Simply Blogilicious

Every Christmas is a #MerrySMChristmas

2014-11-23T19:04:00.000+08:00

Lots of people dread Christmas shopping. And who can blame them? The hardship begins with looking for a good parking space---this can be a challenge in itself as most people during this time spend the WHOLE day shopping and available spaces can be as scarce as diamonds in a cave. I've even asked for intercession from the saints in desperation! Let's not even talk about those that are ill-mannered enough to try to steal the space you obviously have dibs on.

Next are the crowds of, let's face it, more often than not, rude people. People who have no sense of personal space, who cut lines, or are just generally nasty, making life harder for hapless salespeople who are already harassed enough as it is. Crowded malls always mean long check out lines---it's as inevitable as nightfall.

Last, but not the least, after hours of shopping and aching feet, the icing on the cake is (drum roll)... TRAFFIC.

Of course, one could always shop early and avoid the above headache, but who has money to spend on gifts that early? Aside from day to day expenses, maintenance, tuition, and other stuff that must be prioritized, there just doesn't seem to be enough left for what seems to be "frivolity". This is where the 13th month pay or Christmas bonus is usually used for.

But I and my family make use of this day---we usually just take a day to do our shopping---(2 days tops!) to bond. As work from home parents (both of us are artists), we don't really do much going out. But when we do, especially around Christmas time, there's a special feeling that comes with spending a whole day with our kids in one and place and trying to beat the clock---the adrenalin rush to get all our shopping done leaves us all with a heady feeling. It makes us all look more kindly upon the harassed sales clerks and the long lines. Even the traffic fails to dampen our mood.

We love going to SM Malls for this yearly ritual, frankly because everything's there. Branded or not, they're all there. Also, there are lots of places to eat, depending on what we feel like eating and of course, our budget. We particularly like the fact that there's always a big and conveniently located CR on every floor---believe me, when you're shopping with small kids, this is a BIG deal.

I'm sure the staff at SM are ready for this season---after all, it IS a yearly thing. But coming up with inventive ways to entice customers to keep coming definitely requires ingenuity and skill. Just take a look at this video:

There is this special thing SM has come up with that will make giving even more special and meaningful. Imagine buying 2 bears big enough to cuddle for just Php200.00! That's cheap :) But that's not the best part---one bear is for you to keep or give away to whomever you want and the other is for a poor little orphan. Just imagine both you and the recipient each hugging a bear at the same time. I'm definitely putting this on my shopping list :)

To learn more about SM Cares' Bears of Joy, click here: http://smcares.com.ph/newsevents/?p=993

To know more about the great events at SM Malls this season, click here: http://bit.ly/MerrySMChristmas

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!!

I GoBigger and GoBetter with Globe

2013-09-19T01:36:00.002+08:00

As a WAHM, budget is everything. SO goes my endless search for better deals and bigger savings...this is how I came across Globe's Bigger and Better prepaid promo. I mean, just look at what it has to offer:

Only Globe Prepaid gives me Bigger and Better unli offers.

Go Bigger
– GoCALL100 gives me more call minutes (500 mins) VS Competitors offer (200 mins). No need to use prefix to enjoy unlicalls.
– With GoUNLI30, I get real unlimited service with unli allnetwork texts, unli calls to Globe TM, plus the real UNLI-chat experience with the best apps available. It’s the real deal compared to competitor’s UNLI offer.

Go Better
- GoUNLITXT49 gives me the same UNLI texts to Globe/TM at a BETTER prices VS Competitors offer.
– With GoUNLI25, I get real unlimited service w/ unli Globe/TM calls and texts, plus unli Viber chat to the rest of my friends. It’s the real deal compared to competitor’s UNLI offer.

http://www.globe.com.ph/gocall100

http://www.globe.com.ph/gounli49

http://www.globe.com.ph/gounli30

http://www.globe.ph/gounli25

Sun Cellular, The Good Choice in Postpaid

2013-04-22T13:45:00.000+08:00

Looking for a postpaid plan that gives you the best value for your money in terms of calls and texts? Well, I've seen a lot of good deals around lately but I've never seen one that gives you cool phones for really low monthly rates---that's why Sun Cellular is the good choice in postpaid! Check out the really cool deals below :)

Electrolux HUSH Happier at Home

2013-03-03T15:15:00.003+08:00

After having spent over 40 years of my life in the middle of it all in Cubao, Quezon City, our move to Angono, Rizal is a breath of fresh air----literally! In my old home, people are shouting on the streets, cars, jeeps, and buses sound there horns indiscriminately, and the smell of smoke and smog is what greets you when you step out of the safety of your home.

Here in the mountains----what else can you call it when you have to drive up steep inclines and your ears pop from the pressure?---it's an entirely different scenario altogether. It's like being at a resort in the sense that the air is fresh and cool, and it's so quiet---but not eerily so...it's a peaceful, calm kind of quiet that relaxes and helps you think clearly. It's a vacation without end!

Speaking of quiet, it's so quiet here that your heart will leap with fright at the sound of the door banging or a book falling. It's really rather embarrassing when I switch on our old vacuum cleaner---it's like turning on a chainsaw inside a monastery! Same goes with ultra versatile yet in your face blender---I mean, everyone in the neighborhood knows what I'm doing at that moment :p

Oh, and did I mention that I have a 7 month old? When he's asleep at our old place, he wouldn't notice these sounds because it seems to blend in with the rest of those in the city. In a place where you can literally hear a pin drop, switching on any of these devices is like setting off firecrackers in the house, and believe me, he will not be in a happy mood.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who has trouble with the noise most of our essential home gadgets make...there are enough of us out there to make it worthwhile to find a solution.

Happily, Electrolux is so in sync with its consumers that it has come up with gadgets we can use that will help maintain the peace and quiet most of us city-raised folks crave for while keeping the house clean and making that all-time comfort drink, the shake :) Indeed, we CAN have it all!

Oh be still my heart!!!

R2D2---is that you???

And what about making those creamy and frothy shakes that need to be prepared just before they're consumed? Here's one that will do the job without ruining the tranquility of the moment...

Now you can make those super frothy shakes while family and friends are happily sitting at the table and not interrupt the on-going conversation :)

Sorry for sounding like a sucker, but this looks "mighty purty" ;)

At this rate, going out of the house to have fun is becoming less and less appealing. So how's that for a lovely, tranquil, and ultra-convenient stay-cation? Here's to being definitely "HAPPIER AT HOME"!

To know more about the wonderful new products Electrolux is churning out, you can visit their official website. You can also like their Facebook Page and follow them on Twitter.

Moving Thoughts...

2013-01-30T00:30:00.000+08:00

Nope, this isn't the title of Gary V's album way back in the 80s---I have the cassette tape by the way (don't dare ask me what a cassette tape is!---Google it if you must!). This is about actually, physically moving from one house to another and my thoughts on the whole process. Well, in a nutshell, IT SUCKS, BIG TIME! Why? If you've ever tried moving all your stuff after 40 years of living in the same home, you needn't ask me that question. It gets even harder when you already have a hubby and 4 kids----it's like packing for an entire village!

But I can't really complain that much. After all, my hubby's doing most of the heavy lifting. It's the sorting out and packing up that's killing me. And how come no one told me I needed at least 2 months to prepare for this move? I only started getting ready (really) about 2 weeks ago...and how come no one told me how expensive the whole process of moving actually is?

Sigh! Oh well, a new day a new adventure...I guess...

Our Date With The Avengers

2012-04-27T12:33:00.000+08:00

Thanks to Nuffnang and PLDT MyDSL, my hubby and I were able to got out on a real date for the first time in over 6 months...it's been difficult to make time with the kids still so small. The best part about this was, we got to watch the "Avengers" for FREE. I'd always been a fan of Marvel comics heroes and my particular favorite had always been Thor. I remember watching Thor cartoons and singing along with the Mighty Thor opening song. I didn't care that it was 4 frames per sec. (not sure about this, but the movements were definitely not smooth), as long as it effectively told the story...that's what really matters, right?

Anyway, we had a blast! Not only did we get to watch a movie at the marvelous Cineplex theatre at Shangri-La, we also got a loot bag with a notebook, ballpen, badge, ID holder, and cute cupcake :)

We also got to have our picture taken at a photobooth...

My hubby having fun with the Hulk and Iron Man...

Ditching the green guy and going for hot red...

When we finally got to watch, the movie was way better than we expected---I mean, I had my reservations with the fact that Thor, the god of thunder, would actually need a team of mortals to defeat the enemy. But the story was fashioned in such a way that everyone had his own important part to play, every one of them belonged to the team. Also, I liked Edward Norton in his version of the Hulk so I was a bit disappointed that someone else was cast in the part---but I was pleasantly surprised with the one they chose to do it: Mark Ruffalo, because I liked him in 13 Going On 30. His take on the role reminds me of Bill Bixby, the actor who played the TV version of the Hulk.

I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet---suffice it to say that the movie deserves all the hype it's getting---there's a lot of action, special effects, comedy with a bit of drama...and leave it at that :)

40 Carats

2012-04-25T16:27:00.000+08:00


40 Carats, 1973

I remember watching this movie way back in the 70s (1979 to be precise) when it was first shown on Philippine TV. I appreciated even then at the tender age of 7 how funny this movie was. The movie is about a 40 year old woman who meets a 22 year old man in Greece where they had a one night stand (she gave him a false name and left while he was sleeping). When she returns to New York, she is stunned to find out that her 18 year old daughter hangs out with the same guy and now that he knows where she lives (so to speak), finds it very difficult to get rid of him. The rest of the movie involves her mother, her ex-husband, and the guy's parents. It's really a funny movie because all the actors were some of the best in the business.

Now that I'm 40 myself I can fully understand why Ann Stanley, the name of the leading lady, felt herself drawn to such a young man. Most people don't know this, but some women reach their peak in their mid-30s and early 40s---I'm proud to say that I'm one of these lucky girls. I'm more confident now of myself than I ever was. I'm not at all surprised now that Peter Latham was attracted to Ann---she was one hot momma!

10 Reasons Why Women are Working from Home

2009-03-03T11:40:00.010+08:00

Well, being one myself, I can give a few insights into the matter:

1. More moms want to personally take care of their kids.

It's just a matter of going back to age old family traditions. The mother is the traditional home maker and the father is the bread winner. Since we women had already proven that we're better than men in the workforce, we can now comfortably sit back and revert to tradition.

2. More women want to prove that they can be housewives AND career women.

Multi-tasking is the word. Women can do it, men can't. Enough said.

3. Moms are more paranoid with their kids nowadays.

With all the stuff going around about kids being abused by their nannies, many moms feel that they should personally make sure that THIS does not happen.

4. Women who married their colleagues had to quit their jobs.

This is why office romance is a NO-NO.

5. More companies nowadays are open to telecommuters.

Companies are laying off people but they still need to get the job done. So they get homebased people who will do the same job with no benefits and at a lower rate even though these "workers" need to maintain their workstations themselves. it sucks, I know, but it's still better than nothing...

6. A lot of women are sold to the idea of being "their own boss".

Usually, those women who opt to stay and work at home have reached a high position in their chosen field. They are therefore ready to try being their own boss, start a biz, and dictate their own hours and rules.

7. A lot of moms feel guilty about leaving their kids with caregivers.

Show of hands ladies?

8. From an economic point of view, it's cheaper to stay at home than to commute.

No traffic, no dress code. You can go to work in a tank top and shorts and no one would care. Cool huh?

9. Personal computers have made it easier for people to start a homebased business.

There are a million and one things you can do with your computer. Desktop publishing, multimedia presentations, web design and development, internet marketing, etc.

10. Women can do everything and don't need colleagues to finish a job.

Similar to multi-tasking. I for one work better on my own.