Announcing my online shop: Cym Heart Nature

Cym Heart Nature Store

Human Nature products I usually buy

I have been using Human Nature products for many years now. I still support this brand and some of its products, especially the feminine wash. 

Eight years ago, I reviewed it on this blog, link below. It looks different now, the packaging, but I still love it. It really prevents itchy discharge for me. (Sorry, TMI!)

Human Nature Feminine Wash

My hubby and I liked the smell of the Citrus Burst Sanitizer. I use it whenever we change our bedding, like a linen spray. I also carry a small version in my bag to clean my hands and the toilet seats in public restrooms.

The kids use the children's toothpaste in raspberry mint. This is a staple for us. Ever since I joined Human Nature as a dealer, I have always wanted them to make natural kids' toothpaste because I was worried my young ones would ingest chemical-laden teeth gels. My wish came true!

For our fur babies, a gentle shampoo made with coconut-derived cleansers and nutrient-rich plant extracts.

Recently, I opened my Online Dealer Shop, it's called Cym Heart Nature. If you wish to buy Human Nature products, kindly buy via my online store to support me. Click on my link, sign up/sign in and then shop. 

I would really appreciate it! 😍

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!

Tips On Finding Bargains Online

Shopping is an art form to many people who are on limited budgets. These people often go out of their way to get the biggest bang for their buck. Fortunately, modern technology now gives these people more ways to save money on clothing than they could have ever dreamed of a decade ago. It is simply a matter of knowing how to use this technology to benefit you as you attempt to find the items you are looking for. Sadly, many consumers routinely pay much more than they need to for clothes because they are ignorant regarding these basic techniques that can be used to save money. Here are some simple ways to go about finding the best clothing bargains.

Bargain alerts

There can be no question that the Internet has completely changed the way that people do their shopping. It has also revolutionized the way that people look for bargains. One of the most popular methods is the use of bargain alerts. The fact that most people have a cell phone these days makes this method particularly effective. The way it works is very simple. A person will go to a clothing website that sells some clothes he or she is interested in. However, the price might be a little too high at the moment. The website might offer bargain alerts to their customers. Basically, all you need to do is sign up and provide your email address or your phone number. Then you can select the specific articles of clothing you are interested in. You will receive an email or a text message any time those clothing items go on sale. This will allow you to be one of the first people to take advantage of the savings. You can also do some shopping on Craftsvilla for some of your favorite bridal mehndi designs.

Coupon sites

There are now an enormous amount of sites that offer coupon codes on a wide variety of items. All you need to do is go to these sites to see if there are any coupon codes on items you are interested in buying. You can then copy down the coupon code and enter it when you buy that specific item from a different site. There is also an alert system for these sites. Enter your email or phone number and you will receive an alert if a particular item has a coupon code associated with it. The money you can save is substantial.

One Week Before The SuperBrands Christmas Bazaar!

Nowadays, we need to be smart about how and where we spend our pesos. This is especially true this coming Christmas season. Although we want to look good for Christmas parties and want to shop quality items as gifts for family, friends and colleagues, we do not want to go broke doing so. We would want to save or invest the rest of our bonuses, right?

That's where bazaars come in. Inexpensive merchandise. Quirky finds. Unique designs.

One such bazaar is the

SuperBrands Christmas Bazaar at Damar Village Basketball Court on November 20-29

Let's see if it lives up to the good bazaar checklist.

• Easy-to-locate venue. Check.
• Free entrance. Check.
• Recognizable brands with sureness of quality. Check.
• Wide range of choices from apparel to shoes. Check.
• Affordable price points. Check.
• Food for sale for hungry shoppers. Check.
• Freebies for customers. Check. (for those who register at their Eventbrite site; while supplies last)
• Has a Facebook page with helpful information posted. Check... it out below! 

If you want to see for yourself, these are what you have to do next...

Register here: Superbrands Eventbrite

Hop on to the Facebook page: SuperBrands Christmas Bazaar 2015 for the maps and the brands that you can find.

See you!

Sharing: Chocolate Lover's Travel Guide

Love chocolates? Love to travel? Sharing with you where to buy which chocolate. Yum!

You can also find more infographics at Visualistan.

Slowly Updating My Wardrobe

Being in my 30's, I have accepted a few things about myself. One of these is my figure. I have stopped holding out hope that I will go back to my pre-pregnancy figure. I have learned to love my mommy body, curves and all. But it's not that I will just let myself go, and eat whatever without a care. Of course, I want to be healthy for my children!

With that said, it's out with the old. The tank and halter tops, the fitted t-shirts, the tight jeans. And it's in with the new! The longer tops which skim the figure but not hugging it tightly, the loose and comfy but not frumpy tops, the leggings, the maxi dresses, the long skirts, the bespoke jeans.

I am slowly updating my wardrobe. I am slowly filling my closet with pieces that I truly like. I am slowly stocking up on pieces that I find comfortable. I am slowly hanging up black, white, grey and neutral tops. I find myself liking colorful clothes one day, and not anymore the next. Maybe I have grown old... Maybe I don't want to spend more time choosing what to wear.

As usual, I turn to my favorite online clothes shopping site: Zalora, and made a wish list.

As you can see, most of my picks are black and white, peppered with nude/blush/beige. Neutrals! I am digging neutral-colored dainty polka dots, too. 

Also, there's red. 

As a Filipino-Chinese, red is an important color in the wardrobe. It's the only color to wear during birthday celebrations, especially of someone older than me. It's a staple in the closet of every tsinoy.

I hope I could achieve the update of my wardrobe one day. I dream of the time I would just pull any top or dress out of my closet and wear it without a drop of hesitation; and come out looking classy and put-together.

How about you? What kind of clothes do you prefer?

Summer Sandals

In my part of the world, summer is almost done. The kids will start school next week. My heart will palpitate for no reason because I would suddenly worry that the little ones will lack something very important for school. You know, mama worries.

Well, I am glad that I got to experience Singapore again last April. Also, we went to Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay for a family summer getaway. In these two travels, I wore my lavender Spring Fling sandals. At first, the balls of my feet took a painful beating when breaking in these shoes. After that, this pair became my top choice when going out. Why is that?

• Because I have wide feet, I think the wide leather insoles are great. 
• The soles are non slip, in my opinion. 
• I like that this pair provides support since it's not super flat. 
• The heels are covered.

The brand claims that the straps are also made of genuine leather, the underside of which colored my tootsies in the beginning. Speaking of color, the light violet looks as if it was painted on.

Here's my OOTD:

@ Universal Studios Singapore | Hat: department store | Top: Mango | Pants: bespoke jeans | Bag: Longchamp | Scarf: gift from friend | Summer sandals: Spring Fling from Zalora

If you can't see it in my OOTD photo, here's what the design looks like, except for the color.

Next time, I wish to buy a waterproof one. Maybe jelly sandals, or Saltwater brand. What do you think?

What's the perfect summer sandals for you? Care to share a link?

Hi-Home Magic Showerhead

Do you watch shows like Home TV shopping? Have you bought the very thing you saw on your TV? While it's flashing a price reduction plus freebies if you call "right now"?

I haven't, but it's super tempting! But, I was scared that the company would record my phone number and would always call me to offer other products. How annoying, right? Well, that's what others said!

I didn't have such problem with the latest shopping channel called Oshopping. This  Hi-Home Magic Showerhead was our first purchase.

 

The reason we bought this was because of the promise of increase in water pressure. And, yes, the water came out stronger. That means, we can save on water because of shorter rinse times.

I like that it has red bands to indicate water temperature, but there's something weird about the actual temperature of the water coming out as felt by the hands. If we turn on the water heater, the water coming out of the middle holes will be hot, yet the water coming out of the surrounding holes will still be cool. 

I also like that it could filter the water. The transparency of the shower head allows us to see what's happening inside and if the filter needed to be cleaned.

If you don't understand what was written on the box, read more info from this Oshopping product page.

Would you consider buying this Hi-Home Magic Showerhead?

What would I do with an extra $100?

Did you know that the little, seemingly negligible expenses that we shell out each month add up to much at the end of the year? If I buy an ice cream cone from the nearby convenience store for $.50 each week, I would be spending $24 a year!

Savings could also go the same way. It's much exciting, too! Take for example the razor that's being bought each month. If I become a member of the Dollar Shave Club (DSC), I would get shaving supplies, like their razors, for as low as $1 a month. I would have an extra $100 after a year. That's a lot!

So, what would I do with an extra $100?

• Buy new jeans! With all the ice cream cones I had for a year, I'm going to need new pants that are a size or two bigger.
• Go book shopping! I would love to get my hands on new titles! (even if I still have a long to-read list)
• Get a gift for my husband. I don't have any idea what to buy, yet. Maybe more razors from DSC?
• Or maybe I should just date my hubby at a restaurant with an all-you-can-eat buffet! Yum!
• Go crazy with online shopping! Woohoo!

How about you? What would you do with an extra 100 bucks?

Want to know more? Watch this video!

Keimav Bag Organizer from Lazada

I have been wanting to purchase a bag organizer for a while now and I was not sure what to get. When I saw this on Lazada, I decided to place my order. Although it is not a bag on its own like what I have seen on another site, it's fine since this one has more pockets. 

These are what I like about this bag organizer:

• Like I mentioned, it has more pockets for the little items that I had to turn my bag over just to find. I can see the said items because of the mesh material.
• The material is lightweight and looks easy to clean.
• There are zippered compartments to store cluttered papers like prescription, vouchers and receipts. I just need to remember that I placed them inside, hehe!

I know it doesn't match my red orange bag!

There are handles to easily pull it out of the bag.

There's an option to expand, if needed. Well, I needed to!

Before...

How the items are organized before placing them inside my bag. I have a pouch for my kikay kit and a need these days: a reusable bag!

If you want to get more details about this bag organizer and perhaps order one, here's the link to its Lazada product page: Keimav bag organizer

What do you think? Would you have bought this bag organizer?

Human Nature Overnight Elixir

Lines, fine lines are what I notice on my forehead and on the skin beside my eyes when I look in the mirror. That is why I have decided that I needed to use some sort of beauty product to better my facial skin because age is catching up on me. 

The reviews of Human Nature's Overnight Elixir seem very promising so I quickly added one to my online shopping cart. I wanted to make sure I got the free pouch offering. :-)

The packaging was simple yet elegant. Its glass bottle and its dropper were unique. I loved the smell. The elixir wasn't too oily for my already greasy T-zone. The effect on me wasn't as instantaneous as reviewed by other users on the website. It took about a week before I noticed my face felt smooth and my confidence boosted. I still got a few pimples during the period I was using this product, less than five. Towards the last drop, though, my skin was going back to its rough texture. Also, I wished the Human Nature Overnight Elixir came in a bigger bottle, teehee!

How about you? Have you tried this? If yes, how do you find the product?

My Parachute Bag

This is a bag that I bought online from my go-to shopping site, ZALORA. I picked this because I wanted a belt bag for biking, and it's cool that it can convert into a backpack. It's a bit heavy as a belt bag, though, because of the folded material. 

This Parachute brand bag is very colorful, as you can see. The tag said it's made of the same material as parachutes, that's why it's light and water repellant. It called itself "nifty and clever", indestructible and a gift to environmentalists. I don't know for sure, but it had me at water repellant. You know, what if it rains while I'm biking? :-)

What bag would you recommend for biking? 

Human Nature Shampoos

Human Nature Clarifying shampoo

Something happened to me so I decided to start using Human Nature shampoo again. I chose this clarifying variant to wash away the chemicals from my previous commercial shampoo. It leaves my hair squeaky clean. When I run my fingers through my hair after bathing, my hair literally squeaks. In my opinion, conditioning after rinsing this shampoo off is a must.

Human Nature kids shampoo for girls

My 6-year-old uses this and she likes the packaging very much. She likes mermaids! She's not too sold on the apple scent, though. I am not sure it does smell like apples. 

Human Nature kids shampoo for boys

The same 6-year-old girl loves this tangerine scent better. I do agree with her. When the girls' shampoo runs out, I'm going to get the bigger tangerine thunder scented shampoo, I don't care if the picture on the bottle is of a race car. :-)

Boat Lift Choices

No one ever thinks about boat lifts until they need them. Fortunately, we're here to help you make an informed decision about the best possible boat lift you can buy for the money. Here are just a few of your options:


1: Lunmar 10,000 Aluminum Piling Mount Lift

One of the most popular Lunmar products, this lift comes with a half-dozen marine-grade aluminum beams that construct an elaborate but utterly secure carrier for your watercraft. You'll never need to buy another lift!


2: Seawall Mount Davit

If you're looking for an affordable alternative to expensive brand names, the Seawall Mount Davit offers a quality product without the hefty price tag.


3: Lunmar 4000 Sling Kit Steel Mount Lift

Not confident with a traditional lift? Try a sling design instead, which will protect your vessel from all the regular wear and tear inflicted by other lifts. This Lunmar version has even been galvanized for extra protection.


4: Dual PWC Drive Up Floating Lift

Throwing out the traditional rollers in favor of point loading on heavy skis, this lift will save you thousands in the long run. You'll never have to worry about the expense of replacing damaged and corroded rollers again!


5: Rotomag 1500 Boat Lift

Rotate your boat right over the dock with the Rotomag 1500, which comes with a special tube design created for the ultimate protection of your property. Absolutely no part of your vessel will be left in the water when it's raised, making it one of the cheapest, safest and most affective lifts on the market.

Shopped Again At ZALORA

Shopping for new clothes makes me giddy. Shopping for new clothes on a discount is even more fun! Zalora continually rolls out discount codes to entice online shoppers. This lessens the guilt felt when buying something for our own pleasure. And I do need to feel guilty because I haven't sold the old clothes that don't fit anymore. *sigh* I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm a couple of sizes bigger. I am trying to embrace my new body shape after having three children. Sometimes I wonder if I'm ever going back to the size I was when I was still single. Hmm... Maybe not. So that's when I started to slowly edit my closet. I still need good fitting jeans, though. What is a good brand for wide hips?

a shirt and a ruffled maxi dress

I have my eyes on maxi dresses and casual long skirts. And tops that look good with leggings. Plus, I am still on the lookout for my perfect LBD. But, I read somewhere that wrap dresses are suitable for most figures, so these look very tempting!

http://www.zalora.com.ph/Carmen-Printed--Wrap-Dress-121604.html

http://www.zalora.com.ph/Taylor-Wrap-Dress-125526.html

Do you agree with me? I especially like the Taylor wrap dress. Time to do some Christmas shopping! That's an excuse to look at more dresses, haha! :-D

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. :-)

Shopping For Homecoming Dresses

Homecoming is one of those occasions that a woman would dress in something classy yet makes a statement. It is where old friendships rekindle and new connections are made. In view of this, it would be a good idea that the ensemble she chooses will reflect her personality or represent her present career. Of course, she would need to take into consideration her body shape so she could wear something that would enhance her great features.

For example, a business woman might choose this outfit when browsing catalogs of homecoming dresses 2013.

I would imagine a nature enthusiast donning this fresh-looking light green dress.

A lady with a girly or feminine personality might choose this dainty and sweet-looking ensemble.

Artists are quirky characters with a need for self-expression, and I think they would stand out in a number like this one.

As healthcare professionals or doctors who are always in scrubs or white coats, my opinion is that they would want an outfit that pops of color, yet would still look professional with a classic silhouette.

Taking into consideration my wide hips, I would choose a dress with an A-line skirt. And because I have a chubby figure, I want my homecoming dress for my university organization's 50th anniversary homecoming party to be forgiving. As a housewife, I would choose something a little simple but still unique and flattering. And of course, it should be age-appropriate and not look like a prom dress. 

This daffodil colored homecoming dress is on top of my list with its pleated charmeuse as an accent in itself.

I love how forgiving this next dress could be. This red chiffon homecoming dress accentuates the shoulders and cleavage, if any. The empire cut might be a bit tricky to pull off since it could make me look pregnant. I would prefer this in another color, though.

My last choice is a black V-neck homecoming dress with beading. The neckline is a tad too deep for me. I just like how black is slimming, and the beads make the dress look elegant. This could make a great little black dress (LBD).

So, what do you think of my choices for a homecoming party? How about you? What kind of dress would you wear to a homecoming?

Our Comfortable Slights Eyeglasses

As a mother, spending quality time with my three little ones is very important. It is annoying to have little inconveniences get in the way of our reading stories, playing pretend and cuddling. One of these seemingly negligible inconveniences is having my eyeglasses slip down my perennially wet nose. And then worrying about my frame breaking when my kids and I would tickle each other on the bed on a whim. It does look like these are just small things, but when they are on my mind everyday, they become hinderances to enjoying family moments and activities.

his and my Slights

The world's most comfortable frame was discovered by my dear hubby. I am glad I went with his suggestion when I had to replace my old glasses, which kept slipping down my nose and had green substance on the screws. Eew, right? 

Slights frame is indeed very comfortable because it is very lightweight. And because it's lightweight, there's no dent on my nose where the frame rests. I can lie down on my side and it won't cut into my temple. It is flexible and I could gently adjust it to suite my face shape. It is made from titanium and won't rust. My acidic sweat doesn't corrode it or leave green traces on it like on metal frames. 

The only downside of its bendable but not foldable frame is that it cannot be hanged on the shirt collar like we sometimes do to ordinary glasses. It will spring open, thus, it's also a challenge to put into its case. Nevertheless, the good points do outweigh the minor drawback. I would definitely purchase this brand again when the need arises. 

We bought Slights frame with prescription lenses at EO for around Php6,000+. 

Choosing Corner TV Stands

When looking at corner TV stands at StandsandMounts.com, you should look at all of the features that the stands offer so that you can find the right one for you. First off, start with the size of the stand. Measure your space to make sure that it will fit and then look at the weight specifications to ensure that it will be able to support your TV.

I like this!

Next, look at the amount of storage space that is offered. If you are just going to set your TV on top of the stand and not use it for anything else, storage space is not important. However, you probably have a lot of accessories, such as extra cables or spare remote controls, that are currently making your TV room look fairly cluttered. If you get a stand that has drawers or at least an open compartment behind a set of doors, you can then store away all of those little things so that the room looks clean, though everything will still be close at hand.

Finally, you should make sure that the stand has the right number of holes in the back panel so that you can get all of your cords through it. Are you going to be hooking up a cable box or a satellite receiver? Do you have a video game console or a DVD player? The more things you have, the more cords need to be able to fit through the hole, attaching all of your devices together.

Shop for a Nokia Lumia at Abenson

What's to love about the Nokia Lumia?

• Powered by Windows 8
• Full versions of MS Office (great for work), Outlook and IE 10
• Take a series of photos with a single click with the Nokia Smart Shoot
• Wireless charging with its innovative design, cool!
• See your city differently with Nokia City Lens

What's to love about shopping for gadgets at Abenson?

• Got a major credit card? Pay as low as 500Php/month at 0% interest
• Get some freebies!
• I bought from Abenson before, and I like that their sales personnel were attentive yet gave me distance to look around

Note: This is my entry to Nuffnang, Nokia & Abenson Bring You "Oz The Great and Powerful" Movie Screening! Images provided by Nuffnang