BEAUTY BUZZ : HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GO TO THE DENTIST?

When was the last time you went to the dentist? That was a pretty tough question for me to answer until last Friday! Dental check-ups are one of the many things we would rather NOT do however, we need to be reminded of the things we SHOULD do, for our own good.

For one, a fresh breath is part of a good hygiene. Also, it's part of being nice to your neighbor (you know what I mean). And finally, you utilize your sense of taste every single day, so it wouldn't hurt if you devote a little time to give them a "spa" if you will.

I have had my share of braces-days before. Way back, it was such a cool thing to have. Yet, mine was a different case, I had a cross-bite teeth back then and it was so painful to the point that I'm having fever when my braces were freshly-adjusted.

 So, after my braces have been removed, I sort of enjoyed the liberty to skip monthly dental check-ups. Not until I felt some pain on my upper right molars (bagang). I rushed to my dentist at once! #Praning

Here are some (basic) FRIENDLY REMINDERS about taking care of our precious teeth:

♣ We only have one set of teeth.

That goes both for our baby and permanent set of teeth. Imagine, one wrong bite of that crunchy chicharon can change the way we look entirely (specially if we broke our 2 front teeth). My dentist told me that eating with your natural teeth is different. You savor the food in its maximum potential with natural teeth as opposed to false teeth. Makes sense.

♣ Flossing is important specially if you're above 25.

A write up from sheknows.com revealed that "After age 25 it is important to your health to floss more than anything else." I plead guilty. I mean, I don't have any major teeth problems, but the fact is, I am not taking good care of my teeth to the point of flossing it! Maybe I should, starting today? :)

CMK EATS : BAG OF BEANS TAGAYTAY (JUST DESSERTS! EDITION)

Located within the heart of Tagaytay, BAG OF BEANS will give you yet another good reason to inhale a fresh air and catch up with your loved ones asap! I'm sure pictures on today's post will make you drool but let's discuss these yummies a little bit more. Shall we?

As you are well aware, specially if you're a regular on CMK EATS series, I have made a couple of reviews about Bag of Beans (latest HERE). Truth be told, long before I started blogging, going at Bag of Beans (at least twice a year) has been a family ritual ever since. 

I've come up with a JUST DESSERTS edition so we'll skip raving about the ambiance, main courses and the like for now. Sooo, let's go on and start with the yummy list:

BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

To say it's delicious won't do any justice to this masterpiece! For about Php 170 (approx), you can sink in your teeth with an ICE-CREAM like creation. The blueberries are too good to be true. Their syrup is just right, it glides with the mixture of graham base so well. This is their best seller. Some says that the reason they braved the road to the South is for them to indulge with this cheesecake that, contrary to its name, won't make you blue.

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE

A cousin of blueberry cheesecake, this caters to those people who like a sweet, tangy concoction. It's my first time to try this one since Blueberry is more hyped, but this is as good! In fact, I tend to like it better since it's not too sweet plus it's more imagine-able to have fresh strawberries here in our country rather than blueberries. Hands down, this is a must try!

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

MONEY MATTERS : HOW TO OPEN A FIRST ASSET METRO, INC. (FAMI) MUTUAL FUND?

Knowing you need to make a change isn't enough. You've got to find the guts to do it. I've been reading some quotes from Rich Dad, Poor Dad's author, Robert Kiyosaki. I am encouraged on how he puts premium on learning.

It was early this year when I decided to act upon my long term goal and that is to create a passive income. I've experienced how it is to invest in stocks and recently, in mutual funds. 

 I am somehow familiar with the process by the time I opened a FAMI Mutual Fund (MF) account since a week before that, I opened a MF at ATR Kim Eng (click HERE). FAMI is a part of the Metrobank Group.

Step 1: Visit FAMI's office personally.

You know the drill. They need to see you in flesh to sign some documents. However, there is another option. You can open an account from any METROBANK branches. I once considered this option, but after a phone conversation with FAMI's representative, opening via branch will take a considerable amount of time since they have to have the documents delivered and so on.

♣ Tip: If possible, visit FAMI's office directly. Specially if you happen to be near the area. This is only a ONE TIME process, so why not make things easier. Again, only if possible. It may save you a lot of stress. They have another branch in Binondo and one in Cebu.

MAKATI OFFICE: 18th Floor PS Bank Center, 777 Paseo de Roxas Avenue corner Sedeño Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City

Step 2: Fill up the documents.

Part of every investment process is to accomplish a client risk assessment form. Just so you know what to expect. High risk, high returns. Low risk, low returns. It's pretty much the same but it's optimum to answer the questions after giving much thought.

♣ Tip: Bring an ID with picture with you. They will photocopy it for you.

OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS 7-IN-1 REVIEW (THOUGHTS AND RESULTS)

I'll be the first to admit that I'm quite prudent on beauty products. I developed a habit of having a cap (maximum amount) for each product and I won't dare to go beyond that otherwise, it becomes a luxury. Following that line of thought, my friends (Hi Zen!) shared some good results about our gem for the day. She mentioned that her skin got fairer and supple after months of usage. Thinking about it, I still managed to pass since my current moisturizer costs Php 375 for 50 mg. Half the price of the most celebrated beauty product on our Skype discussions.

Then one day, I came pass the Olay botique and asked for my usual moisturizer (click HERE). I should say that the regal black and gold packaging serves it marketing duty real right. I asked Ms. Olay what made it different from other products and she showcased the 7 in one benefit. In the midst of her talk, I noticed one thing. It has a "mini" version! And it costs Php 375. This is a done deal!
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CMK HAPPY THOUGHTS:

☺The Majestic Pump. I had my old moisturizer in a pot. 

Allowing me to swoop big sizes instead of the 

suggested pea size each usage. This is a genius workaround. 

I hope all facial moisturizers have that feature.

☺7-in-1 and then one. It tackles fine lines and wrinkles | 

uneven tone | age spots | uneven texture | dryness | 

dullness | pores. That makes it 7. Another bonus is it

 also serves as a fairness cream. Very nice.

☺Texture. Some moisturizers are "hot" on the surface. 

Not with this one. Substance strategically glides and 

gets absorbed by your skin in no time. What's NOT to love? 

Here's my Before and After picture. 
Notice the fine lines specially below the eye.
PS: In case you find it weird, let me explain the 
violet liner on September 2013 pic,
I've used this picture as a swatch on my 
MEMEME's Eyeliner review HERE.

AFTER ARGAN OIL, LET'S MEET MARULA OIL (FACIAL MOISTURIZER)

By this time, you probably may have heard about the Argan Oil. An oil beauty forums have discussed specially since early this year. I've received a package from Saladbox (HERE) and MARULA OIL is one of the contents. At face value, it seems to be the same ordinary oil anyone can see. And so I did a little familiarization. Here are some juicy tidbits lifted from African Botanics (SITE):

Marula Oil supports the natural buildup of the skin’s lipid layers and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Marula Oil is ideal for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, sun damaged skin, post-treatment, stretchmarks and scar tissue while providing nutrition to the skin.

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•     Softens & minimizes the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles.
•     Improves & restores skin elasticity for a more youthful & radiant skin.
•     Improves skin tone & firmness.
•     Soothes irritation.

ON PERSONAL FINANCE AND GREEN LIVING SHOWS (IWANTV FOR FREE?)

Like 99% of my posts in this blog, this piece is not sponsored. I write because I think this is worth sharing. ☺ Let me tell you how did I come to know this fun discovery. There are lifestyle shows that I am a fan of. 

Catch is, they are not that as popular to be included on pinoy-tv links. I'm happy with the youtube re-runs, however, they STOPPED posting their youtube replays.

What are those shows, you ask? Promise me you won't judge ☺Without further blahs and explanations, here they are! 

 ANC On The Money

I've stumbled upon this show through mommy. There I was, tinkering my keyboard when she stormed in my room saying: "Anak, look at this show, ang pogi ng host! Eto yung mga tipo mo!" Owh-key! Thanks mom, for knowing me too well. So moving on! (Bakit ba napunta dito?) Let's head over to the real meat.

I love the show for it being informative and easy to understand. I also found myself enrolling at Registered Financial Planner Philippines, as a starter. In the show, you'll find tips and newbie-friendly action items to keep you going. This is the show that stopped posting their Youtube reruns. Good news is they still publish their daily episodes via Iwantv. Photo Source: ANC On The Money Facebook Page.

 

Shoptalk

The show airs once a week. It offers a fresh variety of businesses together with emerging entrepreneurs all over the metro. This is where I found JUJU EATS (Review HERE) among all other rare finds. I also adore how Ria speaks English so well. Her twangs is so sophisticated. But that's just an icing. She talks with substance and I love her dresses.

Show-wise, my entrepreneurial dreams are being awakened each time I see people braving the uncertainty of leaving big corporate slots in exchange of a business jungle journey. More often that not, it's worth it. And again, DOING WHAT YOU LOVE, is definitely a way to go.

CMK READS : TOP 5 THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM "RICH FOR LIFE" BY DENNIS SY

Thursday morning. I was  grumpy. I had a stiff neck as a by-product of my reckless gym routine stretches. Now, "no-pain, no-gain" has an all new meaning to me. (insert annoyed funny face here.. Pfft).

Then, I realized, instead of mumbling, I'll just enter a zen-like status and put this "spare time" to good use. I brought home quite a few books from MIBF 2013 (some scoop HERE). And the first book to read ... RICH FOR LIFE by Dennis Sy.

First time I saw him was he's beside Thammie (his wife). On a Coffee Mate commercial. It's hard not to miss those eyebrows, really. Peace! :) I've seen some of his podcasts for Victory Christian Fellowship and most recent encounter was when we attended an Investment Conference coined as iCon last May 2013 (he's one of the speakers). 

In case he looks really familiar, he was the officiating pastor on Richard Poon and Maricar Reyes' wedding.

As I flip through the pages, I imagine Pastor Dennis' voice echoing on the background. Here are my TOP 5 TIDBITS from RICH FOR LIFE, if you may:

♣ In our quest to be rich, one has to begin with a right mindset.

You are a son (or daughter). You are no longer a slave. Like a swish of fresh air, my eyes lit up. I knew I'm in for a treat! A contract is when both parties have to fulfill their part. If one fails to deliver, the other party may opt NOT to do his part. A covenant, is different. He expounds. A covenant says, I love you even if you don't love me anymore. I'll remain faithful to you even if you're now unfaithful to me. And that's GOD telling us just that. <sweet>

So, how is this connected with being rich? Simple. Being rich starts with the mind. With the thought knowing with GOD, I can make things happen. Abraham cannot see Sarah's baby bump but he believed that he will be a daddy of many nations. Maybe it's time that we claim the promise of a prosperous living! That's just the tip of the iceberg. And so I read on...

 

  

♣ Money in your hands? There's a reason why you have those.

My favorite part is a chapter called The Purpose of Wealth. It's so easy to be swayed when you're on a rat race and this is a welcome reminder for us, yuppies. Allow me to paraphrase a clip from the book:

There was a girl named Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu who felt called to ministry when she was a teenager... One day, she approached her superiors and said "I have 3 pennies and a dream from GOD to build an orphanage." Her superiors said, "You can't build an orphanage with 3 pennies. You can't do anything with that."

Agnes smiled and said "I know. But with God and 3 pennies, I can do anything." In 1979, Agnes "Mother Theresa" won the Nobel Prize for her humanitarian work. -p.35 

SCRIBBLED NOTES #15: HE LOVES ME JUST THE SAME

Last night, without rhyme or reason, I've come to realize that it's true! There are so much to be thankful for in this life. 

I've been moved by the fact that GOD LOVES US so much. Maybe it will come to you as a cliche, but in an airplane, where I can see how vast the skies and space are, I am nearly lost for words (and ideas) how come a BIG GOD loves a small me.

I suddenly recalled a picture I saw from Facebook. See left. Isn't it amazing? No matter how much we mess up, JESUS loves us just the same? 

Sometimes we see God as a strict principal walking to and fro the hallways of our life. Maybe it's time to view God as a loving Father. God may not be pleased with all your actions, but He loves you just the same. I believe it's not an accident that you're reading this post today. 

MONEY MATTERS : HOW TO ACCESS BDO INVESTMENT (UITF) ONLINE?

Source: HERE

I've been amazed on how technology makes our lives easier! You want to book a flight? Possible. You want to buy a dress? Possible. Now, you want to check your investment portfolio? Possible! This computer age has changed our lives more than words can say. And while there are setbacks in this era, I'd like to focus on how we can use this to our advantage.

As young working class, we need to entertain the thought of investing for our future. We've seen one too many examples of people burning their savings then groping for a tiny money to get by. Well, if you want to look at investing in another light, you can think of it as saving up for that grand Europe trip (starry eyed)! Or whatever excites you.

Investing is simply making your money produce more money by itself. It has a fancy name, PASSIVE INCOME. One of the popular investments is Unit Investment Trust Fund or UITF. I've written a step by step guide on how to open one at your nearest BDO branch (click HERE).

Now that you've done a good job of making that initial investment, we of course want to KEEP TRACK! BDO Online Banking lets you do just that in 3 easy steps. HOW TO ACCESS BDO INVESTMENT (UITF) ONLINE?

ME ME ME GLITTER ME UP DUAL ENDED EYELINER REVIEW

For once in my college life, I had a penchant for anything violet (or purple). So much that even my gel pens are screaming purple! I suddenly recall those days when I opened my Saladbox for August 2013. It includes this beauty to your left, among many other cute arsenals.

I do have a sticky feature, and for eyeliners, black is always a way to go. It's always been that way... until now. Let's go through some details:

PRODUCT: ME ME ME GLITTER ME UP DUAL ENDED EYELINER | Color: Purple | Price: Php 390

Size: 2 x 3 ml Available at: Saladbox (Click HERE)

CMK HAPPY THOUGHTS:

☺Buildable. Specially the solid one. I like the fact that you can even use it as an eye shadow on its own!

  
☺ Quirky. Admit it, it's not everyday that you get to know an eyeliner with a fresh color. Just as long as you won't wear this on a corporate job interview, I think you'll be fine.

☺Tip Applicator is awesome. I'm having a hard time applying a liquid eyeliner specially on my left eye, with this thing, I'd say the tip is fair. No obvious outliers, so that's yey.

☺Packaging. It's such a happy thought. With the silvers and reds going on. Plus, it's plastic so it's really light and compact.
 

CMK SHOPS : BOOK SHOPPING AT MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 2013

Happy Thought: I got an invitation from one of the Reader Conference Organizations in Manila. I've been invited to share my recommended book list for my niche (bloggers / young professionals, commonly known as yuppies). It's an event that will happen sometime November 2013 at Ateneo de Manila University. I'm excited to share my book list with the participants. Yey! I'll let you know some more details soon.

Manila International Book Fair 2013 is still ongoing (till tomorrow). I hope you took some time to visit the fair. It's so much fun that I look forward to this event every September of each year. I dropped by at the event last Wednesday, some scoop HERE, and as promised I'll be sharing with you some all of the books (and magazines) I've purchased. I've broken them down into different segment so I can share my quick thoughts on each one.

BETTER THAN GOOD by Zig Ziglar. Zig was one of my inspirations when I was about to take my CPA board examination way back. If you've read his book, Something to Smile About, I'm sure you got encouraged. It's all about fighting a good fight and doing so with smile and integrity. 

9 to 5 MILLIONAIRE. Book was written by Leila Hernandez (see picture above). I saw her first when she graced ANC On The Money. Let's see how a regular employee get her millions and beyond! 

STOCK SMARTS by Marvin Germo. I'm sure you've seen him in one of various finance segments all over. He's nice and bubbly in person. I'm impressed on how he took a leap from IT to Financial Service industry.

I've chanced upon the Summit Media booth and found these 2 magazines appealing. I've been on the lookout for a business venture (other than paper assets) but I need to consider all angles before dipping into anything. I guess this Entrepreneur mag is a good way to warm up. For the Women's Health, well, here goes my fit-spiration since we're both big boned. If she did it, I believe I can. So help me, God.

You know one of my guilty pleasures! It's ARCHIE COMICS. Honestly, I find the Archie Married Life series a bit dragging (review HERE), so I'm just reverting to their high school era when things were warm and fuzzy. The dictionary was a freebie. I only noticed that when I took inventory of my shopping loot. Thanks National Bookstore!

CMK TRAVELS : TOP THINGS TO DO IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (PART 2)

Moving forward with our second series of the recent Kuala Lumpur saga of yours truly, prepare for another 5 things to do today. Take a peek at Part 1 (HERE). 

Go Mall Hopping.

I don't know about your 'trips' in your trips but for me, scouring malls is a must do. It gives me a picture on how it is like to be a local in a foreign place. I get excited when it's past office / school hours and then people are starting to hit the mall with their friends or families. Of course I may not understand their native language, but the fact that people get together to catch up with each other's lives astounds me. Truly, LOVE is spelled as TIME. (insert mushy face here). ☺

Look at the first picture. Did you just notice?! There was a CONJURING digital movie poster there! We went at Berjaya Times Square where Longchamps, Gucci and other high end stores lurk around. We also visited Suriya mall before we took some pictures and rest for a while at one of their water parks.

Go Food Tripping!

Another travel-to-do staple! I love their char kuay teow! And it's so affordable, only Php 260 for a to share plate. This is a hotel rate, so expect a lower tag within malls or sidewalks. I loved their chicken satay too with a curry sauce on the side. Weird as it is, I ordered a Pad Thai and Green Mango Salad. It was SPICY! Ratio of water to food is 2 gulps of water per 1 teaspoon. How's that?!

Tip: It's more fun at KL's China Town! Haha. Prices are affordable and they have this wintermelon drink that is uber refreshing. Had I known that the drink tastes good, I should've ordered 2 cups. Another tip: Look for a NANDO's Chicken Restaurant. There's one at Berjaya and another across AnCasa Hotel. They're practically everywhere so you won't have a hard time looking for it. Their chicken, specially their dips, are mouth watering. Now I know why I gained a few more pounds after the trip. 0.0

Visit Batu Caves.

It is a steep 272-step climb up, which is both a Hindu temple and shrine. If you're in KL proper, you need to travel by train. First, you need to ride a metro going to KTM commuter (it's like Korail in Korea). I believe this transportation is for longer-than-usual travels (city to provinces).

The trip was hassle free. Fare was minimal too. Depending on the season, expect a humid weather. Lather sun screen if you must. Since this is a shrine, expect devotees (mostly Indians) paying respects to their gods. ALSO, monkeys and pigeons are all over the place. So, if they freak you out, you might want to reconsider. For me, the place served as a culture appreciation setting. There you'll see families praying on different temples.

Dine at KL's China Town.

MY MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 2013 (SMX CONVENTION) EXPERIENCE

You've heard me raving about Manila International Book Fair often this week, be it via twitter or blog post, and today is their first day (Go MIBF 2013)! I've been running a tight schedule these days since I have to teach mornings of MTH and go to my fitness routine mornings of TF, since Wednesdays are my free day, I decided to be a buena-mano at MIBF this year! Only catch was that I went there alone. Special thanks to Kuya who snapped this picture for me. 

Entrance fee is only Php 20. I think students can go in for free. It's literally across SM Mall of Asia. They also have package counters to make your book shopping life easier.

This year, I'd say I've splurged on my book cravings! I purchased quite a lot, so much that I think the books are enough to keep me occupied for the next months. In this post, I'll be sharing with you the booths I have visited, my thoughts on them and some tips. I'll be publishing my book loots on a separate post.

CHURCH STRENGTHENING MINISTRY (CSM)

Then and now, it's my favorite booth. Why? They offer QUALITY BOOKS for a lot less. They went as far as lowering down their profit (if there's any at all). They sell ALL BOOKS for Php 100. They offer quality books from diverse genres. If you're familiar with Marvin Germo, Randell Tiongson, Dennis Sy, Ed Lapiz, Francis Kong - CSM is their publisher. Is that cool or what?

This was the first booth that I visited. I arrived at around 11:30 am-ish and found the booth jam packed already. I saw Marvin Germo and Leila Hernandez there. Even the hot-off-the-press book releases retail for Php 100. CSM staff were funny and kept the place lively. They hold a raffle every hour and their booth was a riot (in a good way) ☺

♣ Tip: If you can, plan the books you want to buy before going there. Also, ask for help from the pleasant CSM staff (they are in Orange shirt). In my case, Kuya got all my books and packed them, he then handed me the receipt so I can give the payment in their cashier. After payment, I can claim my purchases back from him (read: No hassle, salamat po).

♣ Tip: I discovered that not all books are displayed as they control the numbers of book being sold. I asked Ate for Francis Kong's book and noticed they got the pieces from their storeroom. Had I failed to asked her, I would've thought it was out of stock. Don't be afraid to ask :)

NIVEA VISAGE SPARKLING WHITE PORE MINIMIZER REVIEW

Do you apply facial moisturizer at night time? Studies say you should. Night time is when the skin rejuvenates and heal itself. It was only first quarter of 2013 that I've joined the crew. I've used Celeteque before (review HERE) and now, I'm trying a new product that tickled my fancy.

I've known Nivea since I was a kiddo. Yes, that blue tin can is what mum used to lavish on her face during night time. I find this gem among SM racks and decided to give it a go. I've been using it for some weeks now and so far, this is what I gotta say.

DETAILS:

Product: NIVEA VISAGE SPARKLING WHITE PORE MINIMIZER  

Type: Night Cream

Price: Php 220 (approx) for 30 ml.

CMK HAPPY THOUGHTS:

☺Rich texture. It's one of those products that do not disappear too soon. 
You can feel the lather for quite sometime before it gets absorbed by your skin.

☺Price. I think it's economical. Nivea, being a global skin and body-care brand owned by a German company (Beiersdorf), is one of the classic beauty grails. 
This retailing for a few hundred pesos is quite a bargain.

☺That familiar scent. If you're a nostalgic junkie like me, the smell 
will transport you back on your grade school days. When you're persuading 
mum to allow you to put a lotion on your 8-year-old skin then.

CMK WISHFUL THOUGHT:
☻Glass Container. It's small yes. But it's heavy for its size. Won't be an issue if you're not traveling (and nearing over baggage) though. However, be careful not to break the pot.

CMK SWEATS : 5 TIPS WHEN GOING (BACK) TO ANY FITNESS ROUTINE

I've been plump for as far as I can recall, and over time, I've learned to embrace this bodacious structure. Thanks to my friends who encouraged me to do just that. 

However,  the question of being fit goes beyond the size of the dress one is wearing. It may mean your endurance and resistance to any disease. It may mean you're maintaining a positive attitude when stress comes in. Whatever that means, I am in a point in my life when I want to be fit, or fitter!

I've got to explicitly give credit to the Lord. (I believe) He allowed some untoward circumstances in my life that made that shocking push to go back to my dreams of working out. I don't know, it's just that one day, I feel so down and anxious, then a thought hit me! I need to be positively busy, and if I use the same energy to exercise instead of sulking, it will do me more good than harm!

 5 TIPS WHEN GOING (BACK) TO ANY FITNESS ROUTINE

Manage your expectations. When embarking to any new endeavor, be it investing or exercising, one has to manage her expectations. It's good to have goals, but be realistic about them. Know that the dream body of yours will come, but in due time... with your effort and discipline.

Do not drink coffee before the workout. Trust me, I've learned the hard way. There I was, exercising when I felt the dire need to throw up. Geez. Embarrassing Moment #121! My coach told me that caffeine makes you palpitate and dehydrates you. Now, I know.

Keep a food diary for at least 3 days. Coach asked me to list all my food intake in these days: Workout Day, Non-workout Day, Weekend. List all the food and drinks. And their respective serving size. That's it. You don't have to do this everyday if you find it tiring. I think the point is, we need to be aware on what (food) goes into our body.

Expect body pains. If you've been idle for the past 5 months like me, expect a post-hazing body pain. I'm kidding ☺Don't let that scare you! Seriously, you'll experience some soreness because the muscles that were sleeping for so long were put into good use. It's a wake up call to your lazy fat-scles, if you like!

Know that it's a lifestyle. You don't do this today and come back next month. It's pretty much like eating. Exercising should be part of who you are. It requires a HUGE amount of EFFORT yes, but I'm sure you'll reap the benefits in time. It would be a great help if your workout (gym, yoga, biking, etc) fits in to your schedule. Like, if your schedule is mid-shift, you do your thing in the morning, etc.

CMK EATS : TWG (GREENBELT 5) REVIEW

TWG Tea stands for The Wellness Group. It is a  luxury concept that incorporates an international distribution network to professionals, unique and original retail outlets and exquisite tea rooms. A veritable tea institution, TWG Tea is passionate about sharing their expertise and has become a point of reference for tea lovers thirsty for knowledge (Source).

Consider this a capsule review since I've tasted only a pair of TWG tea and pastry. I've never heard of a luxury tea brand before so this was a new experience for me.

Hazelnut Mousse (Php 220)

It is a dessert that's mouth watering. Sweetness is not overpowering and the texture is two-thumbs up. Slice is large enough to share if you don't have a sweet tooth, really. This concoction is made of premium ingredients and to say it's delicious will be an understatement. I only have pleasant words to this piece.

The White Tea (Php 295 per serving)

Yes, you may pick up your jaw from the floor now. It's too expensive, I know. And I agree with you, gracefully. Maybe it's just the novice in me but I can't appreciate the x-factor from that tea. Tea from other brands do more justice on the price tag in terms of its flavor and aroma, but again, maybe that's just me. ☺

TWG Ambiance 

For once in my tea-drinking life, I feel like I'm somewhere 'royal'. The moment you step into the shop, the 'butlers' were more than happy to make you comfortable all the way. The warm lighting and grand furniture, coupled with golden pots and ceramic tea cups have sealed TWG's 'your highness' edge.

TOP 5 REASONS WHY IT'S MORE FUN AT MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 2013

Take it from someone who went at MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR (MIBF) not once, not twice but THRICE last year! It was my first time last September 2012 to visit a book fair and I got addicted that I ended up visiting SMX 3 times with different set of friends.

Books are man's ultimate companion. Specially on a rainy day with hot cup of coffee. There's something special with the sound of flipping pages. And also their smell. Am I the only weird creature around here? ☺

I've listed Top 5 reasons why visiting the fair will work at your advantage. It doesn't matter if you dig comics (Archie, Manga fans:  you guys!), fiction, self-help or just about any genre imaginable - you'll definitely find a sweet corner here. Click the image on the left to zoom in.


  TOP 5 REASONS WHY IT'S MORE FUN AT MIBF 2013

REASON #5: Get your favorite books at a bargain. Last 2012, I got 5 books at Php 100 each at CSM booth. My loot has a mixture of self-help and inspirational books. If you're starting to tick those CHRISTMAS list for your loved ones, this is the perfect opportunity to start. Note that Powerbooks, National Bookstore and other major bookstores are joining the fair too. Some 2014 planners are available this early.

REASON #4: Great bonding time with friends. Yes, coffee chat is a classic idea but scouring for a good book is a perfect bonding activity too! Sophie and I ended up buying Archie Comics at 20% discount. Check my book (or comic) review HERE. My personal favorites include books from Paulo Coelho and Ed Lapiz, among others.

 

REASON #3: Find some unusually cool stuff. The moment I saw this Manga Bible, I knew it! God's word is for everybody! I saw this at OMF booth. Notice the yellow SALE tag. This might be a perfect gift to your 15-year-old nephew! This is the first time I saw a cartoon based Bible and it's such a happy thought.

DOVE PURE SPRAY DEODORANT REVIEW

I've been using another product before, but for some reason, it went out of stock everywhere! Seeing that Block & White deo sprays are from Unilever, I took a hint and tried another product under the same brand. That's when I discovered DOVE Pure Spray variant. Price is Php 169.75 and it's available on your major beauty stores and supermarkets.

CMK HAPPY THOUGHTS:

☺Promise of Purity. DOVE is saying NO to parabens, fragrance, colourants and alcohol. I surmise most products are better when used in their purest form, so hands down.  

☺ Bigger than the rest of deo-spray types. It's 169 ml and heavier compared to its competitors. Which again links to the product's value for money over time.

☺Quality Nozzle. I'm very particular with this since we can't get much of pressurized substances without it. There's a rubber on top of the nozzle making it easier to squeeze to the left and to the right! Look at the last picture on this post.

CMK WISHFUL THOUGHT:

☻48 hour promise? Not really. I noticed that the protection seems to fade after 30 hours. Which is not bad, of course. However, the promise printed on the tin can is somewhat misleading. Well, that's just me. 

MONEY MATTERS : HOW TO INVEST IN BANCO DE ORO (BDO) UITF ACCOUNT?

"How am I supposed to get invested when I am intimidated by all these numbers? I just want to yank my money onto some place trustworthy and forget the rest of the number games!" said my friend when our discussion tapped into important things that can make people rich (click HERE). 

My friend's sentiment makes perfect sense, don't you think?  While it's okay to encourage people to try stock market investing (directly), others may veer away due to it being all figures and more. Paano daw ang allergic sa math? :))



Then there's good news! Leading banks  offer an investment product called Unit Investment Trust Fund or UITF. I'll leave you googling about these terms but simply put, it works like mutual funds (pakikibakas). One of the notable differences is that UITF is being handled by banks while mutual fund is managed by financial institution.

If you are a young professional who wants to set apart a fund for whatever purposes (retirement, travel, wedding, etc.) - you might find this interesting. 

HOW TO INVEST IN BDO UITF ACCOUNT?

1. Visit any BDO branch. This is mandatory since the bank has to see that your money is not a result of theft or anything. Bank personnel need to validate your existence and signature. It's more like opening a savings bank account.

TIP: Call your bank branch in advance. I've read in some forums that some bank representatives do not know anything about this product. To ensure that your effort will not go to waste, call in advance and get the name of your contact person. When you personally visit the branch, look for your friendly bank rep.

2. Fill out their Account Opening Kit. No, this is not a quiz. They just need to make sure you understand the risks and rewards of investing in UITF. You just check the boxes and based on  your preferences, they'll assess which product best suits your financial goals.

3. Hand over your initial investment to BDO representative. Their minimum investment is Php 10,000. I'm sure by this time, the pleasant BDO lady will share with you some pointers about UITF.

TIP: What you need to be familiar with is the price of each unit. UITF is UNIT investment trust fund. Each share is called a unit in a UITF world. When buying something, HOW MUCH is an important question.