MIBF 2013 and EDUCARE: A Young Child Conference

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2013 is happening this September 11-15, 2013 at SMX, Mall of Asia. Expect discounted books, learning systems, teaching materials and even fun actitvities for kids.



I am actually eager to check out some Melissa & Dough educational toys. I know there are some kiddie instruments here (serious musicians might have to check out md 421 ii c at guitar center though) as well as teaching charts. I am also hoping to check prices already at shops I know so I can really get good deals. Happening around the same time is this conference on educating young children.

Check out http://www.manilabookfair.com/ for more details and see you there!

Adarna is also offering free printable tickets to the book fair.

Balik Bukid Country Fair - November 2012

Warning... this will be a rave :)

Well.. the Sta. Elena Fun Farm proved to be a heaven for little kids to roam around in and just really enjoy nature and stretch their bodies. So, I will focus on the country fair instead.

We didn't get to really check each stall because we were there for the kids to play. not really to shop. But there was enough array of goods for everyone in the family. Beauty products and toiletries, food (pastries, ice cream on sticks, meals, pizza, etc), accessories (bags, necklaces, etc), furniture (wooden, antiques), art, toys, games, clothes... it's a bazaar that won't really overwhelm and most (if not all) are healthy and organic (Hecky's lechon isn't really healthy but they use organic pigs!).

The price range for the food was between affordable (like the inasal chicken and barbecue I bought) to expensive (P100/bottle of iced tea or dalandan juice!).

Registration went well... we each got blue bracelets crocheted from plastic strips

loved this pesto pizza from Pizza Morena

they have their own brick oven at the pavilion

seller of Waldorf dolls

seller of Waldorf wooden toys

when was the last time you saw horses made from newspapers??? :)  This cost P500 for a small one though so, I'm guessing the paints they use are plant-based

notebooks and boxes, anyone?

woven bags perhaps?

produce fresly picked from Holy Carabao farm (the neighbor of Fun Farm)

I didn't go near this shop because they were selling Advent wreathes,,, haha, and I might buy one

aren't these bunnies super cute???

some of the food booths at the dining area

the seller of this antique was a Lasallian hubs knows

these were his other wares

yup, there was dancing too

and storytelling by the Acacia Waldorf teachers (they also offered craft activities for parents and kids)

and games... sack race, coco shell stilts, jumping rope, dodge ball

the wash area is just beside this, and the bike trail (where you can borrow bikes or bring your own, not really for big bikes and motorcycle helmets though)

The usual entrance to the Fun Farm is P300 for all activities but Balik Bukid charged P350 for those (I guess, to cover the cost of the extra manpower in all stations). However, if you just want the festive air and to shop, you can get in for free.

I love that they insisted on people bringing their own eco bags and cleaning as they go. I love that it wasn't so loud, there were so many activities and it didn't feel crowded (despite the large number of families that went). Starbucks was there too :) And lots of celebs. And a photobooth :)

Ultimately, it's a relaxing trip to the farm without having to worry about bringing in your own food (but you can, and can even borrow picnic mats from them) or not having anything to do while the kids played. And personally, I prefer this to the usual bazaars that happen in the city.



Dainty Ashley Hair Trinkets

If you're looking for quality hair trinkets for your baby fashionistas, or just really huge flowers on headbands or blooms on bare feet (just some ballet birthday ideas for you), then Dainty Ashley is the shop you are looking for.

Making hair/head decorations for little girls as a business is the result of blessing a crafty, creative momma with a baby girl. What else is she to do, right?

I also love it that Mai, the creative genius behind Dainty Ashley, has named her designs after daughters of friends. I keep kidding her that she's the bane of moms of daughters because they wouldn't be able to resist her wares.

Check out her upcoming collections!

 

Shop, Feast, Play and Unwind at Balik Bukid Part 2

Last May 24's Balik Bukid Country Fair saw people borrowing local mats to use for picnics, shopping for organic products (from produce to scented products, even toys), buying plants for urban farming, stocking up on naturalist medicines and just enjoying everything that's fresh and fun there to do and sell.

Good thing there's a part 2 happening on November 17, 2012. Entrepreneurs wishing to sell their organic products can contact balikbukid at gmail dot com while families can rally their friends and clan to have a family day at Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate.

Bag Tag Giveaways

One thing you can do at parties for giveaways is to send your kiddie guests with a personalized bag tag. All you will need is a printer, some paper and cutter and bag tag container.

Or, if you want a sturdier one, check out plasticprinters.com for something you can use, and maybe just have a special cutter ready to cut holes in them for the ribbon/strap.

This kind of giveaway will at least be very useful and won't gather dust. Plus, not many are doing it so it's sure to be a hit!

Give the Gift of Plants

I know, most peple would say that they do not have a green thumb at all. But they will also not discover if they can keep a plant alive if they don't have any. For young children though, plants can be their beginner pets, something to test their capacity for added responsibilities.

And for Manila residents, the gift of plants may be the start of urban farming for them since oregano can provide us with tea (not just cough remedy) and basil can enrich our pastas (both are small plants too, easy to maintain).

And yes, it's better to give plants that are already in pots rather than seeds, because the recipient may feel hassled by having to get soil, worm, fertilizer and what-not.

In fact, I think it would be really cool if plants in guy wolff pottery are given to newlyweds since starting their own garden can be symbolic of the union and whatever it will bear fruit.

Give the gift of plants next time you're stumped. There are enough Sunday markets to get them from, or just go to Market, Market or the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Slice: Providing Muffin High at The Fort

Hubs brought a box of 6 muffins from Slice once, because he keeps encountering it on Twitter. So, that first time, hubs had a box of different-fruit flavored muffins (because they ran out of chocolate ones). I forgot already which flavors because I only eat chocolate muffins. I do remember that the citrus burst one was too lemony, that both hubby and cousin said it left a bitter aftertaste in your mouth.

It turns out, Sen. Pia Cayetano is the person behind this cafe, born from a love for baking she got from her grandmother.

Good thing for Slice, they decided to make more of the popular choices to sell at all times of the day (because the choco madness one would usually run out first hour they're selling).

Anyway, finally got to sample their more popular muffins.


left to right: peanut butter & choco (called 'choco monkey'), choco madness and choco caramel



Suffice it to say, the choco madness is the best chocolate muffin I have ever tasted. Spare your stainless steel sink from plates, just devour the muffin by hand!

Now, they are also offering cupcakes and are hoping to expand from their kiosk to be a true-blue cafe at Bonifacio High Street. They are even accepting advance orders for pick-up (orders have to be placed 24 hours ahead).

Don't take my word for it though, just try their muffins. It costs P60 per muffin but if you get a box of 6, they become P50/each (so P300/box).

For more info on Slice Cafe, check out their FB page https://www.facebook.com/SliceHighSt

What to Put in Party Loot Bags

Most parents who are planning their child's party will gravitate towards candy to include in the loot bags they are giving away. Here are some intentional suggestions and food for thought:

1) You don't have to put food there. This way, you're sure nothing gets spoiled by a guest who doesn't eat that food item, or has a Mom who disapproves of that food item.

You can put puzzles instead, or sticker books. You can put crayons, bubbles, glow sticks, even mini books. You can put erasers, pens, a small stuffed toy. A lot will depend on your budget and theme but pretty much any little thing a child can appreciate (and a child is usually easily pleased).

2) If you must include food, choose healthier alternatives.

Commercial cupcakes, crackers or wafers will be nice. Welch's fruit gummies instead of the usual gummy worms. A muesli bar or honey sticks or a small pack of nuts (just forewarn parents that allergenic products are in the bag so they will check for sure).

3) If you want to give away sweets, think local.

Chocnut will forever delight people. Also those pinipig bars sold at bus stations. Or ampaw/pop rice (plus, kids don't see much of these anymore... they are sold at wet marketplaces still). Make your own sugar lumps or candies from bao/amis which is pure sugarcane goodness. Give yema or pastillas or polvoron instead. This way, you know what ingredients were used rather than buying the more affordable but often dubious China-made stuff sold in Divi.

4) If you must give sweets, think chocolates instead of candies.

Chocolates, though sweet, are not as acidic as hard candies and are still kinder to teeth. Buy chocolate crisp balls or chocolate eggs in bulk and just repackage to give away. Give small tubs of bread sticks with chocolate or strawberry dipping, or a chocolate lollipop. Plus, 3 pieces of chocolate kisses still say a lot more than a slew of cheapo candies (that may or may not raise manufacturing issues).

5) Never put gum in there.

Some parents do not check and not all children will know it's gum and not supposed to be swallowed.

6) Don't go overboard.

Sure, we all like freebies and kids will always love free candies and sweets. But one or two (or three) IS enough. You did not invite kids to your party to give them cavities nor did you attend a party and gave gifts to be given diabetes in turn. Control your desire to please, conform and/or be perceived as well-off or generous or cool. This will save you money, which you can channel on more important aspects of the party (like the entertainment).

7) Don't give away anything you won't give your child.

If you're not letting your child play with plastic toys with uneven edges or let him eat candies with ingredients you cannot pronounce, then don't give any like those away. If you're an intentional parent, chances are, your invited friends are the same.

8) Feel free to do away with a loot bag, especially if there's already a cool giveaway.

Save money and energy, just give something more substantial (but not necessarily more costly) as a token of your appreciation for your guests having come... instead of having a souvenir and a loot bag. If they're taking home a book or a stool or a tumbler, they aren't likely to forget your party anyway. It may even save their parents a meltdown from the over-stimulating party because there will be nothing else that would have to be opened/eaten/played with in the carride home.

9) Give away intentional stuff.

DIY finger puppets will get your child guest (and hopefully their parent) using their imagination. Busy bags will be appreciated by parents and little books will be used a lot longer. A child can also never have enough stickers or crayons.


Good luck with party planning and filling those bags up!

Estrel's Caramel Cake

Estrel's Caramel Cake is one of those things that's sure to make you put your ipod touch 32g aside, no matter how wonderful the song you're listening to because Estrel's caramel cakes command one's full attention. Why? Because its cakes are not meant to last. Best eaten upon date of purchase, it expires the following day.

Estrel's specializes in made-to-order cakes but have also taken to baking a few round cakes for walk-in patrons. The round cakes cost P600 each. a double layer of chiffon with caramel filling and icing, topped with buttercream flowers.





Estrel's caramel cakes are not too sweet which makes for easy eating. It's appeal is in the old-fashioned recipe (born: 1946), unpretentiously classy design and lack of preservatives.

Truth be told, however, much as I enjoyed estrel's, I prefer Hizon's caramel cakes more (with its light yellow caramel icing, really soft cake, and slightly more hint of lemon zest) but Hizon's don't really put icing flowers on their caramel cakes.

Anyway, to sample or order, Estrel's caramel cakes is located at 54 Scout Tobias corner Scout Limbaga Streets, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City 1103. You can also call them at 372-2965 or 371-7938. Also check out their website for their menu and pictures of cake designs: http://www.estrels.com/

Booksale - The Shop for Cheaper Books

Looking for recipe books?
What about dog training books
Parenting books perhaps?
Or bestseller novels?
Or board books for your baby?

Look no further than your average mall because chances are, a Booksale shop is doing business there and just waiting for you to start browsing and buying their books which are sold at a fraction of their price compared to those sold in other bookstores. Sure, there are a lot of secondhand and old library books here too but there's also plenty of new ones as well.

Those who are planning to give away books as Christmas presents or birthday party giveaway can also start buying now. Staggered purchasing won't be so hard on one's pocket and will also allow for moments of great finds.

Try Booksale. You can just as easily lose yourself there as in the more prestigious book stores in the city.

Klasse Murae Accessories

At the Manila Doctors Bazaar, I happened to find an accessory selle that had really great designs. Her brand, Klasse Murae basically means "classy but cheap" (klas na mura).


there were a lot of great designs but I couldn't wear anything with metal so she offered me this P300 single-string glass beads necklace and I just found a P50/pair earrings to match


this is me wearing the necklace and earrings I bought from her

I failed to take a picture of her designs, even her bags which are really fab, because I didn't have any camera with me. But feel free to drop by her shop or contact Klasse Murae:

Nicole Roxas
Fashion Accesory Designer - Klasse Murae
with branch at Shoppes at Victoria Tower, Timog and an outlet in Glorietta 1
0916-536 3199/ 0922-663 8519
roxas_nicole at yahoo dot com
nicole_roxas at hotmail dot com

The Aristocrat Bakeshop

Technically, you cannot go wrong with any cake from the Aristocrat Bakeshop. All their cakes are just really made superbly, always balancing sinful and too sweet. My all-time favorite from their bakeshop is the Torta de los Reyes which is chocolate sans rival but since their cakes also tend to be expensive, it's really not something one would buy for sharing in big feasts (unless maybe their birthday cakes).

The good thing though is that they offer a lot of mini cakes for those itching for decadence but don't want to really shell out that much.

Take for example these two cakes we just bought from the main Aristocrat Bakeshop in Remedios. It's gopd, old-fashioned caramel cake and the other is Grand Chocolate (I think, it was hubs who bought it).




The caramel cake tastes best when it's served really cold because the caramel and butter icing just melts in your mouth. The Grand Chocolate cake would taste best with coffee and is sure to be a hit with dark chocolate lovers. It's reminiscent of Red Ribbon's choco caramel cake, only more moist and without caramel. Plus, its chocolate is really on the dark, bittersweet side which is why my husband LOVED it. According to him, it was just what he expected and more.

The caramel cake costs P100 while the Grand Chocolate costs P120. Now, we can't wait to try their Better Than Sex cake.

And since these come in their own boxes, they'd be cool giveaways as well in weddings and other celebrations!

So, next time you pass by an Aristocrat Bakeshop, don't pass up on the opportunity for some toe-curling delight in the form of their cakes.

Have a Green Christmas with Milea

MILEA Bath & Body Wellness Essentials has taken upon itself to package their products as Christmas gifts so you can easily just pick one out, order it, and give as is.

Choose from the following:
Active Baby Gift Set
Baby Bath Gift Set
Baby Pampering Set
Gift of clean
Gift of fresh look
Gift of protection 1
Gift of protection 2
Gift of vanity 1
Gift of vanity 2
Mini Travel Kit
Mom and Baby Gift Set
Soap Scrub
Travel Bath Set
Christmas Edition Body Butters


Just go to their site to order and give away a Green Christmas to all your loved ones: http://miletnbea.multiply.com/photos/album/64/Green_Christmas_2010#

Global Pinoy Bazaar - A Review

Global Pinoy Bazaar is a project of Yabang Pinoy where they pool together Pinoy entrepreneurs to exhibit proudly-Philippine made products. It's also a fundraising of sorts (the entrance fee was P100) to help such entreprenurs.

Anyway, the most recent one was held at the Rockwell Tent last November 6-7, 2010. And I must say, I was absolutely impressed. Sure, I didn't see any yakima racks there for bikes but there were local versions of what seems to be Lego-like toys (which uses magnets) and all the clothes were really fabulous! There were sellers of malunggay-based products as well as of chocolates mixed with local produce (siling labuyo, green mango, pili, etc.).

So, the next time there is another Global Pinoy Bazaar, I highly recommend that you go not just to help move local commerce but to also realize that we can indeed be world-class!

My loot consists of three shirts (onesie, toddler shirt and adult shirt) bearing MILKAHOLIC for the men in my life, a mini-bento set from Eden Maternity Wear and a Multi Wrap from Laura's Shawl Couture. Talk about being clothed in happiness!

Great Mommy Gift

Either as a push present or a Christmas gift to your Mom or Mommy friends, Eden is now selling a Poem Scarf that is sure to be a hit with moms and dads alike.

It features a poem by Bianca Araneta-Elizalde entitled, "My Masterpiece."

For those who can afford, it could even double as unique baby shower invitations and giveaway. Or for people like me who don't really like wearing scarves, just have it framed to decorate your baby's nursery.

Play Dough

These are the play doughs I have tried. I know I can just as easily make my own but I didn't want to be bothering with food color too. I just make sure that when we do play with the dough, we do so with clean hands and keep to a clean table.

The long and short of it is, you can't really miss with Play Doh. They sell packs of 3 for only P125 but each tub costs about P40. A new one can be quite sticky though so my hubby doesn't like playing with a fresh tub. It's easy to soften up too, both an upside (when you forgot to put it back in its tub and it got dry) and a downside (because you might not know just how much water to add to soften it up).

Play Doh also has so many mold sets to choose from (albeit, a little on the expensive side). A niece has the ice cream factory one. I am actually dreaming of buying that one with the table container just so my son will have a designated table for his play dough time and a container for all the molds and accessories. But the sets are quite expensive and if you have a lot of dough already, you don't really need all the dough that come with the sets. But in terms of color choices, Play Doh really offers variety.

The Art Academy play dough are actually more expensive. A separate pack of just dough makes each tub cost around P60. But we got ours with my son's Farmer and Friends Dough Kit. You have to really add water to it and it can stain your hand, but once properly moldable, I think it's better than Play Doh for dough models you want to be upright. It holds its form better, so to speak.

The Universe of Imagination play dough is my favorite of the three. It's not too soft like Play Doh and holds its form well like Art Academy's. If it ever toughens up, it only requires a few drops of water to make it malleable enough again. Colors are limited though (i've only found red, blue, yellow, white, pink, and green) but each tub only costs around P30 each.

One other thing going for Art Academy and Universe of Imagination play dough is that their tubs/containers have molds for animals.



The small white tubs of dough in the first pic are dough from sets bought from Anding's Toy Store. I am not sure if they're non-toxic as am sure these three are (and other brands too, like Crayola) so I don't recommend them for use with really young children who are still likely to taste or lick their dough.

Play dough is great for developing your child's hand dexterity as well as his imagination. It even relaxes parents. Thus, it's a toy I really highly recommend that all parents provide for their kids (and in our case, for Mommy too).

Play Dough Sets and Molds from Divisoria

Anding's Toy Store in Divisoria also sells really affordable play dough sets and molds. I usually go there to buy these sets but do not let my son use the play dough that comes with it (because I would rather stick with branded ones that I know are non-toxic since my son still has a tendency to go licking). For older kids without sensitive skin though, I think the play dough being sold at Anding's are good enough.


Those in boxes cost P125 while the molds in the plastic container cost P25


The boxed set will provide you with 8 pots of differently-colored play dough, 4 molds and some cutters and also a guide for making patterns


Contents from the set from the plastic container (these are from 3 sets 'coz some molds were not available in the others and I wanted as many dinosaur molds as I can get)


Except for the Play Doh basic set (with the extruders), the other molds in this picture were also bought from Anding's

Anding's also sells play dough in small pails. There are also other molds being sold there, like the one from Play Doh (with extruders) but I wouldn't recommend the crank-style one from Anding's as it breaks easily.

The molds from the boxed set are pretty good though and very flexible and fun :)

Adarna: Looking for Storytellers and Having a Sale

Adarna House is looking for storytellers!!! They prefer those who can work during the week since they mostly go to schools. They will provide all the training necessary to become a good one.

For more info or to send your resume, e-mail grace@adarna.com.ph :)

Adarna House is also holding a Back-to-School Sale on May 3-31, 2010. Enjoy big, BIG Discounts of up to 70% on selected items! Don't miss this last opportunity to get their storybooks for only 50 pesos as there will be a price increase come June 1 (P73).

Proceed to the Adarna Showroom:
08:00 - 5:00 PM
2/F FSS Bldg. 20 Sct. Tuason cor. Sct. Castor Sts., Brgy. Laging Handa
Quezon City, Philippines

All Organics and Milea Minerals

Another great organic find for those with sensitive skin!

Feast your eyes on All Organics and Milea Minerals Make-Up.

Their All Organics line is made up of soaps, other bath products, massage oils, creams, skin softeners, natural whitening products, mosquito repellants, and other products like breath fresheners, deodorants, lip balms and hair care products. Some of their soaps are natural acne products already, containing tea tree oil, strawberry cream, and tomato lime. Their Goat's Milk Honey Oatmeal soap is supposedly even recommended by dermatologists to people with psoriasis, acne and eczema.

Their Milea Minerals Make-Up line, on the other hand, is made up of lip tints, eye make-up, blushes, foundation, concealers and hypoallergenic brushes. They also have a promo: choose 10 make-up shades, pay P50 + shipping, and they will have the make-up swatches delivered to you. If you liked their product after trying their swatches, just order at least P800 worth of products and they will deduct the P50 you previously paid. They would also deliver for FREE!!!

Their products are also available at the following places:
Currently available at:
· Herbal Garden, Quezon City Circle (fronting Phil Coconut Authority) - our own store
· Bag of Beans, Tagaytay City
· Sonya’s Garden, Alfonso, Cavite (near Tagaytay)
· Lake Hotel, Tagaytay
· Refresher’s, Silang, Cavite (also near Tagaytay)
· Ming’s Garden (near Tagaytay – owned and operated by the former First Lady Ming Ramos)
· Summit Ridge Hotel & Promenade ( Tagaytay City )
· St. Thomas Cancer Center , 3rd flr Magallanes bldg., on top of Starbucks, Magallanes, Makati
· ISIP Organic Store, Palma cor Manalac (near Rockwell), Makati City
· R.O.X., Bonifacio High Street , The Fort, Taguig
· Happy Chicken Organic Store, Gold Bldg., 15 Annapolis St.,Greenhills
· Sessou Nature Source, Trinoma, Quezon City
· Somera, ground flr, Ayala Center , Cebu
· Shangrila Hotel, Mactan, Cebu

I have not yet ordered from them though because I still have a lot of Human Heart Nature products and Ilog Maria soaps. I think they're a great gift idea or giveaway at events though.


Image source

Match A Color Learning Set

This was a gift to my son and I am really happy about it. Of course, I wish the 'paint palettes' and pictures could have been made of tougher cardboard but it's still really a useful and fun educational tool for parents in teaching colors to their kids.





So far, we use it two ways:
1) I let my son choose a picture and ask him where it should do based on its color.
2) I put some pictures in the wrong palettes and let my son correct it.

There are twelve colors and seven pictures for each color.