Eco-Friendly Wedding: How to Arrange It

     Have you ever thought about how much harm an ordinary wedding ceremony can do to our planet? In fact, these indicators and numbers are quite astonishing, indeed. So, if you are a responsible and caring citizen of the planet Earth, you may want to celebrate your special day in an environmentally sound way. To make this happen, get acquainted with the notion of an eco-friendly wedding first. Here you can find several useful pieces of advice on how to celebrate your wedding ceremony in a way it won’t do great harm to our nature. 

Eco-Friendly Wedding: How to Arrange It 
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Feature: Tickles SM North Edsa

     If you're looking for giftable items and fun stuff, the only place to visit is Tickles. I've been to Tickles SM Megamall last year and went home with stuff that's not only perfect as a gift but also functional for home, education, and personal use.

     I presume that you've seen fellow bloggers sharing with their hauls after visiting the new flagship store in the north at SM North Edsa! This iconic homegrown novelty shop is now giving happiness to shoppers who love quirky gifts and fun knickknacks. Sharing a quick look at Tickles SM North and my picks after the jump :)

Feature: Tickles SM North Edsa 

Unique Gift Ideas for Father's Day That are Sure to Make Him Smile

     Now that Mother’s Day has come and gone, it’s time for the dads out there to get their day in the sun. Whether you are looking for ideas for your father, or you’re helping the kids pick something special for dad, there are plenty of fun, unique, and creative gift ideas to be discovered. The hardest part will likely be picking just one of these ideas.

Unique Gift Ideas for Father's Day That are Sure to Make Him Smile

Mother's Day Gift Suggestions from AVON

     I always hear this question- "How to be a mom?" from friends and relatives who are still single and those who are in a relationship. There's no manual or book that teaches how to be a mom and every mother is unique. Being a mom is honed through experience. Everyone looks up to moms simply because moms can do almost anything. They are always there to save the day. They know how to run things around the house even if they have their own personal concerns to handle. 

     We sometimes disagree with our Moms, but we know they will always be on our side when it matters. Mom may have many roles to play but they also make great fashion icons- managing to look their best regardless of occasion or situation. This mother's day, Avon Fashions compiled simple gift suggestions that will make mothers feel they're the superheroes in our lives. See what's in the list below :)

Mother's Day Gift Suggestions from AVON

Jollibee Talk & Blush Doll

     Hello mommies! I presume some of you are so ready for Christmas. Prolly you have already displayed your gifts under the Christmas Tree. Yours truly is still busy as a bee and can't squeeze in time to do some Christmas shopping.

     Are you still clueless on what to give this Christmas to your inaanaks and pamangkins? Here's one great news from Jollibee- hear Jollibee talk and see Jollibee blush! It's the season to be extra jolly with the Jollibee Talk & Blush Doll! See this limited edition novelty item from Jollibee below :)

Jollibee Talk & Blush Doll 

Tickles SM Megamall Haul

     There's a place where once you enter inside, you'll experience eureka moment. Only positive and happy vibes because everything you'll see inside that place will make you smile and giggle with laughter. This place is where all your unique, cute, imported, fun, and functional lemmings can be found- Tickles!

     Tickles is not new to me. I've been visiting their Fairview Terraces branch once every month to see what's new in their shelves. I always find myself smiling whenever I'm inside the store because of super cute and unique finds that caters to all gender and ages. Great news! They've opened their flagship store at SM Megamall two weeks ago with a circus-themed shop that is so inviting, it's like fun never stops once you're inside the store. Of course, I visited them last week and did a little shopping. See more of Tickles SM Megamall and my haul below :)

Tickles SM Megamall Haul

Perfect Present Ideas for Your Upcoming Anniversary

     Quick! Is today your anniversary? We got you, didn’t we? Between other commitments, kids’ commitments, and life, in general, anniversaries tend to sneak upon us. You definitely do not want to forget, however, as time in the doghouse is never fun. 

     Whether you were college sweethearts who have been married for 20 years or are celebrating your first year together, it’s always important to recognize your anniversary in a special way. Wondering what the perfect present ideas are for your upcoming anniversary? Read this for some fun and creative options.

Perfect Present Ideas for Your Upcoming Anniversary

Perfect Gift Ideas for New Parents

     Those first few weeks (okay, years) with a new baby can be the most magical thing ever, but also extremely challenging. So when you’re thinking of the perfect gift idea for new parents, you’re likely debating between something very personal, practical, or simply super cute. When it comes down to it, these surely stressed and sleep deprived friends will appreciate anything you give them, but we do share some tips below.

Perfect Gift Ideas for New Parents

Perfectly Personalized

     A personalized gift is particularly touching, especially since new parents all love seeing the name they painstakingly chose for their child up in lights, so to speak. These days, just about anything can be personalized. From baby blankets to beach towels to beanbag chairs, personalized gifts abound. You can really think outside the box, though, with something like a personalized baby block. Each side contains personal information about your baby’s birth (statistics, date, etc.), and it will always hold a special place in parents’ hearts. 

     Of course, popping bottles is a time-honored tradition of many new parents, too, and if you want to go above and beyond in this realm, consider a personalized wine, beer, or champagne bottle from Etching Expressions. They can uncork it right away to get the party started, or save it to commemorate their child’s first birthday. Either way, this takes a gift from ordinary to extraordinary. Their mini “It’s a Boy” or “It’s a Girl” champagne bottles are an ideal party favor at showers or parties to celebrate the new wee one.

Practically Practical

     Sometimes we feel like we need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to gift giving, but the simple truth is new parents need baby staples, and lots of them. This includes baby diapers, baby wipes, lotions, scent-free laundry soap, baby shampoo, and more. Although the temptation is to buy them a super adorable baby outfit (which is fine, by the way), the thing they’ll go through the most is the onesie. This is the unofficial baby uniform for about the first year of life. A nice set of plain white ones is fine, or a cheeky one with a saying can be fun, too.

     Do your friends appreciate all things organic and chemical-free? They will be over the moon for this Baby Arrival Gift Set from Honest Company or a Baby Bundle Collection from BeautyCounter. Of course, nothing says simplicity more than a gift card to Target (which will surely be their second home for a while) or one to their favorite local restaurant. Sometimes the most straightforward gift can be the most appreciated one. 

Make Mom Feel Magical

     Listen, Dads, you’re amazing. But let’s face it—the moms are the ones who really went through the most to bring that sweet little baby into the world, and we’re sure you’ll agree. Honoring mothers after childbirth can be extremely special. Whether it’s a mommy-friendly outfit or accessory, a spa day, a cleaning service, a (subtle!) weight loss aid, or meals for a week, this will go a long way in helping her feel less overwhelmed. As every new parent knows, there’s no greater gift than relaxation and “me time” and she’ll be delighted with your thoughtful idea. 

Gather the Group

     A small gift is great, but a group gift can be amazing. Perhaps you know from conversation or even their registry that they’ve been saving for that super special baby buggy, crib, or set of baby monitors that you might not be able to swing on your own. Choosing to give the new parents a group gift can be the perfect way to pool resources and get them the item they’ve longed for. Again, a practical group gift can be ideal, too, such as a meal or cleaning service or even a nanny for a week. Making their lives easier can be the best present they’ll receive.

     New parents are usually overwhelmed, but buying them the perfect gift doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Follow these tips and you’ll score huge points with your friends.

Cute Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

     Have you found out that you’re expecting a bundle of joy soon? Congratulations! Now that you and your partner know you’ve got a little one on the way, you’re probably considering exactly how you want to spread the wonderful news to your family and friends. If you’d like to do so in a more creative way and really shock them with an amazing surprise, try one of these clever tactics. 

Cute Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

His and Hers Gifts

     If your parents are being inducted to the world of grandparent-hood, you can do your reveal in a very special way that will leave no room for debate. You can buy personalized gifts for the grandparents-to-be to unwrap. Maybe it’s a mug that says “I love my Grandpa” for your dad, or a personalized glass keepsake box with a message about becoming a grandmother for your mom. Whatever you choose, you’ll have them initiated into their new roles in no time with a customized present like this. 

A Family Photoshoot

     If you already have children, plan a photoshoot to celebrate this momentous occasion. Line up your kids on chairs according to age. At the end of the line, put an empty chair. If you’ve discovered the baby’s sex, choose a corresponding blue or pink balloon, tie a weight to the string and place it on the chair. This subtle but creative reveal idea is sure to be a hit and serve as a wonderful memento for this special time throughout your life.

Only Child Expiration Date

     If this will be your second child, let your firstborn be in on the fun. You can make a shirt for your little guy or gal with a hilarious expiration date that will get the message across to your family and friends in no time. On the shirt, have “Only Child: Expiration Date (Your due date)” printed through a company like CafePress. You can present the info in multiple ways. If you’re headed to dinner with your family, have your son or daughter wear the shirt and see how long it takes people to notice the message on its front. If you’re looking for a way to do this announcement on Facebook or some other form of social media, take some photos with your soon-to-be big brother or sister and post it—wait for the likes and comments to start rolling in. 

How Big is Baby?

     You’ve likely encountered charts that help you visualize the size of your baby as your pregnancy proceeds. Four weeks, your baby is the side of a poppy seed, at eight weeks, a raspberry. Many couples wait to tell family and friends after they’ve reached the third month, and if that’s the case for you, your baby is the size of an actual plum at 12 weeks. Whatever the applicable fruit, buy as many as the loved ones you’re announcing to on this occasion. Wrap up each in a box, and when your family members or friends open them, let them try and work through this sweet riddle on their own. Once they get it, prepare for hugs.

You’re On Candid Camera

     This is one hilarious way to get everyone’s reaction to your awesome news and also surprise them in a shocking way. Get the family together for a photo and instead of the proverbial “Say Cheese!” insert the pregnancy announcement of your choice. You could go with “Everyone say [your name] is pregnant!” They’ll parrot back without realizing, and the stares and screams you’ll get will be caught on camera for a lifetime of hilarity. 

A Coupon for What?!

     One fun and inexpensive way to announce your pregnancy is to offer a coupon. Print out a coupon template from Couponler.com and write the message of your choice on its front. I’m partial to “Redeemable for one baby” with your due date written underneath it. Such an easy way to present it, but definitely a shocker for anyone who receives it. 

A Baby-Themed Dinner

     You can really trick folks with this one and test their observation skills. Plan your dinner around baby foods. No, I’m not talking jars of pureed peas here. Think more along the lines of baby corn, baby artichokes, baby back ribs, etc. If you want to make it a bit more obvious, serve it on small cutlery, or for a real kicker serve cocktails in a baby bottle. You’re bound to get some questions, and your reveal answer will be half the fun.

Valentine’s Day and the Long-Distance Relationship

     There’s no beating around the bush—long-distance relationships can be very tough. One of the hardest parts of loving someone from afar is not being able to spend the holidays together, and this is most obvious on the holiday dedicated to love—Valentine’s Day. No matter if you began dating a few months ago or if you’ve been in this relationship for the long haul, there’s no reason you can’t give this holiday (and your sweetheart) the attention they deserve. Whether you’re 200 miles apart or 2,000, these ideas will ensure that you and your Valentine still enjoy this occasion to the fullest.

Valentine’s Day and the Long-Distance Relationship

Dinner over Facetime

     To put it simply, technology is amazing. While you might not be able to head to restaurant hand in hand, you can still enjoy a great meal together. Order out (and make sure you get the same types of food to make this date feel as authentic as possible), buy some sweet treats, then set up your computer at the table. Once you’re ready to eat, Facetime each other and devour your meals while enjoying each other’s company. It’s the next best thing to actually being there, and you can even make it more romantic by lighting a few candles and re-plating on—gasp—real plates, instead of just eating from the takeout container.

Surprise Gifts

     Thanks to the influx of online ordering systems that now saturate our lives, getting a gift to your honey is easier than ever before, and you can pretty much find anything you need. If your sweetheart is addicted to video games, you can send an awesome subscription box from Arcade Block. This gamer-approved box comes with collectible items, t-shirts, and specialty surprises that you won’t find anywhere else. Maybe you want to go more old school with your gift. Sending a bouquet is sure to bring a smile to their face, and the vibrant petals will brighten up their entire week. You can easily order online for Valentine’s Day delivery and select whether you want to surprise them at home or at the office for a more public display that will have them happily blushing. Is your sweetheart a sucker for chocolate? Get them an order of fresh out of the oven cookies from The Cravory and have it dropped at their desk for a midday snack that will have all of their office mates salivating in their chairs. 

Take it Old School

     You can really tug at their heartstrings this Valentine’s Day by going old-fashioned and penning a beautiful love letter that they will read over and over again. Pull out that thesaurus, and write out your most sincere of sentiments. It’s not really the words that count, but the feelings behind them. You’ll be amazed at how easily the words flow once you get started, and your honey is sure to be blown away by your efforts to express how much they mean to you. Avoid sending your letter electronically; there’s nothing like the excitement of receiving an honest to goodness envelope in the mailbox and reading the handwriting of your favorite person in the whole world.

Make Some Plans

     So you can’t spend this holiday together, but you can get excited about plans for the future. Maybe spend an evening on the phone or over Skype planning a trip for later in the year. You can scour Skyscanner.net for the best deals out of your cities, buy some plane tickets, and feel the bubbling excitement of when you next get to see them. Anticipation is half the fun, after all! 

Watch a Movie Together

     If the two of you are film buffs, you’ve no doubt tried to watch movies together before. It can be a tough task to sync up your start and stop times, and if you’ve ever felt the frustration of being just a few seconds off of each other’s progress in the film, you’re not alone. Instead of relying on the “Okay, press play now!” you can use Gaze. This awesome website will automatically sync your screen with your partner’s, and one control will help you stop and start the film on both of your computers. Never again will you laugh at a joke that hasn’t happened on their end yet—that’s a Valentine’s Day gift any long-distance couple can get behind. 

     It’s definitely tough to be away from the person you love most on Valentine’s Day, but you two can make the best of your situation by incorporating these fun and loving tips to make sure the holiday is as enjoyable as possible.