How to Plan a 150K Wedding

Nope it's not mine, I just helped my friend Marion of Bella Blue plan her wedding last December. And that's right, she just spent a mere 150,000 Pesos for a beautiful Modern- Vintage DIY Intimate wedding. Here's a short interview on how she did it. Complete with her wedding suppliers and some beautiful photos on how her wedding went.

Marion: My cousin Suzette, who is a designer and I had talked years ago. We were talking about weddings. I thought we had the same ideals back then, that spending big money for a "one day" celebration was not practical at all. She also reminded me that if ever I have to splurge, it's not with the dresses nor the venue, instead spend money in PHOTOGRAPHY (something for us newlyweds) and the FOOD (to satisfy our guests). Since then, that thought never left my mind. 

Mark and I had been on for 9 years. Our engagement happened last April, 2011. Plans about the wedding were arranged. I knew at that time that I wanted it to be intimate (with just us with our closest friends and our immediate family members). Lucky groom! Hours of talking and convincing were made to our families, especially to my parents, not letting them think "na tinitipid ang anak nila", but rather that it was my idea.

Though there were a lot of changes from our original plans, like the place and date,  we are certain on one thing - that we will pay for this wedding from our own pockets (from budget to preparation ) , and so we decided to have a very simple and intimate church wedding. 

DIY newspaper nails :)

Just browsed around my pinterest account today and saw something so interesting that my friend Khel and I tried it for ourselves. Here was the original pin that inspired us:

original photo taken from passionnailart.com

Webcam photos for outfit posts?

I woke up yesterday thinking how I could take more photos for outfit posts sans a DSLR camera tripod (since I am still saving up for it, hehe...) Napagtrippan ko ang webcam :P

that's what I wear at home, a big comfy tee and shorts :)

My typical 5 minute face

Here's a look on how I do my make up every morning before going to work.

How to Start your online retail business

I've been contemplating for months now, if I'm going to share what I have learned from my years of becoming an  online seller. You might be like me; a member of the middle class; probably a professional, working in a 9 to 5 job, thinking of what my real calling is (for me its fashion) or just not contented of having the minimum wage that we have. As what I learned from the money management seminar that I attended, We have to build up our savings (by setting aside more in our bank accounts or having a sideline or business) to enable us to buys stocks/ shares and later help us get out of the "rat race" :) or the corporate world.  

 DIY take on my site- very amateur but I survived.

site love: free people, ruche, BHLDN and mod cloth

I love checking out these sites once in a while for inspiration; for what I would wear and what I could sell.

1. Free People

Their site is so clean, fresh and laid back. I definitely love the simple white background and pencil effect logo. Plus, I super love the looks! Nudes, pinks and chiffon are a must-have for the vintage girly girl like me, hehe..

Simple Budgeting tips for the single girl: How to save and earn more money :)

I am a single girl, middle class and minimum wage earner. If you are like me and you want to save and earn more, try these tips and make them work for you :)

1. Make a budget.

Income- Expenses= Savings. On the first month list down ALL your expenses, transportation fare, food, dates, hehe...Try installing the Expense Manager app on your Android phone or making a pocket paper organizer (Pocketmod)  that you can place on your wallet so you can list down your expenses whenever you pull your money out of your wallet or even install this free expense tracking sheet on your computer and be organized. After that month, you can now see where you are spending most of your money and then make a plan on how much you are really allowed to spend a month. All that is left will be placed on your savings account, hopefully at least 25-50% if you can every salary cut- off.

2. Avoid debt, or slowly pay off your debt.

This is self- explanatory, start paying off your debt to add more to your savings. Make sure you are not spending more that what you are earning.

3. Open a separate savings account.

Even though how small, placing your money in a savings account can make it earn interest which a payroll account doesn't have. It also a good thing that you can withdraw a constant amount of money and deposit it to your savings account. Just make sure that you keep in mind that the money in your savings are for emergency purposes and long term goals only. If you are saving for new gadgets or a future wedding :) this free savings goal tracker can be very useful.

4. Cut off with your old habits.

If you're smoking and spending 34 pesos for a pack of cigarettes a day and cut it down to spending only 3 packs a week, you can save 136 pesos a week x 4(a month) that's 544 a month you are saving! not only that, you are also saving your lungs :)

Another example would be spending 80 pesos for a pedicure every week, that would be 320 pesos a month. If you cut back and have a pedicure every two weeks, you'll be saving have of your 320 peso budget. Better yet, buy a nail cleaning set and your favorite polish colors and place all your pedicure budget money to your savings! :)

5. Have an alternate source of income.

We might not have those hundreds of thousands of pesos yet to invest in stocks or properties but we can start with what we have right now. Take a look around your house or your room. If you have stacks of old magazines, collectibles or slightly used clothes; open an Ebay account and auction them all off! Not only you are making money out of it, you are also making room for new stuff!

If you know how to make crafts or make cute websites, make money out of it. You can also try opening an ODesk account start working from home and add dollars to your savings.

6. Learn something new.

We might be professionals but you must accept that what we are earning now is not enough. If you have other interests like dressmaking, hair and make up, web design or doing crafts, learn more of them and who knows, you might earn more from it than what you are earning now from your day job.

7. When shopping, Identify if it's a "want" or a "need"

To avoid impulse buying, leave the mall and go back to the item after a week; if you still want it, buy it. If in doubt, don't get it. Identifying if the item is a necessity or just a "want" would make you think of the more important stuff that you have to spend on.

8. If you have to shop, make sure you have a great deal.

Get great deals for as much as 35-70% by subscribing to verified groupon sites here in the Philippines. Recommended sites would be, Metrodeal, Ensogo, Beeconomic, Buyanihan, DealGrocer and CashCash Pinoy. For deals on restaurants, spas, pastries, workshops and summer getaways;  Shop online, at flea markets and in vintage stores for unique and cheap finds. Yes you can spoil yourself once in a while,. just make sure you're not ruining your budget.

9. Educate yourself.

Read more about financial planning, attend seminars and workshops to be updated with new investment opportunities. 

 

10. Research for what you can have for free.

May it be software, lessons, audio books and ebooks; you can get it online for free! Pay a minimum amount for shipping if you want free make up samples from Ellana mineral make-up. 

Stay tuned girls and I'll be blogging more money tips soon! :)

My top 10 tips of having clearer skin

I just want to share how I got my skin cleared of acne and other blemishes; you might have heard most of the tips before but I'll also share some new treatments and procedures that would help your skin look and feel its best. Obviously these tips may or may not work for some, but these tips are what worked for me :) So read on and if you have more tips you can share it to me too :)

1. Have a simple skin care regimen.

Cleanse, tone, moisturize- yep! I know you've heard that before! but I bet, most of you don't have a skin care regimen like this. Try to buy products that are designed specifically for sensitive skin and NOT the ones that are for pimple/acne prone skin. Salicylic Acid in most products can sometimes be more irritating than help clear the skin. I personally recommend Celeteque' s 3-step kit because it is made for sensitive skin. 

It's facial wash is fragrance- free and has chamomile extract which has anti- inflammatory properties that soothes sensitive and irritated skin

The Toner is alcohol- free and has witch hazel extract. It is a strong anti-oxidant and astringent, which makes it very useful in fighting acne.

Their Moisturizer is surprisingly oil-free and colorless :) It's a joy applying the gel- form moisturizer that contains another organic ingredient; Aloe Vera. It is mainly for soothing the skin and keeping the skin moist in harsh or dry weather. aloe Vera also has the ability to stimulate healthy cell growth and repair damaged tissues

2. Don't dry your face with your Bath towel. Use Tissue/ Facial Tissue instead.

Bacteria can sometimes harbor on towels that are not properly dried and then reused. Of course as economical as we are in the Philippines, we reuse our towels every bath, let it dry under the sun and change it every week. As my very wise dermatologist said, "Dry your face with Tissue" . Use a separate set of tissue paper that you could use to dry your face to prevent bacteria from getting to your face.

3. Change your bedsheets, pillow cases and curtains. Clean YOUR room! :)

4. Disinfect your cellphone

5. Get your Hair out of your face

6. Eat Healthier, Drink Water and Fruit Juices and some coffee

There are a lot of aesthetic procedures out there to take care of our skin externally. But it is true that you are what you eat so fill yourself up with these foods for the skin.

Carrots
Carrots are a good food for skin because they are a high source of beta-carotene. The body coverts beta-carotene to vitamin A for use within the body. Carrots are also a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that mops up free radicals, such as those produced by overexposure to the sun, that lead to the premature aging of skin. It also aids in skin collagen formation. Collagen helps skin look young and plump.
Vitamin A aids in the development of skin cells and the maintenance of proper skin cell health. A vitamin A deficiency can lead to dry skin.
Eating carrots can be a natural sunscreen, providing a SPF factor of 2 to 4 in people with light colored skin.
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene and vitamin C as well. In addition, these potatoes contain vitamin E. Vitamin E helps the body regenerate vitamin C and therefore is necessary in order to maximize the effectiveness of vitamin C. Foods that contain high quantities of vitamin C and vitamin E are very effective antioxidants for skin protection.

Salmon Salmon and other oily fish (sardines, mackerel, fresh tuna ) play an important role in skin health. Salmon contains a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids which the body cannot manufacture on its own. These fatty acids improve the skin by decreasing the occurrence of clogged pores, reducing the body’s production of inflammatory agents that can lead to skin damage, reducing skin dryness and skin dryness related problems such as eczema, and improving the skin’s elasticity. These fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes. They prevent harmful substances from entering the cells, but allow essential nutrients in. Because these substances strengthen the cell membrane, they help to keep water in and keep the cells hydrated. This helps the skin maintain its proper moisture level resulting in skin that is plump and younger looking.
Salmon is also high in selenium, which improves various skin problems and overall skin health.

Dairy Products
Dairy products are a good food for skin because they provide vitamin A. As previously stated, vitamin A is important for proper skin health. Unlike foods containing beta-carotene, which is the precursor to vitamin A, dairy products provide vitamin A directly. Therefore, individuals with certain health problems that interfere with beta-carotene to vitamin A conversion will still get vitamin A into their bodies if they consumed sufficient amounts of dairy products.


Whole Grains
Whole grains, as can be found in certain breads and cereals, are a good food for skin because they are loaded with the B group vitamins. B group vitamins are essential for normal skin functioning. They are required for the growth of new cells, replacing those that have died, and help strengthen the skin against infections and stress. Specifically, whole grains help prevent the peeling and cracking of skin, rough skin on the hands and feet, and conditions such as mouth ulcers.

Green Tea
Green tea is a valuable food for skin. It provides a wide range of benefits. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is thought to play a role in preventing certain types of skin cancers by reducing the risk of damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Green tea is loaded with a variety of antioxidants and is a good food for skin and overall good body health. It is high in vitamins C, D, and K, as well as riboflavin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and iron.

7. Drink VITAMINS for the skin

I personally take USANA's Proflavonol, a supplement that supplies powerful bioflavonoids from grape-seed extract, which is clinically proven to sustain sound cardiovascular health. It also maintains a balanced immune function and healthy, younger- looking skin. I only take 1 tablet a day :)
 

8. Change your make- up and clean your make-up sponges/brushes

Its better to use make-up and beauty products that has less chemicals and has more ingredients that are more organic and safe for the skin. I personally use Skinfood Aloe Sun BB cream, A multi-function BB cream that protects skin from UV rays and moisturizes skin with aloe extract, while achieving a clear, radiant skin tone., I have less on my skin and have the benefits of having SPF and a fresh face throughout the day :) Make sure you also know the expiration date of your beauty products.

9. Get More SLEEP

Accept it, You look better when you get more shut- eye. Progressive loss of cellular water may be one reason sleepless nights affect our skin more visibly as we age, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad. Water retention is key to keeping skin moisturized and supple, which can translate to fewer lines and a smoother complexion.But if there's really a need for you to stay up at night, make sure you are hydrated.

Review: Google Calendar

In my efforts in finding a more financially rewarding sideline besides having a 12 hour hospital shift I'm also thinking of ways how I can effectively manage my time. There are a variety of planners that can be both entertaining and useful out there, but what is really doing the job for me is having a calendar online through Google calendar. What I like most about this system is that you get reminders sent through email or even have text messages sent right to your mobile phone hours before the event. This helps me keep track on important events and manages my tasks to reach a certain deadline. 

It has a very user-friendly interface, aesthetically pleasing and in the end makes your job easier. Try this application or better yet, tell me what free application or program helps you through your job? :)

I GOT MY GCASH CARD ALREADY! :)

I chose a simple black damask design for my card :)

A few months back, there were ongoing posts and rumors that Globe is going to have a GCash card, it promises users to cash out money from a machine just like a regular ATM card; a lot of sellers got interested of course but we have yet to wait for an official announcement from Globe.

upload your own valid ID picture

Then last October, I got a text message saying that it was indeed true, so before giving out my MPIN, I searched their site, read the terms and conditions, and filled out the online application form. What I liked about the procedure is, aside form their design templates you can customize your card with your own design or picture, of course still keeping in mind their Image guidelines and policies. Upon sending the form, you will receive a request from Globe, collecting 100 pesos of  GCash from your wallet as payment for your GCash card Application. After that a transaction number will appear, this should be presented with a photocopy of your valid ID upon the delivery of your card.

I then sent my application last October 12, 2010 and it arrived yesterday. Exactly 2 weeks after! :) This is really a great idea from Globe, hassle- free cash outs for busy people like me. 

How about you? What's your Gcash card design? :)