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Posted by Mitzi on August 24th, 2011
My mother has always told me that I should not get married young. There is much that you can experience, achieve and learn during your single life. Many of which you probably cannot do when you are already married. It is quite impossible to go back in time, to the simpler single life, once you have stepped down the aisle on the big day.
Upon saying your “I Do’s” on the altar, there is no turning back. It is a promise that must be kept, through thick and thin, for richer or for poorer. And so, before you bid your single life adieu for good, here is a bucket-list of exciting experiences that you can do, at this stage, that can enrich your single life.
1. Make your very own bucketlist.
It’s simply now or never. Launch a book. Travel on your own. Publish an article. Learn a new language. Create a blog. Make a product. Build a business. Join a stage play. Take voice lessons. Take dance lessons. Do know that circumstances will definitely change once you get married. You can’t be too sure that you’ll be able to do these things once you have to raise your own family.
2. Treat your parents to a vacation
Bond with them before they give you away. Repay them for the guidance and support they have done for you since the day you were born.
3. Try living alone
If you can afford it, invest in a house or condo of your own. Develop a certain self-sufficiency to know yourself. Know who you are without being tainted by your partner. Know what you want. Know what you want to become. Appreciate the wide space and the independence this experience can bring. Because you might not experience it ever again once you get married.
4. Buy, drive and maintain your own ride
You don’t have to wait for someone who has a car to drive you around. Learn to be independent and self-reliant. It will be a comfort to know that wherever you are, you can fix your tires, do the reverse and parallel parking. And of course, once you have tied the knot, you can go out and shop whenever and wherever you want!
5. Pursue a post-grad degree
Actively enrich your mind by going back to school and earning an MA or a PhD. While you still have time and money to spend a day glued to a book, take this opportunity. Once you are married and have babies, priorities may have to change. And you may not have this opportunity anymore.
6. Have your own savings
It’s best that even before you get married, you are able to learn how to save, budget, grow your money and handle your own finances. You will be able to reap the benefits once you are married. The skills set you gain while you’re solo will help you handle the finances well as a couple.
7. Pray for the one
There’s nothing better than having a blessed journey to forever with the one you loved the most.
Posted by Mitzi on August 9th, 2011
One beauty regimen every girl should learn to do at home is an easy-to-do facial. We women need not go to expensive spas just to have a facial, we can do it right in the comforts of our own bedroom for nothing more than umm… free. Well probably except for some supplies that you would normally stock in your bathroom.
Doing your own easy-to-do facial is a very exciting project to learn. So I suggest, take some notes in your beauty regimen notebook. You’ll have clean and beautiful skin for keeps.
Before starting your easy-to-do facial at home, prep yourself up. Wash your face with your regular cleanser to remove makeup and dirt. Rinse gently with lukewarm water, then pat dry.
Now it’s time to do the real thing. You would need the following with you for the easy-to-do facial:
~ Washcloth
~ Basin with very warm liquid. Liquid can be steaming water or hot herbal tea. You may use fragrant floral such as chamomile or lavender.
~ DIY Mask: 3 table spoons of dry outmeal and 2 tablespoons of honey
~ Moisturizer
~ Relaxing Essential Oil
Step 1: Soak washcloth in very warm water. Water must be hot enough that you could see steam evaporating from the basin. Place it over your face for a minute to let it cool slighly. Soak it in water again. Repeat three times. This will help soften your skin. And bring you to a warm state of relaxation.
Step 2: Shed off dead skin using a mild scrub. Rub face with a circular motion for a minute, then rinse with warm water and gently pat face with a soft towel.
Step 3: Tone the skin to balance the pH of the facial skin, since the cleansing process may have affected the pH level. Green tea is an excellent antioxidant toner that you can spritz onto your face. Just add approximately 2 tsp of green tea leaves in your ½ cup boiling water and strain it. Once you let it cool, you have your own toner.
Step 4: After applying the toner, slather on a DIY mask or a mask you’ve bought in a health and beauty store. Again, relax for three to five minutes before taking it off and rinsing it away. A sweet, silky and succulent mask can be made out of three tablespoons of dry oatmeal and two tablespoons of honey. Just blend these two ingredients, apply it to your skin and you have a super home-made hydrating mask.
Step 5: Moisturize your skin. It would be best to keep your moisturizer tucked in the fridge for some time. Let it cool. It’s going to be more refreshing.
Step 6: Dab a relaxing essential oil onto your pulse points. You may use lavender. Apply it onto your wrists and behind your ears to help you stay calm.
There you have it, your easy-to-do facial at home. Make your face cotton-soft and supple again in no time!
Posted by Mitzi on July 30th, 2011
I have a little challenge for you this summer. This challenge will allow you to keep your credit cards, stash your money aside, and ultimately help you save up for a sweet sunny summer escapade together with your beau.
The challenge is: Do not buy anything new for your wardrobe. Instead, raid your man’s closet for classic menswear finds that you can mix with your very own outfits. Try these fashionably his ideas!
1. Cargo shorts
Men usually wear these loose above the knees short, with extra pockets for we-don’t-know-what during an ordinary lazy weekend afternoon. Pair this up with a plain noodle strap inner blouse, and cover it with a tribal or animal print piece. A tiger look will be roaring with strength and femininity. This is a great look for a summer joyride with your dear.
2. Classic Office Blazer
This is a classic staple of men. Your man pairs it with a tie and wears it in the office. Why not wear a floral jumpsuit inside his manly blazer to soften its appeal. Most sleeves are too long for us girls, so fold the sleeves up to the elbow. Tie a belt – preferably with a contrasting color – around your waist to show off your womanly figure. Do not forget to accessorize. Strut this ensemble off in your office. I’m sure the ladies would not recognize that you are even wearing his outfit.
3. Rugged denim vest
He may be using this piece during his short trips with the boys, or when he is playing with his toys in the garage. Wear a tightly fitted striped dress and accessorize it with his rugged vest. Cinch your waist with a bold belt to show off your shape. This is a beautiful nautical look to welcome the heat of the summer.
4. Casual Tees
Pick a loose, plain colored, v-cut collared shirt from his drawer. Loosen up in his shirt and show off one of your bare shoulders. Tuck it in your skinny jeans. Wear a belt and mix it up with some girly add-ons. A big bold necklace and a set of bracelets will contribute much elegance and sexiness to this outfit.
5. Classic Button-Down Long Sleeves Polo
If you have picked a light plain colored polo, white, lilac or light blue, pair it with a brightly colored short shorts. Tuck it in. Fold the sleeves up. To add sexiness, unbutton the first two buttons and accessorize once again with a big, bold fancy necklace. Pull your hair up for a touch of playfulness.
6. Preppy Cardigan
Wear a bright printed dress, preferably with pinks and greens, and cinch it with a thin green belt. Wear his charming cardigan over and pull the sleeves up to your elbows. Wear flat pumps to perfect this cool, comfortable and sporty outfit. This is a fun get up for a date with your partner. He will definitely not be able to get his eyes from you and the fun, feminine look this outfit brings out in you.
One thing I like about weddings is it brings back old wishes, of fairy tales and prince charmings, and celebrates wishes coming true. Last night, I attended a wedding, of what seemed like a royal ball I see on fairy tales. A long red carpet was rolled out on the grand staircase. The ceiling was draped with silk and sprinkled with crystal droppings. An ice carved with the bride & groom’s initials, “A&F”, was beautifully placed at the hall’s entrance. As I walked in, I was welcomed with a string ensemble playing Anastacia’s “At the Beginning.” I saw guests that had dressed up in their best evening gowns, and cute little flower girls walking about.
The hall reminded me of Beauty and the Beast. Huge crystal chandeliers and lamps that feigned candlesticks shed light to the place. After welcoming the entourage, it was finally time to meet the bride and groom. The bride was wearing her white balloon gown with crystal beads. She was adorned with a princess tiara that reminded me of Cinderella. The groom, standing tall and lean, escorted her in his tux. Then, dinner was finally served. The background music was, believe it or not, “Be My Guest” of Beauty and the Beast.
When the feast was served, it was more than my eyes (and stomach) could handle. A nine-course meal set on the table. This was the evening’s menu:
While I was enjoying my shark’s fin soup, the host entertained the guests with a couple of mellow love songs. After the songs, an audio-visual presentation of the couple’s prenuptial pictures was played on the LCD screens. I found it quite interesting that the couple did another AVP for their parents. They each wrote a letter for his/her parents, recorded it and played it together with the images of their childhood photos being flashed on screen. It was truly a touching moment.
Of course, it was not at all too serious throughout the night. There was also a time for fun and games. One interesting game was in a question and answer format wherein the guests had to guess the mobile number and win a brand new cellular phone. They had to answer questions such as: “How many dogs does F have at home?” in order to plot one digit at a time.
There was also another game wherein each table had to add up the ages of everyone in the circle. The group with the number nearest to a pre-set number of the couple shall win. The prizes were rabbit-shaped chocolates. (The couple simply loves rabbits.) We didn’t win (no need for the additional calories anyway). While we were already enjoying our mango sago dessert, a guest finally called the number in the first game.
It was indeed a night to remember. And just like any other fairy tale, the prince and princess of the night cut a slice of cake as part of the tradition, and ended the night with the happily-ever-after kiss.
Posted by Mitzi on July 19th, 2011
Be radiant and relaxed on the big day. There’s no such thing as “too soon to start” if it is for the sake of beautifying you for your very own big day. Make your dream of walking down the aisle with a stunning, princess-like glow, come to life. Here is a tried and tested beauty plan catered to you.
1 Year Before…
This is the time that you should treat your acne – acne on your face, acne at your back, acne scars, uneven skin tone, rashes and other types of skin ailments. Visit your dermatologist. She will tell you the skincare regimen you would need to undergo.
6 Months Before…
Have your hair and makeup look in mind. At this point, you already have your gown on the way. Be prepared with the photos of the hair and make-up style that you would want done to you.
It is also during this time that you should find your makeup artist. Have your trial make-up run by at least three different stylists. Book months ahead, especially if the one that you want is very much indemand.
3 Months Before…
This is the time that you can still make major changes to your hair. Get it cut. Have it permed. Dash it with a color. Three months is a good time to allow you to make repairs if there is a mistake.
Also, book your hairstylist at this point. Like with the make-up artist, get a trial done.
1 to 2 Weeks Before
If your hair is dyed, make a trip to your colorist and touch up your roots. You would want your hair to look natural and not newly colored.
2 Days Before…
Get your nails done one to two days before your wedding day. This will also serve as a relaxing treat for you. You may bring with your bride’s maid or maids of honor, as a bonding time with the girls before you officially say goodbye to singlehood.
1 Night Before…
Apply moisturizer the night before to give your face an extra glow. Stick to your tried and tested brand. Do not try anything new. It may not be worth the risk. You won’t have time to schedule a trip to the derma.
On the Day..
Just go on with your usual skincare routine. Wash your face with a gentle mild cleaner. Put on your moisturizer again. Play it safe and just go on with your usual routine.
3 to 4 Hours Before…
Most make-up artists require at least two hours to work on the bride’s hair and make-up. Get started early so that the hair stylist and make-up artist can work their magic on you and make you look picture perfect. Budget in the time you would need to travel to the wedding hall, the pre-ceremony photo session, and put in allowances for unexpected circumstances.
Throughout the Day…
Bring your beauty must-haves throughout the day. Put it in your pouch or in your bouquet – if your gown does not come with a matching purse. You should have an oil blotting paper to blot excess oil off your face and a handy lipstick to color your lips after you delight your guests with the classic scene – “you may now kiss the bride.”
The honeymoon is a very critical event in a marriage. Dr. Walt Larimore and Susan Crockette, authors of The Honeymoon of Your Dreams, say that honeymoon should be a time when you focus on each other and begin your adjustment to marriage. However, brides-to-be usually focus on the wedding preparation, that honeymoon becomes the least priority.
Let me share with you how you can plan for a honeymoon that will help you and your hubby jumpstart a happy, healthy and harmonious relationship.
1. Do discuss with your husband
Take this opportunity to have a planning date with your hubby. Ask him to draw his dream destination. You draw yours too. List the things that mean most to both of you. Then compare notes. Remember, this it not your own honeymoon. It is a shared event so do involve him in the planning.
2. Create a list of destinations and then set up a budget,
Write all your dream destinations down on a sheet of paper. Arrange them in according to your preference. Then set up a budget and determine which destination from the top is achievable.
3. Research upon your chosen destination
As soon as you have decided on a destination, buy a travel book. Or if available, research online about it. Know what to expect there. Learn the basics of the language and talk to your hubby with the foreign accent. Customize an itinerary that will suit both your styles. Make sure to include a couple of nothing days – days that you would simply cuddle in the bed, talk, and enjoy your newlyweddedness.
4. Iron out the important details
While researching, verify the significant information about your destination. Research about the weather and the dates of peak season. Know if a visa is required. Determine if they require transportation and driver’s license. Know the hospitals, police or emergency desks near your chosen accommodation.
5. Print our and prepare all your travel documents
Print all the confirmation emails from your suppliers, plus proofs of payment, if any. Bring your itinerary, both your travel tickets, and legal documents (i.e. Passport, ID’s). Don’t forget the travel book that you have bought earlier, it may just come in handy.
6, Don’t be shy to tell people that you are on a honeymoon
Based on experiences of newlyweds, when they tell the suppliers that they are honeymooners, they could get upgraded rooms and the like. Don’t be shy to tell them that you are on a honeymoon. People would want to please you with the hopes of having you back.
7. Be sure to pack light
Whether you are packing for an overnight stay or a week long vacay, make sure to pack light and leave room in the luggage for some souvenirs. Some souvenirs you can give away to family and friends. But ensure that you keep some souvenirs in your home to remind you of your exciting honeymoon. These may actually add some spice to your happily ever after.
Enjoy! 
Posted by Mitzi on June 25th, 2011
According to Ariel Dekovic, the author of 365 Ways to Save the Earth, 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water and 380 gallons of oil are consumed for every ton of paper produced. However, you can’t simply dismiss the wedding invitation for your green wedding, just because you’ll be killing trees. What is a wedding without a wedding invitation? Simply, incomplete!
Why not use beautifully crafted recycled paper as part of your once-in-a-lifetime-that-saves-the-world, green wedding? Or better yet, create your very own recycled paper with a twist. The twist is that this wedding invitation can bud flowers after your wedding day. Let me share with you how you can make your seed paper invitation card.
Here are the things that you should prepare:
~ Old papers. You may use old story books, envelopes of bills, brown paper bags, notebooks. Veer away from glossy pages of magazines.
~ Fallen leaves (optional). These may be dried leaves of various shapes that you would like to add your recycled paper.
~ Wooden frames. These may be abandoned picture frames.
~ Fabric mesh
~ Blender
~ Tea towel
~ Extra towel
~ Flower seeds
~ Stapler
~ Mechanical shredder (if available)
Collect and segregate the old papers you would like to recycle. You may choose colors that would mesh well together. You may use the blues and greens from an old book, or browns of paper bags with old yellow papers or used white envelopes. Cut them to small pieces using a mechanical shredder. But if the shredder is not available, you may do it manually by tearing the papers into pieces with your hands.
Place the torn scraps in a sink filled with warm water. Next, transfer them to a blender and mix well. Pour the pulp mixture on a wide rectangular tub. Sprinkle flower seeds in the tub. Mix well.
Use a screen-printing frame to collect pulp content for the paper. To make your own screen-printing frame, cut a rectangular fabric mesh and stretch it over the wooden frame. Staple it on all sides to secure. Slide the screen-printing frame, face front, in the tub and pull up. Remove the pulp on the borders of the frame. Let it rest, face up, on a tea towel. Press the pulp through the screen to separate the pulp from the frame. Once the formed pulp has detached from the frame, cover the top with another towel. Press to dry.
Repeat the process of sliding the screen-printing frame in the tub, and placing the collected pulp on the towel to dry for more recycled pieces. Simply alternate the layers of towels and papers.
Once the sheaf of recycled papers are dried, decorate it as you please. You may place it in a computer printer. Adjust the tray to suit the width of paper. Print out all information that your guests will need. Do include the type of flower your guests should expect and the instructions on how to plant the seed paper.
Go, save the earth and surprise your guests with some budding blossoms!
If you would like to experience an authentic summer honeymoon getaway, nothing beats the place that is popularly known for being beyond expectations. Let me share with you a place that I recently visited in the tropical island of Cebu. Cebu is a beautiful city at the Visayas region in the Philippines that is filled with lush green mountains and surrounded by beaches. You heard the word “city” correctly. This city was, once upon a time, a province and has turned into the second busiest island in the whole of Philippines – second to Manila.
At the coast of Mactan, Cebu, is a newly built resort that rests on a beach. This resort is BE Resorts Mactan. The place is truly beautiful, quite surreal even.
If I were to express my stay in BE Resorts in two words, like the name of the resort, it is BE — Beyond Expectations.
Let me tell you my top four BE experiences:
1. Calm Chamber
 When I swiped in my keycard and opened the door to room 422 of BE Resorts Mactan, all I could say was wow! I felt like melting in the calm colors of the room.. the hues of blue and green.. the plumped up pillows.. the climb-in-like-a-queen beds. I absolutely loved the soft coffee colored window seat with its accessorized pillows and the very witty display of frosted glass with round mirrors of varying sizes of which reminded me that Hey, we also have a beach! But nah, I’d rather curl up in the window seat and read a good book until the sky paints red and then fades to black.
2. Woman in White
My friend and I were feeling a bit off on our third day. She had a cold and I had a bit of sore-throat, so that morning we decided to drop by the hotel clinic for a quick check-up. A petite nurse with a warm smile opened the door and ushered us in. She checked our blood pressure and gave my friend the last cold medicine from her kit. As for me, she admitted apologetically that they had no available lozenges. That afternoon, I received a call saying that my lozenge was already available. I received a set of 10-pcs Strepsils inside a Mercury Drug Store plastic.
In the next days, I heard that this woman in white asked my friend how she was doing. This just shows the superb service of the hotel, and perhaps, the hospitability of the Filipinos.
3. Surprising Seats
The place is filled with artistically crafted furniture that simply wows and surprises me to no end. Take this chair for example.
At first glance, this wooden chair is as hard as mini wooden logs clumped and tied together to be used for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. But when I sat on it, it was delightfully soft and comfortable. It followed the curvature of my body. Later I learned that unknown to the naked eye is the foam underneath the numerous wooden cylinders.
4. Breakfast on the Beach
It was my first time to enjoy a meal of bangus (milkfish) with garlic rice and a bowl of Arroz Caldo on the beach, with (rocky) sand under my shoes and the sound of tides in the background. Doesn’t the place sound poetic?
Hop on a plane and feel the romance in Cebu! 
Posted by Mitzi on June 7th, 2011
What is greener than a green wedding in a green destination? One way of having a green wedding is to have a destination wedding. A destination wedding takes place somewhere where you might take a vacation or spend some time in retreat for rest and relaxation. With a destination wedding, the majority of activities you can offer your guests are already in place. Let’s say you are a big fan of Mickey Mouse. Or perhaps you met your fiancé in “the happiest place in the world.” You can consider a vacation in Disney World and hold a wedding in that area.
Destination wedding is a great idea for a bride and groom who have family members and friends located at different parts of the country or the globe. With the advent of globalization, people get to travel and settle in various localities. It is advisable for the couple to hold the wedding festivities in a destination that is not only very meaningful, but also accessible for the guests.
For a green wedding destination, you can be as elaborate or as simple as you want, depending on your budget. One very good place to hold a green wedding is in Portland, Oregon. Portland, the Pacific Northwest’s finest city, is one of the most eco-friendly cities in the world. This place has a vibrant nightlife and a colorful indie music scene. Of course it also has some heavenly sights that can’t be taken for granted. This city has a great ability to preserve parks and nature. Its climate is perfect all year round.
Another city great for a green wedding is San Francisco. Almost half of San Francisco’s residents commute by public transit, walking or biking. It has a very wide green space filled with parks, vineyards, gardens and mountains. Just research online for San Francisco Wedding Venues. There are a lot online. Harvest Inn for example would allow you to take in a picturesque scene of vineyards and mountains, whereas Dublin Ranch Golf Course gives you full view of the lush green valleys and rolling Dublin hills.
When choosing a green wedding destination, it is important to do your research. Browse through travel magazines and get ideas of where you watch to go. Check our web sites and read on the experiences and reviews of others.
Once you have chosen the city for your green wedding destination, choose the right resort for your wedding. You may take into consideration the extras the resort offers. The resort may have horse riding, wall climbing or kayaking. Check which amenities are for free and which ones the guests have to pay extra for. You don’t want your guests to be paying a fortune for their airfare and hotel accommodations, and still pay for every activity in the area.
One last thing, think about the weather conditions where you’re hoping to hold your wedding. Maybe a wedding planned for an outdoor garden in hurricane season is not such a good idea. Get some expert advice about the weather at that location at the time of the year you are considering.
Posted by Mitzi on May 14th, 2011
It was one beautiful picturesque summer day, when I first landed at the city of Tianjin. Once, I asked my sister-in-law how it is like to live in Tianjin, she told me “There’s really nothing much to see in Tianjin,” and so I expected this place to be something like a province– full of trees, cultured animals and cool blown winds. Of course, my imagination exaggerated it a little bit. I was imagining boring farmlands. But, Tianjin proved to be a hidden treasure island filled with rich history, food, art and culture.
There are a great number of sights to catch in Tianjin if you plan to go on a honeymoon break in China. Let me share with you my top 3:
1. A Boat Ride in Heihe River
Heihe river is the body of water that gave life to Tianjin, just as how the Nile was to the Egyptian. This river is considered to be the most important strategic location in the city. It links to a harbor that serves as a demarcation point for all products entering and leaving China.
Rest your head on his shoulder as you travel along the waters of the Heihe river through a romantic boat ride. Discover the western and classic villas that still exist at both sides of the river. The strip shows different architectures of buildings and bridges that point to the rich history of Tianjin. History points that there were seven countries that inhabited Beijing in the past hundreds of years. This is why, as you go along the boat ride, you would see various art and architecture of Italy, France, Japan, Austro-Hungary, UK, Belgium and Germany.
2. Ancient Culture Street
Walk through this 600 year old street that is packed with traditional Tianjin sights and sounds. The Ancient Culture Street features Qing style architecture, so when you stroll along ol’ Tianjin’s memory lane, you’d see houses made of delicately carved bricks with sleek lined terraces. Inside these houses are shops selling unique souvenirs.
Go ahead and enjoy an afternoon of shopping in a very old Chinese setting. You will find wind instruments made from stones and bamboos, pearls of the orient, Chinese handicraft tools, calligraphy and paintings on scrolls, calligraphy brushes and hand crafted kites. Surprisingly, the items for sale are not really that expensive.
3. Italian Style Town
Hit two birds with one stone! Be in Europe and in China at the same time, in Tianjin’s very own Italian Style Town. The Italian Style Town is located beside the Heihe river. It is a favorite destination of love birds in the area because of its undeniably romantic air. The Italian streets and architecture are definitely well worth a visit if you’re already in China.
Newly weds visit the Italian Style Town and have their pictures taken in a rustic Italian ambience. Friends enjoy each other’s company and breathe Tianjin’s fresh air as they dine alfresco. Tourists purchase souvenirs in the town.
What more can you ask for? Hope you enjoy your stay in Tianjin!
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