of clothes to charity and gave some to my cousin. When I was accepted at my new job, the first thing that worried me the most is wardrobe. Call me shallow or even vain. I'm a marketing lady. My clothes define me. I get confidence from what I wear.

But my mom saved me! I almost forgot that I have a lot of clothes at our old house! Because my weight is back to what I used to be before I got married, I can still wear my old skirts, pants, and blouses. The old adage is true about sticking to classics. The clothes will still look updated with accessories. Besides, I almost forgot about these clothes, so they feel new to me.

Anyway, pregnancy made my twins slightly bigger. Still at size 34 but with a cup size of B. They're still average, I know. But wearing small blouses with buttons in front sometimes expose my bra. We've seen some people with open buttons in front, and it's so uncomfortable.

I found a solution! They are old school but a lot better than always putting safety pins between buttons. Designers and sewers call them "automatic."






Only PhP20 for 36 pairs.

Wear a Scarf!

Just one week to go and I'm back to the corporate world. Shopped for some dresses and pumps, while I searched our baul for some old slacks and skirts. I actually feared that I'll be so 2007 with my outfits. Anyway, I went to the pearl market yesterday at Market! Market! to buy some accessories. I am a big fan of accessories and I have a good collection of necklaces and cuffs.

Last week, I passed by MUJI in Bonifactio High Street and saw their mannequin wearing a scarf. I have a few scarves in the closet which I use only when I attend evening events. As I'm into knits that are mostly black, I think I can use my scarves to add more glam to my get-up.

Here's what I found on YouTube by my make-up coach (hehehe) Michelle Phan.

Why our house smells LOVELY

This is not a paid advertorial. I just would like to share this all around cleaner that I discovered months ago at S&R. I just have to share this product because my mother in law and husband swear by the lovely smell it leaves behind. The fragrance lasts really long, and the OC homemaker in me feels accomplished.

One night, hubby went home late and he asked me why the halls smell so fresh. Sounds like a TVC but it's a real testimonial! Last week my mother in law used our powder room and asked our helper about the refreshing smell (Take note: my mother in law is a loyalist when it comes to products. She's been wondering for the longest time why I do not use CHAMPION, her favorite washing machine detergent). My mischievous helper (mana sa amo) just said "SECREEET!"

Mother in law was serious in finding out when we were at her place yesterday. O sige na nga, it's just ZIP!



I am yet to try their dishwashing liquids.


It's a product of Malaysia.