Oprah's Bookmark

Dear Me,

No matter how engrossed I am in reading a book, I still have to put it down even though I don't want to. I may need to check on the little boy while he naps or see if the food I prepared is already cooked. I may have to go out to run some errands outside or simply take a pee.

It is quite a struggle to locate the last page I have read everytime I forget to mark where I stopped reading. I abhor putting dog-ears in my book. I even detest leaving the book open face down or by putting a bulky thing in-between the pages. Obviously, they are not the proper ways of taking care of a book.

I utilize bookmarks or anything that is flat and soft.

Being an Oprah's Book Club fan, I succumbed to this easy-to-create bookmark.



Just by following easy steps, I was able to create my own bookmark. First, select a heading (from the given choices): to whom the book belongs to, for whom the book is given as a gift, from whose library, ex libris or not using any header at all.

Then, jot in the name that would appear in the bookmark.

Next, select which among the ten (10) images is most appealing.

Last, either choose a quote or make your own. There are three (3) available quotes that can be used or draft your own quote in the box with a maximum count of 150 characters. There is also the available option of having your preferred text color.

Once done, a preview of your own bookmark design can be seen afterwards.

Here are the two (2) bookmarks I 'designed.' I borrowed a book quote from Franz Kafka and used it in the second bookmark.



They sort of look very plain to me but I know that they serve their purpose just the same. :)

By the way, have your bookmark(s) printed in card stock or any specialty paper for a much satisfying result.

Win Nestle Chuckie Goodies

Dear Me,

Nestle is once again giving away Chuckie goodies!



Chuckie is a choco-flavored milk drink that is guaranteed to be a nutritious and yummy baon buddy for kids.

Chuckie is packed with 278g of calcium, such that 2 packs of Chuckie answers 100% of your child's daily calcium requirements. Not to mention that Nestle put loads of Calci-N is a proprietary - branded active ingredient that helps kids bones absorb more calcium to help them grow taller. Calci-N has been shown to increase bone density, thereby helping to build stronger bones.

It is also good to know that drinking 2 packs of Chuckie serves up your child's calcium requirements for the whole day. That's in line with the RENI standard, which measures dietary standards in nutrients and not foods or diets.

What is RENI?
RENI stands for Recommended Energy and Nutrient intake. RENI's are defined as levels of intakes of energy and nutrients which, on the basis of current scientific knowledge, are considered adequate for the maintenance of health and well-being of nearly all healthy persons.

Chuckie also builds up your child's bones and makes them strong as it contains Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorous and Magnesium. And to keep your child alert and full of energy the whole day. Chuckie gives out energy-releasing nutrients such as Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12.

*as lifted off from Chuckie's Nutrition Facts

In its desire to partner with parents in building and fortifying children's health, Chuckie would like to learn the insights and concerns of parents when it comes to raising healthy kids.

Chuckie is giving away NESTLE CHUCKIE 1L pack for the first 300 qualified moms who will completely fill out the electronic chocoville survey.

The promo period is from May 1, 2009 until July 31, 2009 only.

Calling Mommies: Win A Family Treat!

Dear Me,

As an outdoor person, I have always been fond of travel escapades with family and friends. When I was still single, arranging such was quick and a bliss.

Well, it kinda changed when I shifted my status from being single to married and with a kid. Organizing is too much when you try to coordinate with everybody's schedule and preferences and jiving them as you take into consideration your kid's comfort as well as your own.



Anyway, MomCenter Philippines is giving mommies a chance to win a family vacation at Splash Oasis Hotel at the Splash Mountain Resort.

Up for grab is a 3-days, 2-nights stay for a family of four at a deluxe room at the above-mentioned hotel.

The only requirement to qualify is to answer and complete a brief survey about how the MomCenter homepage can help you better. Ten (10) registered members (like me) who successfully invite 20 friends to answer the survey will also win shopping vouchers from SM.

This promo has started last June and will end on August 29, 2009.

KFC Mini Bucket Photo Contest

Dear Me,

Let me tell you how my love story with KFC began. You see, I'm a french fries-aholic. It was a not-so-fine-day for me back in college. I got a not-so-good-result from my no-so-interesting-major-subject. I labored through the exam days ago and all I got was an unsatisfactory grade. Anyway, I went to the nearby diner to wallow my frustration munching french fries heavily dipped in thick mayo. When I got there, the diner was closed...indefinitely. Of all days, it chose to go on renovation.

From where I stood, I looked around and two blocks away, I saw a newly-opened branch of KFC. Honestly, I haven't dined in any of their branches.

I thought of checking it out since there was no other food establishment in sight. I ordered french fries, spaghetti and coleslaw. I instantly loved their french fries and coleslaw. To prove that I found it to my liking, I ordered them again for take-out.



Anyway, I just learned that KFC has recently introduced their Mini Bucket of Fries. Just days ago, I was able to try this mini bucket of crispy fries. Truth to be told, I was still craving for more because it was just so tasty and munchy. The mini bucket was simply not enough for me. I wonder if they will have a biggie bucket of fries?! Hehehe.



Also, to show their appreciation (to french fries-aholics and others), KFC is inviting everyone to participate in their KFC Mini Bucket of Fries Photo Contest.

Just take a snapshot of you and your buddies enjoying the mouth-watering mini bucket of fries and upload it in the appointed site complete with a jargon and brief description.


The Grand Prize:

• One year supply of KFC (365 pieces of KFC Gift Certificates for 2-Piece Chicken valid for one year from the date of issuance)

Consolation Prizes:

• 5 units of Samsung C3053

Hmm. It's only limited to the chicken meal? For one year, all 365 days? I'm sure I'll be cackling like a hen if ever. But then, free is free!

The duration of this photo contest will run till midnight of August 21, 2009.

For the over-all mechanics, please head on to the KFC Mini Bucket of Fries Promo Contest site.

Helpful Tips When Shopping

Dear Me,

I realized that I have been spending a lot of my weekends in various shopping malls around the metro. Tagging my little boy along, I find it hard not to wander around and check what are the latest arrivals.

Even though I have no plans of purchasing anything, I always end up with a shopping bag. The impulse was just too strong to ignore. I remembered shopping for another bag last week at Trinoma. I just happened to pass by and this bag caught my attention. I stopped and checked it out. I didn't have any further need to buy a new one but I bought it. I was attracted to how pretty it would looked once I donned it.

While paying for it, I got to think how many girls had lined up in the cashier and paid for something that they didn't actually need. I was sure that I wouldn't be able to count them all in a day. No wonder why malls thrive despite the so-called economic crisis.


image courtesy
With the thought lingering in my mind, I jotted down some ideas that I had in a tissue paper.

1. Try hard not to buy on an impulse. I know how difficult it can be. I, myself, shop on an impulse. Beginning today, I would think of a very important reason not to purchase anything just because I like it. Maybe, the idea of making myself guilty will help. For example, a new bag or a bag of diapers for my little boy? Which will I choose? Hehehe.
   
   
   
2. Compare price and quality. I think this will be a great help. Don't just grab a beautiful item and dash to the cashier to pay for it. Look around for the same item of different brands and compare them with each other when it comes to value and price. Surely, it would be such a lucky day to spend less for the same item, don't you think? :)
   
   
   
3. Do the QA thing. To detain you from shopping something right away, put in mind that that sexy top may have loose stitches. Check and inspect the item before you let the bagger pack that lovely top in the shopping bag.
   
   
   
4. Leave the plastic behind. With only a thin wad of bills in your purse, you would absolutely not be able to pay for all the charming dresses or lovely blouses that you grabbed from the racks. From that pile of silky soft clothes clinging to your arms, you are forced to choose a few or even just a piece that will suit your sorely meager budget.
   
   
   
5. Impulse Shopping Limit. I know that it sounds totally absurd. How can you control something when it is impulse dictating you? Hmm. It is a given that you are in a (regular) mood of impulse-buying. In this case, better (early) acquaint your rational mind in setting a peso-limit to your shopping spree to prevent sabotaging your monthly living budget.

The thing is, it is very difficult to resist the temptation of buying something we don't need especially if we have the cash and the credit card to vouch for our purchasing power. In this persistent economic condition, I think it is just wise for us girls to be smart shoppers. :)