Back to School with National Book Store

     What, wait, is it back to school already? Let the word back-to-school sink in my mind for a moment. Okay, it's June and I presume that kids are enjoying the last wave of vacation before bidding summer goodbye. The school year 2018 will finally resume days or week from now and here's a burning question, are you ready?

     If you'll ask me, it's a resounding YES!!! After enrolling my son for third grade last April, I was invited to do my back-to-school shopping at National Book Store. I went shopping for my son's back-to-school essentials at National Book Store SM North EDSA branch last May 15, 2018 and to my surprise, I saw new and exciting items on display that I've never seen before. Sharing my haul and back-to-school shopping tips after the jump.

Back to School with National Book Store

BIC Kids- Small Hands will do Big Things

     My son loves to draw. He's been drawing cars, trains, trucks, and even cute little faces since he was four years old. If he saw a crumpled paper or even a receipt, he will ask for a pen and draw random things.  This is one of his talents that we are so proud of. We are happy that at a very young age he appreciates art and makes drawing one of his past time. 

     "Pen is mightier than a sword" but letting your kids write and draw their dreams in the most creative way is more powerful. It is important in child development that he or she can creatively express his or her thoughts and feeling by putting ideas from pen to paper. Parents and teachers are helping hand and hand to build a child's confidence and self-belief through visualizing, drawing and finally displaying their creation and I'm excited to share that BIC launches a collection of coloring products designed especially for kids.

BIC Kids- Small Hands will do Big Things

FERN-C kidz: Top 3 Things Not to Skimp on Parenting

     As the years pass by, the word 'parenting' sinks in. Now I know the meaning of what my mama told me when I was a child. She would always tell me "pag naging nanay ka na, maiintindihan mo din bakit ganito, bakit ganyan" (when you become a mother too, you'll understand why this, why that). Now that I'm a mother, I've come to realize why these three things are very important for my son's overall wellness.

     As a mother, I will always do my best to protect my son from everything that may harm or put him at risk. However, no matter how prepared I am, there are just some things I cannot see when it comes to my son. That's why as early as now, there are three things that I do not want to scrimp on when it comes to parenting. Read more about what are the things that I will not skimp on for my son.

FERN-C kidz: Top 3 Things Not To Skimp On Parenting
photo from pexels.com

SM Beauty Playground

     Looking for all things beauty? Look no further as SM Beauty launches their very own playground where beauty enthusiasts have all the freedom to discover, experience, and play with the wide array of beauty products and services under one beauty hall.

    I was invited to the launch of SM Beauty Playground at SM Makati weeks ago where I swatched, tried, and tested all the makeup from drugstore to high-end brands. I was in makeup-skincare-all things beauty heaven as the brands allowed us to play with makeups. I also joined in games that the beauty associates prepared for a better understanding of the brand's product offerings. Read the highlights of the event below :)

SM Beauty Playground

BIC Cool This Back to Shcool

     Back to school is around the corner and I'm in the middle of worry and excitement. I've already enrolled my son but we're still not 100% ready. The coming weeks will be a challenging one as I'll prepare myself to look for new uniforms and school supplies.

     I think it's finally time to say goodbye to the waves of summer because BIC Stationery is kicking off the school season with the right stroke! What's in store this back-to-school from BIC? Read more below :)

BIC Cool This Back to Shcool

WACOAL Passion for Product Sewing and Material Factory Tour

     The second day of our Wacoal Passion for Product Tour is one for the books. Our mission: discover how a brassiere is made and the intricate steps of making an undergarment- the Wacoal way! It's the day where we visited Wacoal Hokuriku Factory and Takeda Lace Co. Ltd. both located in Fukui Prefecture. It's an hour and forty minutes express train ride from Kyoto. 

     I'm so excited what's in store for me in these factories. I'm expecting that I will see the usual factory- unpleasant smell here, a messy corner there, and noise coming from machines everywhere. Upon stepping inside the factory, I was in disbelief with what I saw because it's totally different from the factory I knew. Read more below as I tour inside Wacoal factories and why the "Passion for Product" of Wacoal is becoming clearer now.

WACOAL Passion for Product Sewing and Material Factory Tour

Product Review: Althea Bare Essentials

     Yes, you've read that right! Our favorite one-stop all K-beauty shop now has a skincare line. The Althea Bare Essentials skincare line was launched last April and many beauty enthusiasts gave their thumbs up in this simplified Korean skincare regimen.

     Are you a fan of the 8 or 10 step Korean skincare? I know it's very tasking and expensive to complete the products especially if you have a tight budget but Althea made this tedious skincare process easy by bringing Bare Essentials - your skin’s simply perfect savior. Althea strips down to the bare essentials with this new skincare line. Riding on today’s current minimalism movement, Althea’s Bare Essentials focuses on skincare fundamentals and drops all the non-essentials. 

Product Review: Althea Bare Essentials

Jollibee Jolly Racers

     My son is a fan of race cars that's why when he saw the latest kiddie toys from Jollibee last weekend, he told me that he wants to collect all! Have you seen the latest from Jollibee? I presume some of you have been collecting them already.

     This May, kids can have plenty of fun and an exhilarating playtime with their friends as they imagine being racers. Kids can speed around with Jollibee and Friends riding their Jolly Racers which come with every Jollibee Kiddie Meal.

Jollibee Jolly Racers

Microsoft MCSA 70-533 Exam Overview

Summary of the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam: 

     The Microsoft 70-533 certification exam is known as Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions. The time duration for this examination is 100 minutes. You will have to answer all the multiple-choice questions (MCQs) within this short span of time. Consequently, there will be 73 questions in your real 70-533 test. 63% of passing marks are required to pass this MCSA certification examination. 

     The 70-533 test measures your ability to develop and set up Azure apps and a storage strategy, set up virtual networks, design and develop ARM templates, operate Azure identities and recovery services, and manage Azure operations.

Why is the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam so popular?

     The Microsoft MCSA 70-533 examination is designed to reshape and enhance the candidate’s skills. It is intended for individuals who have experience implementing and operating hybrid and cloud solutions, supporting app lifecycle management, and realizing Azure solutions. If you earn the MCSA certification, you will get better job opportunities. Having had the course if anybody stands next to another candidate maybe for a new position, or for a promotion, or just for annual review, this certification is just really easy, real measurable that can differentiate one’s competition. The HR department looks at your resume and then it filters out the CV before even gets to the technical people at the job. And so, there are a lot of reasons for popularity like this voice. 

How to pass the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam: 

     For knowing the ideas about the actual 70-533 exam questions, you need to start from exam dumps for attaining success. Some Microsoft 70-533 PDF files are provided on the Internet and developed by the Microsoft experts. Mainly, this is the consulted study matters for the 70-533 examination owing to gain not less than 90% brand score through these training questions.

     To get your additional suggestions on the overall course and pass the Microsoft exam with braindumps, there are thoroughly rigid and complex subject topics that require more efforts and struggles to learn them.

     The initiative over viewing of the final exam concept of the Microsoft 70-533 questions solutions are the best for you to prepare with. So, try your best to grab your exam questions essential files right now and get your dream certification come true in no time.

     There is another technique. Firstly, select which study matters will be easy and better to prepare for this exam. This is your first and foremost attempt. And then you need to look at a stare glance at those exam questions answers then have a look how you will attain your paper within your preparation time. At last, try to be more attentive to those answers. These are some tips and key points to prepare for any IT certification test in an efficient way. One of the best and easy techniques to pass the 70-533 examination can be narrated in the following easy and simple steps:

(a) Read the 70-533 examination materials provided by Microsoft itself. It is a must-have. There is no way to neglect it.

(b) Try your level best to get the main 70-533 exam questions and answers to prepare yourself. It's also must have thing if you want to gain high percentage in the actual Microsoft MCSA exam.

(c) Sit for the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam and let you attempt for this with much confidence.

     If you follow these directions, this will help you to pass your actual exam in an amazing way. You feel almost zero pressure during the test and the actual questions will look familiar to you. You can try a free demo of these practice exams to understand how it will work. In short, these practice tests will make you familiar with the style and format of actual exam questions, and allow you to take a short “mock exam” to see how well you have understood and retained the learning from the preparation material you used. 

Training courses for the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam: 

     There are different necessary things for managing the Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions exam which should be considered for passing the 70-533 test. The most essential thing is to get the Microsoft 70-533 braindumps from an original website like AuthenticDumps. Then, you have to prepare completely for the MCSA test and follow all 70-533 sample questions (PDFs) as mentioned on the Microsoft practice test. If you consider all these things, then you can easily pass this Microsoft exam.

Best websites for the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam: 

cloudacademy.com

     This website is a bearer neutral learning platform that helps both companies and individual users learn everything about IT content and training in the industry regarding IT materials. The content available at Cloud Academy cannot be found anywhere else online. 

microsoft.com

     This website mainly provides all Microsoft courses to the learners. It is a highly furnished platform that is arranged with necessary PDFs and video materials. 

PrepAway.co

     This site is focused on Microsoft Microsoft Azure 70-533 MCSA questions and providing exam dumps and training courses along with Microsoft datacenter solutions. 

Best books for the Microsoft 70-533 certification exam: 

1. Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, 2nd Edition

  

     This book is the formal study guide for Microsoft 70-533 certification test. Featuring objective-by-objective and concise case scenarios, reviews, and thought experiments, the students get highly-qualified exam preparation.

2. Microsoft Azure Essentials: Fundamentals of Azure, 2nd Edition

     This book contains all the basic topics, including this MCSA certification examination. You are required to start improving answers right now. It sets your mind on the characteristics of the Azure platform you are most probably need to know rather than on every service and feature available there.

3. Mastering Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Services, 1st Edition

With this step-by-step manual and clear description, this book has been arranged with the expertise required to provide both off-premises and on-premises services through full virtualization, offering a deeper insight of Azure’s capabilities as an infrastructure service.

Planning Your Siargao Vacation

     While El Nido and Boracay are still the 2 most popular islands in the Philippines, Siargao is quickly establishing itself as a strong candidate for 3rd place. And now, with Boracay’s being closed for at least 6 months for rehabilitation, visits to Siargao increased exponentially making it the hottest tourist spot in the country at the moment.

     Siargao started out mainly as a backpacker’s destination, attracting mostly surfers coming to the famous Cloud Nine beach. With beautiful white sand beaches and stunning small islands and lagoons, it has remained one of the best-kept secrets in the Philippines. Now, people are starting to pick up on the fact this island is one of the most wonderful in the world.

     Siargao has now reached a sweet spot where it’s popular enough that tourism is developed and well maintained, but the island still has that raw paradise vibe to it. This is the best time to visit the place before too many tourists turn it into just another Boracay.

Planning Your Siargao Vacation
photo from pixabay.com

Winning Moments with My Mom

     Now I know why motherhood is a winning experience. When I was a child, my mother would always tell me to be always happy with simple things that life has to offer. I'm lucky that my parents gave all that they can give and strive hard to give the best of both worlds (needs and wants). I'm also thankful especially to my mother who taught me household chores at an early age. 

     But there's one thing that makes my mom a winner- a champion in cooking delicious meals for the family and until now she still has it. Since she loves to cook, our bonding moments when I was a child was our weekly trip to the grocery. It's a simple bonding moment but a memorable one. From her, I learned the basics- how to buy fresh meat and fish, how to spot the not in fruits, and how to make a budget for one week. So this Mother's Day, my mom deserves only the best. I want to show her that we can still do that bonding moment on this special day. Find out more below. 

Winning Moments with My Mom

The Makati Shangri-La Wonderful Weekends

     What are your plans ever weekend? Do you plan ahead of time or just go with the flow? Instead of the stressful long drive for an out-of-town family vacation, why not enjoy a Wonderful Weekend at Makati Shangri-La, Manila.

     Makati Shangri-La’s Wonderful Weekends package is the perfect family staycation packed with activities and treats not just for the kids but also the parents where families can enjoy more room time with an early check-in at 10 a.m. and late check-out at 4 p.m. Transform the hotel room into a little playground with a tipi tent and complimentary kids minibar filled with treats and goodies. Also, enjoy more room space and receive a 50% discount on the prevailing Best Available Rate by booking a second room just for the kids.

The Makati Shangri-La Wonderful Weekends

My Japan Lifestyle Haul

     Hi dearies! Hope everyone's having a great week so far. I miss writing this kind of blog post. When I was starting, I write a haul post weekly because I want to share what I bought from my weekend shopping. I'm always on the look for new and exciting things thus I'll buy them and feature here on the blog. Shopping for beauty products is my kind of retail therapy that I seldom do these days. What we shop weekly now are necessities because of adulting!

     Anyhoo, I'm a fan of Japanese culture. I love everything- Japan!!! From food, toys, fashion, and my fave- beauty, I always make sure to try the latest in these categories. When I was in Japan last March, I had a chance to shop for items that I rarely found here in the Philippines. Read more below to see my Japan haul, enjoy!

My Japan Lifestyle Haul
I was able to fit in my stuff and haul inside this medium luggage :)

Via Venetto- The Heart and Sole of Value

    I've been to a lot of shoe stores in the past and finding the perfect pair seems a bit hard for my sensitive feet. I don't just consider the style but the comfort and value matter the most. In my search for the perfect pair of leather shoes that I'm going to wear on formal occasions, one name stands out- Via Venetto.

     Elegance in design is a timeless value, and this is not lost on the modern and sensible Filipina. She is stylish and has a knack for finding what is truly valuable in her every purchase. Accordingly, when shopping for herself, she looks for something that not only lasts but also highlights her inclination towards the tasteful and refined. After all, she has no time for things that offer a sense of false economy. Why Via Venetto has the heart and sole of value? Read more below :)

Via Venetto- The Heart and Sole of Value 

6 Ways to Save For Your Dream Vacation

     In a perfect world, everyone would be able to go anywhere they want without worrying about the expenses. But, this is not a perfect world and we all know it. The number of people who can afford to go on a luxurious vacation without worrying about their budget is very small. The rest of us have to be smart about it, or there won’t be any vacation for us. Especially not a dream vacation.

     If you want to visit some wonderful place but do not know where and how to get the money to do so, here are some tips that will help you achieve this. 

6 Ways to Save For Your Dream Vacation

Unboxing, First Impressions, Review: ASUS ZenFone 5Q ZC600KL

     Hi dearies! ASUS Philippines successfully launched a series of genius smartphones that captivated the hearts of mobile photography fans. The brand's DNA to champion goes up a notch with its must-experience Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and features in its 5th and latest generation of ZenFones.

     If you've seen my Instagram post, I revealed all the ZenFones that I currently have. From ZenFone 2 Laser 5.2, ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5, ZenFone 3, ZenFone Live, and up to the latest ZenFone 5Q which I'll be unboxing and reviewing below :) I'm a certified ASUS user and to have given another chance to review the latest unit is an honor. During the epic launch of the ASUS ZenFone 5 series, we all went #Backto5- the comeback and going back to what they are loved for, bang for the buck smartphone and photography. So without further ado, here's the unboxing, first impressions, and review of ASUS ZenFone 5Q.

Unboxing, First Impressions, Review: ASUS ZenFone 5Q ZC600KL

Cheap First Class Flights – Myth or Reality?

     The first class flights offer us a lot of advantages. Everything from free Wi-Fi to possibility to sleep on your flight is available for you starting from $10,000. Of course, you don't want to spend that much on your flights. Probably, the mantra that a plane is only a vehicle that can transport you from one continent to another pops up in your head. Yes, a plane is only a vehicle, but what if we would tell you that you can fly to another continent with free drinks and food? What if we would tell you that you can arrive at your destination point fully refreshed? Sounds suggestive? Well, it would sound much more suggestive, when you learn that with cheapfirstclass.com it will cost you from $1,500 to $7,000. To heat you up a little bit more, we offer you to check out the main advantages of those cheap first class flights.

Cheap First Class Flights – Myth or Reality?

Watsons Philippines "The Perfect Woman"

     There are so many Mother’s Day tributes out there but one stood out from the rest. Watsons Philippines recently launched a video that talks about how unaware most moms are about how their children see them—brave, selfless, caring and responsible.

     Moms are often hard on themselves; completely unaware that to their children, husbands and loved ones, they are perfect. A mother may describe the perfect woman as “loving and caring” when, in fact, that is she. Before bursting into tears, watch the video below and see some ideas on how to make your mother look good, feel great about themselves not only on Mother's Day but every day!

My Shopee Summer Must-Haves

     There's one thing that Filipinos love to do during free time or the wee hours of the night- online shopping!!! I presume that some of you may have already shopped online and it's an accomplishment if you have successfully purchased an item you've been longing for. Since it's summer, I have a list of must-haves that I want to buy online as online shopping is the most convenient way to shop at the comfort of your home.

     The blazing summer heat kept me under house arrest for days now. I need to replenish my summer essentials and I'm so happy that Shopee Philippines is here to save me from traffic and sunburn. For those who still don't know Shopee, read the post below and discover some of the summer must-haves that I highly recommend :)

My Shopee Summer Must-Haves