Hands-On Parents While Earning Summit

Majority of parents nowadays chose to be hands-on with their child's upbringing and development and that includes myself. I have been a stay-at-home mom for a year now and life has been simpler. Simpler meaning there's not much social activity to brag about except for my toddler's milestone diaries. Everyday we challenge ourselves to keep our expenses at a minimum so as not to use up our hard-earned savings. Sometimes, I would be tempted to apply for a full-time job outside just to satisfy my thirst for adventure but looking at my lovely daughter, I really can't. I invite you to read this post on how I enjoy being a hands-on parent to my toddler.

When I saw this upcoming event entitled "Hands-On Parents while Earning", I got interested with the line up of program. However, upon checking out the learning fee, I was saddened because it's too costly for me. Sigh!  But I am sure that this H.O.P.E. Summit would be a nice event to consider attending as the speakers are really experts in this field, being hands-on to their kids while earning.     

Event Details

The mommy behind this big parenting event is none other than Ms. Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag, bestselling author and inspirational speaker. Hands-On Parents while Earning or H.O.P.E. Summit is set to happen on August 8, 2015, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at the AVR of PLDT TelTech Building, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. This whole day workshop on hands-on parenting and working smart in the new millennium seeks to inspire and teach parents how to marry hands-on parenting with earning for the family.

Dental Care Tips by Lotte Xylitol

Last Wednesday July 30, I attended a short Dental Care talk by Lotte Xylitol at Kitchen's Best Home Patisserie in BGC. I felt so honored to be invited by Mommy Ginger, together with other mommy bloggers, to this intimate bloggers' meet-up.

           

Group picture with some of the mommy bloggers, as the others had already left after the talk.

Anything that could increase my knowledge as a first-time mom, I would love to attend and dental care is one of them. I can't say that I have a perfect teeth, although I still have a complete set of teeth, I do have lots of restored ones. And because of that, I want to really take time to learn more about how to properly take care of my child's teeth so that she'll grow up with a healthy smile.

Official poster to this mini event.

What is Tooth Decay?

First, let's define what tooth decay is. Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is the bacterial infection that causes demineralization and destruction of tooth enamel resulting from interactions between teeth, food and bacteria. 

Got this illustration from the internet

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Every time we eat, especially fermentable carbohydrates or sweets, the food breaks down into simple sugars which will then work with bacteria, thereby producing acids that dissolve minerals inside our tooth enamel in a process called demineralization. It happens when minerals are being lost faster than they are being regained.

We must also take note that the longer the food stays on our teeth, the more acids will be produced. Thus we must avoid frequent eating especially those sticky and retentive type of food such as potato chips and biscuits that get stuck in crevices of our teeth. If you will be asked to choose between chocolate or biscuit, it's better to eat chocolate because it just melts and can be easily washed away with water.

Memory Crafters: Koko-Cute Kokoru Workshop

Before I even start with this post, seeing the date of the event gave me slight chills. Why? Because I'll be turning a year older by then. Ack! How time flies!

Anyway, Memory Crafters has come up with another creative workshop. This time it entails some craftsmanship with the use of color corrugated papers called Kokoru. Oh here comes another craze in the crafting world. I admit I'm not a crafty person but I'm very much willing to learn and get into these stuff.


About Corrugated Papers  

With my curiosity to further understand the topics that I'm writing about, I did a little research. Did you know that corrugated paper has two kinds? Lined and unlined. The "karton" or the one used as balikbayan box is a lined corrugated paper where the ridges are kept in between rigid layered papers for added strength while the unlined type consists of the fluted/ridged layer only and is flexible. In this workshop, we will be using the unlined corrugated paper that comes in different colors, thus the name Kokoru.

Lined type corrugated paper

Unlined type color corrugated papers

Kokoru

Kokoru originated from Indonesia and is available in two kinds: Kokoru Hachi, the A4 type (21 x 29.7cm) and Kokoru Ichi, in strips format (1.3 x 50cm). It comes in many color variants just like art papers. It can be enjoyed by all ages from children to adults who love doing DIY projects. Aside from scrap booking activities, its versatility allows one to make their own stationery, note cards, and even cute decorative objects. 

Kokoru Ichi (strips) and Kokoru Hachi (A4 size)

Sample Kokoru artwork I got from the internet.

Ideas for Kokoru are limitless. Aside from making your favorite character using Kokoru, you can use it as a souvenir for a party, as a gift, or prepare your Christmas decors using corrugated papers as early as now.

Memory Crafters: Loom Band Afternoon Party

Last year the craze was washi tapes, now it's loom bands. People nowadays are really into crafting and doing DIY stuff. Some would do it as a way of expressing themselves through their unique and personalized creation while others would just collect for the sake of being in the trend and be able to start a conversation with like-minded people.

What are Loom Bands?

They are those small colorful rubber bands that are weaved together using a plastic loom board to make bracelets, necklaces and even charms. And the most common design is the fishtail. Rainbow Loom was the very first brand who started this craze. 

Who invented Rainbow Loom?

The Rainbow Loom was invented in 2011 by a DIY engineer dad named Cheong Choon Ng from US. He saw her daughters weaving elastics bands over their fingers. When he tried to join in, he found out that his fingers were too big. And so he built himself a "loom" and thus Rainbow Loom was born.

Here are my only collection of loom bands made by my two friends.

As of this time, the craze is still at its peak. I'm not familiar with the price but it's literally everywhere. The original ones are sold in the malls while the imitations are scattered left and right along sidewalks particularly in Divisoria. They are usually sold by grams with varying colors to choose from: solid, mixed or glow-in-the-dark elastic bands. Loomers would usually learn from YouTube tutorials or from their kids or nieces. But if you think that you need an expert loomer to teach you in person, then here's a workshop for you.

Baking Class at The Maya Kitchen

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." This saying sounded cliche but it's very true. We have been married for more than two and a half years but until now I still haven't mastered the art of cooking. Before I got pregnant, I tried my best to cook something edible for the two of us but with a toddler now, I can't seem to find a quiet time to get back to the kitchen. 

Last month I was so lucky to have the opportunity to attend a baking class at The Maya Kitchen. Thanks to Mommy Bloggers Philippines for giving me a slot. Actually, it was a last minute decision just because somebody backed-out and that I was able to immediately grab the freed up slot. Personally, I love to eat sweets which includes cakes, chocolates and pastries that's why this session is just what I need.

I haven't heard about The Maya Kitchen before but upon visiting their website, I saw how credible and enticing it was to join their class. It got me curious as to how they all started that I went on searching online for their history and stumbled upon this link from Inquirer. It's interesting to know how this well-established local company emerged from just being a flour manufacturer to a most sought-after culinary center.

I'm excited to share with you my experience when I attended their Mother's Day Baking Class last May 10, 2014 together with my mom blogger friend Edel of Legal Mom Archives. First let me tour you around the place.

Bears for Haiyan: a DIY Caridad Charity Bear Workshop

When I was a kid, I didn't have much fondness towards stuffed toys. My mom kept me away from them because she said they easily collect dust. I almost got brainwashed from her not until my hubby insisted to let baby play with the stuffed teddy bears that my friend gave me during baby shower. After playing with these stuffed toys for quite sometime now, we noticed how baby has grown an affection and love towards them. It's very heart-warming to see when baby hugs and kisses her teddy bears just like the photo below.

Once, we strolled her to the mall and spontaneously entered a store that sells various stuffed toys, we saw how she was able to recognize and identify those cuddly teddy bears as if all of them were her friends. That's where I realized how teddy bears could brighten up and bring a smile to a child and even us adults.

And speaking of teddy bears, have you thought of creating one for yourself? Because Manila Workshops, in partnership with Luna and BE ME, would be having a workshop that will teach both kids and kids at heart on how to create their own teddy bear. The event, entitled Bears for Haiyan: A DIY Caridad Charity Bear Workshop, will be held on July 19, 2014 (Saturday).

Workshop for First Time Parents + Giveaway

If you have been following my blog, you would know that I love attending workshops and one of my favorites is Manila Workshop-organized workshops particularly their First Time Parents (FTP) series.

Here are some of the reasons why:

1. First of all, the topics are exactly what I needed as a new mom.

2. The venue is very accessible and conducive to learning, Medela House.

3. They have a hand-out neatly compiled in a folder inside a brown envelope.

4. They have a snack bar with biscuits, candies, coffee sachets and water.

5. There are lots of booths related to mom and baby and most of the time there would be sample packs or freebies for you to take home or free taste.

6. Best of all, you could attend for free if you are a Medela pump customer.

7. And you get to meet and mingle with new mommy friends along the way.

8. Lastly, it's actually my me-time, time to relax.

To give you a brief history, First Time Parents series started June of last year and I have attended at least four of them since then. Each year, they have lined up ten series of FTP workshops with varying topics to aid new mommies in their motherhood journey. Their topics would range from pre-natal, delivery, newborn care and even beyond toddlerhood. Want to know what's another good thing about FTP workshops? They have actually lowered their learning fee in order to reach out to more mommies out there. How great is that!

Are you curious to know what's their most requested workshop? It's the "What to Know Before Giving Birth" workshop, thus a rerun was made. I haven't attended this particular workshop yet because my baby is already a toddler when this topic came out. Last May 24, I attended their afternoon workshop on Mom and Baby Fashion/Baby Nutrition and upon signing in the registration, I was surprised to see a familiar name, one of my high school batch mates, who attended the morning session on What to Know Before Giving Birth the Rerun. I've thought of asking them instead on their feedback about the workshop and  here's what the couple had said:

"The workshop talked about the journey from 1st to 9th month of pregnancy. It doesn't mean that if mommy is okay, baby is okay too. The chart on weight gain was very informative. They specially reminded us to avoid eating processed meat. The workshop is best attended by newly pregnant mommies who are still on their first trimester and will definitely benefit them the most." (Note that the mommy is on her 7th month already)

Photo credit: Donna Donor

And because it's the most requested workshop for FTP series, they have been blessed with lots of sponsors, which also means freebies! All the attendees got to take home loads of gift packs. Even if you were not able to attend, my readers will also have a chance to win gift packs from these sponsors. 

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Are you ready? But first of all, let me thank Manila Workshops for choosing The Binondo Mommy to host this grand giveaway. Two (2) lucky winners will get a chance to take home a gift pack overload from their sponsors namely: Unilab, Rustan's, NumaBaby and SebaMed. 

One set of Gift Pack Overload contains these items. Two sets will be given away. (Prizes may vary.)

Mechanics:

The giveaway will run from May 31 until June 15, 2014. Winners will be announced the next day. Winners should be able to claim their gift packs at the Medela House on June 28 between 1 to 5pm only. Just follow the mechanics as stated in the Rafflecopter. Unable to follow the mandatory steps will make your entries invalid.

I'm also inviting you to attend their 8th installment on the FTP series of workshop, Making Memories and Party Planning this coming June 28, 2014, 1 to 5pm. It's a 2-in-1 session that teaches first time parents on how to document milestones and important events in their child's lives as well as plan for their child's baptism and birthday parties. The speaker would be Ms. Michelle Katigbak-Alejandro, editor-in-chief of Metro Weddings. For more info, just click the link below the poster.

If in case you are one of the lucky winners of my giveaway and would be interested to attend, I'm extending a 10% discount to this particular workshop. You just need to indicate "The Binondo Mommy" as your referrer to get the discount.

 

Making Memories and Party Planning

a Rafflecopter giveaway

See you on the 28th of June!

Updated June 16:

Thank you everyone for joining! Because I can't seem to "add a winner" or access the entries using Rafflecopter, I used the Random.org instead in choosing the winners. Here's the line up of names who joined this giveaway.

1. Ma. Clarice Lao-Itumay – DIY party ideas
2. Jim Marlon Macaraeg – party planning
3. Theresa Cruz-Escaros – childhood learning and development
4. Riyalyn Gatdula – newborn care, baby tests and other health-topics for the baby
5. Sherry Ann Gole Cruz – parenting and age-appropriate activities for kids
6. Arra Odeza – child care, breastfeeding, saving tips
7. Anne Marie Napay-Dragon – party planning, nutritious food for babies/toddlers
8. Laila Mercado – business workshop
9. Maricel Fajardo – parenting
10. Lovelyn Pagulayan
11. Helen Gatbonton – business
12. Ann Cagalingan – self-confidence booster for kids
13. Maria Elizabeth P. Andres – parenting, cooking and health-related
14. Princess Buenviaje
15. May Ongsioco – parenting
16. Abegail B. Licayan – business
17. Anna Maria Adona – age-appropriate games/exercises for skill/behavorial development
18. Kristine Domingo – parenting, child behaviour
19. Emilyn Cañares – parenting, tantrum-handling, nutrition
20. Lovely Joy Merced – party planning
21. Sarah Quijano – business
22. Kharen Mallari – parenting, cooking, business
23. Jeddahlyn Gonzales – party planning
24. Mary Anne Ramirez – handling toddler quarrels
25. Judith Albius – parenting, cooking
26. Hanna Roxette A. Zulueta – parenting, cooking
27. Rodel Salazar Mercurio – business
28. Maria Kristina Punla – parenting
29. Gracie Ramirez – satisfying children’s curiosity
30. Allan Reyes – child care
31. Jenny Esplana – make-up
32. Jessiemer Abing – business
33. Lorielyn Nocasa – parenting
34. Mary Rose Paguio – business

And the two lucky winners of the Gift Pack Overload are:

 

 

Congratulations! Kindly message me in FB your confirmation that you will be able to pick-up your prize at Medela House on the 28th of June, from 1-5pm and if you would be attending the said event. Thank you! :)

 

Mommy Sally 

7th Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference

Last March 15, I took the courage to attend the 7th Annual Women Entrepreneurs Conference at Mandarin Oriental Hotel all by myself without knowing anybody or nothing to expect since it was my first time to hear about this organizing body called Network for Enterprising Women (NEW) which I only came to know from a friend. Based on their poster, the topics seemed interesting. What got me curious was the fact that the conference was especially made for us women. Women + Entrepreneur = Wow! That's what I needed!

There were three topics discussed:

1. Ins and Outs of Franchising by Ms. Erlinda "Lyndah" Bartolome
2. Digital Marketing by Ms. Rosario Juan
3. Making the Leap from Employee to Entrepreneur by Ms. Cristina Gomez

Assemble & Launch: A Water Rocket Workshop & Competition

It's already summer time! By now, I'm sure most of the mommies are already busy looking and searching for summer activities to enroll their little ones. Choosing what particular summer course would depend on the interest of the child and are usually topics not taught in school. Aside from that, it's also the best time to bring your kids for an educational trip such as a science museum to reinforce what they have learned in school.

Speaking of science museum, have you visited Philippine Science Centrum lately? Please click here to read more about this interesting place.

If you haven't, now is your chance because this coming May 16-17, 2014, they will be conducting an exciting summer activity dubbed as Assemble & Launch: A water rocket workshop and competition. It's a two-day event aimed to promote interest on Space Science and Physics as well as provide an alternative educational activity for children ages 10 to 16 years old.


Participants in teams of two (2) will be given a workshop on how to make a PET bottle rocket (1.5 L), assemble their own rockets and compete with other teams on accuracy of their work. Prizes await the winners.

Get Hooked on DIY: A Home Decorating Workshop

Every mother loves to keep their house neat, organized and clutter-free. 

Here are some of the reasons why being organized is important based on my personal experience:

• It saves time and energy because you can easily locate the things you need to use.
• It saves money because you are able to fully utilize/consume the things you have on hand without buying for the second time.
• It clears the mind and in turn makes you more productive at work.
• It makes your home a childproof and hazard-free one.
• It makes a happy family because everything is in harmony.
• It beautifies your surrounding which makes it a visitor-friendly and relaxing place for everyone.

And if you agree on any of the above reasons, then I'm sure you will be excited for this good news! 

Good Housekeeping Magazine, in cooperation with 3M Philippines,

invites you to 

Get Hooked on D.I.Y.

A series of home decorating and organization workshops that will help you decorate and organize your home space using a simple and effective wall-hanging tool.  

As a home and décor expert, Good Housekeeping will show mommies, daddies, and even college dormers and singles how to tidy up and beautify their homes, condominiums, or dormitory rooms using Command™ Damage-Free Hanging Solutions from 3M. These hooks are very easy to install, and equally easy to remove without leaving a trace. So when you need some wall-hanging done at home, just look for 3M's Command™. No need to make holes with a nail or a drill because not only are they expensive, it even ruins the paint job, plus you need someone else to do it for you.

 

 

So what are you waiting for? Let's go and have fun learning about the various ways on how you can use Command™ Hooks and products in your surrounding.

 

Event Details:

 

Date: April 13, 2014 (Sunday)
Time: Workshop booth opens 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
        Program proper starts at 3:00 pm
Venue: SM Megamall Activity Center, Lower Ground Floor, Mega A Building

Watch out for the other legs of GET HOOKED ON DIY! 

For more details, kindly visit these pages:

Good Housekeeping Facebook at http://facebook.com/goodhousekeeping.ph

Command™ Website: http://www.command.com.ph

Mommy Sally

WAHMderful Life: Work-at-Home Mom (WAHM) Workshops

Mommies nowadays are very hands-on and love multitasking. You can just see how much they love and so eager to prioritize their children over their high paying full-time job. Luckily, there's an option to become a work-at-home mom (WAHM) and help her husband provide for the family. Aside from happily looking after their children, they even get to fulfill their passion and make money out of it.

Want to become a WAHM but don't know how? Fret no more because Manila Workshops, in their WAHMderful Life series of workshops, has come up two workshops this April to show us how to do it and how to start up our own home-based business.

Real Ways to be a WAHM

Topics include:

• How to Run your Online Store
• How to Manage Several Projects at a Time

Sub-topics include:

• Learn how to choose the Number 1 Product to Sell Online
• Zap the fear out of E-Commerce Management
• Know the Best Payment Method for Online Selling
• Learn the most effective Marketing and Advertising Strategies for your Shop
• do everything from home, on your laptop

Workshop Details:
Date: April 5, 2014 (Sat)
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm (registration  starts at 9:30 am)
Venue: 12th Floor, Multi-Purpose Hall, Insular Life Building, Ayala Ave. corner Paseo De Roxas, Makati City

Learning Fee:
Regular Rate: P1,200 (after March 31)
Early Bird Rate: P1,000 (on or before March 31)
Bring a Buddy Rate: P2,000 for 2 participants

To register, please go to this link: http://manilaworkshops.com/2014/03/real-ways-to-be-a-wahm-how-to-run-an-online-store-how-to-manage-multiple-projects.html

Speakers are:

1. Joy Gurtiza

• has been in the work-at-home world for over 10 years 
• also a blogger, a food photographer, a book author, and an online marketing consultant for a technology provider for florist retailers based in California 
• a WordPress superstar! She has set up tons of WordPress and membership sites for her Canadian employer. 
• is also helping her Canadian employer to run his business by taking care of his other employees and freelancers from around the world. 
• also an entrepreneur, she set up a small inbound and outbound call center for clients from New Mexico and Florida in 2005 to 2009. 
• While running a call center at night, she operated an English school during the day. 
• a master of trial error! From managing a small call center operation to getting people enrolled in her English school; acquiring a franchise in food business to operating a photobooth for local events in Manila. Though not all was profitable she thinks it was all worth the shot! 
• can be found blogging about her food recipes and awesome food photography at joybites.com, and rants about daily life at joygurtiza.com.

2. Ginger P. Arboleda

• graduated with a Masteral of Arts in Communications Major in Integrated Marketing Communications. 
• gained project management experience from being an account executive for two of the top Advertising Agencies in the country. 
• also worked as a Managing Director for her family’s food franchise. 
• Her longest work experience was with one of the top universal banks in the Philippines as a product manager. 
• Now, she is a mompreneur involved in handling 4 different businesses: Manila Workshops (events management company), Kooky Loopy (baby clothing business), Steps Project (advocacy) and Memory Crafters (craft box subscription business). 
• also a professional blogger for Manila Reviews and Mommy Ginger and also does Business Coaching on the side. 
• a wife to hot husband, EJ Arboleda and a mom to a cute 1 year old daughter, Zeeka

3. EJ Arboleda

• is currently the Chief Technology Officer for Wunderman Manila, an advertising company specializing in creating innovative technological marketing solutions for customers. 
• has been in the IT industry for 13 years, with extensive experience in both Service Management and Project Management. 
• Before Wunderman, EJ was a Service Delivery Manager in Hewlett-Packard Asia Pac Ltd, primarily working on SAP. 
• rushes home everyday to see his beautiful wife, Ginger, and their lovely baby, Zeeka

Mastermind Class#2: 

Home-Based Business Ideas

Topics include:

• ideas for home-based business
• guidance on how to find that idea that you can work with 

Workshop Details:
Date: April 12, 2014 (Sat)
Time: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm 
Venue: Mothercare, Active Fun, Bonifacio High Street, BGC

Learning Fee:
Individual Rate: P600 per person
Group Rate: P1,500 for 3 people

Speaker: Martine de Luna of makeitblissful.com

 To register, please go to this link: http://manilaworkshops.com/2014/03/wahmderful-life-mastermind-class-2-homebased-business-ideas.html

Both workshops seem so exciting! Can't wait to attend and learn from the experts in WAHMderhood! Thank you Manila Workshops for making these practical knowledge so accessible to us modern and proactive moms.

Mommy Sally