Get Your Creative Juice Flowing with Canva [Press Release]

Now is your chance to tap on your creative self and check out this awesome and cool website that will allow you to design and create your own Christmas cards. I have to warn you though, this can get pretty addicting. I didn't even realize that I spent so much time on the website just because there's so much options to choose from and believe me, I am going to keep coming back.

PRESS RELEASE

Put those postage stamps away: these Christmas cards deliver in style

Sydney, Australia — 2/12/13 — Each year Filipinos spend hours waiting in checkout lines, licking dozens of icky stamps and worrying that snail mail won’t get their holiday messages to friends and family in time. And all in the name of the humble Christmas card.

Perhaps that’s why less cards are being sent now than ever before. And sheeeesh, the decline isn’t slowing down: the number of greeting cards posted has dropped 24 percent in the past decade. But no surprises there — it’s often the last thing on our mind with countless family gatherings, presents to organise and the mad holiday shopping rush.

So what if you could say a heartfelt ‘Happy Holidays’ to the people you care about with a personal design that’s just as sentimental as a handwritten note, but super quick and simple to create? Forget the text message; hold that Facebook post. Heck, why not make this Christmas a bit more special…

Simple online design platform Canva has a cracker of a Christmas surprise this silly season. The folks at Canva believe they can anyone into a designer with their free drag-and-drop design tool. The company has today launched a collection of entirely customisable, beautifully designed Christmas cards. Want to know how to create a spectacular looking card with Canva? Here’s the 1, 2, 3…

1. Choose one of the 20 stunning hand-crafted designs
   
   
   
   
   
2. Customise the card however you like; add family photos, write a personal message, change the graphics, or create your own from scratch
   
   
   
   
   
3. Pick who you want to send it to, and… badda bing -- you’re done!

Canva has been in exclusive closed beta for the past two-and-a-half months, but are now giving you the chance to join the more than 110,000 people who for the first time have been able to create their own designs without spending thousands of dollars on frustrating desktop software that takes years to learn. Hey, don’t take our word, here’s what others have said:

“Canva enables anyone to become a designer” — PSFK

“A graphic design platform anyone can use” — TechCrunch

“Canva could very well become an industry disrupting household name” — Web Appstorm

“The easiest to use design program in the world” — Netted by the Webbys

According to Canva CEO Melanie Perkins the company wants to make it easy for people to create and share their own designs with people they care about, and receiving personalised Christmas cards is something everyone appreciates.

Together with the world’s best photographers, designers, and illustrators, we’ve set out to introduce beautiful design to everyone," she said. 

"This Christmas we want to give more people the ability to craft something special for family and friends. Designing with Canva is as simple as choosing a layout, searching our library of 1 million images and graphics, or uploading your own, then clicking ‘Publish’.”

Make this Christmas a little more special by heading to www.canva.com/christmas.

Planet Mom Discovery: Pigeon Sakura Baby Toiletries

A couple of days ago, I received a package from Pigeon Philippines containing their new products -- their Sakura Baby toiletries. I was excited to try it out and I know that they're going to be great because Pigeon is one of those trusted brands when it comes to baby products. My cousin-in-law raves about their products and that's how I actually knew about them when I was still pregnant with my daughter. Aside from our regular purchase of silicon nipples when both my kids are young, my son loved his Pigeon Magmag and our recent favorite, the Pigeon Baby Lotion.

Happy to receive his new set of toiletries.

Sakura sounded like a strange word but it's actually the name of that beautiful and fragrant flower from Japan. They are popularly known as Cherry Blossoms.  This brand new range of baby products from Pigeon contains Sakura extract. I've read that Sakura extract has anti-inflammatory properties that makes it suitable for sensitive skin. This makes sense because any baby product should be mild enough so it would not cause any skin irritation.

The Sakura baby toiletries consists of the Baby Wash 2-in-1, Baby Shampoo, Baby Milk Lotion and the Baby Powder. I immediately got my hand on the 2-in1 Baby Wash. See, I'm a huge fan of baby washes. Simply because all you need is just one bottle to use as a shampoo and a soap. Lol. Definitely a no-brainer.

The baby wash came with a pump and all I needed was a good peso-sized amount of liquid and it was enough to lather all over my son's body. I figured if you have a girl then maybe you need more. I love how the scent of cherry blossom filled the bathroom. It smelled sooo good! And even if I already rinsed off all the soap, I can still feel how soft his skin is. If your baby has a short hair then a 500ml baby wash can last for months. I have yet to find out how long before we finish off this bottle.

The Baby shampoo is just as great as the baby wash. You don't need much and it rinses off pretty easily. Another great thing is that both the baby wash and the baby shampoo are tear-free. My son's hair is so soft and so fragrant after using both products.

Ever heard about layering? It's when you use a shampoo, body wash, lotion and cologne of the same scent so you smell good for a long time. It's exactly what we did! After his bath, I applied lotion on his arms and legs which he enjoyed. It doesn't feel sticky at all. And the powder was applied on his back and his chest. My son became a walking scent of cherry blossom after his bath and I just want him beside me. That's how good he smelled. Uhm...who needs cologne when you got these?

Our own version of layering.

Babies can smell good for a long time because they don't really do much except to drink milk, sleep and drink milk and maybe coo. Toddlers are different. Their energy is so high that sometimes it's almost impossible to keep up with them. Case in point -- my son. He's my energizer bunny. So I let him do what he does best which is to run around and play with mud. I just had to find out if I can still smell any traces of cherry blossom at the end of the day. Surprise surprise! I can still smell cherry blossom on his hair. Another big check for the product.

Here are a few more facts about the Sakura toiletries:

• Hypoallergenic
• Paraben-free: Parabens are chemicals that can be too harsh on baby's skin
• Sulphates-free: Sulphates are foaming agents that is often found on shower gels and cleansers and this can also cause skin irritation.
• Free from coloring agents
• pH Balanced
• Tear Free: This is true for both the Baby Wash and the Shampoo

Find out more about the Pigeon Sakura Baby Toiletries by visiting their Facebook fanpage.




*Disclosure: I received the above products for review and all these opinions are solely my own.

Movie Nights at the Bacolod New Government Center

Watching Rio with best bud Nico

How about some cheap but enjoyable movie night with your kiddos?

I've brought my son to watch several movies in a movie theater and he enjoys the experience each time. However, I have to admit that doing this very often could be a little costly. So when my good friend Yols texted me and said there's a free movie at the National Government Center (NGC), I didn't think twice and immediately brought my son there and I'm so glad I did.

There was a huge screen display and people comfortably sitting on the grass. Very relaxing and laid back if I may say. We brought a blanket, bought popcorn and the boys comfortably settled down watching Rio, a story about a bird who got smuggled in the U.S.

After the movie, the boys played on the grass, ran around while we talk and made plans about the club and the shop. We learned that until the 24th of December, they will be showing one movie every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7pm -- definitey a great idea for family bonding and playdates. Just bring your blanket, some snacks and off to NGC you go.

Isn't this a great idea?

Planet Mom Recommends: Smart Steps Baby Bottle Cleanser

When I had my daughter eleven years ago, I never really thought about buying bottle cleansers. We used one of those antibacterial dish washing liquid to wash all her bottles. We just had to make sure that the bottles are thoroughly rinsed because sometimes the bottles still smell like the dish washing liquid. It almost kind of made me think whether the bottles were properly cleaned at all.

Fast forward to when I had my son, we discovered Smart Steps. I remembered my husband persuading me to buy a bottle just to "try it out," and me agreeing to it because, I got nothing else to lose. One bottle is relatively cheap because we bought them on sale. We got one of those 400 ml pump dispenser and an extra refill for only Php 260.

My son was bottle fed and breastfed. Because I had to work on a graveyard shift, I had to bring my Avent breast pump and a couple of Avent Via Cups with me to work.  All these plus my son's sippy cups being washed with a dish washing liquid before we bought Smart Steps Bottle Cleanser.  How was my experience?

• First, I like the sweet bubblegum scent. It's very mild and I actually enjoy it. After rinsing, you can hardly smell any residue. 
• Second, after the bottles, breast pump parts and breast milk containers were sterilized, you couldn't smell the scent of the cleanser as soon as you open the sterilizer. Unlike when we were using the dish washing liquid where the scent lingers.
• It can remove the unwanted odor. Take for instance the pineapple juice incident that I had with my Playtext Twist N' Click Straw. I figured that using the right bottle cleanser can make a difference. 

Smart Steps Bottle Cleanser has an easy rinse formula. It has no dyes nor phosphate. It is safe to use in washing not just your bottles, pump parts or sippy cups but you can also use this in washing fruits and veggies that your child is eating.

It has been a year since my breast pump retired and the bottles all given away but up until now, I am still using the cleanser to wash my son's sippy cups. This product has my seal of approval.

Visit their Facebook Fanpage or their website now to get more information.

Planet Mom Recommends: Pigeon Baby Lotion

I'm not a big fan of lotions. I only use them at work where the air conditioning system is centralized to prevent my skin from drying up. I don't use lotion on my kids too. My daughter feels sticky and my son feels uncomfortable. Blame it on our country's weather, I guess. I just couldn't let them use any product that will make them feel icky, sticky and sweaty in the middle of the day. Perhaps the only lotion-like product that I had them use is the Bite Block Insect Repellent although I'm not sure if that will count as a lotion.

Thankful to Pigeon Philippines that the organizers were given product samples and I got the Pigeon Baby Lotion. I was a little hesitant to get it at first because I thought none of my kids are using lotion regularly anyway.  However, I got interested with its consistency. It was like water. I knew I just had to try it out.

The Pigeon Baby Lotion contains natural ingredients that is safe for baby's skin. I was right. It is watery and it smells like powder. I so love the mild scent. It reminded me of how my son smelled like when he still hasn't discovered the outdoors.

I too used the lotion before I left home to attend a PTA meeting. I love that it doesn't feel sticky at all despite the sunny weather. It is watery but it is a lotion because my skin didn't feel dry or look dry. Now there's three of us using it -- me, my son and my daughter. I wonder if my husband will do too. Lol.

Another cool discovery -- do you know you can use it as a cologne too?

Find out more about Pigeon and their products by visiting their Facebook Fan page.

Bimby and Ryzza Awarded as Golden Kids of the Year 2013 [Press Release]

My Little Bossings stars James “Bimby” Aquino Yap and Ryzza Mae Dizon were awarded as the Golden Kids of Year by the biggest family event of the year, the BABY AND FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES 2013, happening on December 06 - 08, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex.

Following the footsteps of his mom, Bimby is now very active in showbiz - print and television commercials plus his first upcoming movie My Little Bossings have proven that the child star has what it takes to be in the acting world. “Thank you for the award and the recognition” says Bimby to the Baby and Family Expo Philippines, while Kris Aquino expressed that they would love to be at the awarding on December 7, but can't be there personally, because of their scheduled trip to Cebu. Kris even posted a thank you note on her www.facebook.com/krisaquino.net page. Ryzza adds “Thank you po sainyo lahat” after accepting the award.

Organized by MediaCom Solutions Inc. and co-presented by Cordlife, the country’s premier biggest family event of the year to family development and child care dubbed as “Welcoming Life, Love and Care” will cover the stages of family growth from pregnancy, maternity, newborns, toddlers and early childhood.

James “Bimby” Aquino Yap Jr. and Ryzza Mae Dizon together with Baby and Family Expo Philippines 2013 organizer David Abrenilla after receiving the Golden Kid of the Year Award.

 Ryzza Mae and Bimby proudly hold their Golden Kid of Year Award from the Baby and Family Expo Philippines 2013.

Ryzza Mae Dizon and Bimby Yap accept the Golden Kid of Year Awardfrom the Baby and Family Expo Philippines 2013.

 Kris Aquino and Bimby pose with Baby and Family Expo Philippines 2013 Organizer David Abrenilla after receiving the Golden Kid of Year Award.

Congratulations Kiddos!!!

Be part of this star-studded family event by registering for free at the BABY AND FAMILY EXPO PHILIPPINES website www.babyexpo.ph. For queries and updates, call +63.2.843.2174, +63.915.660.8748, email info@babyexpo.ph and join the community at www.facebook.com/babyexpoph and www.twitter.com/BabyExpoPH

BABY& FAMILY EXPO 2013 and GOLDILOCKS bond 10,000 Families [Press Release]

No birthday celebration seems complete without a cake. The perfect birthday cake is the one that makes them happy - tasty decorated cake with a candle stuck in the middle. Every birthday celebration is an event to celebrate a milestone in your child’s life. Providing the perfect birthday cakes is a source of stress for some parents but with Goldilocks through the Baby & Family Expo Philippines 2013 on December 06-08, 2013 at SMX Convention Center Manila, Mall of Asia Complex, parents will now discover how to make their child’s birthday a memorable one.

In every Filipino family, celebrations like birthday, anniversary or graduation are best celebrated with a cake. Recently, Goldilocks introduced an addition to their bakeshop products - 'Decorate your Cake.' During the Family Olympics, happening on the second and third day of the Baby & Family Expo, young children ages 5-8 years old will unleash their creativity skills in the Decorate your Cake challenge. Together with their mother or father, each child willdecorate their dream cupcake using a DYC (decorate your cake) package materials.

Kids enjoying decorating their cake.

Thousands of families are expected to join this three-day event, wherein the country's top bakeshop will also offer an exclusive 10% booking discount to Baby Expo visitors.

Organized by MediaCom Solutions Inc. and co-presented by Cordlife, the country’s premier biggest family event of the year to family development and child care dubbed as “Welcoming Life, Love and Care” will cover the stages of family growth from pregnancy, maternity, newborns, toddlers and early childhood. The event will also feature educational talks and seminars, fun-filled activities and exclusive discounts from over 200 exhibitors.

Gear up your preparations by registering for free at the Baby& Family Expo Philippines 2013 website http://babyexpo.ph/registration.php. For queries and updates, you can call +632.843.2174, email info@babyexpo.ph and join the community at http://www.facebook.com/babyexpoph and http://twitter.com/BabyExpoPH.

Goodbye Cloth Diapers?

I'm a huge fan of cloth diapers. I see them as my life saver because back then when I got sick and was on medical leave, they saved me from the headache of having to get the funds to buy disposable diapers to my then 2-year old toddler. So why am I saying goodbye?

My little boy no-more are showing signs that he's ready to potty. Two weeks ago, I decided to give him his presko time. One is because he's got rashes on his bum. He didn't say that he pooped and when I checked, it already dried in his nappy and so it caused the irritation. Second is because he's pretty much adjusted here in Bacolod. I read from a book that you shouldn't introduce potty training when your child is under a lot of stress. Moving from one house to another can be stressful to a toddler hence the delay in potty training.

one of his very first nappies

happily wearing his training pants

On day one he learned to pee like a man. On day 2 he said he wanted to do number two and he did...inside the bathroom on the potty chair. Even I can't believe how easy it was to train him. Now he only wears cloth diapers at night. Pretty soon I'm going to say byebye. I should be happy, right? But I will miss those days when I have my banderitas of cute nappies hanging on the clothesline. (sigh) Good thing I've taken loads of pictures of them.

One of the many pictures of my "banderitas"

I guess I should be excited about him getting character briefs.