A Little Pampering and Beautiful Nails from Beauty and Butter

I am typing with my nails in hot pink polish and gorgeous nail art from Beauty and Butter! It's been a week yet the design and the polish are still intact (I just actually did the laundry this morning - and I meant manual handwashing).

Fierce Nails!

Beauty and Butter treated me to an afternoon pampering in their branch in SM San Lazaro last Monday. When I entered the salon, I was not only greeted by the candy colored couches and pillows but by the staff in their sincere smiles. They even remembered me from my last visit and asked why I just returned that day (well, the polish is actually very impressive, that it didn't chip after a week. I can keep it on for months if not that my nails are growing..)

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Hot Young Designers Marketing Names the Fashion Face Off Designers

When I was in College doing some modeling stints, I was invited by one of the College seniors to model the creations of one designers group. I cannot remember the name or the group association, but I know there are words "Young" and "Designers" in the group's name. So the collection has a futuristic theme. They let me wear a gown with see-through bottom, and it was a little revealing. There were twigs and leaves and the color is silver gray.

I am not certain where they are now, probably they have now big names in the fashion industry. Probably in the foreign countries. Their creations may now be seen in magazines or billboards. It is good to know that there are groups and organizations supporting talents to be what they wanted to be. Take for example Ginger Arboleda and Sharon Teng who started The Hot Young Designers Marketing Company with the goal to o discover new, young and talented Filipino designers yearly, equip them with the necessary business skills, and present them with an opportunity to start their own collections. This opportunity is a challenge called Fashion Face Off.

To help you understand how the Fashion Face Off works, read the press release below:


HYD’s Fashion Face Off 2011 is a nine month long competition, where five selected designers with
diverse fashion backgrounds and various styles will be given a budget to create ready-to-wear pieces.
At the end of nine months, the designer with the most earnings wins the competition. “We see that
individuals now search for their own styles that represent who they are as a person, and we wanted
the market to have a choice on what clothes to purchase by giving them various styles and designer
creations in just one online eCommerce site. We are all looking forward to the creations of the chosen
designers,” said Ginger Arboleda, the General Manager of Hot Young Designers Marketing Company.

So who made it to the list?

Jackie Abueg

Jackie is a graduate from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and took designer fashion workshops at the Asian Institute of Fashion, under the guidance of Lulu Tan-Gan. She also worked as an intern for Patrice Ramos-Diaz. She believes a woman can bring out her beauty through simplicity. For every design that she makes, she keeps in mind the principle of timelessness while maintaining traditional aesthetics. Jackie believes that comfort plays a huge role in tropical living. Through the ingenious use of prints, she creates pieces that reflect her personality. Jackie also believes in breaking the barriers of daywear and evening wear. Fashion is more than just what to wear and when. It embodies culture, character, and commitment. It is a tool for expression, and an outlet of creativity. Without fashion, our world would be very dull, cultures would be less unique, and people would have less room for self-expression.

Marc Blanco 

Marc took up fashion courses at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. His personal style is a style that is free from the constraints of pre-conceived notions and formats. It signifies freedom --- freedom that is popular among innovators and trendsetters. It will be enjoyed by everyone who loves irreverence in fashion that resonates across a multi-generational and dual-gender audience whose individuality and inner confidence shines on the outside. His style is sexy, smart and dynamic. Marc is a charismatic person, with an inner confidence and a lovely attitude. Marc’s pieces represent contemporary rock --- sensual, chic, and strong. It’s exudes a balance between masculinity and femininity.

Bailey Dava

 
She has her own swimwear line called Baileylicious (I like the name!), which graced the pages of local magazines and online sites. She now wants to explore making ready-to-wear clothes. She believes that designer fashion should be available to everyone. She wants to create a collection that may be worn by any woman, may she be a housewife, college girl, young professional, a model or a socialite. She will be creating a line that is not only wearable on the runway or on print ads, but it should be something that can turn heads on the streets, as well. Her pieces will be available to various body types, from women who have boyish frames, pear-shaped bodies, or voluptuous figures. She believes that designer clothes should be accessible to women from every race, nationality or color.

Klart Lim

 
Klart is an Atenean who took fashion courses in The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. She was also an intern at Anna Sui in the US. Although, she just launched her KMBRLY brand a few weeks ago, she joined HYD Fashion Face Off to gain more knowledge and to get to create more styles and designs. For her style, she likes to give her collections a fun and sophisticated vibe. Her pieces are colorful, fun, balanced, and comfortable. Klart would want to design for those women with the goal of empowering them and enhancing their natural beauty, by creating pieces that make them feel confident, happy and secure. She believes that choosing the right fabrics and finding the right colors will help create ideal attire. A balance between weight and texture is essential in making things work. Above all, Klart believes that highlighting individuality is important. Clothes should be able to reflect a person's individuality.

Renan Pacson

Renan’s personal style is recognized by fluidity and a natural movement. He merges comfort with versatility. When asked about his fashion philosophy, Renan drives inspiration from Mother Nature. His mission is to dress people in such a way that they fit harmoniously with nature. Renan mentions that his philosophy is not just a poetic line. It enhances a deeper belief in creativity, imagination and art, which is a gift and hence, needs to be utilized. His design influences are expressed in the complex mixture of arts, mathematics and geometry that form the anatomical construction of his clothes. Variations are endless and therefore, he aims to explore this art of defining and tailoring, continuously searching for those rare combinations that really work. He believes that everyone is entitled to some form of luxury, but luxury for him does not mean spending huge amounts of money for an item. Renan defines luxury as something sensual, and this can come from wearing a perfect-fitting cotton t-shirt to a figure-flattering denim jeans. For him, luxury is that fleeting feeling that gives you extreme comfort and confidence and it gives you empowerment and inner glow. He wants luxury to be accessible to everyone.

If you are excited to see their creations, wait until October as it would be available at hotyoungdesigners.com. Co-presenter for the Fashion Face Off 2011 is Yabang Pinoy. Major Sponsors are Giordano, Ever Bilena, Le Bistro Vert, HD Make Up Studio and Academy, Suesh, DragonPay and Xend. Minor Sponsors are Evita Peroni and Glagla.

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Yellow Warriors Signed the Yellow Manifesto

My mom never allowed me to buy streetfood. No to barbeques, to iced cold sago't gulaman, or fishballs. She says I might get Hepatitis. I feel envious whenever I see my classmates who would flock around a vendor buying fishballs, scramble (that pink drink with Brown Cow), and other streetfood. We are not from the high society, but my mom is just too careful and I am glad she is because diseases are fatal, and not alot of people are aware.

I was invited to an event last Wednesday in Diamond Hotel but I just had to decline because of bad weather and schedule conflict. My PR contact is kind enough to share with me the information so I am publishing this for everyone's awareness.

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Cheer for the Azkals and Take the Pain Away!

Our Azkals need a little cheering, you think so too? Maybe the girls' screams and guys high fives are not yet enough for the team. They need a little more, loud cheering. Today is Azkals last chance so twit away, post a status message (and share it with everyone), and pray for the win!

Your cheers may also let you win exciting goodies from Azkals and Cortal SQR. see this related post I published weeks ago.

Speaking of Cortal SQR, I got this package last month and totally misplaced it. It is just perfect timing that I saw the package from all the loads of stuff I got in my room.

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Global Pinoy Bazaar: Not to Miss Event from Yabang Pinoy

Too many events, so little time. I am not complaining, maybe I just felt regretful in missing some of the most "enriching" events because of other priorities. Like tonight, I was supposed to attend the launch of the Yellow Warriors Society of the Philippines (they are a group of patients and advocates for eradication of the hepatitis) in Diamond Hotel. But due to bad weather and worry that I would come late to work (again), I decided to decline the last minute.Then it looks like I couldn't attend the very informative Medical Media Forum on Misconceptions on Pain Management and Women Related Concerns this morning. Ouch.

Same last Saturday, Yabang Pinoy invited me for the screening of Happyland. It is a story of the football players from Tondo, (they call themselves Futkaleros) who strive to be the best despite limited resources (reminds you of Azkals?). If you are a fan of the Azkals team, please also show your support to the Futkaleros (that's such a creative name!).

Yabang Pinoy supports this film, and all other causes that supports boosting national pride among Filipino people. Aside from the Happyland, the Yabang Pinoy would once again stage the Global Pinoy Bazaar, happening on November 5 to 6 this year in the Rockwell Tent, Makati City.

Bazaar means shopping for me so I am excited for this event. I have to mark my calendar so I won't miss this event. It is going to be a showcase of Filipino talent and craftmanship. Exhibitors include Blusing Geisha, Dona bags, Vanity without Apology, BEAD IT by Mikki, MAGU Clothing, Top Picks Clothing, Beansprout, Artwine, Kitsune Manila,Fab Manila,Izzo Shop Manila, Theo and Philo Chocolate, Papelapelap, Punchdrunk Panda, Dragonfly Desserts, Creative Prints,Amber Lights Laguna,Suelas, Pic Season, I Love Koi, Precious Pillow, Bigkas Pilipinas, Sigaw Sambit Collections,Dodong loves Bebang, Agos Pilipinas, Kape Ni Juan, Weewilldoodle, Sagada Pottery, Corbin , M.Y. Likha, Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan, and
many more. I know some of them are familiar brands (you might even have liked their page in Facebook).

So I am publishing this release so we can all mark our calendars and save for shopping.

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Great Buys of the Week: Shoes from Payless

I just wanted to share my Great Buy of the Week before I go to bed. Remember that last weekend I went out to watch movie with mom? On our way to the cinema, we passed by the Payless Shoe Store and it is as if there is a sort of enchantment, I was invited inside - and I left with a plastic bag from the store.

Shoes like wedges are on sale at around Php800, flats as low as Php500 and I got this nice slip on shoes for only Php390.

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Fitness First Supports The Biggest Loser(s)

I have this co-worker who finds motivation in losing weight from the reality TV-show, The Biggest Loser. She now goes to the gym at least three times a week, spending two hours each session. I wish I were like her. Although people say that I don't need to lose weight, I just felt that I need a little stretching and exercise.

Even my friend who is even thinner than I am joined the club, not for the hopes of losing the remaining fats he has, but to build some muscles. This was when the Fitness First was once a status symbol. Today, anyone can be seen with that Fitness First bag or waterbottle, and we know that these people are really driven to reach a goal - either to lose weight, stay active, stay healthy, or build a 6-pack abs. I am still wishing I have the discipline and drive that they have.

Fitness First, now the world's largest health club is now partnering with ABS-CBN to support the reality TV - The Biggest Loser Philippine Edition. Like a mobile coffee shop, the Fitness First set up a satellite gym with world class equipment is set up in the camp of The Biggest Loser.
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My Things To-Do and Thoughts on Temptation Island (Movie Remake)

Waaahhh.. I got ten thousand things to do and I cannot believe the weekend is ending soon. I woke up late today and I felt that I lose half of the day. I spent the night with the people in the office (org-mates), and we really had a great night. So today, I decided to spend the day with mom (and say No to two of my friends who are currently enjoying coffee and trying to connect online).

Let me just list down the things I need to do:

1. Need to go to my dentist - I have already paid down payment for my braces two months ago, but I would just get those brackets once I am back from vacation. I would like to enjoy the whole trip and food trip.

2. Diamond Peel schedule - I was supposed to swing by the clinic, but we were running late for the movie, so I have to do it next week.

3. Deposit Philhealth cheque - the cheque arrived last month (this was for my mom's hospitalization) and I just cannot find time to go to the bank and deposit it. I do transactions online, so going to the bank is such a pain for me. Need to do it as soon as possible.

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Laser Tag Game: Playing Like a Kid with Kids

When a group buying site offered a discounted price for the Laser Tag Game, I sent an announcement to my team so we can all buy and play. We were all excited about it. I bought 23 vouchers for 2 Laser Tag Games (plus two glasses of iced tea). However, due to deadlines, corporate audit, process updates, client visits and personal gigs, the date was moved and later have been moved until we reached the last weekend before the expiration date. So last July 9th, despite traffic and rainy morning, I had confirmed the date for the Laser Tag Game. Out of 23, only 4 of us showed up. But it was not a failed event.

Tarps hanging all over!

Our vouchers were only valid in Market! Market! in Taguig. I had already prepared the vouchers and authorization letters so it would be easy to process the redemption. We were lucky birds. There were only a group of 3 kids that morning - the mom then asked us if we could play against the kids. We were game! The very reason we want to try the Laser Tag Game is to feel like kids once again, and we would then play with kids (and not just kids at heart!).

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Congratulations to the Winner of 100% Guilt-free Shopper Bag from WFTO-Asia!

First of all, thank you to everyone who joined  my little contest on how you can be 100% Guilt-free Shopper in support of the World Fair Trade Organization - Asia. 

I love reading your entries and it is nice to know that more and more people are getting aware of shopping with a conscience.

As you know, Fair Trade is not just about recycling or taking care of the environment, but it is all about different causes such as fighting against disempowerment, low quality products, loss of cultural identity, ignorance, unsure livelihood, sweatshop, forced and child labor and anything that is not fair for the environment, animals and people.

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When the World Around You is Grieving

My small world is grieving. In less than a week, I have heard of 5 deaths and loses from the people closest to me. Yesterday was my uncle's interment. It was a sad scene to look at a grieving family. My cousins - one who lives abroad and the other lives in the Southern part of the country flew to Manila to spend the last few days with my uncle. This made me more firm about my decision to stay here in Manila and be with my parents rather than work abroad - no matter how promising the future may be in another country. What matters to me more than anything else is the present - and that is, spending as much time with my family, as possible. What is more painful is that we only get to see the whole family - cousins and relatives, only at this depressing time.

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Multiply.com: Multiply Convenience and Safety at the Biggest Marketplace Online

The first items I had bought from a Multiply site were books. Second hand books. It was a risk that I have to take. The seller just opened an ad in an online forum and link back the photos of the items to a Multiply site. I sent a message to the number and the transaction was closed in less than an hour. I paid through GCash and the following day, my books arrived at my friend's mailbox (I gave a different mailing address to be safe). It was indeed a successful transaction. Safer and fast transactions are what we are looking forward as Multiply.com launched the Multiply Marketplace last July 7, at the Gateway Art Space, Gateway Mall in Cubao.

The risks of meeting a scammer online or a bogus buyer (a term popularized by Multiply users) were put behind as Multiply.com listened to its members - and the new innovation in social media was once again initiated by users in the Philippines. Today, buying and selling items in Multiply is not just convenient, but safer. Sellers can now list items and monitor stock inventory; and buyers can now easily shop (from different stores) and settle the items through safer payment options.

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Rock and Roll with Yeng Constantino on Her Second Major Concert

Anyone who doesn't know Yeng Constatino?! I am guessing you were born only yesterday. Even kids and toddlers know her songs and sing them in the school fairs. Too bad I only get to watch her and hear her song in ASAP, and I am just soooo sad that I won't be here in Manila for her Second Major Concert entitled Rakenrol Jamming with Yeng Constatino on August 5, 2011 at the Aliw Theater.

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Late Post (than Never Shared): Kobe Bryant in Manila 2011

I am sooo glad it's weekend! I wanted to just stay home and sleep - but we have a performance (India Night) to attend tonight at Dusit Hotel. Plus, I don't want to come to work on Monday without any opinion to share about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie, so I have to watch that movie this weekend.

I am so busy with work that I don't even have time to upload pictures and update my blog; add the fact that I always commute to and from the office, and all I want is my bed as soon as I get home. I don't want to talk about work this time - I have already closed my inbox and closed all the applications. Let me just share with you what happened last Wednesday.

I only get to realize he's such a cutie.. ;)

As you know, and might have seen in the news, Kobe Bryant visited Manila last July 13th. We got an invite from our dear friends from Ogilvy, but since I came 45 minutes late (thanks to rush-hour traffic), we lost our precious seats in the Big Dome! My friend made it on time, and he was updating me with what was happening outside the venue - long lines, strict security and impatient fans.

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Bid and Share the Love Through Ebay Celebrity Online Ukay Ukay

Ebay needs no further introduction. But for those who are not yet very familiar about online shopping, Ebay is the biggest online site where you can buy items from collectibles, furniture, antiques to pre-loved clothes, accessories and even tickets. It is one of my favorite online sites and I play the role of both buyer and seller. This Friday, July 15th, Ebay would sell and list items - and I mean not just regular items but items from celebrities and well-known personalities with the support of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

People thought that GMA Kapuso Foundation is funded by the GMA 7 network, but I am just glad that I got to know more about the foundation and its advocacy when we were invited to meet up with the team last Tuesday for the re-launch of the Ebay Celebrity Online Ukay Ukay.

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Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband Show Off Their Sexy Body for Century Tuna

You may have already seen the newest commercial of Century Tuna with Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband. If you feel giggly and inloved at the sight of the two together, you have missed the chance to see them in person together. Last Thursday, Century Tuna launched its newest campaign with Angel Locsin and Phil Younghusband in Manila Intercontinental Hotel, Makati.

I actually felt jealous and envious when I saw them arrived together in the venue, despite the fact that I even got a precious kiss from Phil some months ago after I won in the raffle from one of the blogger events. Enough about me, let's talk about Century Tuna and the couple (of the commercial).

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Ryan, Judy Ann & Johan Agoncillo for Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog

When I got an invite to attend the Purefoods Tenjer Juicy Hotdog Presscon last week, I cannot say No. First, I love attending events and campaigns of the products I love and consume/use; plus, I want to meet and see Judy Ann and Ryan in person (am I too shallow?!)

So last Saturday (July 2nd), I just slept for two hours after work and headed to 55 Events Place in Tomas Morato. I was so glad that this was my first event to attend that I didn't take a cab and just took a public transport vehicle. I deserve a Bravo! award.

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Great Buys of the Week: Sling Bag from Betseyville (Betsey Johnson)

It's been a while since the last time I shared my Great Buy of the Week, but that doesn't mean I had stopped shopping. I got tons of purchases from the past months - some are still packed in the couriers' packages and other still in the original paper bags.

Anyway, here's the latest item I had bought online. It is a sling bag from Betseyville (a line of Betsey Johnson) which I got for only Php1,800 (plus Php100 shipping) from an online store in Ebay (store idle_bone). The Ebay store sells original imported items from US at a discounted price. I refer to it as a store because most of her products has a Buy Now option which doesn't require you to bid and purchase the item immediately.

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The New Proactiv Gives You Katy Perry and the Smurfs (Movie)

Katy Perry is not polite. "I am not polite. I am proactiv". That is printed in the new campaign material for Proactiv. The favorite singer is the newest endorser of the all-new Proactiv Solution.

It is somewhat comforting to know that even celebrities, despite the glamour on stage also worries about acne, Katy Perry included (and she is joining forces with Mandy Moore, Avril Lavigne and Justin Bieber). I personally know the struggles of dealing with acne. I don't know if I should blame the stress, my lifestyle, my genes or the junk food that I am eating, but one thing is for sure, it is not because of lack of sleep due to world tours and road shows - those are actually the reasons why Katy Perry has started getting acne.

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The Digital Walker Cafe (DWC)

The launching of the Urbanears Earphones last Friday was indeed successful; as I realized that Digital Walker is not just a store for all the good tech stuff, but next to it is the DWC or Digital Walker Cafe where you can relax and dine after some serious shopping.


I was able to talk to Ms. Gelyn Custodio, Sales and Marketing Head of Digits Trading, and she shared that the owner wants a cafe which serves Japanese-fusion dishes (as inspired by another Japanese restaurant which the stockholder owns), thus the Digital Walker Cafe or DWC was born.

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Digital Walker Launches Urbanears Earphones

I have never embraced the whole iPod/MP3 player fad. It's ironic sine I was even the first to own a Walkman and Discman when I was still in school. Maybe I am just not comfy having those earphones plugged in my ears while walking/commuting/hang-ing out with friends; BUT it doesn't mean I don't appreciate music, and I don't use earphones - I love earphones; and I feel guilty that I mostly buy the ones which are cute/stylish/fashionable even if they get dysfunctional after a few use - when in fact I only use them while doing my work at the office (one of the benefits I get from my work).

So when I got an invite to the launching of new earphones line last Friday at Digital Walker, I have to go to find out if there is such an earphone that is sleek, fashionable and gives quality sound. The answer is, there are actually five from the Urbanears!

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Less is More: Waterless Urinal Invented by Filipino

When I first sat on a waterless toilet in our room in Coron, I literally felt like a queen. It is not that the toilet has gems and diamonds embedded on it, let's just say, I feel like I can benefit on the good returns this waterless urinal/toilet would bring to the consumers.

The waterless toilet in Princess of Coron

Me and my friends were just so amazed at our new discovery in the resort; but our amazement were overshadowed by the breath-taking sights and scenes in Coron, that we have totally forgotten to research about this type of toilet. At one point, we had concluded that this was a Japan technology and a Japan innovation. I just then recently found out that a brand OTTO Waterless Urinal carries such technology (Re-usable Cartridge Technology).  But I am just more amazed that this innovation was actually designed by a Filipino Inventor named Jerry Ong.

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SM Hypermart Launches SM Master Chefs: Cooking Show Series and Kitchen Make-over

Food is definitely not just a basic need today. With different aspects of food such as cooking and marketing; add the presence of food blogs, reality cooking shows and popularity of street foods, we can say that food and eating are more of a passion.

Last Wednesday, June 28th, SM Hypermart launched the SM Master Chef's Program in SM Hypermart Cubao to celebrate its 10th Year Anniversary. SM Master Chef  is a composite event which consists of three components - grand cooking demo, kitchen make-over, and series of cook-offs.

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AstiGirl [Book] by Tweet Sering: Do You Want to Be an Astigirl Too?!

When I did an article for the company's newsletter which topic is about the favorite things our employees do during the weekends, I was surprised that only one person actually shared - read a book. I have ten thousand things to do during weekends and it is true that it is the perfect time to catch up on things - like sleeping, watching movies, blogging and reading. I missed reading books!

I was browsing through my old blog entries and I was so happy to see some blogs about the books I read (what did I care about SEO then? I haven't tagged all my previous posts properly). Mostly ChicLits. I have a long list of books that I want to read (see them here) - and I remember one time I was reading three different books in a month. ;)

I always grab this book by Tweet Sering entitled AstiGirl whenever I am feeling lazy or just when I am trying to sleep (which rarely happens because I always feel like crawling to bed). I first encountered the first Sering when I bought a copy of a Cosmo magazine with a free chic lit book. I just fell inlove with the story and I was so glad that our country has such an author who can write good novel /story as witty and as fab as my favorite book - Confessions of a Shopaholic. The author is Tara Sering. Then came Tweet Sering with her award-winning novel, Wander Girl.


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Deadly Pains Showed Themselves in Eastwood Mall

It was a normal night in the Eastwood City fountain area last night. Families, friends, lovers and workers on break were strolling around the area and enjoying the lights, sound, and sights when four Monsters Mascots came in and stressed how muscle pains such as toothache, dysmenorrhea and body aches can affect one's happy mood.

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