War Against the House Enemies & A Giveaway From Pest Off

You know what they say about raising happy kids and messy homes; that it won't come together all the time as you wish? Well, there is truth to it especially if your family's like us, who do not have anyone to manage the house but us. Now that I have online work, a small biz and this blog to maintain - I hardly have time to fully clean the house! After my shenanigans for my well-received #baonserye episode on my Facebook page, the kitchen area usually looks like a warzone. Seriously. And we all know that those traces of war attract *enemies*, right? By that I mean - house pests that scare the hell out of me. So how do I keep them away without being rushed to the hospital?

1. Making sure that if I choose not to wash the dishes, the edibles or "ngatngat-worthy" are all in the trash bin. It has to be somewhere far from me or I'll freak out to death once I see a fiend crawling on top of the sink. *goosebumps* lol 

2. I have a cat. Have you noticed (in the movies, Instagram, blogs or maybe someone you know) that those who love to cook are those who love the feline family, too? I have no scientific idea about it but it does apply to me. I just feel like keeping my furry baby but I'm also glad that she helps me drive away the unwanted guests at home. 

3. If my cat fails to fulfill her duty, I use products to halt a budding scary pest domination. I have insect repellent sprays for mosquitoes, flies and roaches. We also draw on wall crevices using insecticide chalk to neutralize creepy crawlies. As for Mickey Mouse and his friends, we are armed! Pest Off sent us their best mouse and rat warriors last week and really, it's the best! 

HydraInfusion Jet Peel Date with the Hubster

If you're new to this humble cyber kingdom, I am married to a Philippine Army officer. That means, we rarely see each other. He's deployed somewhere out there and can only come home once in a while. With that said, we rarely go out on dates, too. Heads up, though, dates mean to me as doing things together without the kid and not just dining on a swanky restaurant. 

Alright, now here's the kwento. So he was home few weeks ago and his blogger wife was luckily invited again for a facial treatment at Aesthetic Institute of the Philippines in Greenhills. Remember that I experienced RevLite in 2013? Since then, my face craved for its much-deserved pampering. Double luck, too 'cause the hubster also got to try the treatment! So yes, it was like a facial date of sorts. 

Lovin' My Ash Blonde Hair by Cynos Inside Hair Care

As a stay-at-home mom who tries her best to be as frugal as she can, I rarely visit salons to have my hair treated. Haircut, yes. Treatments? Next question, please. I do care for my hair, don't get me wrong! But I'd rather go DIY than spend thousands of money to reach my mane goal (pun intended). 

Who the hell's the girl in the before pic? Ewwness.

I just got super lucky that this blogging thing happening here paved way for me to meet friends who could help! Cynos Inside Hair Care sponsored this domestic queen a bonggang hair makeover last year! 

My RevLite Laser Experience

There are days when I don't feel like putting anything on my face but baby powder. However, my skin isn't like a baby's anymore that it needs to be covered up with BB cream, pressed powder (or when the occasion calls for it, foundation), tint for the cheeks and lips, eyebrow pencil and light mascara. Also, I have this adult acne marks, which fortunately weren't there during my adolescent years. My skin type is the usual "combination": oily on the t-zone and dry on the cheeks. This type is not so easy to manage since I can't use facial creams too much as it could block my pores and would eventually lead to humongous pimples. I still have to use moisturizer, though since we're not getting any younger (early prevention is better than cure).

Oh, petty problems of a girl. I know, I know. So I'm lucky to have been chosen to try the new RevLite Laser by Aesthetic Institute of the Philippines two months back. Royal thanks to Mommy Practicality and our friend from Spectrumed who made it all possible. Anyway ― the whole procedure was done around 12-15 minutes only. Would you believe? And after those exciting minutes, I instantly saw a matte-looking, fresh-feeling face that was not-so-fabulous earlier. 

Review: Casa de Lorenzo Castile Soaps

All work and no bath makes Queen B a stinky mom. Haha! One of my favorite relaxations is to take long showers. I usually do this when the little girl is already asleep; because if she's not, I'm very sure a 5-minute bath is long enough. So yes, I make sure she has this baby snores already before I could really take my time. Don't you just love scrubbing your body with loofah after what --- cleaning, dusting and just polluting yourself the whole day?

The Pimple Under the Skin (Plus Moringa-O2 Toner Review)

When I was younger, so much younger than today (yes, it's a song! lol), I never had problems with pimples. As in, I only get to have one once in a month when I'm PMS-ing. But hey, my hormones changed when I became a mom. I get my pimples one time big time! Sometimes, it's even too mysterious, it hides under my epidermis. I abhor the feeling as much as how it looks. It throbs so crazy like someone's drilling from the inside. On the outside, it looks horrible. It's a giant pus-filled red mountain of sorts. Sorry. Heehee. I just really need to describe. Hey, you want a picture? This.

Ouch, right?

Review: Regent Foods Products

Decades ago (okay, weeks), I received a big plastic storage box of products from Regent Foods Corporation. LB was so excited she opened it immediately as soon as I finished taking a photo for my Instagram. I like that LB can somehow understand how my blogging life works. 

Review: Cynos Argan Oil Thairapy

Exactly a month ago, I received hair care products for review that contain Argan Oil. It is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree, endemic to Morocco, that is valued for its nutritive, cosmetic and numerous medicinal properties. It is also known in cosmetic use as moroccan oil. 

I was very fortunate to be able to try Cynos Argan Oil Thairapy, because argan oil worked wonders in my dry skin and hair. I think that's what I really don't like about my physical features - my being dry; that's why I love lotion so much. When I got to try the shampoo, I was not expecting that it'll do magic to my hair instantly. It also smells really, really good. Amoy-mayaman, hehe. And then I followed it up with the conditioner, which smells super fragrant! The instructions say that you have to towel off the wetness from your hair first before you apply it. I did.

Review: Zest-O Slice

As much as I want to shield my daughter from carbonated drinks that do no good to her health, the inevitable always happens. Of course, when she sees us sips from a glass full of ice and Coke, she'd think she can, too. So yeah, I usually let her. My mothering style is basically democratic. But please don't think I'm raising a brat here, I minimize my softdrinks intake so she won't take at all. 

We love water. Water is THE only thing that really quenches my thirst. But there are times I look for variety --- iced tea, flavored drink, fruit shakes and juices. I have tried a lot already, especially when I see something new in a convenience store near us. My latest discovery, which I am very grateful to have received samples of, was Zest-O Slice. 

It was delivered to our house one humid day. My thrilled girl instantly grabbed one and she chose the pink bottle --- the Grapple. After a long gulp straight from the bottle, I heard a "mmmm, it's deleeeshaus, Nanay!"

Review: Twinings Green Tea

It is because of this photo that I decided to make tea a mainstay character in our grocery cupboard. I am not afraid to get old, you know. It is to look old that I am so not looking forward to. Then like a few days after that, I received a box of Twinings tea that contains two of each variant. For this post, I would do a review of the four of their six green tea: Pure Green Tea, Green Tea & Cranberry, Green Tea & Lemon, and Green Tea and Mint.

Where do you think could I buy a white tea cup with a pink crown printed on it? ♡

Review: EVToys Bunny Plushie {LB’s New Friend}

If we women think that we can never have too many clothes or shoes or bags; kids could say the same thing with their toys. I was anxious last Christmas about what LB would receive, thus asking (more of telling) the godparents not to give her toys and alike. What I didn't realize is the fact that it is what makes them happy. Because it‘s what they really like. So upon that realization and some weeks after, I’m just more than ecstatic about receiving an email from EVToys; they will be sending one of the plushies they sell so I could make a review about it here. Sweet. 

Review: Kid StarMaker's Little Mermaid Cartoon DVD

It has been a while since I have received Kid StarMaker products, and the first that I did a post about was her Ballerina Princess book. LB super loves it now that it's almost torn apart. 

She brought it along with us in our Zambales and Baguio trips. What she also brought was her Little Mermaid Cartoon DVD, where she starred as the Little Mermaid! {photos were taken when we were still at MIL's house}

Review: Russell Stover Chocolates and Candies

Whoever says he hates chocolate is a hypocrite. I mean, what is there to hate about it? Because it could make you fat? Because it might add to your already diabetic-blood that runs in your family? I have discovered mouthwatering chocolates (and hard candies, too!) that are sugar-free. Would that change your mind?

Courtesy of Google Images

Russell Stover is the largest maker of boxed chocolates in the US and is now in the Philippines through Candy Corner. According to its fan page, it has been making chocolates since 1923. They recently joined the Candy Corner Festival last October 26-29 held at the North Court of Rockwell Power plant Mall. 

Review: Beauty Soaps by Droplets of Nature

If we are going to ask 100 Filipino women on their definition of beauty, more or less, we'll get 20 different answers with the same thought. And one of it is being fair-skinned. Another could be being young. In the advent of technology, along with the instant existence of multifaceted gadgets, humans never got tired of discovering new things to improve one's life. Though old folks feel that these technology trends had somehow ruin the true essence of an industry, we can't avoid but to be amazed at how we could benefit from using it. 

Taken for example are Methatione capsules that could whiten skin for 4 capsules a day. A lot of Filipino people had tried taking it, since most of us are born with beautiful sunshiny skin, and they weren't contented with it, because they think that to be beautiful is to be as white as Kristine Hermosa. Some of them had settled for a monthly beauty inject. Others through a slow but safe process by using whitening soaps. Anything just to get fair skin. 

One of the fast-rising beauty soaps in the market today is from Droplets of Nature. Right now, they have Beauty & Bright Skin Lightening Body Soap and Anti-Aging Serum Bar and Beauty & Bright Facial & Body Lightening Moringa Soap. 

Review: Kid StarMaker's Ballerina Princess Book

I haven't met a parent, or a mom per se, who do not give so much pride about having her child. I know you know what I'm talking about! Like what my former guy (& single) assistant told me when it was Christmas season in  the office last year, when you get to be a parent, all you got to brag are your kids' achievements. Or your kids themselves. When LB wasn't born yet, it was my boyfriend (now husband) that I was so proud to talk about. I have "branded" him as the best boyfriend ever despite our endless fights & arguments. I always sounded like I am selling Rhambo to my friends & family, dishing out to them the juiciest stories about how he made me feel like a natural woman! Okay, that's a song. But yeah, I think it's really my nature to get that "marketing/PR" vibe in me. Now that I am a mother of a 4-year-old drama princess, I never changed that. Well, for some parents, they find it not so nice. It's like I'm pushing my two loves (Rhambo & LB) to limelight, which they weren't really asking for. But that was not my point, I wanted to let the people see & know how wonderful they are! 

Thank you so much Kid StarMaker for my little girl's book & CD!
Her AWESOME face just proved how happy she was. ;)

I have learned my lesson though. Rhambo's not really the type of guy who wants so much spectacle about him so I minimized the details on his what-seemed-to-be-my-husband-press-kit. I just let myself be the proof of his being the great man that he is. How? To be a fabulous woman that I am! Charot. But really, he takes good care of me very well. And yes, he spoils me like a baby. Alright, enough. But LB? Ooh, she loves it! Being the only girl grandchild of my mom (Lola Leny or LL has 5 grandsons from my sisters), she gets to be cooed a lot. Though it's not the case in my MIL's side because she's the 3rd granddaughter already, she has still kept that BIDA COMPLEX alive, as being the unica hija of MIL's only son. 

Review: INDIGObaby's Jar of Love

There's no better feeling than seeing your child well and smiling, after being sick for 3 days. LB was down with flu since Tuesday night. I was like a 24/7 roving guard monitoring her fever with my digital thermometer (which I find so awesome as it beeps when it reaches the body's temperature) because she reached 39.8 and it was almost two in the morning. I felt a bit sad for her as she didn't go to school for 3 days, missing out on a lot of activities.

I had her take paracetamol and massaged her back, feet & legs with INDIGObaby's Jar of Love Healing Balm. It was a bit funny though that while I was applying it on her back, my super inquisitive sickly daughter said in her weak voice, "is that your toothpaste, Nanay?" ;)

Review: Dishwashing Liquid by Droplets of Nature

If there's one thing I least like with all the domestic motherly brouhahas, that is dishwashing. I remember a time when my younger brother & I fought over dirty dishes. You can make me do the laundry (which I love), cook for a feast or clean the house while a toddler is playing, but it would take time to prod me to wash dirty dishes. I abhor the long time to stand while washing, so when I was a maarte kolehiyala (but a state U student naman), I got a chair & sat while doing it. Whenever Rhambo was home & we don't have a helper, he's the sink-in-charge. I know it's weird that I love doing the laundry but I despise being in the sink with a basin full of greasy plates & forks; but that's me. However, when I don't have Rhambo or a helper around, I have no excuse not to do it.

Photo courtesy of Zazzle

Review: Hand Sanitizers by Droplets of Nature

I never claim I'm Mrs. Clean & not really that of an OC mom, but I always make sure that my hands are clean. And so's LB's. If water is not accessible & there's no trash bin near to throw my used wet wipes after, there should be a hand sanitizer in my bag. And it never fails, I always have one. Well, sometimes it's a bottle of alcohol. I recently discovered a brand that produces hand sanitizers made of natural ingredients, Droplets of Nature. Their hand sanitizers are made from plant-based lactic acid, fruit-based alcohol and essential oils. The plant-based lactic acid acts as the main anti-bacterial ingredient, therefore the scent of the alcohol is not too strong. The lactic acid and essential oils acts as the natural moisturizers. Their hand sanitizer is also safe for the baby's hands.

Review: Lactation Cookies by Crumbs & Grubs

It was more than a month ago when I received a package from the owner of Crumbs and Grubs, mommy Jeanne Marfal. No, I'm not feeding my 4-year-old Little Bebeng through my breast, but I just wanted to try their products & she sent me the cookies. I might not get the best of the other products (brownies & other breads from its sister company) if it will be shipped to me so she advised me to meet her instead. We have already scheduled a meet-up but we both got busy with some personal things that it ended up her shipping a pack of cookies to me. That was a little after I had my dramatic ectopic pregnancy. 

On Cosmetics, Prices & Jar of Hope Review

At last, finally got to talk to my kawal who's so barado ang ilong. Ang saya nito when we kiss, paunahan tumulo ang sipon. Mate-test na naman marriage namin! Fireproof moment. Well, you might be thinking that I find it gross eh asawa ko naman siya. Eh ano pa nga ba? Oo naman, gross yun. Hahaha! But no, I love my husband --- booger, fart & all. Whoever says athletes have the stinkiest feet is so judgmental. Duh, naamoy na ba niya army men's feet?! With my husband's allowance, kasama sa budget ang foot powder. Uhm, I think when he gets to read this, reresbak yun. Unahan ko na. My feet get stinky din naman when the shoes has bacteria na. Like, for example, I have used it for walking in the flood; even after washing, and especially if it's made of cloth (like my SM Parisian flats --- kainis), ang jontot pa din. Diyahe nga. So I threw it away na. Nagbagong-buhay na paa ko. Now I can eat using my feet (not true). I think aside from alcohol (isopropyl not Tanduay), Nivea Men Deospray and shaver, Rhambo's staple hygiene product is his foot powder. Yun lang. As much as I would like to influence him on using what Jericho Rosales or Derek Ramsay are endorsing, eh bukod sa tamad siya, lagi niyang sinasabi na "baka sa akin lang masira pangalan ng mga yan!" I got his point. My soldier is a fuss-free kind of guy. Super my opposite.