Beauty for all Seasons: Unilever PC Summit, Part 2

Posted on May 20, 2013 by jenni

Products to keep you fresh tag-init o tag-araw!

Dove products define women so well… definitely can relate to us! They pamper you from head to toe:

Dove Shampoo and Conditioner Intense Repair for my hair especially after sunbathing, island hopping or snorkeling. Dove Go Fresh Body Wash in the perfect combination of Grapefruit and Lemongrass Scent that makes me feel like a queen after a shower. Keri na sans lotion because of the Nutrium Moisture!

And of course, the hair authority, Cream Silk! Impressed by the Hair Reborn Technology that Unilever has formulated to make the products beyond state of the art… the wide range of products from conditioners, daily treatment conditioners and weekly vitamin treatments restore the most damaged of hair to their better-than-virgin (my, my, my!) condition. Feel na feel ang improvement right after the pampering!

Such a feel-soooo-good product… Pond’s! Remember the Age Miracle and Gold Radiance lines that took the beauty world by storm? #LiveBeautiful is very encouraging coming from a brand that’s more than 200 years old! A winner in a lot of women’s books bags or kikay kits, Pond’s continues the legacy of providing excellent skin care that builds you up, Buttercup! At may BB cream na din sila!

Another therapeutic breakthrough product is Vaseline. Who will ever forget the “magic cream” that has provided relief from dry skin?! And now it comes with an SPF 24 and it does EVERYTHING you ever dreamed of in a lotion – whitening, moisturizing, protecting the skin! Gotta have it!

I had to smile and catch myself from falling off my seat when I remembered the jingle, “Rexona, won’t let you down!” True to its word, it won’t! It now comes in Passion and Whitening… you can keep those arms raised and proud! Two key words: dry and white!

Mother and Daughter Adventure: Singapore, Part 2

Posted on March 26, 2013 by jenni

The beauty about flying to Singapore for the summer is that there are a lot of fun activities, inspiring cultural events and great food selection for the whole family to enjoy.

What is a mother and daughter Singapore adventure without visiting museums, theme parks, food trips and a bit of shopping?

If have little time to spare but want to maximize it, Singapore offers a wide variety of attractions each offering different kinds of entertainment – from the adventurous to the educational, all of which offer great opportunities for families to bond and have a great time.

Did you know? Singapore may be the smallest country in Southeast Asia but it has emerged as one of the best places to live in Asia with a very high quality of life measurement. The country has emerged as the ‘Happiest country in Asia’ in a study reported by ABC News. 95% of Singapore residents appreciate the clean, safe and efficient society. The study also showed that in Singapore, family is the most important unit and despite materialistic goals, the family and community always takes precedence. This is turn helps build a content and happy society. Source

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No visit to Sentosa is complete without meeting its most famous, 37-metre tall resident, The Merlion – an enduring icon of Singapore that's half-lion and half-fish.

Every morning, Aryanna and I were greeted by the Merlion in Imbah Station, Sentosa, just across from Mövenpick Heritage Hotel.

We started our days early para makarami!

Marina Bay Sands

Maison Louis Vuitton floats elegantly in Singapore’s Marina Bay.

Aryanna: “Lego, mom!”
Me: “r u srs?”

The Art of the Brick® museum show was on tour in Singapore. This exhibitions is focused exclusively on the use of the popular toy, LEGO® bricks, as an art medium and artist Nathan Sawaya.

This New York-based artist has multiple unique exhibitions created solely from standard LEGO bricks with several new sculptures created specifically for each exhibition. Each show has countless colorful LEGO pieces which Sawaya has transformed into whimsical and awe-inspiring creations.

Aryanna and I were lucky to have seen this show during our visit.

Pe-cube-ular

Sawaya’s ability to transform this common toy into something meaningful, his devotion to spatial perfection and the way he conceptualizes action, enables him to elevate what almost every child has played with into the status of contemporary art.

Nathan Sawaya's iconic sculpture, 'Yellow'.

Nathan Sawaya left a comfortable life as a corporate attorney to pursue a career in Lego art.

“These works are very personal to me, since they reflect my growth as an artist as I strove to discover my creative identity,” said Sawaya. “The museum exhibition is accessible because it engages the child in all of us while simultaneously illuminating sophisticated and complex concepts. Everyone can relate to the medium since it is a toy that many children have at home. But my goal with this exhibition when it first debuted in 2007 was to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before.” – Nathan Sawaya

Self-portrait

‘Swimmer’

Unlike most people, New York-based artist Nathan Sawaya never stopped building, creating and exploring his own imagination using LEGO® bricks which he has played with since a young age.

It all started with one idea and one brick

Thinking with The Blue Guy Sitting

Lego is for kids of all ages

Peek-a-boo! Check out our paparazzi photographer Edleen in stealth mode. Haha!

I totally connected with this quote.

'Everlasting'

I love this particular piece.

The older couple complete with a lifetime’s worth of emotional and physical baggage and still going through life together, the man affectionately leading his wife by her hand. It’s good to see depictions of the body in decline as an acceptance of the frailty of our nature. The man here has jowls and a voluminous gut and his companion still retains her sex appeal even with the extra layers of fat.

Aryanna turning herself into a Lego creation through the use of the interactive photo booth.

What will lift you up? Love? Faith? Success? ‘Ascension’

A 6-meter long T-rex dinosaur skeleton! Rar!

Playful writing

“Shadow Play: What sculpture will you be today?”

Peranakan Museum

The Peranakan Museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in in Southeast Asia. Installed in the former Tao Nan Chinese School, built in 1912, this intimate museum possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects. Galleries on three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and the distinctive visual arts of the Peranakans. The Peranakan Museum provides a stimulating and educational experience for all, while representing the living culture of the Peranakan community in the region. The museum is a component of the Asian Civilisations Museum, operating under the National Heritage Board.

Another must-see in Singapore is the Peranakan Museum.

Who are the Peranakans?
For centuries, the riches of Southeast Asia have brought foreign traders to the region. While many returned to their homelands, some remained behind, marrying local women.

The Malay term ‘peranakan’ which means ‘locally born’ also refers to other communities that developed in Southeast Asia like the Chitty Melaka and Jawi Peranakans.

The Peranakan Chinese are descendants of Chinese traders who settled in Malacca and around the coastal areas of Java and Sumatra, as early as the 14th century. In the 19th century, the Peranakan Chinese, drawn by commerce, migrated to the bustling ports of Penang and Singapore.

The Chitty Melaka, or Peranakan Indians, descended from unions between South Indian Hindu merchants and local women, from the time of the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century. Linguistically, the Peranakan Indians speak a type of vernacular Malay which incorporates some Tamil words.

The Jawi Peranakans (or Jawi Pekan) are descendants of intermarriage between South Indian-Muslim traders and women of the local community. The Jawi Peranakans clustered around urban centres, particularly in the trading port of Penang.

The Peranakan culture is a unique hybrid culture that is still part of Singapore’s living heritage.

Lovely chandelier

Aryanna loves pink bedrooms!

Plato-platuhan to the max!

Aryanna: "Can I bring this cat home?"

Haji Lane

Haji lane is in the Kampong Glam neighborhood of Singapore. Young people frequent the shops along this lane for the independent fashion boutiques and Middle Eastern cafes.

Aryanna’s Haji Lane find

When in Haji Lane, try Bergs Burger. We loved the ‘The Berg”Miss Piggy’ Burger and Fries with Special Berg Sauce! Mmm…

Sentosa

Sentosa is an all-in-one hotspot, which offers an exciting array of adventurous activities and things to do like visiting historical monuments, as well as world-class entertainment spots.

Papa-paparazzi!

Sentosa 4D Magix “Pirates”

#swagalicious

The token Merlion shot

Here we go!!!

Living on the edge

Breathtaking view!

Pretending to be calm and excited but sweating bullets. LOL

This is how we got that shot

Ehmeged, we’re alive. We love heights!

Singapore Seafood Republic, Sentosa

Singapore Seafood Republic is touted to offer the Best Chili Crab in Singapore. We believe!

Ready to dig in… Again!

The soup was so good I forgot the name. Haha

Garlic Bokchoy

Singapore Seafood Republic's award-winning Chili Crab

World famous for its unforgettable tangy spice! Sooooo goooood!

The chilli crab is best savoured with an ordered of fried savoury buns.

That claw!

Aryanna trying to be neat with her shrimps. Ain’t gonna happen, sweetheart.

Tiger Sky Tower

Tiger Sky Tower gives a panoramic view of Sentosa. A must!

Universal Studio

Aryanna and I were going to skip Universal Studio but in the end we glad we went!

She's got the whole world in her hands

Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within Resorts World Sentosa on Sentosa Island, Singapore. It’s the region’s first Hollywood movie theme park, Universal Studios Singapore®.

Featuring 24 movie-themed rides and attractions, 18 of which are unique to Singapore, thrill seekers and families will be the first to experience many new rides and shows based on blockbuster hits. The young and young at heart will be entertained by Shrek® and gang on an incredible 4-D adventure in the world’s first Far Far Away Castle. Thrill seekers can face warrior mummies on Revenge of the Mummy™, a psychological thrill ride in total darkness. Other highlights include Madagascar: A Crate Adventure™ and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure®.

Cue smoke machine for dramatic effect

Fresh lang ang peg pero ang init, grabe!

We belong here

Everybody deserves an Oscar.

My favorite

Waiting in line for the Transformers 4D Ride.

The future of 4D is here! We won’t ruin your experience but all we can say is, Transformer 4D Ride is the best. Ride. Ever.

Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon is a pair of steel, dueling roller coasters at Universal Studios Singapore. One half of the ride features an inverted roller coaster track in blue, and the other half features the traditional seated roller coaster track design in red. It is the tallest dueling coaster in the world; tipping at 42.5 metres (139 ft).

Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon roller coaster is the scariest roller coaster ride Aryanna and I have been to date and we loved it! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Welcome to Far Far Away! Can’t wait to go back and bring the boys with us the next time!

Thank you Singapore for an amazing and unforgettable adventure! Our mother and daughter trip allowed us to bond and experience new things and make more memorable memories. We had a blast!

Don’t forget to fly Cebu Pacific to Singapore! Budget flights = More budget for fun activities and food trips!

For more of our Singapore adventure watch my daughter’s shows:

Pepper Travels

Tip: Watch on HD

Pepper’s Amazing Fashion Haul

To watch ALL of Aryanna’s videos, go to youtube.com/pepperdraws

Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa, Singapore

Posted on March 23, 2013 by jenni

As soon as we arrived at Singapore, Aryanna and I were immediately whisked into our mother and daughter adventure! Yes, we were that excited.

(Photo taken using Instagram)

So after a long day filled with food trips and fun activities, it was a delight to finally check-in into our hotel.

Welcome to Mövenpick Heritage Hotel, Sentosa!

The hotel is located in the heart of Sentosa within close walking distance of the island’s many attractions.

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Check out the lovely orchids centerpiece!

The smell of flowers welcomed us

9 p.m. na, GGSS (gandang-ganda sa sarili) pa rin ako! Haha!

Aryanna and I were welcomed with a scoop of the best ice cream ever!

You may take us to our room now. Thank you.

What an amazing vertical garden! I’m so inspired by this place!

How inviting is their swimming pool?

Experience the finest of whiskeys and gastronomic flavours at WOW by Waldhaus am See St. Moritz – Guinness World Record holder for having the largest whiskey collection.

Tablescape is Mövenpick Hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that serves buffet breakfast, signature Western delights and Local favorites menu. They also serve the one of the best bacon! Hotels that get their bacon right get a mark in my book.

Everything in this hotel is perfection!

Going up

Cool light art can be found all over the hotel.

Check out the glass covered link-bridge spanning across the two wings of the hotel! Below is Galleria, where you can savour a taste of English and Local High Tea. Gorg!

Cool vintage style phone

Home sweet home.

I love the contemporary design of the room!

Nespresso coffee machine, no less.

Cool sidetables

Chic lamp

Work station

Blogger’s/YouTuber’s lair

Super comfy King sized bed just for us.

We had an amazing view of the greenery from our room. Sorry, we arrived late so no photo of the outdoors.

A mini walk-in closet that’s perfect for our mother and daughter paraphernalia

The luxurious bathroom

Time to close the bedroom doors…

Kick off our shoes…

Have a long bath…

Draw the curtains…

Lights out.

(Photo taken using Instagram)

Good night!

Why I love this place:

• Cool contemporary design
• Lovely view of the beach and/or greenery of the rooms
• Quiet surroundings. It’s walking distance to Sentosa Island’s attractions but away from the madness.
• Great breakfast selection served at their Tablescape, their Signature restaurant
• Very friendly and helpful staff
• Photogenic (LOL)
• Imbiah station on the Sentosa Express monorail located opposite the hotel connects you to Habourfront MRT station with excellent transport links to Central Business District, downtown area and Changi International Airport. The hotel also provides the guests free monorail passes.

Mövenpick Heritage Hotel Sentosa, Singapore
23 Beach View | 098679 Sentosa | Singapore
+65 6 818 3388 | hotel.sentosa@moevenpick.com

Mother & Daughter Adventure: Singapore, Part 1

Posted on March 22, 2013 by jenni

School is finally over for Aryanna and I just finished working on a project for ten straight days. It’s time for a much-deserved vacay!

What better place for mother and daughter bonding time than a trip to Singapore! Wooooohooooo!

Thanks for bring the girls to the airport. Goodbye boys!

Aryanna and I are all packed up and ready to go!

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Fly Cebu Pacific! Spend less on airfare = More shopping and adventure!

We flew via Cebu Pacific. When flying in Asia, budget flights are King.

We arrived Singapore hungry.

Our tour guide Josephine from the Singaporean Tourism Board brought us to Singapore Food Trail.

When in Singapore, eat Hainanese Chicken Rice! This was cooked perfect!

My new favorite dish: Black Pepper Beef. I believe I ate 3/4 of the serving. PG lang ang peg.

We tried the Fried Oysters with Egg but it was way to oily for our liking.

Special Prawn Noddles

It’s the world’s largest observation wheel. Standing at a stunning 165m, Singapore Flyer is the height of a 42-storey building – that’s some 30 metres taller than the famed London Eye. Taking a flight on this S$240 million wheel is a one-of-a-kind experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

Time for our mother and daughter adventure!

The Singapore Flyer is the best ride to take when first arrive Singapore (and after eating a full meal, haha!)

I’ve ridden the Singapore Flyer many times and each experience is different, especially now that I’m with my daughter Aryanna. It was her first time in Singapore and it was a good first ride seeing the beauty of Singapore.

Enjoy Singapore Flyer by yourself, with friends and loved ones.

Step into the Journey of Dreams – a brand new attraction at Singapore Flyer, and be awed by an engaging multimedia showcase that provides a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Singapore Story and the iconic Singapore Flyer, and extend your experience onboard the scenic flight on the Flyer, taking in amazing 360° views of Singapore and beyond.

Aryanna liked the interactive videos. She was in the zone. I had to force her to stop playing. Grabe.

Get a visual 360° feast of iconic and historical landmarks and views from the Marina Bay to the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Merlion Park, Empress Place and the Padang. There is no other place in Singapore that offers these breathtaking, magnificent day and glittering night views.

Aryanna enjoyed the magnificent cityscape of Singapore.

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What a beautiful city! No pollution and beautiful, clean landscape.

Get lucky! With Singapore Flyer’s 28 capsules and each capsule’s maximum capacity of 28 persons, the evident figure of 28 means “double prosperity” or “easy to prosper” in Cantonese.

With 3,332 panels of 42 varying shapes and sizes of spectrally selective glass, the Flower Dome is like a giant puzzle!

Next stop, Gardens By The Bay!

There are several attractions at Gardens By The Bay but Aryanna and I decided to concentrate on two areas: The Flower Dome & Cloud Forest

Supertree Grove. These unique trees of up to 16 storeys in height can be found all around the Gardens - twelve at the Supertree Grove, while the remaining six are placed in clusters of threes at the Golden and Silver Gardens.

As you enter Garden By The Bay, you are welcomed by these man-made Jurassic levelz Supertrees. Whoa!

How the Supertrees work

Did you know?

The Supertrees are embedded with environmentally sustainable functions like photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy.

Supertrees are made of four parts: reinforcement concrete core, trunk, planting panels of the living skin, and canopy.

While waiting for our guide Josephine to get our tickets, photo ops na!

Kalerky, lalaki ng langgam sa Singapore! LOL

Learn about the lifecycle and pollination of the baobab and banksia trees or the role of animals in the plant eco-system on the multimedia screens. Have hands-on fun playing with the interactive wall and discover how the little things we do affect nature. Great for kids and adults!

Welcome to the Flower Dome!

Spectacular and innovative in design, it is one of the icons of Bay South Garden. The Flower Dome replicates the cool-dry climate of Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California and parts of Spain and Italy. Home to a collection of plants from deserts all over the world, it showcases the adaptations of plants to arid environments. Stop and smell the flowers in the colorful changing displays of the Flower Field, which reflects different seasons, festivals and themes.

Enjoy a cooling and leisurely stroll through the Flower Dome and experience the eerie profile of the baobabs, surrounded by fascinating succulents. Immerse yourself in the spectacular view of the Marina reservoir skyline, as you embark on your journey through the Mediterranean Basin, South West Australia, South Africa, Central Chile and California. You'll discover amazing plants and flowers from different corners of the globe, and you'll be amazed by how different parts of the trees are used in daily lives across different cultures.

Generation “Instagrammers”

Did you know? The world’s largest columnless greenhouse, the Conservatories’ glass sits on a steel grid that acts like an eggshell.

Aryanna and I were lucky to visit the Flower Dome when we did as they had set it up in preparation for Easter Sunday. Check out the festive Easter garden!

Air is cooled at the lower occupied zones through chilled water pipes in ground slabs, while warm air is vented out at the top.

My lovely daughter sitting inside the Easter Pagoda. Todo avail ka lang, Aryanna!

Beautiful blooms!

Aryanna and I were welcomed by the spectacular man-made waterfalls inside Cloud Forest! Nabasa lang ang beauty namin dito! Keribelles!

After a leisurely walk and 10,000 photos at the Flower Garden later, we hopped over to the Cloud Forest.

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Refresh yourself in the mist of the waterfall just as the plants in the Cloud Forest! High in tropical mountains, these plants would absorb the abundant rainfall, releasing the water gradually to create a constant, long-lasting supply for the land beneath them – supporting even more plants!

Enter the Cloud Forest, a mysterious world veiled in mist; entirely different from the Flower Dome. A 35-metre tall mountain covered in lush vegetation shrouding the world’s tallest indoor waterfall showcases plant life from tropical highlands up to 2,000-metres above sea level.

Ascend to the mountaintop in comfort by lift before descending via two walkways in the clouds for an aerial view of the canopy and mountainside below. Learn about unique biodiversity and geology of cloud forests and the environmental threats they face within the nine unique zones in this cool-moist Conservatory.

Lost World Take a walk up to the highest point of the mountain, which replicates the cloud forest vegetation at around 2,000m above sea level. This is where you can also enjoy fantastic views of the Marina Bay waterfront. Look out for carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and the Venus Fly-catcher, against a carpet of delicate ferns and moss.

Sometimes getting lost means…

Finding paradise! Very Avatar lang ang peg nito.

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Planted Walls. The mountain has been densely planted with a mixture of fascinating orchids, delicate ferns, colorful bromeliads, dazzling begonias and menacing carnivorous pitcher plants. All of these are epiphytic and live on top of other plants in nature, requiring little substrate and are perfectly adapted for growing on vertical walls.

If you’re afraid of heights, don’t look down. Aryanna and I were not afraid.

Meet our lovely guide Josephine! She's brilliant! We also have the same taste in food and furniture!

Agate ba kamo?

On top of the Cloud Dome mountain you will find the largest Agate! Tingnan ko lang kung kaya ‘to ng coffee table n’yo.

I love this area that’s at the back of the waterfall! You could hear the thunderous sounds of the waterfalls but feels calming at the same time.

Open air area on Boon Tat Street Lau Pa Sat Festival Market 18 Raffles

All that walking made us hungry. And when in Singapore, eat hawker food!

Our guide Josephine took us to Boon Tat St. for dinner located in the Central Business District of Singapore. Yes, it’s located right smack in the busy streets of SGX Center. Roadside dining is possible in Singapore because there is no pollution in the city. You can eat and breathe fresh air at the same time. I only hope for this in Ayala Avenue.

According to Josephine, we must try the satay and coconut rice.

Ah, ganoon? 15 sticks of chicken and 15 sticks of pork satay and extra rice please!

One of the best grilled prawns I’ve had but the most difficult to eat too! Lakas makagutom nito! Haha!

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Sinong nakadami? Let the satay sticks be the judge!

What. A Day.

It was filled with fun adventures and yummy food trips with my daughter. What a great start to our vacation!

Shoppingero/shoppingera, tune in for Part 2 of our Singapore escapade!

For more information about Singapore, click here.

Follow my daughter Aryanna on Twitter and Instagram: @aryannaepperson

My New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 8, 2013 by jenni

Every year, I blog about my New Year’s Resolutions. I wasn’t going to post my list this year for personal reasons but something made me change my mind: I saw the movie New Year’s Eve on HBO two nights ago. I was touched by Claire Morgan’s (played by actress Hilary Swank) speech:

(Referring to the New Year’s ball that has stopped half way through it’s perch) “It’s suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt coz that is what new years is all about- getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight and it will drop, let’s remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long.”

I love this movie! So inspiring!

I had apprehensions about putting myself out there and being judged by those who don’t believe in making a New Year’s Resolution list. Then I realized that this is my blog and I can post whatever I want. It’s a form of self-expression. Screw the non-believers. I rock my list every year and I’m going to continue to do better, improve myself and, maybe inspire others to do the same.

My New Year’s Resolutions for 2013:

1. Make exercise part of my lifestyle. Yes, it’s on top of my list this year. I have never made exercise a priority in my life because, first of all, I used to be rail thin. Secondly, I don’t have the time. Being a stylist, an entrepreneur, wife and mom, I work long hours and by the time I get home, I’m physically and emotionally tired.

This place will be my second home: LifeScience. Pasabowg soon!

I made plans this year on how to free-up some of my schedule so that I could exercise. I have a master plan and have people who will be helping me to achieve my goals. I will share with you my plan as soon as I can.

2. Read, read, read. No more just flipping through magazine pages and scanning books. I will harness all my willpower to focus on reading. God help the girl with A.D.D. Haha!

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I will conquer our library this year!

3. To finish my project for Xandra Ramos. This was suppose to be launched last year but everything fell into place last minute. I only have a few weeks left to work on it but I have my dream team helping me on this. I believe it’s going to be a first of its kind in the Philippines. I’m so excited! I hope you guys support me on this. I also hope you’ll love it as much as I do! I will update you soon.

4. Travel more and explore different places. My trip to Guam last December was one for the books. I’m looking forward to more adventures!

I also want to travel with Tom more. We’ve done a few quick sojourns to Hong Kong last year. It was so much fun! I’ve never blogged about them but I’m thinking of posting them soon. Let’s see.

One of Tom and my Hong Kong escapades last year. We had so much fun!

5. Meet new friends (but keep the old, because “one is silver and the other is gold!” Haha!)

6. As Kelly Wearstler is my witness, I will have a proper dining table this year. Remember my bar cart resolution I made last year? Well, I finally got myself a fabulous Society Social drink trolley! Yay! This year is all about Maison Epperson’s dining set!

I dream of B&B Italia's Lens Dining Table designed by Patricia Urquiola!

Lens table was developed from a study of a clear surface offering a great feeling of depth. The result is two sheets of glass with a special film inside. The table is enclosed in a metal frame and sustained by two supports. It's lovely. The lens reminds me of Tom's cameras.

7. Throw more intimate dinner and tea parties at home. I love entertaining guests!

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Fashion + Food at Maison Epperson

8. Meditate. I want to learn how to sit in silence and focus on my breathing. I need more clarity in my life as I get busier.

9. Sleep early, wake up early. Yes, very loley lang ‘tong resolution na ‘to pero ganyan talaga ang buhay. LOL

10. Eat more sardines and fish. Omega 3 is the name of the game!

Like what the Claire said in her speech, “New Year is all about getting another chance to do better, to do more”. I like a bit of pressure in my life that’s why making a New Year’s Resolution list works for me. Personally, I find being effortless overrated. To move forward takes effort sometimes, a lot of it.

Shoppingero/shoppingera, what are your New Year’s Resolutions? Please share.

Guam: Sun, Sea, Shopping & More!

Posted on December 4, 2012 by jenni

The Guam Visitors Bureau invited me to stayed in Guam for eight days. Yes, that long. That’s because there’s so much to explore (and shops to conquer) in the island.

Needless to say, I fell in love with the place, and the people and I now know so much about the island. You may now call me “Miss Guam”! Haha!

Guam is gorgeous! The island is surrounded by clean and clear water, but what makes Guam even more AHMAYZING is the people — everyone was so warm and friendly. In fact, I never encountered a single snooty sales assistant in any of the high-end boutiques. It must be the island vibe.

Hafa Adai! The view of the ocean from my hotel room was spectacular!

You know you love it:

• Everyday, I wake up to the view of the ocean, the sound of the waves and fresh air.
• City life + Island living = Perfect combo
• Guamanians are warm and friendly, so much so that when you shop iat their high-end stores, sales assistants greet you with a smile and are ready to service clients. They are not snooty like some of the shops we go to in other countries.
• There are a lot of Filipinos living and working in Guam. I swear there’s a Pinoy in every establishment and shop I’ve been to! Guam is truly a home away from home for Filipino tourists.
• Shopping is the bomb for both value shoppers and high-end clienteles. From ABC Stores to LV, there’s something for everyone.
• The quality of produce and food is “first world”. They have all types of cuisines from Japanese, Korean, Italian, Filipino, Chinese, American to authentic Chamorro chow — a must-try!

Warning: Eight days in Guam means eight million photos! CHOZ!

Seashore soiree:

For some fun under the sun, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) organized water activities and dolphin watching at Agat Bay for the eight Shopping Ambassadors and our representatives.

I Googled the weather before going to Guam; it was supposed to be raining during my stay, but God is good, we had beautiful sunny weather most of the time.

Don’t you just love the sight of blue skies and white boats? Clazz.

Clear blue skies call for clear sandals and blue nail polish!

Our group was welcomed by the Shotguns crew.

All aboard!

Anchors away!

Fishing anyone?

We went snorkeling and fishing and because I enjoyed myself too much, I forgot to take photos! Oh well…

Spotted: “Flipper”

Dolphin watching is exciting! Our Captain was able to find the area where they play. Check out those cute fins:

Look!!! One came really close to our boat! I’m glad I was able to take a shot of it and didn’t drop my camera! Haaay!

What a way to end our boat trip! I’m so glad I saw the dolphins! Maybe one day I’ll be able to swim with them too.

Culture vulture:

After our water activities, we visited Ypao Beach to learn about the Chamorro culture.

Wiki says: “The Chamorro people, or Chamoru people, are the indigenous peoples of the Mariana Islands, which are politically divided between the United States territory of Guam and the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Micronesia. Today, significant Chamoru populations also exist in several U.S. states including Hawaii, California, Washington, Texas and Nevada. According to the 2000 Census, approximately 65,000 people of Chamoru ancestry live on Guam and another 19,000 live in the Northern Marianas.[1] Another 93,000 live outside the Marianas in Hawaii and the West/Pacific coast of the United States. The Chamoru are primarily of Austronesian stock.”

The wonderful folks of TASA (a tax-exempt, non-profit, Chamorro cultural organization that encourages active participation in all matters pertaining to the people of the Sinahi archipelago, the Northern Marianas) welcomed all of us with a fiesta at the beach!

Thanks to the TASA (Traditions Affirming our Seafaring Ancestry, Inc.) tribe, the Shopping Ambassadors were blessed with Chamorro knowledge.

Must: For those interested in Chamorro history, a step on Guam’s Ypao is like a step back in time. Since 2009, the park has been ground zero for the building of ancient Chamorro canoe replicas, as well as a massive Guma Latte, or canoe house, an impressive 42 feet wide and 80 feet long and feature ten 14-foot tall latte stones.

Some of the girls rode the canoe…

While others made the canoe!

Shopping Ambassadors Chihiro-san (from Japan) and Jessica (from North America) hard at work in helping the Chamorro elders build a canoe.

When there’s fiesta, there’s food!

Preparing a pig for a Chamorro fiesta is a family and community affair. Men are responsible for slaughtering and cleaning the pig to prepare it for roasting.

Chamorros have also used an ancient cooking method called chinahan (derived from the word “chahan”) to cook vegetables, fish or a pig. This method of underground cooking is common in Pacific cultures and is similar to how Hawaiian Kalua pig is prepared.

It involves digging a pit in the ground, lining it with lava stones and wood, building a fire, waiting for the fire to cool before placing food wrapped in breadfruit and banana leaves. Chahan was originally used in the preparation of seafood and starches such as yams, but when pork (and beef) were introduced to the Chamorro diet it was cooked in the same method.

When the roasting is completed, the pig is placed on a serving tray that is decorated with sometimes elaborate dressings of fruit. Other times an apple is simply placed in its mouth.

Lovely woven basket made from coconut leaves!

Chow time!

Art attack:

Cocktail hour in Guam is either on the beach or in one of the bars in the mall.

We were lucky to catch the GAX: Guam Art Exhibit V at the 2nd floor of DNA in The Plaza Shopping Center.

Wine + Art = My kind of cocktail hour!

We found artists working on their pieces at the entrance of the gallery.

Guam’s art secen

I'm buying on of the artwork in this wall, can you guess which one?

The GAX V exhibit extended outside of The Plaza

Cool graffiti artists at work

GVB is the “Good Vibes Barkada”:

Model citizens. Guam Visitors Bureau's (GVB) Marketing Manager (and a former beauty queen) Ms. Pilar Laguña and Deputy General Manager of GVB, Mr. Nathan Denight

Say "Mabuhay" to GVB's Marketing Officer Brian Borja!

Partner in crime. GVB's Philippine representative Jelly Macachor

Just shop:

OK! Now that’s we’ve got the cultural part done, it’s time to shop!

This time we head off to The Plaza Shopping Center, 1225-1275 Pale San Vitores Rd., Tumon Bay, Guam 96913.

The Plaza Shopping Center, with direct access from the Outrigger Guam Resort Lobby, is home to over 60 boutiques, including some of the world’s most exclusive luxury brands. More than 20 cafes, bars, and restaurants cater to all tastes and occasions. Spoil yourself with the largest variety of shops in Pleasure Island, and a wide selection of entertainment and international cuisine, all at your fingertips.

Luxury shopping, dining & entertainment in the heart of Pleasure Island, Guam

Rimowaaaaaaa!

In the Rimowa shop at The Plaza is where I discovered the cool function of their Salsa Deluxe Business Trolley.

The perfect small carryon case - big enough for an overnight trip, terrific as a carryon. On its own it is the perfect wheeled business case - strong, lightweight, with a full divider and laptop case inside, which can be removed entirely and the case converted into a small suitcase style carryon. It has an elastic strap on the rear to hold it securely on top of other wheeled suitcases, so with your matching Rimowa suitcase, you're traveling singlehanded!

New!

Eye-catching and elegant, the limited edition Rimowa Salsa Pearl Rose

I am not a Coach bag fan, but their new Legacy Collection is so up my style alley! I love their colorful leather iPad Clutch that can also double as a chic bag. The clutch has no ubiquitous branding which makes it cool plus it’s affordable (Coach is now on sale with their new collection in Guam) too.

Coach iPad Clutch in Emerald

All that shopping can leave a girl hungry!

Lunch was served at the elegant Sea Grill.

Show and tell portion:

Eto na ang katas ng The Plaza! Haha!

Seriously, I love that I found the perfect Christmas gift for Tom in one of their stores. It’s so hard to buy for him, but I did good on this trip. I will reveal it after the holidays so tune in!

Very 'The Price is Right' lang ang peg!

Water break:

I spotted Underwater World while on my way to the Rimowa shop and I thought it would be a great place to visit. I wish my kids were with me, they’d be blown away by this place!

What a colorful entrance — just like I imagined Ariel’s lair would be!

UnderWater World is home to one of the longest tunnel aquariums in the world! The transparent tunnel, well over 300 feet long, winds its way along the bottom of the “ocean”, simulating a scuba diving adventure without getting wet!

The Aquarium’s Sealife Gallery showcases a variety of exhibits that enable you to explore diverse ocean realms, from shallow coral reef habitats to deeper, darker waters.

Going up!

Surreal steps

More aquariums and sea creatures on the second floor

Don’t for get the souvenirs!

Fashyon:

I’m the kind of person who uses things I buy agad-agad. SO, kahit tirik-tirikan ang araw, todo AVAIL! Haha!

Ray-Ban Aviator, Caronel, GPO ; Chambray shirt, Zara; Couch Legacy clutch, The Plaza; Levi's camo, GPO

Azure or “asus”?

Prada sunglasses; Leopard coat, Zara; Marc Jacobs bag, The Plaza

So I did a bit of shopping, but I also did a lot of exploring the island and I met new friends. Like what I always say, life is all about balance.

Despite the telenovela blog post, this is only half of my Guam adventure. Tune in for more luxury shopping, a show-stopping affair and meet the other Shopping Ambassadors from different parts of the world on my next “Guam” post!

Shoppingero/shoppingero, visit Guam now!

Have Blog? Will Travel: Guam

Posted on November 28, 2012 by jenni

Håfa Adai (pronounced as “Half a Day”, it’s their version of “Mabuhay!”) from Guam!

First of all, I’d like to thank the Guam Visitors Bureau (GBV) for inviting me to their beautiful island. It’s my first time here and I’m ready to shop, swim, surf, and shop some more!

I arrived in Guam rock star style — in the wee hours of the morning with my luggage and eye bags in tow. LOL

Dream job + Dream vacation = Dream come true!

Even without sleep, Guam's fresh air, the sound of the sea and the view from my hotel room energized me! Let's go, Guam!

Did you know?

• Guam is only 3 hours and 17 minutes away from Manila.
• Guam, an island territory of the United States, rich with cultural heritage and pride, is located 900 miles north of the equator in the Western Pacific.
• Guam is four to eight miles wide and 32 miles long and is the largest of the Micronesian islands. Guam’s lush tropical terrain along with urban areas within the island covers 220 square miles and is the southernmost island in the Mariana Island chain.
• Because of its western location from the International Date Line, Guam is the first to experience the new day in the United States; hence Guam is “where America’s Day begins.” Its capital city is Hagatña (formerly Agana).

My "Marshmallow Palace" in Marriott Resort & Spa, Guam awaits me... but not till I'm done with the day's work and play...

GBV’s Philippine representative Jelly Macachor and I arrived in Guam super early in the morning. We just had enough time to unpack and freshen up in the hotel and it was time to get our “finances” in order.

Good morning Bank of Guam! What a fine day to withdraw some shopping money.

History of the Bank

Bank of Guam was first conceived as a dream and aspiration in the early 1970s by its founder and former Chairman of the Board, Mr. Jesus S. Leon Guerrero. During the time he was a vice-president in Guam for Bank of America, Mr. Guerrero grew concerned that the banking needs of many within the community were not being adequately met.

Because of his dedication to the people of Guam and the other islands of the region, he resolved to take the risk of starting a new, locally organized bank. After securing a commitment for deposit insurance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Mr. Guerrero literally went door-to-door, offering Bank of Guam stock for sale. When the Bank was officially chartered on March 13, 1972, what had started as a dream became a reality.

Guam Shopping Ambassadors

When you are welcomed with a lay made of shells and a “Guam’s Shopping Ambassador 2012″ sash, you know that it’s going to be one of those unforgettable trips!

Naka-sash talaga aketch?!

Representing the Philippines... Don't laugh, my official title in Guam is "Shopping Ambassador". As you can see, I have the sash to prove it. Haha!

We were welcomed by non other than the Bank of Guam President and CEO Ms. Lou Leon Guerrero.

The eight Shopping Ambassadors from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Russia, Taiwan, North America, and the Philippines were also introduced to the local media and presented with welcome gifts.

The Shopping Ambassadors received a super warm Hafa Adai from Bank of Guam's President and CEO (in glasses) Ms. Lou Leon Guerrero; Ms. Joann Camacho, General Manager of GVB; Deputy General Manager of GVB, Mr. Nathan Denight.

When in Guam, shop agad-agad!

First stop, value shopping at Guam Premier Outlets (GPO), 199 Chalan San Antonio. Tamuning, Guam 96913

(Photo taken using Instagram)

GPO is Guam’s only outlet mall. It features more than 30 diverse shops from small boutiques to the franchise outlet, Ross-Dress for Less, attracting locals and tourists alike. The two-story outlet mall also has a sizable food court and an indoor playground for kids.

My favorite shops at GPO:

Just like the Philippines, Guam is a tropical island and sun protection is a must! At ABC Stores you will find all sorts of sun protection and tanning products that you’ll be hard pressed to find in Manila.

Major discounts = Time to hoard!

Pasalu at its yummiest!

In Guam, Hello Kitty sports a tan. So kyooot!

For Dylan’s “owie”

My new friend, Japan’s Shopping Ambassador Chihiro-san recommended I get RevitaLash. According to her, this is popular in Japan and costs more than double the price. It’s suppose to help condition and elongate eyelashes.

BCBG Max Azria is where I found party dresses and poufy skirts for my daughter Aryanna at 70% off! Happy mommy!

Holidaze style

Shoe heaven

Spotted: Next season’s pointy pumps at last season prices! Aaaack!

Love Fury x Nine West patent pointy pumps on super sale!

You can never go wrong with anything leopard, especially when it's on sale!

Everblue is Guam’s version of Forever 21

In Everblue you will find "everyday" clothes at marked down prices.

Twinkles is “A Place for Children’s Dreams” and parents will sleep tight at night knowing they paid for their kids’ “dreams” at 50% off! Haha!

American Vintage doesn’t exactly sell American brands (more Korean and Chinese brands) but I love the vintage inspired pieces in their shop.

Real leather jacket with studs

Military bagelya

Ross is everything!!!

They have everything!

Everything is affordable!!!

If I could, I would bring these French-inspired chairs home. These would be perfect addition to Aryanna's room.

I focused on the bahay-bahayan stuff

Throw pillows pero walang itapon!

Moroccan bling for the home. Lavs et!

Visit GPO for discount shopping and more!

Here are some of my GPO loot:

Ray-Ban was on sale. I bought two pairs (gold and purple lenses) for the price of one. Ubusan!

This gold Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses is now my new favorite pair! Hindi nagdidilim ang paningin ko pag suot ko ‘to! Haha!

Carrie Bradshaw will be proud!

Mothers never just shop for themselves, we always have our family in mind. I know, it sucks. CHOZ!

I love the packaging of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. According to my afam hubby, this company has been around since he was a teenager. Surfers love using it because it’s organic and for the peppermint scent. I’m sure Aryanna will love this… She better.

American beauty

Self medication is a reality especially when cold & flu attack at the wee hours of the morning and you can’t call your doctor. Nyquil Liquicaps ay ang pangtawid-trangkaso. Aminin! @.@