IKEA Family Membership Starts on JULY 7

 

IKEA, the biggest one in the world is set to open soon in the Philippines. The thing is, they're letting you in on the fun before you enjoy the ready to assemble furniture, appliances, accessories and meatballs that the brand is known for. It's called IKEA Family.

IKEA Family is a home furnishing club that's already 150 Million strong around the world. This membership will be free starting July 7, best for those who would want to make their homes their passion. You can also use it for help as members would get perks, points on purchases, benefits and experiences to be given all year round, a thing that you should be loving on the day it opens on the 4th quarter of 2021.

IKEA Family members will get the chance to earn, redeem points and enjoy special prices so if you're building your. Membership is FREE, go family.ikea.com.ph and click join now. Fill up the details and register on that day (IKEA Family Day), it's that easy to join. To celebrate, they'll be picking three winners will get 50,000 pesos shopping spree, that would be a whole lot of furniture if you ask me. Members will also get special rates on the IKEA menu, with their world famous meatballs on hand, you'll need that. More so because it's really good.

It would be like a city, you would find inspiration for what you need. You would need comfortable shoes, walk around 4 hours and get acquainted to pick pieces that would fit your design aesthetic. Most of their products present minimalist. Members will get invites to events, as you'll get email for these special days and it'll be about life at home. There will also be "Circle of Life" items that you will get to see, so you get educated about what happens to a product when it is manufactured. Now remember, they plan to onboard about 100,000 people on this day. For those who will be able to join, they'll get a chance to win the prizes mentioned above. Winners will be announced on the 10th, so make sure you also follow their official social media channels. With a lifetime membership, you'll absolutely love it! So if you love IKEA, make sure you're in!

By the way, IKEA is pronounced as Eeekehyah not Aykeeyah. See you online then!

Productive Things To Do During Lockdown

Image courtesy of Austin Chan @Unsplash

If you’re anything like me, I consider walking to the refrigerator an exercise. However, for many active individuals, the lockdown implemented in some parts of the world is what some people might refer to as a living nightmare. Everyone is bored due to the lockdown, especially since social events such as parties and festivals are out of the question. On the plus side, you can spend your free time at home picking up new hobbies and trying out new things. Don’t worry, I won’t stop you from binge-watching on Netflix but if you do wake up one day finding yourself wondering what else is there to do, this article is the sign you’ve been looking for. 

Clean your living space. Thoroughly.

What with assignments and work, when do we even have the time, am I right? On busy days, I’m lucky to even come home to a neatly made bed assuming I made time to do that before heading out (I usually don’t).

There are many changes and additions you can make to achieve a homier vibe. If you have no clue on where to start, enter Pinterest. Rustic, minimalist, bohemian, mid-century modern, so many to choose from. After all the research you’ve done, who knows, some of your friends might like your design so much that you can help decorate their space too! 

Earn some side income online

Although times are tough for job seekers, there are still ways to earn some extra money on a more flexible schedule. The possibilities are virtually limitless with the internet. If you have an eye for designing, copywriting or content creating, utilize it by finding freelance jobs on Facebook groups, Workana or any website that provides jobs for freelancing.

If you’re an aspiring baker or chef, share those skills with the community by holding virtual classes. If you want to turn a hobby into a small business, why not do just that! Sell homemade jewelry, paintings, clothes and all that jazz. With a minimal capital, you can get started on all these ideas from anywhere at any time.

 

Exercise

Sure, looking good after a workout is a bonus but what’s more important is feeling good. Boost your confidence before a virtual presentation or have a virtual workout session with your best buds. Trust me, after a long day at your desk, doing even a short workout will do wonders for your mood and productivity.

Go with the flow. If you’re into bicycles, ride your bike around the parking lot or your neighborhood. As for the best brand of bicycle, we highly recommend Polygon which is an Indonesian bicycle manufacturer based in Sidoarjo, East Java. If your body just wants to stretch and relax, Yoga With Adriene has been my go-to but if you want to work up a sweat, Daisy Keech or Chloe Ting have posted many different workouts on YouTube that will help you reach your goals in no time!

Spend time with your loved ones

We had no idea we'd be confined to our houses for so long. This period, however, has provided us with the opportunity to rekindle and improve the relationship we have with our family. Because of the hectic pace of our lives before, we rarely had time to sit with our family even for a meal.

The lockdown has allowed us to return to the days when family time was the most important part of the day. Get to know them again, play a board game, cook together or dress up your pets because as once Madeleine said “We love our bread, we love our butter but most of all, we love each other.” 

Become a bookworm

Does your daily reading consist of reading tweets, Facebook updates or the comic behind your favorite cereal box? Well, put down that cereal box and pick up a real book!

Why, you may ask? Books teach you how to stay calm, how to understand people, how to improve on vocabulary and communication, how to deal with problems and obstacles that you may face in life and expand your knowledge. As for me, reading has given me the opportunity to explore my imagination and open up my mind to new possibilities without leaving my room. To get you started, here’s a list of my recent personal favorites.

●    The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

●    The Secret Keeper of Jaipur by Alka Joshi
●    Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid
●    Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
●    When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
●    Shades of Magic Series by V.E. Schwab
●    The Institute by Stephen King
●    Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart by James R. Doty
●    Beach Read by Emily Henry
●    The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

 

Final thoughts

This lockdown has shown us that there’s more to us than we realized. We just didn’t see it before due to our busy schedules and hectic social lives. So, get moving! However you decide to spend your free time during this time, remember to be safe and grateful for this life you get to live.

Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista Renews Contract with GMA

The crooner who has swooned tons of ladies across Asia has renewed ties with GMA Artist Center. In simple ceremonies last week, Christian Bautista was so happy about his decision to stay with the network. He has been in the industry for over 2 decades and he's very happy knowing that he's gotten renewed because he's treated this as a great partnership. He's been with GMA for over 8 years and plans to do various shows including the highly successful "The Clash" Season 4 and "All Out Sundays". Aside from that, he's looking forward to a future of doing GMA Pinoy TV and regional tours (sans pandemic) which will possibly get him in touch of audiences abroad as a major throng of his supporters are from other countries too. 

Christian understands that it's a bit difficult to make plans because of the COVID-19 restrictions so he's probably going to wing every opportunity that comes with this renewal. He also did a project called STILL with Julie Anne San Jose and other artists which is produced for the VIU app. It's more of a series that's got a lot of music involved in it. This will be out soon so his fans still have a lot of things to look forward to, hopefully this year. 

These days, Christian is also doing YouTube and he says "It's a bit difficult now, but everybody is doing it. Your fans will enjoy how you share your life, so we (he and his wife) decided to do it. As for digital concerts, that's a lot to think about. Producing, getting sponsors, the timing, it's a bit difficult. Renewing in GMA is surreal, at this time, at this age, it was a nice feeling that people believe in you. I wish for a project that would be celebrated around the world. Whether it may be in front or the back of the camera, I'd like to see that happen. Right now, this show with Julie, it's outside the Philippines and I'd take it. Being with people who love working together, with a purpose, it's something that I want to do. These days, you think about how you would get to earn as an artist during this time. I'm grateful to God that I'm not getting neglected. I want to focus on The Clash as a mentor and judge, hopefully I'd be able to help them. I want to also write songs, be a creator, not just sing."

Recently, the MET was inaugurated and opened by the city of Manila. One of the performers who were invited during that historical opening was Christian Bautista. I asked about it casually and he says "The experience performing again on stage was surreal, I was both excited and elated about doing that again after several months of getting locked in at home. Even if it was 2 seats apart during that day, the live audience really was a different experience. I liked what it was, and I loved to see what it can be again after all these restrictions are gone. In the future, there would probably be online shows, live shows, to blend them might be right. The Clash was getting a nomination in New York just meant that I was doing something right. It's for the directors, the people behind the show, not just us artists and contestants. No one in particular but everyone who joins The Clash, you can feel that they really do want it. It's just sad that opportunities are not given to them all, but hopefully they would try, and not get discouraged."

Here's the rest of the interview on video:

The Clash is going to be bigger and better, so will all the celebrations on AOS. You'll see Christian there and all the talented artists of GMA. 

Some Pretty Good Face Republic Products on Shopee

We're still wearing masks and face shields today and just this weekend, I had to go to Araneta Coliseum to get the second and final dose if my COVID-19 vaccine after being a hermit for a couple of months. We barely open our home for anything except for deliveries and we make it a point to observe strict procedures like disinfecting hands and extremities before and after opening the door, wearing N94 and face masks and maintaining distance from people who come from outside. We've well isolated ourselves for about a year now and I think we're still doing good.

Although I'm confined at home, that doesn't mean we're going to just be lazy and not take care of our skin. I believe in the saying "Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize" and it's what I practically do to look like I'm a few years younger (maybe 20 years lol) and it doesn't have to be complicated. You see, brands like Face Republic are local. They're made in Korea, but the formulation of their different products are made for the Filipino skin. It's like a merge of what's good in both worlds. I've had to try some of them this evening. Admittedly, I do sometimes get "Maskne" which is a new urban term of acne forming on the area which you cover with a face mask. I've seen a lot of people suffer from that and aside from the usual soap and water people use to clean their face (although not all soaps are okay), this could well help them clean up a bit more. 

After a shower, apply the Face Republic AHA/BHA Toner on your face and neck area with a cotton ball/flat cotton pads which you can buy in groceries/leading drugstore (except eye area). You'll get the dirt and oil out in no time. It's got water, soluble and organic ingredients which improves skin tone and texture, brighten those acne marks so you'll have even looking skin too. They also have the Face Republic Calming Blemish Madeca Serum which is anti-inflammatory in nature, so wounds heal faster, and is also anti-aging. If you've got really active acne, it would tone that down a bit and dry up open wounds that lie mostly on the surface. Since I didn't have acne this evening, I could feel it kinda tightens up a bit, or maybe that's just because the room was cold when I applied it. They have a special medicine dropper like contraption for that, and it doesn't have much of a fragrance (which I prefer especially if I'm applying it before I sleep).

The Face Republic Cica Gel Moisturizer on the other hand was lightly scented with minty/eucalyptus like fragrance (I couldn't almost smell it after application). You have to apply this after the toner so you won't dry up your skin. It's also got Tea Tree leaf extract which is anti inflammatory, something that you would need if you've got acne. Most of these are also water based, easily absorbed when you apply it and you don't feel sticky afterwards which is a plus on my books. These products are also tested by the Korea Dermatology Research Institute, all hypoallergenic, and the packaging is also environmentally friendly.

You can get the Face Republic AHA/BHA Toner here https://shp.ee/x9phb5b

Get the Face Republic Calming Blemish Madeca Serum right here https://shp.ee/z2p7udt

You must get the Face Republic CICA Gel Moisturizer if you get the toner because that combination rocks! https://shp.ee/vjeijst

Go download the Shopee app on the App Store or Google Play Store if you still don't have it. I'll try it the whole week and edit this if I need to, but so far, I feel it's so good on my skin!