Friday, November 24, 2017

I support World Vision! Plus, news on their recovery aid for returning families in Marawi

Hello, mamas! I'm happy to announce that I have decided to support a worthy cause—the education and literacy of children, especially our underprivileged fellow Filipino kids. I've been thinking about this this year, now that I have two sons in big school. Education is expensive. Tuition, books, school supplies, uniform, baon, projects, the trips back and forth every school day—it's terrible!

There have been a few times these past few months na napapaluhod ako sa takot kasi the tuition is due and wala talaga kaming pera. I'd pray, "Lord, Lord, sabi Niyo hindi Niyo kami pababayaan. Tuition na next week and the checks haven't come. Help us!" I remember nitong August lang, I was praying so hard again and the next day, a blog sponsor called and said the check is ready and the amount was just what I needed to pay my sons' tuition! Coincidence or answered prayer? You know what I believe, mamas!

These instances have made me think na ako na nga who is privileged in so many ways get frightened by the expenses, paano pa yung wala talaga? I remember my poor mother getting into mountains of debt just to send us four kids to school. I think of my own three kids and that I need to work soooo hard for at least 20 more years just to give them a good education. Honestly, it crushes me, those years stretching out before me. Nakakapanghina.

But I trust in a God who is King and He will provide for me and my children. There is a verse in the Bible that says, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. [Psalm 37:25]," and it comforts me. My God will not forsake me. My children will never beg. I claim this promise! 

And because God provides for me, I will share His blessings! And because I am acutely aware of how my own education has saved me from poverty and the fact that I work so hard to send my kids to school, I know that what our country needs to prosper is the good education of all our children. So let's help send other kids to school, mamas!

That's why I now support World Vision. Kapag may extra ako, I donate money to buy a Learner's Kit, a cheery orange backpack filled with school supplies! At P600 a kit, yan pa lang ang kaya ko. One day, I hope to be able to sponsor three scholars the same ages as my kids. 


I also talked with World Vision and said one way I can support them is to be an advocate and share with my readers their work. So, mamas, once in a while, I'll tell you about World Vision, okay? 

Today, I have great news: World Vision commits to support early recovery efforts for Marawi as thousands of its displaced families start returning to the city. The city was attacked by armed groups last May, displacing about 400,000 people and affecting more than 80,000 school-aged children. It disrupted the livelihood of more than 69,000 farmers and around 118,000 workforce. Now that Marawi is liberated, our work—yes, it's our turn!—our work begins. 


Mommy Raisa is one of the many displaced women who now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the rubble. The 39-year-old mom of three is also 5-months pregnant. "Some people were afraid of us after the Marawi crisis started so more than the relief items, it matters that people come here, talk to us and listen to us," shares Raisa.


She has been attending World Vision's women and young child space (WaYCS) in the outskirts of Piagapo in Lanao del Sur. "The 10-day WaYCS has also been a good venue for me to mingle with other mothers and get support as I take care of my children, especially the baby inside me," she explains. Her child Hanzela, also joined the child-friendly space and was given a Learner's Kit.

World Vision says, "To date, the organization, through its local partners Ecoweb, Mindanao Tri-partite Youth Core (MTYC), Rawaten, Lanao Youth Council and Tapukan Farmers' Movement for Progress and Concord, Inc. has reached at least 40,000 people through its multi-sectoral interventions. 

"About 20,000 children were served through setting up of 14 child-friendly spaces and provision of learner's kits while 4,000 families or approximately 20,000 people were given hygiene kits that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear for both children and adults, sanitary napkin, nail cutter, malong, bath and laundry soaps and other non-food items like mosquito net, fleece blanket and plastic mat. World Vision, through the departments of education and social welfare, has provided 12 temporary learning spaces and 1,000 5-gallon water."

Rommel Fuerte, World Vision's National Director in the Philippines, promises, "We will continue to stand with the people of Marawi, especially with the children who are at the heart of our response."

To help World Vision, visit their website. God bless you, mamas!

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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

7 makeup products (+ 3 treatments!) that my oily skin loves

It's no secret that I've been battling acne for the last three decades. Because of Flawless Face & Body Clinic, my face is finally clear!!! Smooth and radiant for the first time in the longest time. Does this mean I've been cured? Well, no. I still need my monthly facials to manage my acne-prone skin. Notice I now say "acne-prone skin" and not "acne-ridden face." I'm soooo happy!


Anyway, since I'm still an oily-skinned woman (yes, even though I'm already 41), I'm here to share with you how I manage to look fantabulous even though my skin had suffered from oil, breakouts, dark pimple spots, and ice-pick scars. How? With the right makeup!

You'll be happy to know that I don't use a ton of products, too. Here they are, my tried-and-tested makeup for oily skin:

Primer
I only use primer when I have a whole day of events or when I have a speaking engagement. Primer creates a smooth base by filling up pitted scars and fine lines (acts like masilya haha) and also makes makeup adhere better, longer. I've tried a few primers. The Bobbi Brown Skin Smoothing Pore Perfector, P1,780, is my favorite. Two thumbs up for helping me look pore-less, line-less, and scar-less.

Available at Bobbi Brown boutiques

Foundation
A huge perk of my job back then as editor at Calyxta.com was we Calyxta girls could sample the tons of products our beauty website sells. I've been happy with Maybelline Dream Mousse foundation until one day, testers of L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR foundation dropped at Calyxta HQ. I tried it and our art director, Ming, said, "What are you wearing? You look great!"

This was a huge deal for me, guys, because when I was working at Calyxta, I couldn't do reviews that showed my face—I had sooo many pimples and dark scars. L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR foundation, P700, covered that all up! Even better, the foundation dries to a matte finish and my face stays shine-free all day long. I love it!


Concealer
For really dark spots and for those days I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep (and when you're a mother, you never get any of that!), Pink Sugar Our Lil Secret Concealer, P349, always rescued me. Pink Sugar is a local brand. Yes!!! Support local!!! I love that it's local because its formula takes into consideration our tropical climate. This concealer covers all blemishes and it stays on those blemishes all day. This concealer does not budge! It comes in a tiny tube but that's okay because it's a thick product. Just a tiny bit goes a long way. I love it!


Eyeliner
This is another fab find. I love the Malissa Kiss Super Black Ultra HD Eye Liner, P349. Malissa Kiss is a Thai brand. I used to skip eyeliner because it always smudges. Always! I always end up looking like a raccoon. But here comes this liquid eyeliner from Thailand, sporting an extremely fine point that makes for precision lining. The ink dries quickly so blinky-eyes me won't even need to fan my eyes for the liner to set. And when it sets, it's there forever. I love it!


Eyebrow Pen
Behold—the Malissa Kiss Super Shape Ultra HD Brow Pencil, P349! It's so easy to use. Just brush up brows with the built-in spoolie, then draw on your arches with the crayon on the other end. The crayon is waxy so it acts like a pomade and keeps brow hairs in place. Best part? The crayon is deeply pigmented, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, and oily skin-proof. I love it!


Pressed Powder
Innisfree No Sebum Blur Pact, P759, is a revelation. It really does blur imperfections so that I look like I'm glowing (not shiny!). I use this to set my makeup and then I find that I don't need to powder my nose anymore, no matter how long my day is. The fine powder made from Jeju clay combined with other minerals absorbs oil and controls oil production, too. It's so amazing. I love it!


Blotting Paper
For extra hot days or if I want to freshen up, I don't even need to bring out my powder. I just use Happy Skin Tickled Pink Skin Perfecting Absorbent Charcoal Blotting Sheets, P149. It's my favorite because it's huge. When you have oily skin, it's oily everywhere, not just on the nose. So I appreciate how big the paper is because one sheet is enough to suck up the oil on my entire face. I love it!


I'm still looking for a mascara. When you have oily skin, the mascara smears on lower lids every time lashes brush against the oil. Yep. Think about eye makeup remover—what's it made of? Oil. And oil on my skin is abundant. So the search for mascara continues! If you have any recommendations, please share!

Now I want to happily say that as my skin improves with every visit at Flawless, I've found that I no longer need makeup. Oh yes, it's true! Shout out to my derma, dear Dr Boyles of Flawless SM Light, for taking care of my skin! I am super grateful. She walked me through my Flawless treatments—first the Advanced Acne Control Facial with Salicylic Acid Peel when my skin was volcanic; next was the Glycolic Acid Peel when my skin had calmed down, and now my Rejuvelite Facial (Acne Control) to maintain my now-almost-perfect skin!

We still need to address my ice-pick scars, and for that Dr Boyles recommends the Fractional Needling Therapy (FNT), which celebrities regularly get. It's a therapy that uses micro needles to resurface skin and push powerful skin-nourishing serums deep into the dermis. Because needles are involved, there's downtime—your face will be really red for days, which is why I haven't said yes to the FNT yet because as a working mama with no yayas and maids and who picks up my kids every day from school, I don't have the luxury of hiding away from the world as I wait for my face to heal. I should've done it during the ASEAN holiday!!! If I ever do FNT, I'll update you!

Meanwhile, I'm already happy with my pimple-free face and content that my fab makeup finds helps me achieve that flawless look!

This post is brought to you by Flawless Face & Body Clinic.

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Monday, November 20, 2017

Invest in mothers to build a better tomorrow

Today, Nov. 20, is Gifted Awareness Day. For parents like us, this may either mean we're celebrating the fact that we have super achiever kids or lamenting the fact that we don't. Actually, mamas, every child is gifted! We just need to identify those gifts, encourage them, and support our children so that their gifts can develop and they can use their gifts for society's benefit.

That's what I learned recently at the special event PROMIL® Four created for mommies.

(Stay with me, mamas, this is not your usual event coverage post!)

With the Philippine Center for Gifted Education (PCGE), the milk brand prepared workshops for mom bloggers, influencers, and celebrities to help us all appreciate being a child again and learning how a child learns. Experts in developmental pediatrics, clinical psychology, obstetrics, health and wellness, nutrition, and even the arts were our speakers that day. We learned to calm ourselves and move our bodies with yoga (I am now so into yoga, mamas!), how to paint like preschoolers (it was both easy and hard), communicate with words and with just our intuition (both surprisingly had their pros and cons), and to work as a team. It was a fun-filled day!


We also listened to talks on how we moms can identify our children's gifts, how to nurture them, and how to support our child's journey to a well-developed giftedness that contributes to the betterment of the community. It was very inspiring, mamas! Ang dami kong natutunan and marami rin akong mom guilt na lumabas haha

I would like to say that I had an important realization that day, and it's this: The future rests in a mother's hands. Ever heard of that adage, "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world"? We all say the children are the future, but if their mothers don't care for them, that's not a very bright future. Mothers are so important!

Dra. Leticia Ho, Clinical Psychologist/Neurotherapist and President of Philippine Center for Gifted Education, told us that kids start their battle in life from conception. Will your child be smart, strong, healthy, sickly, mentally delayed? Will your child be fat? Will he be pandak? All these factors are determined by genetics, of course, but a mother who knows exactly how to take care of herself can shape her child's future and even affect the future predetermined by one's genetics.

From conception, a child's development and future depends so much on his mother—if she's eating well, if she lives in a good environment, if she has a stress-free pregnancy. When she is at the peak of her health, a mother is able to nurture her child's abilities even as the baby grows inside her.

Healthy little boys! But the one in my tummy was a delicate pregnancy. Was so scared!

So what happens now to us and our kids, us mamas who had stressful jobs or relationships, mamas who couldn't eat properly when we were pregnant, mamas who were sick—will our children be doomed for life? Not necessarily. Or paano na if you're the typical Pinoy family—you and your husband are around 5 feet tall. So ibig sabihin ba nun pati mga anak niyo forever nang maliit? This is where the mother comes in!

While a child's crucial development begins in the womb, we can still intervene when they are babies and toddlers. The first 1,000 days of the child, starting with the mother’s pregnancy, is so important! We learned that these thousand days are when the child "responds and adapts to different interventions."

Intervention is an interesting word. It means positive interference. To interfere is to stop something from its intended destination and then steer it to another direction. In that sense, even if a child is headed to ill health, stunted development, and a sad future, we can stop that from happening. We can intervene! How? With the proper nutrition, good parenting, and lots of love!

Explaining pregnancy to the boys through art!

I know PROMIL® Four is for kids so why am I talking about parenting here, right? It's just that so much focus is put on our children that we forget the most vital part of our child's development—the mother! What is a child without a caring mother? What is a child without a mother who knows exactly what to do to prevent illness, knows the best food to give him, knows the best ways to encourage and push a child to do his best, knows what kind of education her child needs, knows how to protect and nurture her child? A mother in an ideal environment—meaning she is healthy, is educated, financially secure, and in an emotionally fulfilling relationship—will not only give birth to healthier children but she is better equipped at raising stronger, healthier, smarter, and more successful people.

Sadly, in most societies, girls and mothers are the least valued members. Did you know that in India, their preference for sons has resulted to short people? Short, as in pandak. How did this happen? Well, if they have daughters and sons, ibibigay nila yung good food sa mga sons nila. Gatas sa sons, tubig sa daughters. Also, sons go to school, daughters stay home and learn nothing. The problem is (there are many problems to this honestly) who becomes mothers one day? Obviously, it's the girls! And if you have short, unhealthy, uneducated mothers, they will give birth to short and unhealthy children! To make matters worse, because they're uneducated mothers, they won't know how to raise their children in the proper and healthy way! What a disaster!

Invest in girls. Invest in mothers!!!

An empowered mother is the most important factor in creating a generation of brighter, smarter, healthier, and kinder children. I really believe this, and my belief is based on studies and research. Dra. Leticia Penano-Ho, President of Phil Center for Gifted Education, told us moms, “Every child has the talent which can be a Gift if discovered and nurtured early. It is the parent’s role to make the child’s talent reach his full potential, or else that gift could just be there untapped and undiscovered.”

Our role as parents is to create an environment that is a good foundation for a child to be conceived and nurtured in, then we keep that environment healthy by giving our child proper nutrition and plenty of physical and mental stimulation. In a safe and secure and loving world like that, a child truly blossoms, which brings us to our next role, which is to spot his special gifts. It can be a talent, a skill, an intelligence, whatever it is we must embrace it and encourage it.

There I am trying to spot if I have a little athlete or two!

That's what I got from the PROMIL® Four’s Learning Workshop for us mommies! I hope I impressed upon you, mamas, to take care of yourselves so you can be the best mothers you can be. Because I also left the event feeling more determined to get some sleep, get fit, and eat better so I can be healthier and alert and happy. This will help me pay more attention to my kids, feed them better food (and ease up on the fast food), give them good milk (Piero likes his "super milk" PROMIL® Four!), and expose them to more learning experiences (like music, sports and art) so I can spot what their special gifts are and nurture them!

Anyway, PROMIL® Four, together with Atlantis Production, will be featuring talented children in the local production of Matilda the Musical, a play that features the story of a gifted child. The play is currently showing till December 10, 2017. PROMIL® Four is raffling out free Matilda tickets! Visit www.promilfour-matilda.com for more information.

PROMIL® Four has long been known for nurturing the young Filipino’s gift. It is specially formulated for children above three years old and is the only brand that contains NUTRISSENTIALS®—the combination of the unique and important nutrients that help support mental & physical development to help Nurture the Gift, together with balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

 To know more about PROMIL® and its other variants, visit its website at www.wyeth.com.ph.

This post is brought to you by PROMIL®.

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Friday, November 10, 2017

How to Choose a Moisturizer for Aging Skin

The signs of aging inevitably appear as we continue our journey called life. Even though these are not the most pleasant guests on the face, there are many ways to both prevent and treat them.

First of all, we believe it takes an understanding of the very reasons that lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Smoking, insufficient physical activity, alcohol, poor dieting, as well as misuse of cosmetics are among the leading causes for premature sagging of the skin. 

Mimicking, talking, and even the innocent moments when we stare at the screens of our phones or laptops gradually deepen the fine lines.

1. Start by finding the most suitable cosmetics for your skin type.



This is our best advice. There is no use buying the best and most expensive products if they don't suit you skin. For example, hyaluronic acid is a fantastic natural component to influence the signs of aging by softening and plumping the skin. But how does this work? 

Hyaluronic acid encourages retaining moisture to the surface of the epidermis so that fine lines and wrinkles become visibly smoother. However, in case of oily skin, products that enhance such a process can be counter-productive, as these can lead to unwanted shine. 

Vitamin C, Salicylic Acid, Green Tea Extract, as well as Retinol are among the best compounds to treat oily skin type. These help to increase the antioxidant levels and to promote cellular turnover to speed up the regeneration. On the contrary, such mild exfoliating compounds can cause worsening of the issues related to dry skin. So these have to be in combination with suitable emollients and oils that can aid in stimulating collagen production without triggering flakiness. 

Grape Seed Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Baobab Extract, Argan Oil, and Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride can make an excellent addition to the treatment. Sensitive skin type is the most easily irritated of all, so it’s best to opt for products that are natural-based. Fortunately, the booming of science and technology focus much on creating beauty lines that are inspired by nature. 

Meanwhile, combination skin type can benefit from adopting a more complex approach. You can choose to use two different products. One for targeting oily zones, and one to remedy dry patches. In case you are prone to acne and blemishes, products containing AHAs and BHAs are most likely to help you since they aid in drying out the pimples.

2. Experiment with ingredients and learn the art of self-observation.

Even though cosmetics claim to be suited for a specific skin type, we are all so unique, that this cannot be the most explicit guidance. You can try to implement a Korean moisturizer for aging skin to your beauty routine. 

Apart from their ageless, spotless appearance, Koreans are well-known for their meticulous skin treating programmes. Their formulations boast of medicinal herbs and extracts. By combining so many natural compounds, there is a higher chance that each of the ingredients reveals different benefits for the skin. 

And nonetheless, we can learn to develop the Korean ways of paying attention our skin’s reactions. Don’t just wait for miracles - check the face regularly for signs of improvement. Don’t be afraid to change the cosmetics until you find something that works for you. And even then, bear in mind that the efficiency of the compounds starts decreasing with regular use, so the whole process is a never-ending education with many trials and errors.

3. Always consider the consistency of the products.



Lightweight formulations are the best ones to suit oily skin. Meanwhile, products with a thicker consistency are more likely to benefit dry skin. Oil-based cosmetics can pamper sensitive types. Chamomile, Lavender, Geranium, Sandalwood, Neroli, and Tea Tree Oil can aid in calming the skin. 

We can also bring relief to acne-prone conditions with the help of oil-based products, as long as the oils possess a low comedogenic rating. Shea butter, Coconut, Argan, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackcurrant, Hemp, Neem and Pomegranate Oil are the ones that are less likely to cause clogging of the pores. 

It is also significant to consider increasing the care for the gentle eye zone. The skin in this area is very fragile, so it would be of maximum support to implement suitable cosmetics. In this case, you may want to look for some Korean eye creams or eye treatment products.

4. Read the labels thoroughly.

We know that can be a challenge, especially with so many ingredients that sound like a mouthful. But it is significant to educate ourselves on understanding and decoding the labels, at least to some extent, as that can help much to improve our self-observation with the effect of various ingredients on the skin.

5. Don’t rely solely on other people’s experience with a product.

And lastly, we don’t believe in one-in-all treatments. We all lead a different lifestyle, which can significantly influence the cosmetics we use. Perform your observations and only learn from other people’s experience, but never take it for something granted.

The Bottom Line

We live in the times when the beauty skin care industry is rapidly developing at pace, that is the fastest one in the history of humankind. And yet, with an abundance of products on the market, it is so easy to get lost in promises and an ocean of ingredients.

There are two sides to every story, as the free access to Internet has made people more connected than ever. 

We can learn from our insights and impressions with the best ways to treat the skin. And we find it an incredible opportunity to share our knowledge with so many people out there!

*This is a guest post by Hannah, the co-founder of Support Your Beauty. Her goal is to help her readers get the most out of all the most popular skincare products out there by being familiar with how each ingredient can impact one’s skin, hair, and general health. She believes that with a proper skincare regimen coupled with a smidge of makeup, anyone, no matter what age, race, or gender, can look and feel their best. To place a guest post, email frances@topazhorizon.com for my rates.
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Friday, November 03, 2017

Beautiful desks for work-at-home mamas

If you work from home like I do, you probably drool over those beautiful #deskgoals photos on Instagram (as I do haha). Pottery Barn sent me an article, "How To Organize Your Home Office for Increased Productivity," which I will publish below in a bit, but before I do that, lemme just show you mamas the desks and work tables available now at Pottery Barn. They are sooo nice!

This is the Juno Desk. I like its iron and wood aesthetic. As I get older and my life more full, I've found that I prefer to be surrounded by streamlined things—in design and function.


Although there is a thing about being too simple. I don't know how to feel about this Pittsburgh Crank Desk. It looks like it used to be a sewing machine. I do appreciate its lines. I think it appeals to the simplest design lovers, or steampunk fans.

Modern elegance—that's the Ava Metal Desk. It's so sleek and, my goodness, you have really keep this kind of table clear and uncluttered!

And this is me. My escritoire looks just like this except that mine doesn't have drawers. This Toulose Secretary Desk is right up my alley. It's simple and functional, has tons of storage space, and when my life gets too messy and chaotic, I can just hide it and lock it away hahaha. Totally love this desk!

Now here's the article Pottery Barn wants me to share with you, working mamas. Happy weekend, and rest well. Love lots from working mama me to working mama you!


* * * * * * *

How To Organize Your Home Office for Increased Productivity

PRESS RELEASE - If you work from home, you know that the setup of a home office space can directly influence how productive you are. Working from home has its challenges, as it can be much harder to focus than it is in a traditional office environment. With a few simple design changes, you can increase your focus and productivity, even if your space is full of distractions. Pottery Barn has the organizational tools you need to organize your home office and increase your output.

OPTIMIZE YOUR DESK SPACE
The desk is the area where most or all of work gets done, so it is the most important element of creating a productive home office. Declutter the space by removing unnecessary papers and objects from the desktop. Only keep what is necessary, like your computer and a notepad, and stow everything else in bins or drawers. A desktop organizer can keep pens and post-its in order, without overwhelming the space.

USE BINS
Clearing your desk space is important, but it can be counterproductive if you simply move everything that was on top of your desk into one of the side drawers. Use bins within your desk drawers to stay organized. Keep necessary items like scissors, highlighters, and tape in their own compartment close by, and then sort the rest of your items based on how often you need them.

ORGANIZE YOUR FILES
Deal with the paperwork every day by filing those things that are important and tossing the others. Use a paper tray for paperwork that needs to be addressed in the short term, and get a filing cabinet for organizing papers you need to save. 

USE THE RIGHT STORAGE
One obstacle of having a home office is that many people want the space to look more personal than what you might find in an office building. This can make designing the space tricky, but it doesn't have to be. Using stylish bins or wicker baskets for storage can soften the space. An attractive storage bin can play double-duty, holding cords or office items while giving the room a homey feeling.

FIND THE RIGHT LIGHTING
Lighting also plays a big role in staying organized and focused. If possible, place your desk by a window to maximize the use of natural light. Use lamps with soft lighting throughout the room to create a space that makes you comfortable and inspired to work.

USE BOOKSHELVES
If you have books or materials you depend on for your work, bookshelves are a must. Categorize your books to keep everything handy and easy to access. Also take advantage of open space to display photos or other items that can tie-in the office decor with the rest of your home.

ADD VARIETY
If you have the room, add an additional chair or sofa to your home office to give yourself a different view from time to time. If you don't have this option, rotate the lamp on your desk or occasionally switch out pictures on the wall. Even subtle changes can shift your brain and help you stay focused.

MAKE IT LOOK NICE
Sometimes, putting in the effort to make an area look nice can be a big boost to productivity. Use attractive items throughout the home office to help you stay motivated to keep the area clean. Use bookends to make a bookshelf more attractive, or opt for matching desk accessories to give the area a coordinated look.

In the Philippines, Pottery Barn is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. and is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central and at Estancia in Capitol Commons. 

Visit or follow www.facebook.com/PotteryBarnPH and @potterybarnPH on Instagram for more information.

*To be featured on Press Release Tuesdays, send it to frances@topazhorizon.com. Photos courtesy of Visions & Expressions.
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Thursday, October 26, 2017

Light therapy benefits on skin: Do they work?

Big confession: Before I get any treatment done, I devote a ton of research to it, but when I went to Flawless Face & Body Clinic for the Flawless Rejuvelite Mask Facial, I had been so busy I just said yes to it without knowing what it was. So when my aesthetician positioned what basically was a lamp on my face and I was bathed in blue light for 15 minutes, I went, "Okaaaaaaaay, what's this supposed to do?"


What just happened was my first every LED therapy. LED means light-emitting diode. These diodes are in the mask and they emit infrared light. There are different kinds of wavelengths per light, which is seen in the color of the light. Here's the list:

White reduces inflammation
Red promotes good blood circulation and lymphatic drainage
Amber stimulates production of collagen and elastin
Blue kills acne-causing bacteria on the surface and deep in the skin

The light is not your usual light because this penetrates deep into the skin and causes skin-beneficial reactions. And nope, this light doesn't damage skin at all. Because my main skin concern is acne, I agreed to the recommendation of Flawless to try the Flawless Rejuvelite Mask Acne Control Facial.

As you can see in my photo above, the light is blue. Blue light is beneficial to acne sufferers like me because it kills the bacteria present on the skin and also the ones deep in the layers, the bad bacteria that cause all the cystic acne that's so painful! I will admit that 15 minutes bathing under blue light was, well, not thrilling for me. But when I read the report made by the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that blue light therapy does wonders to pimply skin, I was sold because I love science!

Here's the excerpt from the article on the NCBI website:
"Phototherapy with visible light, specifically blue light, has been shown to improve skin condition in cases of acne and blemishes. It is further reported to control the condition before an outbreak occurs. This blue light therapy is clinically shown to control acne without harsh chemicals or prescriptions and improves the skin’s appearance. "

I'll do a proper review soon since I just started Rejuvelite and I want to see its full effects after a week or so. Meanwhile, to learn more about the LED light therapy that Flawless is offering, read this and then maybe you should give it a try! Right now, a few days after my first Rejuvelite Mask Facial, my skin looks really glowing. I think I've found my new favorite Flawless treatment!

Come back soon for my review!

JAN. 2018 UPDATE: Sorry it took a while but here's my review!

*This post is brought to you by Flawless Face & Body Clinic.
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Friday, October 20, 2017

Feeling Comfortable In Your Skin: Tips For Success



Feeling comfortable in your skin is not a science. It is an art. Also, despite the title of this post detailing ‘tips for success,’ success is often defined in a much different way than any other form of goal setting. Feeling comfortable in your skin is not measurable. It is more of a felt experience, something you take stock of every day and become better at as your life develops.

It is a dynamic process which you must maintain at all times. It is something which can give you the means to pursue your goals with confidence. It could simply be standing up for yourself in a conflict. The only complete and total result you can bet on however, is the ability to feel satisfied in all avenues of your life.

Here are some tips for fostering this comfort:

Pay Attention To Your Health
While accepting your unhealthy lifestyle might give you peace from a mental perspective, your physical health will always be a cause for concern no matter who you are. Improving your health will result in your body feeling wonderful, Acceptance of a changeable flaw is always inferior to pride in what you have achieved. This could be as simple as following a diet plan, or working out in the gym three times a week to stay active.

People will often tell you that you should never change and instead accept yourself, but those people miss out on the joy of self-improvement, and the intrinsic confidence that brings. We need a burden to bear as humans, or we are not physically or mentally normal. Unless you are subject to a disease or your physician recommends you abstain from eating healthily and exercising, these two tips can go a long way in making your body feel a much more friendly place.

Consider Your Social Etiquette
How do you come across to people? Have you ever reflected on this fact? Most of us marvel at the prevalence of rude people in society, not thinking that we could ever be one of these people. Watch yourself and your interactions with people. How do you feel on the surface? How do you react to people around you? How do you communicate? Are there psychological or language barriers which keep you from fully integrating into the world around you?

This is common for people living in a society who are having trouble speaking the native tongue. Services like those offered by AJ Hoge can provide you with the tools and techniques to make a silver tongue part of your arsenal, not a weakness to make you feel insecure.

Dress Sense
Our clothing is not merely superfluous. It is something we wear every day, something which allows us to express ourselves. This can help you feel comfortable in your skin, because the clothing may as well be part of your form it’s so utilized. Clothing helps express who we are, how we’re feeling, among a whole other range of important emotional variables. If you don’t usually put much thought into your dress sense, consider working towards it and developing a sense of style you can be proud of. Not sure about your current look? Switch things up? Before long you might see your clothing style as a method of artistic expression, rather than the ‘vain adorning’ you may have previously considered it to be. When you find that perfect garment, you will feel the most confident wearing it than you could ever have done before.

With these tips, you will certainly feel more like yourself, and more able to enjoy your life.

* This is a guest post, with my edits. To place a guest post, email frances@topazhorizon.com for my rates. Photo from Pexels.
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

A Grooming Guide For Gorgeous Husbands

I’m sure your husband or partner knows the basics of keeping clean and hygienic, because you wouldn't have been attracted to him if he was a slovenly pig. But does he know how to stay impeccably groomed? I'm writing this because these articles with variations of the title "A good barber is like a plastic surgeon" have been popping up on my Facebook feed and... Have you seen it? Here's a glimpse:

Click here for more amazing makeovers!

So inspiring, right??? Makes you want to drag your husband to the barber stat!

Good grooming is the very foundation of looking good. Thankfully, I'm married to a man who likes to keep himself well-maintained. Thankfully also, it's accepted these days for men to pamper themselves. Gone are the days when men were expected to look horrible to be called real men. Hubbies like David Beckham who likes sampling his wife's skincare products have made good grooming a good thing. Thank the heavens! 

Now if your hubby needs a few extra pointers on good grooming, you should pass on this guide to him.

Use the Right Hair Products
There is no doubt that you will have spent plenty of time trying to figure out which hair products work best for your hair. But has your partner? I wrote about the importance of knowing your hair and scalp type before buying products on Calyxta.com [How to Achieve Volume for Your Hair Length], in case you need more convincing.

Anyway, there are lots of shampoos and conditioners out there for men but, aside from the packaging and fragrances, they're not much different from products for women. Knwoing this, you can help your guy look for the products best for his hair and scalp type. The wrong ones could cause his hair to get too oily or dry.

Find A Barber
Why? Exhibit A above. There is no way your man will get a good haircut if he doesn’t go to a barber. My husband goes to a proper barber and I always find him wildly attractive after a haircut and shave. Truth! A barber can give your man a proper shave with a cutthroat blade—this shave will be a lot closer to the skin, so the hair will take longer to grow back. Smoother longer. Just run your hands all over that smooth face and neck mmmm.

Bare All Down There
A look at the article "Should Men Shave Their Legs? [https://99centrazor.com/trend-should-men-shave-their-legs/ ]" will make you see that this isn’t such a strange question at all. In fact, many men wonder about this one, especially if they're really hairy. And my trips to the waxing salon also tell me that men really do care about going completely bare down there. The waxing girls tell me that the guys believe a hairless groin makes the penis look bigger and the balls cuter. Well, we learn something new every day!

So should your hubby shave or wax, too? The truth is that it doesn’t really matter if they should or shouldn't unless they and their ladies care about hairiness. Going hairless doesn't serve any purpose except for aesthetics or for sexual pleasure. Yes, sexual pleasure! Let your hubby try going smooth and bare and see if you'll both like it. I bet you will! 

Don’t Forget Feet
Ok, so not many people will see your husband’s feet, but it’s good for him to get into a good care routine for his feet as it is good for hygienic reasons. Using a pumice stone [tips here: The Correct Use of a Pumice Stone] can help keep the skin on the feet smooth and soft, and it will also prevent callouses from developing. 

One of my favorite parts of my hubby's body is his feet. They're much nicer and softer than mine! He says it's because he drinks water a lot and he wears socks and shoes when he goes out. Unike me and my sandals and high heels and tight shoes.  

Always Moisturize
Think moisturizing is only for women? Think again! Everyone with skin should moisturize on a daily basis. So if your partner has this organ called skin, throw him a tub of moisturizer. It will help prevent his face from getting dry and will also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age lines. My husband says to exfoliate, too! A good marriage rests on good grooming, my mama friends, because the longer you look your best, the longer your marriage will last! Hahaha



Joking aside, keeping your hubby looking perfectly groomed isn’t so difficult. Just stock up on good hair and skincare products, find him a great barber, and maybe ask him to try going bare once in a while. Have fun!

*photo from Pixabay

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Monday, October 16, 2017

How I made peace with homework

I never liked homework when I was a kid. I hated it even more when I became a parent of school-age kids. Many reasons I was dismayed at the task of helping my kids with homework: 

1. As a working mama with no yaya and kasambahay, I’m super busy with work, chores and errands.
2. My kids and I are already tired from a long day at school and work.
3. Weekends are supposed to be spent relaxing!
4. Aren’t I supposed to be done with schoolwork already???

I was so upset with homework that my husband Vince offered to take over the job, but since I’m the parent who’s in touch with the teachers and fellow parents, it’s actually easier if I do homework duty. We take turns now, or we handle specific subjects. Homework duty did lighten up but I still resented it, until I realized recently this very important fact: My kids’ school is not in charge of their education—I AM.

Vince and I decided to send them to this school because it’s considered as one of the very best in the country. Why should I then be upset if the school gives my kids lessons??? 


 Yes, we’re being forced to spend time with our children but we’re spending that time doing something valuable: learning together. We have the incredible privilege of sharing our knowledge and wisdom. For example, our kindergartener Iñigo had homework about family. We don’t know how it happened but that turned into a discussion on how to make babies. Who better to teach our boys about sex than us, their parents?

The school is just the guide on what our kids should know academically, but when it comes to their real education, it’s up to Vince and me. In school, they are limited to 30 minutes per subject and lesson plans. At home, we take those lesson plans and expound on it. It’s Vince who patiently taught our sons to read, for example. The school may teach colors but I teach application through cooking and painting. The school teaches them handwriting but it’s Vince who strengthens the boys’ hands and fingers by making them play with Legos and and Play Doh. Their lessons don’t remain on the page because we make them come alive through daily teaching and practice. 

My activity sheets take a lot of time and effort so that lessons will be fun.

I realized that in many ways, we’re homeschoolers who send our kids to a learning institution for a few hours each day so that the boys have friends and learn to relate to people outside of family. But other than those few hours, their education rests mainly on Vince and me. Homework is homeschooling and, as parents and their first and most important teachers, I should never resent homework. 

Never underestimate the power of rewards!

I admit I still do! So we have little things that help ease the strain: We use their Legos for math lessons, we watch Batibot YouTube videos to learn Filipino, we play video games on the iPad to learn left/right/up/down/jump (and in Tagalog, too!), we test our knowledge on colors, counting and grouping when sorting the laundry, and all finished homework is rewarded by their favorite Nickelodeon TV show, three pieces of their favorite brain-fortifying Scott’s DHA Gummies, and a hug!
Always worth it to be my kids' teacher!

How about you, mamas? How do you feel about homework and how do you deal with it? If you have any tips on how to make homework easier for parents and kids alike, please share! 
Scott’s DHA Gummies is available in packs of 3 (a daily dose at P24.00), 15 (five days of healthy sweets at P117.50, and 60 (good for 20 days for just P433.00). You can find Scott's DHA Gummies at Mercury Drug, Watsons, and leading supermarkets nationwide.

For more information on how DHA helps your child's brain development, please go to www.scottskids.com/ph. You can also like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ScottsPh/.

This post is brought to you by Scott's DHA Gummies.

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Saturday, October 14, 2017

My 5 tips on how I keep our clothes looking new

One of the things on my bucket list this year is to buy new clothes for my husband and myself. That’s because Vince and I buy clothes just for the kids. I’m sure my mama readers know this! We always buy the kids’ things first and if there’s any budget left, then we shop for ourselves, right? 

Thing is, for the past so many years, even when there’s shopping money, Vince and I would rather buy experiences—we’d buy books and games, watch movies, try out a new restaurant, go on staycations—than buy clothes for us. After all, we stay the same size anyway (well, aside from the three times I was pregnant!) so there’s no urgent need to get a new wardrobe.

So I’m going to share with you a few tips on how I keep our clothes looking new! 

1. Wash clothes inside out.
It’s an extra step, I know, but I really believe that when the outside of the clothes are protected from the friction caused by washing, the clothes last longer. Buttons, embroidery, patches, designs. The only pieces I don’t do this to are jeans because jeans are supposed to fade.

2. Don’t use hot water.
My fantabulous Electrolux front-loading washing machine is my favorite appliance. It has so many functions that I can access through its computerized panel. So sophisticated! I noticed that its washing modes always use hot water. Hot water expands color molecules, resulting to fading of colors faster. So when I wash our colored clothes, I always adjust the wash modes to cold wash. The only time I don’t do this is with the whites.

3. Use a good laundry detergent.
I use Ariel, which really gets into those stains. That means I don’t have to use bleach on colored clothes and scrub at stubborn stains (scrubbing damages the material).  


But I make babad whites in bleach. It not only whitens whites but also kills germs in your washing machine.

4. Use fabric conditioner.
I’ve always used Downy Anti-Bac. That’s the anti-bacterial variant. Because it kills odor-causing bacteria, the clothes smell fresh longer and we can wear them for more than a day. I know that sounds gross but my husband and I work from home, with the A/C on all day, too, so we hardly ever sweat! And, of course, I also believe in how fabric conditioner protects threads and strands from fraying and elastics from stretching too much. I also read somewhere that Downy specifically has Color Protection Technology, so colors won't fade even after lots of washes. And I know it works because a lot of our clothes are at least 5 years old and they don't look faded and worn at all.  

5. Dry in a windy—not sunny—area. 
I grew up being told that freshly laundered clothes need to hang on a clothesline under the sun. This is how you kill germs, I was told. But I also know from my science classes that nothing is worse on color than the sun! The sun bleaches colors away! So, since I live in a condo with a big utility area, I always hang our clothes with the whites near the windows (whites are good with being sun-bleached!) and the colored clothes at the back. Thankfully, the big windows let in a lot of wind so the clothes dry real quick. Plus, fabric conditioner makes clothes dry faster so there’s no “kulob” smell even now when it’s the rainy season. As for killing germs, well, it helps that the Downy variant I use is already an anti-bacterial! 

Let me show you my favorite black dress, which I've had for almost a decade now. The black is still very black and the fit is still amazing—it hasn't loosened and neither has it gone threadbare. Alagang-alaga! 
Pregnant in 2009
Dress still looks good years after!

So those are my simple steps to keeping our clothes looking like new! Do you do the same things, mamas? Thanks and happy weekend!

UPDATE! Hi to all the mommies who are dropping by to read this particular blog post! Thanks for making it my most popular one. I didn't realize malakas pala ang labada topic. Sige, I will write about my labada tips more =D Thanks again for reading!

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Friday, October 13, 2017

What I got from the 8th anniversary sale of Quirks Novelties & Curiosities

It's the 8th anniversary of Quirks! I'm really happy that the novelty store is going strong. I remember meeting my friend and the co-owner of Quirks, Zerl Chan, at a coffee shop a few days before the opening of the first Quirks store at Power Plant Mall. It was such a tiny shore. Parang cabinet lang siya. Does anyone remember that tiny Quirks store??? But even though it was small, it was filled to the rafters with the most fascinating finds!

Now, 8 years later, there are five big Quirks stores all over Manila. And to celebrate its 8th anniversary, Quirks is having a big sale!

From now till Oct, 15, it's...
10% off all regular items!
15% off when you buy 2 or more items!

 From October 16-31, it's...
Pick a prize for a minimum purchase of P800!

This is storewide and site-wide. Yes, even their online store has the anniversary discounts!!!

Want more Quirks perks? Become a Quirks VIP member much faster because this month, you get double stamps on all purchases!

Here are three Quirks goodies for my family:



It's a ladle/wooden spoon/etc holder. Obviously, it's for me. But my bunso Piero thinks it's Spider-Man's hand so he says it's his and my little chef, Iñigo, says it must be his since he cooks. So we decided that when Iñigo cooks, it's his. Beyond cooking, it's Piero's.



It's a big tin for keeping memories, like photos and letters. I gave it to my husband because between the two of us, Vince is the sentimental one. He keeps EVERYTHING. Like, you can not KonMari method this guy because everything sparks joy. I love that man I married!


This is such a fabulous lunch box but my kids are going to store their Legos in it instead. Taking after their father, I see!


Vince's favorite Quirks item is the Sun Jar. It's a rechargeable lamp—you just put it under the sun and it soaks up all that light then you have naturally powered light all night. Vince LOVED his Sun Jar so much and then I broke it accidentally. He was a lot heartbroken about it. But now because of the sale, I think I'll go get him a new Sun Jar!

You can visit Quirks at Power Plant Mall, SM Megamall, SM Aura, UP Town Center, and SM North EDSA. You can also shop online at https://www.quirksph.com.

Happy 8th birthday, Quirks!

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Thursday, October 12, 2017

Cheesy quesadillas made healthy with Gold Seas Tuna Chunks

Hi, mamas! Today I'll share with you another recipe Chef Rosebud Benitez taught us mommy bloggers last week. These cheesy quesadillas are so delicious and so easy to make—definitely a snack (or even a lunch) you and your kids will love.

 (Check out the first recipe: Shepherd's Tuna Pie.)

All the ingredients are easy to find at your favorite supermarkets, too. And it's quick to make! Working mama me was delightfully surprised! And instead of ground beef, Chef Rosebud used Gold Seas Tuna chunks, which are lighter on the tummy and much healthier, too. Happy cooking!

TUNA QUESADILLA
  • 1 pack spaghetti sauce
  • 1 pack flour tortilla, small size
  • 500 grams mozzarella cheese 
  • 250 grams button mushrooms, sliced 
  • 2 cans of Gold Seas Tuna in Water
  • Olive oil for pan frying (optional, not needed when using a non-stick pan)
FOR THE SALSA:
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • Ripe mango, diced
  • Olive oil 
  • Cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste 

1. Spread some spaghetti sauce on a tortilla. Don't put too much since this will make your tortilla soggy.

2. Top with grated mozzarella cheese, sliced mushrooms and tuna flakes. 

 3. Fold in half and toast in a frying pan until golden.

4. If you used a non-stick pan, no need for oil. If you had to use cooking oil and fried your quesadilla, rest your quesadillas first on tissue paper to remove excess oil.

5. Serve with lots of tomato salsa on the side.

This was really so good! As in, super tasty, malinamnam, and also easy and quick to eat. That last part can be a problem because I ate so much! I just  happily pushed the cheesy tuna quesadillas in my mouth one after the other—chomp, chomp, chomp!


 Sarap na sarap ako haha It's a good thing tuna and salsa are light and healthy! All that cheese, though...

Thanks so much, Gold Seas Tuna Chunks, for inviting me to join Chef Rosebud and the mommy bloggers to this fun cooking class. I really enjoyed myself! Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is now going to be a regular ingredient in my cooking!

 Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is the pure, healthy, and chunky tuna choice for you and your family. With only premium tuna caught through sustainable fishing practices, every can of Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is filled with wholesome tuna goodness you will enjoy to the last bite. 

 Gold Seas Tuna Chunks is available at all leading supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores and are offered in 90g (solo) and 185g (sharing) variants. To get the latest news and updates, like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram @goldseastunachunks.

 This post is brought to you by Gold Seas Tuna Chunks.

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