Hello Kitty!

If you are a mom and you have a baby daughter, I bet you already started collecting Hello Kitty stuff for her. If you are a mom and you have a teen daughter, then I bet you noticed she already started collecting Hello Kitty things for herself!




These pink Hello Kitty items of my little Aşkım are my entries for the "I ♥ PINK" meme. Up there are photos of her while playing at My Playroom in Megamall. She wore those pair of Sanrio blouse and shorts which I bought from Trinoma. The Hello Kitty earrings and cosmetic bag below are some of the items she received on her 1st birthday. I got the Hello Kitty baby wipes from Robinson's grocery.




Hello Kitty items are so cute, right? I am not trying to get a collection, but I would love to own a few authentic ones. Fake Sanrio products are everywhere these days. They are way cheaper than the ones we see from authorized Sanrio dealers, but I'm afraid they are made of very poor materials that could be harmful to my baby's health.





*To join this meme, click the "I ♥ PINK" button shown at the sidebar.

Family Day at Star City

The last time I visited Star City was almost two years ago. Hubby and I we're still dating back then. We used to visit the place on weekends to have fun, shout, and chill out. This time around, we went the amusement park with our daughter. We paid the Entrance Fee + Ride-All-You-Can for P300 each. They don't charge infants that's why Aşkım got free access of the Grand Carousel, World of Giants, and a lot more.

One of the latest attraction in Star City is the Snow World. We could've tried it, but we did not buy tickets because infants are not allowed in that place. I'm not really interested with dinosaurs just like hubby, so we did not check the the Dino Island, too. Among their latest which I enjoyed a lot is the Fish Spa alone.

Aşkım's first time in the park was not all happy-happy. She cried during her first ride of Telecombat and the Blizzard. She got scared of some characters at the World of the Giants and Peter Pan, too. However, she enjoyed the Red Barron with her Baba and she was climbing up, sliding down, running here and there at the Little Tykes-- her favorite place in the park.

For almost five hours, our family strolled around, eating, playing, and having fun. I tried the Adult Bumper Car with Baba which made me realize how bad I am in driving. Haha! Daddy also tried other scary rides like Flying Carpet and Star Flyer. Aşkım and I watched him go up and down the rides, then she would wave to her him and call "baba.. baba.. baba".

If I were to rate the fun of our last visit to the Star City, I can say it was 8 out of 10. The place was not very crowded that time 'cause it was the schedule of Manny Pacquiao's fight with Cotto. Most people stayed home so, it was just perfect for our family day.

Miss Earth 2009 Winner is Larissa Ramos of Brazil!

Larissa Ramos of Brazil just won the Miss Earth 2009 held at the Boracay Ecovillage Resort and Convention Center. Sandra Seifert won Miss Air 2009! My favorite Alejandra Echevarria of Spain also won Ms. Fire.




Miss Earth 2009 Winners
Miss Earth 2009: Ms. Brazil Larissa Ramos
Miss Fire: Miss Spain Alejandra Echevarria
Miss Water: Miss Venezuela Jessica Barboza
Miss Air: Miss Philippines Sandra Seifert

Special Award Winners
Best in Long Gown: Philippines Sandra Seifert
Best in Swimsuit: Philippines Sandra Seifert
Miss Jubilee Presidents’ Foundation: Philippines Sandra Seifert

Top Eight
Thailand – Rujinan Phanseethum
Brazil – Larissa Ramos
Poland – Izabela Wilczek
Martinique – Pascale Nelide
Spain – Alejandra Echevarria
Venezuela – Jessica Barboza
Philippines – Sandra Seifert
Colombia – Alejandra Castillo Múnera

Top Sixteen
Poland – Izabela Wilczek
Korea – Park Ye-ju
Brazil – Larissa Ramos
Colombia – Alejandra Castillo Múnera
Thailand – Rujinan Phanseethum
Spain – Alejandra Echevarria
Northern Ireland – Kayleigh O’Reilly
Philippines – Sandra Seifert
South Africa – Chanel Grantham
France – Magalie Thierry
Singapore – Valerie Lim
Georgia – Nona Diakonidze
Martinique – Pascale Nelide
India – Shriya Kishore
Venezuela – Jessica Barboza
Paraguay – Gabriela Rejala

Megan Fox Cosmopolitan Magazine November 2009 Issue

This pink issue of Cosmo is my second entry for the I ♥ PINK meme. I got this from a nearby grocery a week ago. I did not finish reading all the articles yet, but done reading Megan Fox' interview. I say, she is hot and smart, but a little deep and kind of dangerous.

"I have no problem with commitment--but I can also collect attractive boys!"



THE COSMO QUIZ
Name: Megan Fox

Nickname: BIRD

Being at the top of so many magazines' "sexiest" lists:
Usually scores me a free lapdance when I go to CRAZY GIRLS.

My most tomboyish trait is MY SAILOR MOUTH.

Being worshipped by geeks is only a problem when NEVER!

My weirdest phobia is TOUCHING NEWSPAPER.

I think I look best when I'm wearing tee shirt and tight jeans.

The one thing I've always wished I'd say "yes" to was THE HANNAH MONTANA MOVIE.

In another life, I was probably a MAN.

The only thing sexier than sex is A FUNNY BOY.

My ideal date would be A SEXY SANDWICH WITH ANDY SAMBERG & JONAH HILL.

The thing I like the most about my movie Jennifer's Body is that Fanboys can now stop begging me to dress up like a cheerleader in my next film.

The costar I'd want next to me during any fight is: Shia LeBeouf.

I'd say I'm neither a guy's girl, a girl's girl or both.

The most scared I've ever been was when EVERYTHING I GO ON STAGE- INSTANT DIARRHEA.

I surf because it's:
Great exercise.
A spiritual retreat.
An excuse to go to the beach.
An amazing adrenaline rush.
I get to be alone.

In 10 years, I'd like to be STILL WORKING.


--To read more of Megan Fox's interview plus 6 Things You Didn't Know About Megan, rush to the nearest bookstore or magazine stand now and get a copy of the issue!






*To join this meme, click the "I ♥ PINK" button shown at the sidebar.

Banana-Oreo Smoothie

Hubby loves drinking smoothies and juices, so I always make sure I prepare one before mealtime.


This is very easy to do. Just put one cup of crushed ice in a blender, then some slices of banana, 4 pieces crushed oreo cookies, evaporated milk, sugar to taste, and a sprinkle of vanilla. Blend until smooth. Serve.

Baked Chicken & Potatoes with Rosemary

I tried cooking meat using rosemary for the first time. I didn't find fresh rosemary in the grocery last week. It's hard to find them here, you know. I ended up using dried & bottled rosemary instead.



BEFORE

Inspired by Jamie Oliver, one of my favorite chefs, I hereby introduce my version of baked chicken and potatoes with rosemary. Tadaaa!

AFTER


Ingredients:
2/3 kilo chicken pieces
4 medium potatoes, peeled & sliced
2 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tsp black pepper, freshly grounded
l stalk of lemon grass, chopped finally
2 cloves of garlic, minced
soy sauce to taste
rock salt to taste
olive oil

Preparation:
Clean the chicken then transfer to a baking dish. Rub the chicken with the mixture of all the herbs and spices. Marinate for 20 minutes. Combine the slices of potatoes with chicken. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes or until the skins are brown. Serve with Spanish Rice.



*This recipe is good up to 4 people.

My New Blog: Living the Turkish Life

Hi again ladies! Please follow my new blog titled Living the Turkish Life. For those of you who already followed it, thanks a lot. I'm visiting you back soon.

My new blog is just a week old, so I think most of you didn't notice it's existence yet. I already posted a couple of posts and there's more to come. Still on the process of editing its overall look, but please visit and tell me your suggestion on how to improve it. Thank you so much in advance. Luv ya'all!

DIY Christmas Tree

Don't you think its crazy to spend too much money on Christmas decorations after the global economic downfall, floods, and all?

Look, this is the same 3 feet Christmas tree I posted earlier this week. I just want to share its creation, list of materials, and cost. To my fellow mommies out there who want to save money by making a DYI Christmas tree, hope this video helps.


Materials and Cost
Chicken wire - P70
Green Lantern Plastic - P24
Pine Green Garlands - P119.75
Gold Garlands - P75
Gold Christmas Balls - P69.75
Gold Bead Garland - P69.75
Rice Lights - P169.75
Tree topper - P99

TOTAL - P697 or $15

Pink-printed Shirt, Pink Tights, and Pink Shoes

Who doesn't like pink? I think everybody likes pink these days. Let's continue this pink fever by joining the I ♥ PINK meme. Here's my first entry for the week.


I took my daughter to My Playroom last Tuesday. After one hour of chasing here and there, we went straight to the department store to buy a
Christmas tree topper. Then, I came across these pink-printed tee and pink tights which I think will really look good on her. Lastly, I bought the pink sneakers and pink glittered slippers to add on her shoe collection.




*To join this meme, click the "I ♥ PINK" button shown at the sidebar.

Buying a High Chair

When she was like 1 week old, we got her a playpen with bassinet. She grew up a bit, so we bought her a baby carrier and stroller. When she started walking with a guide, we bought her a walker. Now that she enjoys sitting with us during lunch and dinner, we went shopping for a high chair.



Seven things to check before buying a high chair:

1. Safety Features
-Stability
-Wheels and locking system
-Buckles
2. Height & seat adjustment
4. Comfy Cushions
5. Adjustable tray
6. Material & Fabric
7. Easy open and close mechanism

The Sisters Tag

I am familiar with these lines. Lines that cheered me up once in the past.


Be the kind of women that when your feet hit the floor each morning,
The devil says "Oh Crap, She's Up."
Sister, life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't just because you can.
Believe in everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly. Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.
He just promise it would be worth it.
Today is sister's day.

The Rules:

Tag all your sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, girlfriends.
If you get tag back seven times, you are loved.
Happy sister's day! LOVE YA SISTA!!!
Let's celebrate "Girlfriend and Sisters WEEK"!


Thanks to Money Making Mamma for this tag.
Now I'm sharing this to 7 of my online sisters: Bambie, Golden, Yami, Chie, Demz, Nicquee, and Maritess.
Just a thoughtful reminder to all of us. Don't keep this message sisies, pass it to others.

Our First Christmas Tree

I surprised my hubby with this beautiful gold and green Christmas tree last Saturday. I've been telling him that I want a Christmas tree at home these past weeks. Well, I think he thought I was just kidding. Already three holiday seasons passed us by, but we didn't manage to put up a Christmas tree ever since. I want my daughter to experience Christmas the way I experienced it or maybe even better. So, I decided to put up a tree.

For me, Christmas trees remind me of the happiest time of the year. I love their chasing lights, bright garlands, balls and other ornaments. I love everything about it. When I was young, I remember my Aunt Jo putting up a tree made from threads in my Grandma's house. We also had a tree made from bamboo and another one with a bushy plant from our garden. There are no evergreen trees in the Philippines, so we usually get really creative in putting up a tree here.

The First Toddler Dress I Made

This is like hand-sewn for less than an hour with all the breaks. I had this sundress that my Aunt made me during my last trimester. I kind of felt bad about not being able to wear it, so I just recycled it into a toddler dress for my little one.

I am happy with the result of this project. To think that I didn't make any drafts or pattern, I was able to make it wearable. My hubby even thought of buying me a sewing machine after seeing me finish this dress. So so happy!

Marked Down Shoes for Kids

M Planet slippers? We have it. Disney Princess? We also have it. Osh Kosh? We got two! Barbie Boots? That's the one in black. Minnie Mouse Shoes? That the ones with really cute embellishment. Total cost of all six pairs? Only P1,232 which is more or less $25.

These shoes are for hubby's 8 year old sister. We'll give them as a gift on our family visit to Turkey next year. We had to cancel our vacation this year because of the swine flu outbreak, so my little sister-in-law needs to wait until summer. Hope her feet won't grow quickly, though. Hehe!

Hubby said, shoes are way cheaper here than Europe. Also the cheapest when there is a seasonal sale. Last May, I even bought some really cheap shoes for my mother-in-law and brother-in-law's wife. And together with these pairs, they are all kept in a large box waiting for our 2010 flight.

♥My First Giveaway♥

Hi ladies! I want to tell you some good news. My website just reached over 100 followers and it is turning 2 in 60 days! Yes girls, January 1, 2010 will be utotmopink.com's 2nd blogversary. With that, I am giving away these stuff to three lucky winners.



♥First Prize♥
-Pink Camisole by AVON (worn by Reese Witherspoon in the picture)
-AVON Lovely in Pink Eau de Toilette Spray
-AVON Lovely in Pink Purse Concentrate
-3 months 125 X 125 ad space

♥Second Prize♥
-Photo Frame Alarm Clock
-Pantene 3-Minute Miracle (6 pcs)
-2 months 125 X 125 ad space

♥Third Prize♥
-Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings
-Pond's Whitening Cream
-Pond's Facial Wash
-1 month 125 X 125 ad space

♥To join, simply do these♥
-Follow utotmopink.com
-Add utotmopink.com to your blogroll and or link list
-Grab utotmopink.com button/badge to you sidebar
-Blog about this contest by posting the giveaway image & answering the following questions:

a. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? If yes, write about it.
b. Who is your favorite Hollywood actress or supermodel younger than 30?
c. Choose one. Shoes? Bags? Clothes? Or make-up?
d. What is your favorite sleepwear?
e. I joined this contest because_______________.

-Lastly, leave A COMMENT* together with the link to your blogpost and your email address

♥This giveaway is open internationally♥

♥The owner of my MOST FAVORITE BLOG wins the 1st prize♥

♥The blogger with the MOST CREATIVE POST will get the 2nd prize♥

♥The COOLEST COMMENTER will receive the 3rd prize♥

♥Winners will be notified through email♥

♥Contest ends before the clock hits 12 on December 31, 2009♥







*Very important.

Last Edited: Nov. 18, 2009

My New Baby: Sony Cybershot DSC-W300

Yes! I just got myself a brand new Sony Cybershot. But NO, I did not get it from Hidalgo. It was lazy of me, so I paid a little more. Just a little more.

Anyway, I've been wanting to buy this pretty handy baby last year, so this is like a dream come true. My Google pay for the last month (which I received yesterday) wasn't enough to pay for this camera. Hubby paid half of the total price, but still thanks a lot Mr. G. And of course, big LOVE goes to my hubby. He doesn't really like photos and taking pictures, but he finally gave in. He knew I really needed a new handy camera this time.




The compact and scratch-resistant titanium-coated body features an astounding 13.6 megapixel resolution, 2.7" Clear Photo LCD display, Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens, and Sony's Double Anti-Blur solution for crisp, clear images.
• 13.6 Mega Pixels with Super HAD CCD
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens with 3x Optical Zoom
• Large 2.7" Clear Photo LCD Screen
• BIONZ Image Processing Engine
• Double “Anti-blur” Solution: Super SteadyShot and ISO 3200 High Sensitivity
• Face Detection Technology for Children and Adults

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There's so much about this camera that I am yet to discover, though. For now, I'm still enjoying it's easy point and shoot feature. Hopefully, this camera will be able to help me keep all the memories that I want to last forever.


Read more about this gadget HERE.
For directory of stores authorized by Sony Philippines, click HERE.