Kitchen Spice

(photo from etsy.com)
Last Saturday, as we were doing some window shopping at one of the nearest outlet store in the neighborhood, dear hubby stopped by this spice rack store that also sells real spices, not the dry ones but the plant ones. Then he came up to me asking me if I want to buy a few pots and not to worry about spice rack anymore as our spices would come very fresh. Come to think of it, I would really want that because according to most recipe books, these spices natural flavor usually dries out when spices and herbs are being processed and dried. But then again, how about during winter when it can become too hard to even water a plant, more so maintain an herb plant.

Beddings Matter

We are a family of sleepers or let me rephrase that with, we are a family who loves to sleep. This is also the reason why we always end up waking up so late and coming to work/school later than what is expected of us. I know tardiness is a bad habit but we just love to snooze. Sometimes I wonder whether our Bed Skirts and Egyptian cotton bed linen are the culprit or could it be our Satin Pillowcases that make us love sleep all the more. You see, we get our high-quality beddings from The White Company. There are also days when I re-assess the dishes I prepare for our family because according to research there are certain foods that make you feel sleepy and sluggish all the time.

Now, just imagine how much more sleep we want and get at this chilly Spring. We could not let go of our bed each morning. And speaking of bed skirts and mattress covers, I chanced upon The White Company where sleepers like us would go gaga over their very uniquely-designed but yet very affordable solid bed skirts and satin pillowcases. If you are very particular about what kind of beddings and pillowcases you sleep in to, you should check out the site and start shopping.

March Round-Up

I am running out of things to write here hee, so what about some meme from Mich!
What books and/or magazines did I read this month?

• Vogue
• Marie Claire
• Some Random e-Book needed for a research project.

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month? (A lot of horror film!)

• Drag me To Hell
• The Last House on the Left
• Mirrors

What special days did I celebrate and how?

• Thanksgiving Day
• Black Friday
• A Relative's Birthday

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

• Cash gifts.
• A Purse ehem ehem lol.
• Surprise loot from Faye. yay! Thanks Faye!

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

• Migraine!!!

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?

• Lots of weekends getaways = tons of photos to organize!

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?

• My Mom's Turkey Dish was a hit, a first for us to taste her Turkey recipe.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

• A mini-Laptop for DS.

What were this month's disappointments?

• I had to postpone my self-imposed shopping ban to January 2010. Boo hoo.

What were my accomplishments this month?

• Lots of blog opportunities.
• A Research Project.

Updates!

I am definitely swamped with work. I do not know if I will be able to recover from my blogging tasks backlog.

This week has been one of the busiest weeks ever. So not much tasks made on the blogging front.

Since Monday, I(we) have been in and out of the house. I could just imagine how my life would be when DS starts big school in September and when I decide to look for a part-time job. I barely have time (and energy) to blog. I think when that time comes, I'd be shutting down my online life haha! Because obviously, I do not have spare time for blogging.

Anyways, we had a quiet Birthday Celebration yesterday and DH wanted to keep it at that. He was very happy because his day started and ended with DS singing happy birthday to him :).

I also had my much-awaited haircut! I paid $30.00 and was not happy at all! Well, at least now my hair is back to its healthy state. (And I am no longer sirena-ish like many of my friends have been calling me lately lol!) But, no one beats ZIGGY, my stylist back home.

Also, DS did great in his PreK pre-screening interview, great is an understatement, really. We were shocked with his scores! He surely wants to be in big-school soon and that makes us think whether we should still continue his gym school or not.

That's all about it for now, like I said, I am swamped so my other blogs will be filled with updates shortly :)

Ciao!

Hello Blog!

Dear Hubby and I have decided that it is about time we lose weight and what is the best way to do that? jogging! Yes, when everyone else is gearing away from the chill factor that Early Spring brings, here we are pushing our butt off every morning to jog around. I hope we can be consistent on this and that we begin to notice the fruits of our jogging hee hee. Anyways, how are you? I saw this image at imgfave.tumblr and yes while we all love blogging, it is still best to read books :) Have a good week ahead!

How to Start in Trading

You can make a lot of money by trading, but it takes a lot of research and patience. If you intend to get involved in trading, there are several things you should do: read as much about the industry as you can, save money for your investments, and hire a trade broker. Soon, you’ll be making money and your investment will grow over time. Of course, trading isn’t for everyone; but if you are willing to take risks, you can make a good living or a substantial side income from the practice.

Do Lots of Research

The first thing you should do when you want to start trading is read as much about the industry as you can. There are several websites that have valuable information about trading, and you can also subscribe to magazines and newsletters to keep you up-to-date with industry developments. It is important to know what is happening around the world and to learn how these global events might affect the economy to make good trading decisions.

Image Courtesy of Dan Foy via Flickr

Set Money Aside for Trading

• You need to have a good amount of cash to get started in trading; $5,000 is a good starting point. But obviously the more you have, the easier it will be for you to trade. As you are learning about the industry, you should be putting money aside so that it will be there when you are ready to start trading.
• It is also a good idea to open up a separate bank account for your trading business so that you are not tempted to use funds that have been allocated elsewhere, such as for rent or groceries. Some people make the mistake of investing every penny and they suffer in the short term. This can also be catastrophic if your trade investments don’t pay off.

Use a Trade Broker

• Use a trade broker, especially at first. You usually have to pay a fee and sometimes a percentage of your earnings, but a broker can be invaluable to someone who is just starting out trading. There is a lot to learn; and although it is not impossible to do it on your own, an experienced professional can at least steer you in the right direction. You have to put a lot of trust in your trade broker, so shop around to find the best fit for your goals. For instance, online commodity trading with ufxmarkets.com is one option.
• These three tips should put you on the right path to being successful at trading. There is risk involved, but the investments can pay off if you are willing to try.

Remarriage After Divorce: How to Happily Remarry

Image Courtesy of Flickr.com

When you were getting divorced you probably never thought the day would come that you’d consider being married again. You might be ready to go back out into the dating world and meet someone new. While it may be quite awhile until a proposal, you may still be frightened to take the vows again.

You wouldn’t be the first divorcee to think you’d never be married again. You may be trying to answer the question “how soon can you remarry after divorce because you’ve met your future spouse?” No matter the situation, there are several things you can do to remarry happily for you and your future fiancé, as well as your children.

Deal with the Past

• The past is gone, and your relationship is over. It’s time for everyone to move on. Finalizing a divorce is the first step. Make sure your emotional and physical ties to your previous marriage are cut. You may have to interact with your ex because you have children. Before you can happily remarry you have to be able to let your last marriage go.
• Spend considerable time reflecting on what happened in your first marriage that eventually led to its demise. What mistakes did you make that you could change? What character defects did you have that contributed to the situation? Work on changing yourself, addressing weaknesses, and developing resolutions to similar problems in your new marriage.
• Stay positive towards your new marriage. Just because your last marriage didn’t work out doesn’t mean this one won’t.

Invest in the Relationship

• When you find someone, take your time. Go slowly. Ask loads of questions and take time to really know who you are with. Time is the most telltale way to determine compatibility.
• Open yourself up to your partner. You’re both vulnerable and are afraid of getting hurt. Be forthright and honest about what your fears and concerns are, as well as, your hopes and goals for the future.
• Make sure your partner interacts with and enjoys your children. Find out how he or she handles discipline and positive behavior. Have family nights to see interactions first hand. Your kids won’t like you seeing someone at first, but they will come around.

Go Into Your Marriage Prepared

• Premarital counseling can bring to light beliefs, values, and habits that could be marriage breakers if not addressed appropriately. Counseling will also prepare you for future issues and teach you how to work through them. Work together and create a solid foundation for your new marriage.
• Address finance issues. Money problems kill marriages. Be honest about what you owe, what you make, and what you pay each month.
• Talk about future goals with your partner. Make sure to include impact on your kids and how future plans will affect them and your time with them.
• Being happily remarried is possible, even if you don’t think so right now. Knowing what to do in future relationships can help you get there.

Dieting and More.

My body is taking a toll on my new fitness routine which I have been doing for almost 2 months now. I woke up with body pains and aches all over my body because of the terrible and long workout I did yesterday. Sometimes I really want to succumb and try out these HCG Diet Programs. After checking out this facebook site about HCG, I am quite convinced that maybe this is what I need to shed off the last 15 lbs.

In fact, for the past few weeks, I have been really researching on HCG Diet Programs because a friend has been raving about it. I just do not know how my body will react to it but boy oh boy, I am willing to try anything just to reach my weight goal and eventually look good. Being a woman can be pretty hard you know, the pressure to look good all the time is there plus the fact that you need to be healthy and strong for the many roles you make in life. We will need all the strength we could get yet making sure we still look good.

Baby #2

Happy Hump Day y'all, I had a good dream last night, dreaming about our baby #2 and shopping for personalized baby blanket and soft baby carrier. I cannot believe that we are halfway through the week once again, phew! How time flies, even my 1st born is growing up so fast that he needed to have another sibling very very soon. The first thing I did this morning was read this Article- how to make your baby feel secure! Could it be that we are headed for making baby #2?

Seriously, if you were to ask me I would rather have it anytime soon but considering our present circumstances and our financial state to be specific, it is just impossible and impractical to raise one. I really do not know why God has to put us in all these tests but I am not giving up on the thought that we still can have another baby. At least when that time comes, I am ready and armed with sites such as BabyBlankets.com for our future baby's needs. Whenever that is, in God's time.

April Monthly Round-Up

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
- My Monthly Vogue Subscription and an Andrew Michael's e-book.

What movies and/or TV shows did I watch this month?
- A Lot. Mostly, Horror and Suspense.

What special days did I celebrate and how?
- Halloween!
- Graduation Day.
- Post-Grad Parties and Gimmicks.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
- Purse.
- LCD T.V. :P.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
- Migraine.

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?
- Halloween Trick or Treat.
- out of town trips
- Graduation parties and dinners

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?
- A different kind of soup from Nordstrom Cafe
- Mom's Pineapple Banana cake

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
- Graphic Garden LookBook.

What were this month's disappointments?
- Increasing weight

What were my accomplishments this month?
- MPA.