Christmas Gift Guide for Toddlers and Kids

Friday, November 28, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments


OMG, December is here! Oh man, what the heck had happened? I slept in an August midnight and wham bam! I woke up on a December morning.

Christmas rush again, I have an on-going list of God children, niece, nephew, sister-in-law, little sister, brothers, colleagues, etc. And unlike in the other countries I lived before, here in the Philippines where I am currently based, Christmas is an event where everyone participates.

Anyway, as I’ve mentioned earlier, I have tons of people to give gifts, so do you, right? Tell me I am right, that I’m not the only one facing this kind of happy mess.

You know like anyone in the planet who have an on-going Christmas list, I have no idea what to give and at the same time I have lots of options, but with Christmas just a couple of weeks to go and all the stores packed with Christmas shoppers, I don’t think you would want to stay in a jam-packed department store to browse every item, so the best thing to do is prepare a Christmas list, name, options, something like that.

Let’s start with the toddlers. I have an eight month old nephew named Jacob and for kids his age let’s stick to the rule “nothing to small” since they tend to put every single thing they can hold on their mouth.

My first option is a character hoodie shirt but I remember seeing his closet full of those kinds of clothes, Nemo from Finding Nemo, Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon just to name a few, plus buying clothes for toddlers can be a tricky thing, size for one thing, if you are not sure of the kids size stay away from buying clothes.

So my next option according to the internet is a complete set of baby bath things, from shampoo, soap, powder to baby oils to bath essentials and floating toys but I don’t thinks that a nice idea, sure my niece enjoys his bath time but yeah, he won’t enjoy those things plus his grandmothers (take note the “s”, he he he) bought a year worth of supply and remember our rule “nothing to small”.

I think the safest are plush toys both for boys and girls, there are lots of characters to choose from, and an array of sizes, from the 12 inches ones to the bigger ones, take some time watching the Disney channel to see the popular cartoon characters and check the toy store’s or better yet online stores since most of the rare ones are sold online.

As for kids three and up, toys, coloring books and some art materials are the safest choice, maybe toy cars, train set and robots for boys, as for the little ladies, there are tons of options, from dolls to kid friendly make-up kits, brush set with battery operated hair dryer and curling irons (gosh, If I’m still a kid I would love to receive that kind of gift).

So that’s it, feel free to give me some suggestion.

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Neil Patrick Harris Fondly Talks About His Italian Wedding

Wednesday, November 19, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments


You must have seen it on TV, or read from leading tabloids and magazines – that George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin’s celebrated and romantic Italian wedding on September 27th. It sure did get all the attention and media hype as the world’s most eligible bachelor finally surrendered his bachelor and single status to his Lebanese-born British lawyer fiancée Amal Alamuddin.

But Neil Patrick Harris had something to say to the world – that he got married in Italy first. When Harris appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman on September 29, he joked about Clooney not showing pictures of his wedding on talk shows.

Fact is, Harris got married to his long-time partner David Burtka over the summer in a small Italian town near Perugia with about 50 guests witnessing their sweet moment. And Elton John sang a few songs for the couple. Harris told Letterman that Elton John is a friend but he didn’t expect him to do that. He and Burtka were so overwhelmed especially when Elton introduced their first dance as a couple.

They danced to Kelly Clarkson’s “A Moment Like This”, a song chosen for the couple’s first dance as they were crazy about Clarkson during American Idol’s very first season where she was declared the winner.

The wedding venue – Italy, was chosen because the couple spent their first trip together in a castle owned by a friend of a friend who knew the dude that owned the castle.

And after being together for over a decade, Neil Patrick Harris and boyfriend David Burtka happily got married – and yes, way before George Clooney did!

For more entertainment news regarding the LGBT community you can visit Proud'nPride.

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For Twenty-Year-Olds and Beyond Who Have Never Been Loved

Saturday, November 08, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments

Red String of Fate | JanuaryGemorie

First and foremost, this is just a re-post from a Facebook friends wall who also re-posted this. Said she found it somewhere in Tumblr but too lazy to browse the entire page to see who originally posted this. I found it somewhat nice and decided to share it to you who's reading right this very moment.

So here it is, hope you like it too, and be inspired, never lose hope, he's/she's somewhere out there with the same hope of meeting you soon.

All of a sudden two decades have passed and you still have not kissed anyone with tongue, or kissed anyone at all for that matter, or had a 3 AM conversation with someone who would rather look into your eyes for ten minutes straight than talk. You have never worn a lover’s sweater or “forgotten” it at home in your bedroom just so you would have an excuse to see them again. You have never even stood face-to-face with someone who makes your hands shake so hard it feels like they’re both having a separate anxiety attack.

This causes you much guilt and self-blame and sadness but above all, an overwhelming curiosity. Are you really that ugly, that unwanted, that uninteresting, that boring, that no one, absolutely no one, has ever looked at you like the only thing on earth?

The answer is no. The better answer is that someone out there, somewhere in the world, is “wondering what it’s like to meet someone like you,” and they have two decades worth of love stored in their veins like a shoot-‘em-up drug, and they’re just about ready to inject it into someone else’s bloodstream. All you have to do is roll up your sleeves and wait for it to happen.

At times you felt so lonely you could stand at the edge of a cliff with nothing beneath you but air and grass and a long, long way down, and you’d still feel emptier than that canyon itself. Maybe you even danced with yourself alone in your room a few times, arms outstretched around a ghost, pretending someone else’s hands were on your waist, someone else’s eyes boring into yours.

Or maybe you fell temporarily in love with strangers on public transportation, fell in love with anybody who so much as accidentally brushed your hand on the way past. For you, falling in love with dozens of people a day was a coping mechanism for not having anyone to love you in return. But people are not eggs and falling in love with a dozen of them does not mean your shell will remain un-cracked. One day you’re going to hit the point where you’re so desperate for human contact that you’re going to snap in half and all your love will bleed out like egg yolk.

But someone out there is eating a bowl of Ramen noodles right now, or putting on slippers, or settling into bed. They are doing all the normal things that you've done in your own life. They are just like you. They have cellulite and extra fat in all the wrong places and goals and fears and doubts and bad handwriting.

The truth is that they are just like you, and being just like you, they’re looking for a lover too. They’re what you might call a soul mate. They think they’re all alone in feeling the way they do, but you’re really both two halves of a whole.

And one day you’ll meet them, bump into them on the street, and your two halves will be put together, and you’ll make one.

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The Red Flags of an Unhealthy Relationship

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments

The Red Flags of an Unhealthy Relationship | JanuaryGemorie

So you finally found "the ONE", after years of waiting, of being with someone else, finally, finally that one particular person has cross your path, one who will embrace all of you, and you to him. You've been together for quite some time now, you're even thinking its time to take it to the next level, marriage! A house, a car, a dog, a kid or two?

But wait, are you sure? I mean really, really sure? Can the both of you stand each other for the rest of your lives? Its forever we're talking here. Questions, doubts, a never ending one for that matter. I hope I can answer it for you, or rather I hope I have the answer to your questions.

Premature decisions, late realizations, and the next thing you knew, you where signing divorce papers. That's sad, thinking that person is "the One", and yet you both failed to stay together, and that uneasiness is starting to crawl up your head. Perhaps this are just what people call "wedding jitters", but what if its not? Are there any signs to prevent you from signing that awful divorce paper? Of course there is.

Here are 3 red flags that you should be aware of before you let things go any further.

1. He/She's Just Not That Into You.
Admit it or not, sex is an important factor in marriage. Although, being not really into sex is something that can be a plus to other, (time of the month, not in the mood, too tired from work, working overtime etc) it can also raise an issue, a suspicion, in the long run. Why does he/she not insisting of having some hot night? He's always too tired when he gets home. She's always with her girls. Then wham bam! Is he cheating on me? Is she having an affair?

Someone that never initiates sex? Who never brings it up? Who never tries to seduce you? You need to look into that, because it's definitely atypical. There are many reasons why someone may not seem interested in sex. He or she could be gay, he or she could be depressed and he or she may be getting some on the side. Whatever the problem is, you'd better uncover it before making a commitment because it's almost always an indication of a bigger issue that's just going to blow up in a much worse way later on.

2. Mood Swing and Coping Up
This touches on two things crucial to a long-term relationship, Emotional resilience and healthy coping mechanisms. We all have our ups and downs, we're human. It's how we respond that matters. How does one handle changes? Rejections? Failures? Big or small, how does he/she face these circumstances?

There are healthy ways to deal with stress and there are unhealthy ways. If you saw your partner mopping around like a child with even the slightest, smallest ordeal, your facing a huge, huge trouble dear. Make sure that your partner can see past the frustrations of the moment, that he/she can deal with it using his/her own strength and abilities, that he can get back up, standing proud and tall.

3. A lone wolf with few friends who feels largely misunderstood by the world.
This has a romantic allure, only you truly understand your partner. You're both that special. But there's a dark side to this personality type that could undermine your relationship down the road. Everyone should have at least a couple long-term friends. That's a sign of loyalty and empathy.

Even artists with eccentric vision find people to connect with. You want to see your man or woman connecting with others in a positive way because it shows he can work as a team and marriage is a lot about teamwork. Plus, you cannot be anyone's sole life line. It's unhealthy to be anyone's "everything." That’s what you call codependent relationship.

Just because you're finally facing a relationship deal breaker doesn't necessarily mean it's over between you forever. Maybe it means your partner needs to get help so he can get to a place where he or she can truly commit to you. Helping him or her face the issues is the most altruistic, selfless way to love your partner.

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Paolo Ballesteros The Man with Countless Face

Monday, October 13, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments

Actor, TV Host, Model Paolo Ballesteros create a storm with his make-up transformation pictures.

The TV Host of the longest running TV Show in the Philippines EAT Bulaga took the international scene with his pictures being featured in several international online entertainment magazines with his make-up transformation images posted on his Instagram account.

Here are some foreign artists which he copied, can you guess who they are?





I guess its no surprised, he is in fact the grandson of one of the most highly acclaimed artist Fernando Amorsolo, who painted ‘Dalagang Bukid’, ‘Planting Rice’ & ‘Fruit Gatherer.'

I hope Ellen DeGeneres features him soon.

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My First Blogapalooza Experience

Monday, October 13, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments

Last Saturday, October 11, 2014, me, my friends/business partners as well as our fellow bloggers gather at SMX Taguig, SM Aura for the Blogapalooza 2014.

First you need to confirm your name and blog name, then you will be given a Blogapalooza printed eco bag, an ID, and a sticker with a certain number which pair you will need to look inside the venue to win a price from EatOutManila, and your good to go inside the event area. Inside we are welcomed by a live band singing some Maroon 5 Song.

Blogapalooza is the “biggest business to blogger networking and marketing event” where businesses shares their services and products to different bloggers who will eventually write an online review – on our end we have an online review plus lots of pictures posted on social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

It was the first time I attend the Blogapalooza event, and although it wasn’t what I expected it to be –looking at the previous Blogapalooza years – I enjoyed it nonetheless.

There were lots of booths, Acer for one, which I enjoyed the most, with their latest mobile phone that can match to Samsungs Note II. Canon and their underwater video camera, to the usual names like Globe, Sky Cable, etc.

There is also a Bioessence booth where they offered a free back massage or a facial, too bad the line is way too long, I didn’t get the chance to go back to their booth to check if it’s my turn, but I receive a Premium Pass.

Flawless is also full with bloggers trying their games to win some souvenirs, Jergens which I honestly didn’t notice –sorry, maybe Im too preoccupied by other booths or there are way too many people on their booth I didn’t bother to take a peak.

Bangs by Tony and Jackey gave out a Free Hair Keratin Treatment worth P1500 which you can use if you avail any hair service.

Travel related booths and hotel and restaurant booths gave out gift certificates. I got a coupon and a gift certificate from Ace Water Spa a Free one (1) glass of Ace Punch at Sky High Bar.

What I love the most in this event is that food is free and flowing. There is Yellow Cab giving away free slices of pizza, Chips Ahoy, with cookies, House of Lasagna which I didn’t get the chance to have a bite –every time we go back to their booth, their lasagna is out – but I did receive a P100 worth of gift certificate.

Chooks to Go gave out a bucket of roasted chicken, the aroma filled the air around 2:30? Not really sure, I just remembered that it was around the time after I took some bathroom break. Krispy Kreme’s booth has a long line since they’re giving away their yummy treat and some balloons. Max’s booth probably opened a little too late, I saw them preparing their booth around 1pm.

Hmm what else, Oh NIU by Vikings gave out a free food tasting around 3:30 at the sixth floor of SM Aura. You can check out our NIU experience Here

All in all, it’s an event one must see. I went home tired but very, very satisfied. I meet bloggers, learn a few things and closed a few deals, yay! Too bad I didn’t get even a single umbrella.

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A Weekend Outdoor Trip with Your Friends

Monday, October 06, 2014 Unknown 0 Comments

Outdoor activity

Outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and inline skating allow you to reap up to six times more fat-blasting, body-shaping benefits than cruising around the neighborhood on foot. And you don't have to be a hard-core athlete or fitness freak to get the most out of the five we're suggesting.

Top off your normal weekday exercise routine with one of these exhilarating weekend activities to get fit and firm fast and enjoy the company of your family and friends at the same time.

KAYAKING
It burns at least 340 per hour and will give you a sculpted upper body. "Pulling the paddle against the water is great resistance," says 29-year-old Michelle Christensen of Baltimore, who spends summer weekends kayaking around the Chesapeake Bay. "You target your shoulders, triceps, biceps, back, and core." She added. Kayaking is like meditating on water, says Rhett Pruitt, a 34-year-old raft guide and recreational kayaker in Long Creek, SC. She opts for tranquil sea kayaking over exhilarating white water when she's craving peace and quiet. "Sea kayaking is not intimidating," she says. "You're just inches above the water—the perfect vantage point for taking in the abundant wildlife and sea life that you would never see otherwise." Beginners should use an open kayak or take a lesson to learn how to escape the kayak first.

HIKING
Hiking can improve cardiovascular fitness and will burn up to 400 per hour. "There's a lot of lung cancer in my family," says 49-year-old hiker Lynn Anderson, from Helena, MT. "It's always been a priority to keep my lungs in tip-top shape." Hiking will also give you stronger, leaner thighs and firm your rear to boot. You get to unplug from society. Hiker Lori Pfankuch, 47, who traverses Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana, says: "Hiking takes you out of your world so you can reflect. I've seen mountain goats, I eat huckleberries on the trail, and last summer I saw my first grizzly bear." Invest in a good pair of boots or trail and be sure to break them in by wearing them on errands before you hike.

SPEEDMINTON
This new game is a cross between racquetball, badminton, and tennis but with no nets or walls involved. Players bat a speeder which looks like the birdie used in badminton back and forth using lightweight racquets. It can also burn about 400 calories per hour. "If you can swing a racquet, you can learn to play, and it's great cardio," says 30-year-old Christina Higgins of San Diego, mother to a newborn and a toddler. "The results are similar to those in tennis--sculpted arms and back, toned legs, and better hand-eye coordination.” "Our neighbors introduced my husband and me to the game, so now we all play in our cul-de-sac," Higgins says. "The speeder glows, so we can even play well into the night." Pack chalk to draw a court, and remember: It's just a game.

CYCLING
500 to 700 calories per hour can be burned, depending on speed and terrain. It improves cardiovascular fitness give you solid legs and buns. "It helped me lose 20 pounds!" says Jan Reeves, 49, a recreational cyclist and mother of four in Lexington, KY. “And I eat whatever I want." Cycling will give you more zip, both on and off the bike. "My kids told me I needed to get a life," says Reeves, who started cycling as a way to meet people after her divorce. When she completed a 4-day, 300-mile cycling trip last fall, she felt "totally empowered and energized; my kids are really proud that I ride." Spandex can be unflattering, but it makes a huge difference when cycling. Cycle shorts provide padding and wick away moisture, preventing your rear end, legs and crotch from getting chafed.

INLINE SKATING
Inline Skating sculpts your buns and thighs without pounding your knees. Skating is much less jarring than other high-intensity sports like jogging. "I was a runner for years but switched to skating when running started to hurt," says Joanne Geveshausen, 48, of Winchester, KY.

It also provides a high-adrenaline release from mental baggage. "I needed an activity that demanded total concentration and the gym wasn't cutting it," says Phyllis Wolf, 62, of Chicago, who started skating 4 years ago as a way to deal with the stress of caring for elderly relatives. "I skate for hours then go to the senior center and nothing bothers me."

Don't be intimidated. "Few people my age are skating, which is too bad," says the self-proclaimed speedster. Wolf's advice is to ease into it by taking lessons. Inline Skating also burns up to 816 calories per hour.

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First Time Brazilian Wax Experience - Precautions and Preparations

Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Anonymous 0 Comments

brazilian waxing

Wanna feel sexy? Maybe thinking of being naughty tonight? How about trying some Brazilian waxing today? But, before you get jump into the bed of a waxing specialist, there are several things you must consider. For example, we both know there are countless spa around the city, so which spa would you choose? How much is your budget? Are you willing to pay a few more bucks? What are the things you must consider before you go as well as the restrictions after the treatment.

Here are some suggestions on what you should do before and after.

Handling the Wax
You have to consider 2 things when you’re getting your first Brazilian wax session. First, it hurts and second, you should be comfortable laying a table with your vagina exposed to a stranger. From your hair is getting pulled out by the root to tears streaming down your face to shouting at the top of your lungs with each pull or not being able to walk after will be a normal sight for starters. As far as showing your vagina to a stranger, you can't get around that. Either you know the person or you don't. Just don't make it weird, they see a lot so they won't make it weird.

Ask Friends
Ask around. If you happen to have a friend that has had a wax or a friend that is an esthetician would be best. That friend can answer questions and give suggestions on places to go. They may even be able to give you a spa name and their referral for who to go to I say go there. This may not be an option if they live a lifestyle you can't afford but they can still give you tips on how to deal with a wax in general. If that is the case, keep reading I have tips on finding a spa starting from scratch.

Use the Internet
Second suggestion search spas then look at the people and read reviews. When looking at the people I'm talking about through the spa's website. Most spas have a website which then has some page that is something to the effect of "meet the staff" or the like. Look at that and there should be a head esthetician. Look at their experience, a lot of experience is a good sign. Also, not every spa has a website. It's up to you to decide to give it a shot or not.

Price
When searching for a spa to go to you have to keep price in mind. Waxes are a luxury so they aren't cheap but they shouldn't be an extravagant amount either.

Before
What do you do before you go get a wax? Use the toilet and make sure to have on deodorant but there is a bit more to it than that.
  • Be Clean - a warm shower opens up your pores so the hair will come out easier. If you have to use the bathroom it's ok if you end up doing that right before you walk in for the wax. It's better to not have to worry about holding it while your waxer is working.
  • Be Calm - You don't want to be stressed out when you’re getting a wax. If you are tense you're more likely to flex your muscles which will then hold the hair follicle more making the hair hurt more coming out.
  • Wear Comfy Clothes - It really depends on you what you wear on top but on bottom. something loose fitting. The skin will also be sensitive afterwards so if you wear something tight it will probably rub and irritate you. I wouldn't suggest a thong even though a well-fitting one doesn't rub only because there may be wax residue on you after and that can get weird.
  • Optional Pain Relief - You can take a pain killer if you're really worried about the pain, just take it an hour or so before your appointment.
After
It's different for every person and each esthetician’s practices vary so these aren't rock solid rules, more like good guidelines.

  • No Vigorous Activity - It wasn't pain it’s nota good idea to get really sweaty down there after that sort of process. You'll be able to tell based on how you feel if you will follow this rule.
  • Exfoliate - To keep from getting ingrown hairs you need to exfoliate once in a while. Ask for suggestions at the spa. Some people are more prone to ingrowns and some people aren't. It's just a good idea to keep clean and not let dead skin build up. Plus it's often been an experience that there is some “wax” residue on the skin afterwards.
Now you have it, be sure to share your experience.

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