charmed life♥

source: Google.com Just like that I am celebrating my 30 years in Sta Lucia Realty & Dev., Inc.  Time really flies so fast.  I started working when I was 20 (even turned 21 few days after working).  As I look back, I never thought that I will be staying in the company this long.  Honestly, it's hard to work in a company when you are related with the owners. (well that is the other half of Sta. Lucia).  At first I did not want to work there because I am afraid that people may think that I got in because I am a relative.  I believe I am capable of finding a company where I can showcase my abilities.  Being a graduate from a reputable university - University of Santo Tomas I know I can make it.  I was already accepted in a well-known bank in Makati when my mother told me that my uncle talked to her - because they badly need an accounting graduate.  To make the long story short, being the "obedient" daughter - I said yes... but I gave myself 2 or 3 years.   Fast forward t

I recently found this online... and I am speechless.  As a Hello Kitty fan and collector, I really wanted something that I can use.  Since I love cooking these kitchen gadgets are really a thumbs up! source: Russell Taylors  The Pop-up Toaster:  The toasts pop-up automatically when done .  It also has a cancel function to abort toasting with just a touch.  Voltage: 750watts, 220-240 volts, with 7 shades browning control. source: Russell Taylors The Waffle Maker : Dual heating non-stick plates, Power 850 watts, 220-240 volts.  Plates are non removable. source: Russell Taylors The Hand Blender/Food Processor : Beaker capacity 700ml, Chopper Bowl capacity 500ml, 2 speed setting with stainless steel blades.  Power: 650 watts, 220-240 volts. source: Russell Taylor The Smart Weighing Scale: High Strength tempered glass, tracks progress using Okok app, 12key body composition analysis, all new ABS material, up to 180kg weighing capacity. source: Russell Taylors The Air Fryer: 4.2L 360 degrees

It's been weeks since Halloween but I was not able to share this right away.  It was Mochi's 2nd Halloween: last year he was Paddington Bear.  This year I wanted him to be the Mad Hatter.  I want to share how I made his hat.   First of all, I got the pattern from  www.craftyourhappiness.com  , but I did some changes you may also follow how they did the hat but I tweaked mine.  Since Mochi is a small dog, I photocopied the pattern and reduced the size to 70%.  Theirs is not sewn but since I am using a felt cloth then it had to be sewn. (well, I handsewn it.) Materials: Green felt cloth Green thread, needle, dressmaker pins, and scissors Black Gros grain ribbon Velcro tape Thin black garter Scrapbooking cute materials (for hat design)  Instructions Step 1: Download and print the pattern from  www.craftyourhappiness.com .  Photocopied and reduced the size to 70%. Step 2: Trace and cut to your green felt cloth; Step 3: Sew the hat starting with the crown.  Attach the ends with dres

I remember I wrote about this few years ago  Co-ords Trend 2015♥  and it became a statement look until today.  Going matchy-matchy with your outfits is the safest thing if you feel you are not good in mixing and matching your clothes.  This cohesive look started from a trend and now it became a classic one.  If you are into minimalist but fashionable look this is a must try. You can see a lot of women wearing coordinates or "coords" ("co-ords')  anywhere from malls, party and now a usual airport fashion.  From lounge wear, sweaters + sweat pants, top and skirts co-ords.  Here are some of my Top Coords picks this 2023: source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Zara source: Plains & Prints source: Plains & Prints xo,  Chiq♥

source: Starbucks Philippines Are you ready for this!  November 2, 2023 is the start of the sticker collection for Starbucks Traditions.   I have been collecting their annual planners since 2007.  It has also become my own tradition... New year is not complete without the Starbucks Planner.  A couple of years ago, aside from the planners they have also included limited edition merchandise - from drink wares, wallet and etc. source: Starbucks Philippines It's pink and beige planners for this year! Yey! I am so excited... Gorgeous right?  I am betting on the pink first.  But I love the rose gold pen on the beige.   Drink wares this year - Siren inspired - Stainless tumbler in black, Cold cup with straw & straw cover and classic coffee mug that comes with a tote. source: Starbucks Philippines source: Starbucks Philippines source: Starbucks Philippines I hope I will be able to complete all again this year! (*wink!)   xo, Chiq♥

source: Google.com Finally, I found something that could tame my "tutchang" (hair frizz), baby hair - every time I wear my ponytail.  I normally use hair spray to make it look smooth, yes it holds our hair in place but it looks hard. Utena Matomage is made in Japan and it comes in regular (pink) and strong (green) hold.  It's a hair wax in balm form. I got the green which is the strong hold and I loved it.  It really holds the loose hair without making  it look stiff and hard - giving my hair a natural finish.  It is also non-sticky and does not look greasy. It's super easy to use, just apply it directly to you hair and it automatically does it magic. I know it's already available here in the Philippines and you can get it from Online shopping sites.  Prices at around Php265.00 to P350.00.  I got mine as a pasabulong from Japan.   If you will ask me if I will buy this product? Definitely Yes!♥ Til my next review! xo, Chiq♥

Have you tried the BSP Coin Deposit Machine?  Due to the shortage of coins (in circulation), the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently launched this and will be partnering with retail establishments so it will be available to the public.   What does the Coin Deposit Machine do?  This is like an Electronic Alkansya (E-Alkansya) you can deposit your coins (any denomination) and it will sorted and counted by the machine. Then you can send it directly to your E-Wallet such as GCash and Maya. No more tedious process of counting your coins before depositing it to the bank.  It's very easy to use.  All you have to do is to follow the instructions on the machine. I was able to try it at Robinson's Metro East.  I just brought a handful of assorted coins and cashed-it-into my GCash.  It only took me a couple of minutes.    You will also receive a transaction receipt that shows the denomination, number of pieces of you and the total amount of your deposit.

source: Google.com Life is a learning process.  Aside from home and school, life teaches us a lot of things through our experiences.  Experience is the best teacher.  We learn from our mistakes, it makes us strong and help us to be better. Here are some of lessons I have learned for more than forty years. 1.  You cannot "Please" everybody - We don't need everyone's acceptance or you don't need everybody to agree with you.  As long as you are not stepping on one's foot, and you think you are doing the right thing.  But remember you must stay true with your values. 2.  Health is our valuable asset - As the saying goes: "Health is Wealth".  We must take care of ourselves: love, nurture and protect it.  We should not abuse our bodies,  let's start young in taking care of our health so we will not regret it when we get old. 3.  You don't always get what you want - This is one of the lessons, my grandparents taught me.  Even if you have exerted all

Are you also having problems with dark spots on your face?  Whether it's Sun spots, Pimple marks or Freckles?  Don't fret! Because it's finally here!  A new breakthrough innovation was discovered by scientists known as W630 which is said to be effective in treating dark spots in the span of 2 to 4 weeks.  It was exclusively patented to Nivea - the product is known as Nivea Luminous 630.   In my mid-40s I started to notice sun spots on my face.  I do have a daily face regimen but I felt it was too slow in treating the dark spots.  So when I learned about this from Nivea I immediately went to Watsons to check if it is available there. Luckily, there is a value set available : The Luminous 630 Intensive Treatment Serum and Spot clear sun protect - priced at P1,419.00.  If you purchase them separately it's at P999.00 and P799.00 respectively. I found these products very effective.  You can see visible results after two weeks of use.  I used the Serum and Sun protect twice a

A lot of people say that age is just a number, but let's face it we will all get old and there are things that we are no longer comfortable doing.  At 50 here are some of the things I feel I'm too old doing. 1. Wearing too short clothes - Though I don't wear micro mini skirts but I wore short-shorts during my younger years.  But now I am not really comfortable wearing that kind of shorts anymore  and same with micro mini dresses.   source: Google I said goodbye to short-shorts and now I go for medium length or Bermuda shorts.  The same with dress I am more comfortable to wear medium length dress with a few inches above the knee. 2. Wearing too much accessories - I believe as you age - "less is more".   source: Google Before I used to wear a lot of accessories: like stacking a lot of bracelets or bangles, necklaces.. but now I am more on the minimalist side - I'm good with just 2 or 3 bracelets.  I am okay with stud earrings and a bracelet or bangles.   source: