Fall in Love with the New Hot Beverages from The Goodwill Market.

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?

There’s definitely no better way to perk up during a long workday than with a comforting cup of your favorite hot beverage. The flavour boost from your hot drink of choice can help you give the much-needed boost power through your projects or get through a busy day. To make your refreshments even more wholesome and delicious, The Goodwill Market introduces new coffee, tea, and chocolate drink products that are perfect as breakfast or breaktime companions.

Chek Hup Cham Tarik combines the richness of 100% imported Brazilian coffee beans and Kenya Black Tea with the creaminess of condensed milk. No artificial flavors or sweeteners are added, so each cup brings a naturally smooth burst of energy.

Coffee drinkers can elevate their caffeine fix with Check Hup Kopi Tarik. It is a robust and aromatic blend of 100% Brazilian Coffee with creamy and sweet condensed milk that takes you on a perfectly-brewed taste trip.

Chocolate lovers can try something new, with the Chek Hup Chocolate Drink with Peppermint. This intriguing mix combines the super-rich flavors of fermented cocoa beans with the refreshing taste of peppermint. It is sweetened with Check Hup rock sugar with no artificial chocolate flavouring added.

Enjoy these new Check Hup drink variants conveniently delivered to your doorstep with The GoodWill Market’s online shopping hub that also offers more choices of curated wellness products and health essentials. What’s more, you can sign up for the online newsletter that delivers the latest promos and new product notifications along with interesting content that caters to your healthy lifestyle choices. For more information on The Goodwill Market and to shop securely online, visit www.goodwill.market

Home-cooked Goodness Made Easy with Magnolia Chicken Timplados.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Given the current situation, I'm sure most of us still have qualms about going out and dining at restaurants. I know the feeling as I'm still wary when it comes to going to crowded places and taking off masks (to eat) in public.

For people like me who prefer to celebrate Hearts' Day at home, here's a dinner date idea for you and your significant other - Magnolia Chicken Ready-to-Cook Timplados!

Magnolia Chicken Ready-to-Cook Timplados.

Why choose Magnolia Chicken Ready-to-Cook Timplados? Because iba ang sarap ng home-style goodness! And here are the many reasons why:

• Selyado Sigurado

Packed at Magnolia chicken plants to ensure safety and quality. 

• High in Protein 

To help boost immunity. 

• Pre-marinated and Ready-to-Cook 

Flavoured and packed at its peak of freshness, for a delicious and healthy meal in less than 30 minutes. 

• Delicious Homestyle Goodness 

Super yummy ready-to-cook homestyle meals that your family will surely enjoy. 

Chicken Teriyaki.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Thaw chicken in the lowest part of the refrigerator overnight.

2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.

3. When oil is hot enough, coat chicken with breading and deep-fry for 12 to 15 minutes or until cooked through.

4. Drain excess oil on rack or on paper towels.

Let Love Sparkle with Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry’s Special Valentine Sale!

Valentine’s Day is considered to be one of the most romantic days of the year. It is an extra special time to express your love and affection to your special someone! 

For many of us, giving gifts during the Valentine’s season is one of many ways to show how special someone is in our lives. The season of hearts can be nerve-racking for someone who really spends time thinking about a perfect gift for the perfect someone. Others might want to give a more unique present or would opt to do away with the usual heart-shaped chocolates and flowers.

If you are looking for ways on how to express your feelings for someone dear or you want to gift it for yourself as a way of loving and spoiling yourself, choose jewelry. It is something one can use and wear everyday and treasure for many years. They are considered to be powerful allies to win hearts, celebrate important events, or reward achievements.

“Jewelry is one of the most unique and special presents one can buy, regardless of age and sex. You can gift it to your special someone, to your friend or even to your parents. It’s that kind of a gift that captures the essence of making someone feel important, precious, and valued.”, CEO and President Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

Aside from these jewelry pieces being the perfect gifts for the season of love, this can also be a good investment throughout the years. Compared with the other presents you can give this February 14, jewelry can be meaningful and also practical.

This Valentine’s Day up to February 19, Cebuana Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier Premium, and Just Jewels are holding a six-day Valentine’s Gold Rush Sale nationwide. Shop in over 2,500 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide and avail discounts on all items. You can also shop online through Cebuana Lhuillier, Just Jewels, or Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium Facebook pages.

Get 10% off on all on all items and up to 50% off on selected jewelry items nationwide. Visit Cebuana Lhuillier, Just Jewels, or Cebuana Lhuillier Jewelry Premium branches nationwide or shop online via Cebuana FB Live Selling or cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com.

To know more about Cebuana Lhuillier’s Valentine’s Day Gold Rush Sale, go to the nearest Cebuana Lhuillier near you or just log on to Cebuana Lhuillier’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cebuanalhuillierpawnshop or cebuanalhuillierjewelry.com.

10 Special Gifts for Your SO This Valentine's Day.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is the time to start planning that surprise for your sweetheart. With the restrictions of the pandemic still in place, this is the perfect year to have your gift delivered right to your doorstep. Luckily, there is still plenty of time to order these gifts for delivery.

As a date night at home is a popular way to spend Valentine’s Day, there are plenty of gifts that can help set the mood for a perfect date with your Valentine. Even if you aren’t known as the best gift-giver, here are some suggestions to turn your gift-giving reputation around and show your partner how much you care.

Team Seo Jun here! Hwang In Yeop in True Beauty (2021).

1. Flowers

Let’s start off simple: you can’t go wrong with Valentine’s bouquets. Whether classic red roses or a flower arrangement starring some beautiful lilies, everybody loves getting flowers. You can even get beautiful flower arrangements delivered directly to your sweetheart. Don’t forget to personalize the note!

2. A long-lasting keepsake

In addition to sending flowers, you can send an Eternity Rose, a real rose dipped in gold or platinum to last past Valentine’s Day.

3. Personalized artwork

Show how much you care by memorializing a special moment or anniversary through some artwork. Give the gift of a customized constellation piece reflecting the sky on your first date. Or some wall art of the coordinates of your first home together.

Lee Jae Wook and Kim Hye Yoon, cameo appearance in True Beauty.

4. Go all out for a movie night date

While movie theaters still may be out of the question, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the movie theater to your living room. Rent a romantic comedy and turn the living room into the perfect cozy cave. Popcorn is all that’s missing. Prepare for the proper movie theater experience by gifting your significant other a popcorn basket full of delicious treats.

5. Salami bouquet

Maybe you want to send an unconventional bouquet. Whether for your boyfriend or girlfriend, consider sending your significant other a beef jerky bouquet. Or even a salami bouquet to the meat lover in your life. It’s not too often you get to eat a bouquet.

6. The gift of self-care

Everybody needs to take some time for themselves. Sending a curated basket of essential oils and moisturizers can make it easier for your significant other to embrace the me-time they deserve.

Captain Ri's candle!
How can we ever forget this scene from Crash Landing on You (2020)?

7. A sentimental candle

You can never have too many candles. Get a candle that reminds your significant other of your shared memories and special moments. There are personalized candles based on locations or events of significance. It’s been proven that personal scents can increase the attraction between two people. Find the perfect candle to show how you feel about your partner.

8. A box of chocolates

Who doesn’t enjoy a box of chocolates? Valentine’s Day doesn’t feel complete without eating heart shaped chocolates from a box. Make sure you get your box of chocolates prior to the holiday to avoid those chocolate cravings.

9. A gourmet gift basket

Send a basket of some of the finest foods, heart-shaped and otherwise. The best part of sending a gift basket full of food is that you’ll often get to partake in the eating of these gourmet treats. So really, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Wi Ha Joon and Lee Na Young in Romance is a Bonus Book (2019).

10. Personalize a book

There are many resources out there to create a personalized book that captures the relationship between you and your partner. You could create your own scrapbook of photos throughout the years, or you could even get a personalized picture book full of high-quality illustrations. Make a book that tells your unique love story. Fall in love with your story all over again.

No matter what you get your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day, the most important part of the gift is showing them that you care. Take advantage of gift delivery services and surprise your significant other with a romantic delivery when they’re least expecting it.

Sneak Peek | Etude House x Hershey's Collection.

I've been out of touch from the blogosphere and my social media pages lately. Been extremely busy since we moved to our new place, not to mention that my seven-year-old laptop seems to want to retire already (not yet please, says my budget). But I just had to tell you guys about this - the latest product drops from Korean beauty brand Etude House!

Etude House x Hershey's collection.

These new babies got me so excited because it's actually a collaboration collection with one of my favorite chocolate brands, Hershey's! Remember how Etude House broke the internet last year with their Kitkat eyeshadow palettes? Seems like they're gonna outdo themselves with this year's Valentine's Day collection by launching not just an eyeshadow palette, but also eyeshadow brushes and lip products.

Here's a sneak peek of what the Etude House x Hershey's collection has in store:

Etude House x Hershey's Play Color Eyes Mini Eyeshadow Palettes, 16000 won.

The eyeshadow palettes, which look like actual chocolate bars complete with foil wrappers, come in two variants - Original and Cookies 'n' Creme. The latter is perfect for creating 'soft and sweet' makeup looks, while the Original palette is great for 'cut-crease', 'night-out' looks with its warm brown and shimmery gold shades. 

Shade selection,
Etude House x Hershey's Play Color Eyes Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Original.

Shade selection,
Etude House x Hershey's Play Color Eyes Mini Eyeshadow Palette in Cookies 'n' Creme.

You can achieve these looks using the brushes included in the collection - the 'Creamy Milk Chocolate' brush with a rounder tip, which you can use to blend base shades on your eyelids; and the 'Cookies 'n' Creme' brush with a pointed tip, which you can use for doing detailed work, like blending eyeshadow and highlighting the inner corners of your eyes.

Etude House x Hershey's My Beauty Tool Brush, 6000 won.

And because no collection would be complete without a lip product, the Etude House x Hershey's collection also features two Powder Rouge Tints in yummy, chocolatey shades - Hazelnut Choco, a gorgeous terracotta shade, and Almond Choco, a sultry shade of red.

Etude House x Hershey's Powder Rouge Tint, 12000 won.

The Etude House x Hershey's Collection is now available in South Korea, and word has it that they will be released in other countries by February 1.

Which of these eye-and-lip candies will you be copping? :)

Sneak Peek | Etude House x KitKat Collection.

I'm not the kind of girl who looks forward to flowers and chocolates and all that cutesy stuff on Valentine's Day. Never was, and probably never will. I am, however, the kind of girl who would choose makeup over flowers on any given day - especially if the makeup is as adorbs as this.

Etude House x KitKat Collection.

Etude House is the latest Korean beauty brand to work on a collaboration collection with a food brand, and it's with KitKat no less! The 'food meets beauty' trend was quite a hit with K-beauty fans (as evidenced by the Coca-Cola makeup line, the Peko collection, and the Samyang collection), and it was only a matter of time for Etude House - and perhaps other K-beauty brands - to follow suit. 

For Valentine's Day, Etude House revamped their eyeshadow palettes to make them look like the KitKat chocolate bars we know and love! This chocolate-inspired collection features two Play Color Eyes Mini Palettes, with each palette containing six different shades.

Etude House x Kitkat Play Color Eyes Mini Eyeshadow Palette in 'Original'.

Shade selection of the 'Original' palette.

The 'Original' palette resembles KitKat's classic red packaging, with shades ranging from a light champagne to a vivid metallic gold.

Etude House x KitKat Play Color Eyes Mini Eyeshadow Palette in 'Strawberry Tiramisu'.

Shade selection of the 'Strawberry Tiramisu' palette.

The 'Strawberry Tiramisu' palette, on the other hand, comes in a pink and white packaging and has shades ranging from a blushing pink to a rich brown hue. 

Comes with a pouch and a chocolate bar.

The Etude House x KitKat Play Color Eyes Mini Palettes are encased in a soft pouch, and comes with a free bar of KitKat. They retail for 20000 Korean won each, and they're selling like hotcakes in Korea.

No news yet if they'll be sold here in the Philippines, but I'm hoping to see these cuties on the Althea website one of these days. Otherwise, I'll have to ask my other half to take a break and do some makeup shopping for me. Haha! :)

Spotlight | The Eternity Rose.

Valentine's has long been over, and by now, the flowers that were given as gifts to celebrate the occasion have either wilted or have been thrown away. After all, fresh cut flowers look good for just three to four days - a week, at the most.

But not my rose.

The Eternity Rose.

Mine neither dries, fades, or wilts, and will last and look the same for many more Valentine's (and even wedding anniversaries) to come. It's called The Eternity Rose, a one-of-a-kind gift that's guaranteed to live up to its name. Created by a group of Australia-based artisans, The Eternity Rose has been in the market - Europe, in particular - for over nine years.

A rose for all eternity.

What makes this product extraordinary is that it's made with a real rose, grown to perfection by a team of trained horticulturalists who vigilantly watch over the blossoms and harvest them at their ideal stage of bloom. The roses then undergo a complex, 60-step process of preservation which includes 'freezing' the flower in its natural form, coating it with several layers of lacquer, dipping it in platinum, silver, and gold, or glazing and trimming the edges with pure, 24-karat gold. The entire process takes about 90 days, making this product a finely crafted work of art.

Even the leather case is a work of art. 

My very own Eternity Rose is an exquisite, light blue rose, glazed and trimmed in 24-karat gold. Sure, a gold or platinum-dipped rose would look even more majestic, but I personally chose blue since this color represents the 10th wedding anniversary. Husband and I are celebrating our tenth year of marriage this June, and the Blue Eternity Rose makes a perfect, lasting keepsake for this happy occasion.

Makes a lovely conversation piece, too. 

The glazed roses are also available in other colors, including red - the ultimate symbol of beauty and love. Each rose is presented in a stylish display case made from leather, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Certificate of Authenticity.

Aside from Valentine's Day and wedding anniversaries, The Eternity Rose makes an exceptional gift for just about any occasion - birthdays, Mother's Day, and even graduations. They can be purchased directly from The Eternity Rose website, and can be bought with or without a display case, or as a set with a brass vase also dipped in precious metals.

A closer look at my Light Blue Eternity Rose.

If you prefer something wearable, you'd be glad to know that The Eternity Rose also has rose pendants and earrings available. You can buy them as a set to match your Eternity Rose, or purchase them separately. They offer free shipping for all orders, and can deliver to over 50 countries around the globe, including the Philippines.

Believe me, this rose is even lovelier in person. :)

Visit The Eternity Rose website to know more about their products and view the complete collection and/or follow their official Facebook page for promos and product updates.

Spotlight | To PH With Love.

Unlike other couples, my husband and I really don't celebrate Valentine's Day. Aside from the fact that we've been physically apart for the past six Valentine's (this year will be the seventh), we just don't like the thought of 'joining the Valentine bandwagon' - you know, flowers and chocolates and all that mushy stuff.

Surprisingly, however, this year is an exception. My husband sent an early present that's actually within the norm of Valentine's Day gifts! (Three years ago I got a cookware set for Valentines, how cool is that?!) But they're not for me, though. They're for Yue, which made this present extra special.

A surprise from Daddy!

Apparently, the husband tapped the services of To:PH With Love, a newly-established company that aims to help OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) around the world to send gifts to their families here in the Philippines. Gifts can be in the form of flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals, even surprise parties for your loved ones.

Made possible by To:PH with Love.

Pre-packaged gift sets are also available, such as the one the husband sent. This gift set in particular contains an assortment of chocolates and a teddy bear keyring housed in a cute ice cream cone.

Sweet treats inside!

Yue was thrilled to discover that the ice cream cone is actually a coin bank. He asked my grandmother for coins and deposited them inside the cone right away.

Saving for a rainy day. :)

This gift arrived at our place last weekend, and could not have come at a better time. You see, we had a bit of mishap at the barbers last Saturday, which led to the skinhead cut. Yue didn't like the thought of having his precious hair hacked off (he really loved his high fade pompadour), and cried a river while sitting in the barbers chair. When we got home, this package was practically waiting at the doorstep and it was more than enough to cheer Yue up and make him forget about the barbershop brouhaha. Whew! :)

Thanks, Daddy!
And thank you, To PH With Love!

Still on the lookout for Valentine's gifts? Let To PH With Love help you in selecting the perfect gift for your loved ones!

To PH with Love
Manila, Philippines
+63-927-988-4523
tophwithlove@gmail.com

Foodie Goodie | Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Cooking for your loved ones on Valentine's Day? How about adding this quick and easy red velvet dessert to your menu?

Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
2 teaspoons red gel or liquid food color (use 2 1/2 teaspoons if needed)
3/4 cups Original Bisquick™ mix
1/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 cup white vanilla baking chips (add 1/2 cup more if desired)

Procedure:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 2 cookie sheets with silicone baking mats or cooking parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in vanilla, egg and food color.
4. Add Bisquick mix and baking cocoa; beat on low speed until combined.
5. Stir in chips.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
7. Bake for at least 8 minutes. (Take note - Do not bake beyond 10 minutes.) 
8. Cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes.
9. Remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

As seen on Betty Crocker.

Happy Hearts Day, everyone! And have a great weekend, too! :)

Spotlight | oNecklace.

Sometime last December, I received an email from the Marketing Manager of oNecklace, an international jewelry manufacturer that deals exclusively with customized jewelry. She asked me if I'd be interested in receiving one of their jewelry pieces (customized to my specifications), in exchange for a product feature/review. I browsed through their website, and upon seeing their wide selection of intricate jewelry, I said yes to the proposal.

About two weeks later, this came in the mail.

From oNecklace, with love.

Inside the box was my Three Ring Engraved Mother Necklace in Sterling Silver. This elegantly crafted choker pendant is designed with three round rings, each engraved with a name. I had our names engraved in the rings, with my son's name in between my husband's and mine.

Three Ring Engraved Mother Necklace.

The chain is also made of sterling silver, and can be ordered in different chain dimensions - from 14" to 22". They sent me a 22" chain, which is a pretty comfortable fit around my neck - not too tight, and lets the pendant dangle nicely when worn.

Silver chain.

Together with this lovely piece of jewelry came a Certificate of Authenticity. Take note that aside from Sterling Silver, oNecklace also sell jewelry pieces in 24K Gold Plated,14K Gold, and White Gold.

Certificate of Authenticity.

Now if you're thinking of ordering from oNecklace (and I encourage you to do so, all the more that Valentine's Day is just around the corner), you'd be happy to know that they offer Free Shipping worldwide, and they ship orders within 24 hours.

Shipping time depends on where they order is being shipped to. If you're in the US or the UK, you can expect your orders to be delivered within 3-5 business days. I consider myself lucky to receive my package within two weeks, because it usually takes an eternity for snail mail/packages to arrive here in the Philippines. 

Now here's how the necklace looks like when worn.

Wearing my Three Ring Engraved Mother Necklace from oNecklace. :)

Having had a good experience with oNecklace, I'm thinking of getting another piece from them. Perhaps a name necklace with 'Rebel' for its pendant. Not my name, because I already have one, which my husband sent as a gift about three years ago.

And for my readers, here's a little (Valentine's) gift! Use the code rebel10 upon checkout to enjoy a 10% discount on your oNecklace purchase! Happy jewelry shopping! :)

Foodie Goodie | Valentine Cookie Pops.

Ah yes, Valentine's Day. It's that time of the year again.
Flowers and chocolates become abundant, Cupid, hearts, and all things red can be found everywhere, and businesses make a killing from lovebirds and romantics who dish out tons of money to celebrate or profess their undying love.

Now if you're the kind of person who likes giving gifts with a personal touch, here's something for you. It's an easy-breezy cookie recipe with ingredients that don't cost too much, either. Moms (or dads) can even try making this with their kids. I bet the little ones will have lots of fun decorating this sweet treat!

Valentine Cookie Pops

Ingredients:
1 package (16 oz) Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!™ refrigerated sugar cookies (24 cookies)
24 flat wooden sticks with round ends
1 1/4 cups vanilla creamy ready-to-spread frosting
Assorted small candies, or candy decors or nonpareils, if desired
10 yards red curling ribbon

Procedure:

1) Heat oven to 350°F.


2) On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookie dough pieces 2 inches apart.

3) Into side of each piece of dough, insert wooden stick 1 inch, overlapping wooden sticks as necessary.
4) Bake 12 to 16 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.



5) Let it cool for about 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets. The allow the cookies to cool completely for about 10 minutes.
6) Spread frosting on one side of each cookie; decorate with candies.
7) Tie 18 inches of red ribbon into bow around each stick next to cookie.Wrap in clear cellophane if desired.

As seen on Pillsbury Recipes. Shared with Food Friday and Food Trip Friday.

And because it's Valentine's Day, here are some fun facts that are too interesting not to share.

- South Koreans have a romance-related day for every 14th day of the month. For February 14th, the day recognized as Valentine’s Day in many countries around the world, women give chocolate to the men. In the same way, men give candy to women on March 14th, which they call 'White Day'. Those that do not receive any candy drown their sorrows on April 14th, mourning being forever alone. This day is referred to as 'Black Day' and singles go to eat black noodles at a restaurant. These noodles represent the woe of singleness.

- 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine’s Day are men, while only 27% are women; 15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.

- Approximately 110 million roses, mostly red, will be sold and delivered within the three-day Valentine's Day time period. 

- The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife.

- In the U.S., 64 percent of men do not make plans in advance for a romantic Valentine's Day with their sweethearts.

Happy Hearts Day, folks! Have a good one! And I mean that in a wholesome way. :)