Parents' Pointers That Works Like Magic

In this month's issue of Smart Parenting magazine, my parenting idea got published. It's a new section of the magazine where parenting tips that works like magic from moms are published. Together with my shared tips are those ideas written by my smart mommy friends.

I've shared a simple idea on choosing the kids' piggy banks. Here's what I've shared -

As soon as my kids learned how to count, we let them choose their own piggy banks. Because of this, they learned how to save their coins. They are fascinated everytime they drop in the coins and see their piggy banks get filled up. I make sure that my kids understand what their needs are as opposed to what their wants are. It's important that they realize the value of money, spending it wisely, and the benefits of saving. Now, they're working on filling up their second piggy banks already!

I'm sure all moms have smart parenting tips to share.
You can share your parenting ideas by sending an email at feedback@smartparenting.com.ph. Put Parent's Pointers in the subject head of your email.

Also part of this April issue is the picture of my daughter who got included in the Kiddie Greets section. It's a section where pictures of kids who celebrates their April birthday are published. 

Before the month ends, grab your copy Smart Parenting April issue and get to read interesting articles suited for summer, handling siblings fight, banishing their bad eating habits, and a lot more! 

Winnings From Smart Parenting

Months ago in an online contest where I've won a movie ticket, I've experienced another wrath from my so-called impostor-admirer. Incidences similar to this won't stop me from doing what I am passionate about. I guess now she also enjoys doing the same thing as mine. I keep on going and remained unmindful of her presence (even is she created an FB account using my name!).

From the same contest sponsor site where she and her friend had complained (a compaint that arises from their insecurities and bitterness), I've won again - not once but twice!
I've won an SP Yaya Manual and a Php 1000 gift certificate from Dance Dasics.

The Yaya Manual is every mom's guide to hiring, training and managing their yaya. I simply shared these three tried and tested yaya tips -

Simple tips that worked in our household: 1. Trust is important. Hire a yaya that you can trust to take care of your kids while you are away. Make sure that she and your kids are getting along well. 2. Let the yaya understand your house rules and regulations, her daily tasks and responsibilities. Make sure that she understands instructions clearly and that schedules are being followed. 3. Show and give respect. Treat your yaya correctly, like a family member, but with certain limitations.

And my shared answer to the benefits of enrolling your daughter in a ballet class -

Ballet is good for both the mind and the body. Enrolling my daughter in a ballet class would be enjoyable and rewarding at the same time. Ballet can improve her posture, make her more flexible, give her strength and she'll be able to walk with poise and grace. It will help develop her social skills and increase her confidence. It is also a good way of self expression, improving her focus and coordination.

Again, thank you Smartparenting.com.ph for being fair. There are more promos ongoing at Smartparenting.com.ph, so check out the site and join!

Precious Moving Up Programs

graduating from Kinder 2

moving up from Nursery

March 18 and 19 were precious days for my kids as we a share with them another significant day in their preschool life - their moving up and graduation programs.

It was a short and simple ceremony - no lengthy hours sitting and listening to speeches - but still meaningful and memorable.

It was more of the preschoolers presentation. They deliver their lines, danced and sang... not perfectly, but heartwarming nevertheless. The teachers, the preschoolers and their parents are all beaming with joy and pride.

Their moving up day is more than awards and recognition, it's more of valuing the kids' experiences for a year and bringing it to a close. It's more about achievement, rather, it marks the start of another chapter in their lives.

the presentation

I am grateful for the teachers for nurturing my kids well, for the safe joyride from school to our home everyday, for the friendship. It was indeed a great decision that we've chosen Precious Partners. I know my kids will always remember their precious years in preschool. They have touched our lives in grand ways.

with the teachers and school owner

We've celebrated it with just how the kids want it to be - lunch at Jollibee for my son and Shakey's lunch for my daughter.

Jollibee and Shakey's lunch

We have moved on, literally. If not because of this move, my son would have stayed for two more years at Precious Partners.

This coming school year, my son would be in Kinder 1 and my daughter would be in Grade 1. They would soon be in a different school with new classmates, teachers, and environment. Now, It's time to gear up for another change.

Roberto Coin Partners with Celebrity Model Christy Turlington

Just when you thought Roberto Coin jewelry couldn’t get any hotter, the company goes ahead and partners with one of the top celebrity models in the world: Christy Turlington Burns. For the 2009–2010 campaign, Turlington Burns has teamed up with Roberto Coin’s new campaign, which supports CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty.

Turlington Burns, a top advocate and entrepreneur, loved the idea of teaming up with Roberto Coin for a great cause. Turlington Burns already supports CARE as part of the Advocate for Maternal Health program. Plus, Turlington Burns and Roberto Coin have teamed up in the past, working together to benefit YouthAIDS.

The new Roberto Coin campaign was shot by celebrity photographers Inex van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The campaign features eye-catching necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other fabulous pieces from Roberto Coin’s line. The new campaign features jewelry from the Primavera, Classic Bold Gold, Cento Diamonds, Fantasia, Appassionata, and the innovative CapriPlus collections. One of the purposes of this campaign, and partnering with Turlington Burns and CARE, is to salute an organization that invites people to make a difference in the world. Roberto Coin believes in a cause-related campaign that is impactful. The company believes this new campaign will drive others to take notice of the world around them.

The campaign launched in October 2009 in fashion magazines including Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Architectural Digest, Gourmet, and Town & Country. Roberto Coin is a high-end brand of Italian jewelry and watches. The company was founded and is currently based in Vicenza, Italy.

Turlington Burns has graced the cover of more than 1,000 magazines, with notable mentions in Time and Vogue. She is a passionate believer in women’s rights. Roberto Coin is excited and thrilled to be working with Turlington Burns, while helping to promote the good causes that CARE represents.

Tacori Engagement Rings Help Brides to Truly Shine

For the biggest day in your life, you need a Tacori engagement ring. The renowned jeweler Tacori has been designing beautiful engagement rings combining old-world elegance and new-world glamour for years. A Tacori engagement ring is the perfect complement to your wedding day. You’ll be beaming . . . and you might as well have some sparkle on your finger too!

Women all over the world, especially those women who appreciate style and glamour, love Tacori engagement rings. Tacori is known for taking craftsmanship to a whole new level. Each Tacori engagement ring is designed in their signature platinum and diamond design. Your ring is hand-crafted by expert artisans who keep your needs in mind. Many Tacori engagement rings are featured in high fashion magazines, on the runway, or on the hand of a celebrity star. In fact, you may have seen Tacori jewelry on some of your favorite TV shows. Tacori jewelry has been featured on Tori and Dean’s Home Sweet Hollywood and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

New for 2010, the company has introduced the Tacori Bridal Collection. At the heart of this collection is a beautiful theme of center stones surrounded by smaller diamonds set in platinum. This modern style allows the main diamond stone to really shine and stand out. Tacori’s signature use of platinum settings allows for diamonds to really show off. Even though these Tacori engagement rings are from the newest collection, they still have a unique and vintage feel to make these rings feel like heirloom designs. In fact, you may want to pass your Tacori engagement ring to your daughter—it’s just got that special appeal that will last generations.

Tacori is the top designer of engagement rings in the United States. Their beautiful rings will complement even the most gorgeous of brides on her wedding day. Each Tacori engagement ring is individually hand-set with diamonds by Tacori artisans, creating a piece as unique and personal as the woman who wears it.

Get Ready For Summer Giant Giveaway

Join Get Ready for Summer's Giant Giveaway and get a chance to win one of these prizes:

1. CHANEL PARTICULIERE 505 nail polish from Spring 2010 collection (Do I need to tell you it is SOLD OUT everywhere? ;))

2. THE BODY SHOP Neroli Jasmin shower gel & body lotion (both 50ml)

3. MAYBELLINE Dream Sunglow Bronzing Booster

4. CHINA GLAZE ENTOURAGE nailpolish

5. CIATE : One Coat a Day (base polish), Hang Over Cure (treatment for cuticles), Super Sexy Dry (drying drops)

6. CALVIN KLEIN Ultimate edge Gel Eyeliner in shade 301 Cocoa Sheen (with mini brush)

7. H&M BRACELET (pink coral color with gold, perfect for spring/summer)

8. CIATE Pink Nail File

9. JILL SANDER SUN EDT 100ml (without alcohol, perfect for summer)

10. NYX LIPSTICKS in 3 colours: Electra, Indian Pink, Circle

11. NAIL ART FIMO fruits (3x10)

12. ELDORA FALSE LASHES B127

13. MORGAN STREET Lip Balm Chocolate Cake

14. 5 SHE STYLEZONE Nailpolishes

15. OPI nailpolish LA- PAZ-ITIVELY HOT normal version + MATTE version

16. THE BODY SHOP RASPBERRY Body Butter 200ml

17. FRUCTIS Elastic Power Fix Hairspray

The contest is open internationally and will end on May 15.

Where is My Del Monte Fit 'n Right Fruit Snacks?

I always find enjoyment in joining contest online. It's just my way of taking a break from my daily tasks. Countless times I get lucky and win, yet there are times when the chances are so slim and I lose. Whenever I join these contests, I never expect to win. I simply wait for the announcements and hope that my name is included in the winners list. If not, I'll just keep on trying my luck. There are also lots of times when I have not claimed my prizes. Still, just knowing that I won brings a great feeling.

Months ago, I've joined Del Monte Fit 'n Right Fruit Snacks promo at Facebook wherein it states that "the first 300 twitter followers will get to win a case of Fit 'n Right fruit snacks." As soon as I read this, I login into my Twitter account and become a follower. I'm Twitter follower number 104 or 105. This means that I'm one of the first 300 followers and I am a winner already, right?

I even shared this promo with my friends and family members. A few weeks after the promo, Del Monte Fit 'n Right Fruit Snacks posted on their Facebook wall that winning messages were sent already. Some did received a direct message at Twitter and a congratulatory email (yes, they did get lucky), though unfortunately, I belong to those few who did not. I sent them a message on Twitter and posted a comment at their Facebook wall saying that I did not receive anything, but there was no reply on their part. I did not know if there is some technicality of some sort here.

Until now, there are still some who keeps on posting messages on their Facebook wall, waiting and kept on trying to get what they deserve to receive. I can easily let this pass, but I would always believe that the people behind this promo must adhere to the words they posted and answer all those queries.

Well, I just hope that Del Monte Fit 'n Right Fruit Snacks and the people responsible for this promo would shed light regarding this issue. Or maybe, this is one case wherein we can just choose to let it pass.

Get Paid To Shop Online

Like most women, I am passionate with shopping and it's one thing I won't get tired of doing. Shopping online is also convenient as it saves you time, money and energy. It is so easy to shop in the comforts of one's home and just wait for the items delivered in your doorsteps. There's no need to drive to the mall and deal with the huge crowd. Millions of people shop online everyday, but most people does not realize that they can make money every time they do transactions online.

But, it would be more rewarding if you shop and get paid for doing so. It would also be great to take advantage of and benefit from get paid to shop program. Yes, there's an innovative shopping program from Market America that saves you money and pays you to shop! With the help of this new program you can Get Paid To Shop for online purchases. Here, you can earn 2% cash back for purchasing Market America-branded products and 3,000+ partner stores with the ma Cashback logo. There are no joining fee, and no limitations for you'll get to earn unlimited cash back from purchases.

Saving money while enjoying shopping is indeed the greatest!

Will Be Back Soon

I've been in sort-of a hiatus. My blog had been silent for weeks. My Internet connection had been limited. There's a lot I've missed doing - from blogging, visiting everyone's blogs, adgitizing, dropping ECs... to joining online contests, facebooking and more.

After all those events, the big move had been our priority, its hard and it took my whole daily hours. Good thing that we moved during the Holy Week. Hopefully in a few days, everything will turn back to normal. Still, there's a lot more that needs to be done and get used to all these changes. Whew!

Nonetheless, we still manage to enjoy a weekend swimming at Laguna and Easter Sunday at FunRanch.

There's so many things I've wanted to share.
But, I'll be back in a couple of days.

$8,000 Tax Credit for Homebuyers

Everyone definitely wants to own their dream house, but aside from all the expenses involved from buying to construction, paying real estate taxes can be a burden on the pocket. Tax credit plans similar to the one in the U.S. is a sure way to save and lessen this burden. Home ownership is now within reach.

The First Time Homebuyer credit has helped millions of families in the U.S. to achieve their dreams of owning their homes. Its impact has tremendously been positive - housing market sales has increased and approximately 1.2 million buyers have entered the market. This has also played a great role in the government's effort to maintain housing market and economic stability.

Last November, the Obama administration had expanded and extended the 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credit. First time home buyers and current home owners still has time to take this opportunity and make use of the federal government's homebuyer tax credit plan.

The tax credit for first-time home buyers or those who have not owned in the last three years, can receive up to $8,000 tax credit. Long time home owners also qualify for the tax credit, if they choose to buy another property. These homeowners who had lived in their current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit.

Americans still have 30 days left to act. To be able to claim the tax credit, they need enter the legally binding contract on or before April 30, 2010 and close on the home by June 30, 2010. Also, make sure to check on all set criteria for credit claiming.

Embracing Changes

“Life can either be accepted or changed. If it is not accepted, it must be changed. If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted.”

Acceptance. Embracing changes.
Welcoming new experiences, learnings and challenges.
I continuously look forward to every changes, to every turning of life's pages.
For each page means a a chapter fulfilled, a life well lived.