Collective Memories with GENERATION V(IA) : Via Venetto

Earlier at the mall. She kept getting stuff and trying them on. And she was really enjoying it! Lagot tayo @pickiesteater mukhang enjoy sya sa shopping 😅😅😅

A photo posted by Rina Zamora 🌈 (@rinasrainbow) on Nov 7, 2016 at 1:29am PST

        Remember those times when you were young and you just can't wait to be in your mom's shoes... literally? I'm sure at one point in our childhood, we all love playing dress-up, hoping and wishing we were old enough to dress like our moms and not have any curfew. 

        Most of us Filipinas possess a collective memory of playing dress-up when we were young. I used to wear mo mom's dresses and heels, and wear her string of pearls. Even if what I had put on didn't really match, there are few things that can make a girl feel as fabulous, glamorous, and just plain and simply feel pretty as a stylish pair of shoes. And currently, my daughter has countlessly tried to wear one of my heels. One time we went window shopping and she actually removed her shoes to try on one of the shoes for sale on the shelf. Good thing I saw her before she took her first few steps with it haha!

        At Via Venetto, countless girls have seen themselves grow into sophisticated women. For more than 43 years, Via Venetto has offered shoes that are a perfect fit (physically and stylishly) for women of any age and generation. Their wide range of beautifully crafted, elegant, and comfortable footwear, has captivated the hearts of stylish women for years. They carry designs that cater to the young, current, and modern Filipina, as well as simple yet classic designs that remain timeless.

The Swipe-A-Thon Challenge with Unionbank Visa and Cebu Pacific GetGo!

        Have you ever watched those contests on TV where you get to raid a supermarket, get anything you want for a certain time limit? And I’m sure, like me, it was always a dream to be able to join those shopping contests.  Thinking “if that were me, I would get this and that first.” Well, my dream just came true! Last November 22nd was the most exciting shopping experience I’ve had in my life!  UnionBank and Cebu Pacific GetGo treated me along with 4 other lovely ladies (including celebrities Suzi Entrata and Bettina Carlos) to an amazing SWIPE-A-THON Challenge! At the new Landers Supermarket in Otis! Nothing could be more awesome!

#MyPeaceOfMind Restored with PLDT Home

        It’s not everyday that I get to go out just to relax, especially during events. So when ever there is an event where I get to just sit back and share personal experiences and learn from other moms as well, I really appreciate it. One such event is when we went to Stacy’s BGC for a Mommy’s Day Out to discuss gadgets that will help me have #MyPeaceOfMind

Mommy-hack: Wake up my girl with Dutch Mill Delight! Perfect Morning Trick!

        Mornings are hard. Especially for a little toddler who needs to get up early in preparation for school. There are different tips and tricks that I do to get her off the bed. There’s playing her favorite cartoons, announcing that her favorite breakfast is ready, and, there’s another new trick that I discovered lately that works pretty well! Dutch Mill Delight! Her new favorite drink!

        Luckily for us parents, not only is the taste kid-friendly, but it has tons and tons of benefits it has to take care of her little tummy! Talk about yummy and healthy!

        Dutch Mill is the 2^nd generation drink that has prebiotic fiber and probiotic.  It’s got “good bacteria” known as Lacotobacillus Paracasei. But what’s more important for me is it’s “+Prebiotic fiber”!  This is the first Probiotic drink in the Philippines that has Pre + Pro!  It’s awesome because the two together is stronger and after Rain liked it so much I look it up to learn that it helps do the following:

• Helps improve digestive system.

• Helps intestines’ quickly absorb nutrients in the body.

• Helps normalize your digestive system (constipated no more!)

• Helps reduce cholesterol and boost Vitamin B and Folate.

• Helps reduce the chances of getting colorectal cancer.

I can safely say that these are more than enough reasons for us to take care of our tummies by drinking Dutch Mill Delight! But let me surprise you by saying “…But wait! There’s more!” (infomercial style)

        What’s even more special about Dutch Mill Delight is that it has the special DUO ACTIVE combo of prebiotics and + probiotics fiber, which makes the good bacteria live longer! It gives you better digestion, a healthier tummy, and stronger probiotic. But what is Prebiotic fiber anyway?

        Probiotics are live good microorganisms that help balance out the bad stuff in your digestive track. Simply put, stronger probiotic means healthier tummy!

And when Probiotic is combined with Prebiotic Fiber (Pro + Pre = Duo Active), the prebiotic fiber multiplies, hence it becomes stronger. Like Gremlins getting wet (90s kids will know what I’m talking about. But maybe let’s replace Gremlins with Gizmo, the good cute and cuddly guy!)

Dutch Mill Delight is really yummy for both me and my daughter as you can really taste the richer milk. Having Pre + Pro probably makes the milk more rich! The right blend of sweet and sour taste that is kid-palette friendly helps to wake her up nicely. Oh, and the milk is non-fat. Need we say more?

        Each Dutch Mill Delight bottle is 100 ml. You can buy them at leading supermarkets in Luzon by packs of 5, or per piece (8 PHP SRP)

So introduce your little ones to Dutch Mill Delight and give them another thing to look forward to every morning! Happy tummy, happy family!

The New Safeguard Pure Body Wash!

        It seems like only yesterday when I always needed to bring her stroller every time we would go out of the house. She would just sit patiently on her stroller all day, enjoying the scenery, or watching the people pass by. In a way, it was much easier then because I didn’t have to worry about her running off too far, or touching something dirty.

        And now she’s 5 years old. We don’t need to bring her stroller anymore whenever we go out. She’s free to roam around (with supervision of course), which increases her chances of getting contact with unwanted germs. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a germophobe. I want her to learn by exploring and getting messy because I believe that’s the fun way of doing it. And in doing so, us moms definitely have to have some sort of weapon to protect them from getting viruses, germs, but at the same time is safe to use for the whole family.

And this is why I’m glad to know that Safeguard now has the Safeguard Pure Body Wash!

Lady's Choice New Flavors Gets Two Thumbs Up from Rainbow!

        Before Lady's Choice Chicken BBQ Sandwich Spread and Roastbeef, all my little Rain knew how to eat was egg. Ranging from a "wide" variety of fried egg, fried egg with rice, fried egg with rice and ketchup, to soft boiled egg. She loves bread too but not as much as eggs. But because we recently tried and instantly loved Lady's Choice's new flavors, we finally were able to add another item on Rain's list of favorite food. Lady's Choice's new flavors get 2 thumbs up from Rainbow's little kitchen!

A Jar of Magic! Vaseline Petroleum Jelly!

        

        You've probably seen this jar on your home bathroom or your mom's dresser when you were younger. It's in every household. And if it's not part of your dresser yet, you need to write it down on your shopping list because Vaseline Petroleum Jelly can save you not only for skincare emergencies, but for tons of other uses as well!

        Check out this list of uses for Vaseline Petroleum Jelly and tell me if it's not a must-have in every home:

Jolly Cow's New Flavor: Chocolate Milk!

        You've probably seen Jolly Cow Milk in your favorite supermarkets. I certainly have. But I have to admit that it's my first time to try it. And the first flavor I tried is their newest chocolate milk variant. The taste is very chocolatey without it being too sweet and too heavy. Rain really liked it too! And considering the yummy taste, I was surprised by the healthy facts it had!

        Aside from the fact that Jolly Cow is made from 100% pure Cow's Milk (from happy healthy cows in cow-friendly farms in Europe), I was surprised to find out that the newest chocolate milk is actually made from real cocoa, and has less sugar, and has no vegetable fat added! That should be good, right? This means you get to have a creamylicious and chocolatey drink without feeling too guilty!

Super Easy Hawaiian Chicken BBQ Sandwich Recipe

        What do you do when you have bread, chicken fillet, barbecue marinade, cheese, and lettuce at home? Easy. You make a Hawaiian Chicken BBQ Sandwich. But what do you do when you also have Lady's Choice's new Chicken BBQ  Spread? Make an AWESOME Hawaiian Chicken BBQ Sandwich!

LAST DAY OCT 2! DIGITAL WALKER'S CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY SALE!

        You must have noticed your Instagram or Facebook feeds with the amazing deals by Digital Walker. And what you've seen is true! It's one of the best amazing pre-Christmas sales yet! And OCTOBER 2 IS THE LAST DAY!!!

To see how amazing this sale is, check out the stuff we got!

Easy Scampi Pasta Recipe with Filippo Berio Olive Oil

        For someone like me who is not gifted in cooking, and is too lazy to learn how, easy recipes are heaven sent. Recipes where only a handful of ingredients are needed. But doesn’t mean quality or nutritional value will suffer. Especially when you make sure you only use the finest ingredients that your whole family will benefit from.

        That’s why I get a kick out of those quick viral recipe videos on Facebook. It’s also where I saw an easy scampi pasta recipe that I tried making last weekend. It was perfect because I have been wanting to use our stash of Filippo Berio Olive Oils!

Get a Chance to Win Courtesy paZZes to KidZania Manila with Lady's Choice!

        Lazy Saturday afternoons call for a delicious snack that's easy to make, yet very filling, and most importantly, really delicious! All you need is bread and Lady's choice new sandwich spread flavours Chicken BBQ Spread or Roast Beef spread. That's all you'll need!  

        Both are really good but our personal fave is the Chicken BBQ Spread because of the subtle sweetness plus a hint of smokey flavor. It's so good and so addicting! I really suggest you try it not just because it's awesome. but because you also may get a chance to win COURTESY paZZes TO KIDZANIA MANILA!!! This is going to make you really popular with your kids! I mean who doesn't want to go to Kidzania?! Read on!

We definitely love Lady's Choice Chicken BBQ Spread because of its very subtle sweet and smokey flavor! What is your favorite Lady's Choice Spread, #ChickenOrBeef ? Why? Post your own Lady's Choice entry on IG to join the @ladyschoiceph IG contest and get a chance to win courtesy paZZes to @kidzaniamanila !!! On the blog very soon!

A video posted by Rina Zamora 🌈 (@rinasrainbow) on Sep 24, 2016 at 2:38am PDT

       
        To join, all you have to do is share your Lady's Choice moment through Instagram. A short video clip or a Boomerang clip of mom and child creating and enjoying either the Chicken BBQ Spread Sandwich or the Roast Beef Spread Sandwich. See the complete mechanics below:

HannsGuard Dehumidifier in the House!

        One of the most frustrating things about managing a home is to keep it smelling fresh all the time. And each and every house has a certain odor. If it's always pleasant, I salute you! But more often than not, for duplex-type houses like ours wherein the living room, dining area, and kitchen, are not separated by walls, there's always that lingering smell of food. And moms usually can't help but feel conscious especially when they know that they have guests arriving any minute. And you have to admit, sometimes air sprays just don't cut it. The scent doesn't last long.

        And while it's practically hard to find something that will keep the house smelling good at all times, there are some products that do help remove foul smell. One of those is Hannsguard Dehumidifier.

Wolfgang's Steakhouse at Resorts World Manila

        I've never really been an all-meat person. During a meal, I need to have my carbs with my meat. But it's a whole different ball when we're talking about steak. Melt-in-your-mouth juicy and savory steak with delicious sidings of steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes. A really good steak is not to be overpowered with rice. It should shine on its own! Writing this is making my mouth water! And if you're craving for a really good steak like I am now, you should definitely try what is rated as one of the best steak houses in New York, that is now in the Philippines: Wolfgang's Steakhouse!

Chips 'N Tub Salted Egg Potato Chips: Warning, Highly Addicting!

        I've seen it from posts of my KTG friends. Three words that got me so curious I ordered right away: Salted. Egg. Potato Chips. As a girl who loves salty stuff, and a girl who's eyes sparkle at any food that has eggs in it, I was intrigued! So I messaged Joan, Mrs.The Food Alphabet, who recently posted, and asked where to order. So she hooked me up. And boy were we hooked!Meet Chips ' Tub Salted Egg Potato Chips!

IT'S BACK! Vote For Your Favorite Restaurant at THE CHOICE 2016!

We need your help! Because you have the power to VOTE for YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT of 2016!!!!! It's on it's second year and I could not be more proud of my crazy KTG Family for organizing this prestigious award

Click on the link below to answer the survey now! The winners are in your hands!

VOTE HERE NOW!

What it's all about? See the details below!:

The Future of Coffee Machines is Here!: De’Longhi PrimaDonna Elite!

        Every night, we have my Dad and my sister come over for dinner because we live in the same village. And every after dinner, we have coffee as we move into the living room and watch our favorite shows (Ghost Adventures!!!). And between my dad, my sister, and I, we all have different taste in coffee. My dad can’t have it too sweet, my sister likes it creamy, and I recently developed the liking for strong coffee. So needless to say, we each have our different brands. I’m sure it’s more or less the same case in different households. Because we all have different tastes.

        So imagine having a coffee machine at home which can save different coffee types for each one of your family coffee drinkers, and can make those drinks in a tap of an app. (Yes, there’s an app for it!)

Introducing, the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Elite!!!

        I never thought I would be this awestruck with a coffee machine. Last July 20, 2016, we were introduced to this futuristic coffee machine. And I never wanted one so bad! This brushed stainless-steel machine doesn’t only look like the Rolls Royce of coffee machines with its sleek and classy (almost intimidating) design, but it’s got a lot of power that will make your jaw drop.

Lady's Choice' New Roast Beef Spread and Chicken BBQ Spread! #ChickenorBeef

Have you heard of @ladyschoiceph 's new spreads? Roast Beef Spread and Chicken BBQ spread! So excited to create some delicious baon for Rain! And I'm sure @pickiesteater will love these too!!! 😍😍😍 #chickenorbeef #ladyschoice

A photo posted by Rina Zamora 🌈 (@rinasrainbow) on Jul 31, 2016 at 5:30pm PDT

        We all know that Lady's Choice has lots of different sandwich spread flavors on the market. And everything sounds delicious! But I became more excited when I heard about their newest range spreads!  The Roast Beef Spread and Chicken Barbeque Spread! This is just the type of flavor my husband loves! I can already imagine the number of different sandwich recipes people can do with it!

Dearberry... I Love You!

        Looking back at old photos, I cannot help but feel a bit down at how effortlessly better I look a few years back. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying I was gorgeous. But I looked more presentable pre-motherhood. I would use simple mineralised face powder and lip gloss and I would look presentable enough to go out. Now, my skin is back to it's high school state. Oily, frequent pimples here and there, plus of course the pounds. (Oh the pounds!)

        So need less to say, picking a make-up product for my face has been more challenging. I need something that will keep me looking fresh for at least until late afternoon, without having the need to dab an oil control film every hour or so.

        Amazingly, Dearberry's Magic Oil Control Primer works like magic!!!! I've never tried anything like it! Seriously!

(Read on for a special 10% discount for Rina's Rainbow readers wooohoooo!)

Oishi Snacktacular 2016

        The Oishi Snacktacular event has been a fun yearly event that we end up looking forward to. It's literally like a snack wonderland filled with games and tons and tons of delicious Oishi snacks up for grabs. Literally!

        And for me, being a 90s kid, felt the cool factor of Oishi Snacktacular 2016 went up even more because of its 8-bit theme! It made me feel like a kid again! Plus, of course, the factor that their newest Team O member is Maine Mendoza!!!

        I was unfortunately unable to make it to this event but good thing my good friend King Patrick was more than willing to attend on my behalf. Thank you King!

Kids Who Ride: Why Balance Bikes Are Better Than Normal Bikes

        In life, I believe one of the things one must learn how to do is ride a bike. Not only is it a fun activity but when end-of-the-world scenarios actually happen (you never can tell!), and all the cars in the world are out of gas, then you have a chance of survival with riding a bike.

        Joking aside, I feel childhood is incomplete when you miss out the experience of going around the village with your friends, riding a bike. And while training wheels might be the more conventional way of learning how to ride, there's one more way that seems to be really effective in teaching kids how to balance. And that's the balance bike.

        With a balance bike, kids learn how to balance (of course), basically because instead of focusing on how to pedal, they focus more on how to balance. Which is really the most important part anyway. And the sooner they learn how to balance, the sooner they can learn how to ride a real bike!

A Nice Affordable IP Camera! The VisorPlus Owl! (Updated with Tech Issue)

<<<UPDATE as of Oct 6, 2016: A few weeks ago, users have been commenting on this blog post reporting a tech issue wherein the IP camera could only be accessed when their mobile phones are connected to the same wifi connection as the camera. Meaning it did not work when the user is out of the house using a different internet connection, which defeats the purpose of having an IP camera at home. According to another comment, Kimstore said there was a server problem and didn't know when it will be fixed. It was really working great with me until the issue started. So there. Just thought you all need to know before you buy. Hoping the issue will be fixed soon! But feel free to continue reading my experience with it before the issue started:)  >>>

~ ~ ~

        It seemed only yesterday when having a CCTV at home was something expensive to have. But unfortunately with today's busy schedule, especially us parents, having an eye at home is something we all need. But now, with a very affordable price giving you good basic functions, it's possible to keep an eye at home while you go out and do errands and stuff. Check out the VisorPlus Owl! 

Pastry Armoire's New Sticky Buns Flavors and their Mother's Day Promo!

        It's Mother's Day Month! (You get what I mean). And if you're a first time mom like I was 4 years ago, you would have that exciting feeling in your stomach as you realize how big of a deal being a mom really is. IT'S HARD! And celebrating your first Mother's Day will make you say "Heck yeah! It's my day! I'm expecting my special treatment any minute now!" Haha!

        And so we really appreciate it when delicious establishments whip up a special promotion for moms on Mother's Day! Pastry Armoire, a delicious little shop  in BF Homes, has 4 new sticky buns flavors this year, just in time for a Mother's Day Promotion!

Shopkins Season 4 and Shoppies Jessicake Unboxing!

        I've been wanting to get Rain some Shopkins the moment I saw it in Toy Kingdom way back. But because she was still 3 years old at that time, I had to stop myself because the parts are quite small. It was tough because they all looked so cute and it looked like fun collecting them! But now that Rain is over 4 years old, it's Shopkins time!!!

Why We Love The SchoolRoom!

        I remember the last time I was in The SchoolRoom. It was years ago. I went with my cousin as she took her daughter there. I remember my cousin saying she really liked the school. Flashback to 2016, I was happy to see they were still open. And still in the very same location at the heart of Ortigas Center. And this time, Rain and I were there to check out the place.

        Although I'm okay with Rain's current school, the main reason why I chose it is because it's so near from our house. But honestly speaking, if I had checked The SchoolRoom a year ago I would have really considered enrolling her there. And I will show you why.

Elephone Available TODAY 12 Noon Only at Lazada!

        There's a new cellphone brand in the block! A brand with great quality, great specs, but very very affordable. And it's exclusively available in Lazada starting 12 Noon today, April 18, 2016!

        Meet Elephone! A fast-growing Chinese smartphone manufacturer that creates user-friendly, top quality, amazing performance smartphones, but for a super duper excellent value for money. It has been making waves in Europe and Southeast Asia, and now it has reached the shores of the Philippines through their partnership with Lazada.com.ph!

So without further adieu, meet the Elephone P9000, P8000, and S1!!! Starting with the...

The Postpaid You’ve Been Waiting For: Globe myStarter Plan! (And a chance to win a Palawan Trip!)

        I remember talking to my frantic sister one day as she hurries to the convenient store to load her pre-paid phone. She’s in her late 20s, a working girl, and sometimes have a lot on her plate. Her days can be very busy. So I was telling her that it might be time for her to get a reliable budget-friendly starter plan. But she’s always loved her pre-paid because she gets to control her budget for her mobile usage. While this might work for her care-free worry-free self 5 years ago, she has more responsibilities now. She has more adventures to go through.

        She’s always been holding off on signing up for a plan because she’s worried about getting shocking bills and stuff, plus she didn’t like the hassle of changing her number and updating everyone on her phonebook. And I don’t blame her. But I still believed she needed a reliable post-paid plan.

        And so, the timing couldn’t be better when Globe promotes their myStarter Plan. It’s an amazing post-paid plan that has all the basics you will need but is very convenient to migrate to and more importantly, unbelievably budget-friendly! 

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar on Disney Channel

        I love Disney. If I had a peso for every time I say this, I would be rich. But it's true. I really appreciate all the work that they do to come up with new shows, stories, and characters that kids will love. I remember while watching the Anniversary concert of Disney, one interview really stuck with me. It was the interview of Pixar's big boss John Lasseter, and he said that when Disney / Pixar creates characters, they don't just draw them and make them move. They create characters that have soul and make them come to life. This is so true. Every character created in Disney are characters that audiences will either love, or hate (villains), or empathize with. And this is Disney's way of continuously captivating every child's heart, and every child-at-heart.

        Last March 20, 2016 at 11am on Disney Channel, the world finally met 5 new Disney characters in an old-new Disney favorite. The Lion King's epic story continues with THE LION GUARD: RETURN OF THE ROAR television movie! Starring Simba and Nala's son, Kion, and the rest of his friends who has become a team of animals tasked with keeping peace in the Pride Lands. It's an interesting concept! They're basically like animal heroes (or unlikely heroes for that matter), each having their own strengths and roles.

        And then on April 17, at 8:30 AM, The Lion Guard Television Series will premier on Disney Channel!

Meet the Lion Guard!:

Happy Anniversary, Hotel Jen!

        Seems like only yesterday when Hotel Jen officially opened its doors to Manila. Hotel Jen is a member of the Shangri-La Group of Hotels and also has branches around South East Asia such as Penang, Brisbane, Shenyang, Hong Kong, Puteri Harbour Johor, Male, Upper East Beijing, and Orchard Gateway Singapore, and Tanglin Singapore. And a year ago, they have opened in Manila. And we were lucky to join the celebration of their 1st Anniversary!

Greenwich Hawaiian Overload!

        With all the fancy pizza flavors, sometimes there's one simple flavor that comforts me. And that's Hawaiian. In fact, even my little Rainbow loves Hawaiian Pizza because of the pineapples. She picks them out and eats it.

        But anyway, this summer, Greenwhich recently launched their newest special flavor that will delight Hawaiian Pizza lovers.... the Hawaiian Pizza Overload!

The Boutique Bed and Breakfast: A Personalized Boutique Hotel Experience!

        Often times when the family is looking for a place that's not so far, but has a cooler climate, Tagaytay's usually the place to be. Tagaytay has changed a lot since my first few visits. More buildings, more commercial centers... But it's nice to know that there are still a lot of places you can stay which makes you feel like you're in some hidden paradise, even though the location is very convenient and accessible! This romantic hidden place is The Boutique Bed and Breakfast.

Parenting Mishaps and Children's Medicine: Make No Mistake!

        When a child is born, especially when it's the first born, a parent is born too. The baby is clueless, innocent. And in that moment you realize that you have no idea how to really take care and raise a child. Babies don't come in a package with an instruction guide. I don't know about you, but in my case, as a parent, I have no idea what I'm doing. And you will need all the emotional support you can get. Mistakes will happen. There is no perfect parent.

        For one, like other moms, I don't cook. I mean I probably could if I really wanted to. But it's really just not my interest. This is why we hired a all-around maid who can cook for us. When Rain was still a baby, I learned how to cook Arroz Caldo so it's something Baby Rain could eat easily. In fact I even made a post about it. Ideally, when you cook for babies, you use as much fresh ingredients as you can. But dummy me didn't know how to make chicken stock. I tried. And it burnt. Can you believe that? After the first failed attempt, I didn't try again. I wish I took a photo of that burnt chicken stock. So anyway I ended up using chicken cubes.

        We all try to be the best that we can be. And most of the time we just follow our instincts. Or we wing it. But when it comes to your kid being sick, we can't afford to just wing it. There's no room for error when it comes to giving your kid the proper medication. That's why we have to try to know as much as we can in giving the right medicine for our child.

SELLEBRATE Summer with OLX's Ultimate #NAKSPERIENCE Summer Promo!

Boracay with our little photo bomber!

It's summer time!!!

        Do you have any plans for the summer? I wish it was that easy to plan an awesome summer trip. But we all know that in requires careful planning, and of course, the budget to put the plan into action. No one wants to travel without pocket money. Most especially for moms like us, who have to plan for more than one. All options to earn are welcome to save up for a relaxing and well-deserved vacation.

        As a stay-at-home-mom, I don't really have a steady income. Projects come and go, and they're not always there, honestly speaking. So sometimes when there's an easy (and legal) opportunity to earn something, we grab it! Just like selling things we don't need anymore over the internet.

        Thank God for OLX, I can sell second hand / unused items like toys, second-hand shoes but are in very good condition, bags or gadgets. It's the perfect opportunity to loosen up the closet space while earning at the same time! It's a win-win situation!


        But what if I told you that users (or new users) of OLX can actually get the chance to win exciting prizes just by posting for sale items through the OLX app?! And by "exciting prizes", I mean a huge shopping spree and maybe even a TRIP FOR 4 TO YOUR DREAM VACATION THIS SUMMER?!? It's the ultimate #NAKSPERIENCE summer promo!  I'm sure I got your attention! Read on to find out more!

PASS Deluxe Egg Decorating Kit: A Cool Way of Decorating Eggs!

        My brother in law Ryan just came back from the states a few days ago and look what he got for the kids for Easter Sunday! PAAS Egg Decorating Kit! Apparently it's America's  favorite Easter Tradition. And I can see why!

A Kid-Friendly Weekend at F1 Hotel Manila!: Pre-Easter Egg Hunting!

        Right after Rain's Moving Up Day, we were fortunate to get to celebrate at F1 Hotel Manila for a fun kid-friendly staycation. In fact, this particular staycation just made me love them even more! And I'm sure Rain feels exactly the same way especially with their kid-friendly activities available this Summer, and most especially this coming Easter Sunday!

Kinder Dramas to Moving-Up Day!

        It seems like only yesterday when I enrolled Rain in school. And now the school year is over. And she's moving up from Kinder 1 to Kinder 2. It was a crazy roller coaster ride for me. I thought it was going to be easy. You know, just bring your child to school, pick her up, ask her how her day went. As a first time parent, I thought it was that easy. Boy was I wrong!

        I believe Rain was the youngest in her class. I enrolled her when she was 3 years old. I thought she would be in Nursery or something but since her birthday month is October (meaning middle of the school year), the school advised that she needs to be enrolled in Kinder 1 already.

        Rain is a smart kid, as all kids nowadays are. But her level of maturity when it came to studying wasn't quite there yet. She was still in the "play only" phase. During the first few weeks of school she would just act as a supervisor, walking around class while the teacher is teaching, bothering her classmates, and even picking on one of her boy classmates.

Doing homeworks was also not a walk-in-the-park. Their homeworks were only given during weekends. And every time we would start, she would say "I'm tired mama"... But when I let her rest, she would magically recharge and play. Haaaaay.

        I was having a hard time because I was beating myself up, thinking I've lacked in teaching her how to listen, behave, and stuff. But it was her teachers that were telling me that it's normal. And that she will eventually reach that maturity when it comes to really doing school stuff. In fairness to Rain, she does do some school work. And towards the middle of the school year, she started improving more, learned how to stay still and listen more. She would surprise me with saying and using new words she knows.

        I'm sharing this because I want other parents out there who are worried about their kids to know that you're not alone. It's perfectly normal. I guess first time parents like me really tend to over-react. I know it's hard not to compare your kid with other kids who are doing better in school. But as we all should know, comparing is bad. Especially when you compare out loud in front of your kid. Not good for his/her self-esteem.

Anyway, come March 2016, it was her moving up day!

Make Your Little Ones Love Math With MatheMagis Summer School!

        When I was young, I hated math. Until now actually. That's why I took up Mass Communications. (If I had a peso for everytime I said that. I would be rich right now). And that's why I wished there was a fun way to learn math during my time. It would have been easier for me.

        Can you relate with me? Or more importantly, can your kids relate? Lucky for them there's a fun Math summer class they can attend this summer!

        Make your kids learn math happily and confidently with Mathemagis' Singapore Math Summer programs!

The Launch of FOOD CREW PH!

        More and more Filipino people are getting online. Almost everyone I know, even the older generations, have smartphones and have Facebook. In fact, people nowadays spend more time online than watching TV. This just makes a strong statement that the internet is fast becoming the main medium for communication. This explains the aggressiveness of brands (specifically food brands) in looking for online food influencers with good reputation.

        So co-founders B'ley Villones and Seanta Reyes had a light bulb moment and created a community where food influencers can meet, collaborate, share ideas, and pretty soon hold fun workshops as well.  It will be a platform where foodies can promote the Philippine's food industry through social media. And of course, at the same time, it will be like a pool of online food influencers where Food Brands can get to know them. Check out what Food Crew has in store!

My Preparation for Summer: 10K Steps, Brown Rice, and MySlim Yerba Drink

        I have to admit. I have mixed feelings about summer. I'm happy because of we get to have a splashing good time at the pool! Plus of course it's vacation time for Rain. But at the same time, I dread having to wear a bathing suit and showing my ab (Yes, singular. One big one), and the rest of my flabs. I may never have my pre-pregnancy body again. So all my photos that I dare post are like this photo above. Showing my top part only, and has to be angled correctly. Hehehe.

See what I mean?

        So what exactly am I doing to prep for the summer of 2016? Three things. Small steps but I believe makes a big difference in the long run....

When Was The Last Time You Had A Decent Nap?: Napping 101

        I remember a fellow blogger posted a survey on Facebook asking moms on what special gift they want to receive. And it could be anything like a vacation or a spa treatment. And funnily enough, she added: OTHER THAN A NAP. This goes to show how naps are always up there on a mom's wish list. (Single ladies, never underestimate naps. You will miss them after you give birth!) My answer was to have an overnight stay in a luxurious hotel... all to myself.... TO SLEEP!

        I have not had a decent nap for 4 years and counting.  Since I became a mom, a 2 minute nap already feels like 30 minutes. And somehow, even in such a short time frame, I suddenly feel refreshed. And the moment I jerk up from my nap I always think I can't believe I fell asleep! What happened? Where am I? Who am I?

        Being a mom is a handful. Currently, I only have 2 people I look out for. A 4 year old girl, and my husband (hehehe). But it already feels like a huge load. And so if you think about it, I need more naps than ever. Because napping is more than resting. It has physical and mental benefits that every person needs to get through the day. Or to get through life.

        So, in honor of National Napping Day on March 14, I would like to share this Napping 101 from CASPER  (who specializes in all things sleep like their memory foam mattresses)  because I know we can all benefit from this. You're welcome! :

A List of Fun Easter Sunday Happenings for the Family this 2016!

     

        Clueless where to spend Easter with your family? I've compiled some of the fun Easter Activities happening around the metro (and some from out-of-town) just for you! Hope this helps! (Note: I might update this post this week if I find more!)

Here we go!

New McDo Happy Meal is out TODAY!: Kung Fu Panda 3! And One More Surprise Awaits!

        Rain is a Happy Meal kid. Of course, that's the effect of having a dad that loves McDonalds (Fine... fine... And a mom too!) Happy Meal toys help us in more ways than one actually. You see, my little Rainbow have experienced coming home from kinder school with a sad stamp on her arm. These are the times when she would just want to play and not listen to her teacher. So to teach her the concept of working hard for something she likes, sometimes we would give her little toy surprises for being a good girl in school. And Happy Meal toys are our usual toy surprise stash. Our tummies would be happy, and so is Rain with her toy;-) Win-win!

        That being said, we're always on the look-out for McDo's latest Happy Meal toys. We just collected the Equestria Girls, and now there's a new set coming out! Starting TODAY MARCH 9, in lieu of the latest Dreamworks Animated movie, the new Happy Meal toy is the KUNG FU PANDA 3 Set!!!  (Read on for another cool announcement from McDo!)

Kidzania Rocks!!!

        Kidzania has been open for quite some time now here in the Philipines. But before they opened, I only heard about Kidzania from my niece and nephew who were raving about their Kidzania experience in Malaysia. I basically thought it was a pretend-play world where you can just enter a pretend shop and just pretend play inside. I was wrong. It was serious stuff!  And once I saw the little shops, I was amazed with the attention-to-detail. It's literally a world for kids where they get to learn and experience how it is to work for different fields. I'll show you why I think it's a brilliant concept for kids. There's really a lot more to it. It's not just play.

Rainbow's Favorite Snack: Orell's Glazed Banana Thins!

        My little Rainbow takes after my husband nowadays. She's a picky eater. Well, I guess it's normal for the age of 4. She doesn't like rice so much. But she loves bread. She loves eggs. She doesn't really like meat. But she loves tempura. No rice. She loves noodles. But she doesn't like tomato sauce. She likes white sauces on her pasta. (Sounding more like the original Pickiest Eater Richie as the list goes on). But if there's one thing I'm thankful for is that she likes fruits. And bananas is one of her favorite.

        So what do you feed a little picky eater when she's craving for some chips? You lean over the healthier type of chip: Banana chips! And I will tell you now. Orell's Glazed Banana Thins so far is the best banana chips I've tried! Oh sorry... it's not banana chips. It's banana THINS!!!! And this is precisely what I love about this!

What To Do When Your iPhone 6 Plus Camera Becomes Blurry

        2 weeks ago, we were out of the house going about our day, when I decided to take a photo of our good friend Gerry of Dude4Food with Rain (because she was feeling extra lambing that day to everyone). When I raised my phone up to take a shot, it took me longer than usually because for some reason the photo looked blurred and was taking its sweet time focusing. I tapped the screen to focus it, but after a few gentle taps, end then a few frantic taps, it just would not respond! See the photo above. If you're looking at it from a far, you won't really notice. But see it up close and it's blurry. Look closely at Rain's face.

        Panicked, I showed my husband and he tried to restart the phone. Still negative. Then our good techie friend Chuckie (AllChuckedUp), who was my last ray of hope at that time, tried to check it and did a hard reset, hoping the problem is the software. Still, photos from the back camera, or what they call the iSight camera, remained blurred. Holy moley I realized I was in trouble. My phone camera was broken!

        So as soon as we got home I googled the night away looking for anyone or any article who experienced the same thing my phone was experiencing. And then I found this:

Beautiful and Delicious Authentic Japanese Dishes at Minami Saki by Astoria!

        Whenever someone asks me what my favorite cuisine is, aside from Filipino, often my top answer is Japanese. I just can't say no to a good tempura, or a katsudon! I love the mixture of sweet and salty that Japanese food usually has. And so a few weeks ago I was thrilled to have tried another good Japanese restaurant! So authentic that the Executive Chef creates these beautiful dishes unlike anything I've seen before. And the place is Minamisaki by Astoria.