I Am Your Every Woman

Lunch Date with College Friends + Binagoongang Tilapia

2012-01-08T14:01:00.007+08:00

It's such a fine time to be with friends. I rarely have time to join reunions because of my hectic work schedule plus the fact that I seem to be the only mom in my circle (maagang lumandi! LOL). But when I do attend, it really makes me very happy! I can't imagine after 6 years of being out of school, this was the only time I learned about what truly happened with the rodent I trained for Theories of Learning (may he rest in peace...)! Aaaah...the things that unfold at reunions, priceless!

What I really like about this bunch is that, even though I've only been with them for 3 sems, they never made me feel out of place. Love you guys!

It was during this lunch date at Banana Leaf when their Tilapia dish was such a hit to Drew that he requested I dupe the recipe. Drew is not very fond of fish dishes, so once he requests, it's my pleasure to oblige!

Forgive me Banana Leaf because I do not know the actual name of the dish but I sure hope you won't mind me satisfying the cravings of my man by attempting to capture such dish in our very own binagoongang tilapia.

Ingredients:

1 kg Tilapia brushed with a little salt

1 clove garlic, minced

1 whole onion, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 heaping tablespoons Chinese bagoong (I used the one from Kamayan)

2 tbsp cane vinegar

1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 cup water

1 tbsp brown sugar

salt

1. Fry garlic until golden brown. Drain and set aside

2. Saute the Chinese bagoong in oil used to fry garlic with onions and tomatoes.

3. Add vinegar, cornstarch solution and brown sugar.

4. Cook in low fire until saucy consistency is achieved

5. Fry the Tilapia.

6. Pour bagoong sauce over fried tilapia and top with fried garlic.

I wonder what it would taste like if we replace cornstarch mixture with coconut milk? Try it and let me know ok?

your every woman,

A Sweet Dupe: Chicboy's Turones Caramel Sauce

2011-08-22T12:46:00.005+08:00

You know what? Before Chicboy came up with this turones dip, we've loved a similar concoction from a man selling kutsinta at the Boni MRT. He smothers his kutsinta with a thicker version of this caramel and it was sooo delicious. Drew's mom asked him how he made the sauce and he said, he simply had to boil a can of condensed milk. I don't know if cans have BPA, but there must be something unhealthy about boiling something inside a can, don't you think?

I can't say my version is the easiest way to do it because I've wasted about 3 cans of condensed milk just to get the desired result. And oh, the agony of having to wait for the condensed milk to turn brown!!! Might as well get them from Chicboy (They sell turones for P35 with a small serving of sauce and you can always ask for extra!).

Anyway, this is how I did it:

Ingredients:

1 small can condensed milk

hot water

1. Place any kind of pan over low fire. Pour all the contents of condensed milk on it.

2. Heat the condensed milk while stirring constantly. If you feel that the sauce is getting too thick, pour around 1/4 cup of hot water on it. NOTE: Be sure that the water is really hot. I tried regular tap water and ended up getting hard caramel candy!

3. Continue with step 2 until you get the desired brown-ness of your caramel. After this, pour the last 1/4 cup of hot water, stir until somewhat saucy in consistency and turn off the heat on your stove.

4. Let it cool.

This is basically just burnt condensed milk, you know? So if you want the taste to be more milky, don't brown it too much. If you want more flavor, burn it some more. But more importantly, decide if you really want to make it, haha!

And for the presentation:

Will you marry me?

YOUR every woman,

Crepe Out of Pancake Batter

2011-08-15T16:58:00.004+08:00

Ella loves pancakes so much! I wanted to make her boring pancakes extra special by adding mangoes (her favorite fruit), whipped cream, and chocolate syrup. But then, I realized...these are the same ingredients of a crepe! I searched the Internet and found out that it is indeed possible to make crepe out of pancake batter! Here's how:

Ingredients for cream:

1 tetra pack of Nestle cream

1/2 of a small can of Alaska condensed milk

1. Mix and freeze.

Ingredients for crepe:

200g pancake mix (we use Maya)

egg

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup milk (can be powdered milk mixed with water)

2 tbsp cooking oil

1. Mix everything like you would to regular pancakes.

2. Heat a frying pan and add a drop of cooking oil.

3. Pour half a cup of the batter and flatten it circularly as it dries up into crepe. Cook it like regular pancakes but be extra careful because it's thinner. A non-stick frying pan would do best for this job, but we don't have one (*ehem* Christmas! *ehem*)

4. Keep repeating step 2 for succeeding crepes.

5. Refrigerate the crepes.

6. Once cold, layer one side with frozen cream, add mangoes, roll, and pour syrup over.

It's very easy! You should try it!

your every woman,

Hair Happiness!!!

2011-08-04T11:58:00.008+08:00

One of the best things about having a baby girl, is that she is sometimes the extension of a mother's happy childhood! Remember your favorite dolly? The one you love to dress up and style hair? It's like she has come to life... in your daughter!!!

When I was looking for sample hairstyles that I would do to Ella on my brother's wedding, I found out about princesshairstyles.com wherein a mommy posts hairstyles that she does on her daughter and how to do them. Since then, just about the same time that Ella started school, it has been my addiction to always make sure her hair is styled (that is...only when I'm around). Not only does it tame her curly baby hair, but it also adds a little glam to her everyday uniform. Here are a few photos of what we've done so far:

classes were suspended because of a storm...off to the mall!

ready for school!

home after school

I know it's not as beautiful and complicated as the one in Princess Hairstyles but they sure look pretty on Ella, don't you think so? I hope I could do this every single day... *sigh*

your every woman,

Potty Training Part 3

2011-08-03T06:58:00.009+08:00

Wow! It's been a while since I last posted something about this... Just a recap, Ella can do number 1 and number 2 already. However, she can't seem to keep the fluids in when she's asleep! ...Especially when it's cold!

Then a friend suggested that we schedule wake time for peeing at night. I thought it was a very good idea because almost all of Ella's training had something to do with schedule! We had to wait until Ella is old enough not to be cranky when we wake her up... which is now, when she's halfway past 3 years old.

I scheduled Ella's wake up time for 12am, 3am and 6am. I didn't wake her up like I wake adults though. At first, I'd have to carry her half asleep self, let her sit on the potty and support her while she's peeing. We've had accidents, yes! But a potty trained daughter is definitely worth a stinky bed!

Then just recently, I was surprised to hear Ella waking me up and asking me "Mommy, where's the potty?" (Looks like she didn't remember where it was on the times she was half asleep!) I showed her where the potty was, and just observed. She peed! But then she might have found the potty a little late.

Ella: Where's your phone mommy?

Me: I don't know... (still very sleepy)

Ella: My panty is wet, mommy... Where's your phone?

Me: (looking for the phone)

Dad: (awakened by all the fuss and feeling under the pillows) Andiyan o!

Drew handed me my phone and I gave it to Ella. Ella pressed a button, went to the other room where her closet was, and got a clean panty! In a house with no lights on! Hahaha! She used the phone as her flashlight, just like her daddy taught her to do! Way to go Ella!

your every woman,

Squashtillas!

2011-07-14T05:36:00.007+08:00

July is nutrition month. At Ella's school, parents were asked to present how to prepare any nutritious food in class yesterday. It was a good thing that the event fell on my rest day so I agreed.

Drew and I had chicken soup in mind. However, when I asked the teacher what the other mom is going to present, she said it was soup. I don't know what else to make that would have veggies in it but would still be a hit to 3-4 year olds. Big thanks to Jamie who suggested that we make pastillas out of squash!

Squash pastillas??? Well, here's how:

Ingredients:

2 rinds of squash, cut into squares

3 cups of evaporated milk (I used Carnation evap because it's thick)

2 cups brown sugar (wash)

2 cups powdered milk (I used Alaska powdered milk)

1. Steam the squash. It retains the nutrients better compared to when it's boiled. Another thing, it makes the squash soft with less water in it.

2. Completely mash the squash and place in the saucepan. Add evaporated milk and 1 3/4 cup of brown sugar.

3. Cook in low fire until mixture is pasty. Stir constantly. Be careful not to stop stirring because as the mixture boils and thickens, it can spatter so far that it can reach you. Believe me it reached and burnt my right eyelid. Let the paste cool.

4. When paste is cool, add 1 1/2 cup of powdered milk. Mix thoroughly.

5. Using 2 spoons, get bite size servings of the squash paste and roll in a mixture of 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup powdered milk. Cover with cellophane and store in the fridge or freezer.

Cool huh?! And the best part is, it's ACTUALLY delicious! The kids loved it so much that almost everyone asked for more after being given a piece. Moms should try this!

your every woman,

Spreads, Dips and Sauces: Strawberry Cream Cheese Spread

2011-05-02T15:55:00.006+08:00

I've tasted this concoction in a finger food at a bar on one of the RnR's of the company I work for. And because I love cheese so much, I just had to make it! Here's how:

Ingredients:

1 heaping tbsp of strawberry jam

2 heaping tablespoon of melted cream cheese

1. I used the strawberry jam from Good Shepherd's, the one we got from our recent Baguio trip. Just mix it with the cream cheese and enjoy! Perfect for toasts and crackers!

Oh, and by the way, you just have to multiply the ingredients to as much people as you'd like to serve it to because this recipe is single serve!

your every woman,

Help!!! My Lips Are Not Ready for A Baguio Trip!!!

2011-02-14T07:03:00.006+08:00

I have extremely dry skin. And if you are a reader of this blog, you probably have come across my battle over eczema. I say now that it's a battle and not a win because eczema apparently never heals. So by the time I stopped medication, it just returned after a while...and now both ankles have it! I can't continue using a strong steroid cream the whole year round!

So, the last thing I need is dry lips! Having to slather moisturizer on EVERY part of the body and reapplying at least twice EVERY single day is just terribly tedious... and now, lip balm?! Come on!!!

Anyway, here's a photo of how dry my lips are:

(notice dry patches of my face too?)

That and I'm in Manila! Imagine how sore and chapped my lips would be when we go up north and stay in Baguio for 5 days later this week?!

I've been using Burt's Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai berry and even though it's a good lip balm, it doesn't really work for the kind of lips I have.

I'm torn between buying Carmex or Vaseline Lip Therapy...Your thoughts?

your every woman,

Extend the Staying Power of Eyeliner - The Colorful Way!

2011-01-25T17:23:00.012+08:00

There are a lot of tricks in the book as to how we can extend the staying power of eyeliner. The most common is the loose powder>liner>loose powder trick. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to apply eyeshadow primer prior to those 3 special steps (You'd understand that line if you have a kid whose addicted to Playhouse Disney!). Anyway, not only was I able to prove that it works, but I was also able to discover a cheap way of achieving several colors of dark eyeliner! Are you ready? Here's how:

Have a reliable black pencil eyeliner handy. I use Revlon's Luxurious Color Kohl Eyeliner in matte black. Line your eyes with it like you normally would. And don't fuss about not having a straight line, it should be corrected by this tip as well!

Prepare eyeshadow color you used on the darkest part of your eye make up. I used a dark violet shade from Dollface Cosmetics' 78 color palette, the color I used for the outer V.

Get a stiff eyeliner brush, dip it on the eyeshadow and use it to smudge your black eyeliner. I used the flat liner brush from Charm's travel pro set v2.

See how your black eyeliner seem like dark violet now?

The best thing about this is that, you can practically turn any color of eyeshadow into dark eyeliner with just one eyeliner color - Black!

Pretty neat huh?!

I don't know how original this trick is...All I can say is that it works for me! Let me know if it works for you too!

your every woman,

Ella's First Trip to the Dentist

2011-01-09T20:02:00.004+08:00

If you read parenting books and magazines from the US, most of them would suggest that babies should meet up with a dentist within 6 months of the first tooth eruption. I guess it's not a sort of protocol here in the Philippines...Ahh, I can still remember the look on the dentist's face when I brought 1 year old Ella for a check-up and said she doesn't have tooth problems!

Anyway, fast forward to last Tuesday. I brought Ella to the dentist again because there are white spots on her teeth. And my...she was sooo brave!

The dentist said they have become part of her tooth enamel and would lead to cavities if not taken care of. She said it could be caused by teeth being soaked in milk. When I researched further, the closest I can associate it to is dental caries. Fluoride something was applied to her teeth and the process is supposed to be repeated every 6 months to prevent tooth cavities. Drew forgot the name of the exact procedure, but it could be called Fluoride varnish based from the same link.

Have you brought your tots to the dentist? They might need this treatment too!

MG ORAL CARE DENTAL CLINC

5TH LEVEL SAHNGRI-LA MALL

MANDALUYONG M-F 11-5PM 6383131

your every woman,

Pinay Barbie

2011-01-09T19:47:00.006+08:00

Here's a shot at Barbie make up (Darn! I wish I have an eyeshadow primer again...)

...And here's what happens to Ella in the background!

Have a lovely family day!

your every woman,

To The Man I Love!!!

2011-01-04T07:49:00.002+08:00

Behind every successful man is a woman...in our case, it's the other way around.

His words will only either build you up or pull you down...it depends on how you interpret it. And for most of the ones who've left because of that, I wonder where you are now. But that helped me become a leader.

He speaks the truth that no one would like to hear... t'was a good thing I listened.

He displays a comedic disposition, but is actually sensitive.

He shows a stern father to her daughter, but is actually soft.

He can be seen as authoritative, but is actually submissive.

He can be cruel in an instance, but is actually kind.

He is addicted to online gaming, but it helped him become some sort of a tech whiz.

He looks innocent, but is very naughty.

He created one of the greatest deceipts its in my life and I love it.

It doesn't seem like a special day today, but this is the day he was born for me.

Happy Birthday my dear Bessy! We love you so much!!!

your every woman,

Thank You Lord For Another Wonderful Year!!!

2010-12-31T10:34:00.015+08:00

Thank you Lord for another fruitful year! You have given me and my family numerous blessings in all aspects of life and because of that, I dedicate this post to you! Cheers!

1. 23 Followers on this blog... you are all sooo beautiful! Thank you!

2. Lots of make up opportunities. And hopefully, more to come!

3. My promotion and my new team... (Not to mention a new job for my brother and promotions for 2 of the best ladies in the world, Karen and Mye...Congratulations peeps!!!) Love you guys!

4. Drew's insurance through Sunlife Financial: Another saving opportunity (and give saving a double meaning!) Thanks JD!

5. My cousin to take care of my little princess...Finally, my mind is at peace!

6. A healthy and happy family!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

your every woman,

My Make Up Wishlist

2010-12-30T05:56:00.015+08:00

What got me loco into make up is eye make up! I am very much fascinated at how different eye make ups can change one's whole look! That's why if you've noticed, it is the eyes I focus on mastering on my make up play!

Because of this, let me share to you my up for grabs this 2011...

Dollface Cosmetics' 120 COLOR EYESHADOW PALETTE (P1300)

or I can settle for Dollface Cosmetics' 88 COLOR EYESHADOW PALETTE (P800) if i don't have enough money...
Beaauty and Minerals Charm Pro Brush Set (P3200)! I've been lemming for this since it came out and obviously, I haven't had enough moolah to buy it..YET!
Urban Decay Little Sins - a set of travel sized eyeshadow primer potion. I can't finish a full bottle in six months so I might as well get the travel sized lovelies!

And last, but definitely not the least because I'm sure this is the priciest of the lot...

Urban Decay 15 Year Anniversary 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils! Need I say more?

But then again, if it costs more than 3k, I'll have to think really hard about buying it. If it costs more than 5k, I would settle for Urban Decay Jackpot (P2,250 from Carefreeshopper)- contains 9 travel sized 24/7 pencils in popular colors and 1 full sized Zero!

I don't know if I will ever get enough money to get these...So for now, I'm ok with just pictures! After all, I'm still incorporating The Secret in my life!

Happy New Year everyone!

*Thanks to the following for the photos:

-Urban Decay

-Dollface Cosmetics

-Carefree Shopper

-Beauty and Minerals

your every woman,

The Sugar Plum Fairy

2010-12-28T07:59:00.015+08:00

One day, a fairy decided to buy new lipstick from Wet n Wild. She picked a color she had never worn before...Plum!

But then, she found out that it was no ordinary plum lipstick! She magically turned into something different!

She became the Sugar Plum Fairy!

...so she posed

and posed...

and posed some more...

But when she removes the lipstick, she turns back into her simple self and go back to sleep with her baby...

Goodnight! :D

Sugar Plum Fairy by Wet n Wild. Available at SM Department Store's cosmetics section for P299.75!

your every woman,

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-25T10:56:00.002+08:00

I remember a homily one Sunday. Jesus was talking to Santa Claus saying "You know what Santa? I envy you sometimes..." Santa answered, "Why do you envy me Jesus?". Jesus said "Because people remember you more on MY birthday...".

Let's not forget that before anything else, it's the celebration of Jesus' birthday today and how He was sent to save us!

Merry Christmas!!!

your every woman,

Another True Love From Human Heart Nature!

2010-12-15T06:48:00.004+08:00

Human Heart Nature has never stopped wowing me with its earth friendly products. Just recently, it came out with a mineral make up line which was sooo tempting because it's mineral minus the hassle!

Say hello to Boracay Bronze!

It's their darkest foundie shade! Perfect for my morena complexion!

What I love about it:

-Compact

-All natural

-Affordable at Php425 (INTRO PRICE AT Php 395 SO GRAB ONE NOW!)

-Has rice powder that effectively keeps my facial oil at bay

*It even minimizes eyeshadow creasing sans primer!

-Doesn't reflect light too much like how most minerals do

Here's a picture of me with my friend, Mye, at a recent rock & roll themed company party:

No more whiter face for me!

your every woman,

Kitchen Beauty: Let Your Nail Polish Dry The Fastest

2010-12-02T07:14:00.005+08:00

DIY mani and pedi? I'm sure at some point, you've been so impatient or in a hurry to wait for your nail polish to completely dry! I often do mani and pedi the morning before a night shift. Which means that I'd have to sleep afterwards to prepare for work. And then...hello hairline scratches! (Can you tell I'm OC?)

So if your favorite nail polish doesn't come in a quick dry variant, here's a solution I got from Drew's aunt!

Allow 5 minutes for a coat of nail polish to set and dip your fingers (/or toes) to iced water for as long as you can handle the cold, like this:

Once you remove your fingers (/toes), let the water dry naturally on your nails. You can wipe the rest of your hands (/feet) that got wet with a towel, by the way.

Repeat the process for succeeding coats of nail polish and allow longer dipping time for the last coat. Just remove and replace your digits if it's too cold for you!

After this, you can do the oil tip (applying oil to your nails to reduce friction with another surface) if you're really OC.

your every woman,

10 to 26 Update: Never Think Twice (When It Matters)

2010-11-23T10:23:00.008+08:00

It's been what? ...3 Mondays since I've updated this series? I'm not trying to escape the initiative nor prematurely terminate it just because I already got promoted (which was why I started this in the first place...). I've just been too busy recently, I don't even have time for Ella and Drew! Indeed, with great power comes great responsibility!

Nevertheless, it still provides me great pleasure AND improvement when I continue these initiatives. So for my next one, I choose not to think twice!

Haha! I know, I know... It's been a cliche to always think twice, even several times, when coming up with a decision. But have you ever felt awkward about continuing to do what your instinct suggested you should but reason told you to think twice about? Haha! Yes's here and there eh?!

You see, I'm not a people person. I'm like...autistic! (Does it show?) Apart from the people I have grown to love, I really get weirded out just by being around other people. I feel like everything I do and everything I am can be criticized just because of that ONE encounter! And then I'll be too careful, too unnatural... and will eventually dread a future encounter! That is not healthy. Isn't it? Especially with the kind of work I have... That is why I have to really reach out. Because even if I think about doing all my previous initiatives, but then I think twice about them, I'll end up not doing them and miss the opportunity to be better.

With that said, I'd like to share a picture of my brother:

Haha, I guess it runs in the family! :D

your every woman,

Determination + Prayer = My Promotion

2010-11-03T10:53:00.005+08:00

When I was in college, I've always thought that the call center is for people who aren't competent enough to get a decent job. When I sought for a job at a call center, I had this thinking that I'm capable of doing other things for a living, it's just that this job pays more. Moreover, my being an academic achiever would not only get me a job, but also get me promoted to the highest position possible the soonest.

You know what I found out? ...that my assumptions are not true.

I worked for 2 other call centers, each for about a year, before working for my current company. Was I promoted in the previous call centers? No! But there's always this reasoning that my tenure wasn't long enough, or there's politics in the process, etc.

And then I moved to this company.

At first, my pride took the best of me. I never focused on my calls. I never gave a damn about scores. I never made an effort to know processes by heart. And I did all of these because I thought success would come naturally. Especially when the shortlist comes out with my name on it. Then I'd go through a race to promotion only to be left out by most people that are about the same tenure as I am. I blamed it to politics, AGAIN... and the fact that I can't kiss people's asses like some do.

And then I didn't get shortlisted anymore.

I believed that I was doing the best that I can in the most legitimate way possible. Those people who got incredibly high stats got them by disconnecting calls and manipulating data. At least I can boast about my intergrity.

But then Drew got promoted.

What could've been thought of as a family milestone became one of the biggest blows to my ego. Drew wasn't an academic achiever...but he also didn't kiss people's asses...and he doesn't illegally manipulate his calls to get better stats.

So what does that say about me? Does it mean that the honors I got in school is not reflective of my intelligence? I thought I'd still get away by telling everyone "Masungit ksi ako e. I was raised this way. I don't get around people too much. Kaya dissatisfied ang rating nila sakin."or "Kaya ako may markdown sa QA." If you were someone who actually heard me saying these, were you convinced? I wasn't...Drew wasn't!

Drew drilled a hole in me that I wasn't able to fill that easy. He told me "So ganyan ka nalang? Dahil ganyan ka lumaki, hanggang jan ka nalang? Ok!" But I knew in my heart that I'm not just that...I started finding out what's wrong.

So I never really tried to understand how I am being measured? I studied the technicalities of all the measures. I never really tried to feel for our customers' concerns? I treated them as real people. I thought of developmental tasks as non-beneficial extra work? I considered them learning experience. And it wasn't very easy! There were times when I just wanted to give it up. The fact that my daughter was growing up fine was one consolation that I could be doing a good job somewhere else, and maybe I shouldn't be career woman.

Then I got shortlisted again! ...for two positions!

However, all the extra tasks plus the fact that I'm not a natural achiever on call center measures must've taken it's toll on me when after managing 3 months of being a performer, my stats suddenly flunked. Meaning, if I don't get any of the two higher posts, I'd have to maintain another 3 months of high stats before I can dream of another shortlist.

Too bad the first promotion process didn't go as smooth as I wanted it to be. I ended up not making the cut and I knew that it was mostly because I wasn't very confident.

I doubted myself all the more after not getting the first promotion. I knew that the other one could make or break me. There were a lot of what ifs. But because it was my only and best chance, I can either decide to accept my fate, or do something.

...And I did.

I proactively studied, not just the requirements of the job, but the correct and efficient behavior expected of someone in the position. I created initiatives to improve my confidence and people skills. I created an inspiration board that acknowledges everything that's important to me:

And more importantly, I prayed...hard!

"Lord, I give everything to you. You know what my heart wants but You also know what's best for me. Because of this, I don't wish to be promoted. Instead, I pray that You help me bring out the gift of wisdom and knowledge that You've given me. In your best judgement, You have given me these gifts and it's about time to show them. So that whatever happens in this promotion cut, I know that I did not let You down."

Those words helped me sleep well at nights before each promotion stage. The faith that the Lord is with me on every step helped me answer questions comfortably. And you know what?

I got the post!

"You don't have to be perfect to be called a winner. Mohammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao wouldn't be called the greatest boxers if they've never lost a fight. What's important is how you pick yourself up after a fall. That's what makes you a winner."

Have an inspired day everyone!

your every woman,

Recipe of the Day: Cream Dory Fillet

2010-10-27T16:57:00.004+08:00

It's been a while since I've posted a recipe here. That's because we haven't been eating quality food recently! (Hello canned goods!) LOL!

Anyway, here's how Drew prepared one of the best fish fillet's I've ever tasted...Honestly!

Ingredients:

1/4 kg of cream dory, sliced into bite-sized pieces

1 egg

1 pack of McCormick's Chicken Breading (garlic flavor)

1 pack of tempura crumbs

1/2 tsp iodized salt

1/2 tsp white pepper

Dip: garlic mayo with ground black pepper

1. Mix egg with 2 tsp McCormick's Chicken Breading

2. Mix 3 tbsp breading with 3 tbsp of tempura crumbs.

3. Dip each piece of cream dory on the egg mixture first, then dip on the tempura crumbs mixture.

4. Deep fry until golden brown.

5. Serve with the garlic mayo dip.

Hope you like it!

your every woman,

Make Up Play: Halloween Pumpkin

2010-10-27T10:24:00.010+08:00

Hello Halloween! Here's narcissistic me, pretending to be a Jack O' Lantern! Hope you like it!

your every woman,

10 to 26 Update: Socialize Outside of My Circle

2010-10-25T18:42:00.003+08:00

Ok, so I've made friends, now what? I think it's time that I go out with people other than those I usually hang out with...like the people I got to be friends with from my previous initiative... or my husband's work mates...

...or my friends' other friends! Wow, there're are a lot of choices! And hanging out with them not only means being a wallflower, but actually talking and interacting with them!

Will you invite me please! Thanks!

your every woman,

10 to 26 Update: Making New Friends

2010-10-19T18:23:00.005+08:00

Hmmm...I seem to be updating this series on the wrong day. Anyway, I found out that it's really nice to ask your own questions because not only was I able to give the right tone and follow up questions to my inquiry, but I actually get all the information I need without looking silly! Haha!

Keeping in mind from my previous initiative that people, even strangers, don't bite...my new initiative for this week is Making Friends! I've been recently promoted and part of the promotion is a leadership training. It's my first time away from the comfort of the team I've been with for almost 3 years, so you can imagine how weird I must've been around new people! I think it's high time that I start getting to know more people and be comfortable with them!

image source from copyright information

And even though this initiative is supposed to be for real interactions, I would love to make friends online too! Care to be my friend? You can follow this blog for a start! *wink*

your every woman,

Blue Suede Shoes

2010-10-19T18:00:00.003+08:00

A lot of people have been noticing the blue suede pumps I've been wearing recently...So to those who found it pretty, I'd like to share that I bought it for just P719.00 at Rusty Lopez! Neat right?

I can't tell if it's real suede, it's most probably not...but then again, it's pretty! Good thing I was able to convince Drew to buy it for me. This design's also available in gray and brown, but the shades aren't as enticing as this one!

Now you know! :D

your every woman,

10 to 26 Update: Asking Questions

2010-10-12T13:10:00.004+08:00

I've been busy yesterday that's why I wasn't able to update my birthday pledge. Anyway, I'm very happy to share that I was successful in my first initiative and that is "to greet anyone I know, have known and have been acquainted with as soon as I see them anywhere in the world". It's so comforting to know that these people don't bite, and all it took was a smile or a "hello" to get them to respond the same way and sometimes even chitchat with you. There are people whom I wasn't able to greet though. You that feeling when you hesitated on the onset and then felt awkward to actually do it? That's what I felt. So to maintain this positive attitude, I must never hesitate!

photo taken from http://allencentre.wikispaces.com/Homework+Links

Moving on to my second week, I promise to ask my own questions. Yes, I'm such a loser, I request my hubby to ask my questions! But this should be the end of it, I look too stupid already! I'm gonna personally ask what I need to know and get the answers myself!

your every woman,

10 to 26: A Gift To Myself

2010-10-04T13:24:00.004+08:00

One thing that is getting in the way of my success is self-esteem. I wouldn't go into much detail, but I didn't have a happy childhood, and because of that I grew up having a hard time dealing with people. I know some of you will say that it doesn't show, and I admit I can be a good faker when it comes to that. But I want an end to this not only for myself but also for my loved ones. I don't want to disappoint Drew anymore. But more importantly, I don't want to generate an aura or behavior that would lead Ella to have low self esteem too.

So every monday from now until my 26th birthday (Oooh, that's exactly 10 mondays from now!), I'll be posting at least one conscious effort to assert myself, boost my self esteem and deal with people better. Anyone or anything that can help me in the process will be highly appreciated.

For my first post, I promise to greet anyone I know, have known, and have been acquainted with as soon as I see them anywhere in the world. So if you know me and see me somewhere, don't give me a hard time...Please?

your every woman,

Fashion Show Make Up

2010-10-02T11:05:00.007+08:00

Last Tuesday, at Fashion Institute of the Philippines' fashion show called Destination: Fashion Nation, I realized that doing make up for a fashion show is even more nerve wracking than doing make up for a wedding. Everyone is busy and anxious...Dressing room is tightly packed...No quiet, relaxed, well-lit area to do make up on... But the experience is fun!

Here are some of the photos I was able to collect from practice to the actual show.

Karen, ala Venus Raj

Feeling model

Glam Patricia

I wasn't able to take lots of photos from the actual event because we had really good photographers there. I just seized the moment!

Hope you liked it!

your every woman,

Ella's Potty Traning Part 2

2010-08-26T12:26:00.007+08:00

Do you remember how we were able to save diaper fund and the world on Ella's part 1 of potty training? Guess what? After 5 months since that last post, I'd have to congratulate Ella for being able to proactively poop in the toilet! Yey!

I used a clever suggestion from a mom at Parents.com to tell Ella that the fishes eat poop to live. After watching "Finding Nemo" and learning that everything will eventually flow to the sea, she felt responsible for feeding the fish. Once the poop come out, she would always say "Now the fish has something to eat!" with a contented smile on her face! And she doesn't ask for a companion in the restroom anymore. She'll just call us when she's done!

That gets us down to one nappy a night...something we hopefully manage to eliminate before she turns 3!

Thanks Ella for not giving us a hard time as working parents...we love you a lot!

your every woman,

I'm Lovin' 'Em!

2010-08-21T12:32:00.007+08:00

I don't always have new things, but when I do, they're definitely worth more than what I paid for. Here are the new stuff I'm loving so far:

Charm Travel Pro Brush Set V2

This set was opened for prebuy 2 months ago, and now it's here! A pretty set of pink brushes that includes:

1. Dual Fibre Brush
2. Powder Brush
3. Angled Blush Brush
4. Jumbo Concealer Brush
5. Multi-purpose Eyeshadow and Blending Brush
6. Pencil Point Brush
7. Contour Eye/Nose Brush
8. Flat Liner Brush
9. Angled Liner Brush ( for eyebrows and eyeliner )
10. Pointed Eyeliner Brush
11. Brow Spoolie Brush
12. Retractable Lip Brush

*extra brush, cure aqua gel and multipurpose mineral make up samples in the picture are freebies during the prebuy season and are not actually included in the set

Love how soft these brushes are! Perfect for sensitive skin! I already washed mine for the first time and only 1 hair shed off from one of the brushes and none from the rest! It's definitely a good investent for P1800 +shipping. Catch it at Beauty and Minerals' online store.

Fila Rubber Shoes

Got it at the Fila store at SM Megamall for Php 1690+, but was originally Php 3,300+. Fila is updating stocks and was on sale last weekend (...dunno how long the sale will last or lasted though). Plus Ella got free popcorn because of their movie theme! Definitely a good pair of shoes to match my fitness plan!

Human Heart Nature Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner

We originally use the moisturizing variant but since hubby had been complaining about my fallen hair due to breakage that litters our floor, I decided to get the strengthening variant for myself. I haven't noticed any difference yet since I've only been using it for a week... But the invigorating scent of Rosemary on the shampoo plus the refreshing minty sensation of the conditioner gets me excited about every shower! Available at Human Heart Nature's online store or from trusted resellers. I got mine from my colleague and friend Karen.

Shampoo:

50ml @Php 36.75

200ml @Php 109.75

Conditioner:

50ml @Php 44.75

100ml @Php 79.75

200ml @Php 129.75

500ml @Php 269.75

What purchases are you loving so far?

your every woman,

I Believe in Thoughtful Parenting

2010-08-19T09:14:00.004+08:00

Not everyone can be a parent. But everyone of us had been a child. And more often than not, we are the products of our parent's decisions and upbringing. However we behave in this world, is a result of our environment and what our parents did to equip us for such environment. Because of this, I closely research on human development and constantly try to come up with the best ways I could raise my daughter, Ella.

Come to think of it, if every parent take the effort of thoughtfully raising a child or children, the world will be a better place to live in with individuals who know how to successfully co-exist. Imagine a world where everyone knew how to love and be loved...Give and receive...Consider and be taken into consideration...Respect and gain respect... All because the parents took the extra mile to teach and lead by example.

It doesn't mean that only one parenting style will have to be applied on everyone. And it doesn't have to mean that the success or failure of the child would be solely dependent on the parenting style. As long as each parent's actions are carefully made in consideration of how it could affect the child and his/her future, everything else will follow. I can't say that I have always done the right things for Ella, but at least I did something.

Levi's wants to know what you believe in and who knows? You might be one of the 3 lucky winners to receive P1000 worth of Levi's gift certificates! Head on to Projectvanity for contest details! Goodluck!

your every woman,

Why It Is Important to Plan the Family

2010-08-12T07:47:00.004+08:00

*photo from www.soberinanightclub.com

I am a worry wart and an OC. Planning keeps me sane. In fact, if something doesn't go according to plan, I kinda freak out! ...But that is what my husband is for! Can you imagine messing up on a task you were assigned on? How much more planning should it take if you were to raise successful individials?

I must admit, there wasn't a lot of planning when I conceived Ella. But coming from a not-too-perfect family, Drew and I became very conscious of what Ella's future may hold. We were not born with a silver spoon, so it wouldn't be too easy raise a child...more so, children. Here are 3 major factors why we thought it wise to plan our family:

1. Financial Reasons.

There are a lot of expenses that entail having a child. Let me enumerate them:

-Prenatal Care and Delivery. About 200-1000php professional consultation fee for the OB; 300-500 per month for prenatal supplements.; 25-50k for a normal delivery and 50-100k+ for a caesarian delivery.

-Child's Health and Wellness. Aside from spending for the child's routinary health care and a must- have emergency fund, there is also an immunization scheme to prevent our darlings from catching illnesses. And my, was I shocked to find out how much some of them were. Not all vaccines can be acquired free from the government health center. You'll notice that the price of nutrition nowadays will take a significant percentage of the family budget.

-Child's Education. Have you kept track of how much it would be to send a child to good school? It's a lot different from how much was spent for us that I wouldn't want to think about preschool!

-Basic Necessities. Of course we all know what this is for.

-Leisure and Recreation. A family must be financially comfortable to be able to enjoy quality time with each other.

2. Women's Reproductive Health.

I really can't discuss this in detail. But let's put it this way, I have almost jeopardized Ella's prenatal life just because the timeline between her and the baby I had complications with wasn't too long. Ella had to be delivered via CS because of placenta previa. And when the placenta came out, the OB said it looked like leftovers.

3. Child's Hollistic Development.

This is something I'd like to elaborately discuss. I strongly believe that more than education, the best gifts parents can give their children is good upbringing and positive values. All of the parent's decisions can make or break a child's future. I am overly concerned about how the world can scar and mold the personality of my child, but I will not always be with her (...or them). The only thing I can do is make sure that I equip her (/them) with what she (/they) needs to emerge victorious in this life. Come to think of it, the most successful people aren't always the well-educated. Charice Pempengco, for instance, shouldn't have been where she is right now if not for the confidence and perseverance she acquired from the guidance of her mother.

We're working parents, which means not all of our time is spent with our kid. But when we're home, we make it a point that we contribute to Ella's hollistic development everyday. And if she's emotionally ready to be mostly on her own and accept a younger and more demanding sibling, then I guess we could add to the family! I don't think we can closely monitor 2 or more kids in the same age range while in their "kulit" phase.

So there! I know some people think that we should already give Ella a sibling, and I can agree that she may be ready, or may need one...or both. But I guess what I'm saying is that the whole family MUST be ready and NOTHING can be compromised.

Family planning isn't just a question of whether to use contraceptives or not. It's about planning the family's success. I really want this family to work and if planning can contribute to the family peace and contentment, I'm more than willing to take on the job!

your every woman,

My Natural Brow Shape

2010-08-06T10:56:00.009+08:00

The first time my virgin eyebrows were touched was in 4th year High School when the school hired a person, who claimed to be the make up artist of the Sexbomb Dancers, prepared our faces for graduation pictures. Well, I sure looked like some dancer with very thin eyebrows afterwards! Since then, my eyebrows didn't appear to be in very good shape. I was just following the pattern from that first shave, although not as thin. I was inspired to follow this post when I saw Maybelline eye make up models from a Sundance brochure. I was so satisfied with the results! Check it out:

You can tell the difference with my Facebook profile pic! Now, I am the master of my eyebrow shape! It wasn't really easy, but here are some of the things I did that kept me from tweezing before the project is ready:

- Don't wear too much make up, especially on the eyes. You wouldn't want to draw too much attention on your eyes. I only used cheek tint and lipbalm the entire time.

- Don't look at the mirror often. I don't know if it's just me, but when I constantly see myself in the mirror, that's when I notice all the imperfections...then I tend to do something about them.

- Do clear stray hairs. If you feel like you are looking a little werewolfy everyday, you can tweeze hairs that are obviously away from your desired eyebrow shape. This way, your eyes would appear a little cleaner and brighter.

- Do comb your eyebrows. Make it appear like it has taken on your desired eyebrow shape even though you haven't tweezed/shaved it yet. You can apply clear gel or wax to keep the hairs in place.

- Don't rush into tweezing. When you finally notice that you have grown your natural eyebrow shape back, schedule a special time for the tweezing session that may take 15 to 30 mins.

After 3 months, I knew I was ready to groom my brows. I prepared a small mirror, a mascara spoolie brush to comb my eyebrows, tweezers and light gray brow pencil for the task. I did it after I put Ella to her afternoon nap so that I can't be pressured into settling for "pwede na". In broad afternoon light, I very lightly patterned the natural shape of my eyebrows and began tweezing from the outside coming in, one hair at a time. When I felt that I've already reached my desired eyebrow shape, I faced our big mirror to get a bigger view of my eyebrows and made tweaks from there.

It's totally worth the wait, you should try it too!

your every woman,

My New Stuff from Maybelline

2010-07-25T11:49:00.008+08:00

This post is waaay overdue, but that's ok. These stuff have been widely reviewed over the Internet anyway...I'd just like to show how it fared on moi!

Maybelline Clear Smooth Shine Free Face Powder in Honey

Honey is the darkest available shade in the line. It comes with a puff, but I misplaced it, thinking that I would be better off with just a brush. Goes on a bit yellow but has a transluscent matte finish. Coverage is sheer...Blemished skin would need foundation and or concealer under it as it was meant to be finishing/oil control powder in the first place. Oil control is so-so: about 2-4 hours on my combination skin, depending on the environment. Although, I haven't compared the difference between brush applied and puff applied. Has an almost unnoticeable cosmetic scent. Hypoallergenic and non comedogenic, my skin didn't break out with it (especially 'coz I used mineral foundation underneath). Has SPF 18. Packaging is compact and lightweight. This is very efficient and affordable at P199, perfect for those who simply wanted a little extra to the no make up look on a budget. Also available in Light, Nude Beige and Natural shades.

Maybelline Magnum Mascara in Black

I got interested with this mascara because I thought it would be a great alternative to getting eyelash extensions. I didn't like how the brush is soaked the whole time in the product while on display at the stores. It made me feel as if the brush is not as perfect as the patented yellow curved brush in the ads. Product seemed to have clumped on the brush upon opening also. I wouldn't have been too meticulous about it if I hadn't used Covergirl VolumeExact first, which displays the brush outside of the product tube in the packaging. I understand that a little clumping is necessary if you really want volume, so this mascara is quite good in that department when applied on the eyelashes. But since my lashes sparse and scattered, clumping is not a good idea for me. Well, that's just me. A rave on this product can be viewed here. This mascara didn't flake on me and is waterproof indeed. In fact I found it hard to remove with Etude House's eye make up remover. But that make up remover didn't work too well on anything, anyway. I also noticed that my lashes have grown a few more hairs and is quite longer after a couple of applications, could be because of the Collagen formula. This P429 mascara is worth finishing if you already bought one, but I'm gonna go back to my HG Covergirl Mascara after it. Only available in Black.

Maybelline 2-in-1 Impact Shadow Liner in White Pearl

This is the best of the bunch...creamy and easy to apply. Just let it set about a couple of minutes after application and it should stand to its claims of being waterproof and smudge proof. I tried it on my waterline and it seemed to hold up until after my 9 hour work day, although not as pigmented compared to when it was applied. I'm dying to get Black to find out if the color would simply fade or if it will spread out on my oily lids and give me a racoon look. If it could be a good dupe to Urban Decay 24/7 liners, I'm getting all Chocolate, Forest Green, Ocean Blue, Dark Purple and Gold colors! Each sold at P359. A review of this product in Black can be viewed here.

BTW, do you know that Maybelline products are now available through Sundance Direct Selling? Look for a nearest Sundance seller to find out all the Maybelline products you can purchase on an installment payment scheme!

your every woman,

Help...Mommies!

2010-07-20T09:09:00.002+08:00

Our yaya bailed out again! And if you've been reading this blog, you'll know the many times we've had problems with helpers. Even then, I've been thinking about having a US family set-up where kids are left at day care the whole time the parents are at work. It will be the perfect set-up for us since we can't afford having one stay at home parent. Ella will learn how to co-exist with other people -children and adults, while learning how to read, write and all that stuff! She will also learn to be independent and that she cannot be the only one being attended too.

She's turning 3 this November. She already learned to control separation anxiety. She's already potty trained, both for number 1 and 2. She already drinks milk in a glass in the morning. She can work her way around with little supervision. The yaya set-up she grew up in is pretty much like the day care set-up with no mommy and daddy! ...But with more friends, more play, and more learning!

But now that I actually found a school, just a ride away from our house, that offers this kind of set-up... I want to know, is it really for us? Has anyone been through the same set-up? What are your pros and cons?

This development is scary, and a risky decision to make! Like I always said, parents decisions can make or break their children's future...I wouldn't want to break Ella's!

your every woman,

Nestle Fitnesse' 14 Day Program

2010-07-16T17:06:00.005+08:00

Update 08/06/2010: The 14 day period had passed but there still isn't any photo worthy difference on my figure, so I can't show off my shape yet. But there's already some personal satisfaction based on how my clothes fit better! I am going to continue the program until I get my desired shape...Plus exercise, which I haven't found time to do just yet!

I've gained too much weight and inches since my pregnancy with Ella and I've always blamed it on the CS delivery. Truth is, when I compare my photos from Ella's christening to my current photos, I realized that I'd have to put all the blame on me. So now that I've met a lot of women who went through pregnancy and CS delivery and still looked fabulous, I decided to challenge myself with Nestle Fitnesse' 14 day program!

The 14 day program suggests a low calorie, high fiber diet and replacing breakfast and one other meal with 30g of the cereal plus 125ml skim/low fat milk. Let's see how it works for me!

your every woman,

Alternating Cetaphil with St. Ives Apricot Scrub

2010-06-20T10:54:00.009+08:00

I've been using Cetaphil since high school and I've always loved how it can be carried around to clean your face, even without water. When I gave birth to Ella, I used it on her too 'coz the product is hypoallergenic. Surprisingly, my facial staple also came up with a variant for oily skin!

I've been seeing ads about it in magazines but never really spotted it on health and beauty stores until just a few weeks ago. I excitedly grabbed a bottle, not realizing that it was P527.75 for 125ml which is kinda steep.

This facial cleanser should be rinsed btw! It's not like good old Cetaphil soap-free cleanser. The bottle said it's a foaming variant, but the consistency is actually runny. I've never had luck in ever making a foam or lather with it, haha!

I have combination skin, so I feel tightness on some parts of my face after washing with this. That can be resolved by applying moisturizer though. The sort-of alcoholic smell needs some getting used to.

Tiny but painful whiteheads sparingly broke out on my face during the first week that I was using this. But learning that I would have to give a product time to actually work, I continued to use it. I wouldn't let such a pricey product go to waste no!

I'm on my 3rd week of using this and I can see that my face is a lot smoother. It doesn't do much about oil control, it didn't even claim to be. But I noticed that my face doesn't keep a lot of blackheads since.

I'll be on my late 20's this december, so I'd have to steer clear of overly exfoliating my face. This is a great alternate to my all time favorite St. Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub that does a very good job at exfoliating and fighting all-around skin blemishes!

It was silly of me to have replaced Cetaphil and Apricot scrub with newer skin solutions in the past. I should've learned by now that if a product works for me, I should stick with it. Well, I'm sticking to this routine now.

I'm interested...what do you use on your face?

your every woman,

Father's Day Treat: No Bake Blue Berry Cheesecake!

2010-06-19T15:21:00.004+08:00

Tomorrow is father's day! And to honor the best daddy I have ever known in the world (after my grandpa who is no longer with us...), I'm sharing with you Drew's recipe of one of our favorite desserts!

Here's to the biggest example that daddies aren't supposed to be just providers...they can cook too!

Ingredients:

2 packs, 8oz cream cheese, softened

1 tetra pack Nestle Cream

1 cup white sugar

1 pack Knox unflavored gelatine

1 large can of Blueberry filling

Crust:

3 cups crushed graham crackers

100g Dairy Cream butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1. Mix crushed graham crackers, melted butter and brown sugar in a bowl.

2. Line baking tray or any appropriate container with graham cracker crust. (We used a 6x12x3 inch plastic ware.)

3. Set aside, preferrably in a cool place.

4. Mix softened cream cheese, Nestle cream, and white sugar in a mixing bowl until you get a soft and smooth texture.

3. Follow package instructions on how to prepare the Knox gelatine.

5. Add gelatine to cream cheese mixture and stir until consistency is even.

6. Pour cream cheese mixture over graham crust and refrigerate overnight (We like this frozen, it's like ice cream!)

7. Pour Blueberry filling over cake. Enjoy!

Hubby perfected the result on the 2nd attempt after watching a colleague do it. Amazing no?

your every woman,

My First Take on Prenup and Wedding Hair and Make Up

2010-06-13T12:23:00.013+08:00

It's always a good thing when friends help each other out. In my case, it was made even better because I got to help our friends on their wedding day and help myself practice prenup and bridal hair and make up. Hubby practiced photography using our digicam too and had been thinking about getting a DSLR since!

After being required to be church wed by the priest who facilitated their son's christening seminar, these 2 didn't have a choice but to join the parish' mass wedding. And since there were no preparations, I offered to do make up on her just to experience it. And boy, it was a tough job! There's really a lot of pressure in bringing out the beauty of the bride! Here's a sneak peak on how everything turned out...

Turned out to be ok, didn't it? I'm not a professional. And I can't even say I'm a better option than getting makeup done by someone who studied it (...I could be a cheaper option though! :D ). All I can say is, I'm proud of my work and happy that the couple liked it. Congratulations Paolo and Rosha Beleno! Best wishes!

your every woman,

Spreads, Dips and Sauces: Fishball Sauce

2010-06-08T10:56:00.006+08:00

I remember when Lyka, a good friend, and I were in school eating fishballs, we were talking about how fishballs cooked at home never tasted as good as in the streets. We've agreed that it's because of the sauce and she even suggested I ask my big brother to try to dupe it.

Well guess what? I duped it! Oh I wish I could have a fishball snack time with Lyka again...Miss you girl!

Anyway, here's how:

Ingredients

1 heaping tbsp cornstarch
1 cup water
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup spiced vinegar
4 tbsp brown sugar

1. Mix all the ingredients together on a sauce pan.
2. Heat until you have a thick sauce.

*Datu Puti sells spiced vinegars. It's vinegar with peppers and other spices, so it will save you a couple of ingredients and hassle to just buy Datu Puti.

Yummy on fishballs, squidballs, kikiam! :D

your every woman,

Make Up Play: Bridal Make Up

2010-06-06T15:22:00.019+08:00

Here comes the blushing June bride wannabee...

Hubby says my signature sucks, so he's gonna make me one! Yey! And I hope big brother who's into photography can share his talent with me 'coz I really suck at lighting my photographs!

your every woman,

Utilize Your PAGIBIG Membership

2010-06-04T22:20:00.011+08:00

I'm 25... Hubby's 23... And we have a 2 year old daughter. We're not getting any younger, so I need to set goals and timelines to ensure a better future for all of us. And to jumpstart pursuing my dreams, I decided that Drew and I attend loan counseling at a PAGIBIG or Home Development Mutual Fund.

Let me share with you some of my questions that were answered during the counseling:

-Did you know that you can loan up to 3M from the fund?

*Your monthly contribution will have to be upgraded upon loan approval though. The higher the loan amount, the higher is the monthly contribution. There is information at PAGIBIG's website that tabulates loanable amounts and it's corresponding monthly contributions.

-What if you upgrade your monthly contribution even without a decided loan or property to buy?

*It's possible! In fact, I've already done it! Your only advantage with an advanced upgrade on monthly contribution is a larger dividend upon loan application and higher returns upon retirement. And because of that large dividend, there is a good possibility that your maximum loanable amount could be higher...although that is still subject for approval based on a credit and property check. However, once you have filed for an upgrade on your PAGIBIG monthly contribution, you will have to pay that price until the end of your loan term or until the end of your membership with PAGIBIG, whichever comes first. Therefore, it's still best to wait until your loan is approved because PAGIBIG will automatically include the details of the upgrade of your monthly contribution with the loan approval.

-What if I'm not a PAGIBIG member yet? Or I haven't completed the required length of membership to be able to file for a loan?

*The only reason PAGIBIG requires at least 24 months of contributions is the total amount of contributions after the said length of membership. Meaning, if you decide to be a member, or have not completed 24 months of contributions, at the same time you decide to loan, you can pay the lump sum amount to complete at least Php4800 worth of contributions and pay monthly from there.

Steps and other FAQs on the availment of PAGIBIG housing loans can be viewed from this link.

A more detailed guidelines on the PAGIBIG fund end-user home (residential) financing program is outlined in this link. Information about the following can be taken from there:

1. COVERAGE

2. LOAN PURPOSE

3. BORROWER'S ELIGIBILITY

4. LOAN AMOUNT

4.1 Loan Entitlement Based on PAGIBIG Contributions

4.2 Loan Entitlement Based on Capacity to Pay

4.3 Loan To Collateral Ratio

5. INTEREST RATE

6. LOAN TERM

7. LOAN PAYMENT

8. COLLATERAL

9. PARI-PASSU

10. INSURANCE

11. PREPAYMENT

12. LOAN CHARGES

14. SECOND AVAILMENT

15. ADDITIONAL LOANS

16. EFFECTS OF MEMBERSHIP TERMINATION ON AN OUTSTANDING HOUSING

LOAN

17. OTHER PROVISIONS

18. AMENDMENTS

19. REPEALING CLAUSE

20. PROGRAM ALLOCATION

21. EFFECTIVITY

With the coming of a new administration, there is a possibility that parts of the guidelines could be changed, so just keep on checking http://www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/ for more information.

If you're an average person like I am, and you don't start utilizing that PAGIBIG membership which you are paying monthly, when else are you going to? When real estate appraisal is higher and you're not young enough to keep working and paying? The farthest you are from your retirement age, the best time it is to think about your future with PAGIBIG! Don't just take it from me! Attend one Loan Counseling now!

Schedule of Loan Counseling for NCR are as follows:

Retail Account: M-F 8am-10am and 1pm-3pm / Saturdays 9am

Venue: 6f, Rm 602 Atrium Bldg, Makati Ave. Makati City

Developer Account: M-F 10am-12nn and 3pm-5pm

Venue: 8f Training Rm 1 Justine Bldg, Buendia, Makati City

Saturdays 9am at LOBBY Atrium Bldg, Makati Ave, Makati City

*Bring a photocopy of ID and ballpen

Hope this helps!

your every woman,

Make Up Play: Beach Colors

2010-06-04T00:20:00.009+08:00

Summer may be over...But it didn't stop me from making my last make up take on the wonderful colors of the beach!

Awww...I'm not sure if I'm ready to welcome rainy days yet!

your every woman,

Keeping Volume on Long Hair

2010-06-03T15:49:00.006+08:00

Do you notice that you hair is losing its body, especially near the scalp? But do you also slather on conditioner everyday for fear of getting dry and split ends on hair you've been trying to grow longer for the last couple of months?

Me...wishing I'd lose some "body" from my figure and not from my hair!

I am one of a possible lot of you who've answered yes to those questions. I've tried not conditioning my hair but it turns out to be dry and frizzy. I also tried alternating shampoo and conditioner every other day and the results vary every day. But then I went back to basics and got an idea!

We all know that natural oils come out from the roots of our hair right? It's just that sometimes, when the hair is too long, the oils are not enough to cover the entire shaft of hair, leaving its ends dry.

So now, when I shampoo my hair, I focus on massaging my scalp and leave it to the lather to clean up the entire length of my hair. Then, when I apply conditioner, I only apply it on the lower half of my hair. You'll notice the difference in softness and smoothness when you rinse, but that should be ok. The natural oils should come out from the roots when you comb your hair anyway and that will equalize the moisture! Just make sure to use a wide toothed comb while air drying wet hair and brush it when it's dry.

Please do tell me if this works for you too!

your every woman

It's Another Charm Pro Travel Brush Set Prebuy Season!

2010-06-01T03:38:00.010+08:00

*click photo to access website

I was ecstatic when I opened my email earlier to see Beauty and Minerals' latest announcement:

"CHARM TRAVEL PRO PRE-BUY The Charm Travel Pro Sets are open for PRE-BUYING! Get to pre-pay your Charm Travel Pro Set, and get a discount, and get freebies!
WHEN : Pre-buy period : June 1 to July 10, 2010. All payments must be in by July 10, 2010.
PRE-BUY SPECIAL PRICE : P 1,600.00 ( exclusive of shipping )
Includes : The Charm Travel Pro Set, a sample of CURE Aqua Gel, and a free mineral eyeshadow (1/8 tsp, in sachet) chosen by us."

Timing that I was discussing my pathetic concern to my hubby about not having a personal brush set just a couple of minutes before opening my email...

me: it's june, and the version 2 charm brush set i was telling you about isn't out yet..
hubby: ? (clueless)
me: remember i sold the charm holiday brush set to buy the bigger brush set only to find out that it's out of stock? and then sophie found a single set for sale among her stash and asked if anyone wanted to get it? i decided not to get it because i was waiting for version 2...now i'm thinking i should've bought it instead
hubby: oh, ok...so you bought the one with the red pouch instead? (pretending to be actively participating in the conversation)
me: no. i bought the one with the red pouch (a 22 pc brush set from Dollface Cosmetics) to do make up on other people, remember? now i have to take a few pieces of that set with me to put on my own make up since i don't have a personal one. darn, i really should've bought the last set if i knew i'd have nothing to use for this long...
hubby: how much was it then?
me: 1800...something (uncertain). thing is sophie said that the version 2 will be bigger and better, so the price would probably go up for version 2. my other concern is that it may not be travel sized anymore...
hubby: which means the brush will be too big for your face?
me: no! the handles will be longer!

Haha! Make up conversations with husband --fail! Charm Pro Travel Brush Set Prebuy --winner!!!

your every woman,

Methods of Teaching in Preschools

2010-05-31T11:42:00.009+08:00

My daughter just turned 2 years and 6 months and our hype over picking the best preschool started again. Why "again" you might ask? Because the increased awareness in the importance of early education as well as the evolved competency of children these days created great pressure on parents, like me, who want nothing but the best for their child (/ren). And because of that pressure, I have been scouting for playschools and preschools since Ella was 6 months. OA? Some parents even enroll their kids as soon as they were born!

We tried one class at Gymboree when Ella was more or less a year old and while I can't say anything negative about the class, it didn't work for us. I personally think that the things taught in such classes can be taught at home. And if what I'm after is the opportunity for Ella to mingle with other bibo and English speaking kids...Isn't a couple thousand pesos a bit too much for that? So it was a "NO" at the time.

But now, it's different. At 2, Ella really needs to learn with other children her age so that her social skills would develop to its maximum potential. With that in mind, I have narrowed down some of my own guidelines in picking the right preschool.

1. LEARNING APPROACH. I'm not sure if there's anything else, but I was able to research 6:

*Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) -as the words suggest, it is how learning adapted based on the research of how young children develop and when the education will be most effective.

*Eclectic -it is when the educator utilizes the best of several methods of teaching based on his instinctive and professional assessment on a child's or group of children's learning pace and capacity.

*Montessori -is learning based on the research of Maria Montessori wherein children are given the freedom to learn on their own while educators are supposed to observe, support and sustain the learning process.

*Multiple Intelligence- is learning adapted from the theory of multiple intelligence wherein the main focus of education will be on the area of intelligence a child displayed high measures of.

*Progressive -is learning by doing and incorporates the John Dewey model, same thing applied in the systematic approach to experimentation.

*Traditional -is when children with varying developmental capacity is being taught in one class with one pace and one generally appropriate developmental plan. Simply put, that's how most of us were taught.

Wouldn't it be nice to get the best of everything? That's why if a school can maximize the Eclectic approach to its utmost success, then that would be the school for us!

2. ENGLISH AS PRIMARY LANGUAGE. Ella will always learn and practice Filipino everywhere in the Philippines but she can only learn and practice good conversational English where everyone is confidently speaking it.

3. STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO.The focus of the educator to a student or number of students greatly affects the success of the learning approach

4. LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. I believe that children will learn best if the environment sustains the learning process.

5. TUITION AND OTHER FEES. I want to enroll Ella in a school where the tuition fee would be logically worth the learning.

6. PROXIMITY. I wouldn't want my child to lose her energy in travel alone.

So far, I'm thinking about taking Ella to trial classes at Lincolnshire Internationale Preschool which uses DAP to find out if they best translate my developmental plans for my child. Other prospect preschools are Kiddo Academy, Explorations Preschool , Holistic Education Montessori Center and OB montessori. Can anyone provide feedback on these schools? I would greatly appreciate it! :D

your every woman,

Whew! Just When I Thought It Was Serious!

2010-05-31T11:26:00.004+08:00

I have always been keen about my daughter's hollistic development and for a good couple of months, seeing Ella's progress reassured me that I was on the right track. She had always been a biba kid --was able to comprehend early, proactively participated in activities, displayed lots of talent... So you could understand why I was overly alarmed when I brought her to the Enfakid event yesterday and she didn't respond to one of the facilitators! A desperate measure to enroll my daughter in toddler school nearly took over me! Good thing I turned to Parents.com!

"Don't be surprised if your previously easy-going child suddenly becomes a timid wallflower in certain social situations. Meeting new people often brings out shyness in toddlers."

Now all I have to worry is getting her to be comfortable with people.

How about other parents out there, did you ever discover anything new about your child?

your every woman,

Treat Prickly Heat The Cool and Natural Way!

2010-05-26T11:50:00.006+08:00

Summer's almost over...but the irritation our kids feel from their prickly heat could stay longer. Good thing we have a remedy right inside our own homes! Taken from a book called "Healing Wonders of Water" (...sorry I don't know who the author is because the book used to be my grandma's), here's how my grandma used to calm my prickly heat and am now applying it on my daughter.

1. Mix 3 cups cornstarch in a tub full of lukewarm water.

2. Add clean baby (-LOLz) and bathe without soap for 30 mins.

3. Do this for at least 2x a week until the rashes heal.

Too bad we only have this tub because this would be more effective if the tub is chest high, so that the water covers most of the rashes. I just had to make Ella lay down the tub...a favor that's quite difficult to ask a 2 year old. Orocans could serve better for this purpose.

your every woman,

Recipe of the Day: Garlic Beef Misono

2010-05-26T11:21:00.004+08:00

My philosophy in cooking is to make good, healthy food with the taste of and feel of eating out. I want my family to always feel that it's best to come home to eat, especially when my kid (/s) grow older. That's why when we like a menu entry at a restaurant or fastfood, I try my best to copy it. Here's my take on Tokyo Tokyo's Beef Misono!

Ingredients:

1/2 beef cut into small strips (any kind of beef will do...)

Kikkoman Soy Sauce

1 cup water

1 whole garlice minced

1/2 of a whole cabbage, cut into strips

1 carrot, cut into strips

1/4 kg toge (mung bean sprouts)

2 white onions cut into strips

1 tsp iodized salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tsp sugar

1. Fry minced garlic. Drain and set aside.

2. Mix beef, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp Kikkoman soy sauce, pepper, 1 tsp sugar, and water in a sauce pan or pressure cooker and cook beef until tender. (Using pressure cooker would take lesser time compared to using a regular sauce pan.)

2. Drain beef and set aside what's left of the stock (if there's any).

3. Saute beef in 1 tbsp of the oil used in frying the garlic.

4. Stir fry onions, carrot, cabbage and toge in 1 tbsp of the oil used in frying the garlic and add what's left of the beef stock.

5. Mix 1/4 cup Kikkoman soy sauce with 1 tsp sugar.

6. Serve vegetables topped with fried garlic and eat ala Tokyo Tokyo:

*Disclaimer: I don't know how Tokyo Tokyo's beef misono is actually done and this is not a representation of the actual Tokyo Tokyo recipe. This is merely my version.

your every woman,

Spreads, Dips and Sauces: Cheddar Cheese Dip

2010-05-26T11:04:00.005+08:00

If there's any food I can't live without, it's cheese! My husband found it weird but I put cheese on literally anything! -Rice, hotdog, cheese, fish, chicken, caldereta, afritada, etc. So it's not suprising for me to always keep cheese dips handy. Here's how we cheese lovers can max our Cheez Whiz' full potential!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp cornstarch

1/2 cup water

3 heaping tbsp Cheez Whiz

1. Mix water and cornstarch in a saucepan and place over low fire.

2. Add Cheez Whiz.

3. Heat with constant stirring until desired consistency is achieved.

Pretty easy huh?! We love this on chips and burritos!

your every woman,

Spreads, Dips and Sauces: White Sour Cream Sauce

2010-05-19T13:28:00.007+08:00

Remember my Nachos and Beef Burrito Recipes? This is the sauce that makes all the difference in those recipes. I'm not sure how this is done commercially but my recipe is a pretty good dupe for it.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup vinegar

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp white pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

1 tsp iodized salt

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tetra pack Nestle Cream

1. Mix vinegar, cornstarch, white pepper, sugar, salt and garlic together in a saucepan and heat until desired thickness is achieved.

2. Remove saucepan from stove and add Nestle Cream.

3. Pour over Nachos, Beef Burritos or Shawarma and enjoy!

This is the "perfected" recipe compared to the ones included in the food recipes above.

your every woman

On Spanking For Discipline

2010-05-12T18:18:00.004+08:00

...spank or go to corner?

I watched an episode of Tyra when the topic was spanking as means of discipline. At first, I thought it was an interesting topic, but found out that I couldn't handle it, halfway through the 1st segment.

On the show were 2 groups of mothers, one that is pro spanking and the other was anti spanking. I didn't know if guests on the show were briefed as to what the discussion was all about because what happened was a noisy fight over whether spanking is a good means of discipline or not.

Now, that I'm a mother, I realized that parenting, like religion and politics, should never be discussed openly if you don't want any more enemies. To each his own...One style may work for some, but not for everyone. And spanking is one hot parenting issue.

I have been spanked by my grandmother even for the slightest mistake when I was a kid. And I couldn't even call it spanking because I was brutally hurt, like my lips would sometimes bleed from the slapping. And because I experienced it, does it mean that I wouldn't want to spank my kid? ...or do I feel more violent and opt for forwarded spanking?

Well, it's not supposed to be either way. If you ask me if I ever spank my kid, yes I did! And will not hesitate to do it again if the situation calls for it. But the most important concerns about spanking should be 1. Why was it done? 2. How was it done? and 3. What the possible effects can spanking do to the situation.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SPANK THE KID GIVEN YOUR SITUATION?

Spanking should never be done just because you're angry and can't control yourself, just like you would do to anyone who pisses you off. You are the primary example to your child/ren. You wouldn't want them to hurt other people just because they've lost control over their anger, would you?

Also, it shouldn't be done just because it's the norm and nosy people around expect you to spank your kid. Parenting is a behavioral research-observation-research process and you, of all people, know when spanking is really necessary.

HOW DID YOU SPANK YOUR KID?

I personally prefer spanking the kid on the part that made the wrong doing. What's important is to make the kid understand why the spanking was done. The way I do it, I warn her that if she continues the bad act, I am going to spank her. That way, it's my daughter's decision to continue the bad act or not...it's also her decision to be spanked or not. When it's time for the spanking, I do it calmly...like spanking is her punishment for wrong doing and not a result of my anger.

I also believe that it's not appropriate to embarrass your kid by showing the spanking to other people. Although the thinking that the embarrassment would cause the child not to do the wrongdoing again has some logic to it, I don't think it's the only way and worth hurting the child's self esteem.

WHAT POSSIBLE EFFECTS CAN THE SPANKING DO FOR THE SITUATION?

There are times when Ella would throw a tantrum after suddenly waking up at night. I wouldn't know whether that was because of a bad dream or whatever, but then she doesn't talk about it! And she can't be appeased by anything either! I know I'm almost at wits end during these tantrum fits, but will spanking cause a positive effect in that situation? Definitely not! She will not understand whatever lesson I try to teach her then because for all I know, she might not be fully awake yet.

It is understandable for us, even though we're adults, to loose our cool. We all have different temper thresholds. But we must keep in mind that the way we discipline our children can make or break their future. We must also consider the child's personality and consciously weigh if the child will be better off with or without spanking. The way I do it is I loudly count 1-10, not only to calm me down while I think objectively, but also to cue my daughter on what may come next if she continues her wrong doing.

People can attest to spanking, whether positively or negatively, but we must still understand how it could work for us and our children. Let me share with you how it affected me before this post ends.

As I've mentioned, I was excessively punished and embarrassed even for the slightest mistakes when I was a kid. I've turned out fine but there are a few things I've noticed. I'm afraid of getting people angry, probably because of the fear I felt whenever my grandma was angry. I never assert myself, probably because my grandma never accepted any explanation because as long as we're young, we will never be right. I always cared about what other people think and have low self esteem, probably because of the hurtful words my grandmother uncontrollably said when she was angry or the embarrassment I felt whenever I was spanked in front of other people. No matter how hard I tried to resolve such psychological issues, they still show sometimes because my heart was deeply scarred. Just imagine the things I could've achieved if I were not like this.

your every woman,

Practice Make Up With Dollface Cosmetics

2010-05-10T14:57:00.001+08:00

I'm sure you've had that feeling of wanting to use and abuse something you've just bought! It's the same thing I felt the moment I held my Dollface Cosmetics Make Up Palettes. It took me a couple of days before I actually got to use them because I was very busy! Feel free to say anything about the looks I've made so far.

above: my eyes...below: my whole face...lighting didn't capture the browns and golds on the make up

blue and white eyeshadow on mye... I didn't like how I did on this though, it could've been better with darker colors on the lids, thicker liner at the center and some contouring...

violets and whites on mich, plus black smokey lining...

golds and blacks on karen...

off whites and browns on dhaye...

silver, red and black drag make up on will...

pinks, browns and black eyelining, plus pink Bendita lips on camille...

shimmer grays and browns on eli...

black winged eyeliner, coral blush and red lips on camille...

purples and browns on my mom...I sooo love this!

Not bad eh? Still, I'll be more than happy to receive any form of criticism from anyone who reads this...It's the only way I learn you know! Thanks! There's more on my Facebook page!

your every woman,

The Things I Did For Make Up

2010-05-04T17:52:00.007+08:00

I have clearly posted my intent, both here and on facebook, to buy make up palettes and practice doing make up on other people. But because of the incredible rise of electricity costs (Imagine, from 2700 to 5600 in march...and 5600 to 7900 in april!!!), I wasn't able to buy what I planned. Good thing the lenten season came! It's like Jesus supported my love for make up that my work schedules coincided with the holidays! I rendered 2 hours OT on every day of the lenten week when employees were being paid more. The money I earned from those extra work reflected yesterday, hurrah!

I was ecstatic when I saw that I have enough to get 2 of the palettes I'd like to buy, while still keeping up with the house budget! It was just in time for Dollface Cosmetics' Private Bazaar at Burgundy Plaza!

I had of a bit of blunder with the Burgundy address though. I mistook it for Burgundy Makati which was a walking distance from my workplace. You wouldn't want to know what I saw when I reached the 6th floor of that building. It was my fault anyway, because I failed to read all the details when I signed up for the guest list!

It was really one heck of a ride going to somewhere in QC from Makati, especially with the summer heat! I'd like to thank my ever-supportive husband for coming with me and finding the way. I couldn't have reached the venue without him. If it hit me earlier that the venue was in QC, I would've considered having my purchase shipped to me instead. But Pearl was sooo accommodating, and not to mention very pretty, it was ok to have dropped by.

Because hubby did that very special favor for me, I didn't hesitate to grant his request to drop by Gilmore's before going home. He was supposed to buy a hard disk drive for a friend. He already knew where to buy it the cheapest but still took a chance at Gilmore's, only to find out he was correct.

It was raining hard when we were at Gilmore's and if you're familiar with the place, you know it gets flooded even with the slightest rains. Cab drivers were picky! We had to offer one cab driver Php100+ on top of our bill just to get home. And that was after an hour of waiting!

When we got home, our baby girl was already cleaned up for the night. It sucks to not be able to play with her in the afternoon, but I guess one day's worth of hassle is worth these:

Bought the Revlon Kohl Liner at Puregold Duty Free in Subic for $9.00!

Aren't they lovely tokens for my work-beaten self this labor day? They're sooo beautiful, I didn't want to actually use them....YET! I'll be dolling up any willing girl (or girl at heart) so be prepared! :D And hopefully, I could do pretty looks on myself too!

your every woman,

Your Every Woman Is A Year Old!

2010-04-22T19:08:00.002+08:00

I cannot believe it! My blog is a year old now! And although not a lot of people get to read it from here, I'm still happy that I've posted a lot already. This may not be too useful for others, but I know it's going to be useful for my kid (/s) when she (/they) grows up. It documents everything I learned as a woman and everything else linked to being one. It also displays who I am, what I love to do and what I believe in.

I'm really happy and I hope I learn more enough to keep posted on this blog.

I'm sorry but I don't have a really cool blog giveaway on its birthday, but I'm very grateful. Thanks to the people who comment on my posts and to those who have followed me...you add up to the family that keeps this blog alive!

Going back, I was overwhelmed by the whole blogging thing that I even tried, at great lengths, to get others to read my blog. I posted ads on smartparenting.com.ph and my multiply site. I attempted to open a mini segment that I wasn't able to add up to -to date! I posted comments on other bloggers' websites and linked the comments back to me. Instant popularity from blogging is really tempting! Good thing I was able to remember what I started blogging for and stuck with it.

Now I laugh at the things I did and consider them embarrassing. The only thing I don't regret having done was commenting on other bloggers' posts because it is from them that I learned a lot, and even more when they answered my questions and reponses. Some of them even became Internet friends and advisors!

Moving forward, I already started manually updating Facebook with my posts here so that my actual friends there would have the chance to read my posts. Most of them don't blog and just rely on FB to get updated with me. It's the interaction that matters more now, 'cause these people already know me. I want to share my parenting advocacies and beauty enthusiasm with them and if it helps people they know, they can share it too...just like in the movie "Pay It Forward".

Here's to another year of learning!!! CHEERS!

your every woman,

Make Up Play: Pat

2010-04-20T18:56:00.004+08:00

To be honest, I don't really like applying make up on myself. If I have perfect skin, I'd probably not wear any make up at all. But I do love colors and where else is it better to look at than on my mirror? On other people's faces, of course! Here's another make up play on hubby's cousin, Pat:

I can't touch her brows, sorry...

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion
Bare Naturals multipurpose minerals Apple Green over entire lid
Ellana multipurpose minerals Foxy on crease and lower lids
Ellana mutipurpose minerals Breezy on outer v
Ellana multipurpose minerals Raven on outer v and crease
Ellana multipurpose minerals Felicity for brow bone and tear ducts
Ever Bilena Advanced eyeshadow singles in Cleo mixed with BE Weather everything liner sealer to line and smudge upper and lower lash lines

Face

The Body Shop's Tea Tree Concealer in shade 02
Ellana mineral foundation in Macchiato
Custom-made bronzer for the cheeks

Lips

By Nature's Lippy Pot Balm
Luminare Lip Slim in Vino

You must've recognized by now that I've used the same technique in eye make up over and over. It gets a little boring, but then I have yet to learn other eye make up tricks for all eye shapes and colors.

I also use the same foundation and concealer on everyone. Good thing mine sort of becomes "pwede na..." on other people. I don't have a really big collection of make up. I wish I had, but I don't have the budget for it, at least for now....Would you like to sponsor for me? Just kidding!

I could also use some contour and highlight expertise, plus good highlighting and contouring colors. It helps shape faces.

At the end of the day, this is all just make up play for me. I hope that in the future, all that play would help me live the dream of prettying people's faces up. A willing participant, anyone?

your every woman,