Learn It To Earn It! Using Your Vacation As A Learning Experience For The Kids

It might not be the first thing on your list of priorities, but getting your child a holiday experience that proves to be educational is an extremely beneficial experience for your little ones. And it’s unlikely that they will take too kindly to you “forcing” any type of learning on them, especially if they’re a little older! But, if you take them to a place where they don’t even realise that they are learning, then you’ve won the battle. The standard school system doesn’t really make learning fun, so what better way to get your kids to learn than by enjoying themselves! Here are some ideas and travel tips for giving your kids a worthwhile learning experience.

Go Native!

Learning about our native amerian ancestors is a vacation package like no other! While making s’mores, you can listen to a native tribe member tell stories about the constellations, and you can learn how to make a pot using the old method of pinch and coil, or make your own bracelet out of copper. There are resorts, like the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa that do guided nature tours of the Rio Grande. Orignally tailored to kids, these are so popular, that it is now open to adults too. Other activities can include watching tribal dancers perform, learning how to bake bread in a traditional hurana oven and there are even more physical activities like horseback riding. For a package that’s educational and fun, these ones are hard to beat!

Never The Twain Shall Meet!

Mark Twain is one of America’s most celebrated authors, so if your child in school is studying The Adventures Of Huckleberrry Finn, you can go to The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Conneticut. Here is where Twain spent a portion of his adult life, writing some of his most notable works, like The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer, and his house was one home to an early incarnation of the telephone. One of the best getaways in a lovely setting, Hartford has many educational attractions, such as the Hartford Public Library, which has over 500,000 holdings.

You Can-Yacht Be Serious! 

Going yachting is a serious activity for kids, and places like the Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda (which is part of the British Virgin Islands) teaches children how to be a sturdy sailor! There are basics courses that combine classroom sessions with hands-on experience on the side of the dock. There are other workshops such as beginners practice maneuvers, as well as learning how to anchor, understanding the waters and working with the winches. These are aimed at kids aged 7 and older, and once the skills have been learned by your trusty landlubber turned ship cap’n, you can all sail to one of the nearby cays, or go snorkeling. There are family vacation packages available which include lodging, outings, and meals.

If you really want to get your kids some educational time on vacation, these destinations will make them think that they didn’t learn a thing, but merely had a good time. In which case, mission accomplished!

Treat Yourself! 8 Tips To Add A Little Luxury To Your Everyday Life

We always see photos of celebrities stepping off private jets and wandering around wearing shoes and dresses that would cost the entirety of our monthly food budget. As a ‘normal’ non-celebrity person, that’s obviously a lifestyle that isn’t attainable for the rest of us. It is possible, however, to introduce a little luxury into your life without completely going crazy and breaking the bank. Here are 8 tips to help…

Your Style

1. Save for classic pieces

It’s very easy to go for disposable fashion – we tend to value quantity over quality, and it does feel good to have a new top every time you go out with your friends. But if you want to go for luxury, then it’s a much better idea to save your money for pieces that will last the long haul. Go for good quality materials, and natural rather than synthetic fabrics. Save up for classic makeups like lipsticks, mascaras, and blushes. You can also opt for permanent makeups like having lips or brows tattoo, and for thick and long eyelashes check out eyelash serum available online.

2. Splash out in the sales

The number one sales rule is that you shouldn’t spend money on something that you wouldn’t buy anyway. So make sure that you bookmark items that you want on more expensive high end websites, and wait for them to go down in price so that you can invest in them. Only buy things that will last the test of time, from reputable brands. It’s a good time to buy leather boots, good quality coats and new clothes for work. You could also get a good bargain for a summer dress to wear to a wedding in a winter sale.

3. Don’t over accessorize

"Look at the cherry blossoms!Their color and scent fall with them,Are gone forever,Yet mindlessThe spring comes again." ~ Ikkyu #cherryblossom #sakura #Japanese #tree #flower #bloom #blossom #beautiful #pink #life #hope #faith #quote #quoteoftheday #quotestagram #instaquote #instapost #instadaily #igers #igersdaily #igersph #goodnight

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Nov 4, 2016 at 8:38am PDT

One way to make your outfit look cheap is by wearing too many accessories. Coco Chanel said that before you leave the house, you should look in the mirror and take one thing off. Make sure that the jewellery you wear is all good quality – it doesn’t all have to be gold, silver and diamonds, but if you have costume jewellery that’s started to fade, put it in the bin or donate it.

Your Home

4. Upgrade your bed

There’s nothing that feels more luxuriant than slipping between sheets with a high thread count at night, so why not upgrade your bed? The thread count means the number of vertical and horizontal threads in one square inch of fabric, so the higher the thread count, the softer and nicer the sheets will feel at night. Egyptian cotton has a reputation as the best quality cotton in the world, so you could also splash out on that. If you find that you get a sore neck and back after you get up in the morning, it’s probably time to go for a new pillow, or perhaps a new mattress topper. Finally, if you’re susceptible to skin rashes, why not go for hypoallergenic blankets and pillows?

5. Splash out on your bathroom

If you’re a parent, then you’ll know that your bathroom is one of the only rooms in your house in which you can actually relax – even if you have your kids banging on the door and asking to be let in while you’re trying to wash your hair! It’s important that you make your bathroom as luxuriant as possible so you can enjoy the few minutes of blissful quiet and solitude. Go for high end toiletries and use plenty of body moisturizer after your shower. If you go for a fragranced one, then you can skip your perfume when you’re getting dressed. Go for new soft towels like Richard Haworth bath towels. Even if you might be spending more than you’re accustomed to spending on towels, they’ll be worth it when you step out of the shower. You could even go for a heated towel rail. Not only will they dry your towels quickly so they won’t end up smelling of damp, there’s no better feeling in the winter than wrapping yourself in a toasty warm towel. Finally, if you’re taking a bath or shower at night to relax, get a scented candle in lavender or sandalwood, to help you chill out and give you a good night’s sleep.

Your Lifestyle

6. Make sure that you stay fit and healthy

This will help you in all aspects of your life, as you can pass on good eating habits to your kids and make sure that they’re healthy in the future. Buy good quality organic fruit and vegetables, and go for ethical meat. It might all be a little more expensive but the quality will far surpass other food, and you’ll feel happy in the knowledge that you’ve given the animals you’re eating a better quality of life. You could also join a gym – splash out on a nice one so that you feel comfortable and happy going there and so you don’t waste your (probably exorbitant) membership fee!

7. Spend time on yourself

One of the most luxuriant things you can ever do is spend time on yourself. The reason that celebrities and rich people look so good is that they have much more free time than the rest of us. They don’t have to worry about going to work every day, public transport, trying to find affordable childcare – and they have time to go to the gym every day and pay talented hair stylists and makeup artists to make them look flawless at all times. Of course, we don’t have the time or the spare money for that. But it is important that you try to take time for yourself. Focus on your hobbies and make sure that you don’t lose yourself after you have children. It’s important for your kids to see that you have your own life and interests. Ask your partner to look after your family for a day and take yourself off to an art gallery or bookshop.

8. See your friends

Take time out from your family to see your friends and treat yourself with a nice dinner out or a few cocktails. It’s easy to lose touch with them as you get older and your schedules get more demanding, but the truth is that seeing your friends will help you stay sane in a crazy world.

Oh Canada! The Vacation Nation

Europeans are spoiled for choice when it comes to travelling. Apart from the UK and a few islands, the other countries are all joined together and allow for an amazing train or road-trip experience should wanderlust set in. There are a variety of different cultures, languages and places to explore with little regard needed to what they need to organize beforehand in terms of travel visas … mainly because not many places require one. 

In the USA, aka the ‘No Vacation Nation’, travel and holidays are often limited to other states. If you live in a cold state, you fly to a warmer one. If you live in a landlocked state, you go to one with a beach. If you live in a countrified state, you go to a city state - you get the drift. The culture of what literally lies above us (well, on a map at least) is one that isn’t too often thought about; Canada seems a bit too far away and a bit too cold and a bit too every-other-excuse-you-can-think-of. 

Quit the excuses. It’s time to fly (or drive!)

Bonjour!

In Europe you can get the French experience. It’s the same in Africa too, in some countries. But forget those - it’s also the case in parts of Canada like Montreal and Quebec, where French is the majority official language (56% for Montreal and a whopping 95% for Quebec). It was initially called New France. Most children in French-speaking regions of Canada are brought up to be bilingual. So get your taste of Europe by visiting Canada - it’s a small victory, but one to be embraced. Unlike the Europeans with France, you will need to get a travel visa - try official-canada-eta.com to get yourself covered

There’s A Moose Loose…

The wildlife in Canada is so varied that it’s mind-boggling how so many different animals exist there. If you venture up towards the Canadian islands of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, for example, you are more likely to see small creatures like the star-nosed mole or the northern flying squirrel, amazing mammals such as the beaver, coyote and the typical Canadian moose, and if you’re heading towards the ocean then seals and even humpback whales can be spotted - all brilliant animals to witness in the wild. 

All of the Lights

If you head to Canada, you are in with high chances of seeing the most amazing natural phenomenon on offer - the Aurora Borealis, the best light show around There are so many places across the country on offer to you as a viewing platform, spanning across all ten provinces; so wherever you are, there will always be the chance that you can bear witness to this brilliant display of light in the sky. It’s something that all of the family will enjoy; children will love seeing the bright flickers across the night sky and for adults, it’s a childhood fantasy come true. Plus, it’s free - and there is nothing better than a trip out for all the family that won’t cost you half a month’s salary to fund it.

Goodah!!! Opens Its 8th Store in Baclaran + A New Dish!

Goodah Baclaran branch is now open with a new addition to its Filipino favorite dish offering-- the KKk or Krispy Kare-Kare! Visit them here at C-Side commercial center Roxas Blvd. Baclaran and enjoy "Pagkaing Good for Every All" #Goodah #SuGoodah #GrandOpening #Event #food #foodie #foodblogger #lifestyle #Goodie #instafood #instapost #instadaily #instagood #igersph #igers #igersdaily #mommyblogger #mommybloggersph #bloggerph

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Jan 16, 2017 at 1:34am PST

Goodah!!! a well-known solidly patronized all-Filipino food chain starting in the 80’s that popularized the food ensemble "silog", starts the new year with the opening of its 8th newest branch in Baclaran, last January 16, 2017. It's a perfect place for their “Open 25 Hours" and “Pagkaing Good for Every-All” concept because Baclaran is flocked by many people for the "tiangge" and the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

I attended the Grand Opening of its Baclaran branch together with my fellow Bloggers. I actually haven't eaten at any Goodah!!! branch before, so this was my first time and I was excited to taste their classic Filipino dish offering. The opening also coincides with another new and exciting dish that many Filipinos love. They will be offering their own Krispy take on a favorite Filipino classic dish, Kare-Kare!

We were served with this food set which is good for 4 people.

I also ordered Halo-Halo for dessert

The KKK or Krispy Kare-Kare uses ground peanuts to give that traditionally rich and earthy flavor to its kare-kare sauce. A large bowl is filled with cooked string beans, talong, pechay, and of course, puso ng saging because it wouldn’t be much of a kare-kare without it. A good amount of soft and juicy beef flank joins the dish. Sautéed shrimp paste gives kare-kare a different dimension to its play on flavors, which is very much like how this Filipino dish became a classic that everyone loves.

GoodAh!!!’s Krispy Kare-Kare is the centerpiece offering for GoodAh’s newest branch in Baclaran, Pasay City, and is available for just Php 299 a la carte or everyone can have it in a set meal for just Php 339

I love the classic Kare-Kare, but what GoodAh!!! adds to the table is what gives it the “K” in the KKK. The usually gamey ox tripe or what Filipinos usually “tuwalya” is tough to eat if not cooked properly— usually by slowly cooking it in a pot or by cooking it in a pressure cooker. What GoodAh!!! did was to fry the ox tripe to give it a crispy texture, which is a complementing contrast, especially to the soft flanks and rich sauce of kare-kare. It’s a real crispy twist on the classic dish!

With Boy Abunda, celebrity ambassador of @goodahph during the grand opening of its newest branch in Baclaran. #Goodah #SuGoodah #BoyAbundaSaGoodah #event #GrandOpening #celebrity #ambassador #endorser #eventblogger #foodie #foodblogger #foodie #lifestyle #instapost #instagood #instadaily #instamood #igersph #igers #igersdaily

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Jan 16, 2017 at 2:34am PST

The launch of this newest branch was graced with special guests along with GoodAh!!!’s top management heads. Included in their lineup of guests is GoodAh!!!’s brand ambassador and celebrity talk show host, Mr. Boy Abunda. 

Yesterday, I took Jaear, the kids and my in laws to have dinner at Goodah!!!, we were supposed to eat at their Las Pinas branch but we can't seem to find it so we ended up eating at Baclaran branch. 

We ordered their group meal which is good for 6 people which consists of; Bulalo, Fried Chicken, Pork BBQ and Garlic Kangkong. This meal comes with 6 cups of rice, a pitcher of iced tea and 6 pieces puto flan, and it only costs Php 699.00 only. Then we just ordered the Krispy Kare-kare a la carte. I personally liked the Pork BBQ and the Kangkong, it just tastes better with the alamang of the shrimp paste. But overall, the food was good and the price was reasonable. In fact, I look forward on tasting their other dishes.

GoodAh!!! continues to push culinary boundaries with this new and exciting twist on kare-kare, much like their recent, wildly popular food offerings:Crispy Pata and Bulalugaw. Indeed, GoodAh!!!  offers “Pagkaing Good for Every-All”. 

Watch out for more exciting dishes from GoodAh!!! by visiting their website at www.goodah.com.ph or their Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoodahPh.

Clean and Sweet-smelling Hands with Belo Baby Hand Sanitizers

Mommies could go crazy when it comes to the welfare of their children. But that’s only because, we want what’s best for them, as cliché as it may sound but it’s the reality, right? And, that is why; I tend to become overprotective of my children. However, I found out that being overprotective is not actually good at all times. Kids are kids, they need to play and explore and that includes getting their hands dirty and sometimes even bruised knees but what matters is that they are happy and learning which helps them become well rounded individuals. 

With that being said, I allow my 3 kids, Tristan, Athena and Brianna play, explore outdoors, have fun and just be kids. At the same time, I also let them understand the importance of their health and safety. Aside from teaching them to eat healthy to keep them away from diseases, I  taught them to be extra careful and also by teaching them basic safety precautions such as washing their hands properly especially after every play, before eating and after using the toilet, good thing they are very eager to learn. However, washing their hands is almost impossible to do most especially when we are outdoors, that’s why I see to it that I always bring an alcohol or a hand sanitizer with us. 

Look what I've recently discovered-- hand sanitizers from @belobabylove 💕 just like other #BeloBaby products, it's crafted with care for the most delicate skin, for the most meticulous moms. Sharing with you soon more reasons why my playful kids and I love it! Stay tuned 😊 #belobabyhandsanitizer #sanitizer #hygiene #health #wellness #clean #sweet #fruity #mommybloggersph #mommyblogger #productreview #kids #instapost #instagood #instadaily #igersph #igersdaily #igers

A photo posted by Pearl Paguio (@pearlizshell) on Jan 17, 2017 at 9:18pm PST

And, a couple of days ago, I posted on Instagram about my recent discovery—these fruity and baby chic Hand Sanitizers which is a new line of product from Belo Baby. If you still haven’t heard, Belo Baby is a product line targeting mothers and was introduced by Belo last April 2016. Its first product line includes Bath and Body products such as the Face and Body Lotion, Hair and Body Wash, Bar Soap and Colognes. 

When I first found out about this Belo Baby Hand Sanitizers, I never hesitated to use it to my kids. I was actually excited that when we got it I was the first one who tried it. We have been using these for almost a week now and here are things I love about it: 

• It kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria. 
• Carefully formulated without triclosan, parabens, benzalkonium, chloride, quats, glycols, chlorine, formaldehyde carriers, petrochemicals, and most common allergens. 
• Hypoallergenic 
• Dermatologist-tested 
• With glycerin, that moisturizes and an ulta-mild that leaves skin fresh 

Belo Baby Hand Sanitizers are available in three fruity scents: 

• Peach- smells powdery but a bit strong, however it’s not overpowering once sprayed on the hands. 

• Green Apple- has a fresh after shower scent. 

• Blueberry- smells sweet and yummy like candies. 

I love all its scent, but my favourite is the Blueberry. My kids also have their own personal favourites, Tristan likes the Green Apple, and Athena likes the Blueberry and Peach for Brianna. 

Overall, we love these Belo Baby Hand Sanitizers; we use it even we’re just at home. The kids are very fond of its fresh fruity scent while I am of course happy that it’s 100% safe for them because it doesn’t contain those harmful chemicals that can harm their delicate skin. This is definitely a must have item in the house. I’m planning to replace the alcohol from Tristan and Athena’s hygiene kit at school with these hand sanitizers. It’s going to be a sweet reminder for them to always keep their hands clean! 

Belo is trusted by many and most celebrities when it comes to cosmetics and beauty and I’m glad that they have extended their expertise in providing safe and quality products not just for babies but the whole family. 

Belo Baby products are indeed crafted with care for the most delicate skin, for the most meticulous moms. I highly recommend it! 

Belo Baby Hand Sanitizers cost Php49.75 each

To know more about the Belo Baby Hand Sanitizers and other Baby Belo products, visit their website at www.belobaby.ph. Follow them on FB: belobabylove, Twitter: @belobabylove, and IG: @belobabylove. 

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On School Trip Locations: Will It Be Worth The Money?

Are you proactive with your children’s education and plan ahead as much as possible? More frequently these days, it means saving to enable your kids to attend school trips, when the opportunity arises. The problem is that they can be so expensive, it can be very difficult to find the money for them to go on every single excursion that is offered. So how do you know which ones to send them on, and which ones to skip? Well, read on for a guide to the most popular international trip locations and what to expect from each. Which should make your choices a lot easier. 

France

France is a popular location for school trips from all over the world. But what are the benefits of such a trip? Well, for one depending on where your child is traveling from they may well get their first taste of long haul travel. Which is a worthwhile experience in itself. As it can trigger wanderlust for the rest of their lives!

Secondly, many schools chose to take their students to France to help them perfect the language by immersing them the culture. Of course, they also get to experience the famous cuisine and cultural aspects too. Which are two another two reasons why this may be a suitable trip to pay out for.

Italy

Italy is another popular school trip location. It is probably worth sending your kids on this one. This is because there are so many famous cities in Italy to visit, that will provide them with an educational experience. 

For example, the is Venice where they can learn all about defense in the middle ages, as well as the power and history of the Medici family.

Then there is Verona, perfect for students studying Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. They can even visit the balcony that is said to have inspired this tale of forlorn lovers. Where there is a statue of Juliet, herself situated.

However, these are not the only cities which hold education merit in Italy because Rome itself was said to be the cradle of the modern world. That means visiting Rome and experiencing the scale and splendor of sites like the amphitheater can bring history to life for many students. Instead of it being seen as a dry subject discussed in the pages of a book.

Lastly, the Italian lakes also provide a worthwhile school trip location, because of all the wonderful activities there are to do there. Surfing, sailing, and walking are all very popular around locations like Lake Garda. So you may find that your child school chooses to take them there for some healthy, active fun.

Iceland

Another frequently chosen location for a school trip is the beautiful country of Iceland. School trips to Iceland are often much looked forward to, and places can become very limited. This is because of the uniqueness of the things to see and be a part of, on such a trip.

Probably the most important of all of these is the Aurora Borealis, which is only able to be seen from a few places in the entire world. The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights is a wonderful phenomenon that makes green, blue and yellow lights dance across the sky. It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for many people so it would be an awful shame if you child had to miss out on this.

Of course, there are other fascinating things to do in Iceland on a school trip as well, such as visiting the Blue Lagoon. Or going on an organized trip into the snowy wilderness to look for animals like the Arctic Fox and Reindeer. 

Russia

Some education institutions choose to take their students on a trip to Russia. These are often met with mixed feeling. As Russia, while interesting to many, is known for its harsh living conditions.

Deciding whether this trip is worth the money or not, has a lot to do with how much interest you child is showing in this location. You also need to consider how vital it is for their education achievement. As well as how they will cope with cuisine for an extended period of time.

USA

Some students, especially those going to school in places that are near to the USA, get the chance to visit America on a school trip. Most kids will want to go on this trip, whether it is educationally relevant to what they are studying or not. That is because they will see it as a chance to have a lot of fun and experience the American Culture to which they are all familiar with through TV.

Of course, before you pay for such a trip, it is always a good idea to explain just how many days they will be spending at Disneyland, if any. As well as, how many days they will be spending touring around civil war sites and the like. This might end up being the deciding factor for them, and you, on whether it is worth paying our to go or not.

United Kingdom

Lastly, another very popular location for school trips and residentials is the United Kingdom. Of course, this has a lot to do with helping the kids learning to improve their English speaking skills, which is always a worthwhile thing to do. 

But the UK is also an interesting place to visit for the historical and cultural aspects as well. It has a rich history dating far back into the past, and in various UK locations, you can learn about these. Good places to do this include the castles along the Northumbrian coast and the Jorvik Center in York. Which demonstrate how the Viking Invaders lived when they reached England. 

Of course, the UK is divided into four countries: England, Northern Island, Scotland, and Wales. So each country provides its own educational experiences, as well as having its own unique identity, language, and culture to explore. Making the UK a generally good choice for a school trip. 

Tips to Up Your Laundry Game

Doing the laundry is one of the task I hate the most. That's why I end up just throwing everything into the washer and hoping for the best. And, if you're just like me, this bad habit can not only lead to a premature degradation of clothing but can also waste money and water.

So, if you want to truly do your laundry ‘properly’ there is a bit more to it than that.

If you are wondering whether your laundry technique could be improved upon, take a look at the following tips to up your laundry technique:

Soak Stains Straight Away

As soon as you get a stain on your clothing, you must take action. Once a stain has dried, it will be tough, if not impossible to get rid of it. 

The best way to deal with a fresh stain is to put it in a sink or bucket full of water, add a little detergent and leave it to soak until you’re ready to wash it.

If a stain is particularly stubborn (grass, red wine), you may also need to purchase a specific stain removal product to deal with the problem.

Install a Water Softener System

If you live in a hard water area, you might want to look into water softener systems because hard water can have a very detrimental impact on your washing machine, and as a result, your clothing. A water softener system may seem unnecessary, but when you consider that it can help extend the life of your laundry and your washing machine, you will start to see how quickly such a device will pay for itself.

The Right Way to Sort

We all know that we should separate lights, whites and darks, and delicates, but many of us don’t realise that’s not the whole story. If you also separate your laundry by washing temperature and type of fabric, you will see much better results regarding cleanliness and the lifespan of your clothing.

Leave Some Room

It can be tempting to cram every bit of laundry into the washer, so you can get it done in one load, save money and use less water, and this is a god goal. However, you do not want to take it too far because a washer that is overloaded will not be able to clean all your clothes as effectively as it should. You may also experience problems at the spinning stage too.

Aim to fill your washer until it is around 75 percent full, and you shouldn’t have any problems.

Wash with Cold Water 

It is perfectly acceptable to save time, money and energy by washing with cold water, providing that they are only mildly soiled. This could save you up to 90 percent of the energy costs of doing the laundry.

Now that you know how to do the laundry properly, you’ll never have to worry about stained clothes, pink t-shirts or excessive energy costs again!