6 Sites of Inspiration

Since I began my web logs, a.k.a. blogs, over two years ago, I came across a multitude of personal blog sites that truly amazed and piqued by interest.  Most are local bloggers from the metro, while a number of them are from across the globe which adds a very unique flavor to my growing reading list.

I've been meaning to share these interesting mix of 'blog finds' but never got around it.  So now, I'm happy to present a few of these fantastic blog sites that never fail to inspire.


FOLIE A DEUX

Why I love this blog:  

Very well-written. Compelling content. Images that will put some pros to shame.

Food and travel posts that would make you drool and want to live vicariously through her.

Exciting and enviable list of travel adventures and recommendations from a busy working mom, captured in vivid photographs.

Jen, the woman behind Folie A Deux, is the reason why I started my own blog. Hers was the first blog I followed. She is my childhood friend and someone I respect and admire as a blogger, and as a mother.

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL THINGS

Why I love this blog:  

Literally filled with absolutely beautiful things!

Anna is the woman behind this blog eye candy.  She's an interior designer and her creativity shines in this blog.  When you read and browse through the site, you'll feel very much at home.

A wealth of design pegs. Perfect site of self-expression, and a wonderful showcase of pretty finds and gorgeous items for the home.

CUPCAKES AND CASHMERE

Why I love this blog: 

Not your ordinary fashion blog. Fun. Savvy and sophisticated. Glam to the max.

One of my most recent discoveries, blogger Emily is in the fashion business but has so much to share -- like beauty tutorials, fab finds, great ideas for the home, fashion styling and unique recipes.

With her outfit posts, lots of women would surely want to exchange closets with her!  Such impeccable taste.  Her blog shouts class.

KEVIN & AMANDA

Why I love this blog:  

Fully-loaded with creativity and positivity.  A very bright and happy site that offers endless ideas and DIY projects. Amanda is an artistic maven that generously shares her talents and skills through this site.

Find scrapbooking templates, free fonts, layouts, recipes, photography and graphic design tips and tricks, and so much more!  I have learned a lot from her tutorials.

PLANET AWESOME KID

Why I love this blog:  

A pioneering pro-kid fashion and advocacy site. Supports children-based charities.

Cuteness overload! It will never fail to put a smile on your face.

One can never be too young to channel personal style.  Julia, a talent casting director, heads P.A.K. which documents children's unique style and fashion from the streets of New York and around the world. I have submitted two images of my daughter (that's my girl up there) and luckily, they featured her on both occasions.

6 BITTERSWEETS

Why I love this blog:  

Food and photography at their finest.  Styling and photography tips and tutorials. Fantastic (and appetizing) images, mouth-watering recipes, and drool-worthy tools and kitchen implements.  

Xiaolu is the young lady behind this blog that never fails to generate raves from her avid readers.

The writing, the photographs, and the setting reflects her passion, fine taste, and great eye for detail.

Hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I do.


This is in celebration of Nuffnang's Blog Day: created with the belief that bloggers should have one day dedicated to getting to know other bloggers from other countries and areas of interest.

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Mom-Finds: Prairie Dress for Girls

Last Friday of the month:  Mom-Finds for girls / Fashion

Shopping with my little girl is something I enjoy immensely.  There's just so much cute stuff for girls and one just can't have enough dresses and shoes!  I am certain that all you moms, aunts, God parents of these tiny misses would understand what I am talking about.  How could you not resist buying these pretty little things for them?

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Blogger's Block?

12:27 a.m...I am just rambling here.
I just need to publish something... now!

It's been a week since my last blog post about the eggs and I am just not feeling it.  I even missed my Fun Friday post because I fell ill Thursday night and was just too weak to do anything.

I had it all planned out, so I felt I let you all down coz I know I made a commitment with my regular "official" blog day, every Friday, and I missed it!  Only the 2nd time (?) in over 2 years!

It went downhill from there.

Ellipses. That's all I see in my brain.  .................................. like eggs ..................................

This image is supposed to be for another recipe post

Okay, I'm not making any sense.

You know, I have lots of material to work with, watermarked photos ready for uploading, and a good line-up of topics in the next two weeks.

Writer's block? But I'm not a writer.
Is there such a thing as blogger's block?

12:47 a.m...still blank.

I need an 'a-ha' moment.  I need a kick.  I actually don't know what I need.  Waaaahhhhh...... :(
Am I alone here?  I felt like this newbie copywriter again in my stark white-gray cubicle, pulling my hair thinking of a brilliant headline for a toothpaste print ad.

Should I take a break from blogging?

12:53 a.m.  I have to stop now, go to bed, and pray I get that spark to get through the week and be able to give you a decent Mom-Finds post this Friday.

Thanks for reading up to this point.  I am not proofreading this anymore.

12:57 a.m.  Publish post.



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Before Ever After + Baked Eggs = Bestsellers

"Shelley had fallen in love with Max’s baked eggs and cheese almost as soon as she had fallen in love with Max himself.  They were in Paris when he first made the dish for her and the tour group she had hastily joined.  Since then each forkful tasted like that morning—warm, buttery, and bursting with full-fat promise." -- Before Ever After

Shelly and Max are the protagonists in the newest best-selling book 'Before Ever After' -- first novel of Filipino author Samantha Sotto, whom I had the pleasure of meeting through an intimate get-together in her honor.

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Send a GoodNote and WIN A GoodSkin Labs Product

Do you like to pamper your skin?
Do you want the best skincare products for your face?
Yes? :)

Here's your chance to win for yourself any one of the breakthrough skin treatment products from GoodSkin Labs worth up to Php2,800!

GSL produces highly-targeted skincare products with advanced formulas that ensure real and instant benefits, with long term results that are visible and measurable.  I shared my personal experience with GoodSkin Labs (GSL) products previously and I am very happy with the improvements on my skin.  Now, I'm sharing the love by hosting this fun activity.

(THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED -- see Winner below)

HOW TO JOIN:

Choose one, or all, GoodNote templates and download from here > GSL GoodNotes Templates

Deadline of entries:  August 30, 2011 - 11:59 p.m. (Manila time)

Announcement of one (1) winner will be posted within 2 weeks after Aug. 30.

Prize to be picked-up at the GSL office in Makati.

Remember:

• Type My Mom-Friday Entry on the Subject of your email and send to goodskinlabs.ph@gmail.com so it will be counted.
• You can submit up to 5 entries using each of the 5 GoodNote templates available.                         1 template = 1 entry
• You can attach all your entries in one email message and write your full name, age, contact number.

Click here for a step-by-step guide from GSL.

Check out GoodSkin Labs on Facebook and learn about how each product works their magic on your skin!

Create your GoodNotes now

and you might just win your favorite GSL skincare product!

p.s.

Drop me a note here once you've submitted an entry so I can verify with GSL. :)

* * *

And the WINNER is...

Congratulations ETHEL, a representative from GoodSkin Labs will contact you on how to claim the prize of your choice. 
Cheers to healthy, beautiful skin!

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined this contest!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Family Friday: Tiny Tea Party at Taibun

Second Friday of the month:  Family time / Kids


"Daddy, I don't wanna leave yet... let's have a tea party first!"

I can't remember what triggered our cravings one lazy Sunday afternoon -- hubby was thinking about having some sweets while I wanted to indulge in a slice of tablea chocolate cake. It was then decided that we go to a nearby cake shop to have our fill of sugary treats.

But... the girl was expecting some playtime with daddy and refused to let us leave without having a "tea party" first.  We're itchin' to go so we told her she can bring the "tea party" to the bakeshop instead. She happily brought her miniature ceramic tea set and mugs while the boy took along his Smurfs toy figures. 

Sadly, the cake shop was full. We quickly decided to proceed to Taibun (portmanteau of Taiwanese bun) -- a relatively new Taiwanese bread shop within our bustling neighborhood we have yet to try.

Suffice to say, we made the right choice.  Taibun was cozy, with ample dining and lounge areas, spacious enough to accommodate restless kids and entertain diners with a wall-mounted flat-screen TV.  Food was very affordable with a selection of Taiwanese delicacies, breads and buns, 100-peso set meals, and other sweet and savory snacks.  The staff were friendly and tolerant of my rambunctious twosome -- that's major plus points to them.

The boy and girl really had a blast with their tea party, drinking straight from the tiny tea cups while daddy poured "tea" (it was actually our order of hot cocoa) to refill their mini tea pot.  I cherish these playful bonding moments with hubby and the kids, especially when the nanny is not around.

My brother's family was able to join us so the cousins got to play and my kids enjoyed the tea party even more for the rest of the afternoon.

"Tea", cake rolls and buns with cousins

Unwinding at the quaint coffee shop was a welcome change from our usual play-and-rest-at-home Sundays.  I considered it a rare (unplanned) family activity since we don't usually go out on a whim. We got our sweet fix and engaged in light conversations over healthy snacks...until the kids got too rowdy and we had to leave before they break something!

Who knew that having a family "tea party" could be so much fun! Now I think we should do these spur-of-the-moment thing more often. =)


How about you, any memorable spur-of-the-moment family activity?


Taibun Bakery & Coffee Shop
V. Cruz corner P. Guevarra
Little Baguio, San Juan City


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My Precious Alati Necklace

I WON this custom-designed archive neck piece from Dainy Mom's blog contest!

Alati pearl and peridot necklace by Gabriela Tatad

Am I lucky or what?  This is, by far, the most precious of all the prizes I've won from joining blog contests over the past year.

Thanks to Martine of Dainty Mom, I am now a proud owner of this elegant creation from Aláti by jewelry designer Gabriela Tatad.

Alati Y-necklace features:

• Two 8-inch strands of pale peach freshwater pearls with gold-plated clasp
• Oval centerpiece of semi-precious peridot stone
• Wired antique gold, crystal-encrusted dragonfly drop pendant 

It's such a statement piece that glams up even the most basic day-time look of round-neck shirt and jeans!

'Dainty Mom' Martine, wearing her own Alati necklace, awards the prize to moi!

Follow Dainty Mom's inspiring stories and great finds on her blog, and who knows, you might be the next winner of her future blog contests!

Aláti by Gabriela Tatad's jewelry collection can be viewed on Facebook.


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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Smurfs Invasion!

The last time I went ga-ga over these adorable blue characters was when I was in 6th grade!!!  Who knew the Smurfs would find their way into 2011, with a movie to boot, and charm this new generation of tech-savvy kiddies like my boy and girl.

We got four Smurfs from our latest order of McDonald's Happy Meals.  There were 8 dolls to choose from and the boy and the girl got these cuties...

Smurfette -- the only female in the village, is the obvious choice for my girl.  The doll, a little over 3 inches, comes with her own pink caterpillar comb to keep her golden tresses in place.

Clumsy - he doesn't look clumsy here but he seems to be carrying a magic laser sword.

Brainy - this guy comes with a toaster that springs him away when the toast is pressed.

Papa Smurf - the boss is mixing up some magic in his pot...watch it glow as you press, change colors and blink, blink, blink!

I was actually looking for Gargamel and Azrael in the collection, but no vilains included. :) We'll go back to collect the rest!

Now we're all set to bring the kids to watch the Smurfs movie, showing in Metro Manila theaters this coming week!

Here's what I got for myself before from Happy Meals too!
Sanrio Stampers


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Foodie Friday: Fresh Lettuce Wrap and Spring Roll

First Friday of the month: Recipes / Cooking


My recipe for today was inspired by a well-loved specialty Chinese dish -- minced Peking duck in lettuce roll.  I obviously don't have access to roast duck on an ordinary day, and from time to time, I crave for something fresh and filling like this, different from our usual weeknight dinners.

What's great about this recipe is that the ingredients are readily available in your local groceries and, as I always harp on my posts, very simple and easy to prepare. The secret to this dish is the hoisin sauce, which brings in the flavor.  Plus, you can use the meat filling in many ways!  Here I'll show you 2 ways of serving this dish:


LETTUCE WRAP and FRESH SPRING ROLL

1 head iceberg lettuce, wash and strain

Sheets of spring roll wrapper

Lettuce leaves, whole and loose cuts

sprigs of fresh cilantro (wansoy)

toasted seaweed (optional)

Hoisin sauce


Meat filling:
250g lean ground pork / or chicken
1 fist-sized turnip (singkamas)
4 large heads of fresh shiitake mushrooms (if dried, soak mushrooms in warm water before use)
1/2 medium carrot
1 small white onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
pepper

I didn't have mushrooms when I cooked this batch  =)

To prepare:
Press and drain ground meat of any liquid.
Finely chop all vegetables, mushrooms, and set aside.  For the turnip, you can buy a fist-sized piece or smaller.
(Again, I only approximate the amount of veggies here, you can have more, or less of each.)

To cook:
In a pan, saute garlic, onions and ground meat until half cooked, about 3 minutes under medium heat.
Stir in the rest of the veggies and mushrooms, season pepper, oyster sauce, then add hoisin sauce -- a sweet and thick Chinese dipping sauce made from ground soybeans, sweet potato, and spices. Mix well.
Cover pan and allow to cook for another 5 - 8 minutes. Lower heat. Make sure veggies will not turn soggy.
Remove from heat then transfer cooked filling to a strainer and allow liquid to drain.  
Place in a serving bowl.

Lee Kum Kee Hoisin Sauce, and toasted seaweeds for spring rolls

To assemble:

Arrange and serve the lettuce leaves, spring roll wrapper, cilantro, sauce and meat filling on the table, buffet style.

Choose your wrapper -- lettuce or spring roll, or both!

Assemble and layer on your plates.

Spread hoisin sauce on chosen wrapper, scoop meat filling.

Fold, roll, and bite. Crisp, juicy, mouthwatering!

Ready for a bite!

Warning:  You can loose count once you start eating, and before you know it, you might have eaten half of the entire batch already! This dish is best shared. ;)

Serves 3 to 4.


In case you have extra meat filling, wrap in spring roll wrapper and keep in air-tight container.  It's ready to be fried for the next meal!

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Judy Ann Santos endorses Johnson's Baby Milk Bath

“Now that I’m already a mom, I find it hard to leave the house and spend time away from my loved ones.  When you’re a mother, you are faced with decisions that will have a huge bearing on your family and children.” - Judy Ann Santos - Agoncillo

Agoncillo family photo courtesy of J&J

Last July 27, I attended the trade and media launch for the new spokesperson of Johnson's Baby Milk Bath -- Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo.  

It's no surprise why Johnson & Johnson's chose this award-winning, box office superstar as their endorser.  Judy Ann, or Juday as she's fondly called, genuinely embraces her role as wife to Ryan, and mom to Yohan and baby Lucho.  This was very evident during her tete-a-tete with host Angel Jacob, who also happens to be Godmother to Juday's daughter.

At the luncheon, Juday revealed that she grew up using J&J products, so she was very honored that her family was chosen to be part of the J&J family as brand ambassadors.  She also shared her mothering style and how she balances her role as mother, wife, and actor.  It is still a learning process for her and stressed that with these changes in her life, she makes sure that family comes first.

During the Q&A portion, I got lucky that my question card was picked and I was able to ask her what's the most memorable milestone of her baby Lucho.  She proudly shared that it was when Lucho started to stand, seeing her baby boy achieve this is a great moment for her and the rest of the family. (That's me asking my question - thanks to Tina for this souvenir snapshot)

I've been using Johnson's Baby Milk Bath on my kids for many years now and I'm glad that Judy Ann mentioned about her pediatrician giving it a seal of approval for her children to use.

One of the most enjoyable bonding moments for me and my kids is during their bath time, either giving them a shower or playing and making bubbles in the bath tub.

The same goes for this lovely celebrity mom who, aside from cooking her family's favorite food, really looks forward to bathing her children.

Johnson’s Baby Milk Bath gently cleanses delicate skin and prevents dryness, which may lead to irritation.  It has 100% more milk proteins and vitamins A and E that gives the necessary nourishment to skin. It's clinically proven mild and has 'no more tears' formula ensuring gentle cleansing for babies until their toddler years, and even for mommies.

SRP  @ P76.26 / 200ml

I captured this video clip while Judy Ann describes how she genuinely feels about Johnson's Baby Milk Bath, making it a wise choice for discerning moms like her.  I have to agree that after my kids bathe with it, their skin really do feel soft and moisturized.  I used it on myself too a few times before! :)

Johnson's Baby Milk Bath is available at leading supermarkets.


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