NIVEA Baby Pure & Natural Wipes

A sweet angel from NIVEA sent me a package of their new Pure & Natural line of products. I'm happy that aside from the NIVEA Deo Pure & Natural products inside the lovely mini-bayong (native woven bag), I also found a pack of NIVEA Baby Pure & Natural Wipes!



True to its claim of being pure and natural, NIVEA Baby Pure & Natural Wipes have organic chamomile extracts that help soothe baby's skin in between diaper changes. The sheets smell nice even when there's no perfume added. It also has no alcohol and parabens so it's perfectly safe for baby's sensitive skin.



What I also like about it is that the sheets are 100% biodegradable natural tissue so you can immediately flush it after cleaning baby's tushie. How convenient can this be?

NIVEA Baby Pure & Natural Wipes come in 50 sheet packs at an affordable price of Php 150. Hope you get to try it, too!


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Missing TLC

Who has watched the American Idol 10 finale? I'm glad I did. Not because of Scotty or Lauren but because I saw TLC performing again (at least, what's left of them). TLC was one of my favorite girl groups when I was in college. They were one of the reasons I listened to hip-hop music because their music always had meaning.

One of my favorite songs of TLC is "Unpretty." It helped me get through the awkward years and the song helped me appreciate myself for who I am. For some reason, I can't embed the original MTV that is available on YouTube but here's one that already has lyrics in it for your viewing and listening pleasure.



I still feel unpretty sometimes especially when I think of how to get rid of dark circles under my eyes. But as the lyrics of the song goes, "at the end of the day, I have myself to blame" for being unpretty. Heck, I need to start sleeping early, eating right, and being more serious with my exercise routine.


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Thoughts of a mom of an over-gadgeted kid

I grew up playing outdoors with my siblings and the kids in our neighborhood. We played chako, patintero, agawan base, Monkey, Monkey, the list goes on. During times that we were not allowed to play outdoors, we contented ourselves in playing pretend under the dining table. Together with my sibings, I traveled to the Pyramids of Giza and even to the moon!

My boy is the total opposite of who I was as a child. He doesn't play outside with the neighbors' kids and his only playtime is spent with his classmates in school. At home, he busies himself with his gadgets. He has a Wii, a Playstation 3, a PSP, a netbook, a touchscreen wi-fi capable phone, and lately, his iPod Touch. I admit, my boy is an over-gadgeted kid and we are guilty of having provided all of these.

Then again, I believe that he deserved his "treasures" because all of these are rewards for a job well done in school. He strives to get the gold medal or silver medal every school year so that we won't have to pay much for his tuition.

I hope you don't get the impression that my boy is a brat. I'm a strict disciplinarian and I'm glad that my boy has grown accustomed to following my rules especially when it comes to studying. During the school year, the only gadget that he uses every day is his phone and he clearly knows that he can't call/text in class lest he wants it to be confiscated. At home, he only gets to use his netbook for research and school-related computer work (he's a writer in his school paper, by the way). He can only play his video games Friday night until Saturday night. Come Sunday, he goes back to his text books for some advanced reading. For the iPod, my husband and I agreed that he cannot bring it to school.

I believe that it's okay to provide kids with gadgets as long as parents impose limits to its use. I also believe that us parents can use these gadgets to our advantage. I personally led my boy to a Chinese-language tutorial podcast and he's now having a grand time learning the language. I just watch him closely because there are also adult material that he can access over iTunes.

Since he pretty much has the gadgets that he can have, we won't be buying him new gadgets for the meantime. In fact, his only request is for us to reward him with a bigger electronic piano keyboard after the school year's Recognition Day. This gives me more time to save up on the bluray home theatre system that my husband and I have been dreaming of.

Are your kids also into gadgets? Do you share my sentiments?


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Rap turns 11

My boy turned 11 today. This year we do not have a big celebration unlike last year when he turned 10. His only request was to eat lunch at the newly opened Chicken Bonchon in SM Megamall. Then, we did our usual Friday thing which was to attend his Kumon class and his piano lesson after. Dinner was Mc Do meals we bought from the drive thru.

The day seemed to be an ordinary day although I would have wanted it to be otherwise. But it was what my binata requested and we're glad he did understand that we need to allot a budget for our other financial priorities. We are indeed blessed to have a boy who's wise for his age.

My prayer is that he grows up to be the man God designed him to be. And that he stays away from vices because I don't want him to end up in a drug rehab or oxycontin detox center in the future. I also fervently pray that God will continue to guide us in raising our boy properly and that He'll keep him in his loving arms and out of danger's way.

Happy Birthday, Parekoy. Love you to the moon and back!

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Pampers Salutes Moms Promo

Starting May 19 to June 30, a Php 1,000 purchase of Pampers Diapers allows moms to avail of one fantastic offer from partners Hobbes & Landes, Gymboree Play & Music, The Picture Company, and The Spa. This awesome treat for moms from Pampers was revealed in this afternoon's "Pampers Salutes Moms" launch which I attended together with other mommy bloggers and other mommy and baby guests.

Comedienne Ian Galliguez interviews Pampers ambassador
Vina Morales on the joys of motherhood.

Here's what's in store for moms loyal to Pampers Diapers:

• 3% discount on purchases for selected brands at Hobbes and Landes (Power Plant and Greenhills Promenade branches)
• 75% discount for the first class at Gymboree Play & Music or get 1 free class for enrolling your child to either a 4, 8, 12, 24, or 48-session Gymboree Playtime course
• Free family portrait session with 10.16 cm x 15.24 cm print (worth Php 2,500) from The Picture Company
• 10% discount on any treatment from Skin Dermatology & Laser Center at The Spa Fort Bonifacio

Mommy and baby playtime facilitated by
a teacher from Gymboree Play & Music.

Moms should first visit the Pampers Philippines Facebook page and register by clicking on the "Pampers Salute Moms" tab. The free "Pampers Salute Moms" coupon will then be sent through email within 5 working days. A print-out of the coupon plus the proof of purchase should be presented to the partner merchant to be able to claim the discount/freebie.

But the treats do not end here. A daily trivia game will run starting June so be sure to like the PampersPH Facebook page! Prizes from Hobbes & Landes, Gymboree Play & Music, The Picture Company, and The Spa await lucky participants.

View more photos of the event at The 24-Hour Mommy Facebook page.

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The Electrolux Dynamica, My Electric Walis!

I am allergic to dust. Not only do I start sneezing after dusting furniture but I also tend to have skin rashes after doing a general cleaning. This is the reason why I specifically tell my alalay to use the vacuum cleaner instead of dusting the furniture and sweeping the floor. Still, my alalay uses a broom for quick clean-ups. Sometimes, I just let him be because I understand how it can be a hassle to set up our vacuum cleaner just to sweep off dust under the table. That was before I got my "electric walis"!

Electrolux Dynamica

Meet the Electrolux Dynamica, my "electric walis"! Only weighing 1.6 kilograms, it becomes very handy for me to bring it up to our rooms and do the cleaning myself. But don't be fooled of its weight! It's very powerful and can pick up even big particles of dirt from the floor.

Look at what I was able to sweep of the floor using the Electrolux Dynamica:





It's versatile, too. I use it to clean our tiled floors, our wooden steps, the carpet in my boy's room, and even the vinyl tiles of our room. It has a spiral brush that acts like a broom for maximum cleaning coverage. Then, there's the filter that keeps the dust and dirt particles in its clear plastic bin. Once a week, my alalay detaches the spiral brush from the Dynamica and washes it in soap and water together with the net filter.

The Electrolux Dynamica also swivels from side to side which makes cleaning hard-to-reach areas and corners a breeze. It can also be used even with it's handle almost touching the floor to fit in spaces under furniture. I actually sweep the dust under our bed with no difficulty.



I heard that there's an ongoing promo for Electrolux Dynamica. Just swap your old broom when buying an Electrolux Dynamica and get Php 1,000 off from your purchase. Hope you switch to an "electric walis," too. Trust me, you won't regret having this. Promo runs until May 31, 2011 only!

For more information about the Electrolux Dynamica, visit www.electrolux.com.ph or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thelittlewhitebook.


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SqwishLand.com Pinoy Contest

Pinoy kids can finally enjoy playing over at SqwishLand.com as it arrives in the Philippines. Sqwishland is an online virtual world where kids can play and explore. Together with their own pet Sqwishlander, they can engage in exciting quests and adventures.

To make the game more exciting, kids can dress up and care for their Sqwishlanders, play exclusive games, or buy scuba gear to plunge into Sqwishland's deep blue see. All these they can do with the Sqwash money that they can earn through membership, purchasing them separately, or just by being a frequent visitor of Sqwishland.

Each Sqwishland capsule toy has a secret code that's needed for playing in Sqwishland. Now here's the best part of it all. To welcome Pinoy kids in Sqwishland, over a hundred of these secret codes have been tagged as winners! See what's in store for you:

Kindly visit the Sqwishland Play & Win site for specific instructions on how to join this contest. The promo is available only for Philippine players and will be from May 1 to 31, 2011. So what are you waiting for? Go buy a Sqwishland capsule toy from any Toy Kingdom or Toys R Us branch, or from a leading toy store nearest you.


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The Mommy Diaries, A Lifestyle and Wellness Expo for Moms

It's never too late to celebrate Mother's Day. In fact, the whole month of May should be Mother's Month. In line with this, "The Mommy Diaries, A Lifestyle and Wellness Expo for Moms" will be held on May 28 and 29, 2011 at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City. This 2-day lifestyle and wellness expo will feature more than 150 booths that offer various products that moms of all ages will definitely love. Activities will also be held such as cooking shows and demos, talks by pediatricians and psychologists, special treats and entertainment for the kids, and raffle draw every hour.

See the program schedule below:

Saturday

• 10:30-11:00 AM - A Short Demo on Yoga (c/o Yoga+)
• 11:00-12:00 PM - Talk on Basic Life Support (c/o The Health Cube)
• 1:00-2:00 PM - To Be A Healthy Mommy (c/o The Health Cube)
• 2:00-2:30 PM - Fashion Show (c/o Elle Kids)
• 2:30-3:00 PM - Baby Checklist (c/o Pigeon Baby Products)
• 3:00-4:00 PM - Talk on Breast Cancer (c/o The Health Cube)

Sunday

• 10:30-11:00 AM - A Short Demo on Yoga (c/o Yoga+)
• 11:00-12:00 PM - Talk on Weight Management (c/o The Health Cube)
• 1:00-2:00 PM - Talk on Osteoporosis (c/o The Health Cube)
• 2:00-3:00 PM - Cooking Demo (c/o Sunnex)
• 3:00-4:00 PM - Talk on Cervical Cancer (c/o The Health Cube)
• 4:00-4:30 PM - Fashion Show (c/o Safety First)
• 4:30-5:00 PM - Indoor and Outdoor Safety (c/o Safety First)

Attendees can also avail of free bone density, sugar level, and cholesterol level screenings. HPV vaccine and general check-up packages are also available for a fee. Lastly, everyone will have a chance to win any of the following raffle prizes:

• 10-visit passes from 360 Fitness Club
• Free passes from Gymboree Play & Music
• Unlimited weekend passes from Yoga+
• 2-month/1-month membership from Curves

"The Mommy Diaries, A Lifestyle and Wellness Expo for Moms" is brought to us by LiST Group in cooperation with the Lifestyle Network and Working Mom.

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May 11 is Philippine Spring Cleaning Day

Help the country save lives, time, and money through the first-ever Philippine Spring Cleaning Day (PSCD). Representatives from the Department of Health (DoH), UP-National Institutes of Health (UP-NIH), Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP), Reckitt Benckiser, Lysol, and several local government units aim to promote cleaning and better sanitation as the means to eradicate diseases.

On 11 May 2011, simultaneous cleanup activities will be done in the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Pasay, and Pasig. You too can take part in this drive by devoting the day to cleaning up your own household. In fact, organizers of the Philippine Spring Cleaning Day believe that cleanliness should start in one's own household. We may not admit it but even the home can be unsafe and a favorite breeding ground of viruses and bacteria especially if it is not well-kept. Cleaning and disinfecting can prevent diseases which in turn can help us avoid hospitalization costs and make us more productive citizens.

Join the DoH, Lysol and partner organizations in celebrationg Philippine Spring Cleaning Day on May 11. For more details, log on to www.philippinespringcleaningday.com or like the Philippine Spring Cleaning Day Facebook page.

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Out of Milk, A Helpful Android App for Moms

One of the many reasons why I chose the Samsung Galaxy Tab over the iPad is the availability of countless free applications from the Android market. I craved to have an Android of my own after my husband had his HTC Desire HD. So once I had my Tabby, I browsed the market for apps that will make my life easier as a work-at-home mom. One app that I am particularly fond of is Out of Milk.

Out of Milk is a shopping list app which is the primary reason why I downloaded it from the market. I am used to have a list when I shop so as to keep my expenses within my budget. What made me love this app more is that it also keeps a Pantry List of what I have at home. Once I place product from the shopping list in my basket, I can move it to one of the specific groups in my Pantry List so I can also monitor the stock we have at home. I write details for every stock like when it was purchased and its best before date. I also take note of the unit price for each so I can monitor how much the price has changed from my last shopping trip.

Can you see my Kikay Kit list? Yes, I made a list for my make-up and anti aging products so that I can remember when to throw away old and expired stuff.

Another good feature about this app is its barcode scanner. Basically, I scan the products that I regularly buy as I update my Pantry List. With its data already saved in the app, all I gotta do in the supermarket is just to scan the barcode again and move it to the list where it should be and I don't need to type its name anymore. Very very handy, I tell 'ya!

If you're one busy and techie mom using an Android gadget, Out of Milk is for you. You may download it for free from the Android market. Below is its QR code for your convenience.

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Happy With HSBC

I've been an HSBC credit card user for six years now. I initially had the Red Mastercard but the company sent me the Mabuhay Miles Visa card after a year. I keep them both until now and I'm proud that I'm able to manage both without outstanding balances. Maybe this is the reason why I keep receiving various offers from the bank.

Other banks normally call their customers to offer them personal loans and insurances. Luckily, I only had a few calls of that kind from HSBC. What I normally receive are calls about discounts and installment options on gadgets and appliances. In fact, I took their Ipod Touch 4th gen offer just recently because the tie-up with Power Mac Center entitled me to a 24-month 0% purchase! Since it's my boy's birthday in a couple of weeks, I found it to be a timely and affordable deal.

This is just one of the things I love about HSBC. Not to mention that I get free Starbucks drinks every now and then. The husband's actually jealous because his card is from another bank, haha!

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