Perfect For the Holidays

I really couldn’t believe the year’s wrapping up in barely twenty-four hours! It’s a little disconcerting how fast time flies, isn’t it?

Anyway, how is your holiday? Is it awesome as you expected it to be? Are you having the time of your life? I hope everyone is having a grand time getting together with family and friends. As for us here, it’s just great. I’m a little tired –with all the preparations etc…- but the holidays, especially Christmastime never fails to give me a high in spirits.

The colors of Christmas always, always brighten my day! Red, green, yellow, gold…All are lively colors that spice up every corners in the world, I imagine. It’s just amazing to see the burst of colors before the year ends! Awesome finale, don’t you think?

So talking about colors, I’d love to show you eyeglasses that absolutely look perfect for the holiday. Here they go:






Lovely, lovely, lovely –don’t you think so? They are stylish and affordable I must add and they would certainly spice up your look.

These all come from the popular maker of stylish yet affordable glasses, ZenniOptical. And you need not worry because the frames are made of high quality materials. Moreover, these eyeglasses have anti-scratch coating and full UV protection. For every purchase, ZenniOptical also gives you a full guarantee. So how about these timely Holiday frames?

Make-Up Tips

When applying make-up, regardless of the level of coverage, your skin should look natural. Or should I say, the make-up should look natural. Whatevs. But the keyword is "natural." If it doesn't look natural, then you've got to tone it down a bit -unless (of course) you preferred the unnatural look. *smiles*

Writing down goals

It’s been ages since I’ve actually written a New Year’s Resolution list.

I dunno but I‘ve given up thinking about a resolution –and much more for a list! However I make a mental list of my life’s goals.

Today, I read something about actually writing down goals. I am not going to comment about it but it might be true (for others).

It says:

Writing down goals can be the driver that moves us forward in our life. (But only) if we then follow and do what should be done to achieve them.

In need of home theater seating? Just click the link.

Dealing With Stress

The traffic (especially at this time of the year) is definitely stressful. Shopping is stressful. Not having enough cash is stressful. *sigh*

Stress affects the mind and the body. Stress affects our performance and efficiency, our attitude.
Have you been in a situation like snapping back at a loved one unintentionally because you've been stressed during the day? Stress certainly affects our relationships.

That's why, it is important to deal with it. And to relieve ourselves from its selfish clutches.

Now, here are few tips to manage/deal with stress:

1) Talk with someone you trust and respect. Share your feelings with your partner, your friend,
your relative or your teacher. This outpouring of thought and emotions could help you.
Also these people you trust and respect could help you put things in proper perspective,
or make you see the situation in a different light

2) Listen to music and sing (with all your heart's content!). Okay not too loud - as hearing our singing voice might be stressful to others. *chuckle*
But yes, sing. Hum. Bang your head. So what if people think you've gone mad or something. Singing is a great stress-reliever.


3) Read a book or a magazine. Reading is a wonderful way to unwind. Read inspirational books or Bible passages. And keep away from reading materials that may cause anxiety like the newspapers. (for me, a newspapaer is a not too good material for relaxation...reading about the economic crisis or the political situation -esp of my country is really far from relaxing.
Not to mention an article about a crime!)

4) Pray and meditate. Need I say more?

5) Exercise. Scientific studies shows that exercise helps reduce stress levels (and even depression).

6) Get enough sleep always. Sleeping can also improve one's concentration, mood and overall health. Go to bed at the your regular time and then wake up at almost the same time every morning.

Also, the body requires a slower pace to relax (and new cells need nutrients that are absorbed thru sleep while your body uses this time to regenerate cells.)

7) Indulge on little pleasures. It maybe as simple as snacking on your favorite chocolate bar or going for a walk. Or window-shopping. Or like me, getting a massage. That's not too much to ask (on ourselves), right?

Lastly, here's an easy and simple stress reliever:

Inhale deeply. Hold your breath for 5 seconds. Let it out slowly. And as you exhale, imagine tension leaving your body.

Can't Sleep?

Too stressed perhaps. Or worried/bothered about something?

Try this mental exercise. While lying in bed, breathe deeply. Use mental imagery and conjure up relaxing and comforting images. Or conjure up something that would truly calm you - the image of the ocean perhaps, the sound of the tides lapping on the shore- whatever works for you.

Try also some physical exercise before going to sleep. Jogging or doing crunches and sit-ups would help for sleep to come quickly.

Read. You can try those boring books that you haven't gone past Page 1. *smile*

Eat a light snack. I dunno, but milk always does wonders for my distraught nerves.

Count. When I was younger, in times when I find it hard to sleep, I used to count 1 to 100 or to thousand... or until sleep claims my worrywart self. It's very effective -for me.

Another way is to face things head on and think about what's bothering you. Then tell yourself this: "I am letting you go now." And let go. Let your worries go. Relax and let your problems, disturbing thoughts evaporate. Tomorrow is another day.

And here's a beautiful Bible verse to read in times of anxiety:

Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Promotional Items at Low Cost

Are you looking for promotional items to give away to clients, patrons, etc...this holiday season? Are you tasked to come up with great corporate gifts this year?No idea yet?

There's a site I know that may be of help. From ballpens, tumblers, mugs to calendars - they have a lot to offer. You may order from them if you want - they actually have cool items such as promotional bags and towels that you could get at a very low cost.

But also, you may just check it out to get some ideas. Just click the link I provided in the preceding paragraph.

Firefox, Riskiest Application?

That's according to Bit9's list of 12 most vulnerable software applications released last week.

On the list, Firefox tops other 12 common applications used by employees.

Sad thing because I'm such a big Firefox user! But no there's actually no reason to be alarmed..

According to this post by Informationweek.com:

Many, if not all, of the cited vulnerabilities have been patched, but Bit9's list is meant to highlight the fact that these patches aren't easily deployed by IT administrators, who many not even know what programs employees are running.

Also on the list is Apple QuickTime, Skype and even Microsoft Windows Live Messenger. Read more about the list here.

Also if you're looking for great books to read during the holidays (or as gifts), check out some of the Amazon books on sale.

Happy Holidays!

Haaaayyyy. I've been amiss my blogging duties. But hey, everyone deserves a little time to get ready for -or enjoy- the holidays.

The traffic's pretty extraordinary these days. The malls are totally jampacked even at 11AM! OMG! I've been in and out of the mall the past few days but I'm still not done with my shopping list.

Things - and names, too- really have the tendency to pop at the last minute! *smile* And the same thing goes for tasks, if I may add. With the rate of the tasks coming up at this time, I bet you I will not need a Fenphedra or anything to lose weight. The mere thought of shopping these days makes me lose a couple of pounds! *chuckle* (and the act of doing that would go as far as 10 pounds!). But I love Christmastime - my favorite really.

And hey, before I forget, I love Gmail too for coming up great things. Here's the very recent feature available on Gmail.

So anyway, in case I'll be busier in the coming days and wouldn't be able to hop in the blogging arena, just wanna greet everyone: Happy Holidays! May the coming year brings in more great things for everyone --yup, including me! *hands in praying position*

Viewing PDF Files Right on Gmail

PDF files can now be easily viewed right on your Gmail.

Read me right the first time. There's a "View" link now in your email if an attachment is in PDF format.

There's no need to download it. If you're like me, who wants to see what's in an attachment instantly, then I'm sure you'll appreciate the effort the Gmail peeps put into letting you read a PDF file even without downloading it.

From Gmail With Love

As if this desktop gadget, these free stickers and this task list are not enough as Christmas gifts, the Gmail Team has come up with an awesome innovation: text messaging in chat!

I was honestly too excited to try it when I read it in the Gmail blog this morning that I missed the part where it says it's still good for US phone numbers. I tried and tried to see if I could send to my number (outside of US) only to be disappointed.

So when I went to check back the post, I could only smile. I had been too excited indeed!

It's such a pity it's still not available for us (receiving, that is). Except for that, I believe this one's an amazing feature. And I will have to wait when it can be available for us here.

Getting Tasks Done with GMAIL

Battling your way with so many tasks? List your to-dos with Gmail now. Go here for more of the details.

Catcha later!

Or Hairclips!

If you're not gonna get me the hair rings, maybe you can pick hairclips for me. *chuckle*

I dunno what's the matter with me but I've been a little obsessed with these little thingies for the hair lately. I don't want scrunchies for sure - they'd ruin the hair job I had recently but these cute little things... ahh, I love them -to.the.max!

So if you're planning on getting me something this Christmas, the cute little hairclips will more than make me happy.

If you can't find something like this, I won't mind this "oldy" clips. Just don't pick me those in the last image. They somehow make me feel like I'm from the Mummy Age. lol. The leaf design would do (or the ones in the photo right after this).

So okay that's a self serving tip for my friends, acquaintances, family who wish to send a holiday present to me. heheh.

Thanks God for Sisters!

Piles of clothes haphazardly decorate our room these days. It's actually hard to find anything, much more the floor of our room, these days. From the looks of it, one would think that I've recently refurbished my limited wardrobe and bought all these clothes. But no there's no truth in that. As a matter of fact, I haven't spent a dime at all.

My sister, uhm yeah the sister who has a way of organizing her baggage :-), gave some of her clothes - new and slightly used- to us. Actually, she sent a package which mostly contains clothes for us -me and my other sister. Our wardrobe cabinet is actually bursting at its seams! Thus, our room is a picture of chaos. But then, I will not complain as I have now interesting clothes to wear.

I've always been a conservative when it comes to dressing up. Plain and boring wouldn't be too far from the truth. Really. My clothes are always functional and "generic." Pants. Shirts... On the contrary, this sister who has keener fashion sense in her (maybe even more than the youngest sister because the latter, working in Japan, is exposed to "the other side of the world" fashion). So now, there's more than a couple of chic blouses in my rack. I even got a trendy denim skirt which is a little above the knees (I so like!). Hip pants. Uber cute tank tops. Not to mention cool belts and few heeled wedges.

So thanks God for sisters -who is more or less my size (footwear, clothes and all). Although sometimes they raid my closet too but then, it's a one happy symbiotic affair.

Looking for Votive candle holders? Just click the link.

Free Stickies

Who wants freebies? Well, who doesn't?

Christmas really is a time for giving. I had first thought this is our advance Christmas gift from the G Force. But I'm wrong. It is just one of our advance Christmas gifts.

Because I've read over at the Gmail Blog that they are giving away these Gmail M-velope stickers FOR FREE!

Just send a self-addressed stamped envelope (along with a note if you're so inclined) to:

Send me some Gmail stickers already
P.O. Box 391420
Mountain View, CA 94039-1420

Head over here for more info. Go, go, go!

These...I Like!

These are rings. Cute, lovely rings. These are actually hair rings. (although I want to call them hair chandeliers!) Perfect to compliment an outfit...or just to make the hair a little more interesting. Lurve them that I'm gonna sing their design names to the tune of "All I Want for Christmas" now... *smiles* Hint, hint.

I'm not sure if these hair jewelries/accessories are "in" these days but I'm truly, madly, deeply inlove with them! *sigh*

One can wear it with a band that comes with it upon purchase. It's replaceable by the way, so one can match an accessory with the outfit. By the way, here's how they're worn:

Image Source

Google Gadgets on Your Desktops

Here's an advance Christmas gift for all of you using Google Desktops (for Windows). Makes life easier and the desktop merrier. Gotta try it!

This is brought to you by the hardworking men (and women?) that makes up the Google Desktop team. Gotta love em, don't you think?

All About Me

I have to remind myself time and time again to take things easy when I cannot find the thing that I'm looking for.

More often than not, lost things somehow find their way of materializing in front of you when you least expect it. I think I need to plaster that on our walls for the endless "next time" hunts for lost things.

Few weeks before we left for our mini-vacation, I had the urge to look for our videocam. As I am OC in a big way, I lost not time to look for it. When I couldn't find it in its box, and after turning our furniture over to locate it, I worked up a huff and got mad at everyone. Insanity! Sad truth.

Later, at the last hour before our trip, I peeked inside its box and there it was silently sleeping inside the cloth pouch that I used to cover it with.

Also, a couple of days ago, we have decided to finally set up a Christmas tree at home (we're late this year but we've been busy with the travel plans and the actual trip so...). Anyway, after my sisters and I took the bits and pieces that makes up a Christmas tree, we found out that some parts are gone - some leaves (for the bottom part) were all gone! Where must they be they? We have started an argument because of the lost parts. At one point, we thought my father had gotten rid of them (along with our trash!), mistaking them for garbage. And then my father thought it's my mother who got rid of them... we started pointing fingers at everyone.

This morning, however, my sister peeked inside the cabinets below our sink. Lo and behold, the leaves are there -along with other ornaments, tightly boxed. The personal responsible? *pointing a finger in linear motion back to myself*

But okay, I'm forgetful, alright. (But still that's no excuse).

Let's Break the China!

Now, don't confuse my title for anything. :-)

Okay, I've read few hours ago that despite the financial crisis, the environment (the climate) is still a top concern of many people.

I was also in Church this morning and one salient point in the homily is about preparing for the future. Financially -as we might never know what the financial crisis might bring for us the next day. We may have little money now, but we can never say that in the days to come. Save. Spend a lesser this holiday.

So today, I get a gun with every intention to shoot at two birds with my tip. *wink*

This holiday season if you feel it's convenient to go for the "disposable" route, think again. I think it's time to use the real ones. Dinner plates. Cloth (washable) table napkins. Silver utensils. Enough of the styro plates, plastic cups and forks already. Let's celebrate the season with our all-year-long-cabinet-kept fine chinas. Sure, it's a little tiring to wash countless of dishes (especially if you have lots of guests!), but it's gonna save you a little cash and that little cash would go a long way, don't you think? Besides, cutting down on the use of "disposables" is a friendly gesture to the environment. It only takes a little sacrifice to care for the environment. Think about that.