Face Paint Sticks

Want to try face painting with your kids with less of the mess actual paints bring? Then try face paint sticks. You can even have your child use your face as canvass if you're wary of the product causing rashes on your little child's skin.

Mimg src="http://mecsexy.smugmug.com/Journalism/Pics-for-Blog-Posts/facepaintsticks/915996558_HZvXj-S.jpg">

This is a good alternative to the usual arts and crafts... and for mothers with daughters, maybe even a chance to practice putting on makeup. But hey, get the father involved and make it a family thing, this product is easy to wipe off and then wash off anyway.

This one we bought at Clipper. There's one at Robinson's Place Manila.

Sizzling Saucers - Affordable Pampanga Eatery

Sizzling Saucers is a newly-opened eatery near the Ospital ng Angeles (ONA), specializing on sizzling dishes like sisig, meat (tapayaki, liempo, tocino) and fish (bangus).

They also offer giant sizzling meals like baby back ribs with unlimited rice.

Must-try also is their lugaw/goto and tokwa't baboy. They generally cater to the nurses, doctors and clients of the hospital and also accept food orders. Do trythem out if you're looking for an affordable place to eat in Pampanga.

Xtremely Xpresso Cafe

Xtremely Xpresso Cafe is another great place to go to for pizza lovers who can't be satisfied with Filipino-sized pizzas. I am talking massive slices of thin-crust pizza goodness here. Prices start at P700.

Poracay Resort - Pampanga

Poracay Resort is a hidden paradise located in Porac, Pampanga. You will pass a quarrying site first before getting to the resort, which might make you wonder if you can buy wholesale diamonds there or whether you're actually in the right place but do not be discouraged by the trucks and lahar-like landscape. Poracay is a nice place once you get there.





















Day Swimming rates are P100 for adults (P80 for kids) and Night/Overnight swimming rates are P130/person (P100 for kids). The cheapest nipa hut cottage costs P500 and these are the ones located around the lagoon, a little walk away from the pools. Any party of three or more has to get a cottage or some other kind of accommodation so day trippers are encouraged to maximize their visit by also holding a picnic there.

The place only charges corkage fees for electronic appliances so you can bring in all the food you want. Should you get a villa though, there is a refrigerator and gas stove in each one.

The place is like Paradise Ranch, a perfect place for weddings (if you won't mind the other poolgoers perhaps) and prenuptial shoot venue.

It has at least five pools, two of which are two feet (the rest are three, four and 5.5 feet) high. So yes, it's also a perfect wading pool for toddlers and kids. Two pools offer slides while the rest offer a waterfall-like feature.

The resort itself is still a work in progress and the area is so big that it's potential is really huge. So when you're heading North and want to try a new resort, keep Poracay Resort in mind.

I don't have great pictures because I was only using our waterproof cam and it was 4 PM and threatening rain when we got there so there wasn't enough sunlight to work with.

Fortune Teahouse - Pampanga

Fortune Teahouse is a popular authentic Chinese restaurant in Pampanga, whose original branch is located in Balibago. They have a second branch now at SM Clark (at the ground floor, with its own entrance). Their dishes are very affordable, the waitstaff are very accommodating, and surprisingly enough, the food is served quite fast.

All that I have tasted from their restaurant is tres delish. I guess I can say their prices are like that of Mr. Choi's but they offer more dishes than Mr. Choi or Hap Chang.


the interior of Fortune Teahouse at SM Clark


dumpling prices


affordable packages for a group of people


savings for takeout dumplings


asado chicken I think (I wasn't the one who ordered)


pork asado


samosa dumplings


I think this was a beef dish


loved their pancit!


yummy galore sweet and sour pork


hot and sour soup


yang chow fried rice, with generous shrimp bits


initial takeout of samosa, shrimp and rice dumplings and bird's nest soup

The shrimp and crab dumpling (topmost, last picture) is highly recommended. Their chili sauce also smells and tastes so yummy, you'd want to eat it as is! Their beef wonton noodle soup is also really tasty, with the wonton filled with shrimp and mushroom and the broth a little spicy (but a child won't be bothered, as my niece wasn't).

So, next time you head North, do try grabbing a meal at Fortune Tea House. It's dining at its best at a price you can afford!

Tagger Freebies at Scraps and Tubes

Zaza of Scraps and Tubes has great freebies, some of which are even for Commercial Use. Most of the freebies are in just tagger size and girly use but they are easily downloaded as she hosts the files herself. Yep, no need for 4shared or Mediafire waiting hassles anymore.

The papers and elements will be great for layouts that aren't so big (say 4R sized). Make sure to leave some love (and if you're feeling generous, a donation) after downloading her awesome digiscrapping freebies!!!

Expo Mom in Alabang

Yes, Expo Mom is going South in response to the pleas of Southern moms to bring the expo closer to them. The event is happening on July 3, 2010 at the Alabang Town Center. Shop and browse to your heart's delight, mommies, between 10:00am - 8:00pm that day.

Stock up on maternity and nursing wear, baby layette and furniture as well as toys and even educational stuff for your sweethearts. Also stock up on pampering products for the hardworking mom in you as well as take advantage of discounts or freebies for things that make life easier for moms, whether it be parenting mags or sling carriers or baby food. It's also usually a great time to find organic products for your baby, from diapers to baby wash and insect repellants.

Cotton Candy Figures

I was not able to get a contact number but should you be a parent looking to get a cotton candy food vendor for your children's party, do consider getting someone who can make fun shapes with the cotton candy. It's such a real enthusiasm booster among kids and adults for the party!


my son eating his teddy bear-shapped cotton candy


hearts galore for little girls


this was supposedly a long-necked dinosaur but
the girl started eating it in places already, hehe


still headless bear

The catch though is lines will be long but nothing that's so unmanageable. I swear, kids aren't likely to forget such treats. So throw a better party and get a cotton candy artist! hehe.

**

Edited October 06, 2010:
This particular vendor is based in Manila and can be contacted at 0933-2546299

Edited October 11, 2010:
Been told the number above can't be reached. Really can't do anything anymore about it since this is the only number my friend has. Maybe you can ask your party supplier or cotton candy vendor instead if they can provide this.

Superferry Todo Todo Sale Promo Is Back

Don't waste your year without travelling to someplace new, or revisiting old friends and relatives. Take advantage of Superferry's Todo Todo Sale Promo. Selling dates (buying period) are from June 14 to 21, 2010 while Sailing dates (travel period) is from June 28 to August 31, 2010. Grab this chance to travel to Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu & Dumaguete for as cheap as P588 (one way) and to the Mindanao provinces of Butuan, Cagayan, Cotabato, Davao, Gensan, Iligan, Ozamis, Surigao & Zamboanga for as cheap as P888.

Travel via sea can be quite comfortable nowadays, and you'd have ample space and time to finish your slide show presentation for work, catch up with sleep (or gossip) and just relax before you arrive at your destination.

This promo is available online only, however, so book and buy through www.SuperFerry.com.ph (first come first serve).

El Madero Farm & Resort

Leave it to my cousin to feel hotter than preggy me... he insisted we go swimming last Saturday and we ended up at El Madero Farm & Resort located at Bagong Pook in Lipa City (Batangas).

El Madero was one of the nearer resorts to our parents' homes so we opted to go there, thinking that if we forgot something vital, we could easily go back home for it. We also opted not to get a room anymore as we didn't really have any funds. We were just hot and the bigger kids just went swimming for some three hours. That is from 10 PM to 1 AM. Haha.

We also didn't get to take lots of good pictures of the place since we arrived there at night and we only really enjoyed the big kiddie pool, with water only two feet high. It's a big, big pool for kids to play in and it suited us as we had two year olds with us. Weirdly enough, the water wasn't cold despite the cold night air. Even my son got to swim till past 12 AM.

One other good thing about El Madero Farm & Resort is that it's near a lot of places where you can buy food and drinks, and there is no corkage for food you're bringing in the resort.



For other pictures and rates, better check out El Madero's website at el-madero.net. They also offer villas with private pools and the place is so huge, it's great for events and parties and weddings.

ooVoo for Better Video Calls

I was ecstatic before when I discovered the version 10 of Yahoo Messenger. And then there's Skype, which has been offering free video calls for a long time already. Still, my sister just had to find a better one.

Although YM offers bigger windows, ooVoo offers less lag, better sound quality and recording options. And for a fee, you can video conference 6 ways. Just download the software from ooVoo.com and give it a try. It's really, really a faster connection which makes for better video chatting with loved ones.

Hair Loss and Caps

Most people don't know this but wearing caps all the time, especially in places or during times of extreme heat may result in hair loss, or expedite their genetic predisposition to baldness.

Basically, the hair follicles get fried by the intense heat so you lose hair. And so, to prevent hair loss, wear breezy hats like sombreros instead or just use umbrellas. Bandannas will also allow your head to breathe better than caps.

If helmets are necessary in your place of work (like my Dad as a seaman before working on engines), make sure you remove the helmet as soon as possible to let your head breathe.

Gold Coins as Arrhae

We used Unity Coins tinted in gold as wedding arrhae. Some, however, opt to just get newly-minted One Peso coins. Some have these plated in gold as gold coins look richer in photographs. Plus, since it's supposed to symbolize wealth and prosperity, having coins plated in gold seems a logical practice.

Some get coins in different denominations. Some use coins of different currencies, to have that added hope for the wealth of the world at your fingertips. Some buy old coins instead.

So if you're getting wed anytime soon, start figuring out which kind of coins you want to use and have them plated now, that gold is cheaper in the country.

Skin Elasticity And Weight Loss

For those invested in losing weight, it's not enough that you're well-versed with apidexin reviews and working with a dietician and trainor. You also have to be concerned about your skin elasticity.

Four things that are sure to help you have non-saggy skin after losing all that weight you intend to lose include:
1) Exercise
2) Water
3) Cocoa Butter
4) Sunscreen

Water and Cocoa Butter will moisturize your skin from the inside and from the outside. Sunscreen, on the other hand, will protect you from the sun's rays and ensure that your skin will keep the elastin in it. And exercise will make sure that you have a toned body which your skin will adhere to.

Just losing weight won't make you beautiful if you also don't exercise and tone, because there'd be just all those excess skin all over the place. And losing a drastic amount of weight doesn't help skin elasticity either. You have to give your body time to adjust to the weight loss, which should be gradual but steady.

EQ DRY Baby’s 1st Chair and Desk REDEMPTION PROMO

PROMO PERIOD: May 7 – July 31, 2010

PROMO MECHANICS:
You can join by simply collecting EQ Dry Baby Diaper with Magic Tape wrappers with intact points. Points are indicated on the side of the packaging. The points system based on packaging is as follows:


EQ DRY BABY DIAPER LABEL POINTS

Mini Pack (S4, M4, L4, XL4, XXL3)
1/4 point

Travel Pack (NB22, S20, M18, L16, XL14, XXL12)
1 point

Econo Pack (S40, M36, L32, XL28, XXL24)
2 points

Jumbo Pack (S60, M54, L48, XL42, XXL36)
3 points

Mega Pack (M84, L72, XL60)
4 points


*EQ Dry with Clored Cloth-like Cover (old packaging) will still be accepted


Collect the corresponding number of points to get one (1) collectible item:

Chair Tiger
26 points
Table Tiger
42 points

Chair Bee
26 points
Table Bee
42 points

Chair Lady Bug
26 points
Table Lady Bug
42 points

Chair Frog
26 points
Table Frog
42 points


* Only entire wrappers with intact points of EQ Dry Baby Diaper with Magic Tape/ Colored Cloth-like Cover will be accepted.

* Entries containing cut-out points will NOT be honored.

* Entries with soiled wrappers (wrappers contaminated with feces or mud, discolored or faded wrappers) or unused wrappers will NOT be honored.


Submit the required EQ Dry Baby Diaper with Magic Tape wrappers together with the following information completely written on a piece of paper: sender’s name, detailed address (Please include landmarks for hard to find location), telephone and/or mobile phone numbers, e-mail address, baby’s name and birthday, signature of parent/guardian plus the desired premium item/s enclosed in an envelope (Kindly rank your top three preferred chair and table designs). In case your desired premium item is not available the succeeding preferred design will be the one shipped to you.


Entries may be mailed or hand carried to JS Unitrade Office from Mondays to Fridays 8:00AM to 5:00PM :


a) “EQ DRY Baby’s 1st Chair and Desk”-Manila office
JS Unitrade Merchandise, Inc.
31st Floor, Raffles Corporate Center
Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center,
Pasig City 1605

b) ”EQ DRY Baby’s 1st Chair and Desk”- Cebu office
JS Unitrade Merchandise, Inc.
Lot 1-6, Block 11, ML Quezon Avenue Mandaue North Central
(Castilex compound), Cabancalan, Mandaue City
Cebu 6014

c) “EQ DRY Baby’s 1st Chair and Desk”

P.O. Box 14280 Pasig City



You may also send your entries through JRS Express branches to enjoy a special mailing fee discount.

Your chosen premium item/s will be delivered FREE of charge by JRS Express to the address submitted by the sender. In the event that the sender is not present during the time of delivery, a member of the sender’s household will be asked to sign a proof of delivery and receive the premium item/s in behalf of the sender.

Hand delivered entries must be received on or before July 31, 2010 (5PM). Redemption period is 60 days after end of promo period. Entries sent via mail maybe received within sixty (60) days after the promo period provided it is dated and received by the post office on or before August 6, 2010.


You may join the promo as many times as you want.

Tables and Chairs are not convertible to cash.

Source

Executive Assistant / Production Manager Wanted

Halt Googling "jobs philadelphia" for a while because this next job opening may just be the one you're looking for.

Ayee Doming from QTV11 is producing a new show and hastily requires the services of an exceptional Executive Assistant/Production Manager who can help coordinate with partners. If interested and have the following qualities: Excellent communication skills, driven, humble, great resource management skills and a big heart.

Pay is per-episode/weekly.... All interested applicants can directly contact her at 0916-3141703.