Small Bedroom, Deep Impact

If we’re honest, most of us would absolutely love to have a big bedroom. I for one, would love to have a spacious bedroom considering we co-sleep with kids. But the reality of our financial situation means that it probably isn’t going to happen. At least, not yet. As a result, we keep our eyes peeled for ways to make the most of the small bedrooms that we have.

Check out these bedroom decorating ideas for small bedrooms that will have a deep impact.

Lighten Up Your Palette

Fashion star Andrew Gn lives right in the middle of Paris. Despite the fact that he’s doing rather well for himself, not even he is able to afford the space for a luxurious bedroom in his particular part of town. As a result, he’s had to get creative to make the most of the space that he has.

pexels-bedroom-photo
Photo Credits

On the floor of his bedroom is a 1950’s Swedish rug with quintessential Nordic charm. Above that are two nightstands, designed by Benoit Langlade. And on top of those are two 1970s lamps with gold bases. The rest of the room, including the walls, the upholstery on the Danish armchair and the bed sheets are pure white, designed to evoke a sense of space.

Fill Your Bedroom With Collectibles

If you’ve got a small room, but you’re not interested in making it feel bigger, you can still create an impact by doing something unusual. A collector from New York, for instance, decided to fill his room with as many exciting items as he could from his travels in the Orient. Practically every square inch of the room is home to one strange artifact or another.

Use Earthy Tones

Living in downtown New York is cramped at the best of time. But many designers from the city give their apartments a feeling of space by including Earthy tones, like brown, dark green and black.

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Photo Credits

Minimalist beds, as exemplified by the designer beds by Cuckooland, are also essential to help avoid making the room appear too cramped. The lines of the bed should be as simple and as elegant as possible, and it should be draped in warm, cozy linens.

Saturate The Walls

Lorry Newhouse, a fashion designer from England, was asked to work on a small attic bedroom in an old cottage in Southampton, a city on the south coast of Great Britain. She decided that the room needed a bit more “oomph” and so she began drawing up designs using whimsical patterns all over the walls, ceiling, windows and bed clothes. Eventually, she decided on using curtains, wallpaper, and bed skirts from Rose Cummings to create a complex, blue-patterned design, giving the bedroom an eclectic atmosphere.

Add A Canopy

The problem with many bedrooms is that they lack a main event. There’s nothing to draw the gazer’s attention to one particular point or another. French homes, however, regularly make use of a canopy over the bed, designed to make the bed feel more important than it looks when it’s situated in such a small room. Canopies also help to add height to rooms that are small.

How are you today?

HowAreYouToday

I chatted with my sister last weekend. Remember that sister who experienced fire incident three times? We talked until I asked about how is she doing. I saw her read it  (thank you for “Seen” info in messenger) but I then our conversation unexpectedly stop and I hesitated to ask again.

HowAreYouToday_Chat

Until I got her reply yesterday. Read on…

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It’s been a while since the last time I’ve translated my thoughts to writing, after watching a clip of an interview of Sheryl Sandberg, somehow, something triggered me to write again.
She said, instead of asking “How are you?” to a person who is heartbroken/grieving ask “How are you today?” instead; at the back of my mind, indeed it’s easier to answer the latter.
Let me tell you a short story, I was 10 when my parents lost their house, our home; I was only a child when my first fire incident happened – I had nothing to lose, right? I cried thinking of my schoolwork and school books and that’s all.

Fast forward to 18 years later, I got married, rented a house, we made a home of our own and some years later – poof – second fire incident, house was razed to the ground, all gone. Knees were wobbly as I saw the remains, cried all night and I recovered swiftly.
And as if I forgot all the sadness of losing (our stuffs) when we found out that we are expecting.
I had a normal pregnancy until the baby had an irregular heartbeat and needs to be delivered prematurely – never been so anxious in my entire life – anxious in its superlative form.
As the NICU graduation is nearing – we are at lost as to how to pay the bills since we have nothing to sell and 2-month NICU stay – Only God knows how we did it but we did it – he sent us angels.

And we were fine.
I guess – still recovering from the financial breakdown.
We had normal ups and downs.
We had laughters and tears.

Until, another fire incident happened – never in my wildest imagination, no one was ready for a third.
It was my parents’-in-law property and it’s been our home for some time, my daughter had memories with her late Grandpa there. Nothing was salvaged. We were heartbroken and still we are.
I think I had a mental breakdown – I was unable to function well. I was at lost again and “lost” is an understatement. I feel disconnected. I had to let the feeling out but – how to?
How can I console my husband, my mother-in-law when I feel I’m at my weakest?
Where do I begin?
How do I comfort me?
How do I call my inner strength?
All I did was cry….
Words of comfort poured in, help came in from all directions and in all forms.
Though my yoke is heavy, I know my God is with me and reconnected with Him. We will be okay.
WE WILL BE OKAY!

HowAreYouToday_Kellen

So, if you ask me “How are you?”, I may give you are blank stare and nothing more.

But…. If you ask….

“How are you today?”.

Still struggling but we’ll get by. Better than yesterday. Stronger than ever.

It’s been 3-months now since the fire incident, we’re still heart broken – not that we lost the material things but the thought of losing all the things where you invested time and sweat – it’s heart breaking.
We are slowly putting back the pieces and writing a new chapter.
We may not forget the feeling but things will get better. I know it will.

And by the way….
How are you today?

SM Seaside Cebu’s Spread 3.0 – A Taste of the Word

SMSeasideSpread3.0

Last April 9, 2017, SM Seaside Cebu had their third version of Spread, a food celebration, this time with the theme “A Taste of the World”.

Held at the Mountain Wing Activity Center of SM Seaside. Dishes from the exhibitors showcased their specialty dishes that will surely be a delight to everyone’s tummy.

The exhibitors are:

Yellow Cab Pizza
– serves pizza, pasta and chicken.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_YellowCab

Classic Savory
– serves Filipino and Chinese dishes. Roasted chicken and their pancit is our favorite.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_ClassicSavory

Mr Burrito Mexican Food
– with their sauces freshly made everyday, who can’t resist those burritos and taco.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_MrBurrito

Yoshinoya Japan’s Famous Beef Bowl
– serves Japanese dishes like beef bowl or Gyudon.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_Yoshinoya

Room for Dessert
– a meal is not complete without desserts, right? Their cakes are so tempting.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_RoomForDessert

Tubo Cane Juice
– go natural using tubo (sugar cane) as the natural sweetener to your juices or slushes.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_TuboJuice

The Lemon Co
– thirst quench with lemon juices.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_TheLemonCo

Seaside Saloon Bar & Grill
– serves beverages and drinks with alcohol.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_SaloonBySocial

All these are available here in SM Seaside Cebu.

Thank you SM Seaside and CBC for the invitation.
We had fun.
SMSeasideSpread3.0_Snapshot

 

Nutri10 Plus

If you have super active and at same time picky eater child, like mine, I’m sure you also worry if the nutrient from the food they consume is sufficient. Sure my kids eat spaghetti and chicken adobo but when you give them sautéed mixed vegetables, then it’s a different story as it takes more minutes for a spoonful of veggies to be chewed and swallowed. (Making dishes more colorful is still a work in progress for me 🙂 )

To supplement the lacking vitamins, minerals and nutrients, we give our kids multivitamins. Nowadays, more multivitamins options means more choices thus, its okey to be mindful on what vitamins and minerals to give to your kids based on their needs.

Are your kid’s immunity low? no energy to play? too thin or small for his/her age? too tired to do their assignments? iron-deficient? Is a little of something combined together a good choice or one vitamin or mineral at time better Whatever the need, be sure to pick the right multivitamin with the most stuff your kids need.

Nutri10 Plus

Then there’s Nutri10 Plus.

What is Nutri10 Plus?
According to thefilipinodoctor.com, Nutri10 Plus is a food supplement. It helps promote overall immunity, maximize physical growth & enhance brain development. Nutri10 Plus’ Facebook Page has this infographic about the 4 amino acids, vitamins and minerals in a bottle of Nutri10 Plus.

Nutri10 Plus Nutrients

Nutri10 Plus has:

  • Taurine – promotes brain development for sharp mind and good memory;
  • Lysine – helps boost appetite;
  • CGF (Chlorella Growth Factor) – promotes healthy and accelerated growth to children;
  • Zinc that boosts the body’s immunity.

Plus it also contains Vitamins A, D, E, Bs, and C.

These nutrients are essentials to the kid’s growing stage.

Nutri10 Plus Ingredients:
Vitamins, Minerals, Sucrose, Sorbitol, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium CMC, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Benzoate, Water and Ponkan flavor (artificial)

Nutri10 Plus Flavor:
Orange sweet flavor.

Nutri10 Plus Recommendation Usage:
1 -9 yrs old (2.5ml)
10-12 yrs old (5ml)

Since the eldest’s diet is good (at least she now eats vegetables and fruits, though not all), Nutri10 Plus is here to help my youngest son.

Nutri10 Plus on Jiggy2

Disclaimer: ​Nutri10 Plus were given to us for free from Mommy Bloggers Philippines and Wert Philippines

#MakeItJolly: Fruit Cocktail Float

In this side of the world, mango float is a popular dessert because it is easy and quick to make. No complications at all.
 
However, when you run out of mangoes, making a float recipe is no longer an option. But, do you know that you can substitute mangoes with fruit cocktail? I just did and I also tried using brojas or broas (ladyfinger biscuits) instead of graham crackers. 
FruitCocktailFloat_2
 
Brojas or broas (ladyfinger biscuit) is an egg-based and sweet sponge biscuits roughly shaped like a large finger. It’s like a dry sponge cake and yep, it is a biscuit and some parts of country used it for dessert recipes too.
 
FruitCocktailFloat_1
Here’s our tasty fruit cocktail float recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 ripe mangoes, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 can Jolly Tropical Fruit Cocktail 850g, drained
  • 1 can Jolly Cow Condensada 390g
  • 2-3 packs 250 ml All Purpose cream
  • 2-3 packs Brojas or Broas (Ladyfinger biscuits)

Instructions:

  • Combine condensed milk and all-purpose cream. Mix well. You can adjust condensed milk depending on your sweetness. 
  • Arrange the brojas or broas (ladyfinger biscuits) on the bottom of the container.
  • Pour in cream mixture on top of the arranged brojas or broas (ladyfinger biscuits).
  • Arrange a portion of fruit cocktail over the cream.
  • Arrange your mango slices over the fruit cocktail.
  • Pour in cream mixture on top of fruits and mango slices.
  • Repeat the layer from biscuits -> cream -> fruit cocktail -> mango slices -> cream
  • Top with brojas or broas (ladyfinger biscuits).
  • Freeze to harden the cream.

Serve chilled 🙂

My #MakeItJolly series was made possible by Jolly Eats and Fly Ace Corporation through MissusV. Thank you so much.

Salamat Manang Donna sa recipe 🙂

Check out some of my #MakeItJolly recipes.
– #MakeItJolly: Chicken and Mushroom Carbonara
– #MakeItJolly: Chicken Curry with Papaya

FruitCocktailFloat

Honey’s Amazing Race Birthday Party

HoneysAmazingRace

I’m no good at hosting parties. My daughter had only two birthday party treats — on her 1st and 7th birthday and no I did not do the preparations. Her first birthday was prepared by mys siblings at our home while we avail Jollibee birthday package on her 7th. For the other birthdays, we let them have and eat their cake, we dine outside and then go home. No birthday preparations. Nothing fancy.

This year, I went out of my comfort zone and tried a birthday party, an adventure that hopefully she’ll remember and keep. With google’s help, I found birthday posts using Amazing Race theme. I love the show and when I told her about it, she kind of like it. Like the reality show, “The Amazing Race”, each teams are given clue for their next challenge or task that can affect the teams physically, mentally and emotionally.

For our Amazing Race, I picked tasks that I think is appropriate for the kids. I have to keep the tasks secret to be fair with every kids.

One week before Honey’s Amazing Race, I let my daughter send a verbal invitation to our neighbor’s kids. Yep, no invitation thus, it took awhile for the kids to gather around. Since there’s not invitation they were a bit hesitant until I put the table outside and called the kids to gather.

Once gathered around and with the little explaining on the game’s mechanics, I let them paired into two. Each team is given hankies of their color for easy identification. The game started with a race towards our neighbors little to retrieve the first task.

Tasks #1 to #7

HoneysAmazingRace_Task1-3

HoneysAmazingRace_Task4-6

HoneysAmazingRace_Task7

And then it was time for spaghetti and cake and prizes.

The only snapshots of our adventure below. Too excited with the race that I forget to take pictures in every task 🙁 Nevertheless, everyone had fun and memories to keep 🙂

HoneysAmazingRaca_Photos

Throwing a birthday party for your little ones are now easy, thanks to inexpensive DIY party ideas. Big thanks to mommies who posted and shared their amazing race party ideas.

10 Money Principles Kids Should Learn from MoneyMax Philippines

Had you wish you were taught about money matters as early as during your childhood days?
I do.
It could have been a big help for me to become financially responsible. I came from family of meager income and I don’t blame my parents nor my grandparents who tried their best to make both ends meet. It might be late for me but maybe not for kids in this generation as Kyle from MoneyMax Philippines share financial tips through his infographic about 10 Money Principle Kids Should Learn.

10 Money Principles Kids Should Learn Infographic

MoneyMax.ph is a service that help Filipinos save time and money through better information about their financial choices and expenditures.

#MakeItJolly: Chicken and Mushroom White Spaghetti

My kids love pasta. It’s what we usually give them after a week of vegetable meals. They love the red sauced pasta – spaghetti, which is commonly served during special occasions. Other times, when I feel like I want them to eat a lot, spaghetti is the go to meal. No constant nagging at the table and they always finish it faster than vegetable meals. Literally, food does not stay in their mouth as it is chewed and swallowed in an instant 🙂

In some cases, I give them white sauced pasta – “carbonara”, using cream and milk. When Jolly Philippines give us Whole Mushrooms and Cream of Mushrooms, we decided to have chicken and mushroom carbonara a try. Everyone like it 🙂

ChickenAndMushroomCarbonara_1

Ingredients:

  • olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breats, cut into small pieces (or ground meat)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 can of Jolly Mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cans of Jolly Cream of Mushroom
  • evaporated milk (or water)
  • pasta noodles (I used fettuccine noodles)
  • cheese, grated
  • basil leaves (I don’t have the fresh ones, so I used the dried ones)

ChickenAndMushroomCarbonara_2

Instructions:

  • Boil water and cook noodles according to per pack instruction
  • Heat frying pan, add olive oil and put in garlic until slightly brown
  • Add the chicken strips, put in salt and pepper to taste
  • When chicken is cooked, add in the sliced mushrooms.
  • Add cream of mushrooms, adjust thickness by adding evap milk (or water)
  • Plate the pasta and when thickness is to your liking, put in the sauce on top of the pasta.
  • Add in cheese and basil leaves
    Or you can toss in the pasta, cheese and basil leaves into the sauce.

Serve it immediately 🙂

ChickenAndMushroomCarbonara

Lazada PH’s Nescafe Dolce Gusto Promo

Lazada PH Birthday

Lazada’s Birthday Sale is coming up and great deals will be pouring from Lazada’s brand and merchant partners. With discounts on products across all categories, everyone is sure to enjoy browsing their website or mobile app to check out the best offers the Birthday Sale has to offer.
One of the brands which came up with an irresistible offer is Nescafe. Coffee lovers will be delighted to know that during the 3-day sale from March 21 to 23, Nescafe Dolce Gusto will be offering a free coffee machine for a minimum purchase of 8 boxes of coffee capsules. For only P3,400, one can get not only 8 boxes of assorted coffee capsules but also a FREE Nescafe Dolce Gusto Oblo Machine. On the other hand, a Nescafe Dolce Gusto Mini-Me Machine will come for free for every purchase of 10 boxes of assorted coffee capsules and a purchase of 12 boxes comes with a free Dolce Gusto Genio 2 Machine. The 10-box assorted coffee capsule package with a free Dolce Gusto Mini-Me Machine is priced at P4,250 while the 12-box coffee capsule pack with a free Dolce Gusto Genio 2 Machine will only cost P5,100.

Lazada PH Nescafe Dolce Gusto
Lazada affiliate bloggers had the chance to check out the Nescafe Dolce Gusto Mini-Me Machine during the unboxing event held on March 16. The compact and automatic coffee machine would look good in any kitchen counter with its modern design. Not only does the machine allow you to choose on whether you want your beverage hot or cold; it also allows the user, through its Play and Select function, to create the perfect coffee for himself.

Lazada PH Nescafe Dolce Gusto Promo

Operating the machine is very easy. During the unboxing, the machine was tested with the Chococino capsules. Chocochino is prepared with two capsules, one containing pure premium chocolate and the other with whole milk. Simply turn on the machine and once the light indicator turns green, the machine can start its work. The capsule with chocolate was slid in first followed by the capsule containing milk. Each capsule indicates a number of bars which needs to be selected through the Play and Select function. The machine automatically stops at the right moment and an aromatic beverage is ready to be enjoyed!

Making beverages is fun and easy with the Dolce Gusto coffee machines. And with a vast selection of beverages, from Espresso, to Cappuccino, hot chocolate and even teas, each coffee machine will be a good kitchen companion day and night. What are you waiting for? Getting your Dolce Gusto coffee machine can never be more effortless with Lazada offering not only CASH ON DELIVERY but also FREE DELIVERY. This offer is only available for 3 days so make sure that you grab this limited offer. Lazada’s Birthday Sale runs from March 21 to 23 so check out Lazada.com.ph to see thousands of discounted products.

#MakeItJolly: Chicken Curry with Papaya

What would you do with the papaya you mistakenly pick coz you thought it is already ripe?

I initially know two ways to eat papaya – eat as is when its already bright orange in color (fully ripe) or eat as an achara (pickled) when unripe. Never had any idea that it can be used for tinolang manok or even pair it with chicken for curry dish.

Not wasting a very hard, unripe papaya, chicken curry was in my mind considering I have FlyAce Corp and Jolly’s Coconut Cream on hand.

ChickenCurryWithPapaya_1

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-4 pcs chicken thighs
  • 3 gloves garlic, minced
  • 1 whole onion, minced
  • ginger, sliced or powder
  • 1 whole red pepper, sliced
  • unripe papaya, peeled, deseeded, chopped
  • curry powder
  • soy sauce (optional)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • fish sauce

ChickenCurryWithPapaya_5

Instructions:

  1. Heat pan and put olive oil
  2. Fry the chicken until brown.
  3. Set the chicken aside to saute garlic, onions, ginger. You may want to add soy sauce for flavor.
  4. Put in bell pepper.
  5. Add the papaya and half of the coconut milk. Simmer it for 30 minutes or until the chicken is done and the papaya is soft. You may want to add water to adjust its thickness.
  6. Add the remaining coconut milk and curry powder. Simmer it for 10 minutes.
  7. Season with salt, pepper and fish sauce to taste.

For an added kick, you can add more curry powder. Ours is just mild since the kids love to eat this dish too.

 

ChickenCurryWithPapaya

Enjoy.