Mom-Style: Traveling Mama Jen of 'Folie à Deux'

"Mom-Style will serve as my platform to put the spotlight on fashion-savvy moms from all walks of life... Being a mother is a full-time 'job' and as a result, many moms tend to forget to take care of themselves. So making an effort to look good can, in turn, become an inspiration for others to also look and feel their best. This is something truly admirable and worthy of praise.  Mom-Style is dedicated to all the hot mamas out there, especially to my fierce and fashionable friends."

That was my introduction to this special blog feature which I launched late last year -- putting a spotlight on stylish moms via MOM-STYLE.  It took me a while to post a follow-up since I wanted this to be more than just showcasing fashionable moms. I want to recognize and applaude them for their individuality, their brand of parenting, as well as possessing that unique sense of style that transcends fashion.  So before my anniversary month ends, allow me to present my first Mom-Style headliner.

Jen and her adorable girls

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Mom-Finds: Skin Cravings Body Scrub and Lotion

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-Finds under P500


As soon as I opened this gift bag, I immediately wanted to use the products to see how they would compare to the imported brands I've been using for years.  After a few weeks of using regularly, I can confidently say that these locally-made, sweet-scented skin pampering products will be a hit!

I was one of the lucky few who won this gift pack during the recently-concluded Celeteque Advanced blogger event.  My team won the ice-breaker contest and got this special prize. I did not open the bag until I got home. And what a wonderful surprise.

Introducing Skin Cravings Body Scrub and Body Lotion from Innovitelle, Inc. (a subsidiary of leading health care company Unilab).  Skin Cravings is a new line of skin care products manufactured locally, made from special ingredients imported from France and other countries. It has been dermatologically tested to be hypo-allergenic, so they're safe for everyday use.

Body Scrub  :  SRP @ P255 / 300ml

Scrub Me Pretty Body Scrub

There were three dainty (clear plastic) bottles of body scrub in assorted fruity yoghurt variants:

• Cranberry Yoghurt
• Dewberry Yoghurt
• Strawberry Yoghurt

I always love to try new body washes and scrubs so, came bath time, I decided to opened one. I am guessing the strawberry's scent was too predictable, and dewberry was kinda unique to me, so I chose to open the familiar cranberry first.

Look at how thick this is. It smells, looks, and feels like real fruit-flavored yoghurt!  If it were not for the labeled bottle, someone can mistake this for the real thing! :))) 

Verdict:  My skin loved it. Winner!

It felt light once slathered on my skin and does not leave any residue or icky feeling.  I could actually feel the generous exfoliating grains which I really liked, compared with others I've tried that does not seem to have enough of the "scrub factor".  It doesn't lather so it leaves no residue and washes off easily, giving me a moisturized feeling all over.

It also leaves a hint of sweet fruity scent, not overpowering at all.

Smooth Over Body Lotion

The lotion came in two distinct scents:

• Choc' Mint Kisses
• Strawberry Cream

Again, the strawberry was a safe choice so I went to open the green bottle. If you eat chocolate mint candies, then you already know how I smell every time I smooth on this rich skin confection.  It took a few days for me to get used to the scent since I always imagine rubbing mint chocolate on my body, heehee!  It smelled better minutes after application. Weird, but nice. I was able to take a whiff of the Strawberry Cream and found it too sweet-smelling. I guess it will smell lighter once slathered.

Body Lotion  :  SRP @ P240 / 250ml

I like the smooth, creamy texture. However, my palms feel a bit sticky after smoothing over my body. Or maybe I applied too much? But I still like the moisturized feeling since I tend to have dry, scaly skin especially on the legs.

Overall, Skin Secrets would be a wonderful addition to the skin products I use regularly, especially the body scrub since the imported ones cost double the price.  I can't wait to try the other variants!

If you like fruit-scented skin care products, you might like these too!  Now available in Landmark department store, Rustan's Supermarket, and Shopwise Supermarket.

Find out how I got my hands at these goodies here! :)

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From Hummus to Ginataan, With Love

Last weekend was like a food fest of sorts. A long-planned company reunion was set at my former boss' beautiful home down South.  This proved to be a memorable gastronomic experience for all of us who came to the party as we got to sample an array of local and exotic dishes, all made with love!

It's been years since I last tasted these well-loved dishes prepared by my former boss. And as expected, they're the most-requested by "ex-agency cast members", myself included, of NHAI.  During our years at the agency, company parties at her home were made more memorable by the food she serves. For our recent reunion, only the best was laid out from the house of Harel, from hummus to ginataang halo-halo.

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New Anti-aging Skin Care with Celeteque Advanced

So let's talk about healthy, beautiful skin.

For those of you who've been following my blog for sometime, you may have noticed I don't do much beauty features. Truth is, I don't get giddy over beauty stuff.  Now don't get me wrong, I love wearing make-up on occasion, and I do follow a basic, low-maintenance skin care and beauty regimen.

Reality bites -- I'm a few years shy of being forty (can't believe I wrote that number down...in my book, I'm forever 28!)  and realized that I never really gave much thought about my "aging" skin until after listening to a dermatologist talk about it in depth. Lightbulb moment!

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Fun Friday: Horse-back Riding at El Kabayo, Subic

Third Friday of the month:  Travel / Leisure


There are a few not-so-ordinary activities that instantly delight my kids, and it involves horses.

Ever since they had their first close encounter with horses in Tagaytay over a year ago, one mention of a planned out-of-town trip has them picturing a day of riding horses!  Since we can't bring them to Tagaytay every time they clamor for their horsey rides, I just bring them instead to nearby Tiendesitas, a shopping and entertainment complex that offers visitors a quick calesa ride around the center. It's one of their cheap thrills that they couldn't say no to. 

On our recent Subic trip, the kiddies finally went galloping one sunny afternoon at El Kabayo Riding Stables. It's a pretty popular tourist spot in Subic so you could easily find your way there since it's along El Kabayo Road. 

Poised and confident on his brown steed

Of course, mommy and daddy have to ride with the boy and the girl, but the boy insists on riding on his own just like the first time. We're so proud!  I was even more scared for him but he did ride with so much confidence.


We were each provided a riding helmet. My girl did not complain about getting a biker's helmet since it was in her fave pink color!  This was the first time we rode as a family so it's safe to say that it was the highlight of our brief summer trip.

All aboard and ready to ride!

We took the 1-hour leisurely ride by the roadside, with a side-trip to a hidden falls and creek in the forest. It costs P700 per horse (approx. US$16) per hour. We took 3 horses. Sorry I can't recall their names. They offer lower rates for shorter rides with no visit to the falls. We went there around noon -- worst time of the day, it was scorching hot our heads were all sweaty under those helmets! Eeew!

Crossing the make-shift bridge over the creek

The "falls" was a dud. See that thin stream of water flowing down the creek? That's it. We only spent a few minutes there just to feed the kids' curiosity, and ours too! :)))

My hubby J has the camera the whole time since I was riding with my daughter, and so I missed taking photos of the landscape and this magnificent row of old acacia trees that we passed through the forest. It was a postcard moment that I will never forget. Another thing I won't forget was how punishing this ride was on my bum!!! I can't imagine how equestrians do it.

Making our way back to the ranch

El Kabayo Riding Stables house close to 2 dozen horses and offer private riding classes. While writing this feature, I discovered there's an El Kabayo Cowboy Town in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. It looked so cool from the pictures. This will be our next destination if and when we decide to treat the kids to their favorite outdoor adventure! They will be thrilled to the max!


One final shot before we left the stables.  Girl waves, "bye horsey!"

El Kabayo Riding Stables
El Kabayo Road, Binictican
Subic Bay Freeport Zone
Zambales


El Kabayo Cowboy Town
Clark Freeport Zone
Pampanga


You might like to read:
Tagaytay Family Holiday, Album 1
Fun Friday: Calesa in the City
Subic Summer Retreat at Lighthouse Marina Resort




I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Express Service from McDonald's McDelivery Online

"McDonald's!" That's the default answer I'd get when I ask what the family likes for (fast food) delivery.  It's getting to be a "tradition" of bonding over burgers and fries! 


I know, I know, it's bad.  I try really hard to limit our fast food consumption to twice a month. It's usually either a tub of Jollibee Chicken Joy or McDonald's hamburger meals for delivery. Okay, someone will shoot me for using those two burger joints in one sentence! (LOL!) But it's true, those are our usual orders.

Last weekend, even with the phone just a few feet way, hubby decided to check McDonald's online from his iPad and bingo!  McDelivery Online. Dinner solved.

McDelivery Online - Register here

3 quick and easy steps and you're done!

What amazed us was the fact that after just about 2 minutes from completing our online order, we got a call from McDonald's to confirm our orders. And within 20 minutes, our burgers and fries arrived at our doorstep! Dinner is served.

Email confirmation of orders too!

It was such a coincidence that I got this email a day before so I thought I'd share these tips from McDonald's and Nuffnang for all you folks taking a road trip. Great ideas for those traveling with kids too this summer break!  
Keep your journey fun and exciting with these creative things to do:

• Play the car plate game  - See how creative your friends are by giving meanings to the alphabets written on the plate of the car in front of you (i.e. WLS 123 = Women Love Shopping)
• Count cars - Make your friends choose a car make/brand. Once everyone has chosen a brand, try to compete with each other by counting the number of cars of your choice that pass by.
• Take Pictures - To keep your travel journal more interesting, try to take pictures of funny signages, fascinating people and breathtaking view.
• Play What's Next - Pick an interesting topic (i.e. animals with 2 legs).  Then take turns naming one thing/animal/person that belongs to the group/topic. Person who couldn't answer loses.
• Spot the yellow car - Keep your kids on the lookout by spotting yellow cars. The one who spots the most number of yellow cars in 3 minutes wins.
• Keep quiet - Try to find out how patient your kids are by being mum for several minutes. The one who utters a word first loses. (We call this the "Quiet Game" and have the kids play this when they're getting too loud and distracting to the driver.)
• Alphabet game - Take turns naming a country, animal, or city that begins with the letter "A" followed by "B" and so on.
• Eat - Playing all those fun games can make you really hungry.

Turning 7 years old last November, he only requested to dine at McDonald's to eat cheeseburger and fries!

Let me just say this is not a sponsored post! :) We're just regular happy customers, whether dine-in, drive-thru, or via delivery, McDo is top-of-mind, especially for the kids.


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Family Friday: Yes, I'm A Stay-At-Home Mom & I Am Busy!

Second Friday of the month:  Mothering / Parenthood / Home

Stay-at-home mom. Work-at-home mom. Full-time mom. Domestic diva.  Whatever you call us, we're all the same potato. For this post, we'll stick with the term stay-at-home mom, or SAHM for short.


Before I continue, let me just say I have nothing against working moms because I WAS a working mom before.  I've been there and it was one of the most gratifying experiences I've had which helped me become who I am today.  I believe that being a SAHM is a privilege and a choice.  I have friends who can well afford to just 'stay home and do nothing', but still choose to work.


I guess what I want to share with you in this particular post is that, as a mom, the choice we make on what we want to do, and to be, has it's own rewards and sacrifices.  A stay-at-home mom is not any better, or any less, than a working mom and vice versa. Let's learn to respect each other's choices since all mothers are, in fact, super women! ;)

My first photo with the kids on this blog

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Minds At Work: Be part of The Mind Museum's 1st Exhibit Testing

"We are pleased to invite you to be among the first to experience science come alive at The Mind Museum’s first exhibit testing event: Minds at Work...manipulate and play with a varied selection of exciting and engaging exhibit pieces that will give you a foretaste of the science fascination that will greet you when the museum is completed this December." - from The Mind Museum

As soon as I received the invitation, I immediately marked my calendar for this exclusive testing exhibit. This is something I am really looking forward to attend this month.

The Mind Museum is the first of it's kind in the Philippines -- a high-tech science museum with hands-on exhibits, featuring state-of-the-art design with 5 distinct galleries that will feed the curious minds:

• The Story of the Universe: Its Beginning and Majesty
• The Story of the Earth: Its Story Across the Breadth of Time
• The Story of Life: The Exuberant Varieties of Life
• The Story of the Atom: The Strange World of the Very Small
• The Story of Technology: The Showcase of Human Ingenuity

I was instantly amazed and excited, especially for my kids, so I decided to "light a star", two stars actually, named after the boy and the girl -- making them certified donors for this world-class museum which I proudly shared here late last year. And we can't wait for the museum to open it's doors this December!

In a couple of weeks, I'll have my chance to test and experience what the museum has to offer . You too can be a part of The Mind Museum's preview exhibit this coming May 26 which will also be a fund-raising event.

Limited slots only for the first 75 donors, until May 20, so hurry!
You can sponsor one element of the Periodic Table or one galaxy for your free pass.

Here's how you can join:

Screen capture from TMM website

Be a part of the first testing exhibit!
Be a donor and sign up here now:
A Preview of The Mind Museum's Exhibit

For more information, contact:
Alexandra Limcaco of The Mind Museum
Tel. (632) 818-3601 local 3201
Email: alex.limcaco@themindmuseum.org


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Thoughts on Mother's Day

Of all days, I couldn't find the words to express myself this Mother's Day.  I have so much in my mind right now and I thought I'd share some quotes that share my sentiments on this special day for moms.

It is often difficult, tiresome and hard to be a mother, and there is never a rest from being a mother, but helping my children grow to be competent, caring, sensitive, successful, and happy individuals is the most important thing I could ever do, and it is, by far, the most loving and rewarding. - Susan Polis Schutz

My girl wore her favorite pajama set for me

The love between a mother and her child is a bond of the strongest kind. It is a love of the present, interwoven with memories of the past and dreams of the future.  It is an unconditional, forever kind of love. - Barbara Cage

My boy made this paper flower for me to put on my hair :)

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new. - Rajneesh

Creativity in the age of technology -- a cake for mom from the iPad

Creativity in the most basic form -- a cut-out heart and a 'mom & me' sketch from my girl

'Mother', my original poem for Mother's day.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I am also celebrating my blog anniversary so if you haven't joined yet, you still have a chance at winning cool prizes on the succeeding weekly draws!!!  Join here. (Concluded)


Quotes from Schutz and Cage:  From the book The Language of Parenting

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Mom-Grocer: Magnolia Popsies

First Friday of the month:  Food / Grocery

It's the first Friday of the month and if you're a regular reader, you might be expecting Foodie Friday with a recipe or a dining post for today.  Well, there's something new and a bit different.

Since May is my anniversary month, I planned some new additions to my blog and thought that for today's Foodie Friday, it's the best time to introduce to you:  MOM-GROCER!

I frequent the supermarket -- well that's an understatement.  Once or twice a week I go to the grocery since I don't like to stock on food, especially meats, fish and veggies. I prefer them newly delivered and fresh.  And by the way, I go to four different supermarkets depending on my schedule and what the household needs for the week.  In the process, I have several regular items in the pantry, and a few grocery finds (which I've already featured here in the past).  Time to give them their own category.


MOM-GROCER will be a random post of the good, the bad, and the rotten (hopefully a rare appearance here, hehehe), but mostly about the family's favorites and my kitchen staples which I'm going to share with all of you.

We're in the midst of the hottest day of the summer season and I decided this would be a good first Mom-Grocer post -- Popsicles!

@ P10 each from Cherry supermarket

There are Twin Popsies, and then there's Magnolia Popsies!  What I like about these popsicles is that they are easier to lick and suck with just the right size for one serving.  I hated breaking the twin popsicles when I was younger, and now that the kids have learned to like it, I still hated breaking it in two.  And it's quite messy to eat it as a twin too if you can't manage it.  So when I saw these singletons, I was delighted!  I even mistook them for the twins being transformed to singles, hahaha! Then someone pointed out that they're from different companies.

2 boxes of 24 Popsies per flavor!

I got tired of my girl whining and asking for popsicles every time we go out so I promised we'd buy a box if she behaves and joins me to the grocery. And so she did a few days ago and now we have not one, but two boxes! 24 popsies in a box per flavor, and it comes in 2 icy-juicy flavors.  We bought both Magnolia Popsies Ice Lollies in Orange Chill and Choco Cool.  What a treat! Hubby and the girl are quite the addicts when it comes to ice cream and popsicles so it's a good idea to buy by the box. The Orange Chill is fast disappearing.

Fresh from her "swim" in the kiddie pool, she can't wait for another popsie!

I hope you enjoy this new feature on my blog and I'm also encouraging you to share your market finds here too so we can help each other in deciding what to try, what not to try, and what to include in our grocery list.

Happy grocery-shopping!!!

Check out my past grocery finds here.

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Expo Mom 2011 rocks Rockwell Tent on May 7!

It's that time of the year when mommies around the metro flock to the most anticipated lifestyle event for urban moms and expectant parents --  EXPO MOM will happen on Saturday, May 7 from 10 am to 8 pm at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City.

I missed the last Expo Mom and this year, I'm glad I can drop by and check out the latest and most innovative products from mom-preneurs who will be selling their wares and services at the expo.  Aside from great shopping finds, visitors will get to learn from a line-up of talks, enjoy a host of activities and booths for moms! Some topics of interest, among others:

• Laughter Yoga
• Cord blod banking talk
• Creative meals for kids -- I'm personally looking forward to this one!
• Breastfeeding talk
• CPR & First Aid talk
• Prenatal classes
• Single parent support
• OB consultation
• Photo booth for portraits

What moms can look forward to this year is the addition of a kiddie area with crafts and beads station, snack corner, and inflatable slides to entertain our little ones while we shop!

So don't miss this fantastic annual trade expo, for moms, by moms!


EXPO MOM is brought to you by Mommy Mundo.
Click here for their list of exhibitors.


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Mommy Journey's Giveaway With A Cause

While I am running my own weekly blog anniversary blowout this month, I'm happy to share that one of the blogs I follow, The Mommy Journey, is also hosting a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day giveaway -- a special family photo shoot with Tracey Heppner Photography for one lucky momma and her family.

I rarely join giveaways wherein I have to blog about the contest to be able to qualify. But this is different mainly because Chris is hosting, and it's for a charitable project. And maybe I can finally be in a family portrait and not behind the camera for a change! :)
Learn more about how you can join her giveaway here at The Mommy Journey.

May has just started and there's a lot to look forward to this month for all of us mommies!

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