Planner season has arrived and if you're like me, you've started looking for a new one right now. Good thing there are a lot of options out there, from cheap, no-name brands to those expensive ones you have to pay shipping for.

If you're still thinking of options, consider the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Giving Journal.


More than getting your delicious coffee and planner fix, you're also helping send kids to school. It's a great advocacy to support, especially in this season we call the 'Season of Giving'.

This resonates so deeply with me as I really believe that education is the the key to getting out of poverty, and in turn to a better Philippines. And if I can help, even if only a little, I wouldn't hesitate.

Going to the event with my friend and fellow blogger made it more fun.

With a series of launch events throughout the country, CBTL hopes to promote their new planner designs and share their vision on the meaning of giving.

It's my first time to attend their event, and it's very well organized. Also, there was no dull moment as the event was entertaining and interactive.


It was an intimate event with less than 50 invited guests. There were a lot of activities, too, so the launch was not all about promotion but also a way for the guests to enjoy and maybe meet some new people.

Posting on social media, some question and answer portion, and an arts and craft time was all in the program.



In between, CBTL's Marketing team spoke about the new journal and their partnership with Real LIFE Foundation to send kids through college.


The 2018 Giving Journals are available 3 solid colors of green, grey, and blue, with debossed designs that reflect CBTL's coffees and teas. Inside, the pages are filled with quotes and statements to inspire you throughout the year.

With one of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's marketing team, Ms. Mel

As this is also the 10th year of the Giving Journal, CBTL also created a customizable cover.

You can redeem your own 2018 Giving Journal by collecting ONLY 12 stamps at any The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf store nationwide beginning October 21, 2017.

I won in one of their social media contests. Wee!

Taking cue from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's central theme of Leave a Legacy, I would like to believe that from today, I will choose to look at life more positively and be more grateful for the things I have.

I've been journaling and planner-ing for quite a while now, and I've amassed rolls (and samples) of washi tapes and stickers to use. I'm actually running out of bins to store them that I've used empty TWG Tea macaroon boxes (they're a perfect fit!).

But what is a washi tape?

Strictly speaking, washi tapes are decorative tapes made from natural plant fibers or tree bark, such as bamboo, mulberry, or hemp. What makes them special and a crafter's delight is that they are repositionable. You can change your mind where to stick them. Plus, you can write on them. Isn't that amazeballs?!

But there are wishy washis (Ha. Ha.) and there are WOWshis. I'm listing down the best, preferred, and popular washi tape brands out there. At least those that I know of in my part of the world.

1. Recollections

Recollections washi tapes, from popular crafting store Michaels, are colorful and adorable. Designs abound, from floral and graphic patterns to motivational words and characters. They come in long and short tubes and typically have a theme. So whatever occasion or season you're writing about, there's bound to be a tube that's perfect for you.

Most tapes in the tube are about 5 meters and some are foiled and glittered.

2. Bande 



Bande is a Japanese brand selling washi tapes and sticker flakes in rolls. The tapes have less flamboyant design than Recollections, but you'll find rolls with whimsical themes.

Bande sells by the roll, and most tapes are 10 meters long. The brand amazingly came out with sticker tapes. Sticker flakes that come in a roll for ultra convenience. No glitter or foiled tapes.

3. MT

This is another Japanese brand with more whimsical designs, basic colors, and graphic patterns. Designs are usually a collaboration with different artists, such as their Nordic Countries line or Artist Series.

It comes in individually wrapped rolls and some in sets of two rolls.

4. Classiky



Yet another Japanese brand, Classiky features traditional hand-made items, including kitchen and table wares, linens, and stationery. Classiky tapes feature a range of whimsical, simple, and nature-inspired designs. I love the clean designs, and for the most part, muted colors of Classiky, which makes them perfect for layering with other washi tape designs.

Classiky tapes come in rolls, and most tapes are 10 meters long.

5. Tim Holtz

Similar to Recollections, Tim Holtz washi tapes come in tubes of about 8 rolls.There are 3-roll packs as well, if you just want to try it out first.

Tim Holtz is a crafter and designer known for his distressed inks and vintage-grunge style, which you'll notice in his washi tapes.

6. Create 365

Create 365 is the "accessories" brand for The Happy Planner. It's from Me and My Big Ideas (MAMBI), creators of The Happy Planner. It also comes in short tubes of 7 rolls and feature floral, graphic, and seasonal designs.



7. Maste

Yet another brand from Japan, (I guess they do make the best washis) Maste washi tapes feature bright colors and trendy graphical designs.

As with all washis, Maste tapes are made from natural plant fibers or rice paper, making them easy to tear by hand or write on (especially if you are using them for labels).

Bonus:
8. Simply Gilded

I first saw this on a Facebook group about planners and journals. Someone was selling this set of elegant and beautiful foiled tapes that I wanted to get my hands on. But someone already beat me to it.



I looked up the brand on the Internet. I was directed to an Etsy account and there I saw other equally gorgeous rolls of tapes. Yes. All the tapes in Simply Gilded's Etsy account are all TDF.

Prices are reasonable (10 m rolls), but my problem lies with the shipping because the goods will be coming from the US. It will take a few more hundred pesos and at least a month (probably) before I get my goods.

I thought Red Fox was definitely better than the first book, Darkhouse. Though there are still some annoying little bits in the book, mostly made by Perry. Like venturing off alone and not telling anyone.😒 Or Dex leaving Perry again. Or the fact that they are still denying the truth about what they see even as they are still reeling from the incidents in the first book.

I do like the character development in this book. We discover more things about our main protagonists, or why they are the way they are. Also, the relationship. It's what I actually love about the first two books. The slow romantic build-up. The tension and waiting if they will or they won't act on what they feel.💕

I still do find them a little bit unconventional and quirky. Dex is strange and very hard to read. I find myself questioning his reactions and answers like Perry. 😔

And Perry, has a lot of issues. The lying, I understand, but still...She could do without those and be at a much better place. But they are growing on me.

Maybe because I don't know anyone in my life who acts the way they do. Or I've been led to believe by other romance novels that there are certain ways people need to act when they like each other. Maybe.

The book wasn't as scary as I initially thought, though. I'd be more scared of paranormal and ghosts stuff than what Perry and Dex encountered in this book. It didn't make me want to leave the light or TV on to go to sleep, which the first one did, BTW.

All in all, a good second book in the series. I rated this book 4★★★★ in Goodreads.

This is a late post. But as they say, better late than never!

For the second time this year, I was lucky enough to get invited to the Blogapalooza. I have been going to the event since  2013, or was it 2014? Anyway, I was excited when I got the invite for so many reasons.

First, I will be forced to write a new blog post, which will keep my blog active. Nothing like being duty-bound to have new content on your site, eh?

Second, I will get to spend some time with my fellow blogger and friend, Hits and Mrs. Ever since she changed careers and left me at our old jobs, I haven't seen her. It will be nice to catch up with some gossip and political stuff (God knows I have so little to share in the department, but I'm willing to listen to other people).

Third, I'm not going to be a hypocrite and deny that I'm looking forward to the freebies I will be getting. It doesn't really matter if it's a pen or notepad, I just like to hoard freebies and give them away to friends and family.




Fourth, I feel like it's a tradition now. I've been going every year since 2013 or 2014 and I'd be sad to miss one.

Last, it's a great chance to meet other bloggers, although, I'm really too shy to just exchange information with some other bloggers. I probably should try, though.

So, how did the event go?

Well, to start with, the venue--Novotel in Araneta Center, Cubao--is convenient for me since I live in Quezon City. I was expecting it to be in one of the function rooms like previous events. But I was surprised that it was an outdoor setting, beside the hotel's swimming pool.




Don't get me wrong it was a nice place, but it was too hot for an outdoor event. I didn't even linger in some sponsor booths because the sun was simply scalding! I was there from about 11 am to 1 pm. I could've stayed longer if it wasn't so hot!

There was an air-conditioned tent though, which was reserved for talks from the sponsors. It was a welcome reprieve to be in there from time to time, but it's really bad for my migraine. It's one of my triggers. So, I had to remember to keep it to a minimum.




One of the things I noticed is that the number of sponsors are dwindling. I think it was an improvement from the earlier Blogapalooza event, the one in Centris. But comparing to previous years, it certainly has dwindled.






There were the usual sponsors like Victoria Court, Chemworld Fragrance Factory, Skin Station, Tag, and even Krispy Kreme came back! But there were new players as well, including ShapeCloud, Pangalan.com, GoMoto, MyCure, and My Marianas PH.








Going to this stint alone without my blogger-in-crime, Dompy, was a bit daunting. But I put on my go-get-'em attitude and played the many games the sponsors offered. Some I won prizes, some I lost, but I had fun all the same. And despite the heat.

I didn't take a picture of the loot I've gotten during the event, but I thank all the sponsors. I hope to see a bigger, more exciting, and COOLER Blogapalooza next year!

A far easier and less painful procedure is available, though, through some very affordable Health, Beauty & Wellness Groupons. With so many options to choose from (even non-evasive ones if you are squeamish or have very low tolerance to pain), you don't have to worry about busting your budget to get a little bit of self indulgence After all, you've worked hard enough and you deserve a little pampering once in a while.

It's good news for homepreneurs and long-time customers of Chemworld Fragrance Factory! The premiere go-to store for perfumery supplies recently opened its 17th and  flagship store at the 5th level of Megamall Building A.

Present during the opening were Cong. Leopoldo Bataoil of the 2nd District of Pangasinan, Patricia Fernandez 2008 Bb. Pilipinas-International, Fred C. Reyes CEO of Chemworld, and Gerard Cedric Reyes COO

A buffet of pica-pica after the blessing of the flagship and 17th store of Chemworld Fragrance Factory

The store is bigger, brighter, and packed with fragrant goodness it's hard not to fill a cart (to the detriment of your pocket and wallet) with merchandise. Lucky for me and my fellow blogger and friend Dompy from Hits and Mrs., and a few other bloggers and media outfits, we was given the opportunity to be part of this momentous event. We also got a gift certificate for a starter kit or equivalent amount in products, plus a bottle of perfume to try out.

The Wordsmith and the Mrs.

What's In Store

For those who still have no idea, Chemworld Fragrance Factory sells everything you could ever need to mix and create your own perfume at home. Different types of bottles, fragrance oils, premix scents, essential oils, and even mixing equipment that will remind you of chemistry class.

Rows of bottles in a variety of colors, sizes, and design is available at Chemworld. Glass bottles prices start at PHP 15 per piece.

Ready-to-use perfume mixes of popular scents come in 250 ml bottles.

Premixes are ready-to-use fragrances you can transfer in spray bottles. They come in 250 ml dark amber bottles and have two varieties: regular and premium mixes. You'll love not just the array of scents available for these premixes, but the price only costing PHP 350 for the regular and PHP 450 for the premium.

Just a few of the fragrance oil scents Chemworld Fragrance Factory sells in the store.

Feels like a chem lab in here. Glassware you would need in measuring the ingredients for mixing perfume.

But if you want to mix your own scent, you can buy the raw materials for making perfume. This includes the fragrance and essential oils, fixative, DPG (dipropylene glycol), distilled water, and PGA (pure grain alcohol). You would need to "cure" the perfume for 7 days in the refrigerator or 14 days in a cool, dark place before it's ready to use. If not, the mixture would smell more alcohol than perfume.

The basic ingredients you need to create your perfume, cologne, or body spray--the long way.

Perfume-making Workshops

Chemworld also conducts a "no-secret" workshop on perfume making in all of their branches. They have been doing so since 2004, and have trained more than a thousand entrepreneurs.

During the event, interested bloggers were given a chance to create their own perfume in a short but fun class. A video with an intro on the differences between perfume, eau de toilette, eau de cologne, body spray, and after shave plays. This is followed by the step-by-step instruction on perfume making itself. We were also given a table of formulas for making the different types of fragrances.

The graphics zone where you can have your perfume bottle labels designed and printed

The seminars also include discussions on street-smart marketing strategies, defining market niche, costing, and pricing. As with the mini-workshop I was able to attend during the event, Chemworld provides all the supplies needed as well as a variety of packaging materials. They also offer label design and printing services to help you market and sell your perfume.

Reviving the Ylang-ylang Trade 

Part of Chemworld's mission is to revive the ylang-ylang trade in the country, starting in President Fred C. Reyes' home province of Pangasinan. Project Ylang-Ylang aims to put the Philippines back on top of the ylang-ylang essential oil chain, as well as providing technical training, equipment, and a means of livelihood for many households in Pangasinan.

With the help of 2nd District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, who pushed for the project, the Philippines can once again a top exporter of ylang-ylang essential oil to the world's top perfume makers.

Here's a bit of trivia to highlight the importance of the ylang-ylang project. Did you know that many of the world's top perfume names uses the ylang-ylang essential oil in their products? Some of these include Chanel No.5, Chloe, Estee Lauder's Beautiful, and even Calvin Kline's Escape.


Get in Touch With Chemworld

If you're interested in attending one of their workshops or want to know more about their products, you may connect with them via Facebook, or visit their website: www.fragrancefactory.ph.

The Arla booth at the 2016 Blogapalooza

One of the exhibitors at the last Blogapalooza--and the one with the most elaborate set-up--was Arla. The Danish company manufactures high-quality delicious and nutritious dairy products made from all-natural ingredients. Arla goes back to the basics to bring consumers delicious, wholesome goodness in every mouthful.

Bringing all the dairy magic at affordable prices to the Filipino table, Arla offers a range of milk, including organic, lactose-free, full cream, low-fat, and skimmed. Arla also produces cream cheese spreads--this I personally like--which comes in natural, light, lactose-free, and flavored in pineapple and herbs & spices. 

Or course, there are also these lip-smacking cheese products perfect for your gourmet or picnic spread. Arla has Gouda, Mozzarella, Emmental, and Havarti.

#Hashtagging at the Arla booth

But did you know that Arla is also magician behind that creamy, luscious Lurpak and Castello butter brands? And also behind the brand Cocio (that pricey but delicious chocolate drink)? Bet you did not know that. This just means that Arla, though new to our ears, has been around our supermarket chillers for a long time, providing us with top-notch brands we all equate to quality and fantastic taste.

That's because Arla products are free from additives or preservatives, and the milk they use comes directly from farmers who pour every effort to producing high-quality dairy.

If you want that dairy goodness in your life, go pick up an Arla product from your local supermarket.

For years, I've only ever watched cable shows. For years, I've ignored all the teleseryes that have come and gone on the local channels. Even the then-hit and uber popular Forevermore--no offense to LizQuen fans. I just didn't find that spark of interest that would compel me to watch any of the shows. And I'm not being a snob. I just don't like the drama. The painstaking wait for all the hardship, humiliation, and abuse of the antagonist to end. As well as the comeuppance they deserve.

Until On the Wings of Love, or OTWOL to fans. The very first time I caught the advertisement for the show I felt it's a show I should try watching. The premise was not new for a teleserye. A marriage of convenience for two people who--with the help of destiny--suddenly and urgently needed each other. Leah for the green card and Clark for the money.

But what I believe made it different was the setting and the tone of the whole teleserye. It had none of the elements typical of a local teleserye. It was funny, it was fast-paced, and best of all it had "kilig". In short, it was a feel good series. Something I needed a lot of after a long and hard day at work.


I often said this during the first few weeks of the show: OTWOL had the power to make me feel better after a really tiring day at work and the horror that is the MRT. I could go to sleep smiling because watching the show made me feel good.


Of course, a show couldn't be all about roses and chocolates and rainbows, because that would be totally boring. The writers and directors have to mix it up. Would you want Clark and Leah to be lovey-dovey the whole dang time? No? Right, because you'd probably get tired of just feeling "kilig" all the time.

And so enters the other characters of the show, all of whom play important roles to expand the story and make it more interesting. Of course, the main antagonist--if you can even call him that--is Jigs. Leah's ex-boyfriend and the most annoying person born on the planet! I exaggerate, but in the OTWOL world he is. You can't help but hate him every single time he appears on the screen. He has issues, I know, from being left behind by his mother and being spoiled thereafter. I'm pretty sure it's not Lola Pachang's fault because the other kids left under her care (aka Clark's siblings) didn't turn out bratty.

Then there's Tita Jack. The woman responsible for bringing Clark and Leah together. The one who insisted that they get to know each other really well. BUT. Of course there's a but! But not to fall in love with each other. There. The biggest BUT there is, right?

Manang Tiffany is the supportive sibling I can actually relate to in terms of sisterly bonding (secrets that you keep from your parents, shenanigans, girl stuff, etc.). Her life, though, is a story of sacrifice. Foregoing her own education so that Leah can finish hers, and forced to grow up too fast and take the place of their mother who (supposedly) died in the United States.

Meanwhile, Tatang Sol is the strict but honest and kind father. His principles in life are iron-clad and he's made sure that he passed it on to his daughters. He spews out words of wisdom and he's the typical padre de pamilya who believes it's his sole responsibility to provide for the family. Until a serious illness befell him. Has to accept the fact that he needed help not only from his family but also from his neighbors. Which brings me to...

The best neighbors you could ever have in your life--Tenement Uno! I've never seen bayanihan at work and in full force than at Tenement Uno. These guys help each other like one big family. Tatang Sol doesn't accept payment from neighbors who ride his jeep, and in turn they helped raise funds for Tatang Sol's heart bypass operation. It's really heartwarming to see.

I believe all these elements and characters make OTWOL a fantastic teleserye you'll want to watch night after night. Indeed, if I could quote Cake Evangelista of Inquirer, "OTWOL made be believe in Filipino series again."

I've been saying this for a couple of years now, I want to start working from home ASAP. So, I can spend more time with my son, Joaquin, and watch over his progress in school. And it's only in April-May that I started to do something about it. Applying for full-time work-from-home jobs (I still have to interview for one that pays decently. Not asking for a lot, but some are just too low!), getting more freelance work from Upwork, and then just last week, attending the Work-at-Home Expo.


The event was held at the Bayanihan Events Center in Pasig. Dompy of Hits and Mrs, a friend and fellow mom, and I attended the expo as a general audience. We paid 100 pesos for that and decided we would forgo the specialized talks due to budget constraints. Even though we only attended the general talks, I learned a few things from the speakers.

First, take the leap. If you are like me, a member of the 8-to-5 workforce for years, leaving the safety of steady work and regular monthly paycheck is scary. Maybe even a little nightmarish. Add to that the responsibility of bringing up a child in this hard, hard world. One of the benefits that keep me from taking the leap is the security of being covered by an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), which I've extended to my son.

Good thing, though, there are companies that provide health coverage and insurance for freelancers. One of them is Horsepower, among the more affordable options out there with plans starting for as low as PHP999 per year. There's also BlueCross for something more comprehensive, albeit more costly. Up to you how much you are willing to spend for healthcare.

Some of the exhibitors during the Workshop, including Horsepower

Second thing I learned, do some prep work and then hard work. Though no amount of prep work can ever guarantee your success on a WAH set up. You have to do the hard work. Don't wait for opportunity to knock on your door, go out and look for it.

Some of the hardworking WAHMs

Third, and the one that stuck to me the most, was said by Anna Meloto-Wilk of Human Heart Nature (I say "Heart", but she only says Human Nature): Find a need and fill it. This is what inspired her to create and grow one of the best organic/natural product brands that is affordable and proudly made in the Philippines.

Even now as I think about this, I go back to all the times I've said, "Wish we had this in the Philippines." Or, "Wish I could buy a cheaper version of this." Would I have been able to create something from that and make it big? I wouldn't know if I don't try, right?

Anna Meloto-Wilk of Human Heart Nature

Fourth, find balance in your work (at home) and in your life. Because you are all at once, a child of God, a wife (or daughter), and a parent. You are juggling all these personas with different responsibilities and needs. You don't want to spread yourself too thin, but you also don't want to just focus a lot of your time and energy on just one thing.

Marilen Montenegro--blogger, interior designer, and model--gave tips on how to better manage your home life. Planning the day ahead and developing a system ensures that you will get things done on schedule, and you won't miss out on anything. Then, use the resources you have. Delegate tasks if you can't accommodate all that needs to be done, and use mobile technology so you can work wherever you are if needed.

Marilen Montenegro talks about balancing work, home, and heart

Last, money is the least of your problems. What?! No way! Yes way. Why? Because there are tons of options and help out there. There are investors who can help fund your business ideas. One such person is Joe Maristela, an Angel Investor and founder of Katalyst.ph. He actually started his business in their garage/living room at home, so you can bet he understands the hardships and challenges of putting up a new business.

Joe Maristela speaks about how he started a business from his house

My key take away from his talk: sound professional. Even if you are running a business in your garage or home office/kitchen/den, talk as if you are working in an office. It makes you more credible, thus gain you new clients.

Yada, yada, yada. Let's get to the fun part of the WAH Expo: the freebies! Yep. I did get a lot of free stuff from the booth exhibitors. I even won 2 bottles of Cycles baby products. Weee! Sadly, I wasn't able to take pictures of the things I got from the expo. Suffice it to say, I ended up with a sore shoulder from carrying the bag of stuff home.

I did buy a few items like back issues of Travel magazine, an infinity scarf, and yummy orange cheesecake cookies from Isabel Bakes. That cookie is yum! I devoured the pack of cookies in like 10 minutes. No kidding.

It was a great day all in all. And I got to take home some valuable information from the talks.

Watching cable on the weekends is something of a stress reliever for me, along with reading of course. It simply is one of the things I can look forward to at the end of a long work week. I'm lazy like that.

When I do find enough energy, I like to go out with family. Even just to the mall would suffice. If we had time to plan, an overnight stay in a hotel or out of town is better.

Since it is a rainy, rainy long weekend--thanks to Tropical Storm Ineng--we just decided to stay home and enjoy the tamad weather. It's a complete turnaround from the sweltering heat last weekend, and a welcome change. Definitely.

But I digress.

I was watching Farmhouse Rules on The Food Network and was able to catch this delicious minty chocolate brownies. The mint buttercream frosting alone is enough for me to know that this is going to be delicious.


INGREDIENTS

Brownies:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

Minty Buttercream:
4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons green creme de menthe liqueur
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar


DIRECTIONS

Brownies:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a glass 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with butter and line it with strips of parchment paper so the paper comes up over the edge of the dish. Grease the paper with more butter.

Place a small pot of water on medium heat, and bring to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the simmering water and add the butter and chocolate to gently melt together, stirring to combine. (This can also be done in the microwave, heating at 15 second intervals.)

Transfer the chocolate and butter mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add the brown and granulated sugars, eggs, vanilla and salt and whisk together. Add the flour and gently whisk to combine, then pour into the baking dish. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out somewhat clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let the brownies cool completely.

Carefully spread the Minty Buttercream over the brownies, then refrigerate until firm. Once the buttercream has firmed up, use the parchment sleeves to carefully remove the brownies from the baking dish. Slice into bars.

Minty Buttercream:
Combine the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Add the creme de menthe and beat until combined. Add the confectioners' sugar a quarter at a time and beat until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Yield: enough for 12 brownie bars.

Recipe courtesy of Nancy Fuller. Taken from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nancy-fuller/gopher-bars.html

After watching a re-run of One Direction: This Is Us on HBO one weekend, I decided to seek out some of the songs I heard on the movie, particularly Change My Mind. This song from their first album Take Me Home is memorable to me. I particularly like the chorus mainly because of the melody and secondly the lyrics. It's romantic. I'm a girl, so I definitely fall for the I'll-give-up-anything-for-you lines. A part of the verse actually sounds like What Makes You Beautiful, which I somewhat like (what the heck is "somewhat"?).

I ended up getting all their album. From their latest, FOUR, I especially like--no, love--Stockholm Syndrome. For the melody, of course, not the lyrics! (CREEP-A-ZONE!) I'm not saying that Mr. Harry Styles, who took part in the composition of the song, is at all creepy. Just sayin' because he told in one interview that the song is about a nympho. See?

What I love about this song is how it feels like an 80s song, new wave-kinda-ace of base-kinda-MJ (because of the "oh!" I'm guessing). I actually can't describe it. I just like it.

Anyway, sharing with you this beee-oooo-teee-ful song.


PS. I think this was also the song that got leaked over the Internet before the launch of the album.

For the longest time, I've turned to my Chinese mentholated stick for all minor ailments, specifically headaches and migraines--which I used to get a lot of. It's also my go-to medicine for insect bites, stuffy nose, and biyahilo (motion sickness). And it works. Amazingly enough.

But then I got to try Human Heart Nature's Balm for All Seasons and I've been converted. For one, it smells much, much nicer than the stick. I can definitely inhale this all day long, probably risking thoughts from people about being an addict.

 
It is made from natural materials and has no mineral oil or synthetic fragrance. In fact, the 10-gram tub is filled with a mixture of coconut oil, beeswax, sunflower seed oil, peppermint essential oil, corn mint essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil, and bergamot essential oil. And this combination is heavenly! You'll feel a little bit of heat when you put in on your skin, but will not make your eyes water like the mentholated stick.

I've used the balm for all the things I've used my menthol stick, and more. I've rubbed in on sore spots even if the pain is really more internal (like sore throats) than external. It does alleviate a little of the pain. I've used it on cuts as well (something I've never done with the stick), putting a fair amount of the balm on cotton and then bandaging it around the cut. It doesn't sting at all! And it actually makes your cut less painful and helps heal it faster. Proven!


Having 3 tubs, one to go with me everywhere and 2 for at home, is a testament to how much I love this product.

You can get this online at http://humanheartnature.com/buy/index.php/wellness/balm-for-all-seasons.html for PHP 99.75. Worth. Every. Peso.

It was a good day for a scrumptious lunch. And I had the best one yet, thanks to the Let's Meat Up event held at Kitchen 1B in Makati. I was able to fill my stomach with top-notch beef and lamb from Australia through dishes prepared by US-based food blogger and Asian food proponent Malou Perez-Nievera (SkiptoMalou).

The luncheon table made up of guest bloggers, MLA, and Kitchen 1B peeps

Showcasing different meat cuts in 5 easy-to-prepare dishes (even busy moms can do it), Ms. Malou churned out one luscious delight after another.

In the kitchen, demoing how to cook Aussie beef and giving tips

While demonstrating how easy it is to cook top-grade beef from Australia, Ms. Malou was also dishing out tips and tricks, such as substituting lemongrass with calamansi rind. She said that we don't need to be a stickler to using every ingredient on the recipe, especially when you're already cooking with great meat.

It wasn't long before food is coming out of the kitchen. And here is the first dish: Australian Beef Sirloin with Hoisin and Fish Sauce Reduction.


The beef was a perfect medium rare, cooked 5 and 4 (5 minutes on one side and 4 minutes on the other). It was topped with the reduction sauce and peanuts. Yes, peanuts. With a side dish of steamed veggies. It was easy to slice and the taste was excellent, if a little on the salty side. It was great with the veggies, though. It was just the right size, too.

Next, another delicious steak recipe. An upgraded version of sisig, if you will, but a super chunky one. Mango Tango Australian Beef Tenderloin.

The sosyal version of sisig, a fave Filipino dish

This one I really, really loved. The combination of taste--sweet from the ripe mango, tangy from the sauce and tomato, and salty from the tenderloin--was just PERFECT. The tenderloin was cut in bite-size pieces, so you can fill a spoon up with all the ingredients in. Now, if they served this first I would've devoured it in minutes (and would have left no more space for the other 3 dishes. Sad.). And because I like this a lot, I'm going to share the recipe at the end of this review.

Just a few minutes after the Mango Tango dish was served, the next one was being brought out. This time it's Sesame Meat Balls with Sweet and Sour Sauce.


It was a regular meat ball dish but was made tastier by using premium Australian ground beef. And take note, the meat balls were not fried, they were baked! Which is probably why it didn't lose any of its taste. Plus, it's healthier. The sauce, too, made the dish stand out, contrasting with the savoriness of the meat. It was your typical meat ball made extraordinary by the cooking method and the premium meat used.

After this round, I was so full I could only drink water. So, it took me a while to taste the next meal that came out: Australian Beef Wrapped Shrimp on Chili Gravy.


This combination of meat and shrimp is perfect for cocktails. In fact, you can serve it in a glass like the image above. Again, the meat was tender and the whole dish was seasoned well. The addition of the chili gravy was just what it needed to add a little something to the food.

The last meal was something I've never eaten before. It was Grilled Lamb Chops, made with Australian lamb in red wine and truffle sauce. And it was superb! I mean, it was tender and juicy. To me, it tasted like pork, only 10,000 times better. I could've eaten more of this but was too full to take more than 2 bites. But at least I was able to savor it. They serve this at Kitchen 1B for almost PHP 2,000.

Lamb chops, yummmmm!

The other dish Ms. Malou Nievera cooked was the Breakfast Tapa Burrito, perfect for those leftover steaks from last night. Sadly, I wasn't able to taste this as there wasn't any more space in my tummy.

Kitchen 1B also served Goat Cheese Salad, organic popcorn, vegetable spring roll, onion rings, and a couple of desserts (Blueberry Cheesecake, and I think choco pie).

Organic popcorn, salted just right

Veggie spring rolls with apricot sauce

BIIIIG onion rings

Goat cheese salad,beets, and peppery arugula

Mouthwatering viands aside, with this intimate luncheon, MLA hopes to promote high-quality beef and lamb meats from Australia and its health benefits. With Malou Nievera's easy recipes, busy working moms or even stay-at-home moms can serve their kids and husbands with great tasting meals any time. It sure made me want to try the Mango Tango, the recipe of which I'm now going to share with you.

Mango Tango Australian Beef Tenderloin

Ingredients:
1 to 1.5 kilos Australian beef tenderloin
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
salt and pepper
2 tbsp oilve oil

Mango Tango:
1 pc medium mango, cubed
1 pc medium tomato, cubed
1/4 tsp freshly grated ginger
onions sliced

Sauce:
1 tbsp fish sauce
1/3 cup vinegar
1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
Thai bird's eye chili

Procedure:
1. Preheat grill to medium high. Season meat generously with salt and pepper. Lather with olive oil. Sear the sides of beef until it's nice and brown.
2. Lower heat and cook for another 20 to 30 minutes, depending of the thickness of the meat.
3. Remove meat from grill and brush with butter.
4. Mix the sauce.
5. Toss the mango tango and sliced beef tenderloin in the sauce.