Our #snOMG Winter Wonderland Whiteout Fun in Charlotte NC

Sitting on a huge boulder of a snowball! Thanks to 10" of snow.

Last time we've had this much snow was in 2004. 9 freakin' long years ago! I know a lot of you are saying they're either "done", "tired", "ready-for-Summer" kind of folks right now...but c'mon! What about us in the snow-starved State that don't see this much snow ALL THE TIME? Yeah us. Not that I'm asking you to hate on me now but I'm totally lovin' the fact that we got 3 Snow days and 10 inches totally awesome amount of snow! I know - we'll pay for the "price" later - but for now, we'll have fun shall we?

This don't happen all the time.*

Watch this in our YouTube Channel:

Our #snOMG Winter Wonderland Whiteout Fun in Charlotte NC

* Obviously, this video was recorded earlier. Snowstorm started on Tuesday up to Thursday of this week.

Check this out:

• My No-Brainer Snow Gauge for #snOMG in Charlotte
• How to Catch a Snowflake

How To Catch a Snowflake and Create A Snowflake-dusted Magical Shape!

All that flurries coming down at the onset of  #snOMG have prompted my creative brain to work on overdrive! I have always been mesmerized and captivated by Snowflakes - yes, I love 'em. Enough that I used it in my previous Winter home decor theme which was gorgeous of course!

Now I want to catch some and see them in their true-to-bigger-than-life-form! The opportunity is well at hand. So, I got my brainpower a-crackin'. What did I do? Well, watch and find out. It was a whole lot of fun!

Watch video directly on our YouTube Channel:

How To Catch a Snowflake and Create A Snowflake-dusted Magical Shape!

Show Me YOUR Colors!

Watch directly on our Channel : Fall in the City 2013

Update: Autumn equinox is on Sunday, Sept 22. I obviously mislooked the info online. Blergh. Thanks Bob! But the photos are still lovely, so enjoy it! :-)

It's officially FALL today ( video filmed a day before)  -- where the heck did Summer go?! -- but if you ask my trees in my backyard, they'll tell you it's been Fall a long time ago for them. They've been changing colors since the start of August! Crazy Charlotte weather. And, here's what they've got for you! Watch the video and be Ah-maze!

Duo Pinball App-Supported Controller for iPad Review and Giveaway

In this day and age, you have to keep up with technology, including the type of toys and gifts to give this holidays! With most games now app-based, it is very interesting to actually used a controller to play these games just like the Duo Pinball controller for iPad which I had the privilege of testing out!

Watch directly on our Youtube Channel: Duo Pinball Controller

Cooking Tips for Busy Moms ~ An Interview with Jackie Newgent, Author of Big Green CookBook

As a working Mom with little to no time in hands and always on the go, preparing a decent and nutritious meal is always a challenge. Meeting Jackie Newgent, Author of Big Green Cook Book during the Soyjoy Breakfast event in New York City last year where I was invited was definitely a treat! I asked her to share some tips that Moms on the go like me can utilize to make meal preparation a breeze while still being nutritious!

Maricris with Jackie Newgent 

SoyJoy Breakfast Event in NYC

Me in a Kashi Commercial? No Way!

Last month, Kashi Cereal launched a Video Smile Review as a fun way for them to see what consumers think of their cereals using smiles to measure their opinions. I will not reiterate countless times yet again that this brand is a huge favorite of ours. It's one of our staple foods in my house. Just look at my video diary for week 1 challenge for Dial Healthier You Program { which I won by the way }. As soon as I saw the call for review, I went and did it right away! And boy, was I so glad I did!

My Video Smile Review - uncut version

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane...

I'm off to California with family for Christmas and in a couple of hours we're leaving on a Jet plane and flying the friendly skies...crossing fingers and toes. Below is a video dedicated to those who don't fly. Experience flying in the comfort of your own couch through me - without the motion sickness! Enjoy!!!



I'll catch up with you in Cali!

Dial® Diaries: My "Me" Time Challenge - Week 4 Final Diary Entry

You know that cliche' "The sad part of saying hello is saying goodbye"? Well, that pretty much sums up this post which is my last entry to my Dial^® Diaries Healthier You 4-week challenge. This week is the final week! Week 4's challenge is to find a "ME" time! Sounds simple, yes? Nope. Not when you're a working mother and also doing Social Media projects on the side. Finding a "me" time is as impossible as going to bed before 2am! But as another cliche' would say... "If there's a will, there's a way" and way I did find!

Enjoying a "Me" time while multitasking and relaxing

Dial® Diaries: My Skin Care Challenge - Week 3 Diary Entry

Just like Amy Hendel, I myself can't believe we're already on Week 3 of Dial Healthier You Members Program 4-week challenge. Time sure flies when you're having fun! Week 3 proves to be my favorite though. I'm a woman and admit it, if you're a woman, your skin is one of the things you're quite vain about besides your looks! So to me, having an effective skin care regimen that helps preserves my skin and keeping it healthy is a must!

A Holiday Showcase Party Fun!

I had the privilege of putting together another FUN party intended for kids in the neighborhood and their moms which initially had a huge sign-up and everyone was excited to attend but ironic and strange as it was, everyone started canceling on me on the day of the party! Saved by one attendee, I ended up with a two-fer. And just like a real trooper, the party went on and we had a blast nonetheless! AND no despair here. The toys are going to make a comeback on my birthday Toy Drive! {You're Invited!} And why not? Toys are just too fun not to enjoy over and over again! See for yourself!

Meet my Pedro's Siblings: Cinnamon Swirl Bunny

and Peace Bear. Build-A-Bear Workshops cuddly SmallFrys!

How To Be CheerFULL with Hallmark Christmas Goodies!

Can you believe it? Christmas is almost here! It doesn't seem that long ago when during Blogher in August, I was invited by Hallmark to party with them to celebrate Christmas in August! One that proved to be quite an eclectic experience! An entire hotel Suite decked out with Christmas decor' in the middle of Summer! Hallmark is a prominent brand in Asia when I was growing up and one that became a part of every special occasions in my life back then... and now.

The only difference back when I was younger is that, Hallmark was particularly known for its' quality greeting cards. But no more...they got better! Hallmark has evolved through the years as evident with the products they now carry.

Nokia E73 Mode - Smartphone with an Attitude

I have been around Smartphones like Nokia for ages that it has become quite easy for me to tell which will work for me and not. As a working mom who is a self-confessed geek like myself, I require a phone that caters to my specific requirements. Think of scheduler, planner, journal etc.- applications that will help organize my hectic life! Nokia E73 Mode seem to possess these qualities and I had the privilege of putting it to the test!

Dial Diaries: My Healthy Skin Challenge - Week 1 Diary Entry

I'm quite ecstatic to find out that I was one of only 100 people across the country selected to join the elite Dial Healthier You Member Program. A 4-Week program challenging members to make lasting positive changes to the way they look and feel with the guidance of Health and Nutrition expert Amy Hendel! And this post covers my first entry to my Dial Diaries!

Zhu Zhu Pets Pampered Hamster Playdate Fun!

Zhu Zhu Pets brought down my house this past weekend! Yes, brought my house down with loads of fun! Our playdate was a huge success, some of the kids went home crying ~ not because they were harmed ~ they were having so much fun, they didn't want to go home! Their moms literally have to extract them from my home. But all was SO good, we decided to do a Zhu Zhu pets playdate again soon.

Meet Rudolph's Girlfriend Clarice! - Build-A-Bear Workshop 2010 Winter Collection Review and Giveaway

WINNER UPDATE: According to Random.org our winner is number 130: dddiva! Congratulations! Thank you to all who entered. Watch out for the upcoming $100 GC giveaway!

This is the first time I've laid eyes on Clarice and I tell you she is a cutie! No wonder Rudolph is so taken with her. And now so do we, especially my daughter! Build-A-Bear Workshop is a brand that has become a household item not just in my house but distinctly in my blog which started that very day my daughter got her first pawsome friend ~ now 8 furry friends and counting {not including the small ones}! Which reminds me, our first furry friend was also a winter babe - Holly!  Clarice is definitely a welcome addition!

Follow our little journey to Build-A-Bear Workshop when we went to get Clarice by watching my VidVue™ below and find out what qualities made us love her!

My Little Girl Wonder from Little Wonder Company - Personalized Book VidVue™ and Giveaway

WINNER UPDATE: According to Random.org our winner is number 6: Susan! Congratulations! Thank you to all who entered.


UPDATE: Giveaway extended to Nov 29th in celebration of Thanksgiving! Submit your entries now.

My little girl has developed a love for books very early on and one thing I'm truly glad about. She appreciates a good read from a good book any time of the day! This is why the idea of having her as the main character in an adventure book sounded like the perfect treat! One that she can definitely enjoy reading , if not totally proud of!

Carolina Renaissance Festival - A place where Wenches and Bastards are the stars!

And that's not a lie. Just don't go tellin' the King and Queen and...their royal subjects! Carolina Renaissance Festival is always one of the well-attended events when it comes to town and why not? You can be your altered ego anytime of the day and it's A-OK! It's actually encouraged! Not just that, it's a p.a.r.a.d.i.s.e. for both men and women: 

• Men because there are a lot of wenches with overly tight bodice corset and overflowing tatas to feast their eyes on.  
• Women because with tight corsets ~ not sure how they can breathe through that ~  they get instant tata-lift! Whoa and lots of 'em there this year too!

See? But with or without tatas, it's also a fun place for kids! This year is the first time we've visited the theme park during Halloween and what a treat ~ kids come for free that day! Made me wish I had seven kids that day! Knock on wood! ONLY for the DAY wenches, only for the day...

Geek Gadgets: Nokia 3G Booklet Video Review

For 6 very intensive years, I have worked for one of the top wireless telecommunications company in the Philippines where I developed a great love, not just for technology and wireless gadgetry, but more specifically for the brand, Nokia! A brand I've come to trust and proud to have. Needless to say, I keep a vast collection of this brand from phones to tablets. And why Nokia? Simple. Nokia, for me, is the only brand that carries sophisticated products that satisfies the geek in me! With this being said, I was recently asked to test out Nokia's new 3G Booklet which was sent to me all the way from London! I was beyond excitement...

Simply Water! - Activeion Ionator HOM™ Review

If you are a mom like me who despises chemicals on all the cleaning products we have out in the market today, wouldn't you be thrilled if you find one that actually uses just water to help do the filthy work around your house with you? I don't know about you, but I would definitely give it a try!

Children's Theater Charlotte's "Get To Know our Education Program" and Coffee Hour Event

I had the pleasure of being invited to mingle and socialize with the wonderful team of the Education Department of Children's Theater Charlotte  along with other select bloggers and writers in Charlotte. This is the first Coffee Hour event CTCharlotte had hosted as part of their initiative to introduce their Education Programs and reach out to the parents in the local community through us.