I wasn't always the most organized person in the world. In fact I was "The Greatest Slob of All". But all that has since changed... just like I predicted back when I was young and seventeen.



Eventually life takes you down a path where you have to stop and take a good look at your life and think about how you can make it better. You don't need to wait for life to throw lemons at you to make lemonade. Why? Because every day we have a choice to make one if we want to. So yes, life is what we make it. That's the real truth.

So the question that I am recently faced with is “What do you do 2x a week to keep you feeling clean and sexy?” That's a no-brainer. I'm vain and I know it and because of that I have a routine I'd like to share with you and this really helps me to boost confidence and even feel sexy. It's all about the attitude and discipline. Take a look at my weekly routine below and as you continue reading my blog, you'll see why #IDoItTwiceAWeek.


For me, the formation of habit is really important. Once I'm set on a routine, it's just automatic. You don't have to drag yourself once you get the whole thing dialed in. My weight gain/loss journey is something that's a rollercoaster ride but no matter how much I'm tipping the scale, I always feel sexy. How so? Because sexy is not your vital statistics. It is how you feel when you're comfortable and confident in your own skin. Here, let me explain it some more.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness. 

While cleaning is still not my strongest suit, there really is a huge difference when everything is spic and span. There's just more positive energy flowing and you get to do things quicker and more efficiently because you don't waste time looking for stuff you've misplaced or forgotten. My husband's belief of a having "a place for everything" has rubbed off on me. So glad I married a neat freak. Although I don't have time to clean stuff up everyday, #IDoItTwiceAWeek.(Saturdays and Sundays)



Three decades and more of existence has taught me one very important thing -- the power of your mind. Remember that dude, Rene Descartes? I totally agree when he said, "I think, therefore, I am." Cogito ergo sum. This is open to many interpretations but it doesn't change the fact that when you stop and think, breathe and reflect, focus and concentrate... your purpose becomes clearer and life just gets better. Try it. #IDoItTwiceAWeek (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Everything starts from within, right? That's why I love my coffee with grass-fed butter and MCT oil because it just clears my head and lets me think straight. But we also need to take care of our body externally and we can do this by sweating the bad stuff out, ergo, exercising.

I'm no longer gym rat because honestly, I don't have time for that. But I am a fan of high intensity interval training and circuit training. You can do them without a gym membership, in your own time and place. (Wednesdays and Saturdays for me.) Another favorite of mine is a quick nature trip and ending with some earthing or grounding to neutralize all my energy and feel like new. And yeah, #IDoItTwiceAWeek. (Tuesdays and Thursdays)


As mentioned, vanity is my weakness and even though most people really can't be bothered with exfoliating their skin, I am one who actually does this... like religiously. If you don't do this, you're missing out a lot and if you've got skin problems like me, this is your golden ticket to achieving healthy and glowing skin. That's why #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Tuesdays and Fridays)

You are what you eat! So even if I cheat a lot, I am determined to eat clean and eat healthy as much as possible and if I can't because I'm only human and I get tempted to eat all those unhealthy food, I always make it a point that I get to eat my servings of fruits and veggies and #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Tuesdays and Fridays)

Juicing has done me a lot of good and I'm always happy to share my juicing experience and recipes to anyone who wants to lose weight and just feel healthy overall. I mostly do it for cleansing nowadays and it's always effective and has nothing but good side effects. That's enough reason for me and #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Mondays and Wednesdays)

As a woman who gets crazy periods and hormones enough to drive me to the brink of insanity, I am particularly interested in relieving every kind of feminine discomfort. I mean, who can stand irritations down there? Not to mention the possibilities of infection! And it's not very easy to hide this feeling of being self-conscious, distracted and simply un-sexy. You know, that's why prevention is always better than cure. Fortunately, BETADINE® Feminine Wash is here to help. That's why Clean is the new Sexy and #IDoItTwiceAWeek! (Mondays and Thursdays)

Join the #SexyCleanRevolution and use BETADINE® Feminine Wash TWICE A WEEK to stay clean down there and feel confident and sexy always.

No more worrying about odor for that extra confidence boost especially when Aunt Flo comes to visit during RED DAYS. BETADINE® Feminine Wash is a Povidone Iodine 7.5% antiseptic feminine wash that offers protection from common germs which is the cause of feminine discomfort. Mothers are often prescribed this product by medical doctors after giving birth. Do you know it ranks #3 in the Feminine Wash Category? Yup and it’s also #1 in Liquid Antiseptic Feminine Wash Category.


I believe that all of us women need to take care of ourselves and we can always start by staying clean in our intimate area to harness our inner sexiness. *wink* 

Remember, Clean Living... Clean Mind... Clean Body...

because CLEAN IS THE NEW SEXY!

English Club workshop

Last August 15, I had a the privilege to be the guest speaker of my alma mater's English Club workshop. Ms. Maricar Lago, an English teacher in St. Paul's School and my good friend, invited me to come and talk to the students about how I became a blogger and a social media influencer.

With Miss Maricar Lago of St. Paul's School (Thanks for the pic, Ikay!)

The young generation recognizes the need to be technologically savvy and I spoke to them about the responsibility that comes with the power of the Internet (so I did the whole Spiderman speech!) The kids are amazing. They are very talented and I can't wait to see their creativity once they write their articles and publish their official blogs.

My fellow Paulinians

I gave them a kick-ass presentation (ahem!) and I hope the kids learned a lot. I did a whole segment on Social Media which everyone was very enthusiastic about. And I for one had a blast talking about the things I love the most, writing and the Internet in general. There's so much information out there and I couldn't stress the importance to have a netiquette.


It was a morning well-spent and I look forward to consulting with the group and maybe even in the future consider teaching part-time at St. Paul's School of Ormoc. After all, I owe my English skills to my alma mater and I will be forever grateful to my English adviser, Ms. Lumine Pitoy-Marginet, for all that she's taught and shared with us back then. Time to give back!

Nil Sine Numine.

No, I don't have bad eyesight. In fact, I have perfect 20/20 vision. Just ask Mary Ann Sia-Bangloy of Ormoc Vision Optical. I only wore computer specs which was recommended to me by an eye doctor while I was in Cebu still trying to climb the BPO ladder. It has been 9 years since my online career began and honestly, I didn't wear my eyeglasses half the time of the year or even a quarter. I mostly wore them whenever I go out without my face made up or anything. I don't know why, but it sure feels like I'm wearing a mask with glasses on when in fact, I'm only just hiding my hideous eye bags.

Wearing my old Disney anti-glare computer glasses during video calls ^_^

But there had been times when I felt the onset of eye strain and wearing those glasses actually helped. Maybe it was placebo effect, I'm not sure. Lately, I've been getting these really bad headaches practically every single day! Ugh! So annoying! I thought it was a wrong sleeping position causing it at first, but then I got convinced that something must be setting off my migraines. How? Let me tell you a short history. I've always been sensitive to light. I squint a lot during the day especially outdoors even when it's overcast. And as sure as the sun will rise, whenever I'm out without my sunglasses, no doubt I'd get some aura and a headache ensues before the day ends.

I didn't think it could get any worse until recently I started waking up with a migraine even though I had 8+ hours of sleep! It's no hangover I tell you but it feels like it (might have been worth it if it were, but it's not!). So it's absolutely nothing triggered by any alcohol or food. I spent days in a cave (well, actually in our room with windows covered in thick blankets so light couldn't get in). Dark rooms always comforted me when I'm having a migraine episode. I tried the NUGA bed, drank lots of fluid to avoid dehydration (you know, a headache is a symptom), stayed inside when it's bright outside, wore my darkest shades if I had to leave the house, set all my devices to minimum brightness, and just generally avoided anything that would cause my head to throb.

But then I turned on a LED lamp one day with the bulb facing my face (derp!) and a jolt of lightning seared through my forehead. Turned it off ASAP and the pain went away! Right then I knew it was light that's causing this discomfort and without proper eye protection, I was done for. I have tons of sunglasses but I didn't know which ones were really working for me, so that was when I dropped by the optical shop to ask for professional advice.



I'm not an expert in this field, so just watch this super short video and you'll see.


So it's the GLARE!!! How could it not be!? It has always been the madafaka glare! Doh! My light sensitivity worsened ever since we made the switch to LED lights, on top of my rather extensive use of gadgets with LED-backlit screens and staring at LED monitors for hours! Yes, it has always been the glare! Grrrr! And now I know why my old computer lenses weren't working for me anymore!


I have to admit the reason why I got convinced my eyes were killing me was also because we've started watching the Daredevil series and I was internalizing how difficult it would be to lose one's eyesight. I just can't imagine going blind. Did you know that exposure to blue light could increase your risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration??? Seriously, I'm gonna take better care of my eyes now. Well, if I have all these sunblocks for my body and face, why not go all the way and get sun protection with E-SPF25 for my precious eyes for clear and comfortable vision?! Plus, NO MORE BLOODY MIGRAINE HEADACHES!


On a good day, I can even forego wearing sunglasses and just wear my Crizal Prevencia specs. I don't have to squint as bad as before. Yay! (Gotta prevent those eye wrinkles!) And the best part is... *drumroll please* I CAN DRIVE AT NIGHT! Woot!!! Headlights don't distract me as much anymore. Damn you people with HID (high-intensity discharge) lamps! 



Even Clark Kent NoodleBoy is contemplating about getting one for himself. I mean, hello? Clash of clans, Shadow Era, Heartstone, MARVEL, ummm, what else? You think those games aren't putting anyone at risk? Think again. I'm not paid to promote this product, alright. I paid for these eyeglasses in full, lens (price starts at Php2,500) plus the frame. So hey, I'm just trying to help here. Reaching out to anyone else who's experienced or currently having the kind of debilitating migraines that I had suffered. It won't hurt to get your eyes checked.

VISION IS PRICELESS, PROTECT IT! With eye expert, Mary Ann Sia Bangloy and pretty daughter Devonne at Ormoc Vision Optical.

So anyways, here it is up close and personal -- my secret weapon against glare and harmful blue-violet light!

Wth Crizal Prevencia authenticity card!

You can see that it has a slight yellowish tint. When I use it, it kind of reminds me of my first flat screen monitor, the 19" AOC with the option to change the brightness to "Office/Work" which meant automatically adjusting your screen's white balance to slightly yellowish. It's very subtle and actually is very cool like literally "bugnaw sa panan-aw" (for lack of a better way to explain it).



How can a color be so beautiful and so cruel at the same time? Look at that blue-violet reflection! It just shows that it's effectively blocking all that harmful light that would otherwise give me headaches later on. It's just awesome! I could cry tears of joy! The lens is very easy to clean and true enough, it repels water since just it just glides down the lens. It also repels dust through static but I have yet to see how scratch-resistant it really is. I've only been using it for a couple of days now and ever since I got them, I'm pleased to report that I haven't had any headaches nor felt any other discomfort.


Overall, I would recommend wearing computer glasses with Crizal Prevencia if you have issues with glare, get random unexplained headaches, use gadgets for long periods of time, or work on your computer regularly. Kids are also advised to wear these, too. Crizal Prevencia has one for them. So what are you waiting for? Go see your favorite eye expert at the optical store to check them out for yourself.

KTNXBYE.

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.