Growing up, I may have amassed a huge collection of borloloys and kutingtings. I probably got it from my mom who also likes collecting these accessories and adding them to her ensemble. I remember going to bazaars and scouring malls to find these trinkets. As much as I have enjoyed hunting for rare and unique pieces, alas, I am a SAHM now and my mom is not so much the travel bug that she used to be.

Borloloy queen circa 2006 #throwback

But here comes the Internet, which is an amazing place and with the boom of E-commerce, I found an online shop that caters to such whimsy. Introducing TRINKETS & STONES!

http://instagram.com/trinketsandstones

This Cebu-based craft shop specializes in stone settings and charm bracelets, one of my weaknesses. They have an amazing collection of these unique pieces that you can customize and personalize all you want. It's really the sweetest gift you can give to someone or even perhaps as a giveaway to your friends during weddings, birthdays, baptisms, and other special occasions.

Very classy packaging!

Now check out my very own "Basta Igat, Sikat!" Charm Bracelet. And yes, they do metal stamping, too! I am in love, love, loooooooooove!!!


My customized charm bracelet's got everything I stand for as of the moment and also tells you want I'm into. First and foremost, my slogan, Basta Igat, Sikat! and then there's the passport which signifies my love for travel, scissors for my crafts, a camera because I'm still very much into photography, a cute cookbook since I cook a lot, and of course, a butterfly because that's always been my symbol (but you already know that if you've been following me since my blog's inception).

Spot the hidden message! #trinketsandstones #handstampedjewelry #handstampedcuff #cuff #cebu #manila #handmadeph #customizedph

A photo posted by Trinkets & Stones (@trinketsandstones) on Apr 14, 2015 at 5:50am PDT

I'm going to order this metal cuff bracelet next. Isn't it gorgeous?! Their creations are so beautiful and the possibilities are endless because you're the designer and you can create just about anything you can think of. I assure you that anyone who receives a personalized gift will be very ecstatic! Come on, let's spread happiness!

It's always a joy to create something unique and personal. Here's one of our recent projects, a set of customized hand stamped necklaces for J&J's bridesmaids, each with a charm matching each lady's personality. How cute and thoughtful is that? #trinketsandstones #handstampedjewelry #charmnecklace #necklace #manilaweddings #cebuweddings #manila #cebu #bridesmaidgift #customizedph

A photo posted by Trinkets & Stones (@trinketsandstones) on Mar 18, 2015 at 1:52am PDT

Natural wonders. #trinketsandstones #quartz #druzy #amethyst #necklace

A photo posted by Trinkets & Stones (@trinketsandstones) on Jan 28, 2015 at 7:50am PST

For more handcrafted goodness, you can follow TRINKETS & STONES on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and TUMBLR.

Good morning! 안녕하세요! Ohayou Goizaimasu! 早上好 Zao Shang Hao!

Yesterday I took some time off work and traveled to The Queen City of the South, my birthplace, my beloved Cebu City. Would you believe it has been OVER A YEAR since I've been back? WHOA. As if it's not only 2 hours away!


Anyways, Noodle Boy with his undying love and unending support accompanied me to get a hair cut. I know what you're thinking. Yes, I went all the way out to the other island just for a cut. But it's not just any hair cut! It's for my awesome PIXIE cut!

So from Rapunzel to Tinker Bell. Should I get my hair bleached? *esep*esep*

I love getting my hair blow dried. I feel like a puppy. LOLz!

Move over Charice Pempengco. Tee hee!

There's only one person in the world who I trust can do it for me and do it right the first time. The very same person who chopped off my hair in the summer of '05 and gave me a cool new look some 8 years ago already -- Francis, the Singaporean owner of Bridges Salon and L’Oreal hairstyling ambassador.

With Francis Lee, the brilliant senior hairstylist and owner of Bridges Salon.

PixieMeiXi is back!

Inspired by Mary Margaret (Ginnifer Goodwin) from Once Upon a Time

With my #1 fan, Cariño Mio.

Next on the itinerary was SUPERMAN!!! And we watched it at no other than the IMAX Theatre. **Don't worry I'm not posting any spoilers!** 


From the beginning to the end, it was action packed. You better not down lots of liquid because you'll risk peeing in your pants (literally). You wouldn't want to get up in the middle of the movie just to relieve yourself. I tell you, THIS IS THE BEST SUPERMAN *EVER*! Though I really wonder what gel he used because his hair stayed in the place the whole time he was getting punched and slammed. And I do wish Henry Cavill to play Christian Grey should Hollywood pursue the Fifty Shades of Grey film adaptation. He is just adorable and so hot!!! Tee hee.


I got emotional in some parts of the movie since they really showed Superman's "human" side and I do know what it's like to be a mom now. So yeah. Parents. You should definitely watch this film in an IMAX Theatre  [we got center seats at J15 & J16] to have the best experience because there's nothing quite like it really. The movie is so good that I still get goosebumps when I think about it. I'm so going to get a Blu-Ray copy, that's for sure. And don't forget to pee first before you watch it! It's 2.5 hours of awesomeness!!! Your bladder will thank you. :)




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Summer is officially here! But apparently, most people had already gone to spend their summer vacations during the Holy Week. As for the rest of us, we are still yet to embark on our tanning escapades, water fights, party nights, and grab our favorite flip-flops to make a run for the nearest beach.

Looking back, I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to visit some of the best beaches in the country with my friends and family. The earliest beach escapade I can remember was back in 1992 when we went to Boracay. There were just a few resorts back then and it wasn't as crowded. I was only 9 years old so there's not much partying for me but just a whole lot of swimming. LOL!

Neon yellow wayfarers were definitely already the thing some 20 years ago!!!

Malapascua (Logon) Island is what we fondly call a mini-Boracay and it was exactly like how Boracay looked the first time I went there. It's probably more developed now but when I was in college, the place felt like our own private white beach.
Santiago Bay Garden and Resort in Camotes Island is one of the places I've been to before a lot of people from all over the country discovered it. It's like one of those setting you read in romance novels and for me it's one of the perfect getaways for couples who don't like overcrowded beaches. I'm sorry I could not provide any photos because during this time I learned a very valuable lesson -- always make back-ups of your hard drive (or at least the My Pictures folder). Damn Sality virus infected my PC and screwed up the entire system. All my files from 2002 were a goner. Boo! :(

The one good thing about living here in the province is that we are near so many beautiful beaches and we don't have to book flights just to get to one! Just like Canigao Island that's just 10 minutes away via pump boat from Macrohon, Leyte.

Because I lived in Cebu for a few years back, going to Moalboal was a given. Then it was off to Kawasan Falls.
Mactan's Plantation Bay Resort & Spa is one of my TOP favorite places to be. Need I say why? Well, you can read all about it HERE.


Panglao Island in Bohol is also another popular destination during the summer. It's the one place to be if you want a white beach getaway and at the same time want to immerse in some history + sightseeing all over Bohol (think Chocolate Hills, tarsiers, old Baclayon church, etc.).

Tangkaan Point in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte is another one of those hidden gems in the island. Only a few hours away and you don't have to spend thousands to enjoy the beautiful location. You can also do a side trip and check out Gunhuban Falls near Bato, Leyte.

Island hopping is one of the best things to do during the summer and you can even do it in a single day! This is true if you want to explore the islands near Mactan and Cebu. I've been to Gilutongan, Caohagan, and Sulpa Islands. And yet, there's still Pandanon, Talima, Nalusuan, and so many more to explore!!!

Bantayan Island is another place I keep coming back to. If I were to pick one island where I could live the rest of my life in, that would be the place I'd rather be. I don't care if it's at a secluded part of the island (like Maia's Beach Resort) or at the most happening place in town (we stayed at Tristan's). I don't really know why but it just feels like home to me.


And then of course, there's our recent summer escapade at Crimson Resort & Spa which is definitely world-class! For more pictures, you can check it out HERE.


I have yet to go to Kalanggaman Island, which is making big waves in tourism-related news, and I hope to visit there this summer.


And now it's time for my summer raffle... But first let me ask you, are you set for summer? If not, then here's your chance to win some prizes -- a summer loot you can take with you on your next beach getaway! I'll be adding more prizes as the summer sun blazes on before the end of the month. One lucky winner (*must be a resident of the Philippines or one who has an address serviceable by JRS or LBC so I can ship your prize even if you're out of the country!*) will win all these awesome goodies! Contest ends on the 1st of May at 12 AM. I will be announcing the winner on May 2, 2013. All you need to do is the following:

JOIN THE GIVEAWAY VIA RAFFLECOPTER BELOW!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


Enjoy Summer 2013! And don't forget your sunscreens! ;)

UPDATE 5/6/2013: Our lucky winner has received her prizes/summer loot bag!



Until my next giveaway... Stay tuned!





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If you think about college, what is it that you remember most? For me, I think it was the endless summers and beach bumming, when I wore size 23 jeans and had skin so tanned like I lived on a beach. I posted pictures and even a blog entry about Plantation Bay Resort and Spa back during the days of Friendster. It was, after all, the most popular social sharing site in 2003-2004 (pre-Facebook era). More popular than MySpace here in the Philippines, in my opinion. But sadly, the site shut down and along with it disappeared the fond memories of a timeless place I just had to visit not just once but twice during my carefree college days.

But that's not the end of this story, because 9 years later, I found a treasure trove. No coins or any precious metals like gold or silver in it but I found what is more precious to me than any of those even in crates. I FOUND MY MEMORIES... in several compact discs. Some pictures were scanned from prints and others were taken by low megapixel camera phones and digital cameras. Please excuse the quality. :)


My husband Noodle Boy and I were just discussing about going to Plantation Bay for our next summer vacation and incidentally, I found a folder in one of my files containing all my old photos from days spent at the resort. Check out all these "vintage" photos of yours truly and see if you can recognize me.


When we arrived at Plantation Bay, the first thing I noticed back then was the NO TIPPING policy. It's a perfectly clear sign you won't fail to notice when you ride the service/golf carts. It was the first time I've encountered such policy and the staff were extremely courteous and pleasant that you can't help but want to tip them; of course, they'd just flat out refuse so I'd just thank them profusely for doing any service. The servers are also nice because you can actually engage them in chitchat. Not a lot of waiters and waitresses do that but the one assigned to us during a meal was articulate. I really liked that!

Nevertheless, that was back in 2003 when I went there with a dear friend of the family, Melanie, together with her mom and friends. She was visiting the islands for the summer and what better opportunity to cool off than go swimming at Plantation Bay. As you can see, we were all laughter and cheers then. I believe it was like a girls day out as we sipped cocktails at Savannah Pool and relaxed at Mogambo Springs. We tried the warm water pools, cool freshwater pools, and the saltwater pools!

Thanks Mel and Mommy Ging for the getaway!

Breakfast at Kilimanjaro Kafe is absolutely amazing. It's got everything my Filipino palate wanted to eat and then some. I went there pre-high-tech-digital-camera/smartphone era so forgive me if I don't have Instagram photos of food to make you salivate. Also there's a variety of international dishes there and supposedly a different culinary theme each day. Here's a little F&B insider tip: I heard that there was a tremendous amount of effort made to pick just the right kind of bacon to serve. More than 10 kinds of bacon were tried/tested. Wow! For someone who loves bacon like I love the feel of summer breeze on my skin, that's just really awesome!

Apparently, my first time at Plantation Bay definitely blew me away. I just had to come back and this time it was with my family. It was right after my mom and I arrived from our US trip in 2004. My dad who we miss so much already didn't wait for us at home but met us in Cebu. So then we stayed overnight at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan because I insisted. Tee hee! I mean, come on, the place is marvelous! All 11.4 hectares of the place is a sight to behold. We biked around the resort and it was a fun way to break a sweat. Can you believe this place is actually man-made!?!?! WOW! By the way, I gotta hand it to the architect, Joy Onozawa, for the great job with the environmental designs!


Anyway, my mom and dad were very impressed with the place, too, as I hoped. They particularly gave remarks to the water's edge and the lagoon side rooms. It's only in this resort where one can feel absolutely loved and cherished because of the basket of Philippine delicacies (gotta love those dried mangoes and yes, it was the first time I tried the mango-tamarind treats which until now we regularly buy from the grocery whenever we have the chance to!) that you'll find in the room upon check-in and the 1L of mineral water that they replenish daily. It's also amazing how Plantation Bay makes their guests feel like they have their own beach houses. My dad is really a beach bum (I must have gotten that from him!) and he still actually goes to our dilapidated beach house every weekend. There are times he would go there up to thrice a week! I think it reminds him of the times he had growing up after he lost his parents and he had to fish for food just to be able to eat lunch. But, yeah, that's a different story. He loves the water and enjoys swimming.

This is my dad. My source of strength, the greatest provider, and the most understanding man I know.

Our summer escapade at Plantation Bay gave us a chance to bond as a family. I'm an only kid, you see, and as an adolescent I was sort of rebellious and didn't communicate well with my folks. I wrote them A LOT of letters though. My mom has kept each one of them in her drawer. But that was before because now my relationship with my parents is pure delight, and they're both wonderful grandparents to my son. Before I got married, summer outings and vacations were ways for my parents and I to be able to sit down and talk and just enjoy being a family. Plantation Bay provided quite the peaceful and tranquil setting for that.


With the advent of technology and the rise of the social networks, getting in touch with Plantation Bay now is so easy. Recently, I was able to contact them through Facebook and got a reply promptly.


I've been wanting to go back to Plantation Bay for so long but this time I want to take my own family, Noodle Boy and the little Noodle Lito, and then create new memories. It's such a family-friendly resort and I'm excited to try the fun and exciting things to do at the resort with my husband and my little one. I remember the last time we were there it was possible to get some henna tattoo done in one of the kiosks. Also there are so many children's activities and rides to get involved with. I just found out that you can go fishing for real live garoupa, fish-feeding, boat-racing, sand-castle building, face and t-shirt painting, and there's a game room full of entertainment at your disposal as well as you can participate in outdoor activities like rock climbing and archery! My oh my! Furthermore, it's very nice to know that they have a nurse on duty 24/7 as well as a doctor on call. Obviously, there are still so much to see and experience at Plantation Bay that I just can't wait to go back!

So until then... I'll just reminisce with my memories of a summer that lasted forever.


Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
Marigondon, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines
http://plantationbay.com





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I am in shape. Round is a shape.  

I'm not new to the world of weight loss. Ever since graduating from college, I have battled to stay fit until I got married and had a baby. My early twenties were such glorious days and my metabolism was at its peak. And I had a lot of free time to worry about my weight! (I also don't want to end up looking like most females in my family tree who aren't exactly genetically endowed with supermodel traits. Shhh. Don't tell them I said that!)

That is why in 2003, I saved my allowance to buy a book. It was a huge thing back then, the renowned diet technique itself and the price of a hardbound book plus its accompanying reference guide. It was all over the news, so I bought it.

Click to enlarge.

I learned so much about dieting and eating the proper food, however, there was one major gripe I had with it -- THE INGREDIENTS! I was so excited to try the whole experiment but alas, there was no way to get the ingredients I need to follow the plan. So I moved on. I did, however, get to use the reference guide to check for calories. In any case, I've kept the book for almost 9 years now in hopes that maybe one day all the ingredients will be within my reach, or if I move to another country and have access to everything I need.

But that's not the end of my weight loss story. Ladies and gentlemen, the following is a scrapbook I made to tell the story of my weight loss journey over the years. Let's take a little trip down memory lane, shall we? (Note: Pic heavy! Please wait for images to load. Thanks.) 

Click here for larger image or if the images above won't load.

I know what you're thinking. You might be asking this question: "WHY DOES MYMARIA NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT WHEN SHE'S REALLY NOT FAT? Is she that vain?" Okay, maybe you're not asking this but a lot of people came up to me to ask me that sort of question before. I always answer them, "Maybe 110 lbs is not a big deal for most people, but if you're [insert real height] inches tall like me, then it can be a problem." Plus, I'm not a big fashion freak so I don't really shop for clothes and I feel comfortable wearing vintage shirts I've had since high school and jeans that fit me like a glove. So you see, it's basically just economics for me because when I don't eat a lot, I do not gain weight and absolutely do not need to buy new clothes every time my waist size changes. Therefore, I save money. Well, that was my logic back then, though I still believe in that until now.

It's not vanity to feel you have a right to be beautiful. Women are taught to feel we're not good enough, that we must live up to someone else's standards. But my aim is to cherish myself as I am. -Elle McPherson

But that's really shallow, you say? Okay, here's the thing. Looking back, I think it was more of me trying to FIND WHO I WAS and all this weight loss drama ultimately helped in making me who I am right now. Do you get it?  Think of it this way. If I hadn't experimented in all that crazy dieting, then I wouldn't really know what is good and what is bad for me. I'm more of a you-live-you-learn type of girl.

Continuing my weight loss battle especially now that I've given birth and had once ballooned up to 154 lbs, losing weight is no longer a fairly easy thing to do. The most challenging part of all is that all those methods that I had once proven to be effective for me, namely: Herbalife, Zhen De Shou, the Fish Diet, and even the Slimming Coffee are weight loss methods that I can't do anymore because... I AM CURRENTLY BREASTFEEDING! But isn't breastfeeding supposedly going to make you lose weight!?! Aha! Now that's a misconception. It does, however, burn calories. Just as different diets work for different people, some might work for others who are lucky enough but still many diet techniques out there also don't work for a lot of people. The same goes for breastfeeding. Sure enough I could burn 700 calories just for bonding and nursing my precious baby boy but it is A LOT OF WORK and I get super thirsty and hungry afterwards. So really, it's a vicious cycle. I must drink a lot or eat after so that I won't compromise my milk supply.

Earlier I wanted to try the GM (General Motors) Diet or even the Master Cleanse because they seem like a safe and effective way to lose weight compared to my previous dieting tricks. However, these forms of dieting (and I've researched extensively!) are not fit for a nursing mother. WOE IS MEEEEEEEE! But hey, I'm a happy mom and I enjoy nursing my son. But when I look at a closet full of my pre-pregnancy clothes, I feel depressed. (And being "tagged" on photos of weight loss products in Facebook is not helping either!) Which was why starting last May 4th, I created a customized weight loss program for myself and also made a journal about it so I can keep track of my progress. (You can check it out here.) I say progress because I'm staying positive and determined to do this. Because in all honesty, the real key to losing weight successfully is DETERMINATION and DISCIPLINE. Without those two, you're not going to make it. Add patience and a  positive outlook, and you'll come out victorious.

So in a nutshell, I have lost 6-8 lbs in less than a month's time. NOT BAD AT ALL. If I keep at it, I'll probably reach my targeted weight in 3-4 months. My diet plan right now can be illustrated like this:




I guess my grade school Science & Health teachers were right all along. No more peculiar diets and overhyped weight loss methods for me. I only need the basics:

• A balanced diet (Go, Grow, and Glow foods)
• 8-12 glasses of water a day (I drink about 3L daily)
• Exercise (nothing crazily strenuous as I have to breastfeed my kid)
• Eat good carbs and good fats with calorie counting (1,200 calories daily in order to lose weight but I think 1,500 is okay for my milk supply!)
• Eat proper portions (do not exceed servings!) 

MyMaria's Secret: Read Nutrition Labels! It's there for a reason. It tells you just how much calories you are consuming and how many servings you should eat. Take a look at that Oreo box's nutrition facts. What does it say? It tells us that 3 cookies = 160 calories! BAM! You might as well snack on 16 pcs of Pringles chips because that also equal to 150 calories. But watch out! A tall can of Pringles has 5 servings so if you finish the whole thing, you just consumed a whooping 750 calories! Wow! Counting calories certainly improves my Math skills. Tee hee.
I may have abandoned all my dreams of wanting to be a petite or junior size model but I have a new dream now. I am a mom and raising my son to be a health-conscious individual is my priority. I don't want him growing up with all sorts of weird notions about weight like how reed thin models are sexier than the curvaceous and voluptuous women.


The media is really playing a huge part in children's and teenagers' views, so I am here to teach my son that healthy is sexy. I don't want an anorexic-looking daughter-in-law! (Oh wow! Did I just say that out loud? Tee hee.) I also intend to teach him that just like mommy who's got battle scars from giving birth to a big handsome boy, a little aesthetic improvement can be really helpful to boost your confidence and self-esteem which can lead to better performance in jobs and a very optimistic attitude towards life. That is why I'm seriously considering getting in touch with Sexy Solutions. Hard work pays a lot when it comes to dieting and exercise but at my age and current condition, there are those beyond my control such as:

• Fat in stubborn places. No amount of dieting I think will make it go away, thus, I need the help of Sexy Solutions to melt them using a non-invasive fat reduction method such as a Lipo Cavitation.
• Loose skin. I had a 36-inch waistline when I was pregnant with my big boy and I do not intend to keep wearing my husband's jeans. I also do not want to look like a kangaroo with a hanging pouch in my belly forever. A Multi-Firm or a Tite FX treat sounds really good right now.
• Muscle definition. I could renew my gym membership but I'm okay with working out at home on an old treadmill and doing some light weights. However, I think I could really benefit from learning about correct muscle toning from Belo Medical Group’s in-store consultant and fitness expert Edward Mendez or just get a Body Sculpt while I'm at it. 

Change is constant and I'm ready to transform this body that currently does not feel like my own. I'm done with looking at the mirror and not recognizing my old self with random people asking me, "Hey, are you pregnant again?" 



PUH-LEAZZZE! Enough already. I may not be Stacy's mom but I wouldn't mind it if people start saying, "But she's got it going on."


xoxo,



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P.S. How about you? Got any interesting (safe for breastfeeding) weight loss programs and sexy solutions?