Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!  I always find that plus sized woman are beautiful and my idol in that category is my cousin Libby who is a  full bodied woman and her size  does not deter her for wearing fashionable and stylish clothes.  She is a smart dresser and knowledgeable on how to choose the right type, cut, color, fabric and  length to compliment her body type.   That is why, I believe her when she said that she loves herself more and is enjoying her “curvaceous” figure.  I hope that Libby has not totally given up hope that one day she will lose weight but because I haven’t seen on her any effort to lose a few pounds, I thinks she is already resigned to the fact that she will be heavy all her life.  I’ve seen how she struggled with her weight from a very young age to date and as we grow up together I’ve been her loyal and patient shopping buddy and  I shared in all her shopping woes.  Every time we shop for a dress, her insecurity about her weight discourages us to shop around because of the startling fact that the maternity section will be our final destination.  So you see,   there is no use for us to go for long walks and hop for one shop to the other, because we have realized that we were just wasting time to find big sizes .  Lol… those were the days!

But in this modern time,  full figured women will no longer worry because they rest with the thought that the market is teeming with stores of plus size clothing for women.   My cousin Libby swears that since she order her dresses online, there are no more nightmarish experiences when it comes to shopping for her size and dressing up with chic and fashionable dresses.

Excitedly, she announced that she is going to be a plus sized bride soon to a man who finds her very sexy inside and out.   Indeed, my cousin is fat and proud!

Yes! It is very evident that hubby is fast learning the tricks of photography.   It’s been 4 months since our photography class wrapped up and it’s really up to us if we really wanted to be competent and good at it.   My hubby sustained his interest with trial and error shots and of course he upgraded his camera with essential lenses and you will really see the difference.  Like when we went to a butterfly park, he used specialized lens called macro to be able to capture the beauty of his subjects.

a quick and closer shot of a butterfly

I don’t want to think that he had grown weary for the past weeks that he had me as his model.   Has he  gone tired and ran out of poses to teach me, thus, he shifted subject to nature?   Indeed, it inspired him most everytime his shots yielded very good results and he would always brag it to me.  Yes, I believed that he has improved a lot because he’s been into  practice shooting every now and then.   Definitely, he is putting into good use what he learned from the class.   His D90 camera is his best buddy nowadays which he always carries with him  because it is ready for shoot anytime, anyplace!

another interesting subject

He still buys specialized lenses though they are a bit pricey like the macro camera lens which is for close up photography.  Upon knowing that he will have the chance to shoot on orchids and butterflies, he really planned ahead and saved for lenses.  And it did opened him to the world of extreme close up photography that creates exciting pictures.  You bet, he is already hooked into it and he is starting to make compilations of pictures.

macro lens used here

I just hope he won’t use that macro lens on me… I believe even the tiniest dirt, lines and age spots on my face will be captured.   There goes my image down the drain….if my stubborn hubby will focus that lens on me..  no way!

Ruggedly handsome is how my cousin Jane describes her boyfriend James and I think so too when we were formally introduced.  No wonder Jane always get jealous and kind of insecure everytime girls take a second look at him.   He seems to be perfect but I found out that he smells a little out of the ordinary masculine odor and was perspiring a lot.   I am very particular about it so I did not waste any time to call Jane’s attention hoping that she will be able to correct James.

Expectantly, she defended James telling me that he is paying attention to his hygiene and that he would not leave home without his favorite perfume.  Adding too that maybe our meeting was a bad timing.  Whoah!  Is there such a thing as bad timing?  That James would smell bad that instant or perspired that heavy (out of nervousness, I guess).   Well, I meant well so I wanted to give my 2 cents sisterly advice to Jane and that I don’t intend to offend her boyfriend.  In fact, I advised her to talk to him that maybe his perfume doesn’t suit or match his body chemistry.  And that it is time for him to switch to another brand and scent which are in the market and even online.

I hope that he will be that open to suggestion and in doing so, it is going to be the start of their sweet smelling relationship.  Well, of course, one has to be particularly conscious about hygiene.  There’s nothing more appealing than a man who has been out of the shower room.. natural odor…

Love it!

Now, I’ve decided to let go of our old carpet in the next room and planned to have it replaced with vinyl flooring.   Sometime last week, I contemplated to give the rooms fresh new look and yesterday,  we started in our master’s bedroom.  New pastel colored curtains were installed and it was a welcome sight!  Today, my mind is dictating me to call hubby and suggested him to have the carpet replaced with vinyl.   Stubborn dirt and stains make our carpet dull and looked worn out and for some reasons, dry clean can no longer do the trick.

It is  good that hubby got a bonus last month and there were some money left after he bought his D90 camera.  He consented on my proposal to let go of the carpet.

Yehey….

Health care professionals are wearing diversified medical scrubs nowadays.   Such a welcome fashion change in the medical field! They now have the option not to limit themselves with the same basic white uniforms they use on duty. Colorful and stylish scrubs are fast gaining popularity and the hospital scene is livened up with colorful and flattering cut and styles of medical scrub suits.

Even the Pediatric nurses that almost everyday I have lunch with, surprised me when they showed up in the hospital dining area all too proud with their medical scrubs . Their scrubs suits are with fun character prints they claimed that can amuse any nervous child in the clinic.  Exaggerated it may seem but they swore that it really worked with kids who loved cartoon characters and their latest fashion find always do the trick (of taming them for sometime).  And they excitedly divulged that the OR male nurses are beginning to notice not only their stylish scrubs but how pretty they are… (oh gee.. where is this so called  humbleness?)

Not to be outdone is our lunch mate Dianne who is  fashionable as ever and was wearing a very flattering cut, style and color of nursing scrub suits.  We were told that it was the latest and highly commendable Baby Phat Scrubs she bought online with which she loved to display.  Well, it elicited some buzz from nurses not far behind but straightforward Jane couldn’t care less.   She quipped that it’s about time that they should search the web and change their drab uniforms!

Nowadays, it is much easier to be fashionable even while on duty for  they can search, choose and buy online for their medical uniforms so no nurses will be seen outdated….

Dianne ordered her stylish medical uniforms from http://medicalscrubscollection.com

How blessed people can be if they know how to invest wisely and that is what my Uncle did when he retired from government service. Such a clever and wise old man he who wasted no time finding a good avenue on where and how to double his money upon retirement.   His quest led him to invest in gold IRA which was highly recommended by a friend who benefited from it and is happily enjoying the returns of his capital.

I was also intrigued by this acronym IRA and  found out that it is means Individual Retirement Account... which appropriately caters to the likes of my Uncle Ed.  This awakened his entrepreneurial skills and he dabbled on business on the sideline and his latest venture in 401k gold investment made him one famous personality because of his good deeds. He generously shares his blessing and a great encouragement to most of his co-retirees which he unceasingly influenced to invest  in IRA gold,  explaining to them it would be a sure financial back up after their retirement.

Such a well loved old man with a heart that goes for those who needhim and his assistance is done to the maximum. With the emergence of  gold IRA transfer, he keep on pushing all of his friends for surefire sound investment. That is what my uncle’s perspective in life – help them invest wisely and all those  good deeds that he is doing are coming back to him a hundredfold in the form of blessings like good health, happy family and good fortune!

Our mom taught us and drilled into our minds that it is not good to envy people.  If they have something that we don’t have, then we should just be contented and be thankful for whatever blessings that we are enjoying.   To this day, I had carried on with me that wisdom of being happy and contented and of not getting  jealous of others especially if it is about material things.  My children had received lectures on this aspect and they too understand.

In my circle of friends, I think I am the only one who doesn’t have any branded or signature bag to brag about.   I would see them proudly displaying an LV bag, Coach, DKNY, et al, either they bought or given as gift.   Well, I know that those signature bags are to drool for … good quality bags but very expensive.  But I am not jealous!  Maybe because, I have other priorities… that’s already a luxury for a mom like me who still have 3 children in college.  I will buy one if my budget permits and if maybe 1 or 2 of my children had finished their schooling.  Signature bags of those kind are usually seen in glossy magazines used by the rich and famous who could afford hundreds and thousands of dollars just for a bag.

dream signature bags….

For the meantime, I just will just expand my collection of signature bags…. Yes, my collection below are something that I can also brag about. Reusable, recyclable and cheap…  It comes with small purchases I made.   You may call it cheap collection but that’s how I am.   I am just being practical.    If I have spare money to splurge on branded bags.. certainly and without any hesitation I will buy one for myself.

lol… it’s not what you think… these are my signature paper bag collection

Good for my girlfriends…. they can afford to splurge on signature bags….how I wish they will use their credit cards wisely… heard that there’s a lot of card swiping going on these days…..

Anyway, I know that their bags are no match to my signature bags… (just kidding!)

The other day,  I was buzzed by SIL to chat with her and in the course of our conversation, she expressed her growing concern over the  dwindling business of  my brother.  She was worried that the income of the Electronics shop is no longer enough to tide them over their  increasing daily expenses and the tuition fees of their 2 children.  And the latest news that added to her worries was  the approval of fare hike of public transportation.    SOS – that’s what my SIL clearly meant.  I told her to just hang on and I will see what I can do to help…

If we will analyze their current problem – simply seen, a  TV repair shop is no longer that popular due to  fast  TV technology revolution.   Picture tubes are now replaced with modern parts.  Nowadays, if a TV broke down, usually the owner will no longer bother bringing his set to a repair shop.   With the proliferation of modern TV sets especially flat ones of different brands, models and sizes, no wonder, they will opt to replace their  old bulky picture tubes laden TV.  You can choose from Plasma, LCD, LED – the major players in the flat screen game.    All sets have good features so the more you will be enticed to have one because of the many options and the prices vary that will definitely suit anyone’s budget.

Actually, year 2002 when we bought our  first Rear Projection Television which excites us no end because it is a  large screen television and very new in the market.   It is big and bulky but the in thing those years.  When the flat screen came out in the market, we bought another set; a Plasma 42 inches, Series 4 model …..Actually, we are very satisfied with the quality of color and nice features of our Plasma TV but lately we have our eyes set on the latest model that we’ve seen around.   Lol… no satisfaction?

Big and bulky projection TV we bought 2002

Our Plasma 42 inches set… A-ok!

Oh well, we know that my brother will be facing very tough business years ahead.   We just need to encourage him to go on and hope that his regular costumers will still keep their old TV and have it checked in his repair shop.  There are still people out there who rather keep their old TV sets than spend for slim and sleek TV.  Or they should start thinking of another business venture.

Because change is inevitable!!!

Yes!!!! After a bout with migraine yesterday, I was up and about and hubby planned to take me out to get fresher air since I was confined in our bedroom the whole day, almost motionless because as I’ve said any physical activity worsens the headache.  I was able to rest and had the chance to relax.  Good, I was able to get over the pain fast. Actually, for me, a tried and tested remedy is  a quiet, dark  and cozy room.  It always work well for me.  Hubby treated me  like a  princess- but a sick princess!   I was not allowed to do house chores but that is only during my migraine period.

Hubby was sure glad to see me well!   He prepared our brunch (breakfast and lunch), we watched the news on our cable TV and he convinced me to go out shopping.  I have told him the other week while showing my worn out pair of shoes that  I needed new pair since my favorite ones had already served me well and obviously for retirement.   Well, he treated me to a big mall and there without complain (surprisingly!!!), he allowed me to buy the shoes of my choice though it is a bit pricey.   I was hesitant to get them but he insisted that I can take not only one but two pairs!  Wow!  It is very strange of him to give in to my indulgence, knowing how thrifty he is!



A treat from hubby….

Oh well, who am I not to obey?  lol… so here I am posting the office shoes that we bought.  Maybe it is a pre-Valentine’s gift …. And hopefully something grand will follow….

Just wishful thinking!

Gracing  a carpet trade show last week- end made my husband and I dream of having any of those luxurious carpets on display!   We were able to check on countless styles and textures and up to date designs which are already teeming  in the market.   We were particularly in awe with the handwoven, intricately designed carpets on display and I felt that my carpet at home is very much outdated compared with the new selection that we’ve seen.  My thoughts wandered far and I am getting disturbed with this feeling of  buying new home carpets as my special project this 2011.

It is known fact, that carpets  connotes affluence because of its added elegance and sophistication to any home.   However, my idea of carpet is the  comfy and casual look – practical and affordable but should not be compromising the quality.   Of  course, I would love to own plush luxurious carpets where nothing feels as good as sinking your feet into it because of the richness of its’ texture.  But those kind really need expensive and proper maintenance.

Our home carpet can weather the almost every other weekly meeting held in our place and as part of our role as leaders in a community, we often offer and open our homes to members especially during combined trainings that needed a bigger space.   So, I was thankful that we opted to have easy to maintain carpets laid out when we transferred almost 2 years ago.  Vacuuming can be tedious at times especially if there are little children who sometimes can carelessly spill food and drinks.  And so, what more with luxurious carpets?  That requires professional cleaning and maintenance.

Actually, we were planning to have the carpets replaced by vinyl flooring early this month but upon seeing those colorful and intricately designed carpets, I can’t help but think anew.  I should have not gone to the trade show.. . it polluted or shall I say corrupted my mind… lol!  Hubby will not like the idea of changing my mind again because the budget and the contractors for the vinyl flooring are all set.

Oh dear….