Bits and Pieces

If you noticed lately, I have been including sponsored posts in my blog. And i'm happy to share that the two posts i've written have been approved. Well I'm just waiting for them to mail my check (i'll keep you posted). Since I have been endorsing a lot of products here in my site, I thought why not get paid. The funny thing when it's a sponsored post, I find myself in front of the laptop longer than my usual almost everyday posts. Sometimes I just find it hard to endorse products, or talk about a certain sites. There are actually a lot of sponsored posts that you can take, but then again it's very hard to write about things that you can't relate to. If I get my first check in the amount of US$55, I promised myself to get a dot com, now isn't that cool ^_^

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My daughter Ish decided to join me in my belly dancing class. The first time I brought her there, she had second thoughts of joining. But she made up her mind one day and now we belly dance together. I bought her two sets of costumes in Divisoria for her to use on the 18th for another recital. I was thinking of making her one, but I just don't have the time to do it. I don't wanna feel stressed out just like the last time. I know it's my fault coz I'm fond of doing things at the last minute. And yeah, I don't think her Dad will allow her to use those bra type tops that I normally go for. Now is that an excuse? ^_^

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Cuz has been sharing with me this Korean brand of makeup called The Face Shop since last year. I didn't have the time to check it out until last Tuesday when my SIL invited me to go to Serendra. I bought their eye and lips makeup remover. It's oil free and alcohol free. I think I like it, it's not harsh even if a little goes into your eye. I also bought their pink lipstick.

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Looking Forward to Halloween

Halloween is one of the traditions that me and my kids look forward to. Do you know why? We all get excited thinking about what to wear. Yeah you might say that halloween is still a few months away, October 31st to be exact (as if you don't know ^_^ bleh). But did you know that right after we do trick or treating, we are already thinking of what to wear for next year's halloween. That's how big a deal it is coz we find halloween really fun, a different kind of bonding for us.

Since we think of wearing different Costumes each time, it has been a big burden looking for the next costume to wear. The malls that we have here has very limited designs to choose from. Chances are you get to bump with someone wearing the same costume as you. It ain't cool, right?

Well anyway, buying online is very "in" nowadays. It saves you a lot of time going to the malls and having to spend on gas. And sometimes buying online is a lot cheaper. So if I were you, you gotta check out the Costumes here. They have a wide range of unimaginable costumes for kids and adults. They have like more than 14,000 costumes to choose from. And not only that, they also offer costumes and costume accessories for nearly every holiday or event. It's more like a one-stop-shop if you are looking for costumes to wear.

**Sponsored Post**

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Nacho Libre

"I just want to try Dad's bike outfit! I look like Nacho Libre!"

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2nd Ebay Purchase

it's pretty, agree or disagree?

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Jazz Up!

Do you have an idea what to give your maid of honor, bridesmades, candle and veil sponsors, and flower girls as a token? Have you ever thought of how your partner would feel when he sees you in a personalized tank top that says "I love my husband", or on your honeymoon night with you wearing a personalized lingerie with a Mrs. so and so printed on them? Do you want to turn a lot of heads when you are at a beach wearing a personalized unique bikini? Do you want people to always compliment you on what you are wearing? Do you want to hear them say "I like your top, it's unique and pretty? Then Custom Crystal Attire at AdvantageBridal.com is the site for you. Here they customize and personalize almost about everything from tank tops, t-shirts, boy shorts, thongs, hoodies and sweat pants, shorts, bath robes, baseball caps, and sun visors.

What's cool about Custom Crystal Attire at AdvantageBridal.com is that you can tell them what and how you like your designs to be and they will help you create. You can choose from a dozen of garment and rhinestone colors. You are not just limited to what they have. They allow you to be creative and to make each piece unique.

This is the time to get funky and cool. Wear something that brings out your personality. Do away with those boring tanks, tees, bikinis, it's time to shine in your one of a kind unique piece!

**Sponsored Post**

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Takatak Queen

Oh yes I'm the "Takatak Queen" in the kitchen, "takatak" meaning I put in a dash of herbs and spices to what i'm cooking (it's more like open a bottle of thyme and "taktak" in the pan ^_^ ) And did you know that I'm not one who measures ingredients? N has been constantly reminding me to write down how much of these and that did I put for a certain recipe, so the taste would be consistent, and he always says who knows one day you're gonna put up a restaurant. And did I buy that? Nope! Me and my stubborn self, or is it more like lazy? I always have a ready answer for it. I only cook for the family and more or less I know how much to put in every recipe.

So here is my recipe in photos of Prawns in Lemon Butter Sauce. (Go figure how much to "taktak") Click on the photos to enlarge

the ingredients
don't throw away the shrimp heads, they're yummy

Note: the hungry people in the dining table could not wait for me to get a fresh battery for my camera so I will be able to take a shot of the cooked prawns. All I hear is "hhhmmm...Mom, this is so yummy". Shhhh, just between you and me, Josh finished 9, and Ish about 5. N had 3 only, but almost finished all the heads (he knows how to pick the yummiest). This recipe goes well with garlic rice.

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"Ebayer" I Am!

I've been going to Ebay a lot lately, coz i'm thinking of setting up an online store. It's like shall it be on Ebay or a sister site of this blog. And while at Ebay, I couldn't stop myself from browsing/viewing items that were being sold and auctioned. I ended up buying 2 havaianas. The beige one I already got, i'm still waiting for the navy blue one probably tomorrow. I think this is from the 2007 collection, i've already checked in shops selling havaianas and I haven't seen this style yet. Correct me if i'm wrong. I just don't know why I go gaga over these havaianas, probably because it's comfortable, or should I say stylish...BOTH! Check out the LATEST STYLES and start drooling ^_^

Honestly, it took me a couple of days contemplating whether or not to buy things at Ebay, but I did...how will I find out if it's ok or not if I don't try. At least for now, all my worries are gone, and it took only 1 transaction to erase whatever negativity there is.

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A Night With Bloggers

I received a text message from Nao that there's an EB organized by AnnaManila at the ISSI Bldg., UP Diliman. I immediately sent an sms to my bff asking if she'd like to come with me, and she agreed. So after my belly dancing class, off we went to UP. It was a night of fun, having to spend time with other bloggers. I'm sharing with you photos from that EB. (click photos to enlarge)

l-r: BA, Moi, Marie, Dine, (Boy Dapa & Marghil) Myrna, Nao, Erlyn, Jamie & Erica

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Toning The Trouble-Spots

One night I was watching the video taken by N of our Belly Dance Performance. I noticed that while doing the shoulder shimmy, my "loose arm flesh" (triceps) was also doing a shimmy to my disgust. Right away N suggested that I do something about it. Yesterday he bought me a 3lb. weights so I can start doing what I need to do. Luckily I have found some help in the net. Click HERE. I think this is pretty easy, if I can do it, YOU can also do it. Let's check on each other's progress, okie?

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Do You Need To Remind Me?

Joshua's yaya (nanny) is on a 2-week vacation. He attempted to sleep by himself on the 1st night but to no avail. He ended up sleeping at 5 in the morning. So we asked him if he wanted to sleep in our room. For a week now, he has been sleeping with us.

We always have a little chitchat before bed talking about this online game that he has been playing. Frustrated that I couldn't even understand what he's talking about, I decided to try it. He gave me a few tips on how to go about it, explained further the dos and don'ts. He even assured me that I'm gonna enjoy the game.

Here are some of our conversations every night:

Me: Are you sure Josh that I can go about it (the game)?
Josh: Of course Mom! And yeah if someone goes to you saying, need bf or need gf, IGNORE them...and besides you're already MARRIED.

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Me: Hey Josh...what are runes? (i have not finished the tutorials of the game) Can you tell me where to get it? Can you also tell me where to get some food, etc.
Josh: Sorry Mom, I can't teach you much, you see I'm not a born teacher, and besides I know you can figure it yourself.

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Josh: Mom, I can't sleep, I'm bothered by Dad's snoring.
Me: Tap him on the shoulder, and when he moves he'll stop snoring.
Josh: *waiting*
Dad: *snores*
Josh: *taps his shoulder*
Me: I said tap Josh not shake!
Josh: Mom, the tapping did it, he stopped snoring!

~the following night ~
Josh: Dad's not snoring, finally we have some PEACE AND QUIET nor now.
Me: Do you think Dad'd not annoyed by our noise?
Josh: I don't think he hears us...see he's still asleep.

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Me: Can you move a little please...you occupy so much space.
Josh: What can I do, I have ABs and MUSCLES.
Me: *gasp* ABs and MUSCLES? Do you know what you are talking about?
Josh: boys can dream too, you know.
Josh: *touching dad's tummy* Mom, I can feel dad's ABs, open close quotation.

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*These are some of the many funny conversations we have every night, sometimes it takes us an hour before hitting the sack.*

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I Did It!

This is the second time I missed watching a Pacman fight on tv, but I tell you it was worth it. We woke up at 5 in the morning to get ready for the Tour of the Fireflies. I don't normally eat breakfast but this time I did. I followed N's advise of having cereals, milk and banana. I dressed up to my improvised bike outfit (I can't find a jersey that fits to a T), put on my helmet and off to Tiendesitas, the starting point. It was overwhelming to see thousands of bikers, all joining for a good cause.

We took off a little after 8, everyone as excited as me. We cruised thru C5 all the way to Ayala Ave. We got stuck in the corner of Makati Ave., creating a little traffic to the annoyance of the commuters. Cars started blowing horns, this time to the annoyance of the bikers, and to answer to all those honking, bikers started going wooooooooooo...it was fun =) It turned out there was a water station halfway thru Makati Ave. and Paseo de Roxas. There was just too many bikers to fit the stretch between those streets.

Then we continued cruising, passing thru Buendia all the way to Roxas Blvd. Pitstop was suppose to be at Quirino grandstand, but the trees in Roxas Blvd. was just inviting thus the major pitstop (more like 20 mins). Then we went past Luneta, all the way to Quiapo (gosh I had a hard time, crossing the bridge, it was uphill you know) then passing the whole stretch of Espana. There was another water station, so we stopped for like 10 mins. again. Then proceeded passing E. Rodriguez, turned right at Gilmore. From Gilmore, we went straight to Ortigas Extension. I was really happy when I saw Greenhills, coz it means that we were getting nearer to Tiendesitas, but lo and behold, the group turned left to Santolan. I was thinking hmmmm maybe we'll take Edsa, indeed we took Edsa, but instead we turned left going all the way to Araneta Center for a turnover ceremony of the newsletter. There I found out that we were about 5,000. From Araneta, we passed by a street which I was not really very familiar with, all the way to Green Meadows. I felt kinda tired and was feeling all the heat when we were nearing Tiendesitas. I shifted my gear coz it was uphill again and was on a relaxed mode. The biker on my right thought that I was giving up and he told me Ma'am we're almost there, it was very encouraging. Upon reaching the gate in Tiendesitas, we were welcomed by a firetruck, sprinkling water on all the bikers. YES! I DID IT! And I'm GOING to DO it AGAIN!

all tired after the ride

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Tour for a Cause

"Sweet, let's join Tour of the Fireflies" N was telling me one night. It's fun, it's an experience, and there's even a 4 yr. old boy who joined last year. Since it's fun and all, I immediately said YES. Then I went to google it...WHAT? 50 km? around Metro Manila? (I know, I should have asked for the details before saying YES) And I go, sweet I don't think I can, it's a 50 km tour, I don't think my body can handle it. And he goes "kaya mo yan (you can do it), you have enough cardio exercise, there's your belly dancing and you've been playing badminton lately".

Well, who can say NO to that. I'm really excited, I'm all geared up to do it. It's a once in a lifetime experience, and yeah if my body decides to quit halfway, then I can always take my bike and ride the truck =)

SEE YOU TOMORROW!

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Playing Badminton with Josh

Josh has been playing every afternoon for an hour at the 4th floor (supposedly our badminton court, but still unfinished). I even joined them one afternoon coz I heard their voices and they were having so much fun. I really didn't intend to play that afternoon. But seeing them having a great time, I joined them, too lazy to change into the correct footwear. Too scared to play in my havaianas, I played barefoot (yeah call me cheapskate or something). The result? I had blisters...hmmmp I didn't like to destroy my havaianas you know :)

Seeing how Josh enjoyed, I invited him to go play at the court nearby...now he is making it a regular thing. I'm just waiting for him to tell me that he again wants to be trained (we enrolled him in 2004 but only finished half of the training as we were scheduled to have a vacation).

See how my darling boy's soooooo serious about his fitness program...will he lose weight?

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Me: what is it babe?
Josh: oh never mind Mom...i heard you sigh (which I did), maybe I asks too many questions.

It has always been this way (not the sigh part), whenever we're in the car, Josh talks non-stop. Occasionally he's being joined by his sister Ish. They sound like tweeting birds. I used to tell them, hey I can't concentrate on my driving, can you please lower your voice or just give me some peace and quiet til we reach the place?

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Josh: what's a virgin Mom?
Me: person who didn't have sex yet (I assumed he knows about the sex part)
Josh: oh so that makes me a virgin, and I guess i'm gonna be a virgin forever.
Me: and why do you say that?
Josh: because I don't want to have annoying kids, just like me!

haha...so he figured he can get annoying sometimes huh =)

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How I Spent My Week

We normally spend Holy Week at home...it's all you can sleep time (without feeling guilty, without feeling like a bum), anyone can be LAZY, anyone can stay LATE at night each doing his/her own thing.

1. I was able to cook pasta (Tomato, Cream & Cheese and Puttanesca Sauces) and they loved it.
2. I thought I finished the series Gilmore Girls. The season 7 dvd contained only 10 episodes...bummer!
3. Watched Memoirs of Geisha (don't have anything to do)
4. Had dinner at my in-laws, brought my version of chicken inasal for them to taste, and cooked garlic rice to go with the chicken.
5. Had our usual Good Friday Coffee Night at starbucks with the gang.
6. Attended Easter Service, then had Easter lunch over at my parents' house.
7. Was suppose to watch a movie to culminate the week, but lazy bones still =(

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MIL's 65th Birthday Party

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Double Ouch!

After a hard day's work (wedding coverage), I was treated by N to a foot spa. I miss having my feet done, although I don't look forward to it coz i'm tickled pink whenever someone else touches my feet. It's just that I needed it badly, the skin is dry and flaky and needs a buff. How I wish the procedure is relaxing, but really it's not, aside from the fact that it tickles, it hurts too. The attendant says I have sensitive skin.

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The kids requested if I can make them some cookies today...so I did. I made them 3 batches of oatmeal-choco chip cookies, and a batch of chewy chocolate cookies. Josh even helped...made some gingerbread man shapes, and he enjoyed a lot. He can't even wait for it to be baked, while shaping them, some goes to his mouth too, and he says it's yummy. Isha does the same too...when I tried it, true enough it was as yummy as the baked ones. And yeah, i burned my thumb, I don't know how it happened, im usually careful when I take out the cookie sheets from the oven, but still. Oh well...want some cookies?

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We Were There

We attended The Philippine Blog Awards earlier to represent FrancescainFrance who was one of the finalists in the Special Awards category (Best OFW Blog). It was a successful event, though I expected see and meet more bloggers. I was happy to have met ApplesH who was part of the registration team. I saw Toni and her hubby who's seated right in front of us, Toni bagging the Best Home and Living Blog category...congratulations! Funny how Toni was excluded in the announcement of the finalist in that category, and that her husband had to point out to the emcees the screenshot being flashed on the stage (imho, even if her blog was not listed in the script, those emcees should have known since they were bloggers themselves, one even mentioned that she went through all the blogs of the finalists last night).

Congratulations to all the winners...and to Francesca, even if you did not bag the award, you are still a winner...in our hearts. We love you!

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