The Single Sassy Chick

Granny Movies

2011-05-23T00:02:00.000-07:00

Hello couchers! My TCP pick for the week would be The Princess Diaries. Starring Anne Hathaway as the long lost princess and Julie Andrews as the Queen (Hathaway's grandmama). Anyway for the benefit of those who have not seen the movie yet, Hathaway is an ordinary 15 year old kid who had a normal life until she found out that she is a princess. Her father, unknown to her was the crown prince of the small European country Genovia who has passed away. Hathaway has to choose whether she should step up to the throne or be an ordinary kid. Hathaway chose to step up to the throne and had to undergo several changes from her looks to her lifestyle.

So if you have not yet watched this movie and would like to go to fantasy land for awhile...why not grab a dvd copy of this movie and while at it you may also want to grab the second series which is The Royal Engagement, I bet you would enjoy it and it's a great movie to watch with the whole family.

Favorite Summer Activity

2011-05-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

Hi my gurlies! Summer is indeed here and we are all experiencing the summer heat.... my favorite summer activities are boating, island hopping, snorkeling well anything that has to do with water. As a kid my best summer memories were spent with my family at the beach, as a teen it would be hanging out with friends at the beach and watching cute boys as they flaunt their abs. The beach or the ocean is linked to many beautiful summer memories for me.

Here are photos I've taken recently during my trips....

Padre Burgos Castle in Tangkaan, Southern Leyte

Beautiful rock formation surrounds the area....

The view from the hotel lobby where you can also see the island of Limasawa across....

Canigao Island, Southern Leyte

Beautiful pristine white beach, it's waters so tempting, so clean would lure any traveler to this virgin island. There are only 2 available rooms in this island and electricity is through a generator system which is operated only from 6 p.m to 12 m.n. One can also rent a small cottage if both rooms are occupied.

There is a mini zoo in this island some are really exotic animals like this queer looking cat.

Hindag-an Falls, Southern Leyte

Enjoy the coolness of fresh cold water, perfect for hot summer days!

Bohol Beach Club, Panglao Island, Bohol

Panglao Island in Bohol is one of my favorite holiday destinations. Just 2 hours by fast craft from Cebu and 30 minutes away from Tagbilaran City via taxi you can enjoy the beauty and serenity of Panglao Island. You will find a lot of locals and foreigners relaxing under the coconut trees sipping buko juice or simply passing the time away. Boracay is too crowded for me and this is the next best place to it.

An entry for

TCP: Bridget Jones' Diary

2011-05-19T00:36:00.000-07:00

For TCP's "It's Complicated" my pick is Bridget Jones' Diary. The whole love triangle was so complicated and if I were Bridget I would have jumped over the cliff!! It really was so messed up! Hope you've seen this guys.

How To Fake A Fart!

2011-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Farting in public places is considered by the society as gross, embarrassing and impolite. If you are a lady it's double the embarrassment when you get caught farting in a public place. So, what do you do? Do you run? Do you hide? Do you pretend that it was not you or would you admit it? If you farted in front of your date how would you handle it? Let's have some fun, tell me what would you do!

Here's a funny fart poem I read :

Noses are red, faces are blue,
You stunk up the can, with the fart that you blew.

The roses are dead, the warnings are true,
That god awful stench, must have come outta you.

Roses are red, Violets are blue
I'm sure it's been said, that your farts are not few

And what would I do if farted in public?

1. I'll be like Shaggy singing "it wasn't me!".
2. I'll mimic a fart sound just to fake it!

3. I'll step aside and ask " did anybody fart?" and pretend that I was annoyed.

So, how about you?

Tick....Tick...Tick...

2011-05-10T08:21:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday I brought my fur baby to a local pet grooming service in the mall near me. I was so excited to get her groomed, after all I enjoy watching my fur babe get pampered. We head straight home after she got groomed but surprise of all surprises I found out she caught a tick!

It was just one lousy tick but it got me freaking out. I mean people bring their dogs to grooming salons to get their pets groomed not to catch parasites. I was frustrated. I called the grooming salon and told them what happened. Gladly though they offered to give my fur babe a flea and tick bath. Well, I just hope that this won't happen again.

TCP: Iconic Hat

2011-05-10T05:45:00.000-07:00

Alice In Wonderland

Alice in wonderland is my pick for iconic hat. Throughout the movie the Mad Hatter portrayed by Johnny Depp wears all sorts of peculiar but unique hats. It was indeed a very lovely film. Although there is also another movie by Johnny Depp where he wore a hat during the entire movie, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory but Alice in Wonderland is definitely my pick.

This film was inspired by Lewis Carroll's fantasy novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and it's sequel "Through The Looking Glass" and "What Alice Found There". The film was released in 2010 by Walt Disney Productions and starred by Hollywood's big names like Johnny Depp who played the role of Mad Hatter and Anne Hathaway who played the part of the White Queen.

According to Wikipedia the movie earned $334,191,110 in the U.S. alone, while it grossed $1,024,299,904 worldwide. It garnered several awards like the Grammy, People's Choice, Academy, Teen's Choice and MTV Movie Awards to name a few. If you have not seen this movie yet you might wanna check it out.

xoxo,

The Sassy Chick

Single No More!

2011-05-08T12:21:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since I last wrote a a thing in here and I missed it a lot. I miss my blogging friends and being able to share what I feel without the oppress of toll...duh blogging here is free (thanks google). Well, I'd like to say hello again to everyone and I hope you are all still around and I just wanna take time to say I've missed you all.

Okay where the heck have I been? Well major ...major stuff dahrlings! The Single Sassy Chick is no longer single. I got married on Valentine's Day at a very private and intimate ceremony. The beginning and the end. The beginning of a new chapter and an end to my carefree single life. But what the heck this is cyberspace and I guess it's not a sin to pretend once in a while that I am still a single and carefree lass. When I am here I guess I will always be the Single Sassy Chick :).

To all the single chicks out there here is hoping you find the right man to marry. To the once single chicks here's wishing you married bliss!

xoxo,

the single sassy chick

Making Money Online

2010-09-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

A number of people I have met online have been talking about making money on the internet. Some are successful while others become desperate to the point of being pessimistic. There are lot of ways to earn money from the internet but be careful of get -rich-schemes because most of the time they are scams. I make a couple of dollars here and there from some online sites and I have had my shares of ups and downs on online earning. It is not always easy but every cent does count. My online money making venture is a product of trial and error for over a period of 6 months now. I know it's not that long but I have learned some useful tips in earning online though I cannot say I am an expert on this subject. But nevertheless I am going to share my knowledge regarding this matter.

There are different categories for online money making sites and it is good to know what they are. This way it will be easier for you to determine which category works best for you, instead of signing up for every available site out there that others promote to get referrals. Let me get this straight not all site will work for one single individual. For one it is a great earning site for another it is not.

Paid To Click Sites:

Paid to click sites are sites where you get paid by clicking on the ads available for clicking. You need to wait until it says the amount is credited to your account. Most PTCs are slow earners they pay less than 1 cent per click. However some people have made a small fortune from PTCs through maintaining an active referral. The more down line you have the more money you will earn from their earnings since you will be given a percentage of their monthly earnings. There are 2 types of referrals, one is direct referral meaning they have signed up under you using the referral link you provided. The other type of referral is rented referral where you buy a referral from the PTC site. But just a word of caution guys some referrals whether rented or direct some could be inactive and not earn you anything. Also for rented referrals you could only rent them for a specified period of time and when the time is over you either have to recycle them or buy a new set of referrals. You should stick to trusted PTC sites since most PTCs nowadays are going scam.

( Note: I do not recommend PTC sites because of the reason that they can be here today but gone tomorrow. I was working on a couple of PTC sites that were legit at the start but dropped off from the web all of a sudden.)

Paid To Post:

Paid to post sites are sites that pays you to post discussions and answer discussions. However, it depends on the rules of the site. The top PTP site is MyLot.com. It has been around for far too long and has always paid it's members. There are other sites I have tried like Investworld but I prefer MyLot better because you earn in many ways and the rules are not too strict. If you want to know how to reach payout soon you may want to read this tip called How To Earn More With MyLot .

Autosurf Sites:

Autosurf sites pays you by opening your account where they automatically surf the sites for you. But again most sites are a scam. I had tested 3 autosurf sites and they were scams alright. The only one I trust is Cashgopher . This site is owned by Mylot and was just launched on September 1. All you have to do is download the software in your pc and when you search on the search bar the software will give you a targeted search. You just have to let the ads download before clicking the x to get credited. You get more if you click on the ad they generated. There is an old site called Gomezpeers but they are quite choosy when it comes to membership but they are reliable and legitimate.

Freelance Jobs:

There are a lot of freelance jobs available in the internet especially that we are in the age of telecommuting. It's a matter of finding the legitimate sites where you can sign up for legitimate jobs. You can earn a lot from freelance jobs online compared to ptcs.ptps and autosurfs. There is a wide variety of jobs available from freelance jobs from data entry to tutorials. Some famous sites are Freelancer.com, Elance,Guru and Odesk. Let me say this clearly these job sites are very competitive so you must write a very good resume to land a job. The best thing about freelancing is that you can work as many jobs as you can handle and earn more for a few hours of work but the downside is that there is no security of tenure and of course this is a short term job, although some employers hire some freelancers on a long term basis, but this does not happen all the time. I find the pay for freelance jobs on the sites I mentioned better than sites like microworkers where it pays you to do almost the same job but for just a few pennies only. One thing more these sites I mentioned works best not only for freelancers but for those who wants to outsource their business as well. So no hassle in campaigning for a job vacancy because there are a lot of applicants to choose from.

Paid To Write:

If writing is your passion then you can earn money from blogging, or writing for review sites or plain writing sites like Squidoo. I find Squidoo quite unique it's like a mini blog where you can earn a lifetime royalty for articles you write. Of course you have to promote your articles so you can get enough readers and visitors to increase your earnings. As of today Squidoo has updated their site and it's much more fun with more ways to earn. Another good paid to write site is Triond and eHow. But eHow accepts only writers from north America. Well the last time I tried eHow did approve me to become a member but I could not earn from my articles because of my geographical location. Other sites are Helium and Bukisa. The basics in earning from these paid to write sites is knowing SEO (search engine optimization) or promoting them through social networking sites and forums. A lot of writers promote their articles on sites like Digg and Stumbleupon to get people to read their articles and earn from it.

Paid To Review Sites:

Basically you review a certain product or service and if the publisher thinks it could be sold to advertisers they buy your reviews. Popular sites are ReviewMe, Review Stream, and Shvoong. Paid to blog sites are actually part of paid to review sites because a blogger is paid to place a review about a certain product on their blog. Pay Per Post is a good example of a paid to blog site.

Paid To Chat Site:

There is a new site called Birejji, this is a very new site which was launched in April of this year. One gets paid basically by chatting and referring people to the site. There are villages (or chat rooms) available, then you have to choose one single chat room only. To earn here you can only chat in the chat room you joined in and in the main chat room. If you participate in the other villages you can but will not receive credit. Payout is every Friday of the week. This is a slow earning site but is quite interactive and fun and for those who are looking for referrals this is a great site to meet future refs. I am going to observe this site and by the way I am waiting for my first payout from this site. So I am quite excited to see if they do pay.

So, this will be pretty much it for now on Making Money Online . I will soon be adding up information regarding new sites or updates from current sites I have been earning from and have mentioned here. But before I forget, to get started with earning online you have to have an account with Paypal, AlertPay or Liberty Reserve. But the fastest and easiest way to transact is through Paypal. Since it is internationally recognized and works with many foreign banks. So, if you still do not have a paypal account sign up for one or click the banner below.

Until the next post everyone, I hope you find this piece informative. If you have questions kindly post your comments below and I will get back to you asap. Happy online earning guys!

                                                                                                           -xoxo-
                                                                                                           The Single Sassy Chick

GT: Salt Please!

2010-08-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

I am not asking for table salt hahaha there's this new movie I would watch with boyfriend called Salt. I know he would like it since it's not a chick flick that drives most men nutts just watching ( they just can't stand it lol). I have not watched the movie yet but will be soon with boyfriend. I heard this is a good movie and a lot of people say so. Well, knowing Ms. Jolie-Pitt I know the movie would be just great! What's yours?

TCP: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

2010-08-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

This might be an old movie way back in the early 2000 but since TCP's theme for today is something Greek hahaha this was the first thing that crossed my mind! I just love this hilarious movie. Just think what it's like to marry someone with a different background as yours and when weddings happen families on both sides usually meddles! Every woman wants her day to be special just like Toula but when family members are involved hahaha it could be messy. But well the wedding went through and everyone was happy at the end. It's one of my feel good movie picks. What's yours?

Trusted Online Sellers

2010-08-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

I like to shop online and I shop like crazy sometimes, this is one vice I am very guilty of lol. I have transacted with different sellers and today I am giving tribute to these outstanding online sellers who deserves recognition for excellent customer service. Not just excellent customer service but honesty as well. Thank you guys for the pleasant online shopping experience.

Multiply is one of the sites I shop and here are my top multiply sellers:

Shoe Luxury:

I have 2 beautiful pairs of gladiator type sandals from Jayree Mitz Chua. I love the sandals for it's hip style and quality. Jay is such a nice person to transact with. I was confined at the hospital when she informed me that my pre-ordered footwear has already arrived and it took me a couple of days to settle the payment but she was so understanding and patiently waited for me to make the payment. When I sent her an sms telling her that the sandals did not fit me she gladly told me she could change the size if I can still wait or I can choose from any of their on hand items. It was not Jay's fault that the sandals did not fit after all the sizing chart was placed on her site, I had the correct foot bed size but since it was a gladiator type and my feet got bigger because I gained some weight I could not zip it up.Here is 5 shoes up for Shoe Luxury for a great service!

HD Makeup:

Ms. Christephanie Chua communicates well with her clients and she responds immediately to inquiries. My experience with her was very smooth and the items are authentic. I bought NYX round lipstick from her and she gave me a correct description of the product. I will transact with her again as the whole experience was pleasant. 5 lippies for your Steph!

Organic Skin Care:

I love the Coastal Scents 88 palette I bought from Alona Ocampo of Organic Skin Care. Let's get real, there are a lot of bogus sellers on the internet, especially those that sells makeup. When I was a newbie to online shopping I almost got scammed by someone who advertised that she sells authentic MAC products when in fact all she had were replicas. It wouldn't bother me if she at least indicated that she was selling replicas but to post it as authentic is different. I am glad Alona is not one of them and she will give you, your money's worth. 5 blushes for you Alona!

Woof If Dogs Could Talk:

I love buying stuff for my fur babies and I bought dog training pads from Nicola.I admire the way she communicated with me and how she answered all my inquiries about the product. I definitely will transact with her again! Here are 5 paw prints for you Nicola!

Ebay is one of the biggest online shopping site and well in my experience almost all of them are honest sellers except from a few rotten apples who got mixed in with the good ones and left a stench on other good ebay sellers. Here are my fave ebay sellers:

Clemyve:

I have bought great bargain goods from Yvonne Marie Leyson and she always respond to text inquiries and emails. She is also a patient seller and you also get the items as described in her ebay ad page. I love the bargain finds I bought from her. Way to go Yvonne!

Genswifey:

Lanie del Rosario of Genswifey store in ebay sells clothes and bags. I transacted with her just once but she has left me with a very good impression that makes me want to transact with her again. I bought this violet smocking spaghetti dress. She said the bust line is 36 but when the item arrived it would not fit me. I contacted Lanie and told her what happened she said she was sorry and would gladly replace the item and she let me chose clothes from her ebay shop. What made the transaction unforgettable was that not only did she not ask me not to send her shipping fee for the item she was sending me but she sent me the new item before I was able to return the item I was going to replace! She also sent me a jumpsuit for free just because she made a mistake in providing details which was no big deal since she allowed me to exchange it for another dress.I appreciate her a lot and the good customer service she provided!

Anne's Exclusive:

Brianne Xander Dionela's ebay shop is full of great bargain items. I bought this beautiful venus cut dress and a nice sexy sleeveless top from her that I really like. She was always pleasant to transact with and was prompt in sending invoices as well as the items. Thanks Anne for the hassle free transaction.

Tina Tindera:

If you like accessories Tina Tindera shop is the place for you. The owner Christina Chua is a seller you can rely on. I have transacted with her a number of times and she always deliver the items on time and not just that she informs you if the items are on its way to you. I love the vintage pocket/necklace watch I bought from her and other beautiful accessories.

So far this is my first tribute to trustworthy online sellers and I will post some time soon the next tribute to other worthy online sellers. By the way to check for online scammers you can check on the Officially Banned page on multiply. At least you would be aware who to stay away from. Till then ladies....

Brush It Up!

2010-05-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

The right makeup brushes can help you get the most out of your makeup.

As someone who loves and breathes makeup 24/7 I can say I have the knowledge of what is good and what is not. Sometimes we would like to buy those cheap makeup tools in order to save those dineros but what we are doing really is waste money and waste the products that we are using. The right makeup brushes can help you get the most out of your makeup. It is important that we buy the right kind and quality brushes if we want to save and also to achieve the kind of look we want.

Sponges:

Yes!

Sonya Kashuk and Beauty Blender are now the latest craze in sponges. They are non latex and is made of high quality materials that can withstand daily washings. The sponges are rounded and will glide over the contour of your face, allowing you to buff your makeup and create a flawless finish.

NO!

Avoid basic latex makeup wedges. they easily fall apart and waste most of the product. They soak up too much foundation and their shape makes it harder to work and create a smooth finish

Blush Brush:

YES!

Choose any full round blush brush the round bristles makes applying blush a breeze and this gives you a smooth finish. Use angled blush brush for contouring and getting on the hollow of your cheeks.

NO!

No to any flat blush brush that renders flat lines that extends from the cheek to the temple. This is an outdated look. This kind of brush does not distribute the product evenly and concentrates it in one area. This is definitely a no no.

Eyeshadow Brush:

YES:

The best eyeshadow brush is one that has a wide soft bristles that can pick up the right amount of product. The bristles do not fall off easily because if it does it will not give you a good finish. There are different kinds of eyeshadow brushes designed for different purpose. The best one I have tried is MAC and that is a bit pricey so I recommend Sonya Kashuk brushes for beauty in a budget but with good quality.

NO:

This free eyeshadow applicator that comes free with your compact works for smudging your eyeshadow along the lash line but this would not be good in applying eyeshadow more than one color as this would mud the hues.

Highlighter Brush:

Sometimes called highlighter brush, bronzer or stippling brush. The unique cut of the bristles allows for the supper light application of finishing foundation, blush or bronzer.

Busy Bee

2010-05-26T03:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

How are you all? Sorry I have been away for awhile and haven't written anything. Had to finish some very important project for my boss and that has kept me from writing and adding new posts in here. But now I'm back again! I have fresh things to write about and hope that you will like it.

By the way are you staying tuned to American Idol? Who are you betting to be the next big star Crystal or Lee? I haven't made up my mind yet, I'm just watching but I guess it will be Crystal. This momma is rocking the house wild and Lee is just letting her take the stage...he has to power up if he wants the spot. What do ya think?

Ciao for now.

The Single Sassy Chick

TCP: Book Based Movie

2010-05-03T11:02:00.001-07:00

For this Tuesday's Couch Potato it is all about movies based on a book and here are my favorite picks. Hope you like them as well.

CHRONICLES OF NARNIA:

The Chronicles of Narnia is a book written by C.S. Lewis between 1849 to 1954, it is a seven part fantasy novel for children. So far there are only 2 novels that has been made into a movie and that is The Witch, The Lion and The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. This is a movie worth watching and I personally recommend for children to watch. It gives a lot of moral lessons that are very good to impart to children. Moreover The Chronicles of Narnia series has Christian parallels as follows:

The Magician's Nephew tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia.

The Lion etc the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Prince Caspian restoration of the true religion after corruption.

The Horse and His Boy the calling and conversion of a heathen.

The Voyage of the "Dawn Treader" the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep).

The Silver Chair the continuing war with the powers of darkness

The Last Battle the coming of the Antichrist (the Ape), the end of the world and the Last Judgement.

THE NOTEBOOK:

The Notebook was written by Nicholas Sparks author of the novel turned movie hit "A Walk To Remember". The story tells about 2 young lovers who were separated for a very long time because of the woman's parents who prefer she married someone from their own social circle. Noah, was a poor guy who loved Allie very much but Allie's parents were against it and separated them. Years later they found each other and still had strong feelings for each other decided to get married against all odds. The movie moves on to the part where Old Allie had Alzheimer's disease and Noah stood beside her even when she does not recognize him. He stayed with her in the nursing home and read to her from the notebook that told of their love story every single day without fail, until they both passed away together on the same night. The movie will pull at your heart strings and I definitely would suggest that you get ready with a box of Kleenex before you watch this.

Confessions Of A Shopaholic:

This movie was based on a novel of the same title by Sophie Kinsella. Starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy. This a story every woman can definitely relate to! Well the joys of shopping an every woman's delight and dismay! Dismay when you have to deal with credit card debt when you overspend. This is an ultimate chick flick that I love and recommend.

The Devil Wears Prada:

Starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. This movie was a big hit. It tells about a young woman who worked for a boss from hell magazine editor who has ridiculous demands. The young woman has to sacrifice a whole lot just to keep her job. It's also about fitting in at work something we all can relate to. This is very inspiring for me as I try to do the best I can in my job no matter who the boss is. 5 popcorn buckets for this movie!

All About Me Mondays: Memoir of My High School Teacher

2010-05-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

I spent more than half my life in school ... as a student.

And another 10 years as a classroom teacher.

It only seems fitting that I make some effort to celebrate

Teacher Appreciation Week (May 3 - 7).

What better way to celebrate than assigning some homework?

Take a little stroll down memory lane ...

all the way back to the hollowed halls ...

of your school years - the days of raising your hand,

taking tests, and making the grade ;)

Tell us about the teacher(s) who made a difference in your life.

Make it a list or a story - your choice!

---------------------------------

I met Mr. B in senior year in high school he was my social studies teacher. Mr. B was kind of strict at first and do not tolerate b.s in his class. I never thought I would like being in his class. Mr. B was my teacher for a year but the friendship lasted until now. Mr. B taught me and my class to stand up for our rights. To just not accept the wrong things being done by some officials but to stand up against it. Mr. B helped me find my voice and taught me how to stand up and fight for my rights. He also blessed me with his friendship all through these years. Mr. B encouraged my whole class to aim for the sky, this has greatly encouraged me ad it does pay to be in the company of good people because you get influenced by them in a good way. It's been 12 years since I graduated from high school but I will never forget Mr. B and how a boring social studies class turned out to be very interesting. I wish there are more teachers like Mr. B.

BC Bloggers Now Open!

2010-04-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

Calling all bloggers who want to gain friends in the blogosphere and build links at the same time – BC Bloggers 3 is now open. To join just visit Mommy Diary, read the requirements, and fill out the Application Form. Join now to meet new friends, get new links and traffic.

My Favorite Makeup Guru

2010-04-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!

If you are a makeup junkie like me you most certainly like to experiment with different looks and getting new ideas on "how to" do this and that. Hmmm...what better way of getting new ideas on how to look like that hot celebrity or look like a hot bombshell than getting tips and tutorials from a professional makeup guru right? There are several makeup artists who give away their professional tips and tutorials for free and since this is my blog lolz I am biased (big grin)!

My favorite makeup guru is no other than Marlena a.k.a. the Makeup Geek. If you know Marlena and following her thru her website or youtube tutorials good for you and for those who don't this is your lucky day! Okay, let's cut the chase let me tell you who Marlena is. Well she is a professional makeup artist from the United States and to be exact she lives in Michigan. Everybody knows her as the makeup geek and she has a very successful youtube following. Although there are several makeup gurus on youtube I love Marlena because she is fun and down to earth. Her tutorials are easy and practical as well as very informative.

I'll let you sample some of her works and definitely a collection of my fave Makeup Geek tutorials. I hope you like it too :-)! To get to know Marlena More you can visit her website or read an interview with Marlena.

Think this one is a perfect everyday makeup....this one is my afternoon look...so pretty...Love this one so much!

Post It Note Tuesday: Random Thoughts

2010-04-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

It's post it Tuesday yippeee! Here are my pint size thoughts!

Been seeing the doc lately and I am starting to scratch my head, the professional fees are killing me...

My neighbor's grandson is a menace grrr...he pulls the plants in the neighborhood and today he pulled mine and this is the third time already! I'm nearly loosing it!

A relative of mine was confined in the hospital and I came for a visit just in time for the nurse to give him his NGT feeding. She was very impolite and arrogant and I gave her a piece of my mind.

Geez...what have I been doing lately? Yes I have been shopping online ...and as usual I bought a lot.

I have a recurring tonsilitis since November...ooouucchh!

My dog Louise is learning basic commands at an amazing pace :)! I'm one happy pet owner except for the poop and pee thingy which I am working on....

That's all folks. Sorry this is late was very busy didn't have time to catch my breath!
- The Single Sassy Chick

To join Post It Tuesday please click the icon above.

Curing Zits The Natural Way

2010-04-26T10:30:00.000-07:00

Zits can appear every now and then and it's most annoying when it pops up on a big day! Geez, it certainly drives me nuts when it happens. Over the years I have used different OTC (over the counter) zit preparation like benzoyl peroxide to get rid of the zits and occasional bad breakouts. It did help in getting rid of those unsightly blemishes and so I stick with it for a long time. But as health advocates started to campaign for natural products to increase awareness among the general population, I decided to try using natural products to cure zits.I found it very effective in getting rid of the blemishes and it's very pocket friendly as well ;-) Here's what I used:

Bitter Gourd/ Ampalaya (Momordica charantia):

Bitter Gourd is now gaining popularity not just as a vegetable but for its medicinal properties. Aside from lowering down blood sugar in diabetic people, this vegetable has an antimicrobial property too. I have personally experimented with this when I had a bad breakout. I took one medium sized bitter gourd and grated it, took the grated fleshy part and squeezed out the juice. Then I placed the bitter gourd extract inside a clean small bottle and stored it inside the refrigerator. I would thinly apply the extract all over my face and leave it on the entire night and after 2 days the zits were clearing out. By the third day the zits were totally gone. I know for some this might seem like a hassle but it's worth trying especially if you are low on your budget. Plus one of the big bonus I get by going natural is that there are no toxins in my skin which are produced by the chemicals used in commercially prepared pimple products. Thereby lessening the likelihood of premature aging.

Guava / Bayabas (Psidium Guajava):

Guava is most notable not just for its delicious fruit but for its medicinal properties. A proven antimicrobial used in wound care, guava leaves are also used for curing pimples and zits by taking a handful of young guava leaves and boiling it in 2-3 cups of water. Wash your face with warm water from the boiled guava leaves. apply your cleanser and get 2-3 pieces of the boiled guava leaves and use it as a facial scrub. Scrub it gently all over your face and wash it with the remaining water from the boiled leaves. This also helps in getting rid of the blemishes and prevents breakouts. It makes the skin look visibly clear and pimple free.

Malunggay (Moringa oelifera):

Moringa or malunggay is considered as a poor man's vegetable but today it is gaining popularity for it's medicinal use. Moringa grows widely in southeast Asia especially in the Philippines where it grows abundantly all over the country. This miracle vegetable is loaded with vitamins and minerals and helps cure several ailments including skin conditions. Last year, I had developed cellulitis on my index finger due to an allergic reaction to detergents. It was such a bad case, my finger looked like a sausage and it was severely painful. At the same time I had a bad pimple breakout. A good friend of mine who is a health enthusiast gave me pure moringa capsules which I took twice a day. After taking two tablets on the first day the swelling disappeared, on the second day my finger was near normal and my blemishes were gone. On the third day my finger looked very normal and on the fourth day it was completely healed and I was pimple free too. I experimented taking the moringa capsules when I had a bad breakout of pimples and the results were amazing! After a day the pimples was gone! Ever since that day I would regularly take moringa capsules like a daily supplement. I never experience having zits and cellulitis ever again. The capsules are sold very cheap, so it's affordable and very effective. For those who wants to have great looking skin I suggest you take moringa capsules every day.

Benefits of Going Natural:

1. Cheap and readily available. You don't need to break your bank to buy that anti acne cream. No need to wait until the product arrives when it's sold out because it's abundant everywhere.

2. Won't cause premature aging. Most of these facial creams and anti- acne creams that are commercially prepared are harmful to our skin. The chemicals produces toxins that can cause premature skin aging and even skin allergies. When you go natural it is guaranteed fresh with no preservatives or harmful chemicals that can damage your skin.

3. No side effects. Natural remedies do not cause side effects when used properly and in appropriate amounts compared to commercially prepared products. There are no synthetic chemicals that are used so there is no worry of overdose and side effects.

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: 50 First Dates

2010-04-25T10:59:00.001-07:00

The movie that reminds me of summer fun and finding love is none other than 50 First Dates, Starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The movie soundtrack is so cool and the scenes from the movie is mostly around the beach which usually symbolizes summer.

Imagine having to win over the girl of your dreams... every friggin' day.

About The Film:

Henry Roth (Adam Sandler), a marine-life veterinarian living in Hawaii, meets Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore), an art teacher, in a cafe one morning. They eventually develop a relationship, but it soon emerges that Lucy suffers from anterograde amnesia due to a car accident she was in a year earlier. Her condition has left her with no memory of anything between the day of the accident and the present, because she is incapable of converting short-term memories into long-term memories. At the beginning of each day, she loses all memory of the past day. She innocently believes every day to be October 13, 2002. Her father and brother attempt to reenact the activities of October 13th, her father's birthday, every day, to prevent her from suffering from learning about the accident. Because of Lucy's condition, Henry is forced to find new and imaginative ways of winning Lucy over every day, to the disapproval of her father and brother. They order him to stop meeting her at the cafe, fearing that he will take advantage of her innocent state. Henry, in keeping with his promise, contrives to meet her each day as she is on the road driving home from the cafe. Her father and brother soon find out that he is still meeting her, because every time Lucy "meets" Henry she sings Wouldn't It Be Nice while she paints the garage. They agree to allow Henry to see Lucy because they appreciate his determination and the fact that he makes her happy, and the next morning Henry shows up at their house with a video explaining the accident and everything that has happened since. One day, Lucy wakes up to find Henry in her bed after spending the night together, doesn't recognize him, and attacks him. Henry leaves the room, and Lucy then overhears her doctor and Henry talking about how he will never achieve his dream to explore the Arctic and how Henry hopes and believes Lucy will remember him from day to day. Lucy then breaks up with Henry, feeling that she is keeping him from living his life fully, and burns all her journal entries about him so her memory of him will be gone for good. Henry is unable to move on with his life, but he decides to go on the Arctic expedition anyway. Lucy's father gives him a going away present, a Beach Boys CD, which Henry takes as a sign that Lucy has remembered him. He races back to the ward for people who have memory problems, where Lucy decided to live because she no longer wanted to be a burden on her family. Lucy is teaching an art class to the other inhabitants when Henry bursts into the room. He asks if she remembers him, and she doesn't, but oddly she asks him to come into her studio. Much to Henry's surprise, her studio is filled with pictures of Henry in hundreds of different styles. She tells Henry that she doesn't know why she's painted them, but she dreams about him every night. Henry tells her about their past relationship, and they kiss to seal it. At the end of the movie, there is a flash forward and Lucy wakes up in a strange bed with a video tape on the night stand next to her, reading "Good Morning Lucy" on the table. She watches it, and she cries as she relives her accident while the tape is explaining everything that has happened. Then it shows Henry and Lucy's wedding. She then looks out the window, and is shocked to find out that she's in the Arctic. She comes out of the bedroom to find her father, Henry, and her daughter sailing on Henry's ship. (courtesy of bookrags.com)

All About Me Mondays: The Green Eyed Monster In Me

2010-04-25T10:16:00.001-07:00

Jealousy is not a good feeling at all, in fact it's heavy and it seems to pull all the dark clouds in on me, but because I am human and I am no saint I have fallen into the traps of jealousy. Not proud of it but I'm honest about my feelings. Let's see...the last time I was really jealous was like 10 years ago, it was a part of a sibling rivalry. Again sibling rivalry is very common to most families among brothers and sisters. I was no different with the rest.

I was used to being treated as an only child, being raised by my grandparents and aunts I was the only child in the house although I had a brother but he lived with my parents.So, I had no competition with my grandparent's love and attention. Well, it used to be until my sister was born. My grandma soon favored her over me and I resented later on having a sister. I was no longer the apple of my grandma's eye it was now my sister and I fought hard to be my grandma's favorite. I tried to excel in class or show more affection but my grandma was sold out to my sister and I was dethroned.

I remember resenting my grandma that I soon withdrew from her. I refused to share anything with my sister, especially that she became a brat. I fought with grandma whenever she would give my toys and my clothes to my sister. I know I have outgrown my clothes and my toys but because I felt so jealous I would refuse to give them away. This resulted in heated arguments with my grandmother and me shutting down. I stayed away from my grandmother even when we lived under the same roof. I kept myself busy doing whatever came to mind, I no longer hang out with my grandmother and kept to myself.

However, I have out grown the sibling rivalry, now it doesn't matter to me whoever my grandma favors. I have learned to be content with what I have and take pride with what I have achieved. I no longer compare myself with my sister, I guess all was just a phase. I have learned to be happy with who I have become and be contented with the love shown to me by both grandparents and the rest of the family.

So, that was the green eyed monster within me and I'm glad he has been kicked out! :) What about you what makes you jealous? when was the last time you were jealous? Care to share? Join All about me Mondays below.

Girl Talk: Buffet Picks

2010-04-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Here's my foodie picks in a buffet. Ta...da.. Roasted Pork (lechon baboy or inasal na baboy) and Fruit Salad. What's yours?

Wordless Wednesday: Firecracking Wednesday

2010-04-21T03:48:00.000-07:00

My First Post It Note!

2010-04-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

All About Louise

2010-04-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

Meet Louise my four and half month old Jack Russell Terrier- Spitz. She is one adorable little pup who loves to stay beside me the whole day. Louise was previously owned by an office mate's sister-in- law who had to give her up since she was migrating to another country. At four and a half months old Louise weighs 15 pounds and is highly intelligent. She learned to climb stairs within 10 minutes and learned the command "sit" in just 5 minutes! I was really amazed at how fast she learns, I've had other dogs before but none of them can compare to Louise's ability to learn.

Louise's mother is a purebred Jack Russell Terrier while her father is a purebred Japanese Spitz. Louise inherited most of her traits from her mother, she is 90 percent JRT and 10 percent Spitz. I was sad to find out though that Louise was bought from a puppy mill. Her previous owner informed me that after 4 and a half months Louise's mom is again pregnant. Yes we all know that it is not healthy at all, the owner should have waited another year before she gets the dam pregnant again. However, even though Louise was born in a puppy mill she is in excellent condition. I have recently brought her to a vet and had her thoroughly checked and I'm glad she is very healthy.

Having Louise around has brought me sheer joy, although at times she gives me a momentary dark cloud when she poops or pees on my furniture or on any part of the house but that's just a part of raising a dog. She is very affectionate and protective towards me. I would jokingly tell my family that with Louise around I do not need a bodyguard! She goes wherever I go, sometimes when I would fall asleep on the couch I'd wake up seeing her laying down on the floor near me and she would not dare make a sound. Right now she is my alarm clock lols , she would wake me up at exactly the same time everyday at 8 am, how? Well, she would jump into my bed and scratch my leg without barking until I am fully awake. This mutt has certainly learned another trick!

I am trying to correct certain behaviors that Louise's previous owner has taught her. She has allowed her to do her toilet needs inside the house with newpapers because she did not like her getting messy. It is the kind of nightmare I am facing right now but I know this would soon stop with constant repetition, in due time she will be potty trained. Louise is used to being fed with canned tuna and dog food but I decided to make her home cooked meal. This way I am sure that Louise eats fresh food without any preservative. Her staple diet is pork and beef with vegetables. This is more economical than buying dog food. I have been observing how much she consumes in a week and I noted that 1 kilo of pork or beef lasts her the entire week. I would usually cook all of the 1 kilo meat and put the rest in the fridge. Louise is a picky eater, and you'd laugh your head off if I tell you what she likes and does not like.

Just to illustrate at how picky my little Louise is, she would not eat bread without peanut butter or cheese etc, on it! Usually when she eats bread she would only eat the ones with the most spread and leave the ones that does not have. I tried feeding her sardines, this little mutt did not even touch it! I experimented on other food combination like squash with rice and fried fish and still she would not eat. Finally I gave up and cooked her ground pork with grated carrots and thinly sliced cabbage, now guess what? Yes, you bet she ate all of it!

Like a child, Louise likes to be babied and she is happy when she sees me when I come home from work.She does misbehave at times and turn a deaf ear when she does not want to answer me. Though Louise is very loyal and loving towards me she is not friendly to new faces. She would bark fiercely at an unfamiliar face and would stay on guard until the other person leaves. I am hoping to raise a well rounded friendly dog but as many breeders have told me Louise like any JRT would need expert training. JRTs are very intelligent but they are also known to be stubborn, training starts at an early age or else it would be hard to train them when they become an adult. They certainly have a mind on their own sometimes and I have seen that in my little Louise. Sometimes she can be a handful when she see new faces in my place. She would bark and bark and would not shut up in spite of being told not to. Lolz at times she reminds me of the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Louise can be both. She can be Hyde to strangers and Jekyll when we are alone.

So You Think You Are Ready For A Dog?

2010-04-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

I am single, young career woman. I have my own apartment and I can say that I earn quite a bit and an extra source of cash through my online job to keep a pet dog. I have a good family and loving friends but there is one thing that I have been wanting to do and that is to own a dog. For many years I have waited for the day when I can finally own a dog. It used to be that I can't get one because of my job and my living arrangement. I used to have housemates who didn't want dogs around the place and I held a job that kept me out of the house most of the time. So, I had to wait and after years of waiting finally I can have one.

The day came when I can finally get a dog but I had another concern and that is what type of dog breed should I get? I have several preferences when it came to dog breeds, I was thinking of the adorable poodle, the lovable shihtzu, the tiny teacup chihuahua or the good tempered labrador retriever, oh yes I was also thinking of the beautiful yorkie and the handsome siberian husky and I could not seem to make up my mind. So, again I waited till I can finally come to a decision. Plus, there were a lot more to consider more than I have expected.

There are things to consider when owning a dog. The day you decide to bring home a dog you decide to stay committed in raising your dog. Dogs are like little children they are adorable and cute and funny but at times they can misbehave, grouchy and give you sleepless nights. You must have a lot of patience especially if you decide to raise a puppy, I know most of us likes to raise puppies than having older dogs, but as I have mentioned there are things to consider.

1. Size- have you decided what size of dog do you want? The bigger the size the bigger your living space should be. Toy dogs and small dogs are good for small apartments and bigger dogs would be suitable for bigger apartments or houses with yards. If you are single like me ( Well I am assuming that you are) small dogs can be great, small dogs or toy dogs are delicate and vulnerable and is not recommended in families with small children. Take note also that bigger dogs eats a lot compared to smaller dog so this is also a very big thing to consider.

2. Age- you must decide whether you want to raise a puppy or an adult dog. There are pros and cons with both but all is up to you. With puppies you get to raise them while they are young and you can decide how to raise them but bear in mind that this needs a lot of commitment on your part. You need to house break them and most often times this is hard work. There will be a lot of accidents around your place and you will be cleaning up where your pup poops and pees. So, think if you have the time to do so. Older dogs on the other hand, are already house broken (well mostly but not all. be sure to ask the owner or breeder before you buy). Some have been Socialized already and can easily adopt to their new home. However, there are some breeds that does not easily adopt to new homes.

3. Breed- before you buy a dog research on the breed. Each dog breed has it's own unique qualities and exhibit a certain trait. Some dog breeds are high maintenance compared to other dogs. For example a shihtzu is high maintenance compared to a mini pin. You need to spend a lot for grooming maintenance when you own a shihtzu compared to owning a mini pin. Labrador are very gentle dogs and is compatible with children while a Jack Russell Terrier is fiercely loyal only to its owner and may not be friendly towards other people.

4. Budget- Can you afford keeping a dog? You would need to complete your dog's vaccination. Maintain his grooming needs and in some countries you would need a pet insurance to cover the cost of hospitalization should your dog get sick. Some dog breeds require meticulous care like long haired dogs and some dog breeds are susceptible to certain health problems and would need regular vet check up. You should anticipate these needs before getting one. You must be honest and be objective as to how much you can spend for a new pet. After all you don't want to live from paycheck to paycheck and certainly you cannot neglect your responsibilities as a pet owner. So weigh things carefully.

When you have decided on the above mentioned things to consider and whether you decide to get a small dog or a large one, a puppy or an adult dog you must first gather all the grooming materials and all the things that your dog would need. Below are the things you would need to buy before you take your new pet home.

1. Feeding bowls and water bottles- I suggest that you buy stainless feeding bowls with rubber around the rim. The rubber helps keep the bowl in place and will last longer compared to a plastic feeding bowl. Your pet would need a supply of clean fresh water be sure to keep a water bottle nearby.

2. Play pens or crates - if you decide to take home a puppy you would need either a play pen or a crate. Either one of these two are good tools in keeping your pup confined to a certain place so that it will not wander around your place and soil your living space. Most experts do suggest crate method in house breaking your pup. Pups won't soil the place where they sleep so they learn how to hold it until they are taken out of the crate. You must also remember to not let the puppy stay inside the crate or play pen for a prolonged period of time because they would not be able to hold it in for so long. You must let them out 15 mins after eating or after taking a nap and early in the morning.

3.Chew toys- chew toys are a good way to keep your pup engrossed in something other than your shoes or furniture. Especially when dogs are teething they would most likely chew on anything so be sure to get them one. Dogs can also be destructive when bored, giving them chew toys are a way to relieve them of boredom.

4. Dog beds or mattress- there are many beautifully designed dog beds that are washable be sure to invest on a good one. If you choose a large dog be sure that you buy the biggest size that your dog can grow in and still use when he grows up to save you from spending on another one.

5. Dog collars and leashes - buy a dog collar that is adjustable, one that he would not out grow easily. There are many beautiful leashes and collar, buy the one that is comfortable for your pet.

6. Grooming materials- you must have the basics like nail clippers, dog shampoo and conditioner, towels, blow dryer made especially for dogs, brushes and combs depending on what type of pet you have. For my pup I use herbal soap that has a sweet smelling scent, I find it more effective in controlling my pup's odor than regular dog soaps. Buy soap and shampoo that is tick and flea repellant and controls odors.I usually medicated herbal products over regular products. I also use dog powder to remove odor to make sure my pup won't smell.

7. Cleaning solutions - to ensure your pup's health make sure his living area is clean. To get rid of bad odor clean your pet's living space regularly and use antispetics like lysol which at the same time removes bad odor. You may want to use a spot remover and deodorizer.

After getting all these things you also need to do one last thing before you bring home your new bestfriend and that is dog proofing your house. It is necessary to dog proof your house to ensure that your place is a safe place for your four legged bestfriend. This would also prevent accidents like swallowing small inorganic objects which would cost you a lot for that vet visit. Still prevention is better than cure. So dog proof your place before bringing home your new pet.

This is what I have learned with all these dog thingy. It was more than I have expected but I am glad to learn all these before getting one. Hope this guide is of help to you. Before I forget if you are the type who travels too much or has an active night life you may want to reconsider owning a dog. If you really want to own one be sure you have someone who can dog sit for you while you are away.

Finally, I am now a proud owner of a 4 1/2 months old Jack Russell Terrier-Spitz. An intelligent mixed breed pup bursting with so much energy. She is my new bestfriend, a loyal one I can say. I am blessed to be showered with her unconditional love and loyalty and having her around surely makes my days better. Hope you find your new bestfriend soon!

Louise a Jack Russel Terrier - Japanese Spitz cross breed

Louise enjoys laying down on my couch and playing with her toy.

Girl Talk: The Most Expensive Foodie I Ate

2010-04-17T03:29:00.000-07:00

The most expensive food I ate is the Wagyu Burger from Cebu Hilton Hotel in Mactan, Cebu. at 1500 Php or $ 32 per piece! This is by far the most expensive burger I've had. This cost me a lot but definitely worth it. It is made from the softest beef I have eaten in my whole life and very tasty! Lolz... don't get me started my mouth is starting to water.

If you ever stop by Cebu do drop by at the Hilton Hotel and try this delicious Wagyu burger.

Coastal Scents 88 Palette Review

2010-04-17T01:38:00.000-07:00

For those who are getting started in makeup, Coastal Scents 88 original palette is a must have. It has 88 highly pigmented basic colors that you could mix to give you different looks. The palette has dime sized pans that could last for a long time and what's more is that it gives you more value for your money. I know how it's like when I first started with makeup, there were several single shadows to choose from but I didn't know which one to buy. With the 88 palette you have everything in just one palette.

Buying shadows in singles can become too expensive but if you prefer it that way that's fine. I travel every now and then and I want to travel light so I prefer having everything in one palette. With how this product is packaged it won't take much space. It has a flat square container that can fit in easily in my over night bag or hand carry bag. It's not bulky and this is what I usually take with me during my trips.

I love that this eyeshadow is not chalky like cheap ones however, for best results you must use a lid primer to bring out the color and for it to last long. This palette is non shimmery so if you prefer the ones with shimmer you can try the 88 shimmer palette which is also available from Coastal Scents. This palette costs $28 so in my book this it falls under the must haves and quality and affordability list.

NYX Megashine Lip Gloss Review

2010-04-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

NYX Megashine lip gloss is one of my favorite gloss brand. It is quality and affordability rolled into one great product! I love the light and smooth feel and compared to other lip gloss products I have tried NYX Megashine lip gloss does not feel too sticky or too heavy on the lips. I'd give this 5 lippies out of 5 lippie score. It is richly pigmented and has a sweet light fragrance that is not intoxicating. Overall I love the quality of this product and it's super affordable price at $5 only! I say it's definitely a steal! NYX lip glosses are designed to be worn alone or with lipstick, either way it will sexify your lips! Grab an NYX lip gloss and try it for your self to test the quality and avail of the great savings you can get. I have put aside my expensive glosses and use NYX from the day I discovered it. Now, I am a huge fan!

Company Information:

Established in 1999 in Los Angeles, California by Toni Ko.
Though a new comer in the cosmetic business the company is one of the fastest growing cosmetic company in the United States.
NYX is named after the Greek goddess who ruled the night.
NYX is known for its quality but ultra low priced cosmetic products.

Tuesday Couch Potatoes: Fave Julia Roberts Movie

2010-04-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

Julia Roberts is one of the big names in Hollywood and one of the most respected and sought after actresses in this era. Julia has the Mida's touch almost all of her films are big earners and she has become one of Hollywood's top paid actresses. Julia's net worth is estimated at $140 M in 2007.

Fast Facts:

Julia Fiona Roberts was born in Atlanta, Georgia
Julia's parent were once actors and playwrights and ran an acting workshop for children.
Her first film debut as a supporting actress to her brother Eric in Blood Red in 1987.
In 1989 she starred in the movie Steel Magnolia which got her the Academy Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1990 Julia starred in Pretty Woman with Richard Gere which she got the Oscar's Best Actress Award. The film grossed $463 million worldwide and made Julia famous.
In 1999 she was awarded as Best Actress for the Academy Awards for her role in Erin Brockovich.
She was the first actress to appear in the cover of Vogue.
She was named one of the People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" eleven times!
In 2001 Ladies' Home Journal ranked her as the 11th most powerful women in America.
Roberts has a production company called Red Om Films, formerly Shoelace Productions ("Moder" spelled backwards, after her husband's last name).

My Favorite Julia Robert's Films are:

Pretty Woman

It is a funny movie with a flair of drama and romance. I love happy ever after endings so I definitely love how the movie ended. More importantly the movie reminds me that true love knows no bounds, it has no hidden motives except that it wants the best for the other person. This is one of my fave chick flicks.

Monalisa Smile

This movie is truly inspiring. In a world inhabited by people with a fixed mindset which is still existent today as it was several years ago, we have to go out of our comfort zone and be different. We don't have to do what everyone else is doing just because we are afraid to rock the boat. Standing up for what we believe in could bring us trouble but hey! if you are doing what is best for you and doing the right thing you must stand up and face the opposition. We can't always be a "yes" kind of person sometimes we need to say "no" even to our very own family and get them to respect our values, morals and beliefs. One of the best gift we can impart to others is encouragement and motivation. There are those people who are trapped with pleasing other people to the point of ruining their own lives. We can help them get their feet on the ground firmly and help them find their voice to speak out for themselves.

Runaway Bride

This movie has many unforgettable lines that can be both romantic and corny (for some). and one of the famous lines is (tada...)

"Look, I guarantee that we'll have tough times. And I guarantee that at some point, one or both of us will want to get out of this thing. But I also guarantee that if I don't ask you to be mine I'll regret it for the rest of my life. Because I know in my heart, you're the only one for me."

You decide romantic or cheesy! But I love the movie because it was another happy ending lolz.

My Best Friend's Wedding

Although this is not a happy ending movie I like it because it teaches us to let go of that person we love and hold dear because s/he is not meant for us and by us holding on means that we will be very unhappy. Again I am reminded of the famous adage "if you love someone set him/her free". It may be hard but it is necessary for us to move on and find the right person.

So that's the end of my favorite Julia Robert's movies and if you care to share what's your Julia Robert's movie check the Tuesday Couch Potatoes Group.

Girl Talk: My Favorite Junk Food

2010-04-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

Girls Talk topic for the day is Fave Junk Food and since I munch on junk foods practically 3 times in a week I decided to join and share my fave junk food of all time.

My Top 3 Fave Junk Food

Lay's Potato Chip in sour cream and onion is my top fave junk food. The mixture of saltiness and that of sour cream makes me go gaga over it. It's my comfort food, I grab a bag of this foodie when I am going through a rough day or simply when I want to enjoy myself.

Another alternative to Lay's is Munch King in sour cream and onion. Gee, I can't get enough of sour cream and onion! Is it evident know I just love potato chips lol!

Finally something that's not potato or sour cream and onions! I also love Cheetos. I love the cheesy flavor and the crunchiness of this foodie. Me and my friends love to munch on this especially during an all girl's poker night or movie dates.

That's all folks! Those are my fave junk foods of all time.

For other Fave Junk Foods from other readers click the icon below.

Memories Of Summers Past

2010-04-07T13:49:00.000-07:00

Imelda Aroma Mountain Resort, Catmon, Cebu, Philippines

I was going over some of my files today and I found my photos of past summers and I took a trip down memory lane. Each photo has a story and it reminds me of the friends I share this memory with. It brings back wonderful memories of summers past with my dear old friends and how much fun it has been. I know it might sound a bit cheesy but I can't help singing the Beatle's song "In My Life". Some of my friends have moved into a different state and some into another country, and it's been awhile now since we last got together and I miss them a lot. Life is more fun when shared with others.

Town of Argao,Cebu, Philippines

The town of Argao is one of the must see places in the Philippines. It is located in the southern part of Cebu province, a 2 hour bus ride from the city proper. It has panoramic beaches great for skim boarding and old churches and buildings that makes it a good place for a heritage tour. Argao has many natural tourist attractions The Argao Nature Park, Balay sa Agta Cave (House of The Giants), Bugasok Falls, Lawis Point and Riverstone Castle. There are many beach resorts around Argao and it won't be hard to find a place to stay. One of the things that I love about the place are the friendly people who are very helpful and protective of the tourists who visits their place. I will always associate Argao with the aromatic and pure tablea (chocolate) that is very rich in taste and very cheap too!

Casa Real, Argao,Cebu

Bulasa Natural Spring, Argao,Cebu

Malapascua Island, Daanbatayan, Cebu

Malapascua is Located in the northernmost tip of Cebu. It has a peculiar name for a well endowed island. Malapascua means unfortunate Christmas.The name was given by Spanish seafarers after being stranded on the island during Christmas due to a typhoon.I love this place so much because of its powdery white beach and rich underwater marine life. This is the perfect place for scuba diving and snorkeling, a heaven for scuba divers and well anyone who loves the beach . If you go scuba diving early in the morning you might get lucky and chance upon a thresher shark! I had a blast in Malapascua and I'd definitely go back again. You can get accommodations for as low as $ 11 a night and there are many hotels and cottages for rent all over the place.

Bohol Beach Club, Panglao Island,Bohol, Philippines

Panglao Island is one of my favorite places. The scenic beaches with its crystalline white sand and blue green waters is paradise for me. I could stay here forever and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere, I'd gladly exchange the the city life for a life in this island! Panglao is lined with many 5 star hotels and beach resorts. You can stay at the fabulous Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa, The elegant Bohol Beach Club, Alona Palm, Alona Kew, Alona Tropical and Panglao Island Nature Resort. You can also visit the nearby Bohol Bee Farm and taste the exotic salad made of flowers and herbs, this is a haven for the vegetarians!

This is the salad I was talking about! Wanna try?

Moalboal, Cebu, Philippines

Moalboal is a town in the southern part of Cebu, it boasts of its beaches and rich marine life,it is a known scuba diving spot for the scuba enthusiasts, and is frequented by international as well as local tourists.Beach resorts and hotels lines the whole place and getting accommodations is not difficult at all. what I like about the place is that you can have a quiet vacation if you prefer or a lively one if you attend the beach disco hosted by the hotels and resorts and if you participate in the day time activities.

Sunset in Moalboal

Thank you for taking this tour with me and I do hope you get to visit any of these places. I had a wonderful time in each place and my treasure chest is overflowing with many wonderful memories. It is my pleasure to share this to all of you. If you are wondering why all of the places I showed you are all beach resorts, that's because I am a beach bum lol! There is no place so relaxing and so fun for me other than spending time at the beach. I hope when you get to visit these places you will have loads and loads of wonderful memories to take home.

The Flower Power

2010-04-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

You know how it is when you get bored, you try to do things that you do not often do and stumble onto something interesting. That's what happened to me today. The electric company has been shutting off the electricity everyday for an hour since march in an attempt to save electricity. I got bored, there was nothing for me to do, no tv, no internet, no nothing. I stepped out of the house and sat on the garden chair on our front yard and as I sat there my mom's plants caught my attention. They were in full bloom and they were a pretty sight. So, I decided to take photos just to pass the time away.

Looking at it this way I now understand why it's called the Dancing Ladies.

This one is just gorgeous and it's a beauty!

Flower, flower you are true,
You make me happy when I am blue,
You became a flower from a seed,
You did all that just for me

For every time my eyes see
This flower blossom
It's a miracle and privilege
To be in its presense

The most beautiful flower
filling my senses with passion
overflowing my being with plenty
pulling away my pain

I came across one flower
While walking in a garden
It saw me and gave a smile
I too smiled and walked
Each day in garden I smiled

This one reminds me of Edward Scissorhands!

Though I am not a green thumb gal I do appreciate flowers of all shape and color. I thank God for creating flowers it has taken my boredom away! By the way, I am sorry about the first picture It actually looks great with the original photo but something went wrong when I uploaded it.

Surviving the Hospital Stay: Must Bring Items

2010-04-05T03:35:00.000-07:00

I stayed in the hospital for a few days this week and thought I should be writing this piece for all of you Sassy Chicks out there. I know when you're feeling like hell you don't care about how you look, especially when every part of your body is painful. I understand that part, it ain't easy being sick and even if you don't wanna look terrible, chances are 99% you look really horrible. I know don't raise your eyebrows at me, just telling the truth here.

I don't think it's a reason to look terrible and stop taking care of yourself just because you are in the hospital. Unless of course if you become severely ill and would not be able to groom yourself, that would be excusable. However, if you are able to there is no excuse not to get groomed.

What To Pack?

Here is a list of things that you will need should the doctor tell you to stay in the hospital for a few days.

1. Baby wipes- make sure that you have a few packs or bottles of alcohol free baby wipes stocked at your place. This is very useful especially when you are in the hospital. You can use this as feminine wipes and at the same time clean surfaces with it as well as your hands.

2. Toiletries- don't forget to bring these ones along, a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner, a small bottle of body wash, a small bottle of lotion, feminine wash, toothpaste and toothbrush, mouthwash, deodorant or antiperspirant whichever you prefer. Don't forget your facial toner or cleanser.

3. Lip gloss or lip balm - I personally take this one with me even in the hospital. The air conditioning unit in the room usually makes my lip chap and dry. That is of course is unsightly and so to prevent that I carry a gloss or balm with me.

4. Pack your favorite PJs - a nice cotton pj is great for hospital stays or a cotton shorts and cotton tank top. Make sure that it is clean and still looks good. You don't want to wear a rag where everybody sees you. Wearing nice things even when you're sick helps increase your sense of well being and people who feels good about themselves have higher chances of recovering quickly.

5. Pack your good undies - here's a fact most of the time doctors will be examining your body and that means you may have to expose a part of your body. You definitely don't want them to see your grandma's panties right? It is embarrassing if you wear bras with stretched out straps that looks like it could be thrown out to the trash or panties that are faded and has stains on it. Your undies will speak about who you are. What kind of person are you, if you are clean or a lazy louse. So, pack those good ones and discard the worn out ones.

6. Bring your fave cologne- nothing repels another person than a bad smell. Make sure while you are in the hospital that you are clean and smelling good. You might ask help from the nurse on duty or the nurse assistant to help you bathe if you have difficulty in doing so. Spritz on your favorite cologne to give you that clean fresh feeling. Make sure that you use a scent that attracts people not repel them lol. Some colognes have the heavy musty smell and frankly speaking you must avoid that especially in a closed room, it would be enough to give the medical team a headache for the rest of the shift.

7. Bring your fave book/ psp - it could be very boring to stay in the hospital with nothing to do. This will be a good time to catch on with some reading. You could bring your favorite book or magazine to pass the time away, or else bring your psp to entertain yourself. If it is not against the hospital policies you could bring your laptop with you.

8.Bring some goodies - if you are allowed to eat sweets or chips bring some along or you could bring extra chocolates and offer it to your doctors and nurses. They would definitely love that and this is one way of establishing rapport with them and you can be sure they will take good care of you while you are there.

9. Thank you cards- a small thing can go a long long way. Give thank you cards to the nursing staff and your doctors to let them feel that you appreciate what they did for you. You can give these when you are being discharged. They will remember you and should you be hospitalized again you have made some friends around and they will accommodate your needs and make sure you get a vip treatment.

10. Air Freshener or potpourri- I know you are not going on a holiday vacation, if you are like me I like to stay in a freshly scented room. Hospitals have this distinct kind of odor that makes me feel nauseous and so I like to bring a small air freshener and hang it where the air conditioner is or a handful of potpourri wrapped in a net like cloth just to freshen up the room.

Never Forget To Bring:

Of all things in your to do list never forget to bring the following:

1. Hospital Record/ No.- If you have a hospital record already don't forget to bring that so it would be easy to pull up your records of previous hospitalization. This will also give a good deal of information to your attending physician and the nursing team and will greatly help in the planning for your care.

2.Recent Laboratory Tests- If you had undergone any laboratory test within 6 months prior to your hospitalization bring it along as this will help the doctor in evaluating your present health status.

3. Maintenance Medication- Do not forget to bring your maintenance meds, this will save you money should your physician allow you to continue taking it.

4. Insurance Cards/Medicare Card- You would be needing this during admission. You could save a lot of money from hospital bills when you present your insurance or medicare cards. If you are an insurance holder the hospital will ask for your card as a proof that you are indeed the owner of that insurance policy.

5. ATM/Credit Cards - Should your insurance not shoulder all the bills or your credit limit has been used up, make sure you have your atm card or credit card with you to pay the excess bills not covered by your health insurance or medicare. It will save you the panic and the embarrassment of not being able to pay your bill.

Makeup For The Summer

2010-04-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

Gee, summer is here and though I love the summer season there is one thing that I do not look forward to... melting makeup! I know that this is one big dilemma for every woman who wears makeup, in fact that was my dilemma too. I say was because I have found an answer to that hahaha... so bye bye to makeup that melts!

I have been testing mineral makeup for some time now and I really like it. It does not feel heavy at all and it does not melt like my regular makeup. You know how we get sweaty during the summer and how make up drips ugghhh that's one thing I really don't like. With mineral makeup even when I sweat It does not melt or look cakey at all, it somehow blends in with my skin and enhances the appearance of my skin which is why I like it. I notice that I do not get zits while I'm using it, previously during summer months I am prone to getting zits when I'm wearing makeup but now I do not have zits. Also I do not need to put in too much product to get a glowing look, I just apply foundation and dust a bronzer all over my face, a lil bit of my favorite lip gloss and sweep a lil bit of pinkish blush on my cheeks and I am good to go.

I prefer not to wear too much makeup during the summer except for a few occasions where it is really needed. If you must wear mascara opt for a waterproof one or else it will melt and you'll look like a panda! I do not use mascara during this hot humid season unless needed or unless I know I am going to stay indoors the whole time with aircondition system running. Avoid using oil based products and shimmer, it will make you look like you have grease on your face enough to fry a bacon in it! I suggest using matte products during hot summer months and if you really like shimmer, you could use a little of it but not too much.

Oh, yes before I go I know you would all like to know what mineral makeup I have been trying on. It's Ellana Mineral Cosmetics. I have been trying their products and it's good. You can check them out online www.elleanaminerals.com I know they are fairly new but they're worth a try. What I like about their products is the quality and of course it's very affordable Don't have to break my piggy bank to get these babes lol. For starters I guess this will be a good product to invest in. You may want to try Ellana for yourself so, I suggest you get free samples online.

Going Gaga Over Mineral Makeup

2010-03-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Mineral makeup is making a buzz nowadays, with the increasing health conscious market this cosmetic product has been gaining popularity all over the globe. It is highly recommended by dermatologists everywhere because of its benefits thus boosting the sales of mineral cosmetic products.

What Is Mineral Makeup?

Mineral makeup is made from naturally existing mineral elements, its main components are zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and 100% micronized minerals that are free from talc, fillers,wax, oils, mica dye, silicone, artificial fragrance, rice powder and alcohol. Mineral makeup contains iron that helps in absorbing heat and vitamins that gives that healthy glow.

What Are The Benefits Of Mineral Makeup?

1. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic it is non irritating and makes it safe to use for all skin types. Women who suffers from severe acne and rosacea cab safely use this product.

2. Its inorganic components prevents microbial growth and makes it last longer than regular products. It is also free from preservatives.

3.Has UV protection that helps prevent skin aging.

4. It has a natural feel and feels light on the skin unlike traditional makeup that feels heavy on the skin.

5. Does not clog pores like regular makeup.Prevents wrinkles while traditional makeup enhances wrinkles because of its chemical components,

6. Gives a more natural look. Its mineral ingredients reflects light and helps minimize fine lie appearanvce on the face. This gives the face an expressive and natural finish.

7. It is cost effective because a little product goes a long long way. Mineral makeup are also very affordable.

Note: Check the labels before buying some companies advertise their products as mineral makeup but they put additives like bismuth oxychloride a product of lead and copper processing and is known to irritate the skin. Stick with products that sticks to the highest standards.

Choosing The Right Shade:

In choosing the right shade of foundation you must choose the shade matching your skin color to give you that natural look. Sample the products at the makeup counter to get the right shade. For some products you need to mix 2-3 shades to get the shade matching your skin. Some companies sends out free samples for you to try, you can request by visiting their website, usually you pay for the shipping fees.

Identify Your Skin Undertone:

Warm Undertones: Often referred to as having yellow, peach, orange undertone

You look better in cream then white
You wear more yellow gold jewellery
The veins on your wrists appear more green
You are drawn to more winter/summer colours
Cool undertones: Often referred to as having pink, red, blue undertones

You look better in white than cream
You wear silver or white gold jewellery
The veins in your wrist appear more blue
You are drawn to more spring/autumn colours
Neutral undertones: Normally found in those with a natural tan or dark skin. As the differences in undertone refers to the richness and depth of colour rather than an undertone.
Identify your skin tone

Light or fair skin (burns easily)
Medium skin (burns before tanning)
Tanned skin (tans easily)
Dark skin (naturally dark or olive skin)
Makeup Essentials:

1. Face primer- creates a smooth canvass on your face for the foundation to apply evenly and smoothly, giving you the smooth natural finish not cakey!

2, Lid primer- serves as a base for your eyeshadow making it last longer and helps the colors to come out better.

3. Lip primer- creates a silky foundation for your lipstick so that it glides smoothly and evenly. Making it last longer and prevents smearing.

4. Lip scrub- sloughs off dead skin cells on your lips and prevents chapping. It gives more color to your lips, scub your lips once a week for a smooth finish.

5. Lip moisturizer- conditions the lips to prevent chapping.

6. Concealer- use a concealer corrector quad instead of single correctors. Single concealers may not be enough for a makeup emergency. A good concealer is non oily and would hide skin blemishes and dark circles under the eye without using too much product.

7. Makeup remover- a good makeup remover is non oily and has no alcohol. Read product labels before buying and try out different products before sticking to one. This helps remove makeup that sticks to the skin easily and makes it easy for you to clean your face.

8. Brushes- invest in a good brush, a brush is like a magic wand, good brushes works wonders, it helps in the even application of the product. Save money by investing on a good set of brush, choose brushes for quality, most brushes that are sold in drugstores are of low quality, when you dip it on the product the bristles fall out. You might want to avoid buying that.

GHDDHCM17422467

Heads Up Pretty Gals!

2010-03-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Single Sassy Chicks!

I am super duper excited to receive my samples from one cosmetic company. I don't mean to sound so cryptic lol but I do not want to divulge just yet what the samples are. I'm going to test the samples and post a review here for all of you to read. I can't wait anymore, I think they are in transit now. Hopefully I'll get your views on this by leaving comments on the page.

Today, I have worked hard enough to find a good read about improving this blog and I still have tons to read and learn. I want to give you my very best and I'm working hard on it. I have also contacted a company that sells this beauty product that works wonders and it's 100% natural, I'm looking forward to sampling their product and I would like to do a product review on it here in the Single Sassy Chick blog so everyone would get tons of information about it. I'll keep my fingers crossed until I hear from them.

I also spent time today responding to MyLot comments on my posts and posting new ones too. I am enjoying this community so much not because I am getting paid by the site just by participating on a daily basis (which they do) but because it's a great community. I meet great people everyday and the exchange of ideas fires me up. People are so helpful there, they give you tips and suggestions on almost everything and they teach one another how to make extra money online. By the way guys I'm nearing my very first payout for this site! If you'd like to join this community click on my article on making extra money and just copy and post the link in a new browser and sign up. There is no fee in signing up, it's like Facbook or Myspace but this one rewards you for your participation.

Finally, If there is anything you would like me to write about or feature in an article kindly leave your suggestions in the comment box and if possible leave your email address so I can contact you should there be a need. Thank you guys for visiting The Single Sassy Chick blog .

All the best,
Your Single Chick

The Single Chick's Guide In Making Extra Money

2010-03-13T12:57:00.000-08:00

Many of us single women have financial issues. Either its because we overspend or we are underpaid. When I graduated from college and landed my first job I thought I was going to be financially independent from that day onwards. I was wrong I wasn't bringing home the fat paycheck that I had imagined, and to make matters worse it could hardly pay all my bills. I had to live in an all girls dormitory because it was cheaper compared to renting an apartment. I struggled to make both ends meet every single day. I had to walk several blocks from the dorm to my workplace because I could not afford a cab or any means of transportation. I was poor as a church mouse! No, it was not the fab life I have dreamed of, it was a nightmare!

During that time I could barely buy new clothes or shoes, I no longer ate in fastfood chains or fancy restaurants but I learned how to eat food sold at the side walk because it was very cheap and frankly speaking it was all I could afford. This was one of the toughest times of my life but I learned valuable lessons from it. I have learned to be frugal and do away with the luxuries I enjoyed previously. I learned how to look fab without spending a fortune and yes I found out who my real friends are. Some friends left me because I could no longer hang out with them at expensive restaurants or spend a weekend in a 5 star beach resort. Sounds superficial but some people are really superficial.

I wish I had learned before what I have learned now, that it is not so hard to earn extra cash. See, because of my lack of exposure to money making ideas, I had the wrong mindset. I thought that to earn extra cash I would have to do odd jobs that was strenuous and time consuming like babysitting. I did not know that I could really make money by using the internet for only a few minutes a day.

Perhaps you have read about this or have heard it from someone else but you are quite skeptical to try it out. Try being positive for once and give it the benefit of a doubt. I was skeptical too until I tried it. Yes, there are many money related scams online that is why you have to be careful with the sites you join in.

Things To Keep In Mind When Joining Money Making Sites:

1. Checkout the site. Read The FAQs, About Us and Terms of Service. This would give you information on what the site is about, what are the rules you should follow, how you could earn and when are you going to get paid and how much. It will also give you information how you could increase your earnings and if there is a fixed amount of daily earnings.

2. Do a background check on the website through online forums. This will give you an idea on what kind of site will you be dealing with. Check how long have they been in operation and if the really pay their members.

3. Money making sites are free, you would only pay a certain amount to upgrade your membership but other than that there should be no joining fees. If there are joining fees and they ask for a large amount and promise big payouts, steer clear from this site. it could be fraudulent.

4. Find out other money making sites do not just sign up. Compare each one and choose the best. Ask any of your friends if they are into money making sites and compare notes.They would be eager to share this information since you are a potential recruit or down line and they could earn if you sign up under them.

Sites I Recommend:

It's not easy to search for an online legitimate paying site. If you search on the net the results could give you plenty of sites and choosing the right one would not be that easy. I have found some legitimate sites through trial and error and I am pleased to share this with you.

1. Freelancers.com - You could sign up as a provider of services and at the same time as a "buyer" or one who hires and pays for the service. There are a wide range of tasks available that you can choose from and they will send you email alerts for tasks that matches your skills.
What makes this site cooll? You can earn so much from the tasks and it could lead to a long term part time job. The pay is good depending on the type of task required from you. As a buyer you get things done quickly and spend less than when you hire a permanent employee.

click on the banner to go to the site!

2. oDesk.com- Same with Freelancers you get paid for every task you accomplish and you can also hire people to do things for you at a specific rate that you specified in your job post. The pay is also good.

click on the banner to go to the site.

3. MyLot.com- This is a social networking website like Facebook and Myspace but the difference is that you get paid while using the site. There is a task bar where you can see the available tasks and you can sign up for a task and as soon as you finish the task the payment will be credited immediately into your MyLot account.

www.myLot.com?ref=candyfairy21
copy and paste the code to your browser.

4. Lockerz.com - This is a cool site where you get paid to watch short video clips and your earnings increases when you sign up your friend under you. The points you earn can be converted to cash or used to get cool gadgets like Ipod touch and Macbook. This is an invitation only site. You could ask me to send you invitations, just leave your email address.

5. Create a blog- This could take time and hard work but you can make money out of it if you write quality articles on your blog. You can sign up with Google Adsense and they will place ads on your blog page that is related to the content of your blog. You make money every time a visitor clicks on the ads posted on your blog. You can also sign up with Amazon or any online company that would pay to have their ads placed on websites or blogs. Create a free blog at blogger.com or wordpress.com Use free exchange traffic like Traffic Swarm to get traffic to your site and attract potential readers and ads.

There are other money making sites such as PTCs or paid to click sites but I do not recommend them that much because the earnings are not quite as good as the above mentioned sites. Survey sites are good sources of online income but if you reside outside of the U.S and Canada you cannot get surveys regularly. However, I would be posting down legitimate sites just in case some of you would be interested in trying it out, after all its for free.

Start earning extra cash now and augment your income. You don't have to live from paycheck to paycheck because the choice is yours to make. I can guarantee that you could earn from this sites because I am making extra bucks from these sites too. :)

The Single Chick's Guide to Budgeting

2010-03-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

Most single chick's concern of all concerns is budgeting. Handling finances and sticking on a budget could seem like a great challenge for some. I know, I know don't stare at me like that! I can quite relate to you baby doll, I have been there so many times. I couldn't seem to stop myself from buying this and that and whatever I laid my eyes on. I have been nearly broke several times because I did not stick to the budget. I spent more than I should.

The tendency to over spend among women is quite common. Especially among single, never been married, never had children women. There is the temptation of buying new shoes just because it was on sale, new clothes well because we would want to always look our best or impress the cute guy at the office, its just that sometimes our spending habits are out of control. We come up with all sorts of excuses and rationalize about what we did. In the end we are living in denial that something is seriously wrong with our spending. In the end we suffer the consequences of our action.

Ever watched the movie "Shopaholic"? The whole time I was watching it I kept saying oh "that's me" . I used to live like Rebecca Bloomwood. I'd spent left and right and ended up barely with nothing. It was insane, I guess I had gone mad. Another girl I could quite relate to is Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. She was addicted to shoes and high fashion, in one episode she spent around $40,000 for Manolo Blahnik's shoes! Insane right? I remembered in one of her lines she said she could have bought an apartment if she did not spend so much on shoes! I guess I would have a fat bank account right now had I not squander all my money on those girly stuff. Sigh.

There's good news for everyone, there is still hope for all the shopaholics out there! You don't need to be a math whiz to figure things out. What you need is self discipline and bulldog tenacity when it comes to sticking with your budget. I know whenever you walk the shoes on display at the corner store winks at you. The mannequin on display with that cute red dress with the $100 price tag waves at you hahaha. You gotta learn to restrain yourself sweetheart because the world will not run out of things to sell, what will run out is the green bucks on your pocket and you could end up poor and homeless.

So here are my tips for you my fellow shopaholic.

1. You gotta sit down and write down your net pay. Meaning the amount you get to take home every month after taxes. Write down the basic bills you have to pay and then the groceries.

Example:
Net Pay for the Month of March: $2700
Less expenses:
Light: $50
Water: $50
Rent: $500
Phone and Internet: $ 49.99
Cellphone: $99
Subtotal: $748.99
Groceries: $150
Grand Total: $898.99

2. Learn to pay yourself. Open an account this should be your "do not touch" account. This is for your life savings or retirement. Pay yourself %10 from your total net pay so that should be $270/ month that should go into this account.

3. Create an emergency fund. This account could be an atm account so in case of emergency you could easily withdraw. Ahemmm... may I say it again "real emergency cases only", not shopping emergency! You could deposit at least $75/ month. Oh don't complain girl remember this is all for you. You can spend $200 on shoes why not pay for the future? In a years time you could earn $ 900 in the account plus interests. Now do not keep your card in your wallet chances are you are going to use it.

4. Open a debit card account primarily for your bills. Keeping different accounts keeps you on track in budgeting and gives the assurance you will not over spend or touch your other accounts.

5. Set up another account for traveling, that's if you like to travel. Perhaps you can deposit $75/ month, in a few years time you can take your dream vacation. the amount you deposit all depends on you.

6. Again set up another account for your wish list. For example if you would like to buy a car perhaps you could deposit $100 into this account per month. It will give you quite a good amount for down payment of a new car, in about a year's time.

7. Set up a fund for spending or shopping for personal items but keep that at minimum. Let's say you have given yourself $200/ month shopping money. Make sure that you stick with it. Discipline yourself not to over spend. Forget that you opened other accounts in the bank that way you would not think of withdrawing all your money.

8. Pay your debts with the extra money that you have. Now let's check our budget list.

Net Pay: $2700
less:
Light: $50
Water: $50
Rent: $500
Phone and Internet: $ 49.99
Cellphone: $99
Subtotal: $748.99
Groceries: $150
Grand Total: $898.99
Savings Account: $ 270
Travel Account$ 75
Emergency Fund: $ 75
Wish list: $100
Shopping Fund: $200
Subtotal: 1610.99
Debt Payment: $600
Grand Total: 2218.99
You still have an extra amount of $481.01. What you do with the extra money is up to you but I do suggest you open an account that could pay for a new house. So if you save $481.01 per month, in a year you will have $5772.12. It may not suffice to buy a new house yet but that is money saved and that's better than having nothing. Plus you get an interest too, so your money will grow. I suggest that you put it in time deposit that way it will yield better interest rates.

8. Just keep only 1 credit card for emergencies. Choose the card that has a lower interest rate. Keep your card at home and not in your wallet.

9. Gather all loose change in a small jar. Those little pennies could pay for Christmas gifts come December. That way you don't have to over spend during the holidays. Another tip is buy Christmas gifts during sale period because you will pay less. Then you can store those items until Christmas time.

10. Cut down on going to Starbucks or eating out. If you could just bring your own lunch that would be better. You are assured that the quality of your food is good and fresh plus you do not have to spend extra.Mostly in the office you could have free coffee, if your office do not provide free coffee you can bring your own coffee , it is cheaper that way.

11. Keep your receipts and track down your weekly expenses. Remember self control is the key in staying on the budget. Change your mindset about money, do away with the one day millionaire mentality, it is not healthy for you at all.

Finally, after reading this I hope you will put all of these steps into action and let's see if you will not be debt free and financially independent in no time. Hope this tips have been helpful to you. You could print this out and read it over and over until it make sense to you. I would want to hear great testimonials from my fellow single chicks! Hit the comment button below if you have great things to share or if you need help. Your Single Chick sistah will get in contact with you very soon.

Best Regards.

Single and Free: Guide to Moving Out

2010-03-12T05:56:00.000-08:00

You just got your first job and your moving out from mum and dad's to live a life of your own, is every single chick's dream. The day has finally come when you have a place of your own and you can do whatever you want to do. Back at mum and dad's you cannot rearrange or redecorate any part of the house without first consulting them and getting their approval, probably you shared a room with your sister and today's the day you have been waiting for to finally have your own room and getting your much deserved privacy. But moving out isn't always that fun especially if you are unprepared. So here are a few pointers to make your move stress free and fun!

Before You Move Out:

1. Decide if you want to live alone in an apartment or share it with a friend.
Living alone has its advantages and disadvantages. The good thing in living alone is that you don't have to adjust to another person, you can decide when you are going to do the laundry and when you are going to clean. Next, you have privacy and if you are someone who cherish your privacy then living alone is a good choice. You can decorate the apartment as you wish and no one will go against you. The main disadvantage though of living alone is that you have to shoulder all the bills. Check your budget first if you can afford to live alone or not. The other disadvantage of living alone is that if you get sick and unable to get out of bed no one will be there to help you. I strongly suggest that you make a list and write down all the advantages and disadvantages and study how it may affect you.

2. If you decide to get a flat mate or housemate make sure that you really know the person well. You don't want to live with a stranger with queer habits or one who is mentally ill like in the movie The Single white Female... alright, alright I'm not trying to scare you but its better safe than sorry!

3. Determine your budget. Do you have enough money to rent an apartment by yourself? or do you need to share the apartment with a friend? Make an estimate about your monthly bills and if you can't afford it then don't get that extra service. The basic services you need in your apartment are light, water, heater, fan or air conditioning unit, and gas. If you have a cellphone you may not get a telephone service just yet because it would be an added bill. Remember you are just starting out so eliminate unnecessary bills.

4. Scout for flats or apartments close to your workplace. If you could just walk from the apartment to your workplace that would be great. This will save you a lot of time from commuting. Checkout the neighborhood as well, remember your safety comes first.

5. If you have found a place to rent, call on the landlord and ask how much the rent would be and the payment system. Ask if he has a contract and ask to read the terms stipulated in the contract before signing it. Read the fine print as well. Know what amenities in the building is for free and what is not. Some places would include an internet service at a lower price if you share it with the others in the building than when you apply for one on your own. Check out if they would repaint the apartment before you move in and who is in charge of paying the painting job. Find out if they charge extra for building maintenance or if it is free.

6. Check out the building security. See if they have security guards on duty or they have cctv installed, it is wise to also check their safety and security policies.

When you have done all this and sealed the deal with your new landlord you are ready to pack up your things and let me tell you how.

Tips on Packing up Your Stuff:

1. Take a look at your stuff and sort them out. Decide what you need to bring and what you would leave behind or give to friends or charity. Place all the stuff that you don't need in one box and you either ask yor relatives and friends to come and take things that they like from that box or directly give it to charitable institution.

2. Buy big plastic boxes and determine how many do you need. Plastic boxes are great because you could see what's on the inside and when you move into your new place you know where each box would go.

3. Organize your stuff. Put all clothes in one plastic box, all shoes in the other, books in the other box and so on. Then use a white tape and label each box.Example shoes/ bedroom; toiletries/ bathroom. This way its easier to determine where each box would go. Paste a piece of paper outside of the box containing a list of what's inside the box for easy inventory. Do not include your valuables in these storage boxes.

4. Put all your valuables together in one box and place it inside a bag if its not that big. You may want to check out the local banks nearby for a safety deposit box while you are just moving in as you are not so familiar yet of your new neighborhood.

5. If you do not have so much stuff to bring maybe your mum or dad can drive you to your new home. I bet they would love to come as they would like to checkout your new neighborhood too. If they could not help you with the move and you do not have a car check for moving services and how much they are going to charge you. Another idea is ask any of your friends who have cars to help you with the move and then you can all enjoy a happy house warming once you get there, this should be fun too.

One thing before I forget is do not move your stuff yet if your new place is not yet ready. What I mean is if your landlord is still repainting the walls do not drag your things there as they could get lost or stolen. Make sure that the place is clean and tidy before you move in so that its easier for you to arrange your stuff. Ask help from your good friends to help you unpack your things, you could supervise where each would go (quite cool lol) and you can tell them where to place it. I guess that's what girl friends are for hahaha... Just don't forget to order pizza or cheese and mac for the hungry bunch :). Have a happy move sistah!

The Imelda in All of Us

2010-03-12T03:46:00.000-08:00

There is an Imelda Marcos in all of us, most women can't resist the urge not to buy another pair of shoes especially if its on sale. Shoes are like candies or chocolate, to resist the urge of not buying another pair is torture. I could quite relate to that, I have too many pairs of shoes yet it seems I still need more.

Shoes are my friends,they go with me to every party, to every date and yes even through every bad breakup. I love shoes simply because they make me look good and feel good. As a single chick living in the big city shoes has become the symbol of class. Women of class wear a distinct brand like Louboutins, Blahnik, YSL, Louis Vuitton, just to name a few, that only the elite class could afford. The middle class would wait until the stores would announce the SALE period, where they could buy these famous shoes at a big discount.

It would not surprise me if one out of 4 women would buy shoes than pay their bills, I know this sounds quite neurotic but its true. It would not even surprise me if 9 out of 10 women spends so much on shoes than any other thing. My thing with shoes started when I was about 5 years old. I would wear my mom's and my aunt's high heels and play a make believe game that I was Cinderella, it is funny but I know most of us women did that when we were kids. I love the way every shoe looked, the unique designs, the different colors to match different dresses. I just fell in love with shoes.

The most famous shoeaholics are Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of The Philippines. She owned 2700 pairs of shoes! Marie Antoinette of France with 500 pairs of shoes! These women is way above everybody in terms of addiction. If I have that much shoes around I guess I would need to rent a storage space in order to keep them. See women of all ages love shoes, shoes does not make you look fat or old, unlike other things we have. High heels gives you an invisible surgery, it gives you power and transforms you in a quick and easy way that no makeup or type of clothing can give you. It makes you feel who you wanna be.

If shoe addiction is really a kind of addiction I'd prefer that compared to alcohol or drug addiction. Why? It does not give me a hangover or withdrawal symptoms, however it makes me look good and beautiful ...hahaha. I mean what woman would not like to look good and beautiful? :)

Here are a few smart tips in buying the right shoes:

Get The Right Fit!

* Your feet spreads with age so you must measure your feet every time you buy shoes.Measure each foot because each foot has a different size. Buy shoes that fits the bigger foot.
* Choose the right fit do not wear shoes that are uncomfortable, this could give you callus, blisters and in prolonged use could even lead to the disfigurement of your feet.
* Measure your foot in centimeters of inches to get the right size, each shoe maker has different sizes, don't stick on one size.
* The toe box should be roomy enough to wiggle your toes. Do not buy shoes that has tight toe boxes as they could be uncomfortable.
* Shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening as they are in their largest. Have your feet measured by the sales person while standing up because under the weight of your body your foot spreads.
* If you are quite heavy or has calluses or bunions go with lower heels. High heels shifts the weight of the body forward on the toes or front of the feet and this could cause quite a discomfort.
* If you have tendinitis opt for a moderate heel.

Select The Right Heels and The Right Style:

* Pointy toe shoes squeezes the toes together, this could cause calluses and corns. This applies pressure on ingrowns and make it painful as well as it increases the likelihood of getting hammer toes.
*Mules are slightly high heeled but it lacks heel support. You could get injured if your foot slips out of the shoe.
* Platform shoes are quite unstable and you could turn your ankle and cause muscle strain.
* Heels should ideally provide slight elevation (between 3/4" and 1") for the foot, whether there's an actual heel or just a sole that's thicker toward the back of the shoe. The counter -- the part of the shoe that curves around the back of your heel -- should be stiff enough to prevent ankle strains and sprains. The back of your foot should fit snugly into the heel of the shoe, not slide around inside it.

Choose The Right Colors:
Every woman must have the basic colors in her shoe closet that is black, white, brown, beige and red. Whether its a close shoe, open toe pumps, or flat sandals. These basic colors would match any of your clothes. Then add two great colors that could also go with most colors and that is gold and silver. Then slowly add other colors to your shoe collection to get an even better choice for your wardrobe.