Making reunions REAL again

     Filipinos are all about family. The mandatory family reunion happens not just once or twice a year, but every chance possible. From Birthdays to graduations all the way to the grand Christmas reunion, family gatherings are always filled with food, catching up, and loads of wholesome family fun. 

     Lately, we’ve seen many changes in traditional family dynamics — from a simple meal to dance numbers by the grandkids. Families are reaching out to friends and relatives abroad through technology. While technology can be used to connect people, it can also become a wall between family members. 

Making reunions REAL again

Cheese Platter Game On with Danes Cheese Ball

     What's one family Christmas tradition that you're excited every year? I bet it's preparing the food you will eat on Christmas Eve. Families all over the world gather to spend the holidays together because there’s nothing like the warmth of home. While no holiday celebration would be complete without family reunions, this is the best time to introduce new and fun traditions to make this holiday season even more memorable than last year’s.

     It’s a tradition that we serve spaghetti and salad on Noche Buena but this year, I’ve decided to make a little twist- instead of preparing pasta and salad, I told my mama to make a small cheese platter for the kids and adults to indulge during and after Noche Buena.

Cheese Platter Game On with Danes Cheese Ball 

Jergens Holiday Glow Kit

     The cold air that I felt this morning is my sign that Christmas is near. This cool breeze also reminds me that it's time to upgrade my skincare essentials with more moisturizing products to prevent dryness. I have combination skin but cold weather tends to suck out all the moisture in my skin making my legs and arms flaky and itchy.

      Looks like Santa heard my wish of sporting a glowing skin this season. Jergens sent me a holiday kit that will take care of the dryness and give my skin all the moisture that it needs. It will be a pampering kind of holiday because they also include a satin rob and jade roller, yay! Want to have a glowing skin this holiday season? Check out the tips I listed below :)

Jergens Holiday Glow Kit

honestbee x The Marketplace by Rustan's

     I had a conversation with my husband last week on what to prepare for the holidays. I told him that I wanted something special and not the usual 'handa' because I want to celebrate Christmas up a notch with premium food items on the dining table.

     When I say premium, these are the products or deli items that you will not see in a regular grocery or supermarket. The ingredients in making special dishes need imported or hard to find brands that are usually available in premium stores like The Marketplace by Rustan's. But when I think of the holiday rush, all I wanna do is stay at home and order my groceries from honestbee. Do you want to shop for premium grocery items in the comfort of your home? It's possible now that honestbee recently partnered with The Marketplace by Rustans. Check out the premium brands you can score after the jump :)

honestbee x The Marketplace by Rustan's

Hallmark for L.I.F.E. this Christmas

     Hallmark has been part of spreading the most precious messages of love and cheer in every celebration- may it be a birthday, an anniversary, or a wedding. I'm a fan of their well-loved cards that have connected and brought smiles throughout people all over the world and this year’s holiday season is no exception.

     Can't imagine that it has been 23 years, over two decades that Filstar Distributors Corporation (FDC), the country’s exclusive licensee of Hallmark USA together with the Leukemic Indigents Fund Endowment (L.I.F.E.) Foundation created a charitable project called “Hallmark for L.I.F.E.” to help alleviate the condition of indigent children with Leukemia. Sharing a brief story of this advocacy below :)

Hallmark for L.I.F.E. this Christmas
Wrapped my gifts in one of Hallmark's easy to use gift bags :)

Watsons Look Good, Feel Great this Christmas

     Christmas is the season to look good, feel great that's why this Holiday, even Santa deserves to look good, feel great and to those who make everyone feels great this Christmas, you deserve to feel great too! It's so nice to know that everyone deserves to look good and feel great this holiday season :)

     Some of the best things about Christmas are the festive parties, reunions and get-togethers with our family, relatives, friends, and even those people we don’t often get to spend time with or see during the year. Whether it’s something big with all the festive decorations and gift-giving or something simple through a visit to the mall – parties, reunions, and get-togethers with our loved ones are something we look forward to every Christmas season because it’s a time for fun, love, appreciation, and sharing.

Watsons Look Good, Feel Great this Christmas

honestbee Christmas Offerings

     It's Christmas! I can't believe that three weeks from now we are going to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. December is the busiest month- parties here, gatherings there, and reunions everywhere. These celebrations mean eating- a lot! The perfect excuse to feast on your favorite holiday guilty pleasures we've been craving for all year long.

     Think of artisan cakes, gourmet ice creams, Lechon, truffle pasta, and all the viands best served during the holiday season, yum!!! But before these get inside your tummy, the holiday rush sinks in. Traffic and long qeues add to the stress on preparing these treats. Forget about the hassles as honestbee recently launched carefully curated food and gift items delivered to your doorstep. Sharing their Christmas food offering and Philippines Daily Inquirer's Best Desserts selection for that unforgettable Noche Buena feast :)

honestbee Christmas Offerings 

8 Holiday Trips You Can’t Afford to Overlook

     While some families like to be home for the holidays, others want to take to the road, sky, or water. So if you’re thinking about taking a trip for the holidays this year, here are eight ideas to get you started. You’re only limited on where you go by your own creativity and what your budget will allow.

8 Holiday Trips You Can’t Afford to Overlook

Firefly LED Celebrates Christmas in the Philippines

     From North to South, Firefly continues to make the holidays in the country merry and bright with its dazzling and beautiful Christmas trees and light installations. Firefly LED, the leader in energy-efficient LED bulbs, has been lighting up Metro Manila for 11 years now. 

     They have lit lit up the Christmas trees at SM by the BAY, central park area (a 75-ft tree with over 40,000 LED bulbs); SM City North Edsa waterfall area (75-ft tree with over 40,000 LED bulbs) and Ayala Center Cebu garden area (35-ft tree with over 35,000 LED bulbs).

Firefly LED Celebrates Christmas in the Philippines

      Firefly is also responsible for the breathtaking Christmas lights installations in Tiendesitas, C5 area, Ortigas East; Ayala Circuit, Makati City and Aseana City, Bradco Avenue, Paranaque City.

     The Firefly Christmas trees in Metro Manila stand tall, proud and well-lit amidst different weather conditions because as they say, no one can stop Christmas especially for Filipinos who look forward to the season all year round.

Firefly LED Celebrates Christmas in the Philippines

      The trees have human-sized ornaments and glittering lights and are decorated by Firefly LED Bright Christmas Lights and Firefly LED bulbs. These trees mirror our own traits such as resiliency and unity and values such as filial piety and generosity.

     So what makes Firefly LED’s Bright Christmas Lights and bulbs so different from the others? The company’s Firefly Bright Christmas lights is the only branded Christmas lights in the market today. It is safe, of excellent quality, and affordable. Firefly only uses high-grade materials such as copper instead of aluminum. The products are also approved by the Department of Trade and Industry.

     The Christmas lights are available in Warm White, White, RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color variety. Prices range from Php439 for the string lights up to Php2, 499 for the curtain lights with 400 LED bulbs and with night sky blinking effect.

     Aside from Christmas lights, Firefly is known for its LED bulbs, which are proven to last up to two times longer than other LED bulbs. The LED bulbs are energy efficient, ensuring greater savings. Compared to traditional CFL bulbs, Firefly LED bulbs shine brighter by as much as 50 percent.

     Firefly LED Bulbs are tested and certified by TÜV SÜD, a world-renowned testing and certification institute. Firefly LED is the first local lighting brand in the Philippines to have the certification mark, assuring consumers of its excellent quality and safety. Firefly’s LED bulbs are also tested energy efficient under the Meralco Orange Tag program, the actual electrical consumption of a 9-watt bulb is only at Php0.09 cents/KWH based on actual Meralco Power Lab Test. 

     Firefly LED Bright Christmas Lights and LED bulbs are available in leading hardware and do-it-yourself stores, supermarkets and bookstores nationwide.

Unique Ways to Decorate for a Holiday Party

     People generally fall into two camps when it comes to the holiday season. The first has an unquenchable fire of fury over what they consider to be premature “Christmasing”. And then there are those that put their holiday lights up on November 1 and are positively giddy when they hear their first Christmas song. 

     If you fall into the latter camp, there’s a good chance you’re thinking of throwing a seasonal soiree on top of your other holiday to-dos. Spending hours on Pinterest for the perfect holiday recipes and cocktail ideas can be overwhelming enough, so you might be a bit worried about how to make your house feel festive. Don’t worry, as we can help. Read on for unique ways to decorate for a holiday party.

Unique Ways to Decorate for a Holiday Party
image from Pexels.com

Win An Exclusive Invite To Our #BloggerBabesXmasMeet 2018 Party

     The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching and I can now feel the spirit of Christmas. Colorful lanterns and lights brighten up the streets and surroundings. Christmas time is here once again! Celebrations and gatherings will be here, there, and everywhere! This year, I want to make the holiday season extra special by celebrating it with my #BloggerBabes friends and YOU!

     YES! I'll be celebrating one of the Christmas parties this 2018 with my dear readers at the #BloggerBabesXmasMeet 2018 PINK Christmas Party! Mark your calendars as this will happen on December 9, 2018 at San Lazaro, Manila. More details on how you can join after the jump!

Win An Exclusive Invite To Our #BloggerBabesXmasMeet 2018 Party

Watsons Philippines 'Looking Good, Feeling Great'

     Celebrate the holidays looking good, feeling great. Filipinos start counting down to Christmas as early as September. It’s definitely our favorite time of the year. This is an exciting season for most of us because of the events we go here and there.

     We love the holidays because it’s a time for get-togethers with family members and friends. Aside from the gifts we receive, parties to attend, and food to enjoy, the true essence of the occasion is the warm feeling we get when we’re with our loved ones.

Watsons Philippines 'Looking Good, Feeling Great'