The Genius That is Online Shopping.

Not too long ago, most people were wary about using the Internet for making purchases. Today, shopping online with places like Peak Boutique is the norm as more people are appreciating the benefits of shopping online.

Understanding why online fashion is becoming more attractive is fairly easy. Considering that many people spend a considerable amount of time at work, running to a crowded mall might not be their first desirable place to be. So to accommodate shoppers, fashion stores are putting up show all over the web.

Here are more things to consider as you feel secure enough to use your credit card online to buy that favorite outfit or latest fashion trend.

Photo credit: Wall Street Journal.

Online Boutiques Never Close
After a long hard day at work, you might decide to go shopping at midnight. However, all the stores are closed. What can you do? Wait until the weekend and join all the other shoppers looking for parking spaces on the mall parking lot? Perhaps. Or, you can boot up your computer and go shopping at one of your favorite online stores.

That is the genius of shopping online. You can conveniently buy what you want or need at any time of the day or night. Of course, your order might not be processed until the next day when workers are awake. Still, there is a good chance that your items will arrive within a few days.

Faster Research before Buying
Offline, you might have to go to several stores within one or several malls before you find the perfect shade of red. On the Internet, however, you can research different shops with just a few clicks. You can also read reviews about the store and/or items that you are considering before you spend any money.

You save time, money and the disappointment of driving all over the city in hopes of finding what you want.

Some Shops Have Better Deals
More often than not, you can find better bargains online than walking into a shop. Online stores usually have a great deal of competition to win over customers. As a result, you get better deals online.

Indeed, online shopping growth has even sparked high end fashion brands to vie for customers. They too offer discounts and sales regularly to build and sustain a fan base of customers who enjoy the convenience of shopping online.

This hassle-free way of buying without leaving your house will continue its evolution.

Haul | Korean Cosmetics + Forever21.

The little man goes back to school tomorrow, so expect me to be busier than the usual in the coming days. Mommies, you understand what I'm saying right? :) We all go back to the daily grind tomorrow, after all. But before chaos ensues around here, indulge me with this quick post and allow me to show you the stuff that I have bought the past week.

You might have heard that the husband and I just celebrated our tenth-slash-fifth anniversary. My better half treated me a to shopping spree at Kimchi Jib, which gave me the chance to stock up on some of my favorite Korean skincare products.

Clockwise from L-R:
Laneige Snow BB Cream, Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX,
samples of various skincare products from Missha, Apieu, & Liole,
Skin79 Skinny Mirror Pact, Skin79 Kick It Side Thin Sponge.

This loot arrived on the eve of our anniversary, and it came just in time as the night moisturizer that I've been using was already running on empty. Ms. Maggie, the owner of Kimchi Jib, even included a bunch of product samples in the package. So yay, I'm a happy customer! I got me some new products to try! :)

I also did a bit of shopping at Forever 21 last Friday. I was in Makati to attend to claim my prize at the EON office, and I made the most out of that trip by getting me some new clothes for the new school year. As if I were the incoming student, haha!

Clockwise from L-R:
Grey Knit Top, Blue Dolman, Black Knee-length Leggings,
Black Regular Length Leggings, Basic Tee in Tomato,
Basic Tee in Sea Green.

And that's it! I told you this post is gonna be quick, haha!
I have to get some shut-eye now, as I need to wake up awfully early tomorrow. Flag ceremony is at 7 freaking 30 in the morning and I wouldn't want the little man to arrive late on his first day at the new school. Ah, good luck to me! Lol!

1ShoppingCart for the Budding Online Entrepreneur.

There has been a proliferation of online stores all over the web. It's become a booming and lucrative industry thanks to advanced technology, online banking, and patrons around the world who prefer to shop at the comfort of their own homes or offices. I'm a huge fan of online stores myself - from makeup to Kpop merchandise, to bags, clothes, and shoes, even my son's toys and books - I've tried buying them all online.

Now if you're an online seller who wishes to transform your existing online store into an eCommerce website - complete with an eCommerce shopping cart - then you may want to consider 1shoppingcart.com. It's a basic eCommerce software package that provides the basic tools to help you transform your existing online store into a successful website. With its easy-to-use interface and straightforward approach, you do not need to be the ultimate techie or a computer genius to be able to understand and use this software.

Photo credit: TechWench

One of its key features is the large inventory that you can add to your site. If you're selling a multitude of products, then you'll be glad to know that there's room for all your merchandise. You also have the power to advertise your products, complete with coupon options to attract even more customers.

As for the payment options, the 1ShoppingCart software is equipped with risk-management tools, including a secure https server (SSL) for credit card transactions. This feature requires your customers to enter the CVV2 value on the back of most credit cards, ensuring that the customer has the physical card and avoiding fraud along the way.

Seafood for the Holidays!

Since we're on the topic of food and holiday eating, I'm sure most of you already have plans for your family's Christmas dinner. Mum won't be coming home for the holidays this year (it sucks, I know), so we'll be missing her and her signature dishes come Christmas Day.

It's a good thing, though, that my siblings and I know how to cook. My sister, who once owned a small Italian restaurant, can whip up a storm in the kitchen. Pasta dishes are her forte, but she can cook some mean Mediterranean dishes, too. My brother, on the other hand, can cook some simple Filipino dishes (think adobo and sinigang). But wait 'til you taste his tiramisu. They're to die for, I tell you, and this dessert used to be the best-seller in my sister's restaurant.

Now the three of us haven't really finalized our Christmas dinner menu. We'll be having pasta and tiramisu, that's for sure. And there's the traditional holiday ham, which I'm certain most of you will have on your menus, too.

Black Tiger Prawns, peeled, tail on.

I'm thinking of adding seafood to our menu this year, say stuffed crabs or pan-fried tiger prawns. I don't even have to worry about the ingredients or the preparation, since I can do seafood order online, and have these restaurant-quality dishes delivered in time for Christmas dinner. I'm sure my siblings won't have qualms since they love seafood dishes, too.

How 'bout you? What's on your menu?

Hello Baby, Hello, Brio!

In this day and age of fast-paced technology where all sorts of high-tech toys and gizmos are abundant, and where toddlers learn their nursery rhymes from tablets and Android applications, it's nice to know that there are still classic, old-school toys available in the market today.

Hello Baby is a London-based online nursery and baby shop that sells such toys. Founded in 2007 by Trevor Ginn, Hello Baby believes that toys should be fun and educational. Hence, they provide a wide-range of toys - from the modern to the traditional - that keep the little ones amused and help develop their senses.

This Brio Race Car is a perfect example.

Made of wood and lead-free paint, this race car is perfect for toddlers to play with, and still suitable for my son's age. (Yue is three, by the way.) Simple as it may look like, this traditional toy racer can provide hours of entertainment as it enhances the imagination and develops eye-hand coordination of your child.

In Europe, Brio toys are a common sight in preschool classrooms and childcare centers. The brand has become a household name with their quality lead-free toys and eco-friendly children's products.

Although the £6.19 price tag may be expensive for some, to me this is still better than those cheap plastic toys that may be laden with lead, mercury, and other toxic chemicals. When it comes to my son, his safety comes first.

And for someone who learned how to operate an iPhone at 24-months old, and has unlocked almost all of the stages in Angry Birds, it's amazing how much the little man enjoyed this simple toy. He loves it so much that he even takes it to bed with him!

The Brio Race Car comes in four colors - green, red, blue, orange. Hello Baby ships worldwide, terms and conditions apply.

*Product was sent free of charge for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

InstaMUG is instalove!

As a photo enthusiast and a self-confessed camwhore, it's no surprise that I'm also an Instagram user - and an avid one, at that. With the exclusion of Facebook and Twitter, this has got to be the most used app on my phone. Now almost one-year-old and with nearly 700 photos, my Instagram account has become an appendage to this blog, and posting photos has become some sort of daily habit.


Now if you think Instagram is pretty cool, here's something way cooler. Meet InstaMUG - the best thing that has ever happened to Instagram photos!

75 thumbnails + pink inner color.

Simply put, it's your Instagram profile come to life on a ceramic mug. InstaMUG gives a whole new meaning to coffee breaks and tea time as you get to enjoy memorable Instagram snapshots in between sips.

Mugged!

By default, InstaMUG captures the most recent 'look' of your Instagram profile.
That means 75 of your most recent photos as they appear on your Instagram. With the Thumbnails 75 option, you can choose the photos that will appear on your InstaMUG, at no extra cost. (75 photos on a white mug, Php 280. With inner color on mug, Php 300.)

Other print options are also available. The 4iG is a large print of four Instagram photos. (4 photos on a white mug, Php 250. With inner color on mug, Php 270.) The newest offering is the Mid, which is a mix of the first two layout options. With Mid, you get more photos at a bigger size. (27 photos on a white mug, Php 280. With inner color on mug, Php 300.)

Photo credit: InstaMUG

At present, InstaMUG ships within the Philippines only. The business is fairly new (they began operations last May only), and with the mugs now gaining attention and becoming popular, I'm pretty sure they'll be shipping internationally in no time.

Speaking of shipping, my first InstaMUG arrived in this state. I wasn't home when the delivery guy came, and a relative received it in my behalf. When she handed me the package, I heard a clinking sound and I had a feeling that something's wrong with my mug.

I guessed correctly, and the clinking sound came from the broken pieces of the handle. Luckily, the mug itself was unscathed. The little man was so happy to see his photos on the mug, but excitement turned to disappointment when he saw the broken handle. "Hindi ka pwede maglagay ng coffee jan, Mommy," he pointed out. (You can't put coffee in there, Mommy.)

I informed the InstaMUG team right away and Ms. Miracle was very apologetic, despite the fact that the courier should also be taking the blame. And with that, Ms. Miracle sent me another mug, this time with thrice the protective packaging. The tiny thank-you note is present, as always.

I like receiving sweet little notes such as this. To me, it's a sign of sincerity and being customer-friendly.

So now I have two InstaMUGs, much to the delight of the little man.

He took the broken mug, which now holds his pencils, crayons, and markers. As for the other InstaMUG, it's now sitting beside me as I write and filled to the brim with my favorite Korean coffee.

Want your own InstaMUG?
Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter!
And of course, they're also on Instagram (@insta_mug).
You'll be surprise to seed celebrities who are proud owners of InstaMUGs, too!

Product/s was sent to me for review. Thoughts and opinions are my own.


Sharing with InstaFriday, Photostory Friday, Simple Things and Great Finds Sunday.

Spud 'n Squishy Baby Shop | Spotlight + Giveaway!

Running an online store is not a walk in the park. I know, because I used to be an online seller myself.

Despite the challenge, it was fun for the most part - and quite lucrative, too. But after giving birth to my son, I found it even more challenging - if not impossible - to juggle mommy duties, household chores, plus managing an online store all at the same time. I eventually gave up the latter, after being active in the online marketplace for almost five years.

And that is why I take my hat off for mompreneur Jade - online seller, and mother of two. She is the woman behind Spud 'n Squishy Baby Shop, an online retail store that provides eco-friendly, natural/organic, top quality products. 

The store was named after her two kids, whom she fondly call 'Spud' and 'Squishy'. Aside from being her inspiration, the two boys act as quality control inspectors, too. Most of the products available in her store have been tried and tested on Spud and Squishy.

And because Jade has kids of her own, she knows that every parent wants nothing but the best for his/her child without having to break the bank. As such, Spud 'n Squishy Baby Shop provides its customers with best-quality products at practical and affordable prices. Guaranteed safe for babies and eco-friendly, too!

Just recently, Spud 'n Squishy launched 'eSPUDrilles' - a new and exclusive line of espadrilles for babies and toddlers. With prices ranging from Php 370 to Php 410, and designs for both boys and girls, these eSPUDrilles come in eco-friendly, reusable pouches, too!

Little girls are in for a treat with these cute and colorful hair trinkets by Dainty Ashley. There's an array of designs and colors to choose from, and prices range from Php 160 to Php 185 only.

If your child is already schooling (like mine), here's a fun way to jazz up their uniforms - LittleLife Animal Daysacks! These ladybugs, bumblebees, and butterflies are roomy enough to hold snacks, nappies, extra clothes, and even toys. And they're currently on sale at Php 800 only.

Now here's the best part.
Jade is giving you all, my dear readers and followers, the chance to win goodies from her Spud 'n Squishy Baby Shop! She's giving away these Cartoon Towel Bibs to ONE lucky reader! And the winner gets to take home THREE Cartoon Towel Bibs of his/her choice!

I'm sure you all know the drill by now. Wait for the Rafflecopter to load, and earn entries by completing the tasks. The more tasks you accomplish (they're easy peasy!), the more entries you get. That means better chances for you to win!

Good luck, and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Ready for another great giveaway hop? Join the Bloggers Giving Back Baby Bash hosted by Makobi Scribe and MomVantage with the grand prize as a Diaper Cake from Diaper Cake Walk. 

Enter the grand prize giveaway here. The idea of this hop was to give back to the community and donate the items that bloggers received to review.

Spotlight | Hokkoh Online Shop.

If there's an online store that truly embodies the essence of uniqueness, then it's got to be Hokkoh.
Fun, funky, yet completely functional - these best describe Hokkoh's wide range of merchandise. 

This store has something for everyone. For instance, comic book junkies will definitely love these Avengers USB thumb drives. With a capacity of up to 8GB, these rare collectors' items can save not just the Earth, but loads of important data!

Avengers 8GB Thumb Drive, Php 1875.

For the coffeeholic workaholic, here's the perfect companion for you and  your Caramel Macchiato.

Drink Clip, Php 85.

A drink clip that you can attach to your office table or work desk at home! Guaranteed anti-spill design keeps your paperwork safe from your coffee, too.

Ladies will find this bag very interesting.

LED Lamp, Php 450.

Because it actually transforms into a lamp! And an LED at that. Great for late night studying or as a night light if you can't sleep in complete darkness.

Then there's this Lego watch that screams of cuteness.

Lego watch, Php 950.

If you're a Lego fan like me, then this wrist-candy is definitely worth-buying. Great for flaunting, too!

As for the little ones, Hokkoh has something for them as well.

Good Night Essie, Php 980.

Meet Essie the Turtle, the perfect companion for restless little kids (and even insomniac adults). With four soothing colors to choose from, Essie's lights transform your otherwise ordinary bedroom ceiling into a mesmerizing night-sky.

I could go on and on about all the interesting things that Hokkoh has to offer, but I suppose it'd be better if you can view the complete collection for yourself. That way, you can put all the things you fancy straight into the shopping cart and purchase them as soon as you're done.

And with that, I leave you Hokkoh's home on Multiply, page on Facebook, and handle on Twitter.
Happy Hokkoh shopping! :)

Want free stuff from Hokkoh? Stay tuned for the Unique Gifts event happening on July 3 midnight EST. That's noontime in the Phi, and one pm in Seoul. Later, folks! :)

Discount Shopping | Deals of the Week!

Starting today and every Friday onward, I'll be posting some of the great deals that I've found online. Use these codes as much as you please. :)

Get 10% off any order at BagInc

Enter Discount: TEN%

Free shipping on orders worth $50 and above at Precious Moments

Enter Coupon: GOFREE11

Get $10 off on orders worth $100 at UFC (USA)

Enter Coupon: UFCAFF10

Happy shopping! And have a great weekend everyone!

Online Exclusives from BDO!

Shopping online is now more rewarding than ever. Get exclusive perks and privileges when you use your American Express Credit Card or BDO Credit Card in the following websites.

Promo runs until February 29, 2012.

For more details, visit the promo page of BDO's official website.

Byzmo Win, and another Onitsuka Tiger.

Last May, Byzmo, one of my favorite online stores, turned two. In celebration of its anniversary, the store opened its very own Facebook page where a contest and a raffle was also held.

The mechanics were pretty simple. For the contest, all you have to do is post a photo of your Byzmo-bought products. The picture with the most 'likes' wins. For the raffle, submit a testimonial for Byzmo and whoever gets picked by via random draw wins.

The prize? Two $50 gift cards - one for the photo contest and one for the raffle draw. These gift cards can be used to buy items from any of the US pre-order sites frequented by Byzmo.

I've been a regular costumer for about a year, so I sent Jaimee (the woman behind Byzmo) this photo of my son. I included a small description of this photo, which served as its caption. It read: Bought a surprise gift courtesy of Byzmo. Yue's Perry the Platypus is the envy of many. :)

Since I did this out of goodwill for Jaimee, I didn't bother rallying for likes from Facebook friends. For me, it was returning her the favor for the trust and accommodation that she has given all this time. On top of that, I've never really had much luck with raffles and contests. Remember those Red Cross raffle tickets from grade school? I never won in any of them. Not even a consolation prize. And those raffle draws during company Christmas parties? Zilch. The most that I have won from those was a not-so-expensive pressure cooker. TV set? DVD player? Never.

So imagine my surprise when Jaimee broke the news in her Facebook wall. My name got picked in the raffle! I won a $50 gift card! I knew right away where to spend my prize - Zappos! Here's what I got:

Onitsuka Tiger California 78, baby! Another one to add to my collection!  I've fallen in love with them since my first Mexico 66. My feet are most comfortable when I'm wearing OTs. :)

These shoes are beyond cool. It's low-profile design and super sleekness adds even more to its charm. And yes, they're authentic. Check the tag. It's like a mini-booklet, and it's tied with a rope. The counterfeits use plastic safety tags instead of the woven rope. They don't have the mini-booklet as well.

This win from Byzmo has definitely ignited my fire. Now I join blog contests and giveaways, with hopes that I'll get lucky again. And luck has indeed been very good to me, as I won in another online giveaway a few days ago. But let's save that for another entry.

To sum it up, my hats off to Byzmo, my heartfelt thanks to Jaimee, and... my Onitsuka Tigers rock! ;)

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Smart Shopper, and the Start of Something Smokin'.

I said I love makeup, right? But here's the thing. While I've been wearing makeup for the longest time (I was already using mascara and lipgloss back in high school), I never really paid much attention to how makeup should be worn. Back then, I was content with just pressed powder, concealer, lipstick, and using just one shade of eyeshadow. No more, no less. That is, until this baby came along.

It's a Profusion Eye Glaze set, which I got as a present from Tita Mac of SmartShopper. I ordered a pair of Onitsuka Tigers from her last year, and this makeup was sent as a freebie. 

I almost always receive makeup items as freebies each time I buy something from her. Tita Mac is pretty much aware how much of a kikay I am, because she's seen my vanity plastered all over my Facebook page. LOL.

Seeing the shades in this palette, I knew it was meant for the 'smokey eye' look. I was never fond of dark makeup before, thinking that it does not suit me. But then again, you'll never really know unless you give it a try. 

So I Googled smokey eye, read makeup blogs, watched makeup demo videos, and experimented with the stuff I have at home. The next thing I knew, I was putting on BB cream, lining my eyebrows, wearing liquid eyeliner - all those stuff that were not part of my usual makeup routine. And as it turns out, smokey eyes suit me, after all. 

I love the transition from dark to light, and the drama that goes with it. Plus the fact that attention is drawn to my eyebrow ridge and not my (dark) undereyes. Haha!

With that, I now take makeup matters seriously - which also means an extra thirty minutes has been added to my already one hour prep time. I've already gotten complaints from my son (Mommy, ang tagal mo naman magbihis! Gusto ko na umalis ng bahay!) and my Mum (Jusko anak, saan ba ang shooting mo? Aabay ka ba ngayon?), but my husband has only praises for it. So I guess it's all good.

Quick tip: Opposites together. 

Dark eyeshadow + light lipstick. Light eyeshadow + dark lipstick. 

Never match dark with dark unless you're acting in a stage play. :)

Great makeup finds? Items from US websites? Check out Smart Shopper now! :)