Ipanema's Colorful Sea Collection

A Sea of Style

Ipanema Gisele Bundchen launches new “Colorful Sea” collection

Ipanema, Brazil. The mere mention of this tropical paradise evokes images of pristine beaches, cool, blue waters, rhythmic samba grooves, and beautiful people—the stuff summertime dreams are made of. Make this summer fantasy come alive as renowned footwear brand Ipanema launches its latest GB collection dubbed as “Colorful Sea”, endorsed by Brazilian goddess and world’s most successful supermodel, Gisele Bundchen!

With its uber-chic look and feel, the Ipanema GB (Gisele Bündchen) line is remarkable not only for its hip design, unmatched style and high quality, but also for being an important medium for eco-awareness.

A devoted environmentalist, Gisele Bündchen actively adheres to her role as UN ambassador by using each GB collection to raise funds and awareness for specific eco-causes. The 2010 “Colorful Sea” collection supports the preservation of Brazil’s turtle population as well as the welfare of our own local marine life.

With this latest collection’s ocean-inspired theme and advocacy, fans of the GB line are treated to the cool, vibrant colors and soothing oceanic designs of the “Colorful Sea” flip-flop models, once again calling to mind the Ipanema beach fantasy that we all long for:

Looking for a sure-fire way to stand out among the crowd? The wedged “Plataforma” sandal gives you a satisfying height boost while giving lush comfort to your feet with its stylish curves.

The Colorful Sea “Thong Fem” exudes pure class and grace, adding an extra touch of tropic sophistication to your wardrobe, perfect for casual strolls or romantic evenings.

Make your everyday strolls come alive with the “Kirey”, featuring cool colors and an ergonomic design—perfect for hot fashionistas on the go!

Make everyday feel like a relaxing stroll to the beach with the new Colorful Sea “Sand Fem”, featuring stylish straps and stunning colors that truly captivate. Dress your feet in style!

Be a beach goddess anywhere you are with the “Sandal Star Fem”. With its luxurious strap design and eye-catching emblem, you will surely grab the spotlight whatever your outfit.

With its vibrant colors and uber-tropical design, the new “Star Thong Fem” will bring out the adventurous streak in you. Grab every color to match any outfit, and be a bona-fide head turner.

special edition of Ipanema thong with swarovzki crystals

New Irresistible Offerings from Delifrance...

Another Heavenly Treat...

A combination of four kinds of chocolate goodness in every mouthful - chocolate brownie, mousse, ganache and curls.

Valentine Cake from Red Ribbon

Turning 40...

If 40 is the new 20, then I have all the time in the world to do so many things at the same time. This milestone marks a “second wind” of sorts after all, a time when all the planning and hard work in the past two decades slowly comes to fruition. The prospect of seeing one’s efforts and projects settle on a more stable platform, from where it can be further concretized and grow, can, I suppose, give one that invigorating feeling of living life anew.

But then again no second wind, however strong, would be enough to give you a breath of fresh air if your health is shot by that time due to neglect. No platform would be stable enough to support everything you’ve worked hard for all this time if your physical well-being was not included among its foundations.

As it is, I need a lot of catching up to do. Even if the flesh is weak, the spirit remains quite willing and insistent on the need to dump the junk food, moderate the intake of the sodium and the carbs, and get on some sort of fitness regimen. As we near 40, my hubby and I know that this is the age when people – grown contented and portly early in their marriage – become even more settled at being overweight. With so many things to take care of, such as the kids’ education, careers and building the farm as a potential family business, we certainly have very little time, and energy to spare, for self-indulgent fitness activities.

But at the back of our minds, we know that it is precisely because of these responsibilities that we need to find time to take care of ourselves, in whatever way we can, in order to stay healthy enough to see them all through. After going on a three-year hiatus from badminton, for instance, I am now driving myself to get back to it, fully aware of the cardio and endurance benefits that this sport gives. I want to encourage hubby to try and go back to his walking/running habits and avoid staying up late. Personally, I make sure I sleep at least eight hours a day.

We are also now, more conscious on our diet. We avoid too much meat (especially the fats, which I loved before), take lots of fruits and veggies. Plus we regularly take our food supplements like the Reliv shakes, Alive multi-vitamins and Circulan. Not to forget the daily dose of vitamin c and vitamin e and my milk (for my bones).

“Real Leaf Paparazzi”

Last December, we had our annual gift-giving project for the street children of Makati, Pasay and Manila. There are about 150 kids who participated. They danced with the mascot, ate merienda, joined our contest and before going home, we gave them goodies for their families as well. This is a yearly activity for our family, to give back and share what we have been blessed with. And my kids really enjoyed sharing their new toys with them.

After the activity, my family went to Rockwell to relax and have dinner. We went to Mongkok for their hot soup, mixed veggies and beef steak. When my kids have read the menu, they asked me for some money. And there, they all disappeared. It turned out they all went to Rustan's grocery and bought Real Leaf green tea for each of them because the resto is not serving one yet.

Of course, I have to take pics before they consume their favorite drinks. Now, our weekly grocery cart has lots of Real Leaf green tea, my fave is the one with lychee...Cheers!

Chocolate Walnut Fudge by Red Ribbon...

INDULGE IN A 5-STAR DESSERT WITH THE NEW RED RIBBON CHOCOLATE WALNUT FUDGE WITH HERSHEY’S DARK CHOCOLATE

Over the years, Red Ribbon Bakeshop has come to be known as the leader and innovator in cakes. With its best-tasting signature cakes like the Black Forest, Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Marjolaine that Filipinos have come to love and enjoy, Red Ribbon has become an essential part of every gathering. Aside from these signature cakes, Red Ribbon has not failed to surprise us year after year with innovative and delightful cake offerings that have instantly become dessert favorites and instant additions to any gathering—from the family favorite S’mores Chocolate Cake to the feel-good comfort of Cookies and Cream with Oreo and, most recently, White Forest which brings everyone’s favorites together.

As we usher in the Holiday Season, all of us are bound to be looking for that extra special cake for the season’s much-anticipated gatherings with family and friends or to gift to our loved ones. And, just as we thought we’ve seen and tasted everything, Red Ribbon caps off the year with yet another delightful offering, perfectly in time for the season of giving and celebration—the new Chocolate Walnut Fudge with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate.

Chocolate Walnut Fudge with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate is Red Ribbon’s newest addition to its Premium Selection line. It is made of a layer of creamy chocolate mousse on a bed of moist fudgy brownie, both loaded with chopped walnuts and finished with dark chocolate ganache, sprinkles and long chocolate curls all made with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate to make it even more irresistible.

So, as this season calls for a more special dessert for our gatherings and gifting needs, we need not look further than Red Ribbon’s new Chocolate Walnut Fudge with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate. This ultimately indulgent cake is guaranteed to make any gathering more special.

The new Chocolate Walnut Fudge with Hershey’s Dark Chocolate is available in all Red Ribbon stores and select booths for P680.00. Offered only this holiday season, it’s the perfect ending to any celebration.

Another Christmas Cake....

A VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY GIFT WITH RED RIBBON’S SANTA’S WISH CAKE

Make your loved ones delightfully merry this holiday season with a unique gift as Red Ribbon Cakes by Design introduces a beautiful cake made especially for your Christmas festivities, the Santa’s Wish cake.

Inspired by the beloved icons of Christmas, Santa Claus, with his cherry-red hat, twinkling eyes and fluffy white beard, who brings joy and cheer to children and adults alike and Christmas trees that call to mind the one standing proudly in your home, Red Ribbon’s Santa’s Wish cake lets your loved ones revel in the joy of the Christmas spirit unlike any other. A truly special holiday cake, the Santa’s Wish cake is sure to bring much delight to any Christmas celebration.

Red Ribbon’s Santa’s Wish cake is made with moist and dense rhum butter cake with a layer of creamy caramel filling and covered in soft and smooth icing. The deliciously festive flavors combine for a true Christmas symphony of taste, certain to elicit appreciation from your loved ones this season.

To help you avoid the Christmas rush, Red Ribbon’s Santa’s Wish cake will be available on a pre-order basis at any Red Ribbon store from November 27 – December 15. Order now and add an extra special touch to your gift with a personal dedication on the cake.

Red Ribbon’s Santa’s Wish cake will be available off-the-shelf in all Red Ribbon stores from December 22 – 24 at only P550.

Choosing Candidates for Public Office

Election time is fast approaching. Have you made up your mind who among the many candidates you will vote for? What would be your criteria for choosing your candidates?

It is so sad that there are self-seeking interests and ambition within the government and even in the church. People are seeking to play king, obsessed for position and recognition by others. Such self-serving interests and ambition often lead affluent candidates to place advertisements and hold press conferences to gain influence in an attempt to promote their own agenda. Sadly, these advertisements and press conferences often result in spreading rumors and tearing others down in an attempt at self-promotion.

These people think they have the gift of saving people. They see it as their calling to save all the poor, and enrich their lives. But most often such people have hidden agenda behind their actions. It’s not really love at all, but a way to promote themselves.

Although the call to serve is universal, some of us may have the wrong idea of service. We do not need to hold public office to be able to serve people. We do not need to have a title or position to serve our neighbors in need. We only are required to fulfill the duties placed before us by God in whatever state of life we are in with great love for God and our neighbor. We can give life to that love by doing our ordinary duties extraordinarily well for God’s glory. We can volunteer for ministries in the church or any non-government organization. We have to keep our eyes open to the needs of the world around us.

One has to mind his own life and affairs first, and it would involve getting one’s spiritual life in order, getting the planks out of one’s own eye that one might have the ability to help others in their failures and difficulties. How do we know who among these candidates who openly declare that they love the Filipino people so much are sincere? What we need to see is faithfulness—lives that back up their job or business with works and a walk consistent with their talk.

We cannot trust somebody who does not truly love God. How can somebody say that he loves God whom he does not see when he cannot sincerely love his neighbors whom he sees? How can somebody who cannot remain faithful with his/her spouse be faithful with the whole Filipino nation?

Who are those who, as children of the light, walk after the example of the Lord Jesus Christ? Who are those who abide in Christ by faith and walk in the pursuit of growth in love and holiness? Who are those with a real heart of service for the poor without any vested interest? Who are those who do not exploit and use the poor for their own self-seeking ambition? People who really love God are those people who obey and try to please Him in whatever they say and do, with or without any press people watching.

John Paul II said, “The deepest joy there is in life is the joy that comes from God, and is found in Jesus Christ.” We can find joy in serving God and ministering to His people. John 10:10 says, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” An abundant life is a life of love and holiness. A life of love and holiness is a life shared with others in service, not necessarily having the highest office in the government.

Exercising our right to vote is no joke. It comes with a big responsibility. The future of our nation especially the younger generation is in our hands. Let us pray hard. God uses emotions and conscience to speak to us. Come election time, listen to your heart, then go out and vote.

Let There Be White...

Red Ribbon launched its newest cake last Thursday, September 17 and I was privileged to be served with one....the White Forest Cake.

The Red Ribbon White Forest is made with creamy white chocolate and light, moist white chiffon cake layered between real cherry bits filing and a fusion of cream and white chocolate flakes. The cake is gloriously crowned with beautiful cream rosettes with luscious long-stemmed, red maraschino cherries on top. It is enrobed in and generously finished with melt-in-the mouth white chocolate shavings. One can't help but feel delight with the unique, heavenly taste of this combination of flavors when tasted. This harmony of white is definitely a sight to behold and taste! It's truly a deliciously memorable dessert experience that no one will soon forget!

We even took home a whole White Forest Cake. Thanks to Red Ribbon.

with mommy-bloggers Lyn, Julie, Salen and Enchie

For deliveries, call 8-77-77

Active Fun, Where Kids Can Play All They Want

We (mommy-bloggers and kids) were treated to an afternoon of fun last Friday (September11) in the newly-opened play place, Active Fun at SM North. Kids enjoyed going back and forth on the giant slide, swim in the pool of balls, endless jumps on the trampoline and many more sweat-inducing games. We all had so much fun, as shown by the wet hair of our kiddos and wide smile on their faces.

Now that the Christmas season is fast approaching, we mommies can shop all we want while our kids will also have a blast at Active Fun.

For the rates, please check Active Fun. Thanks to Apple Morales for the invite.

Hanging Out at Conti's

I admit I'm such a food addict. I love to take my kids on a food trip weekly. One of the resto we've been coming back to is Conti's. We have tried dining at the Trinoma and Greenhills branches and the food is still great wherever...

Must try is the baked salmon and of course, don't go home yet without tasting their famous Mango Bravo.

Pond's Pore Management

If you want to feel good, a clean, fresh face is a great starting point. Pond's recommends a simple daily cleansing routine. In just three steps you'll feel like you've just walked out of a health farm.

Effective pore management

Knowing how your pores work is the first step in pore management. Pores are essentially openings in the skin, and there are two types: sweat glands and follicles, which secrete oil. Pores become clogged when oil, grime, makeup or pollutants accumulate as hardened plugs, and these plugs form blackheads.

Clogged pores occur most often around the nose, which has more oil glands per square inch than any other area on your face or body. When the duct is blocked, the waxy 'sebum' – that's the oil – trapped inside becomes infected and produces whiteheads, also called pimples or spots. Conventional methods of clearing blackheads and whiteheads include squeezing, but this is painful, it often leaves permanent scars, and it may lead to infection when the skin is broken. That means you're more likely to get acne.

Suction with a vacuum tube is often used in beauty salons, but that can cause broken capillaries and it isn't very effective: the treatment is superficial and may not remove deep-seated plugs completely. The best way to manage your pores effectively is a regular, thorough cleansing regimen to minimise the build-up of sebum and surface dirt.

A good routine would involve three easy steps.

1. Cleanse

Cleanse your face with a proper pH-balanced cleanser. There are different types of cleansers: some people like gels or liquids and others prefer solid bars. It's just a case of finding the one that's right for you. After cleansing your face, massage it for 1–2 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly.

2. Tone

Use a toning product to kill bacteria and remove any residual makeup. Natural ones such as tea tree oil and witch hazel are good: they have antiseptic and astringent properties.

3. Exfoliate

Exfoliate with products such as scrubs, creams and masques to slough off dead skin cells and stimulate cell renewal.

In addition to keeping your face clean, you should resist the urge to pick at spots. Try using pore strips to remove debris in pores.

If you wear make-up, be sure to remove it thoroughly with a reliable remover: never go to bed without cleaning your face. Avoid using make-up and skincare products that may aggravate pore clogging. For instance, applying a cream that is too rich on already oily skin may lead to the accumulation of debris inside the pores. It's important to know your skin type.

If you exercise regularly, make it a habit to cleanse your face after every workout. Good skincare practices will help to keep your pores clear and your skin free of blackheads and pimples.

Source: Unilever

SHOES...SHOES...ON SALE

So many shoes... so little time :)

VNC celebrates its MID YEAR Sale!
Satisfy your foot fetish with up-to-the-minute trends
at half the price! Get strapped with fab finds at 70% off!

Visit VNC at Robinsons Galleria, Glorietta III, Robinsons Place
Manila, TriNoma, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Alabang Town Center,
Shangri-La Plaza Mall and SM North Edsa Annex.


Sale Period: starts June 26, 2009

The Weight Is Over With Slimplicity!

Note: Re-post from Reliv website

An online obesity advocacy group leader recently revealed that about half a million Filipinos now suffer from obesity. This alarming figure is likely to get worse if we continue with our unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Now more than ever, YOU have the power to take control of your weight in the most effective, convenient and healthy way!

Thanks to Reliv’s Slimplicity® Weight Management System, you now have a reliable partner in winning the battle of the bulge!

The Slimplicity Weight Management System is a three-step program that helps you trim pounds and inches without losing muscle tone and sacrificing nutrition.

Just follow these three simple steps and you’re off to a great start to a new YOU!

1. Replace your lunch with a delicious, filling Slimplicity shake, rich in essential nutrients and fat-eliminating ingredients.
   
   
2. Take two Slimplicity Accelerator capsules an hour before mealtime to help suppress your appetite, activate metabolism and boost your weight loss.
   
   
3. Tune in to healthy living by adding more steps to your day and eating healthy and well-balanced meals.

Shake Those Pounds Off for Good!

What makes Slimplicity shakes so powerful are these supercharged pound reducers:

• 10 grams of soy protein – keeps you feeling satisfied and helps build lean muscle.
  
  
• Advantra Z – burns fat, develops lean muscle and increases metabolism without escalating your blood pressure or heart rate.
  
  
• Tonalin - trims the fat, decreases appetite and helps you maintain weight loss once you reach your goal.
  
  
• L-Carnitine – helps your body burn more fat and boost stamina and endurance.
  
  
• Plus: Inulin (FOS), ChromeMate®, CitriMax®, OptiZinc®, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Speed Up Your Weight Loss!

Aiming for faster results? Make sure you take two Slimplicity Accelerator capsules an hour before mealtime to maximize these powerful ingredients:

• Hoodia Gordonii - suppresses your appetite so you eat less, feel energetic and lose excess pounds.
  
  
• NeOpuntia® - a fiber-filled fat blocker that binds fat to help you prevent bulges.
  
  
• 7-Keto® - stimulates a more youthful, active metabolism.

I am a Reliv product user and distributor too, contact me or leave a message here for inquiries/orders.

Stay fit, stay healthy...