Treasure Jar

I could forget about the time when I am in a furniture or a hardware store. I just love to look and touch different fixtures that are handy, useful and nice to look at and see in my mind how these would look when being used.

Bathroom and kitchen fixtures, cleaning materials, picnic tables and chairs and even Reid ball plungers are some of the things I know I will enjoy looking at.

Not that I have aspirations to be an interior designer ( I honestly haven’t got that in me) nor be a builder.

If others like to get lost among fashionable clothes, makeup and shoes, you’d spot me in the hardware section.

I know, how totally unbecoming 😀

Tags: hardware stores

If you are still not done with your gift shopping yet, here are a few practical gift suggestions:

• gift checks for the teenagers because you never really know what they like especially when it comes to clothes and accessories
• craft accessories for the scrapbooker relative
• desk name plates for your office mates or employees
• small kitchen appliances for your favorite aunt
• pots and seeds for the avid gardener mom
• magazine subscription (real ones or virtual) for your reader dad
• spa gift checks for your girl friends
• homemade body scrub
• pet accessories for the loved ones with pets
• goodies in a jar (post will be in in a while)

Do not settle for things that will just gather dust. Be practical. If in doubt, give food! 😀

Tags: Christmas gift ideas, Frugal Chris, frugal Christmas gift ideas, practical gifts for Christmas

Kipling, a Belgian bag brand partners with World Vision for “A Brighter Christmas For a Brighter Tomorrow“.

World Vision, a Christian development and advocacy organization that helps children will be benefiting from this partnership in order to have more funds for the education of the children under their care.

The partnership aims to spread the fun and happiness that every Kipling bag has been instilled with.

“There is no greater joy this Christmas than knowing we have brought smiles to others, especially children. Through “A Brighter Christmas For A Brighter Tomorrow” program, we can make not only the holidays, but also the future, brighter for the children of World Vision,” according to the Benjamin Go, President of Greyhound Marketing Corporation, exclusive distributor of Kipling in the Philippines.

“We are very delighted to have this partnership with Kipling, which is known globally for bringing fun and joy through its fashionable bags. Were happy that this time, Kipling has decided to reach out and bring the same kind of goodwill to ensure the education of children sponsored by World Vision,” says National Resource Development Associate Director Jun Godornes.

Shop for a cause with Kipling bags and be a blessing in supporting the children of World Vision have a brighter tomorrow. For every Kipling bag or luggage you purchase from December 1 – 31, 2012, Kipling will donate Php500 to World Vision.

Kipling’s sporty and glam bags called Basic Elevated are featured for the holiday collection. The following are a few reasons why you should get these perfect everyday adventure companion: stylish quilted exteriors, patent details, stunning linings, and 3 Christmas-themed colors red, white and black.

The Basic Elevated Collection includes:

• New Elise that has a tablet-ready interior and can be worn 3 ways;
• Teagan S, a travel-savvy trolley with 2 compartments that are accessible from the topside; Weekend bag that can accommodate all your travel tidbits with its expandable bottom
• Creativity X a totally essential-ready cross-over bag.

Celebrity endorsers Miriam Quiambao, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Kylie Padilla dn Jessica Connelly are supporting the Kipling and World Vision partnership program.

Kipling is available online at zalora.com.ph and at the following locations:

SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA The Block, SM Megamall, SM Bacolod, SM Iloilo, SM Davao, SM Cebu, SM Lanang Premier, Robinsons Place Ermita, Rustan’s Alabang Town Center, Rustan’s Shangri-La, Rustan’s Gateway, Rustan’s Makati, Landmark Makati, Landmark TriNoma and soon-to-open Centrio Mall in Cagayan De Oro.

To know more about Kipling, visit Kipling Philippines on Facebook and get to find out more exciting news and promos from the lovable monkey.

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When was the last time you made someone else smile? That is the question Havaianas asks you as it launches the Havaianas Design a Smile 2, a flip-flops design contest for the benefit of Operation Smile Philippines.

Havaianas Design a Smile was first launched in 2010.

Havaianas Design a Smile showcases children’s artistic abilities by designing Havaianas flipflops which will be made into an actual Havaianas pair. Percentage of the sales from these designs will benefit Operation Smile Philippines. Operation Smile Philippines is a non-profit organization that give surgeries to children with cleft palates and cleft lips.

The first Havaianas Design a Smile competition had over 2,000 entries and raised more than Php100,000 pesos from donations.

“Havaianas believes that summer is a state of mind and can be lived every day of the year whenever you adopt a happy and carefree attitude,“ shares Anne Gonzalez, Managing Director of Havaianas Philippines. “And nowhere else is that more evident than in children. With Havaianas Design a Smile, we hope to generate funds and awareness to support Operation Smile in our shared mission to spread smiles all over the world.”

Starting this November till  to January, Havaianas Design a Smile 2 is back, with the theme “Paying it Forward: Kids Helping Kids.”

On November 24th, artistically inclined kids can join Havaianas Design a Smile by submitting their designs illustrating their answer to the question “What will you do to make other people smile?” at partner events nationwide:

• Bonifacio Global City Passion Fest at Bonifacio High Street from November 23 to 25
• Mommy Mundo Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent from November 24 to 25.

Winners will receive exciting prizes from the following:

• Havaianas, 
• Bobble, 
• Pininho, 
• Hobbes and Landes, 
• McDonald’s, 
•  Sony.

The grand prize winner will also have his or her design produced as part of the Havaianas 2014 Collection as the Havaianas Smile pair, with a percentage of the sales from which will help fund the operations of Operation Smile.

Like the Havaianas Philippines Official Facebook page to find out other events that the Havaianas Design a Smile 2 booth will be visiting.

Tags: Bobble, Bonifacio Global City Passion Fest, Havaianas, Havaianas 2014 Collection as the Havaianas Smile pair, Havaianas Design a Smile 2 and Operation Smile Philippines, Havaianas Philippines Official Facebook page, Havainas Design a Smile Contest 2012, Hobbes and Landes, McDonald's, Mommy Mundo Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent from November 24 to 25, Operation Smile Philippines, Pininho, Sony, What will you do to make other people smile?

Tags: 2013 edition of the Mom 24/7 Planner, 2013 Mom 24/7 Planner, Mommy Mundo, Mommy Mundo Bazaar 2012, Mommy Mundo bazaar Rockwell Tent, Mommy Mundo Privilege Passport holders

The Maya Kitchen will feature Sandy Daza on November 24, 2012. He will be sharing his home cooked favorite recipes as the guest chef.

The following recipes will be featured:

• Shepherd’s Pie
• Crispy Fish with Garlic Sauce
• Shrimp Puttanesca
• Spam Fried Rice
• Coq Au Vin
• Bread Pudding

Tags: Chef Sandy Daza at The Maya Kitchen, home cooking with Sandy Daza, http://www.themayakitchen.com/, Kitchen Confidence with Sandy Daza, Maya Kitchen Culinary Center, Sandy Daza, The Maya Kitchen features home cooking with Sandy Daza