GV Mondays

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If everyone has good thoughts, the world will be brighter than the sun <3

Arts and Crafts Week!

Since Saturday I've been binging on arts and crafts activities because I needed to counter all the left-brain stuff I've been doing lately including a failed attempt at finishing a Finance course in Coursera (more on that next time). 

Watercolor Crafternoon

Alessa taught us the basics of using watercolor, fed us yummy food care of Pino, and even live-streamed the first half of the ADMU-DLSU basketball game. Even though the place was packed, the vibe was laid-back and everyone was so into experimenting with their watercolor sets. 

Rubbercut Printing

I went to CraftMnl in The Collective on a quiet Sunday afternoon to learn rubbercut printing from Fara Manuel.  It took me quite a while to finish engraving my design but I was really happy how it turned out. I only noticed that my wrists were in pain after 2 hours! I'm planning to frame one of the prints and display it at home.

Calligraphy Date

My friend Alex graciously offered to teach me calligraphy when I told her the class I wanted to attend was already full. She even brought supplies including my own nib! Thank you again for teaching me and for the company, Alex :) I promise I'll practice regularly!

Pimping up my earphones (work in progress)

I don't like my earphones getting all tangled up in my bag so I'm always in the look out for nice cord organizers. So when I saw this on Pinterest, I had to do it. It's not yet done because I only do it while watching TV or while my husband is playing with his PS3. I think I've had that yarn for more than 5 years!

Watched a documentary about Helvetica 

Most of us take typography for granted but it can influence how your work is perceived. For example, you wouldn't  use Comic Sans when you are presenting in front of a roomful of bankers unless you don't want to be taken seriously. Helvetica is perhaps the most used typeface in the whole world and this documentary showed why it is such an appealing font. 

Oh, and look at what my wonderful husband gave me!

I've been eyeing this for a long time and C probably sensed my desperation so one night he came home with these. <3

I think my arts and crafts week isn't done yet. My dad and I already scheduled an art supplies shopping date this weekend. He IS the artist in this family so he can help me out with picking some stuff. Yay!

GV Mondays!

Source: Tumblr

Being in the right frame of mind always works wonders!

No Nonsense Seminar on Finance

Last weekend, I attended Randell Tiongson's No Nonsense Seminar on Finance: How to Invest in the Future. I've been following his blog and Twitter account ever since I got curious about investing and wanted to know more about investing opportunities here in the Philippines. He writes in a way that even the most financially illiterate can understand investment concepts without sounding condescending. Naturally, I wanted to attend one of his seminars and I'm glad I didn't pass up this chance because he is as engaging as a speaker as he is a writer.

What I liked best about the seminar is that Randell emphasized right at the start ia that the BEST PERFORMING ASSET IS YOURSELF (yes, I have to write that down in all-caps =D). I totally agree that educating yourself is the best type of investment. If you want to learn more about a certain topic or skill, then you study about it, plan accordingly, and take actions. And it's not true that failing is not an option, it is what you do after failing matters the most.

Marvin Germo, a stock expert, was a guest speaker in the seminar. His talk complemented the things Randell said about investing. He also emphasized setting your goals before investing on anything and to diversify investments (i.e. do not invest on a single entity). While I know some of the basics of the stock market, it was really helpful to learn about it in a Philippine context, where the examples given were local companies and trends. The one hour allotted for him was too short!

It was an afternoon well-spent. I'd recommend this seminar to anyone who wants to learn how to start investing because it's very sensible (no nonsense indeed!) and empowering.

On Pregnancy and Beauty

I admit I'm not the best person to give beauty advice to anyone. My skin is an icky combination of oily, dry, sensitive, and acne-prone. Some products work one moment and make me breakout the next. It got worse when I got pregnant, I had rashes on my tummy and on my neck. The rashes on my tummy already disappeared but the one on my neck is still there. My OB and everyone assured me it's normal but it's still annoying.

To lessen my annoyance, I decided to simplify my toiletries and only wear make-up on special occasions (which I don't wear all the time anyway). I stopped using anti-acne treatments except for tea tree oil. I gave away my hair removal cream and decided to stick to shaving for the meantime.

When shopping for beauty products, I took note of these guidelines:

1. Products should preferably have only 10 ingredients or less
2. Avoid scary sounding ingredients (phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates etc.)
3. Buy organic and local as much as possible

EchoStore and Sesou Nature Source are very good places to start. They often have everything you need. You can also find organic local brands in any supermarket (like the good ol' gugo shampoo) but you have to be extra vigilant.

I'd like to share what I currently use (and so far all of them works well for me) in case you get overwhelmed while shopping ;)

Hair

Finesse Clean + Simple Hypoallergenic Shampoo and Conditioner - found these in PCX Rockwell. Reasonably-priced and doesn't give me dandruff (super plus points!)

Lauat Herbal Treatment Shampoo and Leave-on Conditioner - anti-hair fall treatment. Available in any leading supermarket.

Face

Ilog Maria Glycerin Face Soap - I love how clean and refreshed I feel after using this. I love their Spearmint and Oatmeal soap as well but it's always sold out :( 

Human Nature Balancing Toner - good for oily skin

Leyende Face Canvas Moisturizer - I use this sparingly since I got pregnant. The mango-cocoa scent I once loved is too strong for me now.

VMV Armada Face Cover SPF 45 - and I quote Baz Luhrmann, "Always wear sunscreen"

Body 

Cyleina Black Pearl Supreme - one of our high school batchmates owns the company and her soaps were giveaways during our reunion. Its scent reminds me of Lush's Honey I Washed the Kids for some reason. 

All Organics Feminine Wash - for "down there" ;p

Human Nature All-Natural Deodorant - for indoor days

Dove Go Fresh Grapefruit and Lemongrass - for yoga and outdoor days 

Vanilla & Co. Pure Shea and Cocoa Whipped Buttercream in Sweet Pea - smells heavenly! I slather on a lot on my tummy and hip area to prevent stretch marks

I hope I didn't miss anything! What's your preggy beauty routine? :) 

A Very Useful Infographic: Getting Organized

I am not the most organized person in the world. Or even in this household. That's my grandmother. Her favorite tenet is "A place for everything. Everything in its place." When I was younger I thought she coined that phrased until I Googled it and found out that Benjamin Franklin said that before her.

Anyway, I love infographics. It makes any information look smarter and more understandable. And yeah, cuter. This one shows organizing in an organized way. I may not be very organized but I TRY VERY HARD and this is a useful reference for making anyone's life simpler.


More Health and Fitness News & Tips at Greatist.

The Music of the Night

One of my greatest childhood dreams is to watch The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. When I found out that they will have a run here in Manila I didn't dare miss my chance. This weekend, C and I watched it with the in-laws and I was weeping most of the time, hahaha. I don't usually cry at movies or plays but I KNEW I'd tear up once the chandelier was put up. 

We had dinner with my former colleagues and on the way home, C and I were still singing Phantom of the Opera songs. 

It was such a happy, happy night. I was on a high that I woke up late and didn't get to attend church :/ I wish I came with my family when they saw it today, but I think two days straight would be too much. But I'd love to watch it again!