Finally!! Affordable Shoe Storage Boxes! :)

I've always been on the look out for affordable shoe storage boxes! I've seen a lot but they are all very unreasonably priced. Usually ranging from P350 to P700 each which for me is too much, simply for storing my everyday shoes. I found some P100 per storage box but when I checked the bottom part they are not made to be piled up, one on top of the other which for me defeats the purpose because I plan to save space that's why I was on the look out for shoe storage boxes.

When we went on an unplanned grocery trip a few months ago at Rustan's Rockwell branch I saw these Shoe Storage Boxes, they were marked as Multi-Purpose boxes and sold for just P99 for three pieces!! I told my husband.. "wow these are cheap at just P33 per box!!" I went ahead and bought 5 sets I figured I will try them out first.

These boxes are amazing! They are big enough to fit two sandals or one pair of high heels shoes or wedges. You can pile them up as high as you want and the cover has tiny holes which I poke with the tip of a big needle so they become a bit bigger. These holes are great at letting air in so my shoes won't turn brittle because they are enclosed in an airtight container.

Over the past months I've bought around 15 sets!! I love, love these storage boxes because they are so durable and affordable!! :)

The size is perfect, not too big not too small! My high heels shoes fit perfectly inside the box :)

MY Tried, Tested and Well LOVED Beauty Products all FOR-PRE ORDER (BATCH 2)

Over the past few years I was able to explore and try out A LOT of beauty products! Now I finally have a solid list of my very own "MUST HAVE" beauty  products that I’ve tried, tested and truly love! Not just because they all worked so well for me but because I finally saw great results compared to when I was using other skincare brands. 

Next month my sister and I will be traveling once more for a business trip. We will be able to bring home some of the "hard to find products" below, so take your pick! We can only bring home a limited amount of products so place your orders early. 

Get ready for a long post all about AMAZING BEAUTY PRODUCTS!! 

If you see anything you like kindly PM me the following ORDER FORM: 

(Please send via: facebook.com/shoptinytots )

FULL NAME:

EXACT ORDERS:

DELIVERY ADDRESS:

CELL NUMBER:

MODE of PAYMENT if via BPI, BDO or Globe GCASH: 

You can also text me at 0947-890-6217 :) ( Vicvic ) 

** OUR ONE and ONLY REQUEST: No cancellation of orders please. We will not require any down payment so please be sure to order only what you intend to pay for. I know the list can be a bit overwhelming but please get only what you really want. ALL Items will arrive on OCTOBER 16. ***

1.    SOFTYMO DEEP Cleansing Oil-  This oil cleanser and makeup remover is better than Shu Uemura's cleansing oil! One to two pumps is more than enough, and it will remove ALL of your makeup (even the waterproof stuff) with no effort and clean your face as well. It's so gentle, your skin won't feel tight after cleansing.

The DEEP variant is best for thorough cleansing and skin brightening. Used everyday a 230ml bottle will last around 4-5 months!

SOFTYMO DEEP Cleansing Oil P799 each

WHY I LOVE IT: I’ve been using this for THREE months and the tiny blackheads on my nose are gone! My skin is softer and smoother all over too!

HOW TO USE: For detailed instructions on how to use CLEANSING OILS kindly watch the link below. 

PRICE: P799 per 230ml bottle
 

 2.    SOFTYMO WHITE Cleansing Oil- One to two pumps is all you need to remove stubborn makeup, sunscreen, dirt and grime on your face. It gives me a really clean and comfortable feeling. It removes every little trace of makeup I have on my face, including stubborn waterproof mascara! It has added RICEBRAN oil for WHITENING and BRIGHTENING effect. Used everyday a 230ml bottle will last around 4-5 months!!

SOFTYMO WHITE Cleansing Oil P799 each

Gold oil that does great things to my skin!! I love it!! :)  WHY I LOVE IT: This helped lighten my stubborn freckles and even out my skin tone.  My skin is softer and smoother all over too!

HOW TO USE: For detailed instructions on how to use kindly watch the link below. 

PRICE: P799 per 230ml bottle 

 
3.    KOJI EYELASH CURLER- This eyelash curler was made specially for Asian girls! It fits eyes perfectly without pinching and it curls like no other. The flat head of this eyelash curler allows the user to get very close to the base of the lashes making for maximum lift. The entire eyelash curler is about 10 cm. The handles are quite short (4.5 cm!) so it is easy to carry around. Definitely recommended!     

KOJI beat all other other eyelash curlers in the market! It's the secret weapon of most Asian Makeup artists!  Left: Koji Eyelash Curler Right: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, the pad is thicker and the curve of KOJI is much more precise! I never thought I'd abandon my Shu Uemura curler but I did! :)

GOING CRAZY over FRUIT INFUSED WATER!

I'm addicted to fruit infused water!! I've never been a hardcore soft drink drinker. I can live without it! I love drinking plain water but fruit infused water made plain drinking water so much more interesting and fun! Please don't expect the infused water to taste like "commercial fruit juice" because you will be disappointed. It still is plain water with an added kick. 

If you want to cut down on sugar filled beverages you consume-- try fruit infused water, it is a great alternative! The process is really simple, straightforward and can be easily prepared. Most importantly, it is an extremely healthy option!

In the last few years people have started to realize more than ever the importance of hydration. As  numerous research has proven good hydration can increase concentration and productivity.  Dehydration can be a major contributing factor to illnesses: causing headaches, digestive problems, obesity and joint pains. 

Drinking more water can support and improve your complexion, help kidneys to function properly, aid weight loss and maintain high energy levels.

But why infuse water with fruit, and herbs? The answer is simple. By improving the flavor of water with various fruits and leaves it makes it easier easier for you to achieve your recommended daily intake of water. By adding fruits and herbs you are also including essential vitamins! The most common flavors used are cucumber, mint, basil and citrus fruits. But feel free to use your imagination to produce a flavor just for you!

Producing your home made drink is cost effective and far healthier! Most infused waters available at supermarkets include preservatives, artificial sweeteners and colorings, sodium, sacralise sucrose, dextrose, high fructose corn syrup and refined sugar. Now do you think it’s time to produce your own?

Will show some of my favorite mixes below! Have fun and be ready to be refreshed and energized!

NOTE: Some just cut up the fruits and leaves and let them soak overnight. I prefer to squeeze the citrus fruits to make even tastier infusions and drop the rinds in with the other ingredients. I shake vigorously and leave the sealed bottle in the fridge for at least 3 hours. After drinking the contents you can refill with fresh cold water up to three times! Have fun and experiment! 

My favorite mix: Lemon, Apple, and Orange. 

An exotic mix: Coriander ( wansoy ) with Yellow Mangoes and a spoonful of organic honey! 

My Current Favorite "BASIC" Beauty Products!

We all have basic beauty products we can’t live without, these are some of mine. All tried and tested and are truly loved! I make sure I have backup stock in case they are discontinued. Read on and prepare to be hooked too! 

1. DR. WOODS Lavender Castile Soap- Last year I stopped using soap bars for cleansing and bathing because I read somewhere that regular soap bars strip away natural moisture from the skin making it age faster! I looked into liquid soap options and discovered this! I fell in love! 

Dr. Woods Shea Vision Soothing Lavender Castile soap is amazing! Its pH-balanced formula is the perfect combination of essential and vegetable oils, resulting in a nice, vitamin-E-rich lather that won't dry your skin out while you use it! It's gentle, moisturizing and smells great! It can also be used as a shampoo, face wash and as an all around cleanser. AMAZING!!

DR. WOODS LAVENDER CASTILE SOAP- I am on my fourth bottle! The MINT version smells great too! Sold at P295 each at all Healthy Options stores.

2. Vaseline Spray and Go MOISTURIZER- This product is perfect for those who like me are always in a hurry! I use to always skip applying lotion because it took so long to dry and I'm too lazy to rub it all over my body. This product made daily moisturizing a breeze! I'm excited to use it everyday since it's so easy to apply, dries fast and my skin is so soft and moisturized the whole day. It smells amazing too, very much like sweet coconuts!

It really is as easy as spritzing the light weight milky liquid over your body, quickly rub it in and then get dressed. Gone are the days of waiting around for a greasy lotion to sink into the skin! I plan to repurchase forever! :)

Now I no longer dread applying lotion-- I love it!! I got my first bottle from Clark Pure Gold and the rest I got from S&R, sold at P399 each.

3. KIEHL'S Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion exfoliating cream. Exfoliators are my passion I've tried so many and very, very rarely do I come across one that really blows me away. But this one got me hooked and now I know the search is over!

It's an advanced polishing cream with effective gentle exfoliating quality. The skin texture feels significantly smoother and clearer after you use it. It will also help reduce the appearance of facial lines and discolorations.

Squeeze a small amount of the crushed micro shells into the palm of your hand, then using your fingertips apply in circular upward and outward movements to clean wet skin. They recommend that you massage for 30 secs, but no more than two minutes or until you achieve the desired effect. Rinse with cool water and gently pat dry. Avoid the eye area, but this product can also be used on the neck, decollete, elbows, hands and back. I experimented on all these areas and it works amazingly well!

The only drawback is the price! Sold at P2,800++ per tube. A single tube will last around 12-15 months. :) Each and every time I use it my skin feels extremely polished, invigorated, smoother, brighter-- simply put my skin felt great! It’s very important to maintain the natural health of your skin; otherwise, soon enough there will be nothing to peel away. So use it only at most once a week! Don't forget to use sunblock everyday too!

As the name suggests, this treatment is supposed to mimic the dermatological procedure of microdermabrasion, during which upper layers of the skin are being removed by an abrasive material. You’ll be able to see and feel the results immediately!

The EASIEST and most EFFECTIVE Way to Poop!!

Yes you read it right! Today’s’ topic is all about pooping, we all do it! We are all experts in our own way, as we all have done it every day of our whole lives. I’ve discovered the best way to do it and I’m excited to share this recent breakthrough with all of you! I know this is too much information (TMI) but believe me what you are about to read will change the way you  ELIMINATE!

It appears that the best way to take care of your business in the toilet is to…. SQUAT! So the people in the province and most of our Asian neighbors have been doing it right all along! All the while we were busy doing our thing using a “western type toilet” sitting on it much as we would on any straight backed chair!
 

I never realized there was any other way to do it! Now don’t think of me in a weird way; I don’t hop on our toilet seat, squat and do my thing. Apparently there is such a thing called SQUATTY POTTY!! It’s a step stool you use when you poop that puts you in a natural squatting position so you can BEST do number two! It’s a  sturdy, custom-designed stool that allows for full squatting and semi-squat seated positions on our existing toilets. And, when it’s not in use, it slides conveniently out of the way under the toilet. 

This video says it all!! :) 

How We KEEP the LOVE ALIVE in our Marriage!

<sup>It's the middle of February and love is in the air! Valentine's 2014 truly was a big deal and a huge success based on my Facebook timeline and the traffic we all endured this weekend! So I figured I'd write a post all about LOVE and how to keep it alive in a marriage.

Yes, I know I’ve only been married for six short years! So why am I here giving tips on how to keep the love alive in a marriage? It’s because I acknowledge that a good marriage is something you need to work on. I believe that when you get married it doesn’t mean you should relax and think that everything is already laid out for you. I’m definitely not a marriage guru; I am just simply sharing my own experience and how my husband and I TRY to keep the love alive in our marriage.</sup> 
 

^{A favorite uncle once told me, “before you marry someone think of his WORST TRAITS and multiply those a thousand times! If after realizing this you still want to spend your life with him, then marry that man, you will be happy forever!} 

Our college prom and our wedding day! :) We were in a  boyfriend and girlfriend relationship for 10 years before we took the plunge!

^{So here it goes, this is how my husband and I TRY to keep the LOVE ALIVE in our marriage:}

^{1.    We go out on “mini-dates” You need to designate quality time with your loved one. Don’t take for granted that he or she will always be there when you want them. If you can’t get away; you can still set a date at home, after the children are asleep. The important thing is to have fun together and spend time together.} 
 

Simple mini-dates make us happy! :)

^{2.    We still say please, thank you and I love you. These are simple words and yet in a marriage they are often forgotten.
 
 
3.    We still kiss and hug each other often. We also still hold hands as much as we can.
 
4.    We bring home surprise “pasalubongs” to each other. These pasalubongs doesn’t have to be big-ticket items, it can be as simple as a pint of ice cream or a little something from the bookstore. 
 
 
5.    It’s in the little things that we do for each other when I feel I am most loved. One example would be when Veegee would always make sure a backup roll of tissue is nearby every time the tissue in our tissue holder is almost finished. Or when I hand him his vitamins and a glass of water every night because he always forget to take his meds. These small acts of kindness mean so much when you’ve been together for so long.}
 

He bought me my favorite milktea!! :)

 
^{6.   RESPECT. For  everything that we both do and how we do things and look at things differently.
 
7.   We still talk and never get tired of telling stories. I’ve heard about Veegee’s high school life hundreds of times but I still take the time to listen to him when he is on a roll. The night I gave birth to Miguel we were talking and telling stories till 4am and then we went straight to the hospital. The fact that we both didn't get any sleep made Miguel's birth story even more special.}
 

SAYING GOODBYE TO MY FUTURE DAUGHTER

One typical day in our chaotic household which some of you already know consist of two very active and demanding boys. Miguel was asking me to get his Honda Freed and Nissan Serena toy while Jaime was crying asking for his Toyota Galaxy toy. As I was frantically searching a pile of metal cars, my mom suddenly told me; “who would have thought you’d have two boys!” 

She was totally right.. who would have thought!? When I was single I always imagined I’d have little girls, prim, proper and dolled up little girls! I have two sisters; I never knew how it was to live with boys.  Now, each of my sister has a girl! I think someday I too want to have a daughter! 

I truly believe God has a plan for each and everyone of us and that everything happens for a reason. I’ve always been asked if I want to go for baby number 3. I would always say; “I’m still waiting.” I really truly feel I will have another boy! It’s not that I don’t want another son, in fact I think I shocked an aunt recently when I told her I no longer want to have a daughter. She was quick to ask.. WHY!? I simply said I feel it’s too dangerous out there in the real world to raise a daughter. That I’d die worrying about her and that it would be logistically difficult and challenging for us to raise a daughter. IMAGINE THAT!

Veegee and I adore and love these boys! A third one whether a boy or a girl will surely be a welcome and pleasant surprise! 

Sometimes I’d wonder how different it would be to raise a girl, will a daughter fart as much as Miguel? Would  a daughter be as sweet as my little Jaime and chase after me just so she could kiss my feet, just like he does! Will a daughter pick her nose as much as my two boys does? Will she like Miguel; growl at me when she doesn’t get her way?

I used to want to faint every time I’d see Veegee play a bit rough with the boys, now I find myself wrestling with them and carrying them upside down while they laugh hysterically. Boys seem easier to raise, they require less maintenance, are less fussy and they really truly know how to love their mothers!  

AM I A TERRIBLE MOTHER?

Being a mother of two very hyperactive boys isn’t easy. It’s a full time job and I never ever get a day off. Everybody’s your boss because they get to assess your performance depending on how your kids are turning out to be and behaving.

Sometimes I see moms who seem to know exactly what to do. They have kids who follow their every whim and they have children who are perfect, neat and organized. They behave so well it makes me wonder how they do it. I on the other hand seem to be doing things on a trial and error basis.

Veegee and I have done it all, prize charts, time outs, standing in the corner, silent treatment, loud treatment, diplomacy tactics, taking away all privileges and sad to say even spanking-- which we agreed we will never do again. If you know our boys personally you’ll know they are a handful and it takes an army to manage them.

I’ve thought about it long and hard and I’ve decided I am ready to admit that I am NOT a perfect mother, I may never be and I’m ok with that. We have our highs and lows sometimes even very low times where Veegee and I would agree that it’s best to just let it pass. We sometimes both lose our patience and are both clueless if we are doing the right things or not. Parenting can get very overwhelming! What’s great is we know we can never give up. I believe as parents we have an unlimited supply of do-overs and everyday will definitely be different.

With my boys! Miguel is 5 years old and Jaime is 3 years old.

As “imperfect” parents there are days (not everyday) we let our boys play all they want. They will only be kids once, we want them to enjoy and cherish every moment of it.

We let the boys play in the garden and in the rain! We sometimes even join them! :)

 My boys are picky eaters! I’ve tried it all like mashing up vegetables and fruits and sneaking them in together with the crispy chicken skin which they love to eat. They still won’t eat vegetables and fruits so we don’t force them. I figured they will eventually learn to eat healthy as they grow up.

Miguel is finally willing to try different kinds of vegetables and fruits! I decided to stop bugging him to eat; now he is curious and willing to taste almost everything!

MY BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS for 2014

The year is still fresh and we’ve no doubt made plenty of promises to ourselves about what we want to change with our lives. Instead of focusing on life resolutions I decided to mix things up a bit! I  present to you my BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS for 2014! 

Change in life-long habits can be quite difficult but small changes for the sake of our health and beauty are easier to achieve, so here it goes: MY BEAUTY RESOLUTIONS for 2014

1.     To stop buying beauty products I still have! Such as lipstick, lip gloss and BB Creams! I promise not to buy new ones unless I’ve finished all that I have on hand! This will require great will power but I know I can do this!

My BB creams! I love all of them but I need to stop buying new ones, I will finish all of these first! :)

2.     To experiment with makeup more. Finally find the courage to wear that wine colored lipstick or the orange lippie I’ve had for quite awhile. I might as well try new looks now while I still can. Experimenting won't be as cool when  I'm already in my 50's. 

 3.     To moisturize more! I always moisturize my face but I always forget or I’m too lazy to moisturize my body! I feel adding this important step to my daily routine will improve my skin and will help slow down the aging process.

The best BODY MOISTURIZERS!

4.     To increase my water intake! WATER is the best and the most effective and affordable beauty secret there is! I will try my best to drink two liters of fresh water every day to flush toxins out of my body and keep my skin looking soft, supple and healthy. 

I've been using my KOR water bottle for more than a year now and I love it! Even IRON MAN loves it!! I just need to bring it along with me more often. :)

5.     Go back to DRY BODY BRUSHING- To Use a body brush for just a few minutes before my morning shower  to shift cellulite, improve blood flow and exfoliate my skin. The sweeping action of the dry brush helps lift impurities and stimulates circulation, which helps speed up the release of unwanted toxins from inside the body.

Choose an all natural detachable DRY BODY BRUSH, this will make your skin glow!!! :)

Always brush the skin when it's dry, as wet skin becomes more sensitive.  Start by working up from the feet, using long, firm strokes - always brushing in the direction of the heart. This worked so well for me a few months back but I eventually got lazy; I plan to include it once more in my daily routine!

6.     Just like everyone else I plan to exercise more! I believe this will require divine intervention! But I really want to do this not just for me but for my kids. I want to spend more healthy years with them! Not doing any form of exercise won't increase my chances of living longer and being a healthier me for my family. I need to do this! 

YOLANDA LESSONS and MY WRITER’S BLOCK

A call for help in Tacloban City--- from lifestyle.inquirer.net

I haven’t  written anything in my blog for the past three weeks.  I think it’s because I feel guilty writing about beauty, fashion and my kids when so many of our country men are suffering, coping with loss and devastation  after Yolanda .  I am sure we all did our best to help, donated, prayed and cried with those affected by the strongest typhoon ever recorded in the world.

I didn’t feel it was appropriate for me to keep posting OOTD’s, food pics and shallow stuff  in any type of social media.  I think Yolanda changed all of us somehow. The images of destruction and despair,  stories of anguish, hope, and heroism will forever be remembered.

For millions of Filipinos, the world as they knew it ended in the morning of November 8, 2013, and they know that recovery and any sense of normalcy will be a long time coming.

I will admit it here: I’ve never been a believer of Pnoy; I never bought into his “kayo ang boss ko and no wang wang”  philosophy.  I always saw him as someone who is weak, never worked a day in his life, an affluent and vengeful  spoiled brat who is obsessed with statistics and his public image. 

I’ve told my husband countless of times the past weeks; I’m sure he is almost  sick of hearing it. That this COULD be Pnoy’s time to prove his non-believers WRONG . This is his time to shine;  to rise above it all, to show he is the BEST leader. The ONE we have all been waiting for! I am very open, wanting and waiting for his shining moment.  PNOY CAN TURN me INTO a BELIEVER!

Sadly he failed miserably, this  is all based on my personal opinion.  I feel he turned the tragedy yet again into a POLITICAL thing where it’s ROMUALDEZ –MARCOS versus the AQUINO,  PAPOGI of his presidential bid in 2016 and  proving yet again his apparent lack of leadership, capacity and experience. Imagine blaming a WIPED OUT and stricken local government of not doing its job!

I will not go into specifics as we’ve all read political commentaries from all sides regarding these matters.  I read somewhere and I truly agree that never since the time of Marcos has the Filipino nation been divided and polarized when it comes to personal belief, up until now. 

There are a lot of things I cannot comprehend and begin to understand. One of them would be why a lot of the relief  goods are STILL here when people in the hardest hit areas are STILL hungry and suffering  where they are . A girl from my husband’s office was able to send clothes and groceries to her relatives  in one of the farthest barangay in Tacloban THRICE already! She said her relatives only received  relief goods from the government ONCE since November 8.  Yaya’s sister from Ormoc received relief goods only TWICE since the typhoon hit. She said they are no longer waiting for help from the government since it will never come.

I wish my boys will not grow up the way  I did… always hoping, wanting and asking for CHANGE and a BETTER life for each and every Filipino. 

This is our home, this is the only place my husband and I choose to raise our  children. We have no plans of leaving and you will never hear us say there is no hope here.  FILIPINOS are  RESILIENT  we will RISE above whatever life throws us! We’ve heard it a million times; but RESILIENT is still the best word to describe Filipinos everywhere! I truly believe; where we come from everybody is a HERO and now a SURVIVOR! There is HOPE and we will prevail...as FILIPINOS always do.

YOLANDA devastation--- from http://historicphilippines.com

The Best Veggie Burger and Milktea in QC!

There are times you just want to eat good food, it doesn't always have to be served in fancy dishes, stunning set-ups and venues. My husband and I are quite easy to please when it comes to food, we are open to finding quaint places where good food is often served at affordable prices.

The TINY TOTS workshop is located at the heart of Quezon City very near City Hall, that is why most of the time we find ourselves looking for food just a few streets away. That's when we discovered MAGINHAWA Street and all the restaurants there that serve wonderful and different kinds of food at reasonable prices!

For the best Veggie or Chicken patty burgers the best place to visit is GOOD BURGERS at Maginhawa Street, Sikatuna Village, Quezon City (02) 435-4663. They serve the best vegetarian burger I've ever tried! You won't even feel you are eating a veggie burger! None of those bland, cardboard tasting stuff I've tried at other vegetarian restos. If you are not into veggie burgers you can always choose their chicken patty burger which is also very tasty! Since I am not a certified foodie I will just post pictures below so you can see for yourself. 

Simple and very tasty! Our all time favorites are: Margherita Burger, 3- CHEESE and BACON MOZZA MELT!! All juicy and perfect till the last bite!!

Their "small sign" look closely cause you might miss GOOD BURGERS along Maginhawa Street. They are beside a MILK TEA place, a Mexican joint and a SHAWARMA place. 

THEIR MENU :) You can choose between the sizes, good ( small patty) , better ( 1.5 patties ) and BEST ( 2 patties! ).

We obviously love it here!