The ZALORA Meme

Have you seen this kind of meme going around on Facebook?

I am like Z. I love to shop online (if I have extra money or just looking around), specifically articles of clothing, accessories and shoes because... 

• it's more convenient than going to stores and trying on clothes
• I am too afraid to don't drive
• ZALORA offers 30-day return or exchange
• ZALORA accepts cash on delivery

So, how can we be smart and stylish like Z? Click this link to find out: Buy now, pay later with COD

Be even smarter, use this code to get 15% discount on your very first purchase:

Happy online shopping!

5 Ways to Cut Spending in the Business for 2016

In order for a business to survive, money needs to be spent wisely. Technology provides a number of ways to reduce the overhead costs of a company through various alternatives. These methods may also prove to be a good marketing point by advertising that your business is essentially "eco-friendly." While you don't have to line your roof with solar panels, cutting the costs of paper and energy use has potential to attract customers who focus on the environment.

BYOD Platforms

Many businesses are moving to a Bring-Your-Own-Device platform. This means employees use their own smartphones, laptops and computers to perform the work. It saves money on hardware purchased by the company and the time spent by your IT staff to keep them operational. For a lot of businesses, personal hardware means personal expense to repair broken devices.

source

Paperless Systems

In reality, there is no reason to store or create paper-based documents in the 21st century. Digital signatures are just as binding as those of pen and paper in most states. Using paperless document management allows you to archive everything you'll ever need without buying countless file cabinets and drawers. Some businesses have to get large storage units to hold all of their paperwork, which becomes an additional expense.

Cloud Usage

Storing files and such on the Cloud allows you to access work materials from virtually anywhere. This provides a greater level of productivity for your employees while giving access to vital information from anywhere there is an Internet connection.

In the Bathrooms

Using motion-sensing lights and aerated faucets reduces the resources wasted in the bathroom every day. Most organizations keep their lights on throughout all hours. Motion switches removes this energy loss by registering the movement of people actually in the facilities. Aerated faucets reduces the amount of water that is used when employees wash their hands.

Watering the Grounds

Water timers can help regulate how much is being used. Some of the newer models will detect rainfall eliminating the need to water the grass. You can also go a step further and use additives that will enhance the usage of that water. This could reduce how often your grounds need to be saturated by up to 50 percent, depending on the brand of additive.

These are only a few ways that you can prepare the business for 2016. With each new innovative technology, greater savings can be achieved. Keep your finger on the pulse of business devices and discover other ways to drastically cut your financial losses each year. Less money to these expenses means more money for marketing and payroll.

Ultimate Elegance: Fleur de Lis Online Collections

Franco lovers many times have a hard time finding a one-stop shopping center for fine decor and quality curios symbolic of France. And what better symbol of the French than the Fleur de Lis? Today, thanks in part to the dynamics of the Internet, buyers can conveniently visit several online outlets to help satisfy the yearning for all things Fleur de Lis.

To help make sure your shopping experience is a quick, convenient and complete one, here are just a few of the things you can anticipate finding in your browsing visits. When looking for specialty items in the realm of the beautifully classic Fleur de Lis, quality online stores, such as Fleurdelisvalueplus.com, should have any one of the following to offer their online visitors...

Fleur de Lis Design Jewelry

Shiny, sculpted pieces of earrings, bracelets and classical brooches can accomplish much when bought at the proper online store. Coming in various materials and colors such as copper, bronze and brushed variations, you'll be the talk of the bridge club gathering with your elegant Fleur de Lis design jewelry.

Fleur de Lis Home Decor

Lamps, ceiling designs, fine China and glassware will add not only personal satisfaction to yourself, but such a collection also adds extra value to your home. As you incorporate the various specialty items found at online centers for Fleur de Lis home decor, you'll be sure to come back soon and tell others about your online shopping experience.

Adding a touch of class to your home just became simpler when you accent with a piece or accessory embossed with the magnificently elegant Fleur de Lis.

How Brands Are Advertising Now

There was a time when the big brands and companies in the country only tapped celebrities to endorse their products or services. Nowadays, they recognize the reputation and the power of persuasion of bloggers. The readers of blogs could easily identify with the writers behind them since they are ordinary people like you and me. There is something more personal and believable about bloggers than celebrities or personalities seen only on TV. We know that these people really did try the products and they are honest in their opinions. They are more credible in our eyes because the entertainment artists could very well be made over by an army of stylists and make-up artists before endorsing the whitening product, for example. With bloggers, customer testimonials are not anymore done by random people we don't know, but rather by figures who are most probably like us in many ways. 

In my reality, the moms who are bloggers are very influential in my purchasing decisions. The well-known mommy bloggers I read and follow also face home dilemmas and children woes like I do, so if they have tried products and advice that work for them, it is most likely that I will purchase them for me and my family too. Advertising these days has taken a different turn and it sure is wise of the big brands and companies to have the common yet respected folks support their campaigns and advocacies. It sure is beneficial to reinvent the ways they deliver their products and messages to the public. More and more people are online and getting most of their information through the Internet. In view of this, the companies are taking advantage of this truth and are partnering with people, especially bloggers, who are established online as sources of these information, as well as inspiration. I think this is wise because this tactic works on me. :-)

Joining BC Bloggers for the first time!

I wish to connect to more bloggers via BC Bloggers. I am glad it's open right now. If you aim to gain more friends in the blogosphere, then you might want to try this too. Hope to see your blogs there! 

From Drypers

Gotta love Drypers' marketing strategy for I received free samples of its diapers simply by requesting for them online. They also gave out samples at the breastfeeding class I attended in The Medical City when I was pregnant. Then, I joined its online community for mommies (my username is ceemee), and got gift certificates for McDonald's. Yay!

for baby & for mommy

Reminiscing College Days

Image by kevindooley via Flickr

My college days do not hold the fondest of memories. For one, I would say that I was mostly a loner. The good thing that came out of this is that I have learned to take my lunches in school, and sometimes breakfasts, alone. I had made two good friends from the university. I loved being with them as we could have shared anything about ourselves without fear of judgment. It was just so unfortunate and very sad that one of them passed away. And when the mother of the other friend left this life also, my adviser suggested that I was the one who kind of brought bad luck to them. I felt so crushed. 

Academic-wise, I remember tons and tons of papers to write for each prerequisite subject that we had. I wonder if it would be wise to scout for an essay online back then, afterwards, buy essays. Do you think it would enter the minds of students nowadays to buy essays online? Essays that are of course relevant and well-written. There were also the sleepless nights of finishing projects and plates, which were but normal for Interior Design students. The pressurizing defenses for completed ones made my stomach aflutter with butterflies. At present, if I were to take up this course again at the age of 30, I don't think I could handle being up most of the night drawing. Although, having a newborn is sort of like that. But with the baby, I didn't have to think much.

My environment in this university was so different from what I got used to in high school. My classmates and schoolmates in college were mostly pure Filipinos, so there was a bit of culture shock going on for me. I guess I needed Filipino-Chinese people to be around with, thus, I joined an organization for Chinese students. It was great to be in a circle of orgmates with whom I can relate to.

It was in college that I discovered the Internet and chatting using mIRC. I decided to find a room where there were similar people like me. So, I also became active in the Filipino-Chinese channel. But of course, Filipinos were also welcome. Back then, I felt safe to be meeting up with guys one-on-one. I remembered I "eyeballed" with many. I was not purposely searching for a boyfriend, but I had two or three crushes, heehee! It turned out they did not find me interesting. Oh, well! At present times, though, I would feel afraid of meeting up with boys without being accompanied by friends.

One of the memories I liked playing over in my mind was when the day I had an eyeball with Rix. He came to the university to meet up with me. I did not expect him to be my boyfriend, what more my husband? But, that was how we turned out to be in the end. :-)

Promoting Business Online

More and more people are going online and joining social networking sites. According to Internet World Stats, an estimated 1,966,514,816 people around the world are Internet users as of June 30, 2010. Entrepreneurs recognize the fact that their target markets use the Internet almost on a daily basis. Therefore, more and more sellers are setting up shop online. I log on almost everyday when I can to check e-mails, surf, blog and chat. I also plan to buy a pair of flats and a bag online myself.

For example, when you sell funny t-shirts and you have a website for that, you can utilize a social marketing campaign and Twitter to promote your products. I have read about Twitter parties to get people acquainted with a particular website and products. There they have a discussion going on, and there's even a giveaway for the participants. It really is helpful for companies to gain exposure. My hubby runs a machine shop and I was wondering if it could help his business if I promote it online. I am not sure if his clients or potential clients go online, too. I am pondering how I am going to investigate the answer to this dilemma.

I think this is the same as promoting my blog. I try to gain exposure by commenting on other people's blogs, joining blog communities and discussions, and using Twitter and Facebook to post my new entries. Potential clients need to know that a business establishment is trustworthy, accessible, up-to-date and delivers quality products & services. Its website must be presentable, contains complete information and easy to navigate.

They look like us.

Whenever a baby was born, friends and families would behold the baby and say, "Does he/she look like mommy or daddy?" At least, that was what I have experienced with both my kids. Thanks to technology, they don't have to guess who has the stronger genes. My Heritage has come up with a gadget called the Baby Lookalike Meter. It is quite an interesting gadget, which could be posted to social networking sites to share with family and friends. To be able to use this, I had to sign up first. Then, I was asked to upload my picture, plus my hubby's and my child's. It would scan our faces and I need to drag the reduced pictures to slots labeled father, mother and child. I tried it with both my kids and the results were the same. I am not entirely sure about its accuracy since both yielded the same results. I will have to try to upload my parents' pictures to see if I look equally like both of them also. People say I look more like my mom. Anyway, here's what the meter looks like:

You might want to try it out by clicking here. You could let me know your results (if it's the same as or differs from mine) if you want to. :-)

Is online shopping for me?

I suddenly realized that next month is September already. That means, Christmas is just around the corner. It isn't a wonder that people are starting to shop for gifts already. It is after all advisable to do Christmas shopping little by little so one wouldn't be so shocked at the expenses. I probably should get started on my list very soon. I also need to decide where I would shop. One option is online, where I could get my family and friends some custom t-shirts, custom jewelry or accessories and other novelty items. If one of my friends feels strongly about the great disaster that BP caused, I could get BP oil spill t-shirts for him or her. There sure are a lot of interesting items online. And, I could do shopping from the comfort of my home. I just have to wait for the items to arrive. I want to give it a try. The truth is, I have never tried shopping online. I have second thoughts about it since I couldn't see the actual merchandise. I am also not so sure about the sizing. What if it doesn't fit? I couldn't use it when I need it because I have to ship it back for an exchange. Do sellers even have this kind of service? What about the shipping charges? And the materials used? That means I have to really trust the seller. There's so much to consider. I will have to seek the advice of people who are expert online shoppers.

Family and Technology

Thanks to technology, we now have more access to information that we need in out everyday life. An example is money saving tips, which are truly helpful in tough times like these. These tips also come from ordinary folks with whom we can relate to, with more or less the same lifestyles as we have. They share what they do to pinch pennies, and what bargains that we could look out for. They also have families to take care of, and to base their knowledge upon. And if a family plans to change residences, there are moving services information that it could peruse. Like if you are in Chicago, where my aunts are, you can find movers in Chicago. In the Philippines, it is important to call on safe and secure movers. I'll need to research on that if I plan to move out of our current home because we have so much stuff. And because of technology, we can readily connect with loved ones and friends who are far away. Since my beloved aunts are in Chicago, I can check a world clock to know what time it is there, and I can also send an email or see if they are online. Social networking sites are also helpful if I want to post pictures of my kids, update their milestones and share them with my family and friends. I think it is human nature to have the need to connect with other people, especially with those who are dear to us. Thanks to technology, there are several ways we can improve upon our family life.

Coupons, anyone?

Here in the Philippines, discount coupons like Savings.com coupons and Home Depot coupons are not very popular. The reason for this is not clear to me. What we have here in the country is a booklet full of coupons, which is bought just one time. There is no cutting, no clipping, and no printing from the Internet. I have seen blogs from Home Makers in the United States featuring coupons and coupon codes that could be used in stores like Pottery Barn, Sears, Crocs, and Target. There are also coupons and coupon codes that could be used for specific product brands like Huggies diapers, Campbell's, Welch's, and Pedigree. It seems to me that they saved a lot when grocery shopping using these coupons. I also admire these moms' diligence in their searches and collections. Coupons would definitely be handy nowadays when being frugal is vital to the economic changes. Using them makes one less guilty when shopping, in my opinion. They would be very useful when purchasing baby products for my soon-to-be born baby boy, when purchasing food items to cook and to stack the pantry with, when purchasing household goods, when purchasing furniture and appliances, and when purchasing clothes and shoes for my family. Almost everything that can be found at home has coupons and it would be beneficial when buying them, even if the discount is not that great.

Oh well, maybe the stores here in the country are not keen on that. They'd think they wouldn't earn and that they have monthly bargain sales in place of coupons.

What do you do on the Internet?

I admit it is easy being addicted to the Internet. There are just so many sites out there that one could not finish visiting within a week. There are so many sites that cater to each person's particular interests.

There are so many sites put up to sell clothing items plus accessories. Oh, and don't forget the matching shoes! Sometimes satisfaction is achieved just by browsing through so many eye candies. On the Internet we get information on how to wear particular pieces, presenting to us ideas on what we need to shop for in real life. We also have the option for custom t-shirts or custom dresses that little girls could design themselves.

When we have the need to connect, social networking sites are available for us to be updated on the goings-on in the lives of our friends and family. It is easy to exchange messages and comments with each other. We are fed with pictures and videos on weddings, birthdays and the kids' milestones.

It is also easy to get lost in the numerous online games available in various sites. There are so many games on having a virtual self, living in a virtual dream house. We can be treasure hunters, restaurateurs, farmers, fashionistas, and so much more, when we cannot be in real life.

For those who are on the road to self-discovery,  there are several online tests that they could take to determine their personalities and what inanimate objects best represent them.There are also quizzes to test our knowledge on certain subjects, like movies, and the score could be compared with our friends', too.

The Internet is a tool each person must use responsibly, be it for work or for leisure.

Sharing

Do you...

• Have great ideas to share?
• Love to write about them?
• Want to share your writings with the world?
• Want to earn from your articles?

Here's a revenue sharing content site that you might want to check out. You can sign up for free, submit your articles on varying topics, then you get 80% of the Google advertising revenue for the articles posted.This is one way of generating additional income when there is spare time on your hands, you spend time on the Internet, are passionate about writing, and you have a wide knowledge base. I would like to give this a try. I am thinking of investing in writing and this is one way to build my portfolio. I think that writing is something I am interested in and fairly good at. I even had the chance to contribute to a local magazine.

Personalize it!

Christmas time is just peeking around the corner, signalling at me to start the hunt for presents to give to my special ones. Sometimes, ideas just seem to escape me, but I don't want to end up giving something utterly useless that will end up in the trashcan. Neither do I want them to have something that would just collect dust and mold in the confines of the cabinet.
What could be useful for my peers in this age? Almost everyone uses desktop computers or laptops for work or for leisure. They would want to organize personal photos, music, games, documents and files. The answer is a flash drive!



Pexagontech offers an innovative approach to flash drives. It's customized and personalized! You can have the color that you want. Depending on the occasion, there are themes to choose from like Holidays (Christmas), events (Wedding), mystuff (myphotos). These come in capacities of 512MB, 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB. Also, you could even have a two-liner message laser-engraved on it. Ain't it cool?
My choice for my friends would look like this:

In place of the theme, you could put your company logo if you'd want to have a corporate give-away for the Holiday Season.
Even if it isn't Christmas, this would be a good idea to give to your loved ones on your anniversary, or to your dad on Father's day.
I had fun picking the color and the themes, plus writing the message on the thumb drive. It's brilliant that they could come up with this!

Blog your way to...

The head is like a cauldron that is constantly simmering the experiences, stories, stimulation that are added on a daily basis. Ideas are juiced out and travel throughout the systems of the body then end up at the fingertips. An itch occurs and the hands find their way to a keyboard where a series of tapping is underway. These ideas become words that are sewn onto the great big fabric called Internet. This fabric has several multi-colored facets which are held up by billions of people around the world. These people are constantly admiring this fabric and the words sewn on it. One facet of it is called a blogosphere and is likened to a friendship bracelet with knots and links which are the blogs that interconnect. This is apt as the blogosphere promotes friendship among people of different races through blogs and allows them to be exposed to different cultures. They could see what others saw as photos and videos are shared, they could feel what they felt through the words that describe their experiences. They may not be physically with them, but they could laugh together at the antics, cheer at their goals, empathize with their pain. What amazing adventures take place inside people when they start blogging!

Note: I took this photo of a cover of a magazine I saw at S&R. It's called Artful Blogging.