Little Town School and Office Supply

I've been to this place many times in the past because my son is always looking for a random school supply material but I never paid attention to this place until this week. You see, when I entered Little Town, this is what greeted me.

Stickers and cute notepads. I was in heaven.

There was more.

As you can see, they have a pretty good variety of notepads available.

They also have a good variety of correction tape but sadly didn't have the ones that come with a design.

They also have really cheap washi tapes. Nothing fancy but good enough and at that price, worth the buy.Price ranges from Php16-Php20.

They also have a huge assortment of pens, highlighters, and pentel pens. Below is my haul from Little Town.

Here's the complete list of branches for Little Town.

Review: DnB Korean Skincare

I've always been particular about my skin. I don't just use anything on it and when I do try something, I make sure to review it thoroughly before I even apply it on my skin because I worry that I might get allergies or rashes.

When I was introduced to DnB Korean Skincare, I didn't hesitate trying it out because my skin is actually compatible with Korean Skincare. I did feel a bit iffy about the horse oil cream but took a chance and gave it a try.

The DnB Snail Premium Foam Cleansing wash works wonders on my skin. Since I became pregnant, I've had bad skin. It became dry which was really alarming. When I started using this, I saw an improvement. It's not a miracle worker but it definitely improved the appearance and feel of my skin.

It is also a very effective skin cleanser. After I use this and I use a toner to get rid of dirt that may have been left over, there is minimal that is left on my skin.

Since I am now almost in my 40s, a good moisturizer is needed. This DnB Emerang Mayu Horse Oil Cream does the job. I put it on at night and it is instantly absorbed by my skin. When I wake up in the morning, I can actually feel that my skin is softer and smoother after prolonged use.

The DnB Korean Skincare line may be new to the Philippines but I have a strong feeling that this one will be staying for a long time simply because it works and is effective.

Review: Legande's Multipure Water Purifier

Having clean water is one of the most important things in the world. If the water is not clean, we could have skin diseases, get sick, suffer from diarrhea, or worse, even die from the bacteria that we would possibly ingest.

It is most important that the water which people drink and use for other purposes is clean water. This means that the water must be free of germs and chemicals and be clear (not cloudy). Water that is safe for drinking is called potable water. Disease-causing germs and chemicals can find their way into water supplies.

This is why when it comes to choosing a water purifier, I trusted only Legande's Multipure Water Purifier.

Legande's Multipure Water Filtration Systems has three different types: the AquaDOME, AquaVERSA, and AquaMINI, which is backed by three certifications (ANSI 42 - Aesthetic effects; ANSI 53 - Health effects, and ANSI 401 - emerging compounds and incidental contaminants) from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) which users can upgrade with a Legánde Pre-filter. As you can see, there are a lot of certificates that they went through to guarantee that they can purify water and give you something safe to drink I'm currently pregnant so this matters even more to me.

I've been drinking water straight from the faucet for the last 3 weeks and I've never suffered from a bad stomach. It really is safe and definitely worth the investment. After all, getting sick would be costlier than getting this water purifier.

I also got the Multipure Aqua Shower which is marked by a Water Quality Seal. I got this because my Mom has really sensitive skin and I'm sure my newborn will have it too. I needed to make sure that the water we will use to bathe him will be clean and pure which Legande guarantees with their Multipure Aqua Shower.

I don't regret having these products installed in my home. Now, I can have peace of mind when it comes to our drinking water and my son's bathing water because I know that both are as clean as it can possibly be. Isn't that something all Moms want for their babies?

If you want to sign up as a member or be part of their affiliate program, visit their office or check out their website.  Legande's office is located at Suite 406 West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Telephone numbers:
+63 (2) 8 635-6566 to 68
+63 (917) 579-8523 (Globe)
+63 (999) 999-0812 (Smart)

Believe in Yourself with Novuhair

2020. A new decade which means it's an entirely new beginning.

New Year has always been about new beginnings, new chances, and a new stake at life. A lot of people will come up with new years resolutions in the hopes that maybe, perhap, this year, they will actually turn that into a reality.

I, too, have some wishes for myself.

1. Sleep at least 6 hours a day.
2. Drink at least 6 glasses of water a day. 
3. Clean my face before sleeping.
4. Eat on time.
5. Eat more fruits.
6. Eat less carbohydrates.
7. Eat less sugary sweets.
8. Eat more veggies.
9. Have ME Time once a month.
10. Forgive more.
11. Say something kind more often.
12. Judge less.
13. Walk more.
14. Stretch muscles more.
15. Be more grateful.
16. Cleanse body with lemon water.
17. Let go of things you can't control.
18. Have a 5 minute quiet time once a day.
19. Read at least one book a month.
20. Do one random act of kindness.

These are all feasible and easy to do but if you are not able to stick to your resolutions, it's okay.

If you missed in adhering to your New Year's resolution on the 1st of January, here is another chance to making a new start.

Novuhair, nature's answer to hair loss together with Pambansang Fitness Coaches Jim & Toni Saret, shares how to achieve renewed wellness this 2020.

The Coaches reiterated that by setting smaller goals, it decreases the chances of being overwhelmed, thereby giving yourself a higher chance of achieving what you are aiming for.

During their Chinese New Year wellness event held at King Chef, Lucky Chinatown. Novuhair and the Coaches engaged on a variation of 1-minute workout that anyone is capable of doing without claiming that they don't have the time.

The coaches also addressed several issues on hair loss connected to fitness and nutrition which they will be sharing with everyone on several activities planned throughout the year.

The Coaches also encourages everyone to a wellness mantra to "Believe in yourself, You got nothing to Lose".

This Chinese New Year event complemented Novuhair's advocacy of wellness which jumpstarted with its partnership with Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso as one of their endorser who in turn donated his talent fee to the displaced victims of Taal Volcano Eruption.

To get more wellness tips and know more about Novuhair's wellness initiatives, follow their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NovuhairOfficial/.

Lemongrass House in Dusit Thani

A few days ago, I reviewed the essential oils of Lemongrass. Some of you asked if they have other products and I can honestly say that they have a TON of products.

What I liked about Lemongrass House is that they included babies and pets in their product line. After all, pets have become part of the family now and so they should be taken care of.

I personally have fallen in love with some of their products so one of the things I need to do soon is to drop by and buy some of the items that will be listed down below.

Lemongrass offers lip balms that are organic and shea butter to help combat stretch marks. I know that I will be needing a lot of this because I have been itching like crazy on my 9th month of pregnancy which guarantees the presence of stretch marks after I give birth.

They also have candles and if you have seen my home or office, you know that candles are one of my biggest obsession. I have candles everywhere and I make sure to light one when I feel undue stress.

These reed diffusers are good for the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. It helps to keep the smell fresh and inviting. It also lasts for at least 3 months so it's not wasteful at all.
 

They have organic products to be used on your pets available as well. I was able to get a dog shampoo for my dog and he was literally cleaner afterward. I also noticed that he wasn't sneezing afterward. When I use ordinary shampoo to bathe him, he ends up sneezing like crazy. Guess there really are harmful chemicals in there.

They also offer bars of soap. I tried the Wild Mint and liked it. I did wish that it had more of the mint zing to it like the Peppermint Soap of Pinto Museum. However, this one was also good and the bar of soap lasts for 2 months (it did with me.)

For those who may be interested, Lemongrass is located inside Dusit Thani. 

The Sole Retreat by Okada Manila

One of the things that I have sorely missed during this pregnancy is a good old massage and foot spa. You know, the one where you get taken to dreamland upon the touch of the therapist and you leave feeling like there's no problem in the world that can hurt you or stress you.

This is what The Sole Retreat by Okada promises and this is definitely where you will find me soon as I give birth which is just about any time now.

Thankfully, my Mom and brother were able to give this place a try and the praises and compliments they mentioned made me want to cry with envy but at the same time, propelled me to really commit to visiting this place sometime in February.

This is the waiting area or welcome lobby of The Sole Retreat Foot Spa by Okada.

This is how the inside looks like. I love that there's enough privacy if you are going by yourself but you can also make small talk if you are with friends or family.

I have to say that I am impressed with how things were designed. The chairs are definitely comfortable and the fact that it turns into a bed is really impressive.

The fact that the foot soak is also in place is definitely a plus sign because it can be quite awkward having someone clean your feet and be given a mild scrub then have to walk to where the actual massage area is. It defeats the purpose so I'm really appreciative of the thinking The Sole Retreat has given this aspect of the massage.

Here's my Mom trying out the manicure and pedicure. She's very picky so when she said that she loved how well they handled her nails, I knew that they must have trained their people really well. She normally has a lot to say but this time, she actually booked another session already with them. Talk about impressing someone not so easily impressed.

My brother, on the other hand, tried out their massage and facial.

They told him that the effect of his facial would be instantaneous and when I saw him, I believed them. For a minute, I thought he was wearing a foundation because his skin looked flawless!

However, their specialty is really their foot spa and reflexology.

The Sole Retreat Foot Spa and Reflexology Center offers high-quality spa-beauty-wellness-grooming treatments complemented by an exclusive range of products. Heal your spirit with Ingham Method that uses rhythmic finger and thumb walking technique that gives the benefit of pressure point therapy without the pain. The second signature treatment to stimulate good health is Asian Reflexology that uses deep finger, thumb- knuckle pressure and rubbing technique where pain represents the sensitivity of the nerve ending, which, should diminish over a series of treatments. Rejuvenate yourself with foot reflexology and other full-body traditional Asian massage techniques plus western facials, advanced hand/foot care.

For full relaxation and an overall luxurious spa experience, The Sole Retreat Foot Spa and Reflexology Center is equipped with 22 individual luxury foot spa thrones and 1 private lounge with 5 thrones. Each throne is adjustable to cater to a full-body dry-massage, facial, manicure/pedicure, nail art service or even eyelash enhancement.

This modern foot reflexology center transports guests to a place that can help them physically recharge and mentally decompress. The tranquil and contemporary setting is conducive to make every guest feel lighter on their feet, grounded and connected, and revitalized after every treatment. Wellness and grooming services can be delivered fully-clothe individually or simultaneously to supplement your active lifestyle especially if you are pressed for time. Should you not want your clothes to be used for the massage, a Massage Pajama is available upon request.

The therapeutic journey only takes an hour to an hour and a half. All one has to do is enjoy a ten-minute warm foot soak with shoulder and neck massage, then choose a treatment and cap it off with a ten-minute leg massage, full-body stretch, and application of aroma therapeutic sap patches to address specific needs.

The Sole Retreat Foot Spa and reflexology is now open. Visit and experience a new level of wellness and relaxation at 3rd Floor, Coral Wing, Okada Manila. For reservations and inquiries, you may call (+63)2 8555 5778 or e-mail thesoleretreat@okadamanila.com.

Review: doTERRA's Whisper Blend for Women

When I first heard about Whisper Blend for Women from doTERRA, I was a bit baffled. Why is this just for women? What's the effect? How do you use it? How will it affect men?

Apparently this blend can be used as a perfume. Since it combines with the chemicals in your body, the smell will always differ from women to women.

I've used this and thankfully, the combination on my skin gave out a soft womanly scent. It wasn't strong nor overpowering. It was just right. It's musky, warm, spicy, soft, yet sweet.

This one is made up of Jasmine and Ylang Ylang's euphoric aromas combined with the warm and spicy scents of Patchouli, Vanilla, and Cinnamon as well as Cocoa.

You just need to apply this to the wrist, back of the neck, and other pulse points to give off a distinct and individual fragrance. You can also diffuse it or dispense one to two drops on your palm and rub on clothing.

If you need a scent that will be distinctly unique, Whisper Blend from doTERRA is a great option that you should consider.

Review: Legande Essential Oils

With all the crazy happening around us, Taal erupting and the Corona Virus, it is no wonder that there is a need to calm the nerves and what better way to do it than with essential oils? If you have been reading this blog for some time, you will know that last year, I was introduced to essential oils and life has never been the same again.

Last month, I was introduced to yet another brand of essential oils and this time around, they had only 9 variants. Legánde’s essential oils come in three packages too: Mood Lifter, Stress and Pain Buster, and last but not least the Energy Booster.

Mood Lifter contains Lemongrass, Grapefruit, and Frankincense.

Stress and Pain Buster includes Tea Tree, Lavender, and Lemon.

Energy Booster includes Rosemary, Peppermint, and Orange.

Legánde’s essential oils can be used both topically and aromatically. It also comes in a sampler kit which comes with three 5ml bottles while the regular essential oils come in 15ml bottles.

I've been using Lavander and I can definitely say that this one is really effective. I've been having sleepless nights lately coz of the impending childbirth but I used it and I was out cold in an hour. Trust me when I say that this is a miracle.

I've also used the Lemon combined with Orange and it is simply amazing. The entire office was filled with Lemon scent eventhough it's not an enclosed space. It also sparked so much creativity in me! I LOVE IT!

As for the Frankincense, it has helped mellow the pain of M's foot which has been throbbing for days. I really love essential oils that work and replace medicine in a mild way.

Legande Essential oils may be only few in their variants but they are definitely not short in delivering the promises of their oils.

If you want to sign up as a member or be part of their affiliate program, visit their office
or check out their website.  Legande's office is located at Suite 406 West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Telephone numbers:
+63 (2) 8 635-6566 to 68
+63 (917) 579-8523 (Globe)
+63 (999) 999-0812 (Smart) 

REVIEW: Lemongrass House Essential Oils

The moment you step inside Dusit Thani, you will be wrapped with the scent of Lemongrass. It is very distinct and relaxing. In fact, it will make you want to stay put, breathe in, and just relax on the spot.

This boutique is the culprit. Lemongrass House is the store inside Dusit Thani that wraps your senses in it's calming scent making you feel very relaxed the moment you set foot inside. They are also the providers of the oils being used inside the spa of Dusit Thani.

The good news is that you can actually bring home the products from this store so you can have your very own spa-like feels at the comfort of your abode.

These are some of the essential oils that they offer. I know, it's massive. I was quite overwhelmed but I love the fact that they have so many in one sitting. I immediately checked out my all-time favorites of Lavander, Peppermint, and of course I had to check their Lemongrass since this is what they are known for.

The smell of the Lemongrass was really very calming. The owner also stated that we need to follow the instructions for each. Most people use non-essential oils to diffuse which does not give off the right scent and then complains.

I learned that there are oils meant for topical use, oils for diffusing, and then there are oils meant to be taken in. Do not mix them up because the effectivity of the essential oil will be compromised.

I tried out the Lavander and did 12 drops because my diffuser was quite big. I loved that the room was instantly wrapped in lavender scents and it lasted almost an hour.

She is the owner of Lemongrass, Miss Angelica. She is very hands-on with the sourcing of their essential oils and listening to her talking about how they source it as well as the process of producing their oils is very fascinating.

Price-wise, Lemongrass caters to the more elite. It's not cheap but then the quality of the oils is more on the pure side as it is not diluted which is why it also costs more.

If I had the spare money and really want to invest in oils, I'd definitely go for Lemongrass. After all, there has to be a reason why they are the oil that Dusit Thani uses and Dusit Thani is known for quality. 

REVIEW: Essential Roll-ons from The Spa

There are three things that you need in life to ensure that you are able to lead a life worth living.

ENERGY - to do the things you need to accomplish so you can have a comfortable life.

TRANQUILITY - peace of mind so that you are zen in things that you do and how you handle stress on a day to day living.

BALANCE - so that you never go off the deep end.

The Spa understands this which is why they have come up with essential oils that you can bring on the go to help you achieve ENERGY, TRANQUILITY, and BALANCE wherever you may be.

I love that these are on the go roll-ons. After all, as much as I want to stay inside The Spa and be all zen, I'm not able to coz life is happening all around us. With these roll-ons, I feel like I am able to bring a bit of The Spa with me wherever I go and it's a really big help.

When I feel all stressed out, I whip out BALANCE and put some on my wrist and head. I feel an instant sense of well being. The scents are really more than enough to put things in perspective. I guess this is another thing that amazes me.

A couple of rolls and you achieve something that takes months or years to do. The components of essential oils are simply magical.

When I feel lazy, dowdy, out of sorts, and just out of it, I use ENERGY and I feel motivated to work. I feel alive. I feel rejuvenated.

Lastly, when I feel sad, mad, or just not in a good place, I use TRANQUILITY and it instantly relaxes me. I feel some semblance of peace and I make sure I'm playing Zen music to boost the effect.

If you need to go to The Spa for some much-needed relaxation or rejuvenation but you are unable to do so, do yourself a favor and get these roll-ons instead. You will thank yourself for it in the long run.

Legande unveils new logo and Products

Last Saturday, Luxent Hotel bore witness to Legande's unveiling of its newest logo and tagline “Where infinite possibilities live”, as well as their newest products.

I personally love the new logo. It's very feminine and liberating. The old one was more masculine and strong. Since a lot of the newest products are aimed at health and wellness, the new logo feels more apt. 

The event was held at Luxent Hotel and it was graced by family, friends, brand partners, entrepreneurs, media, and supporters of Legánde, Inc. The ballroom was filled to the brim, with everyone hanging off the edge of their seats, excited to witness and have first hand dibs on the newest products and income opportunity that Legánde, Inc. has to offer.

Legánde, Inc. launched three new products that cater to health and wellness. They have the home essentials, health essentials, and beauty essentials. The home essentials include the Multipure Water Filtration Systems, the AquaDOME, AquaVERSA, and AquaMINI, that is backed by three certifications (ANSI 42 - Aesthetic effects; ANSI 53 - Health effects, and ANSI 401 - emerging compounds and incidental contaminants) from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) which users can upgrade with a Legánde Pre-filter. Under the same category is the Multipure Aqua Shower that is marked by a Water Quality Seal. The health essentials include 100% pure essential oils, gourmet teas, and life enzyme. The beauty essentials consists of argan oil for the face, hair, and body.

Multipure is the premier manufacturer of high-quality drinking water systems in the United States of America and have been in business for 50 years. They are all about improving the quality of life. Multipure is the original developer of solid carbon block technology.

The gourmet teas being offered by Legánde is not just any tea. These teas are what purists call as the real thing. Legánde Inc. offers green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and a fusion of green tea and jasmine flower tea. These are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant which is a shrub native to China and India. This contains unique antioxidants called polyphenols.

Essential oils are another addition to Legánde’s growing roster of products. This is an absolutely perfect addition because Legánde wants to provide its customers with a more positive lifestyle. Legánde’s essential oils come in three types: Mood Lifter, Stress, and Pain Buster, and last but not least the Energy Booster.

Mood Lifter contains Lemongrass, Grapefruit, and Frankincense. Stress and Pain Buster includes Tea Tree, Lavender, and Lemon. Energy Booster includes Rosemary, Peppermint, and Orange. Legánde’s essential oils can be used both topically and aromatically. It also comes in a sampler kit which comes with three 5ml bottles while the regular essential oils come in 15ml bottles.

Argan Oil is one of its most coveted beauty products so it makes sense that Legánde is offering this in 3 forms: Hair, Body, and Face. With its high Vitamin E and fatty acid content, argan oil is the ideal product to give skin a natural boost. It is easily absorbed because it is non-greasy and non-irritating, making it a natural moisturizer.

Lastly, they are also offering Life Enzyme which works better than most vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements. Enzymes speed up blood circulation, digestion, detoxification, and healing which are all necessary for the body. Legánde’s Life Enzyme contains 150 all natural whole fruits and vegetables as well as medicinal fungi and ancient Chinese herbs which underwent 1 year fermentation process. This slows down aging and aids in the relief of digestive disorders and boosts energy.

Legánde’s launch was led by Ramon F. Garcia, President and CEO of Legánde Inc. as well as Ramon Paolo Garcia Jr., Chief Operating Officer. With an impressive lineup of new products from Legánde, it is safe to say that Legánde is kicking off the year 2020 with a bang!

Ramon Garcia Sr. ended the night with this quote: “ We grow because we invest. We invest in our members and staff development. We invest in new technology. We invest in new products.

We invest in infrastructure to better our service. Now the result of caring, sharing, and investing
is that we grow, we grow together, we grow our business together, and we grow together to realize our members’ dream at a sustainable level.”

With Legánde, you can be healthy while being wealthy. 

Product photos: Captured by Mark Balmores

What you need to know about Ashfall?

Metro Manila and nearby provinces are currently experiencing ashfall due to the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano. A phreatic eruption, also called a phreatic explosion, ultravulcanian eruption or steam-blast eruption, occurs when magma heats groundwater or surface water.

Ashfall was felt in Las Pinas roughly an hour after the initial eruption of Taal Volcano this afternoon. I was out in our garden working on stuff when I initially felt dust falling. I found it odd because whoever feels dust falling on them?

So, why doe it matter if there is ashfall? 

Volcanic ash is abrasive, making it an irritant to eyes and lungs. Ashfall can cause minor to major damage to vehicles and buildings, contaminate water supplies, disrupt sewage and electrical systems, and damage or kill vegetation.

Acidic ash can also damage vegetation, leading to crop failure. In most eruptions, volcanic ash causes relatively few health problems, but generates much anxiety. People can be more fearful of the health hazards of volcanic ash and gases than of the risk of dying from more major hazards, such as pyroclastic flows.

So what do you need to know? 

1. Cover your nose and mouth. If you can get an N95 mask, better. If not, get the surgical mask. You can put 2 layers of tissue between your face and a regular Dura mask. This improves the ability to filter tiny dust particles up to about 75 – 90%, almost the same as an N95 mask. You can also use wet wipes instead of tissue.

2.  Make sure you are updated. Listen to the news and check on Twitter to know what's happening.

3. Close all windows and doors. Even if you have a screen door, the dust are microparticles that can go through even screen doors.

4. Cover your food. Wash it before cooking.

5. Wear glasses or goggles. Use an umbrella when going outside to minimize dust particles on your body and head. Wear a jacket too because the micro ashes can cause skin irritation.

6. As much as possible, make sure that your pets are in a safe space.

7.  Drive slowly or better yet, do not go out unless absolutely necessary.

8. Damp clothing will be your best friend. Have one nearby to ensure you have something to breathe on in case you don't have a face mask.

If there are elderly people in the house or babies, make sure you put damp clothing in the cracks of your door and windows to ensure their safety. 

9. Make sure you clear your roof of ash. Ashfall can easily escalate in terms of heaviness. Dust it off every few hours or so. Do not wash it off. It will harden and clog your gutters and sewers.

10. Humidifers and diffusers help clean the air. Put some peppermint essential oils to help you breathe better.

11. If you feel pain when breathing after being exposed to ashfall, consult a doctor immediately.  

Stay safe everyone! Pray hard.

PS. Get this type of N95 mask if possible. It has filters for added security.