Mauie Flores

Last month, we celebrated my parents' 61st birthday bay having lunch with my siblings and swimming in the village pool after. My sister brought this towel for my niece to use. Apparently, it's a gift from the States. I found it so cute that even Rap had his picture taken wearing it even when it's already too small for him.


I've started searching for this towel or something similar last weekend at the SM Megamall sale but to no avail. I so want to buy a few pieces to give as gifts. I'm running out of unique christmas gift ideas and I don't want to be the boring ninang who always gives books at Christmas, hahaha!

Do you know where I can find this kind of towel?



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For me, a healthy deal is one that would benefit my health without sacrificing my budget. Being diabetic, I have meds to maintain which our medical insurance doesn't cover. Thus, I'm always on the lookout for affordable healthy deals. That's why I'm glad that I discovered Healthy Deals Philippines.

One healthy deal that got me really interested is Power Bleaching package from Dentista Inc.. Sure, our health insurance provider covers our annual oral prophylaxis and tooth extractions but not teeth whitening which is why I am so tempted to buy this deal. HealthyDeals.ph offers this for only Php 26,400 which is Php 10,500 cheaper from its original price. The deal already covers power bleaching with flouride treatment, touch-ups, tooth cleaning, and consultation.

I also found out that HealthyDeals.ph is currently holding the “What’s a Healthy Deal?” Bloggers Raffle Contest and I'm joining! If luck is on my side, I'd get to have an Apple iPad2! Wish me luck!

To be updated on the latest healthy deals, follow Healthy Deals Philippines on Twitter (@healthydeals_ph) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/HealthyDeals.ph)

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I usually hold give-away prizes over at my mommy blog, The24HourMommy.com. I send the winnings through LBC because it's the courier nearest my place. I normally spend at least Php 145 for one parcel and it's fine with me. However, it becomes too expensive when I give-away more than one gift pack. I asked around and one of my blogger-friends recommended Xend Business Solutions.

Yesterday, I created my account and immediately made waybills for the two parcels I'm sending. I quite had a difficulty waiting for the Xend website to load but I was able to successfully schedule for pick-up in a few minutes. This afternoon, the parcels were picked up and I only spent Php 129 for the 1.3kg parcel I'm sending to Cavite and Php 89 for the small parcel I'm sending to a reader of mine in Bukidnon (Mindanao). I was told that, since it's a Saturday, my parcels will be delivered on Monday and will be received by their respective recipients a day after.

I'm inspired to set up an online shop because of the convenience of sending packages via Xend. Any suggestions on what to sell? Trade show table covers perhaps? Or maybe some baby clothes and stuff? What do you think?

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After more than a decade of maintaining a prepaid Smart line, I finally decided to subscribe to a postpaid plan. I'm glad I waited for this cool offer. I availed of the 599 peso unlimited call and text plan, by the way. Most of my contacts have Smart numbers so it's really a big convenience for me. All I presented was my SSS card and my credit card. I got the phone the same day and the number was activated after a few hours.


The Nokia C1-01 unit came with the plan. But since the unit is too "low tech" for my needs, I decided to just give this to my mom. I was planning to buy her a new phone anyway. Unlike me, she needs a simple phone that's just enough for her to call and text.

I am praying for more writing projects so I can pay for my monthly subscription! I hope I won't need to apply for payday loans to pay my monthly bill, haha!

Smart's Unli Postpaid Plan 299 (unlimited texts) and 599 (unlimited calls and texts) promo will only run until October 7, 2011.

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Often, when we say spam, there are two things that come to mind - luncheon meat and unwanted mail. The first one, I want. The second, nah! I don't mind the spam emails that much because my email clients do a good job in screening unwanted emails. I just check the spam folder monthly to see if there are strays. It's the physical mail spam that ticks me off. I find it a total waste of marketing efforts and precious paper. How I wish there's a similar service to eliminate junk mail here in the Philippines.

Typical spam mail that ends up in my home are those of financial loans, magazine subscriptions, and product fliers. I don't know how they got hold of my address. I have given my contact details to colleagues that I trust, such as PR and marketing people who often send me product samples for review. I'm sure that they don't share my contact details to other people without my consent.

Since I can't do anything about it for now and until we have an anti-junk mail service here in the country, I have thought of these ways to prohibit others from getting my contact details:

• Shredding bills and other old documents containing my home address.
• Not giving my complete address in unimportant forms (e.g. supermarket surveys, product registration cards, etc.).
• Contacting my bank and credit card company to ask them not to share my contact details.

Can you think of anything else to add to this list?

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For years, homemakers around the world have trusted Electrolux to be a brand of quality especially when it comes to home appliances. From the first Lux vacuum cleaner that the company sold in 1919, their roster of products have grown to include refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioning units. This afternoon, Electrolux launched its Hälsa line of air conditioners.


Hälsa, which is the Swedish word for health and wellness, is very-well suited for this new line of air conditioners. Not only do Electrolux Hälsa air conditioners cool the air but also purify it to give the family a complete wellness experience within the home.

Elctrolux Hälsa air conditioners employ these air purifying technologies:

• Bio HEPA Filter - Traps and destroys very fine particles of dust, bacteria, fungi,and microbes.
• Plasma Air Purification Technology - Cleanses the air of impurities.
• Vitamin C technology - Releases nano particles of pure Vitamin C into the air to fight free radicals that cause cell damage.
• Gold Fin Protection technology - Able to withstand the elements because of its unique golden coating. It also has a Golden Bio Evaporator that prevents bacteria from breeding in the unit and spreading into your home.

The Electrolux Hälsa line comes in split-type, window-type, and air cooler formats. For more informaation about Electrolux Hälsa and other Elextrolux products, kindly visit www.electrolux.com.ph or their Facebook page.

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Have you signed up for any of the "Groupon" sites here in Manila? Well, I did. And I did not just sign up for one but for each site that I discovered from late quarter of this year until today! Haha! Yep, checking great deals from these groupon sites is my new addiction!

Groupon is coined from the term "group coupons." They usually offer amazingly low deals for products ranging from food, spa and salon service, hotel accommodations, and tickets to shows and tours. You can basically buy anything from a groupon!

In December, last year, my husband, mother-in-law, and I enjoyed the Intense Diamond Peel and Facial session from YSA. I bought the vouchers from Ensogo.com for only 399 each (from the original price of 1500). Recently, I bought 2 vouchers for a Full Body Massage plus a Coco Moving Body Scrub at the Luxurious Terra Wellness Spa at 66% off from CashCashPinoy. Then, today, I bought 3 vouchers for 4 hours of Relaxation and Hydrotherapy at Ace Water Spa at only Php 299 each (original price is Php 550). I found another deal for a laser slimming session but I'm still thinking about it. do slimming wraps work? Tell me it does and I'll probably get the voucher, too!

I'm so happy about these groupon sites but my Paypal account is not, hahaha! Oh well, a hardworking girl needs to relax sometimes and what better way to relax than to shop online and enjoy low low deals!

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Are you familiar with Cyber Monday? I've written about Black Friday the other day and the two are entirely related. You see, Cyber Monday is the Monday that immediately follows Thanksgiving (after Black Friday) and it's known to be the busiest internet shopping day of the year!

I'm also scouting for great Cyber Monday deals on Buy.com. The husband is looking for an android phone. Meanwhile, our boy is still wishing for a Corby. I might buy them their gadgets should I find affordable deals this Cyber Monday. It would actually be my first time to shop this time of the year, just in case.

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As my friends in the States would say, "It's not only the turkey that's great on Thanksgiving..." It's the Black Friday sale that follows, haha! So what are you eyeing for this Black Friday? Have you started scouting for great shopping finds, yet?

Black Friday, sometimes called Green Friday, is the Friday that immediately follows Thanksgiving in the United States. It is also the time of the year when merchants come up with special sales and promos both in-store and online.

Although we do not have one here in the country, I am still scouting online for the best deals and just it shipped over to me. Wish me luck on my Black Friday shopping hunt!

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I love doing arts and crafts. Recently, I found a site where I was able to do photobooks and personalized gifts. I got hooked immediately which is bad news for my pockets, haha!


This mouse pad is one of the early projects I did. I actually crammed while doing it because I tried to finish it within the promo period. It didn't turn out bad, thank goodness!

I am actually thinking of making personalized stuff to give away as gifts this Christmas. Who knows? I may be making promotional items as a sideline business in no time. Not a bad idea eh?


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A close friend is celebrating her 3rd wedding anniversary next month and he is asking my help in choosing a gift for his wife. Don't you think it's unusually sweet for a husband to plan mushy stuff like anniversaries? I just had to go ahead and help him.

So upon doing some research, I found out that 3rd year anniversary gifts are supposed to be made of leather since it's the Leather Year. I found the cutest and most adorable gift for his wife.

Isn't this bear the cutest?

I love wedding anniversaries. For me, it's the testament of a couple's love for one another. That's why I usually take time to search for anniversary gifts by year. How about you?

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Sale alert! There's a huge sale going on at the SM Megatrade Hall! Get as much as 70% off on sporty finds such as shoes, shirts, bags, and other sporting equipments. Participating brands include Crocs, Rockport, Umbro, Reebok, Outland, Tribu, and more. The sale is until tomorrow, October 3, 2010.

I was fortunate to be early at Megatrade Hall yesterday because Rap had voice lessons at the Center for Pop which was just across Megatrade. While he was in class, I went around to try and fit shoes. Of course, I first headed over to the Crocs booth because I find it the friendliest brand for my diabetic feet. I was also able to buy a new pair for my boy for only Php 925. There are also those high-heeled Crocs that are now sold for Php 750.

I also checked out the shirts and got some for my boys because Reebok and Umbro shirts were for as low as Php 250! Reebok and Umbro bags were also available with different designs at the Php 200 - 350 range.

I suggest that you head over to the SM Megatrade Hall early because lots of people started coming in by 7pm last night. It was payday last Thursday so expect the crowd this weekend. You might even apply for payday loans once you see the stocks they have on hand. Fabulous finds indeed. Happy shopping!

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When you're using satellite cable, the rainy season is always a bad time. When the rainy season in the country started, I also started having problems with our cable signal. One unfortunate day in July, a sudden downpour coupled with thunderstorms completely affected our cable signal. Since our provider also switched satellites during that time and was supposedly providing free reorientation services to their subscribers, I was advised to just wait for my scheduled visit.

I waited but they never came. I finally found a cable technician/reseller near my area. I paid a thousand bucks because my satellite dish was transferred to a better location within our property. After that was done, I got my cable signal back. Now, my boy is enjoying his Spongebob Squarepants on Nickelodeon, my husband is watching movies again, and I am back to admiring modern office furniture in the lifestyle channel.

It took us 2 months before we got our cable signal back. If only I haven't trusted our provider's service people, we could have enjoyed uninterrupted cable signal.


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A couple more weeks and August will be over. I can't wait for September to start because by then, I'd be allowing myself to shop for Christmas gifts. Enterprising individuals and establishments realize that Filipinos are basically on the look out for the best buys this time of the year. Mall sales and other shop-till-you-drop schemes will definitely make shoppers go crazy.

I'm not really much into shopping but I do get interested to shop when Christmas season comes close. Usually, I start to buy gifts for the kids on my list and head over to the toy store or the bookstore. Then, I head over to the men's clothing section to find some interesting pieces for my brothers. I always give them clothes as gifts for Christmas. Gifts for the other men in my list, except my husband and son, come next. I always buy gifts for my boys a few days before Christmas because I want to keep them a secret as much as possible. As for the girls in my list, well, their gifts are always kikay stuff that I randomly find in bazaars.

Is your Christmas list ready? Prepare one now if you don't and take advantage of the sale season.

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There’s a new girl turning heads all over town – but for all the wrong reasons. Meet Maria. She’s a fun and bubbly young woman whose sparkling personality is masked by a somber feature – under-eye circles. Maria’s tireless quest to get rid of her uncharacteristic eye bags drives her to try out ridiculous solutions and lands her in hilarious situations. (If only she tried Garnier Eye Roll-on first! She would’ve had brighter eyes without all the hassle.)

See more of her hilarious antics here:

• http://www.rollinbrightness.com/garnier/video_spoonfail.php

• http://www.rollinbrightness.com/garnier/video_eyemaskfail.php

But the laughs don’t end there; everyone can join in on the fun at rollinbrightness.com. You can view examples of serious problems and ridiculous solutions and post your own experience for a chance to win goodies from Garnier. Even better, you can spread the gift of brightness with your friends. Simply click on www.rollinbrightness.com/garnier/share.php to share a coupon for 25% off on the Garnier Eye Roll-On the #1 Eye Care Product in the Philippines. Take care!

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Last December 14, 2009, I was invited to be a part of a group of bloggers who visited Glowcal Manufacturing Corporation's factory here in Cainta. Glowcal is the maker of KSA Magic and other beauty products such as Kojic and Sutla. The event was also an intimate meet-and-greet with KSA Magic's celebrity endorser, Ms. Gladys Reyes.


Ms. Reyes spoke about how KSA Magic products keep her skin smooth and flawless. She's really pretty and flawless, as you can see in the photo above. She's sweet and charming, too.

She and Glowcal Manufacturing Corp. owner, Ms. Elizabeth F. Perez de Tagle, introduced us to the real deal about KSA Magic. KSA Magic soaps are manufactured through the cold process method. Soaps made using the cold process method are better than the commercially-manufactured soaps because they retain the herbal extract oils and glycerin added to it. Glycerin is the ingredient that is vital in keeping moisture in the skin therefore maintaining its softness and suppleness. Plus, cold processed soaps do not need chemicals in order for them to maintain a longer shelf life.




As you can see, KSA Magic is made with all-natural herbal extracts from lemons, calamansi, and coconuts.


Special thanks to Iris of Pinay Ads for inviting us to this event. Please visit the Glowcal corporate website for more information about KSA Magic and business opportunities with Glowcal Manufacturing Corporation's products. You can also read more about the event from these posts:

• 'KSA Magic Skin Care' Unveils New Products
• Discover The Magic of KSA Magic Skin Care
• KSA Magic Products
• Merry Christmas From KSA Magic

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I haven't done mine yet and Christmas is just nine days away! I'm in utter panic mode. I'm too swamped with work but I don't have the right to complain about these additional blessings, right? I'm going to start my Christmas shopping this weekend. Good luck to me and my gift recipients, har har har!

You know, shopping really is not much of a fun activity for me. I'd rather spend my time somewhere else that is not as crowded. But Christmas shopping and the crowd that goes with it are inevitable requirements of this season so I'd better comply. I'll just wear my comfy new Crocs so I can walk and walk for hours. By the way, I'm looking for a Naot shoes seller here in the country. These pairs are like Crocs but are much comfy and recommendable for diabetic feet. Let me know if you have recommendations.

Till next post!

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When I bought my laptop in March, it came bundled with a Norton Anti Virus trial software that got me covered for free for 90 days. After that, I was prompted to buy a licensed version which I did not do for obvious reasons. One is that I find it too expensive to buy when I can opt to find a free anti virus software instead. My initial step was to download the latest free version of AVG but most of my blogger friends recommended that I switch to Avira. I did and, so far, I think it's doing good for me.

Other than the price, there are also other points I consider in looking for an antivirus software. Here are just some of them:

• It should be light so as not to slow down the performance of my laptop;
• It should also be an anti-spyware;
• It should be able to scan, detect, and remove rootkits;
• It should be able to detect threats from downloaded email; and
• It should be able to scan, detect, and remove malware.

Did I miss out on some things? I'll appreciate if you have more tips to add. :)

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The two industrial fans that we bought in 2006 are now starting to conk out and I'm getting frustrated. I thought industrial fans are supposed to be more durable than the less expensive plastic ones. The industrial fans are being used in the living room and in the dining room. Every time I try to use one, I need to get a fork to wind up its blades first to get it to move. Funny but totally frustrating, really.

I am thinking of buying a new fan but I won't waste my time in buying an industrial fan anymore. I think I'll buy the ones with plastic blades this time. At least they are easier to clean, lighter to carry, and are more affordable. It's a pity that I can't even have a Minka Aire ceiling fan because the ceiling in my living room is low. I'm left with no other option but to buy a standfan.

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When I go malling at SM Megamall, I dare not walk the corridors of 5th floor Bldg. A. It's because I don't want to pass by the area of Family First. They have agents there who lure the unaware to sign up for a "raffle" and go to their office for a "seminar". Club Astoria agents employ the same scheming tactic.

My aunt-in-law and wedding godmother was tricked into signing up for a Club Astoria timeshare membership program. She and my mother-in-law attended a "buffet dinner" cum seminar in Naga City where they were told about the perks of having a Club Astoria membership. My Tita Ops is a retiree, you see. She can travel anytime she wants to. So she thought that having a timeshare program with a hotel would be a wise investment.

So, after the dinner, the details of the timeshare program was explained to them. She was enticed by their tricky agents and became interested in signing up for a 30-year membership. However, she wasn't that decided yet as she was just interested in knowing more about the program.

After being explained to, one of the agents asked for her credit card and told her that they will just check on her credit status. She vehemently instructed them not to charge anything to her card but the Club Astoria people immediately charged 65 thousand pesos to her credit card. My tita's fault was that she signed the receipt. While we were talking to each other on the phone the following day after the incident, she related how she felt like being hypnotized by the agents. It was like "Budol-Budol" so she said. Thank goodness that her credit limit is worth 65 thousand pesos only or else these monsters could have charged the whole 100 thousand peso deposit on her card. My Tita is a senior citizen and is single. She was made confused by the agents who kept on talking non-stop.

The following day, when she called us up, we instructed her to go to her bank and change her credit card number. She also cancelled the contract she apparently signed. The bad news is, Club Astoria will only refund 45 thousand pesos and keep the 20 thousand peso "reservation fee". My tita's charging it to experience. Damn these scheming demons for taking advantage of an old innocent lady. That's part of her hard-earned retirement money so I bet they'll go to hell.

I have nothing negative about time share programs. My mom is a member of Pearl of the Pacific in Boracay and we have been using our privileges ever since. It's like staying in myrtle beach condos except that Pearl of the Pacific Boracay is not a condo. In fairness, Club Astoria is a legal business. The hotel is located in Ortigas, Pasig, and they have resorts in Boracay, Bohol, and Subic. I see nothing ugly about their accommodations and rates. What bugs me, on the other hand, is the manner of recruiting these Club Astoria agents are using. Try Googling "club astoria scam" and you'll see what I mean. So beware people, don't tell me I didn't warn you.

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