Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I was supposed to blog this the other day but since we were so busy I haven't had the chance to post it and give you some update on our trip. Anyway, will tell you the details when I get home :) Enjoy the Holiday everyone!

What Holiday Drink Are You?

You Are Hot Chocolate

Your holiday personality is generous. The holidays are your favorite time to practice the art of giving. You enjoy picking out presents, sharing treats, and making everyone's day a little brighter. And you don't even notice if you don't get anything in return.

What Holiday Drink Are You?

Freebie Time!

So everyone is busy and excited for Christmas huh? Me either :) Remember the VS sweater that I ordered online? I have it returned. Well the quality was not as I expected so I decided to sent it back. Anyway, how's your weekend? I hope it was great. Our weekend was pretty fine even it was snowing outside we were able to do our last minute shopping, attended a party and had dinner with friends at Santorino (greek restaurant). The food was good but nothings especial... I still recommend Famous Dave's, Pho Ong Trang and Cheesecake Factory :)

By the way, here are some cute freebies.. I got t from here

                 

  Have a nice day everyone!

Tofil's Baby Shower

It's been a busy weekend for us but it was fun indeed! :) The snow storm and 4-inch accumulation was not enough to stop us from partying last night! It was Tofil's Baby Shower/Housewarming, she and her husband Chef Louie prepared quite a feast complete with an apple carved swan. Everyone had fun with food, games and Cranium. Ila was generous enough to sponsored the prices that was given away :) too bad hubby and I did not win but it's alright, the winners were deserving naman :)

              

           

Gerson did his best kahit na masuka-suka na in poopy diaper game! 
                                Photos by Ryan and Ila :) thanks guys!

Bonding Moment with Lola

Credits: Fei-fei stuff freebies

Which one?

I'm torn between these two lenses, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens and Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. I've asked Rache's help on this, thanks Mare! She's very helpful and patiently answering my questions (emails and txt). I even txtd her at 6:30am, ang kulit ko noh? I'm really undecided which one should I buy... I want to get my new lens by next week at least before we leaved for Texas. Rache advised me to get the 17-55 lens since this lens is good for portrait and landscape. And then she told me to get the 24-70 when I upgraded my cam... gosh! I don't want to buy a new lens anymore. Once I bought it this is it, no new lens for the next five years. I'm not earning from photography so I think it's not necessary for me to buy a new lens every now and then, besides I'm jobless and I don't think it is economically correct to spend my savings for unnecessary things... I'm really confused! Oh well, let's see by next week if I have the 17-55 or the 24-70mmL?

Christmas Presents

My Christmas presents to myself arrived! :) I've been waiting for it since last week and I was very excited to open the box when it was delivered yesterday morning :) yey! I was smiling from ear to earn and I was like a kid who received a Christmas presents from Santa Claus! yey!!! I'm very excited to use it... It's just on time and perfect for our Texas trip next week. Well, it's from my "earings" and I just had to convince my husband that I needed these accessories before I ordered it online. What's in the box? Canon Speedlite 430EX II, diffuser, energizer rechargeable batteries, fast charger and canon remote control! yipeee!!! :)

              This remote control is perfect for group picture :) I haven't tried it yet because because I left my camera manual back home. I will ask help from my online friends :) 

I think my gears will not fit in my Crumpler 6 Million Dollar camera bag anymore. I'm still convincing my husband to buy a new camera bag but of course he said "no", I know I know I had enough... ok let’s see if I could sell my old camera bag then get a new one *wishful thinking* I'm still waiting for the other item that I ordered, hopefully it arrived before we leave for our trip next week ;)

Have a nice day everyone!

Everyday Minerals

Finally I received my freebies from Everyday Minerals. It took them 1 week to ship the items maybe because of the demand. I also ordered one baby kabuki, it's so cute and the brush is soft. The samples are as big as .50 cents so I'll just use it on Christmas and New Year's day para umabot :) you want to get your free samples too? go ahead and check their website :)

Top 10 Holiday Diet Tips of All Time

1. TRIM BACK THE TRIMMINGS
To shave calories, go easy when adding nuts, cheese, cream sauces, gravy, butter and whipped cream—additions that don't add much to the meal, but can add plenty to your waistline. Trim calories wherever you can so you leave the party feeling satisfied, but not stuffed

2. WEAR SNUG CLOTHES AND KEEP ONE HAND BUSY
When you wear snug-fitting attire, chances are you'll be too busy holding in your stomach to overeat. While you stand around looking, hold a drink in your dominant hand so it won't be so easy to grab food. ;)

3. CHEW GUM
When you don't want to eat, pop a piece of sugarless gum into your mouth. This works well when you're cooking or when you're trying not to dive into the buffet. Try it it works! :)

4. BE A FOOD SNOB
If you don't love it, don't eat it. Scan the buffet for foods you truly treasure and skip the everyday dishes that are available all year long. And don't think it's your responsibility to sample everything on the buffet. Go ahead and indulge in your personal holiday favorites, then find a seat and, slowly and mindfully, savor every mouthful.

5. NO SKIPPING MEALS
Always eat normally on the day of a party. People who skip meals to save up calories tend to overeat everything in sight once they get there. Eating sensibly throughout the day will take the edge off the appetite and empower a bit of restraint. Start with a nourishing breakfast, have a light lunch, then a small snack or salad shortly before the event.

6. CHECK IT OUT
First things first. When you arrive at the party, grab a sparkling water with a twist and wait at least 30 minutes before eating. This will give you time to relax, get comfortable in your surroundings and survey your food choices on the buffet before diving in. A buffet is an invitation to eat all you can, and unless you carefully scrutinize it and make wise choices, you're likely to overeat.

7. ADD FUN AND GAMES
proposes taking the focus off food and getting family and friends more active during holiday parties. Think of ice skating or building snowmen. Indoors, try to play cranium, charades, or rent an instructional dance video followed by a dance-off. The best parties include dancing, so why not make dancing after eating a new holiday tradition for a great form of fun and recreation?

8. ALTERNATE ALCOHOL WITH NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Alcoholic drinks are loaded with calories—especially holiday favorites like eggnog. Cut your alcohol calories in half by alternating water between alcoholic beverages

9. SKIP THE APPETIZERS
Eschew the appetizers rather than chewing on them. If you want an appetizer before the meal, go for the veggies, fruit, salsa or a small handful of nuts.

10. LIMIT THE VARIETY
Putting only two items on your plate when you go to the food table. Return as many times as you like, but only take two items each time. Variety stimulates appetite, and if you limit your choices to just a few items and stick with these, it will be easier to control than eating a little bit of 20 different dishes.

Holiday parties are much more than food and drinks. They are a time enjoy the company of family and friends. If you keep the focus on the spirit of the season and follow the diet tips above, you'll most likely get through the holidays without gaining a pound.

And the most important thing is just get right back to normal eating and exercising, and try to do a better job at the next party.

Weekend Snapshot

How's your weekend? Hope you had a blast!

Our weekend was productive and fun. It snowed and it was so cold! My husband and I went to Pinoy's in MN Christmas Party yesterday. We're supposed to wear something red but since I haven't received my orders from Victoria's Secret yet and I don't want to buy new clothes again I just wore my orange turtle neck sweater instead :)
Some our friends were not be able to attend the party because they were sick, maybe because of the weather. Anyway, as usual we were late, they were already eating when we got at Ila's place. All food were great but we loved the Pork Caldereta the most, yummy!

I was not in the mood to take photos so I just seated on the couch while waiting for the dessert my husband picked up for me.

The gift grabbing was fun too! All of us were eyeing for the Crock Pot! too bad we did not get it :'( we got a barbeque seasoning and brushes.Performers were dressed in a Santa Claus outfit and this guy wore a wig. He was hilarious! *LOL*

Saturday

It was a very productive day! :) My husband and I cleaned the house, went to Oriental store and Costco bought some food for the week then we went straight to his officemate's birthday party! It's been 5 months since the last time I saw him and his family. I noticed that his wife is prettier and sexier than the first time I met her. She actually reduced weight, she said she's taking Lipovox for a month now. It's a supplement to help to reduce weight. Cool! I just hope I don't have to take this pill just to maintain my ideal weight ;) Anyway, we didn't stay longer in the party we had to drop by at Wallmart and bought our gift for my FIL. 

By the way, here are the gifts and they are ready for tomorrow's Christmas Party!=)  My husband and I wrapped them all :) I hope our friends will love it :)

Some update

I haven't been going out the past few days since it's very cold outside. The snow are scattered all over. Even though I like to go to the grocery store nearby to buy some stuff I need I can't because of the cold breeze, so I always ask my Husband to buy it for me. 

Anyway, we're done with the Christmas shopping last weekend and we just have to wrap the gifts for our friends so it will be ready for our Christmas Party this coming Sunday. Hopefully by tomorrow we're done with it. I will share the photos later :) 

By the way, I'd like to share some photos to freshen up the cold weather. It was taken last summer at Como Park. Oh.... I really miss the warm weather! 

                      Thanks for looking! Have a nice weekend!

Photobook

Remember the free photobook that I got from Snapfish? Finally it's here!

 I only paid $7 for the shipping and the photobook is free! How did I get it for free? I posted it here =)