My Year-Ender Giveaway

In a few days, we will all be celebrating the coming of a new year. My 2013 has been a tiring yet blessed one, yes. I've gained a lot of experience mostly from my internship and family. I've learned the art of time management (or so I hope)-- juggling those moments around being a mom, a wife, a student, a daughter, a sister and a junior intern. I've committed mistakes I never thought I would. I've made, strengthen and unmade friendships. I broke down but learned to stand up for what I believe. But definitely, the most important of all things is, I've loved. I realized that by loving the things you do, you learn to love all the people involved. It's a great opportunity to be surrounded by people where you can grow.

And because my 2013 had been a good if not a better one for me in almost all aspects of my career, I probably cannot let this year pass without having a little giveaway for the people who shared it with me. I am truly blessed to be sponsored by these wonderful companies in such a short notice. We will be giving away great goodies for mommies and their babies as well. There will two (2) winners of loot bags from Zen Zest Asia, Mustela Philippines, The Curly Shoppe plus each will also win one (1) unlimited play wristbands at Fun Ranch Playdium redeemable at Ortigas or Alabang branches, one (1) pair of reversible Wish Baby crib shoes and one (1) gift pack from Drypers Philippines.

Here's to introduce my sponsors:

Zen Zest Asia

I've first tried Zen Zest products back in college. My dorm mate/friend back then, introduced me to Tangerine and I fell in love with the smell. Sadly, I have not been using Zen Zest products for some time now. But it's good to see how the company has evolved into just focusing resources to eau de parfums and cologne to now selling home products. I visited their stall at SM Marikina last week and so happy to see great new products I can buy for our house. Let me share with you some new addition to their products.

 Fragrance diffuser (100 mL valued at Php 600)

Room fragrance (50 mL)

Room deodorizer (250 mL valued at Php 250)

Fun Ranch

Fun Ranch is the only complete children's complex and party place in the country today. It has various activities that cater to the whole family. One thing nice to know about this amusement place is that they do not have an entrance fee. But you have to pay for the rides, of course. 

Fun Ranch is definitely a one-stop-amusement place for kids and kids at heart. Completely equipped with activity centers, food shops, stores and rides and activities they will surely enjoy.

They currently have two (2) branches-- one in Frontera Verde, Ortigas and the other at Westgate Alabang, just behind S&R shopping store. Their unlimited play at both Alabang and Ortigas branches is priced at Php 300 on weekdays and Php 350-390 on weekends.

They also offer party packages for anything you want to celebrate. I can just imagine how they celebrate weddings here-- must be fun. They have prepared buffet packages and personalized ones.

Visit http://kidsrulehere.com/ for more info on Fun Ranch.

Wish Baby Crib Shoes

How many mothers could have saved up extra money if they have known these cute, reversible shoes from Wish Baby Crib Shoes? Wish Baby Crib Shoes started online selling through facebook just last July of this year. They retail reversible baby shoes that you can wear in 3 ways.

 Photo grabbed from Wish Baby Crib Shoes Facebook page

These shoes are soft, breathable and really fashionable. Here are my personal picks:

 

Mustela Philippines

Many of my readers may have known Mustela since ages now. Mustela Philippines is a complete range of skin care products that caters to mothers and their babies that have normal to dry and sensitive skin. One thing I loved about Mustela is that they do not only provide us with products from nature but they also cater to skin care needs of babies and toddlers with skin conditions such as eczema-prone skin, atopic dermatitis even newborns with cradle cap.  

Mustela Philippines have always been generous to my blog for this year 2013 and I probably can't thank Ms. Shane of Mustela for being supportive of my endeavors. 

The Curly Shoppe

You might have been wondering why the name of this online shop? The Curly Shoppe is an online shop for your newborn, toddler, infants and mommy needs which was launched last July of 2013. The shop's name was inspired by the owner's curly daughter, Lulu.

The online store offers a great variety of products-- from must-haves to really cute fashion finds. They sell both local and branded products. For newbie and expecting moms, you might just want to browse on their albums and find something you will perfectly love for your kiddos. 


Drypers Philippines

Most mommies should be picky when it comes to diapers for their babies' sensitive skin. I am definitely one of them. Although I will not be doing a review on Drypers diapers here because I honestly haven't tried the product yet so that would be unfair. But just to give you readers a brief idea.

Dypers baby diapers now come in three (3) different versions: 
1) Drypers Soft baby diapers are specially made for newborn babies.
2) Drypers Wee Wee Dry baby diapers have a 100% breathable cloth-like cover keeping the baby's skin cool and fresh; and 
3) Drypers DRYPantz baby diapers has a Flexi-Fit Design that ensures a snug wear which stretches to follow baby’s every move for enhanced mobility and great comfort. 

If you want to know more about their products, please take time to check their website at http://www.drypers.com.ph/ especially dedicated for moms, soon-to-be mommies and parents planning to have a baby! There are valuable things that you can find in there. What also nice is that you can get in touch with other members of the community to get some piece of advice about how you can prepare build good relationships with your baby and hubby at the same time and when your having problems with parenting. Plus, they also give Diaper samples for FREE! 

King Sue Ham

 

Hams are New Year's Eve stars. We cannot seem to celebrate the coming of the year without any type of ham served on our table. We do it either fried or steamed, glazed or non-glazed. But whatever the preparation might be, they are sure great hit at midnight.

King Sue Ham started serving Filipinos since 1930. With a variety of products (hams, chorizos, sausages, cold cuts, etc.) nowadays, we have certainly heard a great deal of reviews from it. And just in time for Chinese New Year a few weeks from now, you might want to be trying their special Chinese Ham for a change, with it's own distinct Orient flavor--definitely fit for a king!

For more product info on King Sue Ham, visit www.kingsue.com.

Onto the giveaway..
In order to enter the giveaway, please use the Rafflecopter form below. Kindly follow ALL the mandatory steps so you won’t get disqualified. I will be personally checking whether or not you followed the mandatory steps. The names of the winners will be displayed after the giveaway ends and will be notified via twitter. The winners will have 48 hours to respond or else another winner will be drawn.  

Here are the prizes at stake:

1) One (1) traveler's gift pack from Mustela Philippines

2) A pair of reversible Wish Baby crib shoes
 

3) Unlimited play wristbands from Fun Ranch

Photo grabbed from metrodeal.com

4) Zen Zest gift pack

5)  Gift pack for babies from The Curly Shoppe (includes a mosquito net, a bib and washcloth)

6) Drypers Wee Wee Dry Gift Pack

7) Gift Pack from King Sue Ham

Hep! That's not all. Two (2) lucky Metro Manila winners will also be receiving one (1) Mustela traveler's gift pack as a consolation prize and a gift pack from King Sue Ham. How great is that? 

Year-End Giveaway 1:  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Year- End Giveaway 2:
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Deadline of entries is on February 1, 2014 at exactly 12 NN. This contest is open to Philippine residents only. I will be personally shipping the prizes to the lucky winners. Good luck!

Note: The winners of Fun Ranch unlimited play tags should be able to claim their prize at Fun Ranch's office in Ortigas.

Etude House's Wonder Pore Freshner: A Review

For too long a time, I've been looking for a skin care product that would be sensitive for my skin needs. You see, I've always had this pimply face since I was in high school. And it only got worse when I consulted a Dermatologist a few years back and was prescribed with Tretinoin soap. My pimply face got oily. Well, it is actually Tretinoin's side effect. It's basic mechanism of action is to remove excess sebum from your pores to prevent it from clogging. Thus, the oiliness. The sad part was, even after I stopped the regimen,' cause I was a bit worried from not being to control it, my face remained oily after almost a year of not using the soap.

I've already tried about 3 toners from famous brands. The previous one was the longest and had been my trusty regimen for quite some time. But, several weeks ago, I was happy to experience Etude House's Wonder Pore Freshner. A 100 mL bottle of toner came free when I bought a BB cream. With just 2 weeks of use, I'm claiming that it really did improve the oiliness of my face. My acne would erupt less than it usually does.

The Wonder Pore line of products include the foam wash, the white clay clear, freshner mist, soda powder, corrector and the freshner/ toner. The toner comes in 250 mL and 500 mL, priced at P 478.00 and P 748.00, respectively. I've emptied the 100 mL for more than a month so I'm guessing the biggest one will last for about 5 to 6 months. Pretty cost-effective. 

The Wonder Pore Freshner promises to be a total solution for pore care. It features 7 pore effects:

1. Maintains pH 4.5 + 1

2. Refines skin tones

3. Keep the elasticity of pores

4. Deeply cleanses pores

5. Minimizes appearance of pores

6. Control a large amount of sebum

7. Moisturize inside and outside of skin

I use the product twice a day-- once in the morning before I put on my make-up and at night before sleeping. It does feel refreshing after I put on my face, like a menthol feel that lasts for about few seconds. My skin feels clean afterward, yes. I even had less bouts of acne breakouts. As with the pore size, I haven't notice any remarkable change on them yet. One friend, however, commented once on my FB profile picture that my face was poreless. Haha. But here's just to hoping the pores would improve.

For more info on the Wonder Pore line of products, visit http://www.etudehouse.ph/. 

It's More Fun in the Community

Welcome back to me!

I've been on hiatus for the past few months and it's a bit sad to be not blogging at all. Plus, I've been counting days and dreading for the upcoming Comprehensive Exams and OSCE, both of which are moments of truth for us wanna-be doctors. I have spent my past 4 months in 2 interesting rotations-- Family Medicine and Internal Medicine. The former is a little 'benign' compared to the others and the latter, although more 'toxic', especially at the Emergency room, is one I liked most amongst all rotations.

So let me start my comeback by sharing with you some feats from my Family Medicine rotation. It's a 2-part rotation wherein our group is divided into 2. The first group goes on a 1-month rotation in the out-patient department of our hospital and the second enters the Intramuros community.

Our group started in the community. So how did we spend out time there? 

On Mondays, we see patients (both infants and adults) and immunize babies at the Intramuros Health Center. 

During Tuesdays, we do home visits to follow-up patients who do not come back to the Health Center for consult. We basically focused on the pregnant mothers who failed to return for their monthly pre-natal check-up. Lucky them, doctors are the ones who visit them for consult and that's for free! We also had our family case, in which we visit a family of our choice, do interviews and physical examination, and make a plan for their physical, social and medical wellness.

On Wednesday, we tackle and report on assigned topics related to Family Medicine's everyday work-- topics like Social Empowerment, Health Education, etc.

During Thursdays, we invite the whole community and our patients from outside the community as well to hear our lectures on interesting topics. Being a mother myself, I specifically chose "Breastfeeding" as my topic because it's one really close to my heart. Luckily, it was scheduled on the same week as the Breastfeeding Week so we were able to get a few sponsors for our event.

On Fridays, we visit the Joy Kiddie school and examine grade schoolers. We would play with them on their giant trampoline and we'll eat unripe mangoes after (super yummy street food!).

So that's we spent our good old 30 days in the community. Bow.

If there's a thing I learned that I would value much during that rotation, it would be respect for my patients. Regardless of their age and status in life, I learned how communication will be easier and more meaningful if I learn to be step down and be patient in dealing with them. Since it's a relatively benign rotation, I was able to have time for myself and my family because it truly makes a lot difference when there's less stress in your life-- you'll have a good outlook in your profession and you'll always look forward to another day with your patients.

It really is more fun in the community. :)

Hayan Korea Wrinkle Repair Mask: A Review

Some of you may already be familiar with Hayan Korea from other fashion and cosmetic blogs. Hayan Global Korea is a new line of Korean cosmetics introduced to our country just recently. Their wide array of products use exquisite and natural ingredients that promises to help revive your skin, Iike plant extracts vitamins. I personally knew about it through other blogs as well so I also wanted to find out for myself what the fuss was all about.

A week ago, I received a few samples from their company and decided to try it on my own. I wanted to take a much closer look at each product so I decided to blog on each product one at a time.

I first received this Wrinkle Repair Mask Sheet for women. It’s created to take of wrinkles and add a little elasticity to your skin. I may not have wrinkles now so I decided its better if my mom-in-law used it instead. My mother-in-law still works as a Math teacher in a public high school in Pangasinan (Whew! Tough one!). Well, obviously, the stress at work brought the setting in of wrinkles at an earlier age, or so I thought. Anyway, I had her use the product and here’s her little review, by the way.

Before I put on the mask on her, I made sure she had washed her face with warm water thoroughly. The mask just fits her oblong-shaped face but it you are rather a little small-face, the mask will still fit since it has cuts on the side to fit. The serum smelled a little like menthol which made her feel comfortable. Also, it does not fall off even when she walks around the house so one can just practically do something while waiting for the serum to set in. She can even wear her eyeglasses on top of it. Haha!

After 20 minutes of application, we had to remove the mask. There was left-over serum all over her face but you just had to let it all dry—there’s no need to wash it off. There’s probably not much of a change if you take a look at it closely or probably my camera’s not a pro but she told me her face felt a little relaxed after the application. There was no sticky feeling after the extra serum dried on her face rather it felt supple, according to her.

If you wanna try this good new product, you can purchase it at your nearest cosmetic store for only P15.00. Isn’t it awesome how cheap skin care could be? Plus, an extra tip: You can place the mask inside your fridge for several minutes to have a cool feeling upon application.

How I Celebrated My 26th

Oh yes I'm a year older!

So let me share how I spent my birthday week through these photos. Just read through the captions. Enjoy!

Kel, together with my son Nathan, visited me at my apartment 2 days before my birthday and we had a pre-birthday lunch. Where else but in Brooklyn's Pizza. My closest friends and my classmates would have to swear on me if I ask them to dine in there. I'm a certified Brooklyn Pizza addict!

On the day of my birthday, I had my loppy's LCD repaired at Gilmore and later had lunch with my brother in-law at Banapple Pies and Cheesecakes, Il Terrazo. I missed Banapple. It was like ages since I last ate there. Here's what we had for lunch.

  

My parents also cooked dinner for my birthday but I, unfortunately, was unable to take photos that night 'cos I was damn tired of the long hours of travel due to heavy trafiic.

Of course, any birthdays will not be complete without presents. Here are some of the beautiful things I got during the whole week.

1. Cute iPhone5 and iPad2 cases from Case Me and Ms. B of Beedazzled Accessories

2. BB creams I won on a recent promo by Pond Ph.

 
3.  Majolica Majorca cosmetics from my mother-in-laws (Mama Rose and Mama Ging). They're my first ever pieces and I'm loving all of them!

4. A new pair of school shoes courtesy of my mom. I was able to buy them at 30% off.

5.  Guess' new line of parfum plus a free body lotion from Versace-- all from my lovey dovey!

6.  Sophie Paris' Magic Cheek Tint from my brother's girlfriend

One of the best celebrations ever! Truly, when it rains, it pours. Thanks to everyone who greeted and to the lovely people who made my day really special. 

P.S. My birthday celebration hasn't ended yet 'cos I have yet to celebrate it with my August buddy, Juria! =)

So let me share how I spent my birthday/birthday weekend through these photos using #SmartiPhone5, just read through the captions! enjoy! :) - See more at: http://www.vernverniece.com/page/2/#sthash.VH4nDSaY.dpuf

So let me share how I spent my birthday/birthday weekend through these photos using #SmartiPhone5, just read through the captions! enjoy! :) - See more at: http://www.vernverniece.com/page/2/#sthash.VH4nDSaY.dpuf