TOPAZ HORIZON

But first, a confession: I had no idea that ToyCon was a big deal in this country. I'm not a toys kinda girl so it just was never in my radar. But my husband is a toys geek and a few weeks ago, he brought it up. ToyCon. He was wondering if he and our sons should check it out. Yes, my sons are toy geeks, too. We discussed it a bit, then I forgot about it because diba nga I'm not really a toy person. But I am a Game of Thrones fan so when Vince said, "Hodor will be at ToyCon!", I was so in!

We're going to ToyCon, people!

Superheroes ready to go to #SmartTOYCON 2016!

But first, pizza. Because even superheroes need super fuel. See you at #SmartTOYCON!

Halloo everyone! This month's monthly update on the SalesVIP boys sees the three kiddos Vito, Iñigo and Piero visiting Kidzania for the first time. (Wait. A monthly update on my boys? Yes! Just because my readers are asking for it so let's try to do one every first Monday. Sulitin na natin habang hindi pa 6 years old si Vito!)

First thing we learned is Kidzania is pronounced as Kid-ZAH-nya. Not Kid-ZAY-nya, as we've been doing all this time. (We still actually say it incorrectly heehee.) The next thing we learned is it's a huge space fashioned to look like a small town for small people. There's a bank, a hospital, a gas station, a fire station, a newspaper office, a tax office, and lots lots lots more. It was so cute (and a bit surreal) to see all these tiny people working. I mean just look at these adorable construction workers!

We were at Kidzania to attend the launch of the program, Kids for a Greener World. It's a collaboration between H&M Conscious, Century Tuna, Shell Philippines, and Kidzania. We were specifically there to check out the Upcycling Workshop of H&M Conscious.

The workshop encourages kids to bring old clothes to donate to the program. They'll see how their clothes will be recycled. The clothes will then be cut into strips then made into new things. Vito made a bracelet.

Here are a few photos of some moms I love who were at the event with their kids:

Cosmopolitan fashion director Donna Cuna Pita with Amara and Mateo

Manila Bulletin columnist Kim Reyes-Palanca with husband Santi and son Lucas

Unilever's Agoo Bengzon and Andre

Lifestyle blogger Jenni Epperson with Aryanna and Dylan

Eat, Drink and Be Married co-host Nicole De Los Angeles with Jaime Aloncito

Sparrow Fragrances's Cathy Cantada-Dizon with Damien

Beauty blogger Shari Macainag with Selene

If you're planning a visit to Kidzania from now up to June 15, do remind your kids to look through their closet and pick out an item they'd like to donate to the H&M Conscious Upcycling Workshop. This is right in the town center of Kidzania so you can't miss it. There they can make fabric bracelets out of their recycled clothes. It's a fun way to learn about saving the environment so do get your kids to participate. As a bonus, every kid who participates in the workshop gets a 15% discount voucher to shop for H&M Conscious clothes. H&M Conscious is a label that uses recycled fabric, a green addition to your sartorial picks!

H&M Conscious is available at all H&M stores. H&M Conscious Upcycling Workshop will be at Kidzania until June 15.

My kids love Nutella. Especially Vito. That's him trying to take home a giant jar of the hazelnut spread. My firstborn can eat out an entire jar if we didn't stop him. No joke. He eats Nutella sandwiches every morning—as soon as he wakes up, for second breakfast at 10, for merienda, and for just before dinner. I have had to regulate Vito's consumption of Nutella! So when Nutella asked me if I liked Nutella, I practically yelled in happiness! I like Nutella a lot, sure, but my kids LOVE it. So of course we would love to be part of the Nutella campaign!

I'm so happy to announce that I'm the brand ambassador of Nutella's super fun new campaign, #YourNutella!!!


So let's talk about #YourNutella!

1. What is this #YourNutella campaign?
Filipinos love Nutella and Nutella knows that. So this is their way to say thanks to all of us Nutella addicts by giving us the chance to have our very own Nutella jar. Yes, personalized. With our name on it!

Fabian Heymer, brand manager for Nutella Southeast Asia, says, "For many, Nutella has been a huge part of their childhood as they enjoyed the spread at breakfast... Everyone's name is unique and we are at an age when personalization is vital, just like our friendship and relationship with our fans, and we hope that our #YourNutella campaign would convey our gratitude for their support."
2. How can I get my own jar of Nutella???
Right now, the #YourNutella campaign is making the rounds of your favorite supermarkets, offering Nutella jars with pre-personalized labels. Just look for your name! For a complete schedule, please check out Nutella's Facebook page (click here).

3. Oh no! I didn't find my name! / Oh no! I missed the supermarket stop near me! So no hope for me?
There is hope! Just visit Nutella's website (click here) to create your own label. Nutella will then snail mail you your own personalized label! Make one for you, one for each kid, one for each sibling, one for your mom and dad, for your classmates, officemates, boyfriend, girlfriend, everyone!!!

4. Will a personalized jar cost more?
5. How can I be part of the #YourNutella campaign? 
Once you get your own jar, take a photo of it, of you and your jar, of your kids and their jars, of the whole barangay with their jars, share a story on why you love this hazelnutty-chocolatey spread, and share on Instagram. Please tag @NutellaSEA and use the hashtag #YourNutella.

I was so happy to bring Vito to the #YourNutella launch event at Glorietta Activity Center last May 14. I rarely get to bring Vito to my work (it's Iñigo and Piero I tote around) so he doesn't really know what I do. All he knows is I write. But on that day, Vito was all wonder and joy because his Mama had such a fun job. With Nutella!!!

Look at our pictures from the happy day:

While waiting for the program to start, Vito painted.

Together with the Nutella and Ferrero team, we turned on the switch for the Nutella factory!

And here are our personalized jars!

Vito lined up to create his own label.

Serious while activating the conveyor belt.

After about 5 minutes... tadaaaa!

Our own Nutella jars!

My nutty love!

Thank you, Nutella, for letting me spend time with my son. We love our personalized jars. But we all shared our Nutella—even the ones with our names on it!—because family is all about sharing, especially the stuff we love best. Like Nutella!