My Smart Bedroom♥

Who would have thought I will be experiencing - home automation?  I remember when I was a kid, The Jetsons series (which is one of my favorite cartoons in the 80's) were the things in their home are fully-automated. Last year my brother in law gave me a Google home mini, he bought it from the US.  I was so excited with the new toy.  It's a speaker that you can connect to your WIFI and can be used as a smart home control hub/personal assistant.

I downloaded the Google application in my phone, at first I only used it as a bluetooth speaker for playing music, setting alarms, checking the weather and anything that you wanted to search in Google.  Then after a few months to make the most our of the gadget I bought a smart socket and an IR transceiver.

Got my smart socket and IR Transceiver from True Value - Cherry Home Brand.  Since these are electronic devices I really wanted to look for something that is locally made, for safety and has passed product standards here in the Philippines.  Because it is very important that the things you buy specifically electrical or electronic gadgets or devices have passed product standards with electrical safety certificate.

Cherry Home is subsidiary or sister company of Cherry Mobile which is a local Philippine brand.  As I have previously mentioned I purchased a smart socket at Php600.00 each and an IR Transceiver at P1,100.00.  You may also visit their Cherry Home Website they have a variety of things perfect for your home. 

I connected my aircon and television to the IR Transceiver so I just command Google if wanted to turn on/off the TV and aircon or change the temperature of the aircon etc.    The socket I plugged in my bedside lamp, so when I need to open it I just tell google to turn it on.  No need for me to look for the switch.  Very convenient, especially the IR Transceiver I need not look for the remote control and it save me from buying batteries.  And I am planning to add more smart gadgets not only in my bedroom but also to our home.

I just love having these gadgets in my bedroom, it's like you have a personal assistant doing things for you.  Though you may think this will make you lazy, but for me home automation benefits are convenience and control that is aside from savings and safety.  Especially now our "new normal" - we are promoting contactless transactions and touch-free gadgets to avoid the spread of the virus.

Are you also into having a smart home or a fully automated home?  Please share your thoughts and experiences with me. 

xo, Chiq♥  

Money saving matters♥

Source: Google

There are a lot of learnings that happened during this quarantine.  Maybe one of the positive things that  Covid-19 has taught everyone : having an emergency fund.  When I started working I admit, I buy anything and everything that I wanted.  (A new phone every year, clothes and bags etc).   But 5 years after I realized that I need to save so I opened my savings account in China Bank (this is not actually my first, I had a Banco Filipino Happy Saver's Club account before).  This is where I started saving money from my salary.  Saving P500.00 to P1,000.00 per payday, is not that bad, right?! From that time I realized the importance of being frugal.  Though I still buy things that fascinates me but I think about it first 1 million times before splurging. (hihi) 

As time goes by I wanted to grow my money more I tried researching for different ways, like investing my money, getting mutual funds and etc.  I also tried the "Ipon Challenge" I did the invisible P50.00  so all the P50.00 that I get I put it in a bottle. And that helped me put up my emergency fund.  So I was able to have additional funds to spend during the quarantine.  

In 2014, I opened a time deposit at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and until now it's there it rolls over every 90 days.  From 2014 until now my money earned around 2% of my TD amount.  It's not that big I know but at least my money is secured there in the bank earning interest.  

Then when SSS introduced their SSS Peso Fund in 2016, I also applied for that so I will an extra funds when I retire.  I wrote about this before : if you want to know about it you may click on this link SSS Peso Fund.  SSS Peso Fund is on top of your retirement benefit from SSS.  Though at the moment after 4 years of having this from the last time I checked my earnings it was only P14.50 (net) for P30,000.00 total contributions.

Last December 2019,  I opened an BIMI Mutual funds in BPI for P10,000.00 (from my 13th month pay). They said that you will actually experience your earnings in investments after 5 years.    

Before the lockdown,  I also applied for the Pag-ibig fund's MP2, per reviews I read online this is way better than the SSS Peso Fund.  Let's see how this will go the fund's term is 5 years at P500.00 per month contribution.

I realized that I should have started investing when I was younger.  Well at least before I reach my golden age in 2 years at least I have small investments that I hope will grow and earn before I retire.  

"By sowing Frugality we reap liberty and golden harvests. - Agesilaus"

xo,

Chiq♥

Project: Felt cloth rose♥

I wanted to share with all of you of the my projects at home during the ECQ.  Aside from cooking and baking I also love crafting.  

Here are the things that you need:

• Felt cloth
• Pair of scissors
• Needle and thread
• Glue gun + glue stick or Fabric glue

Trace the bottle cap on the felt cloth. Make 18 pcs.

Cut the 18 pcs of round felt in half (making 36 pcs of petals)

After sewing the petals together, gently pull to make ruffles. (Do it carefully so the thread with not break).

Then roll slowly from end to end, putting some glue to hold the petals together.

Now you have a gorgeous rose made out of felt cloth.

Happy Crafting! Hope you all enjoy this project!♥

xo, 

Chiq♥

Katré x Hello Kitty : Camden Tourist bag♥

source: Katré

As promised I will make a review about this bag.  I think this is the first time that Sanrio collaborated with a local Filipino (bag) brand - Katré.

I was really looking for a documents bag that I can use for work (for so loooong).  Last year I have to let go (retire) my old Mango documents bag which is super worn out (but I really loved that bag - it served it's purpose for more than 5 years).  So from that time I have been using an eco or reusable bags to carry of other stuff that I use at the office (until I find the best bag to replace my Mango bag).

Then I saw Katré in a sponsored post on Instagram:  they are advertising their upcoming collaboration - Hello Kitty.  When they uploaded a sneak peek of the collection I immediately fell in love with the Camden.  I thought it was an ordinary tote but to my surprise it was a three (3) way bag.  Aside from a regular hand bag, it can be used as a shoulder bag and backpack.  That is why it's also a perfect overnight bag.

The Bag:

• Exterior : Made of calf leather - its a slouchy leather bag with buttery feel.  It does not hold it's shape but not really a problem for me. It also comes with a Hello Kitty themed bag leather bag tag;
• Interior : Suede lining, one (1) zippered interior pocket and two (2) open pockets;
• Enclosure : Zip and snap enclosure;
• Dimension : 12" (L) x 15.5" (H) x 5.5" (W)

From the time, I bought and used my Prada nylon bag to work (and travel), one of my top requirements in choosing a bag is it's weight.  Since I carry a lot of abubots (knick knacks) a lightweight bag is really a must.   At the same time I don't want to stress my shoulders because I am not getting any younger.  Camden's wait is so-so for me, not to heavy not to light (just right for a leather bag).  But it's lighter than their Hanover bag.

Overall (♥♥♥♥.5)  I love the bag!  It fits it's purpose - as my documents bag.  At the same time I can also use it when I go out of town or vacation with my family and friends.  And of course it has my favorite character - Hello Kitty...

Til my next bag review!

xo, 

Chiq♥

Notes: This post was written wayback March 10, 2020 before NCR was placed under ECQ I have forgot to published this...♥

The love for writing♥

Hello everyone!  I know it's been a while since I last have an update.  I do miss writing and sharing my thoughts, but because of the pandemic and "ECQ's, GCQ's whatever Q's" they call it piled up my office work.  I need to finish everything: update records and prepare reports.  

Now we are in what they say as the "New Normal".  Wearing a face mask and shield is now mandatory, honestly I am not really 100% into the "full face shield" thing.  It's really hard to breath, with the face mask on + the full face shield.  Before they made the wearing of face shield mandatory I always wear a half face shield with my face mask and I think it's way better than the full face.  Often times I saw people wearing their full face shields on their head.. Anyway that's not the main subject of this post.. (hihi)  Let's go back.. we are in the new normal... and the Internet is really the number one most effective medium in this Millennium / Gen Z era .  All things are now done online: shopping, banking and etc.  More and more are switching to Vlogging (Video Blogging) and I am still "jurassic".  Now I feel writing a blog is now an old or vintage way of communicating with the Gen Z.  At the moment I don't really want to shift into vlogging.. firstly because I am "camera shy" hahaha... I am not closing my doors but at this point in time there are no plans.  I feel I am too old for that vlogging thing.  I still so love writing to express myself.

Writing goes way back in high school... I love writing letters to my family, relatives and friends... I also have a small diary where I write my day to day activities, well I still do have a planner to jot down every thing.  Writing helped me release my emotions especially when I feel lonely...  It's like I am talking with my best friend and I feel relieved.  I wish I could write more often also... I should think of the new things to share with all of you... I will try to do it...  Because writing is my stress reliever... and it makes me HAPPY!♥

xo,

Chiq♥

Source of photo: Google.com